July 12th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Do you have to pay $40,000 to get an exciting, engaging vehicle? Of course not, there are many models out there that come complete with an auto warranty for less than $25,000. Here are several great choices.
First, there’s the Honda Civic Si, costing $21,110. This vehicle gives you high performance and has a sleek shape. In addition, it has a sport-tuned suspension system that is grippy. This car utilizes a 197hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder I-VTEC engine. Driving this smooth ride will have you smiling from ear to ear.
If you’re looking for a muscle car with a little bit of retro, the Ford Mustang V6 Pony Car won’t disappoint. With the Pony Package you will get a rear spoiler, 17-inch wheels, along with striping and floor mats. With a 210hp V6, you will get tons of thrust.
If you’re looking for a convertible, you might want to try the Pontiac Solstice. This has a 173 hp, 2.4-liter engine. Standard with this car is an 18-inch rolling rock, balanced chassis, and big brakes, giving you an exhilarating ride.
Any of these cars will have you feeling like you’re driving a $40,000 car, when in actuality you will pay less than $25,000. All of these vehicles have good new car warranties that will have you feeling rest-assured that you won’t be shelling out extra money for repair costs.
July 12th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Vehicles need fuel pumps to pump the fuel to the engine. This is necessary because the gas tank isn’t on the same side of the vehicle as the engine.
There are two different varieties of fuel pumps. Electrical fuel pumps are used in cars that are equipped with electronic fuel injection systems. Mechanical fuel pumps are used in carbureted cars.
The carburetor transports gas through a vacuum. Then, the mixture of gas and air brought by the vacuum to the engine also moves the fuel along lines to get to the engine. However, more help is needed, so carbureted engines have a mechanical fuel pump. The pump is positioned next to the car engine.
Electronic fuel injection is a delivery system where fuel is squirted into the engine chambers. The fuel pump is either inside or next to the fuel tank.
Vehicles that have electronic fuel injection usually don’t experience a fuel pump failure. However, when a failure does occur, the vehicle will begin to sputter and then die. Also, you won’t be able to start the car back up. It is always a good idea to purchase an auto warranty in case of a situation such as this. You don’t want to end up paying costly repairs that are unnecessary.
July 12th, 2008 by Hal Moses
For car accidents in the future, a circuit may be as crucial to safety as seat belts. In the 1960’s, Congress made safety belts mandatory, which has reduced deaths drastically. Now, a new safety revolution is going on. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has made electronic stability control equipment mandatory in all cars. This decision will prevent approximately 10,000 deaths a year.
ESC is a current feature available on most luxury cars, and it is an option on most other cars. This feature serves the purpose of not just protecting passengers, but also preventing accidents all together. Most of these features have a microchip as a base, and are still being perfected. This is why it is important to purchase new car warranties in case of costly technical repairs.
Many drivers opt to purchase a package of various safety options, not just individual gadgets. For example, Lexus markets their safety features as a system that works together. One package they offer has smart cruise control, lane-departure warning, and ESC.
July 11th, 2008 by Hal Moses
It is a good idea for drivers to purchase an extended auto warranty for peace of mind. However, for motorists to get the most out of an auto warranty, they should keep their documents organized and ask appropriate questions. Follow these tips to utilize your auto warranty.
Many times service records are required for an extended auto warranty, which is why it is essential for you to keep your records organized. Keep your documents in a central location to alleviate frustrations down the road.
It is great to have records on your computer, but don’t just rely on that. If you purchase an auto warranty online, print hard copies also. You can’t foresee when your computer will be down, and it might be when you need to use your auto warranty.
Read your auto warranty thoroughly. If you don’t see something written in the contract, then it won’t be covered. You shouldn’t ever make assumptions when it comes to your auto warranty.
Lastly, have contact information accessible to you at all times. This will make things go smoothly when you need to file a claim.
July 11th, 2008 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% in the month of June, which is the lowest seen in June 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 and high gas prices have 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.
July 11th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Most people don’t realize that there is certain etiquette involved when ordering parts at the parts counter. Following this etiquette will allow you to get the parts that you want without unnecessary hassle and keep you from driving the staff crazy.
When you go to a parts counter at a dealership you need to have your VIN handy, which is basically the magic key to all of the car codes. At places such as Advance Auto or NAPA, you just need to know the make, model, year, and engine of your car.
Make sure to know what the part’s name is that you need. If this is something you don’t know, be able to describe what it looks like or what it is going to attach to. Don’t make up a name for the part you want; this is where 90% of wrong parts come from. If worse comes to worse, take the staff out to your car and point to the part you’re looking for.
When ordering an expensive part you want to ask about return policies and auto warranty terms. And get the answer in writing. This can be as simple as having him write the information on the receipt. This will save a lot of hassle if something breaks down the line.
