October 22nd, 2009 by Hal Moses
Although General Motors has been busy planning a lineup of electric cars and subcompacts, it doesn’t mean that they have forgotten how to have a little fun.
Monday, with much anticipation, GM introduced the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. The excitement surrounding the event is usually only seen with Hollywood blockbusters and iPods. There is no coincidence that the concept car was the star of the 2007 film “Transformersâ€.
The 2010 Camaro is based on the 2007 model. It has a design that is modern, but has an influence of the Camaros in the late Sixties. Chevrolet is trying to use the retro influence that has made the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger successful.
The new Camaro isn’t exactly an economy car. It is offered in a 3.6-liter V-6 with 296 hp, or a 6.2-liter V-8 with 416 hp. However, the V-8 has the ability to make itself a four-cylinder while cruising on the highway. According to Chevrolet, the car can get more than 30 mpg in this mode.
Although consumers are demanding small, fuel-efficient cars, and protecting themselves by purchasing new car warranties, it doesn’t mean they don’t get excited about fun cars. The Chevrolet Camaro is the prime example of this.
October 17th, 2009 by Hal Moses
One way to improve our world would be to alleviate road rage. Everyone has gotten angry with another driver after being cut off. Wouldn’t it be great if we all had cars that helped curb road rage? Well, those vehicles have arrived.
Toyota’s RIN has friendliness in mind. It has wide, deep windows that allow the driver to stay connected with the environment. The headlights on the car have controls for light distribution that allow the driver to be considerate to other drivers. It even has features that reflect the psychological state that the driver is in, such as the steering wheel that is “mood trained†and displays that promote the mental health of the driver.
The Toyota i-REAL offers pedestrians added safety. It is a solo transport that offers maneuverability because it sits upright. This allows the driver to be at eye level with pedestrians. Also, it will stretch out its wheels making it more aerodynamic and stable when you want to travel long distances.
The time has come when automakers are realizing that vehicle design can have an impact on how friendly people are. Toyota is making great strides in accommodating fellow drivers and passengers to make our world a friendlier place. Consumers are willing to pay extra money on car costs that will make their lives easier, such as new car warranties, insurance, and even friendlier cars.
October 17th, 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.
October 14th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Well, it is obvious that hybrids are the wave of the future. Motorists are spending a lot of money on maintenance, new car warranties and financing, and need to save on fuel costs. So, is it worth it to buy a hybrid to save money at the gas pump? Let’s take a look.
To see how long it will take you to recoup your premium up-front, we can compare the Toyota Camry Hybrid to a typical Camry. Because of the equipment level of the hybrid, however, it is necessary to compare it to the V-6 Camry LE. The base prices of the cars are only $2,000 apart. The Hybrid is $25,000 and the Camry V6 LE is $23,640.
According to Toyota, the Camry Hybrid gets 33mpg in the city and 34mpg on the highway. The Camry V6, however, gets 21mpg in the city and 31mpg on the highway.
If you were to drive 15,000 miles in a year you will use about 454 gallons. With the V6 LE you will burn approximately 635 gallons in a year. If gas costs $3.20 per gallon, you will have a fuel cost savings of approximately $547 per year. This means that you would recoup the premium up-front that you spent to purchase the hybrid.
In this comparison you can see that in the long run you will end up saving with a hybrid. In addition, you get the satisfaction of doing a service to your planet.
October 10th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Car dealers have haggled with car shoppers for years. This practice has allowed salesmen to con buyers into buying cars and new car warranties, using all kinds of negotiating strategies. But car dealers have paid for it by being known as untrustworthy.
Some dealers are changing their old ways by dumping haggling. The eighth largest chain of dealers in America, Lithia Automotive Group, announced that they are going to make all 108 of their stores haggle-free within three years.
Toyota’s Scion has implemented a policy for no negotiation from its onset four years ago. This has prompted dealers who sell Toyota vehicles to apply the one-price approach.
And all over the country, independent dealers who carry various brands of domestic and foreign vehicles are teaching their employees to sell cars like the rest of the retail world. In other words, cars come with a price tag and a smile from the salesperson.
This no-haggle method will make buying a car a more pleasant experience for consumers. Now that people can look up a car’s base price online, they don’t have patience for haggling. In addition, people are able to compare the prices of new car warranties online.
October 10th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Although General Motors has been busy planning a lineup of electric cars and subcompacts, it doesn’t mean that they have forgotten how to have a little fun.
The 2010 Camaro is based on the 2007 model. It has a design that is modern, but has an influence of the Camaros in the late Sixties. Chevrolet is trying to use the retro influence that has made the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger successful.
The new Camaro isn’t exactly an economy car. It is offered in a 3.6-liter V-6 with 296 hp, or a 6.2-liter V-8 with 416 hp. However, the V-8 has the ability to make itself a four-cylinder while cruising on the highway. According to Chevrolet, the car can get more than 30 mpg in this mode.
Although consumers are demanding small, fuel-efficient cars, and protecting themselves by purchasing new car warranties, it doesn’t mean they don’t get excited about fun cars. The Chevrolet Camaro is the prime example of this.
October 6th, 2009 by Hal Moses
According to a recent study by J.D. Power and Associates, there is a great amount of interest in hybrids and alternative fuel vehicles. In fact, less than 25% of people asked revealed that they would only consider purchasing a car powered by gasoline.
However, there are some misconceptions. Motorists who purchased a hybrid car expected that they would get a fuel-economy improvement of approximately 28 mpg if compared to a gas-powered vehicle that was similar. However, in reality, people who bought hybrids only gained an improvement of 9 mpg. People who bought diesels were similarly disappointed with a 12-mpg improvement, when they actually expected to improve 21 mpg.
A big challenge for vehicles with alternative powertrains is the unrealistic fuel-saving expectations that consumers place on them. Especially with hybrids, the actual fuel performance of the car doesn’t usually live up to the EPA estimate. Consumers need to educate themselves about such things as the benefits of technology, maintenance and new car warranties. Being able to manage consumers’ expectations and lowering the cost of alternative power vehicles will help these cars gain acceptance.
October 3rd, 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.
October 2nd, 2009 by Hal Moses
People love to get a new car, but they don’t love the new car payments. But, although you can’t avoid those monthly payments, you can keep them reasonable. And make sure to factor in other costs, such as new car warranties, maintenance, and auto loans. Here are some tips to keep those car payments down.
Make sure you purchase a car that you need, not necessarily one that is on the lot. Often, cars on the lot have more features than you need. Dealers’ benefit from selling you one of these cars. Not only do they move a vehicle off their lot, they sell you a more expensive car.
Only buy features that you must have. For example, air conditioning is something most of us can’t live without, yet we don’t need climate control air conditioning. You can save a lot of money by living without luxury features. Watch out when the dealer tries to sell you power seats, audio systems, and tire packages. All of these things are nice, but not essential.
You can save a lot by avoiding a bigger engine. Test-drive a car model that has a standard engine. You might find that the car has more than enough power. By skipping the engine upgrade, you can save money upfront, as well as on fuel down the road.
Follow these simple tips to save yourself from paying high monthly payments. However, realize that the one thing that you shouldn’t skimp on is purchasing an auto warranty. You don’t want to be stuck with unnecessary repair costs down the road.
October 1st, 2009 by Hal Moses
What is important about 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?
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.