April 28th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Sports car enthusiasts consider the supercar to be the ultimate vehicle. What is a supercar you may ask? A supercar is a very high-end sports car that has power and handling that is exceptional.
It can be challenging to find one of these cars, and even more of a challenge to find the funds for one.
Cutting edge supercars have to be ordered directly from the factory. As a result these cars have a big “ooh†factor.
But how can you distinguish a supercar from a regular sports car? Three features will set the two apart. First, supercars have an exotic appearance. Secondly, they are extremely fast. In addition, they have world class cornering and handling. Most supercars are imported and the most prominent ones are Italian made.
Supercar models include Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Masserati. They are considered supercars because they are rare, have impeccable engineering, and have top performance. They can cost over a million dollars.
Owners of supercars are very prideful of their vehicles. An auto warranty is a necessity to protect these gems.
April 28th, 2010 by Hal Moses
According to Audi, there will be minor adjustments to the Q7 SUV, which include a front and rear end that is slightly revised. However, the change that is the most noticeable on this vehicle is the LED running lights that encircle the entire design of the headlight. In addition, the rear also gets LED brake lights.
The interior of the car pretty much stays the same, except for front seats with new leather and the third-generation of the infotainment system that sports a multi-media interface. And this car has an intriguing navigation system operated by voice-activation. Motorists can just say a command, such as “I’m hungry†or “I need gasâ€, and the computer will locate the appropriate points of interest in the local vicinity. This will eliminate car accidents and roadside assistance calls that were caused by distractions having to do with the navigation system.
Choices for the engine include the current 3.6-liter V-6 and 4.2-liter V-8, as well as a new option of TDI for those people who want a diesel alternative. Audi claims that the 2010 Q7 TDI is going to get approximately 25 mpg with a range of 600 miles. This car comes complete with new car warranties.
April 27th, 2010 by Hal Moses
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety designated the Audi Q7 as a Top Safety Pick. This is the highest rating possible by the group, which means the Audi Q7 had top scores in front, rear and side crash tests.
The Q7 is considered a large SUV by the IIHS, and typically vehicles in this class don’t get rated. However, Audi made a request for the IIHS to conduct these tests. This is probably because Audi wanted to compare how the Q7 measured up to other midsize SUVs, such as the BMW X5, Volvo XC90, Acura MDX, Mercedes Benz M-Class, Lincoln MKX, which are all Top Safety Picks.
It was a smart move for Audi to request that the Q7 be tested, especially since it received a Top Safety Pick. Consumers are becoming more and more concerned with vehicle safety and make that a top consideration when deciding what vehicle to purchase. In addition, more people are buying an auto warranty to avoid paying unnecessary repair costs, and to be able to keep up with car maintenance.
April 27th, 2010 by Hal Moses
When it comes time for you to test-drive a car, you need to be aware of a few things. After all, this will be one of your most important drives ever, so make sure to get the most out of it.
First, make sure you test-drive the exact model that you’re thinking of buying. There may be big differences in various models, such as transmissions and engines, tires and suspension, and features in the cabin that will largely affect the way a vehicle handles and feels.
If the salesperson is talking a lot, ask him to please be quiet. You need quiet to properly evaluate a vehicle. This will allow you to hear how the vehicle operates. It might make things easier to tell the salesperson in the showroom that you might need some quiet driving time.
Request a specific test route of your liking if you are familiar with the roads. You are the only one who knows what kind of driving you will be doing and on what roads.
It is easy to get excited when test-driving a car, but don’t forget these important tips. They could save your from purchasing a car that might not end up liking. Also, do your homework to get a good deal. You’ll need to factor in the price of maintenance costs, an auto warranty, and auto insurance.
April 27th, 2010 by Hal Moses
The economy isn’t just hurting Mom and Dad, teenagers, who are being told they have to pick up more of the tab on a new car purchase, are having to settle for less than in the last few years.
