September 13th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Recent tests show that pickup trucks aren’t as safe as people originally thought. For instance, the Nissan Navara received just one out of five stars for adult safety. In fact, the Navara has a life-threatening risk of injury. In addition, the Navara only received three out of five stars for child protection, and two for pedestrian.
The Isuzu Rodeo has also been faced with lots of criticism because it only received two out of five stars for adult protection. The Rodeo has also received an unacceptable rating for life threatening injuries. This vehicle got one star for pedestrian protection and two for protection of children.
However, Isuzu says that they did internal testing of the Rodeo and it got three stars. Also, it had a great record with real accidents.
Also low scoring in the safety category is the Mitsubishi L200. Although this pickup got four stars for adult protection, it only received three stars for child protection and one for pedestrian protection.
Pickup truck manufacturers have recently been adding attractive options for families, yet according to safety ratings pickups aren’t the best choice for families. However, pickup truck owners should make sure they have a good auto warranty, since you never know when you will have to pay for repairs.
September 13th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Buying a pre-owned car is a good way to get a good car for less money. However, when most people go car shopping they inspect the outside thoroughly, but forget to inspect the interior. Here are some things to look for.
Notice the smell of the interior. If you detect mold, must or mildew, there is a chance that the vehicle has water leaks. Make sure to look under the floor mats for wet spots. Also, it is easy to detect the smell of smoke, which probably means that the previous car owner was a smoker. Just be aware that it can be virtually impossible to eliminate car odors, so if there is a bad smell, look at other cars to purchase.
Sit in every seat, including the back, even if you don’t plan to ever ride in the back. Also, make sure seat adjustments are working as intended. And know that if a car is advertised as having low mileage, the upholstery should still look good.
The pedals will give you an indication of true mileage. If the pedals are worn it means the car has high mileage.
Do your homework when buying a used car. Research costs, such as maintenance, an auto warranty, and auto insurance to ensure that you are making a good car choice. And make sure to have the vehicle inspected before you purchase it.
September 12th, 2008 by Hal Moses
It is important to consider reliability and safety when purchasing a car for a teenage driver because teens don’t have a lot of experience. Look for cars that score high in crash-test results and safety features. Also, make sure you have a good auto warranty for the car you purchase because teens tend to be hard on vehicles.
In crash tests, big heavy vehicles typically perform the best, although they are harder to handle and have poor fuel-efficiency. Large pickup trucks and SUVs aren’t recommended for teens, though, because they roll over easier than other cars in an accident.
A mid-size sedan with good crash test and safety ratings is the best bet for teenagers. Some of the sedans with these features include the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Acura RSX, Mazda 3 and Subaru Impreza.
The best thing that you can do when purchasing a vehicle for your teen is to find the newest possible model that is very reliable. Take a look at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to find out the crash test results for cars that you’re interested in. And, to protect your wallet purchase used car warranties.
September 12th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Small SUVs are good for transporting people during the weekdays and bouncing around the country on the weekends. The 2009 Subaru Forester performs this task well with its new DC3 chassis, AWD system, and double wishbone rear suspension.
Although the first generation of the Forester was a station wagon, the third generation is fully SUV. This is a five-door hatchback that has been restyled to look like a truck. This car comes in five various trims; 2.5X, 2.5X Premium, 2.5X L.L. Bean, 2.5XT, and also the 2.5XT Limited.
The interior of the Forester is impressive. It has comfortable seats, clean lines, and a trendy appeal. Also, this vehicle has superb visibility, which makes it a secure, safe drive. In addition, the Forester has tucked inner-fender wells, which enhances the cargo space.
The 2009 Forester serves as a well-rounded vehicle good for weekend play and everyday use. The base price begins at $19,995 and you can get the XT Limited for $28,195. The wide price range allows a model for every different kind of consumer, complete with an auto warranty.
September 11th, 2008 by Hal Moses
If you’re considering buying a new vehicle you need to think about safety features. Things such as crash test results, electronic stability control, and rollover resistance are all things that are important in keeping you safe in your vehicle.
In order to give vehicles a safety rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety performs side impact and frontal crashes on cars. Considering these results is important when it comes time to buy a new car.
Vehicles that are taller, such as SUVs and pickup trucks have a greater tendency to rollover since they have a high center of gravity. You can find out a car’s inclination to rollover by looking at NHTSA five star ratings.
