May 10th, 2008 by Hal Moses
When some people think of pre-owned vehicles, they visualize dirty, old, junky cars. But there is another market, certified pre-owned cars, which are making savvy buyers take notice.
Certified pre-owned vehicles have had thorough inspections and refurbishing. This eliminates the concern about reliability that often goes along with purchasing a used car. Also, certified pre-owned cars are backed by an extended auto warranty. These benefits are hard to pass up. Automakers understand that they shouldn’t ignore the popularity of the certified car market.
A recent study revealed that since 2000, certified pre-owned sales have risen 46%. In fact, approximately 1.5 million of these cars are sold every year. That is the equivalent to around 10% of new car sales.
How do you know the best and worst certified pre-owned vehicles to buy? Forbes.com has a list that will assist motorists in making a good purchase.
The Honda Accord and Toyota 4Runner come in at the top of the list. Next, is the Acura TL, followed by the Subaru Impreza. The Lexus GS also comes in high on the list.
The worst cars on the list are the Saturn Relay, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Also making the worst list are the Pontiac G6, Volkswagen New Beetle, and Mercedes Benz E Class.
Certified pre-owned vehicles offer an updated car without the updated price. Also key is that they come with an auto warranty.
May 9th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Some recent statements about nagging problems with different vehicle models make purchasing an auto warranty a good idea. The following is information to dealerships and mechanics provided by auto manufacturers.
Some cars by General Motors have experienced oil leaks. Cars made between the years 1986 and 2008 that have various 60-degree V6 engines are experiencing oil leaks out of the rear seal of the crankshaft.
Ford has announced that some of their large trucks are experiencing stuck fuel injectors. Specifically, this is happening on the 2005 Ford F-150, Expeditions, and Lincoln Navigators. The injectors on these vehicles have the potential to be stuck open or closed, resulting in powertrain damage.
Drivers of 2007 Jeep Wranglers may have a hard time getting out of the driveway in the morning. This is due to an engine camshaft sensor that is faulty, resulting in a long cranking time. The sensor should be replaced to avoid this problem.
Car manufacturers are constantly discovering new difficulties that can result in a headache for drivers. Motorists should purchase an auto warranty to avoid unnecessary repair costs.
May 9th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Modern vehicles feature innovative technology that has drivers in awe. This technology is beneficial to us all, as long as we know how to use it. Yet, how many motorists actually learn the functions of these switches and controls?
When a driver gets behind the wheel, he should feel as if he is one with his car. People think of driving as a simple task to perform. It may seem elementary to steer, and use the throttle and pedals. However, driving is much more involved than that. In order to be a defensive driver, people need to understand all of the operations of their technology before ever pulling out of the driveway.
Searching for dials and buttons while driving is dangerous because then the driver can’t focus on the road. It is best to perform a list of operations before driving. For example, a safe driver will turn knobs and flick switches in a familiar sequence. It is also necessary to check gauges, such as oil pressure after starting the engine.
Enjoy the advanced technology that your vehicle has to offer, but discover the functions before hitting the road. This will save you from getting into an accident. Of course, with any new technology you should cover yourself with an auto warranty. This will save you from unnecessary expenses down the road.
May 9th, 2008 by Hal Moses
When purchasing new cars consumers should do their homework to ensure that they are getting the best deal possible. Here are three important tips that will allow you to avoid unnecessary costs.
First of all, look around to find a dealership that is good. You can do this by looking on the Internet and reading blogs about dealerships. Web searches will provide you with a lot of information. A lot of times positive revues or complaints will give you an indication of how a dealership operates. In addition, make contact with three dealerships in your vicinity to see how quickly they respond.
Second, don’t let dealers talk you in to dealer financing or alarm systems. These two things will cost you in the end. For example, auto manufacturers have already installed wiring. However, automakers will then sell alarms for around $1,200 separately. This will be added on to the new vehicle purchase price. Also, finance offices at dealerships typically don’t provide the best deals. It would be a better idea to seek financing elsewhere and put your extra money towards an auto warranty.
Finally, you can save money by selling your car yourself. Don’t trade it in at the dealership because you probably won’t get as much money for it.
These simple tips will help you save money if you are planning to purchase a new vehicle. Also, realize that new car warranties should be an essential part of your purchase so you are protected from unnecessary repair costs.
May 8th, 2008 by Hal Moses
It can be difficult to decide if you should buy or lease a vehicle. There are more things to consider than just their car budget. Most often, leasing ends up costing less money, but in the long run the motorist has no equity. Consider these important factors when making your decision.
The most obvious thing to consider is the cost. There are four factors to think about. They are the length of the lease, the monthly payments, the restrictions on the mileage, and the down payment. You could end up with large fines if your mileage exceeds the restrictions. In addition, if you keep the lease for over three years, replacing tires and other maintenance costs will be up to you.
You also have to pay close attention to your budget. If you are thinking short term, leases are generally less expensive because of the lack of a down payment and the low monthly costs. However, purchasing a vehicle that you plan on keeping for ten years ends up being less expensive than leasing. This is making the assumption that you have an auto warranty that will save you from paying unnecessary expenses. Motorists who enjoy having a new vehicle every three years would benefit from leasing.
Also, consider if you have any changes coming up in your life. If you are going to be moving far away or beginning a family, leasing is the way to go. This gives you a lot of flexibility.
Consider all of these things to make an educated decision on buying or leasing. Just keep in mind that whenever you buy you want to make sure you are covered by an auto warranty to keep you from paying unnecessary repair expenses.
