Auto Warranty News

There are many great deals out there on new cars, especially since car sales have been down, yet you need to understand the offers.  For example, are there any “restrictions”, “qualifiers”, “exclusions”, or “limitations”?  Make sure you know what the fine print means.

Often, dealerships offer regional incentives.  In other words, you must live in the area to get the deal.  For example, you might be able to get a new car for $1,500 less if you live in the right area.

Some deals on financing may be contingent on a down payment amount that is predetermined.  For example, you might need to have $4,000 cash to put down at the time of the sale.  If you don’t have this amount of money, you might get stuck with finance rate that is higher.

Sometimes an offer may be contingent on if the dealer participates with the program.  This could include a special financing rate, rebate, etc.  Remember that dealers are operated independently and you are not dealing directly with the automaker.

These are just a few things to look out for when it comes to offers by dealers.  Make sure you read the small print to understand the terms of the offer.  And make sure that the car you are looking at comes with good new car warranties.

SUVs are available in a wide array of prices and sizes.  They are more versatile than any other vehicle.  They have varying cargo carrying options, carry up to eight people, and allow drivers to be higher than cars.  In addition, they can tackle off-road terrain.  There are car based and truck based SUVs.  Which is the best for you?

Gaining popularity are car-based SUVs.  These vehicles are on car like unibody platforms.  In addition, they use a suspension that is completely independent, and have all-wheel drive.  They usually perform better in fuel-efficiency, handling and ride comfort than truck based SUVs.  Also, in CR testing they generally rate higher overall.  They can be driven off-road in mild situations.

Truck-based SUVs are built on a body on frame platform.  They allow for a larger towing capacity than car-based SUVs.  Also, the ones that have four-wheel drive can tackle off-road terrain that is serious.  The handling on these vehicles, however, can be more cumbersome.  Also, their ride can be a little jolting.

SUVs are a great option if you are looking for cargo space versatility, a large passenger capacity, and off road options.  Do your homework on such things as an auto warranty, maintenance costs, and fuel-efficiency before deciding on an SUV.  Also, have in mind what your needs will be before showing up at the dealership.

BMW, Ford and VW announced the plan to boost sales of small cars that are fuel-efficient after the slump of consumer spending, which shows that improving gas powered cars will come before vehicles with alternative fuel.

Automakers in the U.S. are cutting emissions by steering away from SUVs and trucks and focusing on smaller cars, as major advances in other technology are being delayed because of the global financial crisis.  Just like European automakers, they are making the most of the combustion engine, for example improving turbochargers, to increase efficiency while continuing to burn fossil fuels.

Vehicle sales in the U.S. plummeted 27% last month, extending the slide in the industry to 11 months in a row, which is the longest in 17 years.  Tightening credit has discouraged buyers, as the U.S. and Europe shovel out money to help bail the banks out.  Meanwhile, the roads won’t be full of electric vehicles until huge investments have government support.

Carmakers are finding themselves in a position where they have to pay attention to the basics, selling gas-powered cars.  In the meantime, many motorists are hanging on to their current vehicles and purchasing an auto warranty to protect them from unnecessary repair costs.

Many motorists believe it is easiest to trade in your current car when buying a new one, yet, is trading the right choice for you?  There are some advantages and disadvantages to trading.

The biggest advantage to trading over selling is that you have very little hassle.  You don’t have to haggle with buyers and you get rid of your car quickly.  However, the fact is that you aren’t going to get as much for your car if you trade it in.

Any used vehicle has a specific retail value.  If a dealership is going to sell that vehicle, they will have certain expenses, such as fixing dents and scrapes, cleaning it, and just overhead costs of running their business.  Therefore, the dealership has to sell it for a little more than a private owner would.

Since dealers need to make a good profit on used vehicles, they purchase them for less than the retail value.  When the dealership takes a trade in vehicle, they are essentially purchasing it from the new car customer, and at a price below the retail value.  Essentially, this is called the trade in value.

Although trading in your vehicle is much easier than going through the hassle of trying to sell your car on your own, you are going to get less money for your vehicle.  If you sell your car on your own, you can put the extra money you get towards important things such as an auto warranty and maintenance costs.

When it comes time to purchase a family car, there are several considerations.  First, you have to think about having plenty of seats and cargo space so your family is comfortable.  Next, you need to find a car with good fuel economy, low maintenance costs, dependability and most importantly, safety.  That is a lot to ask of any car, and with all of the options out there, which car should you purchase?  Here are some top picks.

Surprisingly, the Suzuki XL7 is a great overall SUV.  You can get this car fully loaded for $29,000 with a fantastic auto warranty.  It comes complete with all-wheel drive, a DVD system, power everything, leather seats, and a 3.6-liter V6.  It also has a curvy exterior with a sporty, modern look.

If you’re looking for a great sporty sedan, the VW Passat is an excellent choice.  This car ranges from $23,915 to $39,140.  The Passat has excellent style, drivability, fuel-efficiency, and of course price.  In addition, it has a lot of high tech features, and the safety rating is excellent.

