June 14th, 2008 by Hal Moses
According to a recent report, new car shoppers could do a lot more to ensure that they get the best deals on insurance, financing and new car warranties.
Only 64% of motorists said that they would ever attempt to negotiate the price of a new car. Also, when planning on trading in their current vehicle, over 2 million drivers said they wouldn’t even take the time to research the current value of their vehicle. In addition, more than 30% of motorists admitted that they probably wouldn’t even take one hour to research how to pay for their new car.
Unfortunately, 91% of car shoppers couldn’t explain what the term ‘lease purchase’ meant. This is a term used in many auto-financing deals. In addition, 50% of shoppers said that they would make a new car purchase without any insurance quotes.
America is known for being a nation of bargain hunters, yet motorists seem to be falling short when it comes to buying a new car. It’s essential for car shoppers to do their homework when looking to purchase a new vehicle. Insurance, financing, and an auto warranty are a crucial part of the car purchasing experience. So, it is important to shop around in order to get the best deal, otherwise you will find yourself paying for it.
June 14th, 2008 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.
June 14th, 2008 by Hal Moses
It is more important than ever to stretch your dollar with gas getting close to $5 per gallon. However, you don’t need to sacrifice comfort, safety, or reliability due to fuel-efficiency- especially with the Kia Spectra.
The Spectra comes with a 10 year, 100 mile auto warranty, and has safety features that outshine other cars in its class. People know that with the Spectra they are getting superb gas mileage, reliability, and one of the best new car warranties in the business.
Despite the small appearance of the Kia Spectra, it actually has a large amount of room in the interior, and more horsepower than other models, such as the Corolla.
For those concerned about the safety of the Spectra, they won’t be disappointed. It earned five stars for the front crash safety rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Institute. It has full-length airbags, and side curtain airbags for protection.
You shouldn’t have to make the choice between eating and filling your fuel tank, and with the Spectra you don’t have to do that. Not only do you get great gas-mileage, you know that you have an auto warranty for peace of mind.
June 14th, 2008 by Hal Moses
The Environmental Transport Association of the UK recently named the Toyota Yaris as “Green Car of the Yearâ€. The ETA reviewed 1300 cars that are sold in the UK to compile a green car guide for buyers. The research that went into the guide focused on vehicle fuel-efficiency, power, emissions, and noise levels.
Other Toyota models also made the ETA’s top ten list. Among these are, in third place the Prius, in sixth place the Avgo, and in ninth place the Auris. These were identified as some of the top green cars.
In the category of the greenest off road vehicle, The Toyota RAV4 came in first, and the Toyota Avgo topped the greenest in the city category.
Consumers are becoming more concerned with purchasing environmentally friendly vehicles. Luckily, there are now many cars in this category that offer style, fuel-efficiency and reliability, and even come with an auto warranty that gives drivers peace of mind.
June 13th, 2008 by Hal Moses
One of the most expensive hobbies is collecting cars. But, here is a twist. Purchase a new vehicle now that will become a valuable collectible in years to come. The best part is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to purchase a value-appreciating car. The following cars are on the road now, but will be regarded as nostalgic in 15-20 years.
First on the list is the Cadillac XLR-V Roadster. This has a hand-built 4.4-liter V8 engine that puts out 443 hp. This vehicle is a serious roadster and it competes with the Porsche 911 Cabriolet and Mercedes SL-Class.
The Lotus Exige S is also on the list. For practical purposes, this car is miserable; after all you wouldn’t find it ideal for grocery shopping. However, research shows that people admit their hearts beat faster when thinking about this ride.
Finally, the Mustang Shelby GT 500 KR is sure to be a collectible. This car takes the GT500 in a bare bones form and makes it into a muscle car with540hp. This car is a tribute to Carroll Shelby.
If you’re a car enthusiast, purchasing a current vehicle that is sure to be a collectible in the future is a smart financial move. However, make sure that you purchase an auto warranty for these gems. After all, the point is to keep these cars for many years.
June 12th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Many people agree that they would buy domestic cars over foreign cars if they were made better. Well, the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu could be the car that has more people buying domestic.
