January 2nd, 2010 by Hal Moses
It’s common knowledge that carmakers are having a difficult year. And just to make things even harder, some cars that are perfectly good don’t even get a fair shake. One car model can be just as good as another one, yet consumers don’t give it the attention of a competing model.
For instance, the Saab 9-5 gets 21 mpg and comes with a sunroof and leather seats, and goes for $37,685. However, 1,943 consumers only bought that car, while 81,967 people purchased the similar BMW 3-Series for $32,700, which is the segment leader.
Another story of tough luck is the Acura RL, which is a competitor in the large luxury car division and is one of the Top Safety Picks, along with the S80. However, the RL, which is powered by a V-6, isn’t a match for competing car models that have V-8 engines. Because of higher fuel prices, the RL appeals to some shoppers who are fuel-conscious, but it seems that buyers looking for luxury cars have a preference for power over safety.
These cars are great examples of vehicles that deserve a second look because they have features that are unique and high quality. Unfortunately, they are small players in a huge market. Consumers should consider the benefits of these cars because not only do they have a lot of features to offer, but also they are priced right with a good auto warranty.
January 2nd, 2010 by Hal Moses
Luckily, as of now, not all of the economic news is tragic.
According to economists from Comerica Bank, vehicles have currently become more affordable than has been seen in 28 years. So, the last time vehicle shoppers’ purchases made up this small of a piece of his or her income, fuel prices were higher than ever and comedians were telling jokes about how old presidential candidates were.
Comerica says that the average cost of a light vehicle currently is $27,704, including new car warranties, and the average amount of money that people spent on a vehicle fell $700 this quarter, to approximately $23,900. Motorists have been keeping their payments down by stretching out how much time they will take to pay it off, which is currently more than 62 months.
Incentives have started the trend, which continue to get better as dealers try to get rid of inventory (they especially look appealing if you want to purchase an SUV or truck), but for the most part, motorists have just begun to want less-expensive models.
January 2nd, 2010 by Hal Moses
In order to help your car maintain it’s best performance it is necessary to get routine service and maintenance. This will also prepare your vehicle for difficult driving conditions. Here are a few tips to keep your car running at it’s best.
First, it is necessary to regularly check your tire pressure. It’s a good idea to do this every other time you fill up at the gas pump. Also, check the tread on your tires occasionally for wear and tear and make sure there is no cracking.
Next, regular car washes will keep your exterior looking it’s best. And putting a coat of wax on will keep your car from corroding.
Make sure to notice your check engine light. If it comes on, don’t ignore it. Getting your car to a professional in this instance is essential to avoid costly repairs down the line. Of course, you should have an auto warranty to avoid unnecessary repair expenses.
Finally, maintain a service schedule with your mechanic. There are parts of your car that should be inspected periodically by a professional. Consult your owner’s manual to determine the recommended maintenance schedule for your vehicle.
Following these simple maintenance tips can save you from unnecessary repairs down the road. However, it is necessary to have an auto warranty in case of unforeseen repairs.
January 1st, 2010 by Hal Moses
If you want to buy a cheap, used vehicle, you might want to check out an auto auction website. A good place to start is Car-Auction.com. This website features cars that have been seized by the government. Motorists can select the type and model of car that they would like to purchase, and also the price. You will receive results within seconds. The convenience of this website is key. It’s so much easier than going to an automobile auction. Just make sure to follow these tips.
The hardest part about an auto auction website is finding a quality vehicle that you want to purchase. A lot of people will purchase a car that looks good on the outside, yet this is a big mistake. You need to get additional information about the vehicle.
Getting a history report on the car is essential before making an agreement. You should get the cars VIN in order to do a search through an agency, such as Carfax. Also important is getting a professional inspection on the vehicle.
An online auction site is a wonderful place to search for a used vehicle. However, you need to be careful. Do your homework to protect yourself. Also, make sure you buy used car warranties for peace of mind.
January 1st, 2010 by Hal Moses
Used car buyers need to be aware of a common scam; odometer fraud. This is the act of rolling back the odometer on a car. This deceives buyers into thinking that a vehicle has fewer miles than it really does. It is estimated that this crime leads to sales of around 450,000 vehicles every year.
Also alarming is that digital odometers are easier to meddle with than traditional odometers. There are ways that consumers can protect themselves against odometer fraud.
First of all, request to see the car’s title and make a comparison between its mileage and the car’s odometer. Also, compare the mileage on the car’s maintenance records with the odometer on the vehicle. In addition, sometimes there are stickers with maintenance records on doorframes and windows.
