Auto Warranty News

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.

Although General Motors has been busy planning a lineup of electric cars and subcompacts, it doesn’t mean that they have forgotten how to have a little fun.

The 2010 Camaro is based on the 2007 model.  It has a design that is modern, but has an influence of the Camaros in the late Sixties.  Chevrolet is trying to use the retro influence that has made the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger successful.

The new Camaro isn’t exactly an economy car.  It is offered in a 3.6-liter V-6 with 296 hp, or a 6.2-liter V-8 with 416 hp.  However, the V-8 has the ability to make itself a four-cylinder while cruising on the highway.  According to Chevrolet, the car can get more than 30 mpg in this mode.

Although consumers are demanding small, fuel-efficient cars, and protecting themselves by purchasing new car warranties, it doesn’t mean they don’t get excited about fun cars.  The Chevrolet Camaro is the prime example of this.

For motorists who like to take things into their own hands, the Internet is the place to look for valuable information.  Consumers are seeking research online to aid them in buying a new automobile, finding out about car service, and finding a road service program.

A new study shows that 74 percent of people who do research on service and parts say they are utilizing the Internet more now than two years ago.  In addition, 90 percent of motorists researching service information about automobiles say that the Internet influenced their purchase.

Customers who are well informed can do a good job of describing issues for potential repair when they visit their mechanic for maintenance.  However, it can be a problem when car owners try to do significant repairs by themselves because many times they make misdiagnoses on their car.  This can end up harming their car more.

For example, if a motorist replaces the alternator because the car is having trouble starting, when in fact the battery should have been changed, it could cost hundreds of dollars to rectify the situation.

It is good for consumers to use the Web to research about cars because it can aid their mechanic.  However, motorists who think they can fix anything could end up stranded somewhere.  At any rate, it is always good to have road service and a good auto warranty.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently did a study of 20 small cars in real-world, low-speed simulated collisions that motorists encounter all over the country in parking lots.  Their findings were that some of the most inexpensive cars you can purchase would cost you a lot of money to repair, even with a mild tap at 6 mph.

In order to replicate the full bumper from another vehicle the organization used a barrier.  By doing this they were able to assess rear and full frontal collisions, and also rear corner and frontal collisions at 6 mph and 3 mph.

Coming out the best was the Ford Focus.  This car was the least expensive car to fix, at $3,031 in damages after being put through the four tests.  The worst performer overall was the VW Rabbit, which totaled $9,511 in damage.

These tests show that small cars have gotten very complex over the years, and that simple parts like headlights have become expensive to replace and repair.  This is why it is essential for drivers to have an auto warranty to cover unnecessary repair expenses.

In this struggling economy, automakers can’t count on slick styling and big engines alone to lure buyers.  Consumers have changed their tastes: appearance and performance are still a priority, but value, gas mileage and practicality are becoming more important than every, according to experts.  In addition, people are protecting themselves with new car warranties and road service programs.

Fuel-efficiency stays on the top of people’s minds.  A study was conducted in January by the Consumer Federation of America, finding that even though gas is at $2 per gallon, drivers are still looking for 20% better mileage in their next car.

However, don’t count out the importance of performance.  Derrick Kuzak, who is the head of product development at Ford said, “I think people are looking for both [performance and efficiency].  He also said the carmaker’s EcoBoost initiative, which is basically downsizing engines for better fuel-efficiency but adding on turbochargers to make up for performance that is lost, is a way to satisfy both demands.

People assume that more power means poor gas mileage, but this isn’t the case.  Now there are advanced drivetrains, better aerodynamics and lighter materials.  There are popular vehicles in every car segment, from the Toyota Prius to the Escape that are more fuel-efficient and quicker with every redesign.

The government has announced to carmakers that they must get a fleet average fuel-efficiency of 35 mpg by the year 2020, however Hyundai now claims that they will hit this goal by the year 2015, which is five years earlier.