May 8th, 2008 by Hal Moses
There is no vehicle quite as exhilarating as a convertible. Motorists love to feel the wind in their hair and the sun on their faces. Convertibles give drivers a sense of freedom that is hard to find in any other vehicle. However, are convertibles a good purchase? Read on and decide for yourself.
Automakers have spent a lot of time improving convertibles. Motorists used to have to worry about retractable tops leaking, but that is a thing of the past. Today, convertible tops are superb at sealing out weather and sound. And whether fabric or metal, the tops can go up and down with the touch of a button in less than 30 seconds.
Convertible safety has also greatly improved. Cars are now equipped with side airbags. These airbags deploy from the line of the window in order to create protection. This is important in the case of a crash or rollover.
Although the convertible market hasn’t been growing, there are many interesting choices for consumers to consider. Models that are newer, such as the Volkswagen Eos and Saturn Sky have been doing well in sales. You might also want to consider a high-performance convertible, such as the Dodge Viper SRT10, Audi RS 4 Cabriolet, or the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet. The benefit of buying a new convertible is that it comes with an auto warranty.
Unfortunately, many convertible owners admit that the novelty of driving a convertible wears off within the first year. Luckily, convertibles hold their value very well, which means that if you become fickle, you probably won’t have a hard time getting your money back.
May 6th, 2008 by Hal Moses
You might find that your car has become a mess from kids, pets, friends, etc. But how are you supposed to keep it clean with kids spitting up and people having four-course meals in your backseat? Let’s face it; it can be hard. However, here are some tips to help you get started.
You might want to insist that whatever people bring in the car they have to take it out. This means that kids should be responsible for the cups, stuffed animals, books, etc. Also, you could limit them to only bringing one item each car ride.
Keep a trash bag from the kitchen in your vehicle. This comes in handy for trash, or for dirty wet clothes. You can have your oldest child be in charge of the trash bag.
For toddlers, purchase spill proof snack bowls and cups. You can buy a “snack trapâ€, which keeps Cheerios from spilling all over your floor.
Keep toothpaste in your glove compartment. This can save you from a stain on your upholstery. Just rub gently on lipstick or ketchup stains to remove stains.
Purchase some rubber mats to go on top of your carpet. If you don’t want to spend the extra money you can even turn your carpet mats upside down to reveal the rubber side.
It’s never easy to keep your car clean when you have a busy lifestyle, however, these tips will help. Don’t just purchase an auto warranty to maintain your car, put a little bit of work into cleaning the interior.
May 6th, 2008 by Hal Moses
An extended auto warranty is a great way to bring a motorist peace of mind. In the event of a breakdown you don’t want to end up paying unnecessary repair costs. Follow these simple tips to get the most out of your auto warranty.
You need to know who is offering the auto warranty. Is it an after-market company or the auto manufacturer? Know who is underwriting on the policy. You don’t want to wait until your car breaks down to find this out.
Read the auto warranty in its entirety to find out what coverage is included and for how long. Keep in mind that time conditions and mileage in the auto warranty could be different for varying systems of your car.
Make sure you know the maintenance that you are responsible for keeping up with. You have to do certain things for the auto warranty to be valid. Also, keep records of the work you had done on your car because this will be necessary in the case of a claim.
An extended auto warranty will bring you peace of mind, but you need to be clear on the terms of it to get the most out of it. Make sure to get maintenance when it required in the terms of the auto warranty.
May 5th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Most vehicles today have ABS, or Antilock brakes. You’ve probably heard about these brakes but may not know what they are. ABS is a safety feature that detects if one of the wheels is going to lock up in your vehicle. In this case the hydraulic pressure of that wheel is controlled, similar to when you pump the brake. This helps you keep control of the vehicle.
If you haven’t used ABS before you might notice some new things. For instance, when ABS is activated you may feel that the brake pedal feels hard, which is normal. Also, you might feel pulsating under your foot, which is also normal. In addition, you might notice a noise similar to that of a motorboat engine, again normal.
When driving with ABS make sure you still leave enough room between you and the vehicle in front of you. Don’t think you will be able to stop on a dime. Also, it is important not to pump the brake, but apply pressure that is firm and strong.
Follow these tips and you will adjust to ABS just fine. In addition, you will feel an added sense of security on the road. However, as with any new technology, there are bugs to work out, so protect yourself with an auto warranty.
May 5th, 2008 by Hal Moses
If you’re looking for an affordable car that will give you a lot of bang for your buck, consider the Honda Fit. It has a versatile, perky performance and is one of the coolest hatchbacks to date. At a base price of $13,950 complete with an auto warranty, this car delivers
The Fit has a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine putting out 109hp with 105 lb-ft of torque. This vehicle can be equipped with a manual 5-speed transmission, with sport paddle shifters, which you can use with the automatic transmission on sport mode. The fit will go from 0-60mph in 9 seconds.
The Honda Fit sports a functional and refined exterior. It has a sloping nose with a slightly rounded hood, giving it a modern flair. The Fit uses simplicity to its advantage and isn’t overzealous like others in its class. It is a simple, clean looking hatchback.
The cockpit of the vehicle is sophisticated, convenient and comfortable. It has superior color matching with accents placed strategically to complement its décor. Surprisingly, this car also has ample storage room because of its brilliant ability for different seat arrangements.
All in all, the Honda Fit is a winner. You can’t beat the price of just under $14,000 complete with an auto warranty, and you are getting some fantastic features. Honda doesn’t disappoint.
When some people think of pre-owned vehicles, they visualize dirty, old, junky cars. But there is another market, certified pre-owned cars, which are making savvy buyers take notice.
