April 24th, 2010 by Hal Moses
How many people would shell out $45,000 for a little electric car made by the Chinese that has a driving range of 100 miles? Even though it comes with new car warranties and may be eligible to get a tax credit of $7,500, there may not be a lot of people willing to pay the money for this vehicle. However, Coda Automotive will discover the answer to that question next year with the launch of its five-passenger sedan in California.
For those who don’t know, Coda Automotive is actually a spin-off of Miles Electric Vehicles. This car is based on Haifei Auto’s sedan platform, and will drive around 100 miles. There isn’t a generator on-board, so after driving 100 miles the vehicle needs to be plugged into a power source. However, with the optional fast charger, the batteries can be recharged within 10 to 15 minutes.
Many small vehicles that are eco-friendly, such as the Toyota Prius or Honda Insight, have an aerodynamic styling that will communicate their frugal powertrains, however the Coda doesn’t do this. It has the appearance of a people’s car, not a trendy, zero-emissions vehicle.
April 23rd, 2010 by Hal Moses
The Pontiac G8 GXP with 402 hp will give performance sedans that are already established a run for their money. The GXP is listed at $37,610, which is at least $1,000 cheaper than the Dodge Charger SRT8 and you still get an impressive auto warranty.
The GXP has a 402 hp, 6.2-liter V-8 engine with 402 pounds of torque, which is the most powerful Pontiac of all time. This vehicle has a six-speed automatic transmission that comes standard, however you can also get a six-speed manual for an extra $695.
For those of you who might think the 361-hp G8 GT already had enough power under the hood, don’t forget added horsepower isn’t the only impressive change to the GXP. This car has a track-tuned suspension and steering, a unique interior, Brembro brakes and new car warranties.
Some people have suggested that the GXP is a BMW M5 killer, however, this car is such a great bargain that you could purchase one for you and your friend and still end up shelling out less than you would for a M5.
April 20th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Consumers have been more concerned than ever about saving money on their vehicles. They are doing everything from purchasing small, fuel-efficient cars, to purchasing an auto warranty to ensure they don’t pay unnecessary repair expenses. But are they willing to skip the amenities that come in new cars, such as air conditioning, an automatic transmission, and power locks and windows, to save money? And are stripped cars even available?
The truth is that it can be hard to find a car stripped with crank windows and a manual transmission.
According to JATO Dynamics, 89% of vehicles sold in America last year came standard with automatic transmissions, which is up from 85% in 2003. Also, power locks came standard on 87% of cars sold, compared to 80% in 2003.
The vehicles that offer these features as optional tend to be on small cars, yet economy-car buyers usually pick convenience and comfort over cost if given a choice.
For example, the cheapest model by Toyota is the Yaris, which begins at $11,550 for a base model hatchback with air-conditioning. However, approximately 80% of Yaris buyers choose to pay an extra $900 for an automatic, and about 60% opt for a power windows and locks package, which costs an extra $1,680.
It appears that features, such as air conditioning, and automatic transmissions are necessities that most people aren’t willing to live without, just like new car warranties.
April 17th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Tribal has launched a new site that provides customers with a true life-like car shopping experience without ever leaving their homes. Volkswagen.co.uk allows people to virtually sit in and walk around new cars. Tribal created this web site because customers often feel that buying a new car can be confusing.
Research shows that people who want to purchase a new vehicle do most of their research on the Internet. This means that trips to showrooms are cut in half. Volkswagen responded to this by giving buyers a virtual experience from the comfort of their own homes.
The site features a car configurator that is very sophisticated. It has 3D models of the new Volkswagen range. Visitors are able to change every option that alters the appearance of the vehicle. This lets people create the car of their choice.
In the future, people who visit the site will have the ability to book test drives by accessing the booking systems of retailers. In addition, they will be able to see the availability of models at specific retailers.
Volkswagen has responded to customers needs by allowing people to shop for a vehicle from the comfort of their own homes. Also convenient, is that customers can purchase new car warranties online from a wide range of providers. An auto warranty is a smart way to protect your new investment.
April 17th, 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.
April 16th, 2010 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.
April 15th, 2010 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.
April 13th, 2010 by Hal Moses
There are hundreds of new vehicles on the market, which can make it difficult for car buyers to choose what is best for them. Many people tend to base their decision on looks alone, but this is a dangerous way to decide on a car. So, what other considerations should motorists make?
The first factor to consider is how much money you intend to spend. Figure out what your maximum amount is before going to the dealership and stick with it. Also, make sure to include everything in the bottom line, such as interest, taxes, finance charges, insurance and new car warranties. You need to factor in all of these expenses.
Also determine if you need a fuel-efficient car. Some models rate much higher on fuel efficiency and if you have a long commute to work this might be an important factor.
Consider safety features. Does the car you are looking at have side-curtain air bags, brake assist, stability control? Also, how were the scores on crash tests?
Finally, do you need a lot of space? If you have a large family you might want to think about a minivan or SUV that has ample passenger room and cargo space.
Do your homework before getting to the dealership so you know what you are looking for. In addition, make sure to get an auto warranty so you can protect your wallet in case of unforeseen repair costs down the road.
April 13th, 2010 by Hal Moses
Theories vary on when is the best time to purchase a new vehicle. Some people say the holidays, others say early in the week or even a rainy day. However, one thing is for sure, the end of the month is the time to get a bargain deal on a car.
Most of the sales staff at a car dealership operates on a quota system. They get an incremental bonus every time they reach their next sales mark in that month. This means that if a salesperson is about to hit the end of the month and he needs to sell a few more cars to reach his sales mark, there is an incentive for him to have the sales manager lower the car price.
In fact, car sellers get a bonus from the dealership and the manufacturer if they meet designated sales goals. If the needs of the dealership and manufacturer change they will change goals. They might give a $1,000 bonus for a month if goals are met, or they might give a $100 bonus for selling the first vehicle of the day on a Saturday. Salespeople have more fun when there are incentives.
If you’re looking to purchase a new vehicle, go at the end of the month for the best deals. Also, do your homework on such things as new car warranties, and auto insurance to make sure you don’t pay too much.
April 10th, 2010 by Hal Moses
The Prius has become one of the hottest vehicles in the country. This is actually quite amazing because this is a hybrid electric vehicle, which requires people to embrace change. With any change, people like to protect themselves. Many people feel better purchasing a hybrid if they have an auto warranty to go along with it. The billion-dollar question that innovators face is whether people will resist or embrace innovation. Apparently, Toyota got it right, because thousands of people are buying the Prius.
People accustomed to a regular vehicle would struggle to get the Prius to move forward. In addition, people probably couldn’t figure out how to put the car in reverse. However, these are not hard lessons to learn, they just require people to change their way of thinking. To start the Prius you press a button located on the dashboard twice. To make your car go forward or backward you manipulate a small stick that comes out of the dashboard.
People might fear technology because it is seductive, yet they might also have a fear of not being able to change. Either way, it is good to protect yourself. This includes purchasing new car warranties that will cover you in the case of faulty technology. Innovators never really know which way the cash register will ring. However, Toyota got it right with the Prius.