January 16th, 2010 by Hal Moses
An accelerating driver trend from SUVs and pickup trucks to small fuel-efficient cars will help reduce rollovers, but experts on safety are worried that a smaller fleet presents serious health risks, despite anti-collision systems, air bags, and other safety advances.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which measures the performance of cars in crash tests, shifting to small cars is going to make problems worse. They claim that people are better off in a vehicle that is bigger, not smaller.
U.S. carmakers have been distressed and are therefore retooling plants in Latin America, Europe, and around the world to get more compact cars to Americans in upcoming years and try to meet federal standards on fuel economy that are tougher.
At least 40,000 motorists are killed on roads in America annually in traffic accidents. Approximately three-quarters of these people are from passenger vehicles and two-thirds of them from cars.
Consumers are concerned with saving auto costs, such as car prices, auto warranty prices, and gas costs, yet safety needs to be their #1 concern.
January 16th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Typically, you will get the best value purchasing a used vehicle. This is especially true for late models. Not only will you find the price to be lower than a new vehicle that is comparable, but also expenses for ownership, such as taxes and collision insurance will be less. In addition, a used vehicle has already taken its largest depreciation hit. You also can get a vehicle that is better equipped by buying used.
Used cars have become more appealing because their reliability has improved. Exhaust problems and rust used to be a major concern, but aren’t a problem anymore. Studies have shown that reported problems declined significantly since 1980.
Although reliability has improved considerably, repair costs and maintenance are important things to consider. Many used cars don’t have an auto warranty left or are close to the end of its life. This means that motorists will be paying out of pocket for expenses. However, buying used car warranties will take care of this problem.
Overall, buying used is a great option to save money. Also, consumers can get a car with more features than they would be able to afford new. However, an auto warranty is a necessity so that you don’t pay for unnecessary repair costs.
January 14th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Sports car enthusiasts consider the supercar to be the ultimate vehicle. What is a supercar you may ask? A supercar is a very high-end sports car that has power and handling that is exceptional.
It can be challenging to find one of these cars, and even more of a challenge to find the funds for one.
Cutting edge supercars have to be ordered directly from the factory. As a result these cars have a big “ooh†factor.
But how can you distinguish a supercar from a regular sports car? Three features will set the two apart. First, supercars have an exotic appearance. Secondly, they are extremely fast. In addition, they have world class cornering and handling. Most supercars are imported and the most prominent ones are Italian made.
Supercar models include Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Masserati. They are considered supercars because they are rare, have impeccable engineering, and have top performance. They can cost over a million dollars.
Owners of supercars are very prideful of their vehicles. An auto warranty is a necessity to protect these gems.
January 14th, 2010 by Hal Moses
The decision to buy or lease can be a difficult one. Car shoppers should consider more than just their budget. Typically, leasing tends to be cheaper, but it also leaves drivers with no equity after the contract is up. There are some important factors to keep in mind when making this important decision.
First, you should look at the cost. Consider four factors when you’re thinking of leasing. These are the leases length, the payments monthly, the mileage restrictions, and the down payment. If you exceed the restrictions on the mileage you could ring up big fines. Also, if you hold onto a lease for more than three years you will often have to replace tires and pay for other maintenance.
Next, take a good look at your budget. Leases are almost always cheaper for short-term because there isn’t a down payment and the monthly costs are low. However, leases end up being more expensive than buying a vehicle that you are going to keep for a decade. This is assuming that you purchase an auto warranty with your car so that you don’t end up paying unnecessary expenses. But if drivers prefer to have a new car every three years, leasing is the way to go.
Also, you need to consider your life plans. If you are going through life changes, such as moving far away, or starting a family, you are going to benefit from leasing. This will provide you with the flexibility that you need.
Consider these factors and make a decision to buy or lease based on your needs. Just remember, if you buy, you want to be covered with an auto warranty to save you money on unnecessary repair costs down the road.
January 13th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Consumers have been more concerned than ever about saving money on their vehicles. They are doing everything from purchasing small, fuel-efficient cars, to purchasing an auto warranty to ensure they don’t pay unnecessary repair expenses. But are they willing to skip the amenities that come in new cars, such as air conditioning, an automatic transmission, and power locks and windows, to save money? And are stripped cars even available?
The truth is that it can be hard to find a car stripped with crank windows and a manual transmission.
According to JATO Dynamics, 89% of vehicles sold in America last year came standard with automatic transmissions, which is up from 85% in 2003. Also, power locks came standard on 87% of cars sold, compared to 80% in 2003.