The Malibu can be compared to the Toyota Camry, which dominates the midsize sedan category of cars. GM has designed the Camry to be very close to the Camry in its measurements. This includes the length, trunk size, interior space, and engine displacement. However, these cars differ in style, in which the Malibu excels. In fact, the Malibu mimics cars that are more expensive, such as the Corvette.
It’s clear that GM put their money into the interior of the Malibu. It has comfortable seats covered in leather or an expensive fabric. Also, rear passengers will appreciate the large amount of legroom that the scalloped backs of the front seats provide.
The new Chevrolet Malibu also handles well. It takes curves flat and accelerates quickly, making it competitive in its class. The V6 252 hp allows for fun when needed, yet performed its job well on standard driving.
You can purchase the basic Malibu for $19,995, or get the LTZ for a little over $26,000. Also, this car comes with new car warranties that will protect drivers from unnecessary repair expenses down the road.
June 11th, 2008 by Hal Moses
With the soaring gas prices and slumps in sales, carmakers are offering some of the biggest financing deals and cash incentives in years. Check out these great deals complete with new car warranties, because they won’t last forever.
The 2008 Dodge Caliber is listed at $14,320-$22,705, but this month you can get it for even less. The rebate is for $750-$1,500 cash back or financing that starts at 0%.
The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt is a compact that will get you 33 mpg on the highway. You can save big on the MSRP of $14,410 with 0% financing for 60 months or $2,000 cash back.
GM is trying to keep the 2008 Pontiac Vibes flying off the lot by updating rebates since May. Now you can get low financing or $2,000 cash back with this comfy compact car.
You don’t see new vehicles for $10,000, but with a $2,000 rebate on the $12,895 Kia Spectra, this is what you will see.
There’s nothing like the feeling of owning a new vehicle, complete with an auto warranty and reliability. Now is a great time to take the plunge if you’re thinking of buying a new car because incentives won’t last.
June 11th, 2008 by Hal Moses
The perks of purchasing a used car are the low initial price, property taxes, and insurance costs. The “downs†are that it isn’t new, which means there’s no auto warranty and you are more vulnerable to car problems. However, you can reduce your exposure to risk by taking these precautionary measures.
First, shop for used vehicles that are newer, which might still have a portion of their new car warranties left. Most late model cars have three-year/ 36,000-mile basic auto warranty coverage, so you could get a year of coverage if you look for cars less than three years old. Otherwise, you should purchase an auto warranty to cover your used vehicle.
Next, check the background of the make and model car that you are looking at. Go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations website to check out recall and safety information. Also, it never hurts to take a look at Consumer Reports to see if the particular car you like is problematic.
Also, you should always have a mechanic look at the car you are thinking of buying. This will let you know if the vehicle has been well maintained or has any major problems.
Used cars are a great option for people who don’t want to pay for the instant depreciation associated with new cars. Just make sure to protect yourself by doing your research and purchasing an auto warranty.
June 11th, 2008 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.
June 10th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Most people believe that SUVs are the safest vehicles on the road; however, recent test results show that midsize SUVs may not offer the best safety. In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that a lot of cars produced better results in crash tests than six midsize SUVs.
The SUVs tested were the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Xterra, Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota 4Runner. These vehicles were tested in a front collision at 40mph and a side impact.
All of these vehicles showed improvement since the last IIHS test. In the instance of the front collision, five out of the six vehicles were rated Good. The Trailblazer was rated Acceptable.
However, the results of the side-impact tests weren’t as good. The Trailblazer and Grand Cherokee didn’t protect the torso because they are only equipped with standard side airbags to protect the head. The Pathfinder, 4Runner, and Xterra had better performance with side impact because they include side airbags that protect the torso as well as the head. However, cars had better ratings on side impact.
If you’re looking to purchase a midsize SUV, purchase one with high crash ratings. For instance, the Ford TaurusX and Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe, Honda Pilot, and Subaru Tribeca are the highest rated midsize SUVs. Although these SUVs are durable, it’s necessary to purchase an auto warranty to protect yourself from repair costs down the road. After all, no vehicle is full proof.