Auto Warranty News

Unfortunately, mistakes are a common occurrence when you’re in a place that is unfamiliar.  According to a recent survey, people who drive RV’s admit to making expensive slip-ups.  Approximately 1,000 RV motorists participated in the survey, and revealed some mishaps that are interesting to say the least.

The following were the most common mistakes:  running out of gas, connecting taillights incorrectly, backing up and hitting something, not being able to accurately judge clearance, and pulling out of a parking spot with the steps still out.

According to the survey, approximately 50% of RV motorists travel for at least a month out of the year, and around 40% log 500 miles in their trip.

Although you can usually find blunders humorous, they can cost you big bucks in repairs and damages.  This is why it is necessary to have good insurance and an auto warranty for your RV.  After all, you need to be able to get back on the road as quickly as possible after a mishap.

If you’re planning on buying a new car this year you should consider what it will be worth in several years, when it’s time to trade it in for a new vehicle.  There are four factors that will help you determine what your car’s resale value will be.

First of all, supply and demand is a big factor.  Vehicles that are produced in high volumes, such as Ford and Chevrolet pickup trucks have a lower resale value because there are so many of them.

Brand image is also an important factor.  For example, Honda, Toyota, and Porsche have excellent images; therefore they retain their value better.

If a new car is being offered with high incentives, there is a good reason for it.  Chances are that car won’t hold onto its value.

Also, you want to do your research and find out if the car you are thinking of buying was sold to commercial and rental fleets.  If a lot were sold, its resale value will be lower.

Just remember, you’re only getting a good deal on a car if it retains its value.  Also, make sure to buy an auto warranty so you won’t be paying unnecessary expenses down the road.

You may think that you have to spend a fortune to get a reliable vehicle, but that isn’t the case. There are hundreds of used car models that are reputable and reliable, and the price is right.

Because cars are being made more reliable these days, people are finding pre-owned cars to be an appealing option. And, the biggest perk to buying used is that you reduce the depreciation impact. Also, with used cars, insurance rates are less expensive, as are used car warranties.

According to Consumer Reports, certain vehicles have demonstrated good performance and excellent reliability for several years now. Their list has models from Honda, Buick, BMW, Mazda, Infiniti, Lexus, Porsche, Nissan, Volvo, Subaru, Pontiac, Acura, and Toyota.

Unfortunately, other vehicles have demonstrated several years of poor reliability, according to Consumer Reports. Included in this list are models by Pontiac, VW, Kia, Dodge, Oldsmobile, Jeep, GMC, Land Rover, Chevrolet, Mercedes-Benz, and Chrysler.

A used car can be a great investment if you do your homework and choose a model known for its reliability. Also, purchase an auto warranty to give you peace of mind.

You would never think that a car being too quiet would be a concern, yet that is the case with hybrids.  Vehicles like the Toyota Prius are environmentally friendly, but not pedestrian friendly.  At a low speed, these cars are only as loud as a golf cart.

There is a silent zone in hybrids that is deadly.  Pedestrians literally cannot hear the vehicles, which affects everyone, including the blind, pets, joggers, children, bikers, and anyone who isn’t paying attention.

This issue has become a major concern because hybrids are becoming more and more popular.  According to J.D. Power and Associates, there were around 350,000 of these vehicles sold last year in the U.S.

Hybrids have great fuel-efficiency because they are powered by electricity and fuel.  California has been the state where these vehicles have gained the most popularity.  In fact, this is where half of America’s hybrids are sold.

Drivers are becoming more and more excited about hybrids because of their fuel-efficiency.  Motorists don’t want to pay for high fuel prices on top of other expenses, such as maintenance costs, an auto warranty, and car loans.  Right now, hybrids are dangerously quiet, but that could change in the future.  There is legislation being pushed to require noise-making devices be installed in hybrids.

Fuel prices aren’t the only thing rising these days, prices of used hybrids and small, fuel-efficient cars have gone up a great deal in the last six months.  This is sparked by the shortage of popular, new vehicles that are fuel-efficient. Cars that were practically ignored last year are now being sold at a premium, due to high gas prices.

The used vehicle on the market today that is the most fuel-efficient is the 2007 version of the Toyota Prius hybrid.  Because of capped production, the 2008 Prius is hard to find, so people are turning to the used models.  On average, people paid $1,900 more in June for a 2007 Prius, than they paid in January of this year.  In other words, in six months, the price increased 9%.

Used hybrids aren’t the only cars seeing a price increase, the 2007 Mini Cooper prices have risen dramatically.  Customers paid on average, $2,300 more for a 2007 Mini in June than they did in January.  That amounts to a price increase of 12%.

Pre-Owned vehicles have a typical depreciation of 14-16% in a year, so a car that retains or increases its value is out of the ordinary.  The 2007 Prius and Mini have experienced this due to the high demand for fuel-efficient vehicles.  In addition, people are purchasing used car warranties to eliminate unnecessary repair costs down the road.

