January 23rd, 2009 by Hal Moses
Some people think of used cars as being dirty, junky and old. But a different market is making savvy buyers who are looking for updated vehicles pay attention. The bonus is that these cars don’t have the sticker price of new cars.
Certified pre-owned cars have undergone rigid inspections and been refurbished by their manufacturer. Also enticing is that they are backed with an extended auto warranty. Automakers are realizing that they can’t ignore the certified vehicle market.
A recent study shows that certified pre-owned car sales have gone up 46% since the year 2000. It is estimated that 1.5 million certified used vehicles are sold yearly, which is equivalent to approximately 10 % of the sales of new cars.
So what are the best and worst certified pre-owned cars to purchase? Forbes.com has put out a list to help consumers make a good purchase.
At the top of the list of the best CPO cars are Honda Accord and Toyota 4Runner. Following is the Acura TL, and Subaru Impreza. Also, the Lexus GS tops the list.
Cars on the worst list are the Saturn Relay, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Also, the Volkswagen New Beetle, Pontiac G6, and Mercedes Benz E Class make the list.
Certified pre-owned can be a great way to purchase an updated vehicle without the updated cost. Another perk is that they come with an extended auto warranty. Just remember to keep in mind the best and worst CPO car lists when considering a purchase.
January 23rd, 2009 by Hal Moses
It’s apparent that the auto industry in America is becoming “greener†than ever. Everywhere you look there are ads for fuel-cell technology, hybrids, Bio-diesel fuel, clean-diesel engines, and E-85 fuel. These technologies have gained popularity with America’s Big Three automakers.
Why? Automakers are feeling pressure from all directions, including the White House, Congress, and also consumers.
Ford Motor Co., Chrysler LLC and General Motors have been trying to catch up with foreign cars, such as the Toyota Prius. The Prius has gained popularity because of the hybrid technology it offers, its environmental benefits, its cool styling, and all with the addition of an auto warranty.
The Big Three carmakers are closing the gap. General Motors already offers 14 Flex Fuel car models, which run on E85, and 2 million of them are on roads already. In addition, GM is going to bring 12 hybrid cars to the auto market within the next four years. Also, Ford has the Escape Hybrid and the Mercury Mariner Hybrid. Perhaps the biggest buzz though, is about the Chevrolet Volt, which will allow drivers to travel 40 miles on an electric motor.
U.S. carmakers are on the mission to catch up with foreign automakers, putting out effective green technologies complete with style, safety, and new car warranties. Their goal is to have several different technologies to meet the needs of all consumers.
January 23rd, 2009 by Hal Moses
The average price around the nation for a gallon of fuel has risen for the third week in a row, and is now at $1.85 per gallon. This price is higher than it has been since late November and it’s a 6.3-cent-per gallon leap since last week.
However, if you compare gas prices to a year ago, it’s about $1.17 less per gallon. And, prices are still way down from the summer, in which gas was over $4. On the West Coast, prices are the highest at $2.02 a gallon, and in the Rocky Mountain states, prices are the lowest at $1.61 a gallon.
While this increase is slight, it’s definitely something to watch out for, especially in the months to come. After all, as weather gets warmer Americans tend to drive more miles.
Motorists are starting to gain more confidence since gas prices have been down for a while. People are even buying new cars with new car warranties. However, gas prices could go back up and squash everyone’s confidence.
January 22nd, 2009 by Hal Moses
There is a new website that Tribal has launched that allows car shoppers to experience a true life like shopping experience from the comfort of their own homes. Now, at Volkswagen.co.uk people can virtually walk around a new vehicle and sit in it. Tribal created this website because shopping for cars can be confusing.
Research shows that car shoppers do the majority of their car research on the Internet, which cuts showroom visits in half. In response to this, VW decided to give car shoppers a virtual experience that they could experience without leaving the house.
In the site you will find a sophisticated car configurator in which there are 3D models of the VW range. Visitors can change different options in order to alter the vehicle’s appearance. Basically, people can create the car that they choose to have.
In the near future people can go to the site and book test-drives through different retailers. They will also have the ability to see what models are available at different retailers.
VW has listened to customers needs and designed a website that allows people to shop from their own homes. It is also convenient that people can shop for new car warranties and insurance by searching various websites. By doing comparisons, people can rest assured that they got the best deal on a car, an auto warranty and insurance.
January 22nd, 2009 by Hal Moses
The Prius has become one of the hottest vehicles in the country. This is actually quite amazing because this is a hybrid electric vehicle, which requires people to embrace change. With any change, people like to protect themselves. Many people feel better purchasing a hybrid if they have an auto warranty to go along with it. The billion-dollar question that innovators face is whether people will resist or embrace innovation. Apparently, Toyota got it right, because thousands of people are buying the Prius.
People accustomed to a regular vehicle would struggle to get the Prius to move forward. In addition, people probably couldn’t figure out how to put the car in reverse. However, these are not hard lessons to learn, they just require people to change their way of thinking. To start the Prius you press a button located on the dashboard twice. To make your car go forward or backward you manipulate a small stick that comes out of the dashboard.
People might fear technology because it is seductive, yet they might also have a fear of not being able to change. Either way, it is good to protect yourself. This includes purchasing new car warranties that will cover you in the case of faulty technology. Innovators never really know which way the cash register will ring. However, Toyota got it right with the Prius.
