June 4th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Vehicles make people irrational. They become our babies and we wash and wax them every weekend. People even talk to their cars and give them an affectionate pat every now and then. But as much as we love our cars, we don’t need to spend unnecessary money on them. Here are some things that you might be wasting your money on.
First of all, you don’t need to purchase premium gas over regular. Buy the gas that is the cheapest that doesn’t allow your engine to knock. The purpose of octane is to prevent knock, so if your car isn’t knocking with regular gas, you’re fine.
Typically, car manufacturers suggest that you get an oil change every 5,000-7,500 miles. Many people feel that they need oil changes every 3,000 miles. This is only necessary if you’re hard on your vehicle.
Also, people waste money by having repairs done at a dealer. Independent shops will do a good job for much less money. And make sure you have an auto warranty so you aren’t paying unnecessary repair costs. Also, roadside assistance will save you money in the long run.
Just being aware of where you are wasting money can allow you a big savings. Don’t let people talk you into unnecessary car expenses.
June 3rd, 2010 by Hal Moses
Automakers have been redesigning vehicles so that they are stronger than ever. They have achieved this by using lightweight materials, allowing cars to be more fuel-efficient. This technology makes vehicles more durable, cutting down on road service calls. Also, it is saving numerous lives.
The only disadvantage to these new, stronger materials is that rescue workers are having a difficult time cutting into vehicles that are mangled from wrecks.
According to experts and rescue officials around the nation, vehicles designed with safety measures, such as reinforced steel, are creating a challenge for rescue workers to get motorists out of cars.
One answer to this problem is investing in rescue equipment that is better. Heavy-duty cutters are necessary to release motorists. A cutter such as this from Hurst costs approximately $25,000.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it is well worth the tradeoff of tougher cars because many lives are saved. In fact, the rate of fatalities for passenger cars is lower than it has ever been in history. Consumers are becoming more concerned with car safety features and are protecting themselves by purchasing new car warranties.
June 3rd, 2010 by Hal Moses
Today, Chevrolet made an announcement with the pricing information for the all-new Chevy Cruze, which surely shocked some people. The price tag of $16,275, which doesn’t include a destination fee of $720, is quite a bit higher than the Cobalt it is going to replace that was $14,990. However, the new vehicle is larger and gets better gas mileage.
The bump in price puts the new car approximately $1,000 higher than the price of the Mazda3, and it can be assumed that Ford is going to put a price on the upcoming 2011 Focus somewhere in the middle or a little higher than the Chevy Cruze, which will be on sale in September. A Civic EX-L goes for $21,005, and the starting price of the Honda Civic VP begins at $16,405.
For the base price you will get a manual transmission LS model with new car warranties. The $18,175 LT will get you a six-speed automatic. The very popular Eco model, which will get around 40 mpg/highway and has aerodynamic enhancements, will begin at $18,175.
May 28th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Credit is a key factor when an auto shopper is trying to figure out how much they will pay for a car. However, according to experts, people should look at various dealers to compare special financing deals. This is as important as shopping around for a car type.
It is important to request a copy of your credit report and score through a credit agency. This will give you a better idea of what you will be dealing with when you talk about financing.
There are web-based tools that you can look to for help. For example, AutoTrader.com is a website for classifieds that actually has a credit center for people looking to buy a car with bad credit. And while other websites of a similar nature require the consumer to disclose personal and confidential information, the credit center only asks general questions to give the shopper privacy.
After you fill out the questionnaire, you will get a credit level that is estimated excellent, good or fair. Next, you can do a search among car dealers in your area that can help you with your specific financing needs.
The key is to be prepared when you walk into the dealership. Websites are a great way to arm you with knowledge. You can learn all about car prices, credit scores, and prices on an auto warranty. You want to do your homework so that you can get the best deal you can on the car itself, financing and new car warranties.
May 21st, 2010 by Hal Moses
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners recently performed a study to determine what the best and worst states are in the country for auto insurance. According to the study, you are paying the highest insurance premiums if you live in the Northeast.
New Jersey proved to be the most expensive state. On average, premiums in New Jersey are over $1,300 yearly. The capital of our nation, Washington D.C. was the second highest, with average yearly premiums of $1,185. New York was third highest with $1,110 being the average premium.
Revealed in the study was that urban driving, high salaries, and a lot of traffic are responsible for elevated costs in those states. In addition, liability insurance premium costs are higher in the Northeast.
Midwestern and Northern states proved to have the lowest insurance premium costs. The overall lowest was Idaho with costs at $530 per year. The next lowest was Maine at $560 a year, and North Dakota was $570 per year.
According to this study, your location is a key factor in determining your car insurance costs. Today, consumers are paying more than they ever have for their vehicles. These costs include insurance, new car warranties, and maintenance costs.
May 8th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Automakers have been redesigning vehicles so that they are stronger than ever. They have achieved this by using lightweight materials, allowing cars to be more fuel-efficient. This technology makes vehicles more durable, cutting down on road service calls. Also, it is saving numerous lives.
The only disadvantage to these new, stronger materials is that rescue workers are having a difficult time cutting into vehicles that are mangled from wrecks.
According to experts and rescue officials around the nation, vehicles designed with safety measures, such as reinforced steel, are creating a challenge for rescue workers to get motorists out of cars.
One answer to this problem is investing in rescue equipment that is better. Heavy-duty cutters are necessary to release motorists. A cutter such as this from Hurst costs approximately $25,000.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it is well worth the tradeoff of tougher cars because many lives are saved. In fact, the rate of fatalities for passenger cars is lower than it has ever been in history. Consumers are becoming more concerned with car safety features and are protecting themselves by purchasing new car warranties.
May 7th, 2010 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.
May 4th, 2010 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 and roadside assistance, it doesn’t mean they don’t get excited about fun cars. The Chevrolet Camaro is the prime example of this.
May 1st, 2010 by Hal Moses
Carmakers around the world are realizing that consumers are looking for ecologically friendly vehicles. There are many new car models that provide fuel-efficiency, yet look great. Here are some of the latest.
The VW Golf TDI Hybrid provides low emissions with longer legs. This is a compact hatchback that is popular in Europe. It utilizes a high-tech engine that is diesel and an auto start-stop. In addition, it has a DSG gearbox that has 7 speeds, as well as an electric motor. This car gets 69 mpg.
The Audi TT TDI is proof that a great looking sports car doesn’t have to be a gas-guzzler. This car can sprint from 0-62 mph in 7.5 seconds flat with its 170 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This car has the power of a sports car with the fuel-efficiency of a compact car.
People are realizing that fuel-efficient cars are a necessity. Consumers are protecting their wallets with eco friendly vehicles, new car warranties and emergency roadside assistance programs.
April 28th, 2010 by Hal Moses
According to Audi, there will be minor adjustments to the Q7 SUV, which include a front and rear end that is slightly revised. However, the change that is the most noticeable on this vehicle is the LED running lights that encircle the entire design of the headlight. In addition, the rear also gets LED brake lights.
The interior of the car pretty much stays the same, except for front seats with new leather and the third-generation of the infotainment system that sports a multi-media interface. And this car has an intriguing navigation system operated by voice-activation. Motorists can just say a command, such as “I’m hungry†or “I need gasâ€, and the computer will locate the appropriate points of interest in the local vicinity. This will eliminate car accidents and roadside assistance calls that were caused by distractions having to do with the navigation system.
Choices for the engine include the current 3.6-liter V-6 and 4.2-liter V-8, as well as a new option of TDI for those people who want a diesel alternative. Audi claims that the 2010 Q7 TDI is going to get approximately 25 mpg with a range of 600 miles. This car comes complete with new car warranties.