Finally, don’t go to the parts counter to diagnose your vehicle. Counter-staff gets very annoyed when you try to return a part because it wasn’t even the problem in the first place.
Following these simple etiquette tips will allow you to get the parts that you need with little hassle. And make sure you have an auto warranty, because you never know when your vehicle will need to be repaired.
July 10th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Every driver dreads turning the ignition to find that his car won’t start. Do you know what you should do in this situation? You can always call a mechanic, but without an auto warranty you may find yourself with costly repairs. First, you should check a few things on your own. Every car relies on air, fire and fuel. Without one or two of these ingredients, a vehicle won’t start.
The most obvious thing to check is if your car has fuel. If there is enough gas, you may have flooded your engine. You can put the gas pedal to the floor for approximately ten seconds, but make sure you don’t pump it with the ignition turned. If you are still having a problem getting the engine started tap the carburetor. This might free the line in the case that the needle valve is stuck.
Next, check for spark plug wires that may be broken or loose with the engine off. The wires that lead from the spark plugs to the distributor cap should have the ends secured down.
Now it is time to check for air. If your car has a carburetor, remove the top of the air filter and examine the choke plate. If it’s stuck, open or close it and jiggle the plate to allow it to move freely.
Follow these simple steps if your car won’t start. If you don’t find anything wrong, contact a professional. Make sure you have an auto warranty so you don’t find yourself paying costly repairs.
July 10th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Nissan has had great success with its Murano and it’s getting even better. The 2009 version has evolved design, hardware, and many other features giving it an appealing style. If you’re looking for a sophisticated, sporty ride, read on.
The Murano is a crossover with an SUV shape in a 5-door hatchback. It sits on Nissan’s D-platform, which is the same as the Altima sedan. In addition, it is fairly lightweight but it has 1.5-times firmer unibody structure.
The trim choices remain the same for 2009, all of which have a 3.5-liter V6 engine putting out 265-hp with a continuously variable transmission.
Nissan kept the two-row seating suitable for five. They created a sophisticated appeal in the interior by using accents of aluminum and wood, along with a cluster of contemporary instruments.
The 2009 Murano is refined and comes with many features including an auto warranty. This car sets the bar high for a crossover that isn’t a luxury brand. The starting price for this car is $26,330.
July 10th, 2008 by Hal Moses
The U.S. has been sideswiped by gasoline over $4 per gallon and the auto industry believes that these gas prices are here to stay. Car companies have had to reconfigure their lineups to accompany this shift. Consumers are staying away from gas-guzzlers and instead purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles. Here are the three most fuel-efficient vehicles in America.
The #1 most fuel-efficient car is the 2008 Toyota Prius. This car has impressive fuel economy at 45 mpg on the highway and 48 mpg in the city. Also, the base price of the Prius is unbeatable at $22,160. Hollywood types giving it iconic status made this vehicle popular.
Next on the list is the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid. This car appeals to people who don’t want to publicize their environmentalism because of its classy look. The Civic Hybrid handles more like a typical car than other hybrids and is very responsive. This vehicle has great fuel economy at 40 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway, and the price is right at $23,270.
Coming in at 3rd is the minuscule Smart fortwo. An amazingly small vehicle that makes parking a snap. Not much acceleration in this tiny package, so you better put the pedal to the metal on highway on-ramps. Great price though at $12,272.
With fuel prices on the rise, fuel-efficient vehicles are in demand. Consumers are trying to protect their wallets by purchasing small cars that offer good fuel economy and by buying new car warranties. After all, you don’t want to get stuck with unnecessary repair costs down the road.
July 9th, 2008 by Hal Moses
More and more recent cars are being sold with all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive as an option. Is this something that your really need? Will it actually make you safer or is it just a way for automakers to make extra money?
As of now, there haven’t been any formal studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on the effectiveness or ability to prevent crashes, in regards to four-wheel drive.
To decide if two or four-wheel drive is for you, you should make a list of the ways you will be using the vehicle and the conditions you will be driving in.
And ask yourself a series of questions. For instance, do I live in an area with a lot of rain or snow? Or, do I go on skiing trips often? Do I travel on dirt roads, or off-road? Also, will I be doing a lot of hauling?
These are worthwhile situations to have two or four-wheel drive. However, if you’re just traveling on roads where there are mild conditions, you probably don’t need it.
Having two or four-wheel drive can benefit you greatly if you’re going to use it often. However, if you really don’t need it, it might just be a waste of money. This is a terrific feature, but you will want to purchase an auto warranty to ensure that you aren’t going to pay repair costs that are unnecessary down the road.