February 19th, 2011 by Hal Moses
Often motorist get sticker shock or experience buyer’s remorse after buying a new car. However, you can avoid this by considering the expenses that you will encounter in the future.
According to experts, most consumers anticipate the price of the purchase, registration and taxes. However, many people forget to factor in the price of insurance and new car warranties. Fortunately, by doing your homework you can get good deals on insurance and an auto warranty.
To control car costs drivers should consider these tips. First of all, decide before you get to the dealership the amount of money that you can spend. Also, decide on what type of car will suit your needs. It is also beneficial to get quotes from several dealers, because then you are in the position to negotiate. Finally, check insurance and auto warranty prices on the vehicle that you want to purchase.
You don’t have to go broke purchasing a new car. But, be smart and consider all of the costs involved. It isn’t just the purchase price that you will be paying.
February 19th, 2011 by Hal Moses
Credit is a key factor when an auto shopper is trying to figure out how much they will pay for a car. However, according to experts, people should look at various dealers to compare special financing deals. This is as important as shopping around for a car type.
It is important to request a copy of your credit report and score through a credit agency. This will give you a better idea of what you will be dealing with when you talk about financing.
There are web-based tools that you can look to for help. For example, AutoTrader.com is a website for classifieds that actually has a credit center for people looking to buy a car with bad credit. And while other websites of a similar nature require the consumer to disclose personal and confidential information, the credit center only asks general questions to give the shopper privacy.
After you fill out the questionnaire, you will get a credit level that is estimated excellent, good or fair. Next, you can do a search among car dealers in your area that can help you with your specific financing needs.
The key is to be prepared when you walk into the dealership. Websites are a great way to arm you with knowledge. You can learn all about car prices, credit scores, and prices on an auto warranty. You want to do your homework so that you can get the best deal you can on the car itself, financing and new car warranties.
February 17th, 2011 by Hal Moses
Because many people lead busy lives, they try to pick a repair shop that is close to their home. They also try to find a shop that they believe to be trustworthy. Motorists take for granted the freedom of being able to pick where their cars get repaired. This may all be coming to an end.
Cars operate through their computers, and it is necessary to have the computer codes to determine if something is faulty on the vehicle. However, car manufacturers often don’t like to release the codes. This means that independently owned repair shops might not be able to properly make repairs. In addition, drivers will be forced to take their vehicles to dealerships. This makes an auto warranty even more necessary for motorists because dealerships tend to charge more for repairs.
There are approximately 220 million cars in the country and only 21,000 vehicle dealerships. Also, there are around 130,000 businesses that make a business of repairing cars. If these businesses don’t have access to computer codes they may eventually go out of business because they won’t be able to perform many repairs on cars.
Congress has recognized this problem and therefore, is trying to pass the Motor Vehicle Owners Right To Repair Act. This bill would make it necessary for car companies to share information with the independent repair shops.
Unfortunately, you never know when your car is going to require repairs, so regardless of where you take your car for service, make sure you have an auto warranty to protect your wallet.
February 16th, 2011 by Hal Moses
What is magic about the age 13 that makes it OK for children to finally ride in the front seat of the car? Are they finally big enough to withstand the impact of an airbag? Are they at the age where they can behave in the front seat?
Part of the problem is behavior. When kids mess with the radio, and play around, they usually aren’t in a proper position when an airbag deploys. In injuries and deaths, the proximity to the airbag in the front is a huge issue; in addition, proper positioning in the seat is a factor. By 13, kids are more able to sit still and behave.
Around the ages 11 and 12, children are also bigger physically. This is an issue because it is hard for children to have their backs against the seatback if their feet don’t touch the floor. This means that they scrunch down putting them in a bad position for airbag deployment.
Kids under 13, need to ride in the back seat for their safety. It isn’t worth it to put your child in the front and have them injured by an airbag. Parents are concerned with many things such as an auto warranty, auto loans, and maintenance, but most important is the safety of their children.
February 12th, 2011 by Hal Moses
Many people claim to love the smell of a new car. However, the chemicals that gives cars that new smell may be harmful and have been known to cause long-term health issues. However, consumers now have a guide that will aid them in figuring out the cars that are the safest.
An advocacy group in Michigan, called The Ecology Center, recently published a guide about toxic chemicals in vehicles and child seats on Tuesday.
The report deals with harmful substances, such as chlorine, bromine, heavy metals and lead. The Ecology Center got samples of parts that people touch the most, such as center consoles, steering wheels, and seat fronts.
The investigation determined that there are top healthier cars from Smart, Acura, BMW, Chevrolet, Toyota and Honda. Some cars that created high concern were by Suzuki, Mitsubishi, VW, BMW, Mazda, Lincoln, Audi, Mercedes, BMW and Kia.
Consumers are becoming more and more concerned with car safety issues. They are taking precautions, such as doing research on new cars, and purchasing cars with added safety features, and an auto warranty.
February 11th, 2011 by Hal Moses
Here’s a question for car shoppers: What has the low sticker price of a pre-owned vehicle with the auto warranty and reliability of a new vehicle? The answer is a certified pre-owned vehicle.
