January 16th, 2009 by Hal Moses
If you’re considering purchasing a new or used vehicle, you should do a few things first. You can make the process of buying a car easier, and save yourself some money by following a few simple tips.
First of all, you should consider purchasing a pre-owned car. New vehicles will immediately lose about 30% of their value when they are driven out of the dealership lot. A used car will save you from losing that immediate depreciation.
Try to purchase a vehicle that is fuel-efficient. There are an endless amount of new hybrid options and cars that will save you money at the gas pump. With the variety of choices out there, there is no need to purchase a vehicle that guzzles gas.
If at all possible, save for a decent down payment. A lot of motorists will barely put any money down on a vehicle and don’t understand why their payments the first four years are so high. Putting down 20% will make a big difference in lowering monthly payments.
Lastly, buy an auto warranty along with your car purchase. Many consumers try to get away with not doing this and they end up spending an unnecessary amount of money on repairs down the road.
Follow these simple tips to save yourself a headache. Do your homework before getting to the dealership in order to make the best decisions.
January 16th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Consumers can expect the 2009 Porsche Cayman and Boxster to arrive at dealerships this March, complete with an auto warranty and improvements in technology, fuel economy, and power. Of course, this means there will be a slight bump in price. According to Tony Fouladour, who works for Porsche, the 2009 Cayman is going to start at $50,300 including new car warranties, and the Cayman S is going to cost $60,200, which doesn’t include a destination charge of $975.
The base price for the 2009 Boxster will be starting at $46,600 and make a jump to $56,700 for the Boxster S. There will be a $950 destination charge for the Boxster.
Overall, the pricing for 2009 Porsche’s ends up being about a 1.8% jump in comparison to the 2008 models, however this increase is representative of more bang for your buck. Both the 2009 Cayman and Boxster will feature the new Direct Fuel Injection technology by Porsche, which will give added power, while estimates for gas mileage top 25 mpg-a fuel economy increase since 2008.
January 16th, 2009 by Hal Moses
There is nothing worse than getting your car repaired and hearing, “It isn’t covered under your auto warranty.â€Â Often, motorists are confused because they assume that certain repairs are covered. Drivers need a little education to understand more about their new car warranties.
People need to understand that an auto warranty isn’t an entitlement, but an agreement you make with the car manufacturer. Your responsibility is to fulfill specific maintenance requirements that the manufacturer sets. After doing your part, the manufacturer must perform repairs resulting from a defect or a failed part.
So, what parts are covered? The auto manufacturer must cover the parts that it makes. For example, transmissions, engines, steering, suspension, computers, instruments, chassis wiring, and other parts that they manufacture are covered. Maintenance items and wearable items aren’t covered under new car warranties. For example, filters, hoses, belts, brakes and tires aren’t covered.
What about the parts not made by the manufacturer of the car? Items such as stereo systems and conversion components have a warranty through their manufacturers. These can be found in paper work you received with the purchase of the car.
The best thing that you can do to avoid misunderstandings about new car warranties is to educate yourself. Make sure that you do your homework and read all of the fine print in your auto warranty.
January 16th, 2009 by Hal Moses
When buying a car for a teen driver it is important to consider safety and reliability. After all, teens don’t have a lot of experience. When car shopping for a young driver, cars should be considered that have good crash-test results and advanced safety features.
For the most part big, heavy vehicles perform the best in crash tests. However, large cars can be hard to handle and often have lousy fuel economy. SUVs and large pickup trucks aren’t recommended for teens because they are more prone to roll over in an accident than other cars.
The best bet for teens is a mid-size sedan with good safety and crash ratings. Some cars that have these features are the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Sonata, Ford Focus, Mazda 3, Acura RSX and Subaru Impreza.
The best thing to do when buying a car for a teenager is to get the newest model possible that is reliable. Consult the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to see crash results for cars that you are considering. And make sure to protect your wallet by purchasing an auto warranty. After all, teenagers tend to be a little bit hard on their cars.
January 16th, 2009 by Hal Moses
The 111th Congress is just a week old, and they have already proposed legislation that will affect the car world. The House and Senate have both proposed new legislation hoping to get vehicles that are fuel-inefficient off of roads. This program, which is called “Cash for Clunkers†would provide owners of old gas-guzzlers cash. For example, a 1999 Ford Explorer would get between $2,500-$4,500 so they could buy a new vehicle.
So, what is the catch here? First of all, the car would have to be a model year 2004 or earlier, and get 18mpg or less. Also, the car must be drivable and it had to have been registered for the last 120 days or more.
The tricky part, however, is that after you get the reimbursement slip, you must buy a used or new vehicle that has a fuel economy rating that exceeds the CAFÉ target set for its vehicle class by 25%.
