March 17th, 2010 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.
March 16th, 2010 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.
March 16th, 2010 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.
March 16th, 2010 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.
March 13th, 2010 by Hal Moses
When it comes time for you to test-drive a car, you need to be aware of a few things. After all, this will be one of your most important drives ever, so make sure to get the most out of it.
First, make sure you test-drive the exact model that you’re thinking of buying. There may be big differences in various models, such as transmissions and engines, tires and suspension, and features in the cabin that will largely affect the way a vehicle handles and feels.
If the salesperson is talking a lot, ask him to please be quiet. You need quiet to properly evaluate a vehicle. This will allow you to hear how the vehicle operates. It might make things easier to tell the salesperson in the showroom that you might need some quiet driving time.
Request a specific test route of your liking if you are familiar with the roads. You are the only one who knows what kind of driving you will be doing and on what roads.
It is easy to get excited when test-driving a car, but don’t forget these important tips. They could save your from purchasing a car that might not end up liking. Also, do your homework to get a good deal. You’ll need to factor in the price of maintenance costs, an auto warranty, and auto insurance.
March 13th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Every day people are asking dealership service departments, “Isn’t that covered under my auto warranty?†A lot of drivers assume that an auto warranty allows for repairs regardless of such things as maintenance requirements, environmental conditions, and vehicle mileage.
An auto warranty is an agreement you make with the manufacturer of the car. As the warranty purchaser, you are responsible for following specific maintenance requirements. Only if you perform the maintenance, is the manufacturer obligated to have repairs done.
Because of questionable practices that dealers have performed in the past, car manufacturers scrutinize every auto warranty claim. Consumers often interpret this as an effort to get out of paying for repair costs. However, the reality is that the repair might not qualify under the terms of the auto warranty. This could be due to things such as, vehicle abuse, expiration, or parts that aren’t covered under the agreement.
Buyers need to be extra careful and read their auto warranty thoroughly. Make sure to fulfill your side of the deal in order to have the manufacturer fulfill their side.
March 13th, 2010 by Hal Moses
It can be difficult to find a car that is suitable for the needs of a family. In fact, consumers can often feel overwhelmed with all of the choices. So, what are some necessary considerations when purchasing a family car?
First, most families are in search of an affordable vehicle. This typically means that the sticker price is under $30,000 and comes with a good auto warranty. There are many good quality vehicles out there that go for less than $30,000, so if you are looking at a company that can’t produce a good vehicle for this price, you’re searching with the wrong company.
One very important feature for a family car is comfort. Five people should be able to fit into a vehicle comfortably, otherwise no one will be happy. Also, make sure that you have sufficient cargo space for groceries, hobbies, etc.
Safety is essential in a family vehicle. Many of the new car models have innovative safety features capable of saving people’s lives. For instance, the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu incorporates the OnStar system of communication, which has the Advanced Automatic Crash Notification.
Try not to get overwhelmed with the shopping process when looking for a family vehicle. Just take these tips into consideration and make sure purchase an auto warranty in case of unforeseen repairs.
March 12th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Why is it finally acceptable for kids age 13 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?
A big 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 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 new car warranties, auto loans, and maintenance, but most important is the safety of their children.
March 12th, 2010 by Hal Moses
It’s that time again when students all over the country are taking road trips for spring break. Chances are that most of these people are headed towards warm, beach weather. So, what is an ideal ride for these students on spring break?
The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a perfect spring break vehicle. What car would look better with a surfboard on top? This ride has a retro design that will demand stares from the opposite sex. The floor that is rubberized, as well as the water-shedding interior will allow students to clean up easily for the ride home.
Ford’s Mustang is a blast from the past without being stuck there. This is definitely a muscle car that has a 300 horsepower V8. You can’t beat the Mustang for a four-seat convertible, and the price is right. It starts at $25,060.
The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is the hot vehicle of the Wrangler lineup. It has four doors and a true back seat. The Wrangler handles great in dirt, boulders, and more importantly, sand. With the top down and a car full of college students, the Wrangler has a great wow factor.
These rides would make any college student proud. However, college students need to consider safety. While cruising around looking cool, students need to behave sensibly. Also, they should have a road service program and an auto warranty in case of unforeseen circumstances.
March 11th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Due to the poor economy, electric and hybrid cars are in great need these days. However, these cars also will come at a cost. They will strain scarce resources for water, according to a new study.
Every mile that is driven using electricity consumes approximately three times the water than a car using petrol. Sciencedaily reported this.
Michael Webber and Carey King calculated the usage of water, consumption, as well as withdrawal during refining of petroleum and generation of power in the United States.
This does not mean that the impacts on sources of water make the shift undesirable. Instead, the increase in the usage of water resources should be a consideration when people are planning for an automotive economy that is plugged-in.
Every technological advance has potential downfalls. Vehicles that lack petroleum are good in many ways for out environment, and our wallets. Also good for your wallet, is an auto warranty that protects you in case new technology fails. Also, it brings drivers peace of mind.