March 22nd, 2008 by Hal Moses
The current reality for the car industry isn’t at all bright. The economy of the country has experienced a weak dollar, a credit crisis, and soaring gas and food prices. People are reluctant to spend money on a new car and an auto warranty. This could mean that we are about to experience the worst year for car sales in over a decade.
But automakers are getting smart. They are building more passenger cars. In the past pickup trucks and SUV’s generated a lot of profits, but now people want small, thrifty cars.
General Motors admits that they are counting on sedans to save them this year. The company has made a shift to cars, with less emphasis on SUV’s and pickup trucks. Even though GM wants to maintain their market in trucks, they realize that they need to get better with cars now.
Chrysler LLC is promising to take an “aggressively conservative†approach in their company. This means that they will eliminate various models such as the PT Cruiser, Durango, and Pacifica.
US automakers are focusing to make sure that domestic sales don’t fall lower than projections say. Even though it is a tough market, Americans love cars and will continue to buy. Motorists are making smarter choices by purchasing small, efficient cars. This allows them to put money towards other necessities, such as new car warranties and maintenance.
March 22nd, 2008 by Hal Moses
Some people claim that the worst investment a person can make is a vehicle. And because the value of a car plunges in the thousands within the first year, many motorists are deciding to buy used vehicles.
Consumer Reports has put cars through rigorous testing to determine the cars that are the most efficient and reliable.
The top-rated cars are manufactured from Japanese automakers. These are Toyota, Honda and Subaru. These cars are excellent and retain their value.
Toyota’s cars at the top of the list are the Highlander, Rav-4, and Corolla. Also, the Lincoln Town Car and the Buick Lacrosse are rated high.
On the top of the worst list is the Nissan Armada SUV. Consumer Reports feel it isn’t reliable in the long run. Also, it is pricey just to fill it up.
Other cars on the worst list are the Pontiac G6, Chevy Blazer, Saturn Relay, Buick Rendevous, and Volkswagen Touareg.
When buying any used car, motorists need to purchase an auto warranty to ensure that they don’t have to pay unnecessary repair costs. Although lists help buyers make informed decisions, they don’t make any guarantees.
March 21st, 2008 by Hal Moses
Sometimes you can find great prices on a new vehicle, however, make sure you understand everything about the offers. Often there are exclusions, restrictions, or limitations that you need to understand.
Many car advertisements feature the big numbers in very large print, and scrunch down the unappealing information to mini print. There are several things that buyers need to look for.
Some offers are only available in certain states. Incentives are often regional, so they are only available to people within a specific area. If you cross the state line you might be paying $1,500 more.
Some deals on financing rely on the buyer paying a pre-determined down payment in cash. If you don’t provide the down payment you might have to pay a finance rate that is high.
Often times new car deals are only available if you buy before a specific date. This can make consumers feel pressure to make a fast decision, or buy a car off the lot that may not have everything they want.
There are many good deals to be had out there, but make sure you understand the small print. As a consumer you need to protect yourself by doing your homework and purchasing an auto warranty. After all, you don’t want to pay unnecessary repair costs if your new car needs service.
March 21st, 2008 by Hal Moses
Motorists are concerned with safety more than ever. Drivers are taking extra precautions, such as buying cars equipped with safety features, and purchasing new car warranties. In addition, new safety laws for children are being considered.
As children get older, they want to get out of their car seats and ride with a seat belt like a “big kidâ€. However, a legislative committee proposed a law that could keep children in their car seats until they are seven years old.
The bill is HB619. Yesterday, the House Committee on Infrastructure approved it unanimously. The bill only has to make one more stop before it reaches the floor.
The current law is that a child seat is required for children under three years old. However, the bill that has been proposed would require children between four and seven to have to ride in a booster seat.
Many parents would be forced to buy new booster seats for their children over three years old. This is because car seats intended for children three and under wouldn’t be able to accommodate an older child who is active.
According to a recent study, booster seats reduce serious injuries in children by approximately 60 %, if you compare to children who are sitting in regular seat belts.
March 20th, 2008 by Hal Moses
There’s nothing worse than planning a trip and waking up to find violent, heavy rains pouring down out of the sky. There are two things you need in this situation, an auto warranty and a reliable car. Do you have a vehicle that is ready for driving in this situation? It is necessary to have a car that ensures a smooth, safe ride, even in ice and rain.
According to the FHWA approximately 6,400,000 cars are involved in accidents every year. About twenty five percent of these accidents are related to weather. Here are some of the best cars to handle in rain.
Although you may not believe it, the 2008 Porsche Cayman, as well as the Cayman S are two of the best cars in rain. They are packed with essential all weather features.
For instance, these vehicles have a wiper system with rain sensors that make the wipers activate as soon as water hits the glass. Also, wipers shut off after the car reaches 131 mph.
In addition, these cars have great tire traction, as well as mud guards. They also have the Porsche Stability Management System, which detects when the car is slipping.