How will the Korean company hit this goal?  Hyundai doesn’t just plan to move forward on developing new hybrid cars, but also to take an approach to its gas engines that are holistic, by discovering ways to take off a mpg here and there.

Some of the new technologies that Hyundai plans to use in its new cars include transmissions that increase efficiency, turbocharging, eight speed automatic transmissions, direct injection, integrated Stop and Go technology, and dual continuously variable valve timing. And, consumers can rest-assured that they wouldn’t end up paying for repairs of these technologies if they have a good auto warranty. Other carmakers plan to make changes that are similar, but Hyundai has a lineup that is relatively small, with no large trucks and SUVs, so it makes it easier to make a quicker mileage jump.

Hyundai’s increased fuel-economy will make consumers happy, since gas prices have been such a concern to all.  Currently, people have been pushing the limit and running out of gas often, which have put roadside assistance calls at an all time high.

Due to the poor economy, 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.

Shopping for insurance isn’t as easy as many people make it out to be.  In fact, it requires a lot of effort to shop for the best deal.  Consumers need to compare not just the price, but coverage details and exclusions.  You don’t want to discover after a claim is filed that your policy with the terrific premium doesn’t include a type of coverage that you need.

According to the spokesperson for State Farm Insurance, it pays for people to shop around because coverage that is exactly the same can vary significantly from one carrier to the next.

The best thing to do is to call several large carriers and then contact a few independent agents to make sure you covered all of the bases.

When shopping for car insurance, the saying, “It’s too good to be true” definitely applies.  If the premium is very low, you may not be getting the coverage you need.

When you talk with insurance agents, make sure to ask a lot of questions.  Definitely find out what is covered and the cost, but also make sure you know how the claims will be processed.

Consumers should protect their wallets by purchasing insurance coverage that works for them, and make sure to have a comprehensive auto warranty.  By taking these steps motorists can rest-assured that they wouldn’t be paying unnecessary costs.

If you’re purchasing a used car you need to find out as much history as possible about it.  The car may have problems that are not apparent from a visual inspection or a test drive.

A car history report is a good way to find out what you’re getting.  This is a report prepared by a third party that is a compilation of information from DMVs, RMVs, and other sources.  A car history report will give you an overview of what the car has been through.

When getting a car history report look out for the following things.  This is not to say that you shouldn’t buy the car based on these issues, but certainly ask questions.

If a car has had a lot of owners, chances are it hasn’t been cared for lovingly.  These cars have probably endured more abuse.

Some areas of our country are easier on vehicles than others.  For example, extreme winter conditions are tough on vehicles, as are flood areas and extreme heat.

Make sure the name and description of the car match up with the actual car.  Read the description carefully to rule out vehicle fraud.

Car history reports, such as those from CARFAX are comprehensive and can save you from purchasing a lemon.  Just performing simple steps, such as getting a car history report and used car warranties may save you from having to call for auto road service.

Unfortunately, drunk driving is a common practice that is responsible for thousands of car accidents and calls for emergency roadside assistance every year.  Ideally, motorists should take responsibility and not get behind the wheel after drinking, but this doesn’t always happen.

Toyota has taken this matter seriously.  Currently, they are in the process of developing a system for vehicles in which cars are able to detect if a driver is drunk.  If the vehicle detects that the motorist is trying to drive while intoxicated it will shut down the car automatically.

Vehicles that have this detection system will have sweat sensors on the steering wheel, which detect abnormal alcohol levels in a person’s bloodstream.  The car won’t even start if there are high alcohol levels in the driver.

This system will also become affective if abnormal steering is detected, or if a camera determines that the pupils of the driver’s eyes aren’t focused.  The vehicle will then slowly come to a stop.

Nissan Motor has also experimented with devices similar to breathalyzers that can detect drunken drivers.  Other technologies that are similar, like alcohol ignition interlocks, are already being used in the U.S. and other countries.

Toyota and Nissan have taken a step in the right direction.  Hopefully, these new car safety features will cut down on auto accidents and road service calls.  In addition, drivers need to protect themselves with an auto warranty.