April 28th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Buying a used car can be a great choice. You can get a nice car for less money and don’t have to worry about depreciation. However, it is always necessary to inspect the car that you are looking at before purchasing it. And since you will spend most of the time on the inside of the car, make sure to inspect there as well.
After you open the door of the car, smell the interior. If you detect, mold, must or mildew it could mean that the car has water leaks. Look for wet spots under the floor mats. A smoker might have owned the car if you detect an acrid smell. Odors can be very hard to eliminate, so if you smell something you don’t like, look for another car.
Sit in all of the seats, including the back, even if you don’t plan on ever riding in the back. If a car is supposed to have low miles, the upholstery should be in good condition. Make sure seat adjustments work properly.
Look at the rubber on the pedals for wear. The pedals shouldn’t look very worn if the car indicates low mileage. If they are worn through in places, it could be a sign that the mileage isn’t correct.
A used vehicle is a great option if you do your homework. Research costs for an auto warranty, maintenance, and auto insurance to make sure you are making a smart purchase. And definitely have the car inspected before buying.
April 28th, 2008 by Hal Moses
The minivan might not be the vehicle of choice if you’re trying to portray a hip image. However, when you look on the inside, you’ll realize why it’s ideal for hauling people around. Just take a look at the Chrysler Town & Country to see how a minivan can make life with kids easier than ever.
The Town & Country has added optional seats called Swivel ‘n Go. These are captain’s chairs that allow for a 180 degrees swivel. This allows parents to turn around and face their kids if needed. Also convenient is the stowaway table that will pop into place right in between the second and third row. This is ideal for games and snacks.
Also kid friendly is the SIRIUS TV in the back. Kids can watch Cartoon Network, Disney, and Nickelodeon live. And Chrysler has added not one, but three DVD screens, as well as dual DVD players that work with wireless headphones.
The minivan may be cooler than people think. How many vehicles have features, such as the Town & Country that makes your life easier? With the addition of an auto warranty you can rest assured that your minivan was the right choice.
April 27th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Ask a woman if she wants to purchase a Dodge Viper and her answer is likely “noâ€. This is a V-10, sports car with two seats with a starting sticker price of approximately $80,000. However, studies show that this car attracts a large proportion of men drivers. It seems that as far as cars go, men and women have very different taste.
At least 91% of people buying the Viper are men. In addition, the BMW M5 and Porsche 911 are also large in buyer percentages being male. The cost of these models is upward of $60,000. Men tend to equate their vehicle with their image. They pick cars that will give them a certain status.
What’s popular with women? The Toyota RAV4 is the #1 choice. Women dominate as being the purchasers of cars that are small, affordable and easy to buy. For instance, the Saturn SL, Saturn SC and Saturn ION are popular with women. These Saturns start at $10,000 and have a “no-hassle†reputation for buying.
It is clear that men and women think differently in many areas, including cars. Men go for the impressive, fast cars, whereas women go for the small, inexpensive vehicles. The only thing that these cars have in common is that they come with an auto warranty.
April 27th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Is it necessary to pay $40K in order to get a stimulating, engaging car? The answer is absolutely not; there are many vehicles out there that come with a good auto warranty for under $25K. Here are a few to consider.
The Honda Civic Si is a great choice at $21,110. This is a high performance car with a sleek shape. It also sports a sport-tuned suspension that is grippy. The engine on this vehicle has a 197 hp, 2.0 liter four cylinder I-VTEC. This car will have you smiling for many miles.
The Ford Mustang V6 Pony Car is a muscle car with a taste of retro. The Pony Package will give you 17-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, a grille treatment, as well as floor mats and striping. This is a 210hp V6 that will deliver loads of thrust.
If a convertible is your style, look to the Pontiac Solstice. This is a 173 hp, 2.4-liter. This vehicle comes standard with an 18-inch rolling rock, big brakes, and balanced chassis providing an exhilarating open-air experience.
Any of these vehicles will make you think you’re driving a car with a sticker of $40K, when in reality you’ll only shell out less than $25K. All of these come with new car warranties that will give you peace of mind.
April 27th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Several small vehicles have had cult status, the French Deux Chevaux, the Volkswagen Beetle, and the original Mini.
All of these cars were popular in their day. However, they also had something else; an indefinable quality that gave them a cult following.
Today, there are new vehicles with a retro-style in the American market. The New Beetle by Volkswagen in 1998, the PT Cruiser by Chrysler back in 2000, and the Mini all qualify.
All of these cars have similar qualities. They look great, and handle well. In addition, they have a classlessness that allows people to make a statement without announcing that they have tons of money. Motorists drive them because they are tons of fun and they have personality.
Small vehicles in the U.S. are making a comeback, and a few of these have cult status. Consumers like to drive a “cool†car with personality and they take care of it until it dies. This is why people buy an extended auto warranty so they can keep their cars running without paying unnecessary repair costs.
April 26th, 2008 by Hal Moses
The Jaguar XF has a modern, fresh, take. It has a melodic V8, and a clean design with many safety benefits. If you’re a Jaguar enthusiast, the new Jaguar XF won’t disappoint.
