September 28th, 2009 by Hal Moses
When GM recently unveiled its latest program that allows new-car owners to return vehicles that they aren’t happy with, you had to assume that there would be some fine print on the deal.
Well, in fact the fine print attached to the deal makes taking back the vehicle much more trouble than it’s worth, especially if you have a complaint, such as highway noise or tachometer position.
Let’s add up all of the hurdles.
First of all, you must return the vehicle between the 31st and 60th day of owning the car. GM does this because they hope that you will get over minor complaints after one month of ownership. Secondly, although you don’t have to give your reason for wanting to return the car, you can only have up to $200 worth of damage on the vehicle.
GM says that the reason for this is to protect itself against returns on cars that have been mangled, however $200 worth of damage can happen from a simple ding or paint nick. Of course, GM will have to determine what is considered damage on the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle can’t have over 4,000 miles on it. Also keep in mind that only one car can be returned in a household and leased cars aren’t covered. Of course most people won’t want to go to the trouble of retuning a car, they will just make sure to purchase a good auto warranty from the beginning. After all, new car warranties will protect you from expensive repair costs.
September 26th, 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.
September 26th, 2009 by Hal Moses
What benefits come with purchasing a sedan? Sedans will give you a balance of performance, handling, fuel-efficiency, safety and easy access. Also, they handle well in the majority of driving situations. Unless you are someone who needs to store a lot of cargo, they are a great option.
There are many different choices when looking at sedans. You could purchase a large, small, family, or luxury sedan. All of these categories are made up of many models that have different characteristics. They have various balances of sporty, comfort, and practicality.
Fuel-efficiency varies greatly in different sedans. Do your homework in this category to make a comparison of different models.
Sedans are equipped with various safety features. All models that are new have dual front air bags for added safety. Also standard is three-point seat belts and LATCH systems. However, certain models also have side air bags and head protection bags.
Do your research to get the sedan that will fit you best. Also, make sure to buy new car warranties for peace of mind. Following these simple tips will give you the knowledge to make a good decision when it comes time to purchase a sedan.
September 25th, 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.
September 19th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Ford Motor Co. has gotten on-board the popular small car and crossover markets with a Focus coupe that has been redesigned and the seven seat Flex.
Ford’s marketing manager claimed that fuel-efficiency is the main factor driving the market right now. However, motorists won’t compromise functionality, and the Flex accomplishes fuel-efficiency and function.
The 2009 Ford Flex is all the rage. It has the length of an SUV, while remaining low to the ground. This vehicle gets 24 mpg on the highway and 17 mpg in the city.
The all-new Ford Focus has a sportier exterior. The vehicle has wheels that are larger, with a spoiler and new designs in the front and rear. Also, it gets 35 mpg on the highway and has impressive new car warranties.
Ford is getting on board the small car and crossover craze with the introduction of the all-new Focus and the Flex. Consumers are protecting their wallets by purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles and new car warranties.
September 12th, 2009 by Hal Moses
The majority of Ford’s 2009 models are not only equipped with new car warranties, and numerous safety features, they come with a gas-cap-less fuel tank. Ford is referring to this as “EasyFuel,†which shouldn’t be confused with “FlexFuelâ€, which is when a car can use E85. However, if you get the two mixed up, cars with the EasyFuel system have a warning that E85 won’t flow easily into the gas tank.
When hearing this you may wonder, “Are people too lazy to even screw a gas cap off and on?†but chances are you have actually forgotten a gas cap at a gas station once or twice. And sometimes it can be annoying to remember if your gas cap clicked properly when you turned it.
If you purchase one of the new 2009 Fords, you may feel a bit strange just taking the pump in and out without doing anything else. But chances are that you will get used to the convenience after a short time. Oh, and did I mention that the new 2009 Fords come with a hefty auto warranty?
September 12th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Ford, who apparently loves mini-sites, has started a webpage for the new 2011 Ford Fiesta. It may be premature, but since Ford is trying desperately to prove itself, displaying some of its cars of the future makes perfect sense at the moment.