Crossovers are very popular, and the Mazda CX-7 is a great family vehicle in this category.  With a $23,750 base price, the CX-7 has room for five people, and it has a striking appearance.  Its drivability is excellent with its 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with direct injection.  This car’s interior is classy, modern and comfortable.

Finding the perfect family vehicle can be challenging.  It is important to do your homework to find the vehicle that suits your family the most.  Also, your new vehicle should have an auto warranty that will protect your against unnecessary repair expenses down the road.

Here is some information that parents hate to hear: the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tested booster seats for safety and found that 13 models out of the 41 that were tested rated so poorly in the area of seat belt fit that they aren’t recommended by the IIHS.  Parents try to do everything possible to keep their kids safe, such as maintaining their cars with the addition of an auto warranty and buying safety seats, so this news is unfortunate.

According to Adrian Lund, the IIHS president, the 13 seats not recommended don’t provide kids with the full benefit of an improved lap belt fit.  She claims that these boosters may make children more comfortable, but they don’t allow seat belts to be positioned in such a way that provides optimal protection.

The IIHS puts out a reminder to parents that booster seats aren’t intended to provide extra crash protection; instead they allow for a better fit and make the seat belt more effective.  Seat belts were designed with adults in mind and until a child is 4 feet 9 inches tall, they won’t fit correctly.  An efficient booster seat reroutes the seat belt across the bony parts of a child’s body and away from the abdomen, which is a vulnerable injury area.  However, the IIHS did say children are better off riding in any booster seat, rather than unbuckled.

Here are the tested seats that aren’t recommended:

• Cosco/Dorel (Eddie Bauer) Summit
• Graco CarGo Zephyr
• Compass B505
• Compass B510
• Evenflo Generations
• Dorel/Safety 1st (Eddie Bauer) Prospect
• Cosco/Dorel Traveler
• Cosco Highback Booster
• Cosco/Dorel Alpha Omega
• Evenflo Chase Comfort Touch
• Safety 1st/Dorel Intera
• Safety Angel Ride Ryte backless
• Evenflo Big Kid Confidence

People are often irrational about their vehicles.  They treat them as if they are their babies and shower them with affection.  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.

Most people don’t find tire shopping to be one of the most enjoyable things to shop for.  Basically, we would just like to find a set of tires that will fit our car and keep us from calling for road service.  Nevertheless, there are a few things that you should be aware of before going tire shopping.

First, you should never buy used tires.  Saving a few dollars is not worth sacrificing traction and performance; in the same way that it isn’t smart to skimp on an auto warranty.  Your safety should be your first priority, so don’t buy used tires.

Next, you need to know what the factory size of your tires is.  You can find this out by looking on the inside of the door hinge located on the driver’s side.

Do your homework and shop around for good tire deals.  It is easy to make price comparisons online, just make sure you factor in shipping and installation costs.  Tiretrack.com is a good website that has practically every tire and they offer good deals.  Also, you can read reviews from other customers who have bought the tires you plan on buying.

Finally, do some research on different tires before you buy anything.  All tires aren’t created equal and the expensive ones aren’t necessarily the best.

Although tires aren’t most people’s favorite things to shop for, they are an important part of your vehicle.  Following these tips will allow you to get good tires at a low price.

According to the National Automobile Dealers Association, out of the 20,700 U.S. new car dealerships, around 600 will have been forced to shut down this year, compared to 430 last year.

At least 80% of the dealerships closing will be domestics because of the large amount of sales that they have lost. And once a dealership has to close, it’s hard to reopen.

According to Grant Thornton LLP, it is estimated that at least 3,800 other dealers need to close also.

The fact is that there has been a surplus of dealers for many years. But the large cost of financing and the present credit crunch has created quite a storm. Dealers are having trouble getting the funds to finance the vehicles and don’t make the money, so they have to close their shop.

Many consumers have decided to hang onto their current cars and buy an auto warranty instead of purchasing new vehicles. Motorists are hesitant to buy because of the poor economy and instead opt to just purchase used car warranties to help them maintain their vehicles.

The Subaru Impreza is a sensible, simple, enjoyable vehicle equipped with all-wheel drive, good fuel-efficiency, a comfortable interior, and an ample amount of people space, all with the addition of an auto warranty.

This is what you will find in the Subaru Impreza. Generally, this car hasn’t been a frontrunner when shoppers are considering purchasing a small vehicle, however, now the Impreza is a smarter choice than many of its competitors.  In fact, it makes more sense than ever.

It is not because it has unbelievable fuel economy, however it does pretty well, but because this car will give you a lot of vehicle for an excellent price.  All of those cars that are popular as fuel-efficient cars, such as the Civic and Corolla seem pricey now that gasoline costing $4 per gallon has lighted such a high demand for them.  And with the Impreza you get AWD, which you don’t with the others.

It is hard to beat the amount of car you get for your money with the Impreza, complete with new car warranties.  You’ll find this car to be a simple car without all of the fuss and complications, which is a pleasant surprise.