Electronic stability control is a safety feature that is extremely beneficial and highly recommended. This feature allows you to maintain control of your car when you’re cornering. You can avoid skidding and sliding with electronic stability control because brakes are automatically applied to the wheels that could use it.
Motorists are more concerned about safety than ever before. Also, drivers are trying to protect their wallets by purchasing an auto warranty and buying fuel-efficient vehicles.
September 11th, 2008 by Hal Moses
BMW already uses a start-stop engine for their non-hybrid European 1 and 3 Series, but Mazda is in the process of developing a version that is more efficient. Mazda’s system that has been independently developed is called Smart Idle Stop System. According to the company, this system will improve fuel-efficiency by around 10%.
The unique thing about Mazda’s system is how it restarts the powertrain. Engine restart is initiated by employing the direct-injection system to spurt gas and ignite it under the specific conditions needed to make a downward force on the pistons that is perfect, seamlessly restarting the engine. According to Mazda, drivers won’t feel any delay because it will only take 0.35 seconds to resume driving.
Mazda’s system appears to be a lot simpler than most other start-stop systems, which are commonly attached to hybrid systems. Also, it will cost and weigh less than GMs mild hybrid system. If Mazda combines this system with their new turbo, which is fuel-efficient, it could boost fuel-efficiency by about 40% in a few years, without any expensive hybrid technology.
Just remember, with any new car technology you should protect yourself by purchasing an auto warranty. After all, you want peace of mind that you won’t have to pay unnecessary repair costs.
September 10th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Today’s drivers are realizing that cars are being made to withstand more. There are many vehicles on the road that prove to be reliable and durable. So, what cars are going to keep you on the road?
Honda cars are known for being reliable and safe and are always a sure thing. Also, they experience minimal problems and repairs. For example, the Honda Odyssey is ranked #1 in durability. Also ranking high on the list are the Honda Pilot, Civic, and Accord. Some small SUVs are known for being extremely durable. For example, the Volvo XC90 and Subaru Forester are two examples. But if you’re looking for luxury in addition to durability, the Audi A4 and Acura RDX will deliver.
The vehicles listed made the list due to performance, safety ratings, and lack of complaints. Anyone who is shopping for a new car would feel peace of mind in these cars. However, it is always a good idea to purchase an auto warranty to protect you.
September 10th, 2008 by Hal Moses
There is a new website that Tribal has launched that allows car shoppers to experience a true life like shopping experience from the comfort of their own homes. Now, at Volkswagen.co.uk people can virtually walk around a new vehicle and sit in it. Tribal created this website because shopping for cars can be confusing.
Research shows that car shoppers do the majority of their car research on the Internet, which cuts showroom visits in half. In response to this, VW decided to give car shoppers a virtual experience that they could experience without leaving the house.
In the site you will find a sophisticated car configurator in which there are 3D models of the VW range. Visitors can change different options in order to alter the vehicle’s appearance. Basically, people can create the car that they choose to have.
In the near future people can go to the site and book test-drives through different retailers. They will also have the ability to see what models are available at different retailers.
VW has listened to customers needs and designed a website that allows people to shop from their own homes. It is also convenient that people can shop for new car warranties and insurance by searching various websites. By doing comparisons, people can rest assured that they got the best deal on a car, an auto warranty and insurance.
September 6th, 2008 by Hal Moses
What is there to say about the single most expensive hybrid on today’s market? The 2008 Lexus LS600hL is a luxurious hybrid that makes it known to everyone that you have $105,000 to spend on a car that is environmentally responsible.
People may not be all that concerned about how the electric motor works in combination with the gas powered V-8 because the most outstanding thing about this extended LS model is the cavernous and most luxurious interior. The dashboard, as well as the seats is covered in leather that is extremely supple and stitched together with precision. Metal, wood, and metallic colored plastic are used tastefully, and can be found on the armrests in the backseat and on the dashboard. Oh, and by the way, this car parks itself!
If you have $105,000 to spend on an environmentally friendly vehicle this is a great choice. But at this price, don’t dare drive it out of your driveway without an auto warranty. It could cost you an arm and a leg to fix this car.
September 6th, 2008 by Hal Moses
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.