Ford displays a few pictures of the vehicle, however, Ford says that they are pictures of the 2009 European model, and also reveals some information about available content of the car.
Since the features appear to be luxury-like, it seems Ford is going to market this car as a premium subcompact that will compete with the Honda Fit. However, car shoppers seem to care more about standard features, which Ford hasn’t released yet. But make a note that the 2011 Fiesta will have standard stability control when it is available for sale in 2010. That’s two years before it is going to be mandated by federal law.
Car shoppers will have to wait for additional information about the 2011 Ford Fiesta, such as prices, standard features, and information about new car warranties.
September 11th, 2009 by Hal Moses
What do you get if the “hybrid†is taken out of a hybrid pickup truck? In the case of GM, you get the XFE, or Xtra Fuel Economy pickup trucks that are full size. These trucks share a lot of running gear and hardware with their hybrid counterparts; however, the exception is the two mode gas-electric powertrain.
The Chevrolet Silverado XFE and GMC Sierra XFE provide fuel-efficiency ratings of 15/21 mpg for city/highway, in comparison to 21/22 mpg for city/highway for GMs two-mode hybrids and 14/20 mpg for non-XFE pickups that are comparable. That is an approximate 5%-7% improvement over the trucks that are non-XFE.
Models that are XFE only come in two-wheel drive with the E85-capable LC9 5.3-liter V-8 and a six-speed transmission that is automatic. An Aluminum engine block, as well as aluminum cylinder heads is used by the LC9 to save weight. In addition, it has active fuel management in order to change the V-8 between eight-cylinder and four-cylinder modes in order to save fuel.
Consumers are looking to save money on fuel, and GM has delivered. Also, consumers are concerned with purchasing cars with good new car warranties in order to avoid unnecessary repair expenses down the road.
September 11th, 2009 by Hal Moses
The EPA is the arm of the government that is responsible for testing fuel economy, and its results are now posted on the stickers on new vehicles. This is a different rating than the government’s CAFÉ numbers, which you might have heard about in Washington.
The real numbers by the EPA are predicted to go up an average of 0.2 mpg for 2009, compared to last year, the EPA claims, which will be about 20.8 mpg.
The final statistics won’t be in until later in 2009, but according to the EPA, these predictions demonstrate the fourth rise in a row in the average fuel efficiency of light trucks and cars. In fact, trucks have actually had the largest impact of all. Although their market share has gone down from 52% in 2004, to 48% in 2008, overall, their fuel-efficiency has gone up.
The figure of 20.8 mpg is the largest since the year 1993, and the EPA is predicting that the final number is going to be even higher because people have shifted to smaller cars. Consumers are trying to protect their wallets by purchasing more fuel-efficient vehicles and new car warranties.
September 9th, 2009 by Hal Moses
In future car accidents a circuit could be as crucial to survival as a seat belt. Congress made seat belts mandatory in the 1960’s, which was revolutionary in car safety. Since then, seat belts have greatly reduced deaths. Now, there is an additional safety revolution in the midst. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has employed a new standard. This makes electronic stability control equipment a mandatory component in all cars. The adoption of ESC will save approximately 10,000 lives every year.
Most luxury vehicles already come with ESC. Other models offer it as an option. This is just one of the new safety advancements designed with the purpose of preventing auto accidents, not just protecting passengers. The majority of these new features have a microchip base. Many are still being perfected. So beware, you never know when new technology will fail. However, new car warranties will save you from unnecessary expenses.
Many motorists are finding it easiest to buy a package of safety options, rather than individual gadgets. Lexus, for example, places an emphasis on how its safety features work as a system. It has a package with lane-departure warning, smart cruise control, and ESC.
Integrating such systems, and the yielding of throttle, brake, and steering raise the question: Do drivers need or want this much help? Who is actually in charge of the wheel? No matter the answer, an auto warranty is essential in protecting your vehicle with all of those fancy gadgets.