The vehicles that offer these features as optional tend to be on small cars, yet economy-car buyers usually pick convenience and comfort over cost if given a choice.
For example, the cheapest model by Toyota is the Yaris, which begins at $11,550 for a base model hatchback with air-conditioning. However, approximately 80% of Yaris buyers choose to pay an extra $900 for an automatic, and about 60% opt for a power windows and locks package, which costs an extra $1,680.
It appears that features, such as air conditioning and automatic transmissions are necessities that most people aren’t willing to live without, just like new car warranties.
January 13th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Car accidents are always unnerving and happen unexpectedly. An accident leaves motorists feeling shocked and stunned, and often, they don’t know what to do next. Here are some important steps to take in this situation.
First, make sure everyone is OK, and if not place a 911 call. Also, always contact the police and then place a call to your road service program.
Next, call your insurance agent. They can inform you about what information to exchange with the other motorist, and help you survey the scene. Be aware that you shouldn’t admit fault at the scene of the accident, the insurance companies will determine this.
Also, make sure to read the information in your insurance policy, so you file your claim within the specified time limit. Often, if the vehicle damage exceeds $750 you need to file a SR1 form, which can be found on the DMV website of the state that you live in.
It is always scary to be involved in a vehicle accident, but unfortunately it happens to all of us at one point or another. It is essential to know what to do in this instance. To alleviate stress, have all important documents ready, such as your insurance policy and auto warranty.
January 12th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Why would a consumer benefit from buying a sedan? Mainly because sedans offer a well-rounded balance of performance, handling, fuel economy, access and safety. They are a good choice in many types of driving situations. Unless you need an excess of cargo space or towing capacity, they are a great option.
There are many varieties of sedans to choose from. For example there are small, large, upscale, family and luxury sedans. Within all of these categories, models offer different characteristics. They balance being sporty, providing comfort, and practicality differently.
The amount of fuel efficiency can vary greatly from one sedan to the next. It is important to do your homework and compare various models.
When looking for a sedan, enter and exit from all of the doors. You want a sedan that has wide doors and sufficient headroom.
All new sedan models have dual front air bags. Also three point seat belts and LATCH systems are included. However, side air bags and head protection bags are also available on some models. In addition, antilock brakes are becoming standard on car models.
Do some research to get the sedan that best suits your needs. Also, purchase an auto warranty to avoid unnecessary repair costs down the road. These simple tips will ensure that you make a wise purchase.
January 9th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Many drivers have a hard time finding a repair shop that they feel is trustworthy. While some motorists feel comfortable taking their car to the dealership, others prefer going to an independent repair shop. So, which one is better?
You will find several advantages to going to the dealership repair shop. First of all, dealerships pay for their technicians to have special training, and they provide them with special tools and equipment. Dealerships also have a years worth of proprietary information on new vehicles that they have sold. This information is important for making repairs and diagnosis, yet only the dealer has access to it. Finally, dealership service departments only work on the specific makes and models that they sell, so they are efficient at diagnosis and repairs.
Independent shops also have advantages. Because independent facilities try to serve the neighborhood that they are in, customers can benefit from a more personal customer service. Also, independent repair shops provide more versatile services on a wide range of cars. In addition, top-notch repair shops will offer an auto warranty through the supplier of the parts. Finally, prices are usually better at independent repair shops.
There are advantages to both dealerships and independent repair shops. Consumers should find a repair shop that they feel comfortable with, regardless of what kind it is. In addition, it is important to purchase an auto warranty to avoid paying unnecessary repair costs.
January 9th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Many motorists aren’t sure whether they should use regular or synthetic oil in their cars. The answer depends on the age of the vehicle, mileage, and the recommendations by the carmaker.
Vehicles with high mileage that are older often have excessive engine wear that allows oil to leak internally. Synthetic oil isn’t recommended on these vehicles because it is thinner than regular oil and flows freely. Using it often will cause internal oil combustion.
Many carmakers today use synthetic oil in their engines. This is often the case when the car has an engine that is high performance with high compression, high temperatures for operating, and engine tolerances that are tight. If you’re thinking of switching to synthetic oil and your car still has an auto warranty, make sure to consult your dealer first.
In the proper vehicle synthetic oil is a good idea (consult your owner’s manual). Although synthetic will cost you twice as much as regular, it is worth it because it lasts longer and can help your engine last longer.
January 8th, 2010 by Hal Moses
What is there to say about the single most expensive hybrid on today’s market? The 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.