The XF is a four door, rear-wheel drive five seater, which offers three trim choices. They are Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Supercharged. The standard has leather seats in the front, 18-inch wheels, a steering column that can be adjusted electrically, side curtain airbags, and assisted rear parking.
This vehicle has a clean, modern interior that is bright and friendly. It uses aluminum and wood accents tastefully and impressively. There is lots of storage space, with a center console that is functional and large pockets for storage in each door. The cabin of the XF offers many technical amenities, such as Bluetooth phone syncing, iPod integration, and a display that is touch screen.
The XF has new, stiff chassis that allow for suspension that is supple. This vehicle handles well on any road contortion.
The new Jaguar XF has a sticker price of just under $50,000 for the Luxury version that is well appointed. The S/C is $62,975. This car has terrific looks with the moves to back it up. In addition, it has an impressive auto warranty to go with it.
April 25th, 2008 by Hal Moses
A new hybrid system will be making an appearance soon. It’s called the two-mode. The Allison Transmission division of General Motors, BMW, and DaimlerChrysler developed this originally. This alliance is called the Global Hybrid Corporation.
This full-hybrid system is called a two-mode hybrid since it has low and high-speed electric variable transmission modes. For high efficiency, it has incorporated four gear ratios that are fixed.
You will find some of the same functions that are featured on the Toyota and Ford one -mode hybrids. For example, at a standstill the car will turn off, the batteries charge while the car is braking, and the engine, the electric motor, or both can power the car.
The two-mode hybrid offers great adaptability. You can use it with many drivetrain or engine configurations. Also it can be mated to gasoline powered engines, E85 or diesel fuels.
The two-mode system will be introduced into the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon by the end of the year. BMW and Mercedes also plan to offer this system but the automakers haven’t stated what vehicles will utilize this technology. As with any technology it is important to purchase an auto warranty for your vehicle. You don’t want to end up paying unforeseen costs down the road.
April 25th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Unless you are actually a mechanic yourself, it may require a leap of faith to deal with a repair shop. However, paying attention to your mechanic’s actions can give you clues to their honesty. Here are some things to look out for.
If your mechanic tells you to flush your engine right away, or it will go bad, he might be padding your bill. Some shops will recommend procedures that aren’t necessary. Also, they may want you to schedule tasks that are premature. Pay attention to your owner’s manual for maintenance schedules.
Also, you don’t want to go to a shop that makes every repair recommendation sound like an emergency. This is a scare tactic for consumers who aren’t mechanically inclined.
If your mechanic tells you the new fuel injectors didn’t fix it, so you will need a new fuel pump, you are dealing with a parts replacer. This is a mechanic who is rebuilding your vehicle because he is unable to diagnose the problem. This is one reason an auto warranty is essential.
It can be hard for consumers to know which mechanics are trying to “take them for a rideâ€, however, there are a few things that you can do to protect yourself. First of all, make sure you have an auto warranty so you aren’t paying unnecessary repair costs. Secondly, follow these tips to see if your mechanic is acting honestly.
April 23rd, 2008 by Hal Moses
Pontiac is returning to its bad boy roots with the G8 sport sedan. This is a 5-passenger, V8 powered, rear-wheel-drive vehicle, which was based on the Holden Commodore. This car offers high performance and ample passenger and cargo room, which make it a practical but sporty choice. In addition, you can’t beat the sticker price of $29,995, and the auto warranty that comes with it.
This car comes with two trim levels. The standard has a 3.6-liter V6 engine that puts out 256 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. The G8 GT has a 6.0-liter V8 putting out 361 hp and 385 lb-ft of torque.
The interior of this sedan is straightforward with controls in logical locations and front sport seats that adjust 4-ways. An option is heated leather seats in either trim level and they are black and red leather, two-toned.
At a sticker price of $29,995, accompanied by an auto warranty, this is the performance bargain of the year. It has great suspension and handling, and is practical enough for anyone to enjoy. This vehicle has excellent performance, and an impressive appearance, making it a good option for any motorist.
April 23rd, 2008 by Hal Moses
The number one safety device is undoubtedly the seat belt. And even though seat belts save approximately 11,000 people in America from crashes every year, researchers are still working to find improvements for the belts. If experts in safety have their way, drivers will go from wearing three-point belts to four point belts. In addition, occupants in the back seats would wear inflatable seat belts.
In 2001, Ford Motor Company showed two new safety belt systems being studied. Each utilizes a four-point belt system.
One uses two belts that go over the shoulders and connects to a lap belt in the center. The other one uses two shoulder belts traditional style that criss cross on the chest.
These systems would restrain a person’s body more firmly than the three-point system that is currently used in cars today. Also, these are actually integrated into the seat, not the structure of the car.
For back seat occupants an inflatable safety belt may soon be an option. This system uses a shoulder belt that contains an airbag that will inflate in the event of a car collision.
Consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about protecting themselves and their cars. This includes purchasing cars with technologically advanced safety features and buying an auto warranty to protect their cars.