Small SUVs serve the purpose of ferrying people around on weekdays, and then bouncing through the countryside on the weekends. The 2009 Subaru Forester rises to this challenge with its new DC3 chassis, double wishbone rear suspension and AWD system.

Although the Forester was originally a station wagon, the third-generation model is all SUV. This five-door hatchback has been restyled to have somewhat of a truck appearance. This vehicle comes in five different trims; 2.5X, 2.5X Premium, 2.5X L.L. Bean, 2.5XT, and the 2.5XT Limited.

The Forester’s interior won’t disappoint. It has clean lines, comfortable seats, and a stylish appeal. Also, the visibility in this vehicle is superb which translates into a safe, secure drive. In addition, cargo space is ample because Subaru has tucked the inner-fender wells, which enhances capacity.

The 2009 Forester is a well-rounded vehicle great for everyday use and weekend play. Its base price starts at $19,995 and the top of the line XT Limited is $28,195. The wide range of prices allows a model for all different consumers, complete with an auto warranty.

When shopping for a vehicle your family you should consider several things.  Most important are safety, reliability, and fuel efficiency.  Also, motorists should consider how much a vehicle will cost to own, not just the initial price.  For example, costs of maintenance, new car warranties, and insurance should be factored in.

Believe it or not, it doesn’t have to be a difficult process to find the right car for your family.  The key is to put in research time before showing up at the dealership, so you know what your options are.  Parents need to evaluate how the car will be used, the amount of cargo space that they will use, and how their requirements might change in the future.

Generally, parents should find a vehicle that offers versatility and space.  Families need cargo space, windows that children can see out with ease, and easy access, in order to be comfortable.  You don’t want rear seats that are too low because that means that children won’t be able to look out the windows.

Luckily, there are numerous good options for family vehicles.  Small families have the option of purchasing four door sedans, or crossovers, whereas larger families would prefer a minivan or SUV.  Determine your needs in advance to ensure that you make the right choice.  Also, do your homework to save money on the sticker price and an auto warranty.

Safety is one of the biggest considerations when purchasing a new vehicle, but it’s difficult to make an assessment on your own.  There are many factors to consider when looking at the overall safety of a car.  Here are a few of the most important safety issues.

First of all, you want to consider crash protection in a car.  The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety performs crash tests on vehicles from different directions to rate a car’s ability to withstand a collision.  You can access the results of these tests at www.hwysafety.org.

Next, take into account vehicle compatibility.  Taller vehicles have bumpers that are quite a bit higher than a passenger car’s.  This is dangerous for cars because taller bumpers hit cars above the crumple zone and often inflict great damage on cars.

Rollover resistance should also be a factor in the safety of a new car.  SUVs are three times more likely to rollover, according to NHSTA.  Rollover ratings are provided at www.safercar.gov.

These are a few of the many safety considerations when buying a new car.  Consumers should do their research on such things as safety issues, car prices, and new car warranties before going to the dealership.  It’s best to be prepared so that you can make good decisions.

Many motorists neglect to put enough effort into shopping for car insurance.  Often, people just grab the first price they encounter or accept rate increases that are routine without shopping around the market for the best deal.  Consumers need to compare the coverage in addition to the price of the policy.  It’s disappointing when you file a claim and then realize that your policy doesn’t have a specific type of coverage that you need.

According to studies by Progressive Insurance, six-month rates for auto insurance vary a great deal depending on the company, with the average low being $481 and the average high being $586 across the nation.  What this means is that a driver could be quoted $1,256 for an insurance policy from one company, and $775 from another, both with identical policies.  Another study by Progressive showed that just 20% of respondents had shopped for better insurance prices in the last six months.

Motorists often make the mistake of not spending enough time on their car issues.  This includes shopping around for auto insurance, an auto warranty, and maintenance.  Just making a few extra phone calls can save consumers a lot of money in the end.

Unfortunately, car crashes are the #1 cause of death among teenagers in our country.  Also, 1 out of 3 teens has a car accident their first year of driving.  What can we do to help our teens stay safe on the road?  Some people think that graduated driver licensing (GDL) is the answer.

With GDL, teens are eased into driving through three stages.  First, is a period with a supervised learner’s permit.  Next, an intermediate license is issued in which teens can drive in certain situations.  And finally, a full privilege license is issued.  Under requirements for GDL, many states don’t allow teen driving at night and with more than one passenger.

Putting a GDL program in place that is comprehensive will save people’s lives.  According to a 2007 comprehensive look at GDL by AAA, states with GDL programs that were substantive had a 38% reduction in crashes that were fatal involving teens.  Also, according to an IIHS study in 2006, an implemented GDL system in California in 1998 resulted in a reduction of 23% in crashes involving 16 yr olds.

Parents are fearful of their teen’s safety on the road.  To protect them, they are implementing strict rules, purchasing an auto warranty, and enforcing driver training.  However, the #1 thing that will help our teens on the road is GDL