Next, you should ask for a Carfax History Report on the vehicle to see odometer discrepancies. If the person selling the car doesn’t have one, you can order one online with the vehicles VIN number.
Finally, check to see that the odometer gauge numbers are all aligned. If they aren’t aligned, or if they move when you tap on the dash, you may want to think twice about buying.
These tips can save you from buying a car that has been tampered with. However, you never know the true history of a used vehicle. This is why used car warranties are a good idea to protect you against unforeseen repairs.
December 31st, 2009 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.
December 31st, 2009 by Hal Moses
There are many great deals out there on new cars, yet you need to understand the offers. For example, are there any “restrictionsâ€, “qualifiersâ€, “exclusionsâ€, or “limitationsâ€? Make sure you know how to read the fine print.
Often, dealerships offer incentives that are regional. In other words, you must live in the area to get the deal. You might be able to get a new car for $1,500 less if you live in the right area.
Some deals on financing may be contingent on a predetermined down payment amount. For example, you might need to have $4,000 cash to put down at the time of the sale. If you don’t have this amount of money, you might get stuck with finance rate that is higher.
Sometimes an offer may be contingent on if the dealer participates with the program. This could include a special financing rate, rebate, etc. Remember that dealers are operated independently and you are not dealing directly with the automaker.
These are just a few things to look out for when it comes to dealer offers. Make sure you read the small print to understand the terms of the offer. And make sure that the car you are looking at comes with a good auto warranty.
December 31st, 2009 by Hal Moses
Results from a recent study show that motorists who repeat buy the same car brand the most are owners of hybrids. By segment, the buyers who were the most loyal were those of full-size pickup trucks, which is a long held title.
The news about hybrids is quite significant because not all car manufacturers offer hybrid cars. Because of this, someone who purchases a Honda or Toyota hybrid will then choose that same brand for his or her next car purchase.
Owners of Toyota Prius’ purchased another Toyota vehicle 51% of the time, and approximately 25% of those people purchased another Prius. In comparison, those Toyota owners who had a non-hybrid bought another Toyota just 44% of the time.
Truck owners purchasing a new vehicle decided on another truck about 33% of the time, whereas hybrid owners only purchased another hybrid 25% of the time. The average rate of loyalty was 21%.
It is important to keep in mind that with any vehicle purchase, no matter what kind, it is necessary to purchase an auto warranty to protect your wallet. After all, you don’t want to find yourself paying unnecessary repair expenses down the road.
December 26th, 2009 by Hal Moses
There is nothing worse than traveling along in your car and hearing sirens behind you. You know that you are about to be given a speeding ticket and you really can’t afford it. With all of the car expenses, such as maintenance, used car warranties and loans, the last thing you need to pay for is a speeding ticket. Well, help is on the way. Pete Tenereillo of California has invented Trapster.
Trapster is a social network for cell phones that makes it possible for motorists to alert other people about speed traps. Drivers can go to the website to sign up for a membership that is free. Then the Trapster software can be downloaded onto your cell phone. Most current cell phones, Blackberries and PDAs will be able to accommodate this software.
Next, motorists are ready to get on the road. If you see a state trooper with a radar gun you hit “pound one†on your phone, which will alert other people when they approach the same area.
This is a great system because it’s hands free. This allows drivers to be safer on the road. Also, cell phones and PDAs that are more sophisticated can display a map that shows where the speed trap is. However, you should pull over if you’re going to look at the map.
December 26th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Many people believe it is easiest to trade in your current car when buying a new one. However, is trading the right choice for you? There are some advantages and disadvantages to trading.
The big advantage to trading over selling is that you have very little hassle. You don’t have to haggle with buyers and you get rid of your car quickly. However, the fact is that you aren’t going to get as much for your car if you trade it in.
Any used vehicle has a specific retail value. If a dealership is going to sell that vehicle, they will have certain expenses, such as fixing dents and scrapes, cleaning it, and just overhead costs of running their business. Therefore, the dealership has to sell it for a little more than a private owner would.
Since dealers need to make a good profit on used vehicles, they purchase them for less than the retail value. When the dealership takes a trade in vehicle, they are essentially purchasing it from the new car customer, and at a price below the retail value. Essentially, this is called the trade in value.
Although trading in your car is easier than going through the hassle of trying to sell your car privately, you are going to get less money for your vehicle. If you sell your vehicle on your own, you can put the extra money you get towards important things such as an auto warranty and maintenance costs.