November 26th, 2009 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 new car warranties.
November 25th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Do you find that you are apprehensive about negotiating with an auto dealer? Shopping for a vehicle doesn’t have to be nerve-racking, however, you need to be aware of a few things that you shouldn’t say to a dealer.
First, you shouldn’t start talking about monthly payments, instead focus on negotiating the purchase price. It can become confusing when you’re discussing monthly payments because it might be unclear whether the payment is for 24 or 36 months.
Don’t tell the dealer right away if you’re willing to trade-in your car. If the dealer is aware of this he will know that you want to get as much money for your car as possible. The dealer might agree to give you a lot for your trade-in, but usually it’s a smokescreen because then they will fix the price of the new car.
Don’t tell the dealer if you’re planning on paying for the car in cash. They count on making a lot of money in financing, and if they know that they won’t be able to count on that money, chances are they won’t negotiate on the sticker price.
Do your homework before showing up at a dealership. Be prepared with information about new car warranties, financing, and vehicle prices. This will help you negotiate a successful deal on a car.
November 24th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Many people enjoy owning minivans because they offer various options for carrying cargo and passengers. Depending on your needs, you can configure minivans in a variety of different ways. Also, minivans now come with climate control in dual zones, as well as DVD systems. These features offer great appeal to buyers, especially families.
There is tons of interior room in minivans, which allows for plenty of leg and headroom. Also convenient are the models that have sliding doors on both sides of the vehicle, making it quick and easy to get in and out.
Minivans allow enough seating for up to eight passengers. The ones that is equipped for seven passengers typically have captain’s chairs, not a bench. The Honda Odyssey offers even more flexibility in seating by having a center seat that can be removed.
If you need a vehicle that has flexibility in seating and cargo space, minivans are a great option. They have numerous features that make for a comfortable, convenient ride. However, no matter what vehicle you decide to purchase, make sure you get new car warranties to protect yourself from unforeseen repairs.
November 21st, 2009 by Hal Moses
For car accidents in the future, a circuit may be as crucial to safety as seat belts. In the 1960’s, Congress made safety belts mandatory, which has reduced deaths drastically. Now, a new safety revolution is going on. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has made electronic stability control equipment mandatory in all cars. This decision will prevent approximately 10,000 deaths a year.
ESC is a current feature available on most luxury cars, and it is an option on most other cars. This feature serves the purpose of not just protecting passengers, but also preventing accidents all together. Most of these features have a microchip as a base, and are still being perfected. This is why it is important to purchase new car warranties in case of costly technical repairs.
Many drivers opt to purchase a package of various safety options, not just individual gadgets. For example, Lexus markets their safety features as a system that works together. One package they offer has smart cruise control, lane-departure warning, and ESC.
November 21st, 2009 by Hal Moses
It is helpful to use a car loan calculator to determine what the cost for a new or used car purchase will be monthly.
These can be found online with options for buying or leasing. This is a helpful tool in determining what your budget actually is and how much car you can afford. Just remember to factor in other car costs, such as maintenance and new car warranties.
Just remember that the numbers on a vehicle loan calculator are not actual quotes. The calculator allows you to compare the costs of different cars and see what your payments per month will be.
On the calculator there is a line to enter the dollar amount you would like to finance. Then, by clicking your mouse you can compare what payments will be, with different arrangements for paying. You can also find out what interest payments will be for the life of the vehicle loan.
It is a bonus to use a car loan calculator before going to a dealership to buy a vehicle. You will already know what your budget is, which will allow you to make a smart purchase. You will also know how much money you have left over to spend on maintenance costs and an auto warranty.
November 19th, 2009 by Hal Moses
When looking to buy a new vehicle it is important to consider crash test ratings, electronic stability control, and rollover resistance. When evaluating a car for safety, remember to look closely at the following.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducts crash tests on vehicles. They rate vehicles based on results in frontal crashes and side impacts. Paying attention to these scores will help make a good choice when it comes to vehicle safety.
Electronic stability control is a highly recommended safety feature. This will help your vehicle stay under control when cornering. It will help you avoid sliding and skidding by selectively applying brakes to one or more of the wheels.
Vehicles that are tall, such as SUVs and pickup trucks have a higher likelihood of rolling over. To determine a vehicle’s inclination for rollover NHTSA has a five-star rollover rating. You can access these ratings at www.safercars.gov.
Consumers are becoming more and more concerned with protecting themselves. They are purchasing new car warranties and buying vehicles with added safety features. Taking these simple steps allow drivers to have peace of mind.
November 19th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Often motorists 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.
November 18th, 2009 by Hal Moses
If you are shopping for vehicles, you may realize that some cars cost more because of the paint job. Paint can add an extra expense of up to $1,000. This can feel like a big expense after factoring in other vehicle expenses, such as maintenance and new car warranties. It’s difficult for people to believe that a fancy yellow paint job can cost an extra $1,000. The big question is will you get back that extra money when it is time to put your car up for sale?
Most people don’t realize that a paint job involves more than just a spray can, like in years past. Clearcoat and metallic finishes require multistage operations. This means that operations have a greater expense on the assembly line.
However, car manufacturers have figured out a new way to make profit. They hike up the cost of some of their distinct colors.
When it is all said and done, fancy paint colors will only tack on a minimal value when it comes time to sell your vehicle. Also, beware, because some of the more obscure colors can actually lessen the value of your car. Keep in mind that the most popular colors on a vehicle are shades of gray.
November 14th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Theories vary on when is the best time to purchase a new vehicle. Some people say the holidays, others say early in the week or even a rainy day. However, one thing is for sure, the end of the month is the time to get a bargain deal on a car.
Most of the sales staff at a car dealership operates on a quota system. They get an incremental bonus every time they reach their next sales mark in that month. This means that if a salesperson is about to hit the end of the month and he needs to sell a few more cars to reach his sales mark, there is an incentive for him to have the sales manager lower the car price.
In fact, car sellers get a bonus from the dealership and the manufacturer if they meet designated sales goals. If the needs of the dealership and manufacturer change they will change goals. They might give a $1,000 bonus for a month if goals are met, or they might give a $100 bonus for selling the first vehicle of the day on a Saturday. Salespeople have more fun when there are incentives.
If you’re looking to purchase a new vehicle, go at the end of the month for the best deals. Also, do your homework on such things as new car warranties, and auto insurance to make sure you don’t pay too much.
November 14th, 2009 by Hal Moses
The Prius has become one of the hottest vehicles in the country. This is actually quite amazing because this is a hybrid electric vehicle, which requires people to embrace change. With any change, people like to protect themselves. Many people feel better purchasing a hybrid if they have an auto warranty to go along with it. The billion-dollar question that innovators face is whether people will resist or embrace innovation. Apparently, Toyota got it right, because thousands of people are buying the Prius.
People accustomed to a regular vehicle would struggle to get the Prius to move forward. In addition, people probably couldn’t figure out how to put the car in reverse. However, these are not hard lessons to learn, they just require people to change their way of thinking. To start the Prius you press a button located on the dashboard twice. To make your car go forward or backward you manipulate a small stick that comes out of the dashboard.
People might fear technology because it is seductive, yet they might also have a fear of not being able to change. Either way, it is good to protect yourself. This includes purchasing new car warranties that will cover you in the case of faulty technology. Innovators never really know which way the cash register will ring. However, Toyota got it right with the Prius.