This bill can be helpful for many people, especially if you are interested in buying a new car that gets good gas mileage. Just keep in mind that you will have other expenses to consider, such as new car warranties and maintenance costs.
January 14th, 2009 by Hal Moses
People are often irrational about their vehicles. Some drivers even talk to their vehicles and give them a pat here and there. But as much as our cars mean to us, we don’t need to waste money on them. Here are some common ways that you can avoid unnecessary car expenses.
First of all, buying premium fuel over regular isn’t necessary. Purchase the cheapest gas possible that keeps your engine from knocking. Octane serves the purpose of preventing knock, so if your car doesn’t knock with regular gasoline you’re fine.
Usually, carmakers recommend that you change your oil every 5,000-7,000 miles. Many motorists assume that they should get their oil changed every 3,000 miles, however, this should be done only if you put a lot of wear and tear on your car.
Also, having auto repairs done at a dealership will cost you. Instead, find a reliable independent shop to do the job for less money. In addition, make sure to have an auto warranty to avoid unnecessary costs down the road.
Following these simple tips can save you lots of money. Don’t allow other people to talk you into paying unnecessary expenses for your vehicle and purchase used car warranties to protect your wallet.
January 14th, 2009 by Hal Moses
According to a Soleil Securities analyst, used car values are continuing to decline. This could have negative repercussions for new car manufacturers that are already struggling.
Analyst Michael Ward claims that the Manheim used vehicle index, which indicates trends in pricing, dropped 6.2% last month, which is the lowest seen since 2004.
Also, according to Manheim, prices of used cars have fallen year after year in each of the past months.
Michael Ward says that the majority of new car sales involve trading in a used vehicle, which heightens the effect of pre-owned car values on the carmakers. And used car prices that are on the decline are a negative indication of new car demand over the next six months.
The poor economy has hit the auto industry hard, and it appears that this won’t end anytime soon. Consumers are holding onto their current cars and purchasing used car warranties to protect themselves.
January 14th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Mitsubishi announces plans to cancel production of its Raider pickup at some point during the middle of next year, ending a sales streak that has been difficult to say the least. The carmaker is reworking its lineup and changing the focus to more fuel-efficient vehicles, therefore the Raider moved right to the chopping block.
The Raider made its debut in 2005, and was Japan’s answer to the Dodge Dakota, however it was never able to catch on, and its poor sales made it the perfect target during a period of retooling. Last year, sales of Raiders was less than 3,000 vehicles.
First it was Isuzu’s exit from the Unites States, and now this announcement adds to the shrinking supply of badge-engineered pickups. However, you tell us: Do you think anyone out there is going to really miss the Raider?
Consumers are trying to protect themselves by purchasing vehicles that are more fuel-efficient, and making sure they have good new car warranties. After all, an auto warranty can save you from unnecessary repair costs down the road.
January 10th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Not everyone has the option of purchasing a shiny new car, but there are many new-to-you cars that you can get for a great deal. Recently, the Kelley Blue Book put together a list of cars in average condition with a value between $15,000-$21,000. Here are three of the top cars on the list.
First, there’s the 2003 BMW 3 Series sedan. This car has an average value of $20,290 according to Kelley Blue Book. This is a performance-oriented car that handles wonderfully and has great style.
The 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV has an average value of $20,335, and is a great bargain. The Tahoe is very easy and enjoyable to drive. Also, this vehicle has a roomy interior that is very comfortable.
Next, the 2006 Chrysler 300 sedan is a great used car with an average value of $17,865. This vehicle has a 3.5-liter V-6, which offers adequate power in any situation.
Of course we all wish we could purchase a brand new vehicle, but there are many used cars out there that offer consumers a great bargain. Drivers should do their homework to ensure they are getting a good vehicle, and purchase an auto warranty to go with it. After all, peace of mind goes a long way.
January 10th, 2009 by Hal Moses
For all of you people out there who are fans of the Patriots- the vehicle, not team-here are some additional reasons that you should love your crossover. In an omission that is rare, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety decided to revise the frontal crash-test rating of the 2008 Jeep Patriot to Good, which is the highest rating that is acceptable. Russ Rader, who is a IIHS spokesman, claimed that there was a missing wire in a crash-test dummy’s leg that caused the Patriot to get an Acceptable rating, but when the wire was in the correct place, the Patriot received an improved rating of Good.
The side crash-test rating for the 2008 Patriot was also Good with the optional side curtain airbags. These airbags are now standard for the 2009 model. Ratings for rear crash-tests were only Acceptable, which is why the Patriot didn’t become the Top Safety Pick.
Consumers are becoming more and more concerned with automobile safety. They are protecting themselves by purchasing new car warranties, and researching car safety features and crash test results.