New Car Warranties

Ford is debuting its new lineup for 2009, and the majority of the 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 “FlexFuel”, 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?

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 the early part of 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 because of high fuel prices. Consumers are trying to protect their wallets by purchasing more fuel-efficient vehicles and new car warranties.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners recently performed a study researching the best and worst places in the U.S. for car insurance.  The study determined that Northeast drivers are paying the highest premiums.

The most expensive state was New Jersey.  The average premiums there were more than $1,300 a year.  Washington D.C., our nations capital, was in second place with average premiums of over $1,185.  New York took third place with premiums on the average being over $1,100.

The study stated that the reason for the elevated costs for insurance in those areas is because of urban driving matters, dense traffic, and high salaries.  In addition, costs for average liability insurance premiums are high in the Northeast.

Midwestern and Northern states were ranked as having the lowest insurance premium costs.  Iowa was the state with the lowest insurance overall, at $530 a year.  Maine took second place at $560 a year, and North Dakota came in third at $570 a year.

This study proves that location is key when it comes to your car insurance costs.  Motorists have to pay high vehicle costs these days with the costs of new car warranties, insurance, and maintenance.

Pontiac is planning to add a four-door version of the Chevrolet Aveo hatchback to the spring lineup, which will be called the G3.  In Canada, Pontiac currently markets a G3 Wave, but in the U.S. they will simply market it as the G3.

According to Jim Hopson, who is a Pontiac spokesman, “The G3 gives us a credible new high-mileage entry-level car at a time when small cars are the fastest-growing segment in the industry.”

But Pontiac is supposedly the exciting high-performance division of General Motors.

Susan Docherty, who is the VP of the Buick, Pontiac, GMC group, claims that fuel-efficiency is a huge factor in the style and performance of Pontiac’s formula.  With the addition of the G3, Pontiac will have four models that get more than 30 mpg of highway driving: the G5, G3 and G6.

Consumers are demanding small, fuel-efficient vehicles with good new car warranties, so it looks like Pontiac has made a smart move.  But what about their performance cars?

Hopson says, “We still have G8 and Solstice rear-drive performance sports cars, as well as the front-drive G5 and Vibe that are sporty and get good mileage, and now we’ll have the G3 that’s sporty and gets very good mileage and is very fuel-efficient at the entry-level car range.”

Ford recently announced what the pricing will be for the 2009 F-150.  A regular cab XL with a two-valve V-8 engine will start at $21,345, which doesn’t include the destination charge of $975.  To compare, the 2008 regular cab that had a 4.2-liter V-6 engine and an automatic transmission began at $19,990.  For the 2009 model, the V-6 was eliminated.

Meanwhile, if you move up to the other trim levels, the 2009 F-150 Lariat SuperCrew trim starts at $35,820.  Ford claims that that truck is equipped comparably to the 2009 Dodge Ram Laramie cab, which begins at $41,320.

Ford is offering competitive pricing, which will make consumers happy.  Motorists aren’t purchasing as many expensive pickup trucks, due to the economy and fuel prices.  However, consumers will be more likely to purchase Ford trucks because of the sticker prices and new car warranties that come with them.

Do you find that you are apprehensive about negotiating with an auto dealer?  Are you unsure about topics such as car loans and an auto warranty? 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.

General Motors just unveiled the upcoming Chevrolet Volt, which is an electric plug-in hybrid.  This four-door hatchback appears very different from the concept car in the 2007 Detroit Auto Show.  GM claims that the production Volt had to be more aerodynamic to provide the efficiency that GM was aiming for.

Just like GM announced previously, the Volt will be able to travel 40 miles on an electric charge.  After that, a gas/E85 capable engine will come on in order to recharge the battery.  All the power that goes to the drive system is electric, so the fuel engine acts like a generator.

General Motors recently revealed some specifications.  The electric motor will be able to attain the equivalent of 150 hp and be able to reach a speed of 100 mph.  Also, there is going to be 220 lithium-ion battery cells that will power the unit.

Unfortunately, GM said that the Volt’s future hinges on help by the government for emerging technology.  Hopefully, if all goes as planned the Chevrolet Volt will make it to showrooms.  However, as with any car purchase, make sure you have new car warranties to protect yourself.

Volvo has always had a reputation for having terrific safety features.  So, when Volvo comes out with new and improved safety technologies people are intrigued.    Instead of coming out with a new radical approach, Volvo has made improvements to their current technology.

Volvo’s latest safety package is featured on the Volvo XC60.  The safety features will assist distracted drivers.

One of the new safety technologies is an automatic low-speed system of braking.  If the driver gets to close to another vehicle at less than 20 mph, a laser will detect reflections from bumpers and license plates and stop automatically.

Volvo also added to their current LDW system.  The purpose of this system is to audibly alert drivers if they go over a line without activating their turn signal.  Volvo has also added a program for micro corrections, which indicate a driver may be falling asleep.

Volvo’s advanced safety technology will allow drivers to have added safety on the road.  Safety technologies, as well as new car warranties, provide motorists with peace of mind.

It’s apparent that hybrids are the wave of the future. With fuel prices at more than $4 a gallon and oil costs at around $100 a barrel, we need to find ways to save on gas costs. Also, the concern with air quality and global warming makes it a good time to take the plunge. But many people get confused about what hybrid to purchase. Consider these factors.

First of all, what size vehicle is best for you? If you require a lot of cargo space and want an SUV there are many current options. Just realize that even the SUVs with the best fuel-economy aren’t as fuel-efficient as sedans powered by gas.

Also, think about style. Some consumers hate the look of the Toyota Prius, while others rave about it. However, if a conventional car is more your style you might like the Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, or Ford Escape.

It is time for our country to stop relying on fossil fuels, and hybrids are a good start. The type of hybrid you choose is up to you, so do your research and determine which one will suit you the best. Also, research new car warranties so that you are protected from unnecessary repair expenses. Hybrids offer advanced technology, but they still break down like any other car.

The Mini SUV that has been the object of many rumors is finally here.  Being called the Mini Crossover Concept, this vehicle, which is a 4×4, is the largest Mini to date, which measures more than 156 inches in length.  That is just a little longer than the Mini Cooper Clubman, but is still shorter than the Honda Civic sedan by 20 inches.

Probably the biggest news is that the Crossover concept will be equipped with four-wheel drive, which is a first for Mini, and will be a huge selling point for Snow Belt drivers.  The concept will likely have a standard bench in the rear instead of single seats, and a 3-D touch display.  It is expected to be in the auto show circuit in 2009.

Powertrains have not yet been announced, but because it’s only slightly bigger than the typical Clubman, it will probably have the same peppy engines seen in the Cooper lineup.  The concept is not going to use the Cooper name, though; it will just be called the Mini Crossover Concept.  Prices on this vehicle have not yet been announced, but if it follows suit with the other Minis, it will be reasonably priced and come with large new car warranties.