Gas prices have also caused a shift in the kinds of cars teens are purchasing, as they are now responsible for more of the gas tab than in the past. In addition, more people are protecting themselves with an auto warranty.
Approximately 400,000 new cars are bought for teenagers every year. Small and compact cars like the Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cobalt account for 24% of teen sales this year, which is up drastically from just 15% one year ago.
However, compact SUVs, such as the Jeep Wrangler, account for around 24% of all cars purchased for teenagers this year, but that’s drastically down from 33% of sales a year ago.
According to a study by CNW Marketing Research, it was discovered that teens are purchasing more low-end models thanks to the economy. Also, more people are concerned with new car warranties to protect themselves from unnecessary repair expenses down the road.
April 24th, 2010 by Hal Moses
According to a recent survey by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, many drivers believe they have super abilities to complete complex tasks behind the wheel. And although it may seem monotonous to just drive a car, multi-tasking while driving increases the chance for having an accident drastically. In addition, many calls for road service are due to multi-tasking. So, what are drivers really doing behind the wheel?
Well, 32% of drivers surveyed admit to reading while driving. The survey didn’t specify whether they are reading maps or autobiographies, but it doesn’t really matter. Either way, these drivers are 3.4 times more likely to get in an accident.
And, although most of us detest seeing drivers eat behind the wheel, NETS says that 70% of the surveyed drivers do it. These drivers have a two to three times greater chance of crashing because of their eating habits.
Another group of people are making work preparations behind the wheel. In fact, 10% of motorists admitted to making phone calls, reviewing notes, using computers, and making lists, all while trying to navigate during rush hour.
Although driving may seem monotonous at times, motorists need to resist the temptation to multi-task behind the wheel. These habits can result in accidents and calls for emergency roadside assistance. In addition, drivers should protect themselves with used car warranties.
April 24th, 2010 by Hal Moses
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, roadside assistance, an auto warranty, and maintenance. Just making a few extra phone calls can save consumers a lot of money in the end.
April 24th, 2010 by Hal Moses
How many people would shell out $45,000 for a little electric car made by the Chinese that has a driving range of 100 miles? Even though it comes with new car warranties and may be eligible to get a tax credit of $7,500, there may not be a lot of people willing to pay the money for this vehicle. However, Coda Automotive will discover the answer to that question next year with the launch of its five-passenger sedan in California.
For those who don’t know, Coda Automotive is actually a spin-off of Miles Electric Vehicles. This car is based on Haifei Auto’s sedan platform, and will drive around 100 miles. There isn’t a generator on-board, so after driving 100 miles the vehicle needs to be plugged into a power source. However, with the optional fast charger, the batteries can be recharged within 10 to 15 minutes.
Many small vehicles that are eco-friendly, such as the Toyota Prius or Honda Insight, have an aerodynamic styling that will communicate their frugal powertrains, however the Coda doesn’t do this. It has the appearance of a people’s car, not a trendy, zero-emissions vehicle.
April 23rd, 2010 by Hal Moses
The Pontiac G8 GXP with 402 hp will give performance sedans that are already established a run for their money. The GXP is listed at $37,610, which is at least $1,000 cheaper than the Dodge Charger SRT8 and you still get an impressive auto warranty.
The GXP has a 402 hp, 6.2-liter V-8 engine with 402 pounds of torque, which is the most powerful Pontiac of all time. This vehicle has a six-speed automatic transmission that comes standard, however you can also get a six-speed manual for an extra $695.
For those of you who might think the 361-hp G8 GT already had enough power under the hood, don’t forget added horsepower isn’t the only impressive change to the GXP. This car has a track-tuned suspension and steering, a unique interior, Brembro brakes and new car warranties.
Some people have suggested that the GXP is a BMW M5 killer, however, this car is such a great bargain that you could purchase one for you and your friend and still end up shelling out less than you would for a M5.
April 23rd, 2010 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.