October 25th, 2008 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 24th, 2008 by Hal Moses
California’s Air Resources Board withdrew its stringent mandates for vehicles with zero-emissions, in favor of hybrids that are charged with mainly electricity.
California is the biggest and most important car market in the world. In fact, over 2 million vehicles are purchased in the state every year. Consequently, the most new car warranties and auto loans are also sold there. Its pollution stance has had an influence on countries all over the world. For the last 18 years, the board has required GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and VW to up production and sales of zero-emissions cars.
Auto manufacturers have tried to fight the rules, which are, and have been tough. They were developed originally to put out 25,000 zero-emissions vehicles between 2012 and 2014, however the board realized that this is an impractical goal. Now, carmakers have been offered a 70% cut in the original figure, with a new requirement to produce 7,500 zero-emissions cars.
In exchange, manufacturers must produce 58,000 hybrids that are plug-in in that same period of time. If they do this, they must in addition produce 25,000 zero-emission cars between 2015 and 2017.
October 23rd, 2008 by Hal Moses
Unfortunately, bad news keeps coming from Chrysler. The carmaker just made an announcement that its assembly plant in Newark, Del. will shut down at the end of 2008 indefinitely. The shutdown of this complex will result in 1,000 people losing their jobs. This plant produces the Chrysler Aspen and the Dodge Durango, which are two full-size SUVs.
Chrysler officials haven’t yet said if this will be the end of those SUVs, or if they are going to be produced at another plant. However, knowing that it would be costly to move production of the SUVS, it is likely that the two might be discontinued.
What does this mean for motorists? This is likely, the elimination of two SUVs in an already diminishing segment. In the meantime, the Dodge Durango and the Chrysler Aspen Hybrid were launched last August as Chrysler’s first attempt at hybrid cars. These are the least expensive full-size hybrid SUVs out there, which each start at around $45,000 including new car warranties.
October 23rd, 2008 by Hal Moses
For all of you people out there who are fans of the Patriots- the vehicle, not team-here are some additional reasons that you should love your crossover. In an omission that is rare, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety decided to revise the frontal crash-test rating of the 2008 Jeep Patriot to Good, which is the highest rating that is acceptable. Russ Rader, who is a IIHS spokesman, claimed that there was a missing wire in a crash-test dummy’s leg that caused the Patriot to get an Acceptable rating, but when the wire was in the correct place, the Patriot received an improved rating of Good.
The side crash-test rating for the 2008 Patriot was also Good with the optional side curtain airbags. These airbags are now standard for the 2009 model. Ratings for rear crash-tests were only Acceptable, which is why the Patriot didn’t become the Top Safety Pick.
Consumers are becoming more and more concerned with automobile safety. They are protecting themselves by purchasing new car warranties, and researching car safety features and crash test results.
October 21st, 2008 by Hal Moses
If you’re thinking of buying a small SUV you’re in luck because there are many good choices. Compact SUVs offer practicality, fuel-efficiency, and nice style. In fact you can find many models for under $25,000 complete with an auto warranty. So what are the best and worst models to consider? Read on.
The Honda CR-V is the #1 compact SUV. It ranked the highest for performance, safety, and interior. According to reviewers, it drives really well, has a sleek design and offers ample storage room. Following close behind, the Toyota RAV4 comes in second place in its class. This vehicle has a surprising amount of power for its size. It now offers a V-6 engine, as well as a third row seat. The RAV4 was the first compact SUV in its class over a decade ago. Coming in #3 is the 2008 Subaru Forester. This SUV is known for being a fun, family-friendly vehicle. Reviewers complained about the exterior being bland and the balky transmission, but were willing to overlook these things because it had some great positive features.
Unfortunately, there are some compact SUVs that didn’t score as well. In last place was the Saturn Vue Hybrid. According to reviewers, it isn’t very refined and isn’t as fuel thrifty as many other hybrids. Also at the bottom of the list is the Mazda Tribute because its power and handling doesn’t match its competitors. Finally, the Jeep Compass drives more like a car, but doesn’t have the sportiness or off-road capabilities that other Jeeps have.
If you’re thinking of buying a compact SUV, there are many great choices out there. The most important thing is to do your homework and make sure you are choosing wisely. Also keep in mind the cost of new car warranties, maintenance costs and auto loans when determining your budget.
October 20th, 2008 by Hal Moses
The latest versions of the G sedan and coupe will be available at dealerships the day after the presidential election, on Nov. 5. Who knows if this is intentional or not, but if you’re excited about the new president, you might want to consider going out and buying an upgraded G37, which starts at $33,250 including new car warranties.