Finally, these cars have four-wheel disc brakes that are anti-lock. They are cross-drilled for optimal performance.
March 20th, 2008 by Hal Moses
An extended auto warranty can bring motorists peace of mind. However, drivers need to get the most out of their auto warranty by keeping documents organized and asking the right questions. Here are some auto warranty tips to help you get the most out of your auto warranty.
Often times an extended auto warranty requires service records. This is why it is necessary to keep your records straight. Create a central location for your records if you don’t already have one. This will alleviate frustrations down the road when you are trying to locate documents.
Don’t just rely on your computer to keep records. Print hard copies of records if you buy an auto warranty online. You never know when your computer will be down, and it could be when you need your auto warranty.
Make sure to read everything in the auto warranty. If something isn’t written in the contract, then it isn’t covered. Never make assumptions when it comes to your auto warranty.
Finally, make sure that you have contact information accessible to you at all times. This will make things easier when you have a claim.
March 20th, 2008 by Hal Moses
If you are thinking of buying a new car, don’t just rely on professional expertise; make yourself a professional expert as well. This includes taking certain measures such as doing your homework and researching an auto warranty. You can be empowered by arming yourself with the following information about purchasing a used vehicle.
Examine the pedals to check for wear. Rarely do people update the pedals, so this is a good indication of the cars true history.
Next, take a look at the steering wheel. While the engine is turned off, joggle the wheel to see how much movement there is. There shouldn’t be more than one inch of play. If there is, a new steering gearbox may be needed.
Never buy a car that has frame-damage. You can tell this by looking at the core support of the radiator. This connects to the fenders in the front of the vehicle. It shouldn’t be welded on each side, but bolted.
Finally, check the paint job on the vehicle. Look for dents, scratches and rust spots. Also, examine the car for a slight waviness, which is an indication of a paint job.
Most importantly, check the history of the vehicle you are looking to buy. You can do this at autocheck.com.
No matter how much knowledge you have, you never really know what car you are buying. This is why it is important to buy used car warranties to protect your investment. You don’t want to pay unnecessary repair costs down the road.
March 18th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Over the last ten years there has been a decrease in teen drivers due to tough state driving laws for teens, higher auto insurance costs, and a change in driver education.
A recent survey shows that only 29% of teenagers receive their licenses when they become eligible. This is considerably down from 1998 in which 43% of teens received their licenses when they were eligible. This is almost a 50% decrease in ten years.
Some reasons that the numbers have changed are parents who are willing to drive teens, an increase in insurance and gas prices, tighter laws, and changes in driver education.
Teenagers don’t have as many options for taking driver education as in the past. Currently, only 20 % of schools offer driver’s education, which means students have to seek a private school or a program on the Internet.
Increasing insurance costs make it more difficult for teens to drive. A typical insurance policy cost 80 to 100 percent more if a 16-year-old driver is on the policy.
Graduated driver laws for licenses are also causing teens to take their time getting behind the wheel. These laws are intended to reduce car crashes in teens.
Teens are waiting to get their drivers licenses. However, no matter what age they become licensed, they need to take precautions to protect themselves. This includes acting responsibly, eliminating distractions, and purchasing an auto warranty.
March 18th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Nowadays, it is a necessity to have a vehicle. Yet, everyone is not capable of purchasing a new car. Buying a used car is a great option in this instance, but sometimes it can be complex to arrange for funds. Used vehicle auto loans are a good answer to this problem.
The purpose of these loans is to provide you with financial aid for the purpose of buying a used car. Anyone can use these loans, regardless of credit score. In order to get a lone for a larger amount you need a secured loan in which you must offer collateral. An unsecured auto loan is sufficient if you just need a small amount of funding.
You can find used vehicle auto loans online. Thousands of lenders are available, and you can compare conditions and terms for the best rate. Doing it online accelerates the approval and you only need a few days to drag the necessary funds into your personal bank account.
There are many benefits to used vehicle auto loans. You aren’t discriminated against because of credit, it is a fast easy procedure, and you can choose any model and make. After finding your loan online, don’t forget to go ahead and compare rates for an auto warranty. You don’t want to face unnecessary repair costs down the road.
March 17th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Crude oil is currently $110 per barrel. This is why electric and hybrid cars are in great need these days. However, these cars also will come at a cost. They will strain scarce resources for water, according to a new study.
Every mile that is driven using electricity consumes approximately three times the water than a car using petrol. Sciencedaily reported this.
Michael Webber and Carey King calculated the usage of water, consumption, as well as withdrawal during refining of petroleum and generation of power in the United States.
This does not mean that the impacts on sources of water make the shift undesirable. Instead, the increase in the usage of water resources should be a consideration when people are planning for an automotive economy that is plugged-in.
Every technological advance has potential downfalls. Vehicles that lack petroleum are good in many ways for out environment, and our wallets. Also good for your wallet, is an auto warranty that protects you in case new technology fails. Also, it brings drivers peace of mind.