CPO is a term that the auto industry uses to describe used vehicles with low-mileage that are late models. These vehicles have passed a rigorous inspection and therefore have a factory auto warranty to back them up. CPOs are typically in much better shape than a regular used vehicle and come with a regular maintenance schedule that a consumer can verify through Carfax.
Most certified pre-owned programs are offered with an auto warranty, inspection, as well as a return option if you end up not liking the vehicle. However, what consumers end up receiving for the extra money they spend on a CPO car varies a lot. For example, Lexus gives a 100,000 total vehicle; 3 year limited warranty on its COO vehicles. However, Chrysler offers an inspection along with a return policy, yet only offers a 3,000-mile, 3 month limited auto warranty.
Customers need to ensure that they receive an extension of the auto warranty offered by the factory, which will give them the same service of a new car owner.
February 9th, 2011 by Hal Moses
It’s apparent that the auto industry in America is becoming “greener†than ever. Everywhere you look there are ads for fuel-cell technology, hybrids, Bio-diesel fuel, clean-diesel engines, and E-85 fuel. These technologies have gained popularity with America’s Big Three automakers.
Why? Automakers are feeling pressure from all directions, including the White House, Congress, and also consumers.
Ford Motor Co., Chrysler LLC and General Motors have been trying to catch up with foreign cars, such as the Toyota Prius. The Prius has gained popularity because of the hybrid technology it offers, its environmental benefits, its cool styling, and all with the addition of an auto warranty.
The Big Three carmakers are closing the gap. General Motors already offers 14 Flex Fuel car models, which run on E85, and 2 million of them are on roads already. In addition, GM is going to bring 12 hybrid cars to the auto market within the next four years. Also, Ford has the Escape Hybrid and the Mercury Mariner Hybrid. Perhaps the biggest buzz though, is about the Chevrolet Volt, which will allow drivers to travel 40 miles on an electric motor.
U.S. carmakers are on the mission to catch up with foreign automakers, putting out effective green technologies complete with style, safety, and an auto warranty. Their goal is to have several different technologies to meet the needs of all consumers.
February 8th, 2011 by Hal Moses
Consumers can experience sensory overload when walking down the car care isle at their local store. It can be confusing to know what products to purchase, or even if you need to purchase them. Some people assume that if you have a factory auto warranty that includes the finish, you don’t need to bother washing and waxing, but this isn’t true.
A factory auto warranty will protect you by ensuring that the paint job was sound, that they used quality paint, and that it was cured correctly. However, new car warranties won’t protect you from oxidation that occurs over time. This happens naturally if you don’t care for your finish. Car wax serves the purpose of being a sacrificial layer between Mother Nature and your paint.
If new car owners want to keep their finishes looking great, they don’t have to spend a lot of time or money. Preventative maintenance is the key for your finish, just like it’s under the hood. All you have to do is wash your vehicle frequently with car care products. Even just a basic car wash will do a lot to help protect your investment. After washing, you can spray-on a wax that will boost the shine and extend the intervals between regular wax jobs.
February 5th, 2011 by Hal Moses
Almost every vehicle that has front wheel-drive uses car struts on the front. They aren’t just shock absorbers. They integrate many different suspension parts into one assembly. Included are the spring seats, coil spring, shock absorbers, steering knuckle, and strut bearing.
The shock absorber is the part of the strut that is commonly serviced the most.
The strut has many different purposes that it serves. Because of the spring, the strut can support the vehicle’s weight while it’s traveling and allows for adaptations of road irregularities. The shock absorber that is internal will dampen the spring’s movement while it is compressing and rebounding.
The function of the strut housing is structural. It connects the bearing in the upper strut to the ball joint down below. This allows the whole assembly to pivot as someone turns the steeling wheel.
It is a good idea to have your vehicle’s suspension system checked by a service technician that is qualified. The struts in a car should be checked once a year, along with the alignment of wheels. You never know when car parts will wear out, so an auto warranty, as well as regular maintenance is a necessary part of your routine.
February 4th, 2011 by Hal Moses
Families consider the safety of their children a top priority. Unfortunately, car accidents are responsible for more deaths among 3-14 year olds than any other cause. Parents need to take essential steps to make sure that their children remain safe on the road. That means buying an auto warranty to ensure that repairs are up-to-date, and making sure that car seats are installed and used correctly.
More than 1,500 children under the age of 14 were killed last year, and around 220,000 were injured as the result of a car accident. Just using a child safety seat correctly can reduce these incidents drastically. In fact, casualties are reduced by around 70%. Alarmingly, approximately 75% of child seats are installed incorrectly. Unfortunately, about half of children killed in car crashes aren’t even restrained at all.
GM has a program designed to combat this problem called Safe Kids Buckle Up. This program informs parents about the importance of proper car seat use. This program has been running for over 10 years, has had 40,000 child seat checks around the country, and has inspected over 900,000 car seats.
Often motorist get sticker shock or experience buyer’s remorse after buying a new car. However, you can avoid this by considering the expenses that you will encounter in the future.