January 22nd, 2009 by Hal Moses
College students who live a long distance from their school find it hard to commute on a daily basis. It can be tough to wait for a bus, as well as time consuming. Having a vehicle can help a great deal in this situation. But students are usually tight for cash, so they need to get auto loans for students.
Students must plan their budget well. Purchasing a pre-owned vehicle is a great option for students because they are cheaper than new vehicles. Of course there are other expenses, such as insurance, maintenance, used car warranties, and fuel that come along with car ownership. So, it is necessary to consider these factors when calculating the cost of buying a car. Car loans for students are designed so that students can repay them without problems. Loans such as these are offered through banks and financial companies.
Students with bad credit are even eligible to apply for car loans for students; however, their interest rate will be high. To make the interest rate lower, students can arrange to have a co-signer. Auto loans for students are considered secure because if the student can’t repay the loan, the lender will take the car, and sold to recover the loan amount.
January 21st, 2009 by Hal Moses
It’s important to realize that in today’s cars the main source of power is still the battery. The battery is not just used to start the engine; it is also used to supply electrical energy that maintains the memory of the numerous computers onboard. Batteries and cable connections that are poorly maintained fail to supply the voltage needed for innovative electronic devices. This can cause a vehicle to perform erratically. Maintaining your battery and purchasing an auto warranty can save you from breakdowns. Here are a few simple do’s and don’ts that can help you maintain your car battery.
First, it is important to check cables to make sure they are tight and free of corrosion. Make sure that terminals are lubricated with petroleum jelly to keep cables clean longer. Also, the battery should be secured firmly to the mounting bracket. If it’s not, it can result in short circuits. Finally, make sure to maintain fluids. If fluid is low, distilled water should be added. If there isn’t fluid the battery needs to be replaced.
There are some important things that you shouldn’t do concerning your battery. Don’t charge your battery if it’s frozen because there is a possibility it could explode. Instead, you must replace the battery. Never charge a battery that is dead with an alternator. The alternator may be damaged in this case. Also, you shouldn’t disconnect battery cables if your car is running.
Make sure to maintain your battery so it can perform at its peak. These simple tips can help your battery last longer. Of course, you never know when your car will fail, so make sure to purchase an auto warranty that will protect you in the event of a breakdown.
January 21st, 2009 by Hal Moses
Every day people are asking dealership service departments, “Isn’t that covered under my auto warranty?†A lot of drivers assume that an auto warranty allows for repairs regardless of such things as maintenance requirements, environmental conditions, and vehicle mileage.
An auto warranty is an agreement you make with the manufacturer of the car. As the auto warranty purchaser, you are responsible for following specific maintenance requirements. Only if you perform the maintenance, is the manufacturer obligated to have repairs done.
Because of questionable practices that dealers have performed in the past, car manufacturers scrutinize every auto warranty claim. Consumers often interpret this as an effort to get out of paying for repair costs. However, the reality is that the repair might not qualify under the terms of the auto warranty. This could be due to things such as, vehicle abuse, expiration, or parts that aren’t covered under the agreement.
Buyers need to be extra careful and read their auto warranty thoroughly. Make sure to fulfill your side of the deal in order to have the manufacturer fulfill their side.
January 21st, 2009 by Hal Moses
Having just received a multibillion-dollar bailout, Chrysler announced it will have a partnership with the Italian carmaker Fiat. Within hours of rumors hitting the media about the deal, Chrysler officially released a statement with an explanation of the pact. Fiat has agreed to share the platforms of its small cars and its fuel-efficient engines, which are extremely popular in Europe, in exchange for a 35% stake in the American carmaker. Cash is not going to exchange hands; it’s just that Fiat will have a stake in Chrysler.
This plan will mean that Fiat products will be built in the United States and Dodge and Chrysler products. There probably aren’t any Jeep-like vehicles in Fiat’s portfolio.
Many questions about the deal are left unanswered. For one, it doesn’t appear that Fiat is getting much in return for contributing to Chrysler. In recent years past, Fiat has considered bringing back the Alfa Romeo brand to the United States, but its main concern was distribution. The statement that Chrysler put out mentions distribution extremely vaguely. Maybe when the economy gets back on track the beautiful slate of modern Alfas will be on sale in America. That would give Chrysler a truly luxury car brand to sell.
All carmakers, especially Chrysler, have suffered a hard blow with the poor economy. People have resolved themselves to holding onto their current cars and purchasing used car warranties, instead of buying new. Hopefully, though, with all of the new exciting cars coming on the market, people will be tempted to start buying new cars soon.
January 20th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Often motorists get sticker shock or experience buyer’s remorse after buying a new car. However, you can avoid this by considering the expenses that you will encounter in the future.
According to experts, most consumers anticipate the price of the purchase, registration and taxes. However, many people forget to factor in the price of insurance and new car warranties. Fortunately, by doing your homework you can get good deals on insurance and an auto warranty.
To control car costs drivers should consider these tips. First of all, decide before you get to the dealership the amount of money that you can spend. Also, decide on what type of car will suit your needs. It is also beneficial to get quotes from several dealers, because then you are in the position to negotiate. Finally, check insurance and auto warranty prices on the vehicle that you want to purchase.
You don’t have to go broke purchasing a new car. But, be smart and consider all of the costs involved. It isn’t just the purchase price that you will be paying.
Some people think of used cars as being dirty, junky and old. But a different market is making savvy buyers who are looking for updated vehicles pay attention. The bonus is that these cars don’t have the sticker price of new cars.