The largest change that comes with the sedan is its new 3.7-liter V-6 that puts out 328 hp, which was shown in the 2008 coupe. Both will see an upgrade on the transmission, with an adaptation of the seven speed that was seen in the new FX35 SUV.
The sedan will persist with an AWD model, while the coupe will get AWD for the first time. Both models will have a starting price $1,000 greater than last year. The sedan will experience a minimal price bump, but many consumers may wonder if the new transmission in the coupe is worth the added cost.
October 18th, 2008 by Hal Moses
The current reality for the auto industry isn’t at all bright. The economy of the country has experienced a weak dollar, a credit crisis, and soaring gas and food prices. And, this is going to be the worst year for car sales in over a decade.
But carmakers are getting smart. They are building more passenger cars. In the past pickup trucks and SUV’s generated a lot of profits, but now people want small, thrifty cars.
General Motors admits that they are counting on sedans to save them this year. The company has made a shift to cars, with less emphasis on SUV’s and pickup trucks. Even though GM wants to maintain their market in trucks, they realize that they need to get better with cars now.
Chrysler LLC is promising to take an “aggressively conservative†approach in their company. This means that they will eliminate various models such as the PT Cruiser, Durango, and Pacifica.
US carmakers are trying hard to make sure that domestic sales don’t fall lower than projections say. Even though it is a tough market, Americans love cars and will continue to buy. Motorists are making smarter choices by purchasing small, efficient cars. This allows them to put money towards other necessities, such as new car warranties and maintenance.
October 18th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Volkswagen and Audi have had a great deal of success with their personal version of the BorgWarner’s transmission that is dual-clutch. Now, BMW has added a seven-speed transmission that is double clutch, coming out later this year, so Audi had decided to up the game by raising its gear count.
According to Autocar magazine, Audi will debut an S-tronic gearbox that is seven-speed. This is supposed to be used with the quattro that is four-wheel-drive. The gearbox is so high-performance that it can handle torque output up to 406 lb-ft. It is along the same line as the current box that Audi has, and BMW’s newest one. There are two clutches that are continuously acting. Alternating gears are pre-selected allowing the transmission to shift within hundredths of a second.
Audi is introducing this gearbox at the Beijing auto show. It is installed in the Q5 crossover.
New technology is great for consumers, yet motorists should protect themselves with new car warranties in the event that technology would fail. Drivers should never chance being unprotected in the case of a breakdown.
October 14th, 2008 by Hal Moses
When the Great Depression hit America, it came via a stock ticker, not via news outlets that are hyperventilating, and cable personalities that report around the clock.
So, what happens when every reporter on TV tells America that there isn’t any credit? Naturally, people believe them and assume that there’s no credit.
That is why Ford is trying to make it abundantly clear that its finance company is still lending to people who are shopping for cars. Ford’s financing will lease to and lend to people who have decent credit ratings, according to head of marketing and sales. In other words, consumers’ credit ratings don’t have to be sparkling and perfect.
Now the main challenge in this difficult market is for Ford to communicate that to buyers. Chances are that advertising will begin highlighting the fact that many automakers, not just Ford, still have loans that are available to most car shoppers. This is a major contrast to the latest news from GMAC, which restricts credit. Car shoppers can also feel encouraged that there are many great car deals out there and new car warranties are huge.
October 10th, 2008 by Hal Moses
Hyundai has been busy, constantly introducing new products. The latest might be the most exciting so far. The Genesis Coupe stirred up lots of attention at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year, although it was still in a conceptual form. The car has lost little in translation with production.
The Genesis Coupe has an aggressive styling, which was emulated after a predatory animal. You can really see this in the headlights that are angled and the twisting lines that are below the beltline.
The goal for the new coupe was to design a performance vehicle that’s design would catch the attention of automotive enthusiasts.
The Genesis Coupe doesn’t just look the part. It is going to be available with an engine that is 3.8-liter DOHC V6 and will produce 306 horsepower. It will also be available in a 212-horsepower 2.0 liter 4 cylinder engine.
The interior of the Genesis Coupe stays true to the performance look of the exterior. However, the seats are comfortable and supportive and have side bolsters. There is a push button starter and big speedometer.
Consumers should be able to purchase the 2010 model of the Genesis Coupe, along with new car warranties, early in the year 2009. Pricing has not been announced, but it will likely have a value price like the rest of the Hyundai line.