Many people struggle to decide what kind of car to buy.  It can be difficult to sort through all of the vehicle options to arrive at the car that best suits you.  Here are some important factors to consider that will help you make the right decision when purchasing a car.

First of all, decide what you intend to use the vehicle for.  Don’t buy a 4WD SUV because you take two camping trips a year.  If you’re using the car everyday for commuting, you are going to want to purchase a car that is easy to maneuver with good fuel-efficiency.

Next, consider the looks of the vehicle.  You need to find a vehicle that you can stand to look at every day without getting sick of it.  If you end up with a car that makes you shudder when you look at it, you will never enjoy it.

Finally, fuel-efficiency, although not as big of a deal three years ago, is now a major factor in car buying.  Now there are options of what kind of fuel you want to burn.  For example, some options are E10, E20, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, petrol, diesel, and B5.  All of these fuels have their benefits, so decide which will suit you the best.

The best way to get the car that is going to fit you is to do your research on various vehicle models.  Also, when doing this consider the added costs of an auto warranty, vehicle maintenance, and auto loans.

If you’re considering buying a new vehicle this year you need to consider the worth of the car in a few years, when you’re ready to trade it in for another car.  Consider these four factors that determine the resale value of a vehicle.

Supply and demand is a big factor.  Vehicles that have a high volume of production, such as Chevrolet and Ford pickup trucks don’t hold a high resale value because they are so numerous.

Next, brand image is key.  For instance, Toyota, Porsche, and Honda have great images, which is the reason they end up on the high end of the table every year.  Regardless of whether the vehicle deserves it or not, brand name is a huge factor in the resale price of a car.

If there is a high incentive for spending on a new car, the residual value will be lower on a recent model.  Just remember, there is a reason for high incentives.

Also investigate the number of units of a certain model that were sold to rental and commercial fleets.  If there was a great number sold, the resale value will be less.

Look at these factors when buying a new car.  A vehicle is only a good deal if it is worth something when it comes time to trade it in.  In addition, purchase an auto warranty to protect your wallet against unnecessary expenses.

The poor economy is affecting more than the way people are driving.  It is also causing some motorists to cut corners on auto maintenance, which can come back to cost them more later and lead to road service calls.

Repair shops around the country are seeing business slow down.  When customers are told they are due for their 30,00-mile service, they say that they are going to hold off for a while.  Then they end up waiting until 40,000 miles to have it done.

This is due to the fact that people have taken a hit with the economy, causing maintenance repairs to take a backseat.

But, according to experts, avoiding maintenance repairs to save money will end up costing you more money, and safety, in the long run.

Roadside assistance calls are at an all time high because of this problem.  Motorists are calling because their battery is out, or they haven’t’ changed their oil enough, or a tire has blown, and numerous other problems.  Some people are even avoiding buying an auto warranty.

Most motorists have experienced the drowsy driving syndrome.  Either you’ve been the driver yourself or you’ve been in the passenger seat.  Many wrecks and road service calls can be avoided if drivers aren’t drowsy.  Here are some signs to look for in a drowsy driver.

If the driver is weaving drowsiness may be setting in.  The driver doesn’t perform as many steering corrections, which means that the ones made are more severe and jerky.

Often drivers become very quiet or rely on conversation to stay awake.  Conversation often doesn’t make a lot of sense.

If the driver passes over rumble strips they need to pull over and take a rest.  This could mean that they actually fell asleep for a second, or that they are so tired that they can’t stay on the road.

The neck jerk is always a tell tale sign.  This is when the driver falls asleep for a moment and then their neck jerks and they wake up.

Never get on the road drowsy, and never get in a car with a drowsy driver.  There have been many calls for emergency roadside assistance due to drowsy drivers.  In addition, always protect yourself with an auto warranty.

Over the past few decades, perhaps one of the biggest technical developments has been to tires.  And now, new rules concerning tires will yield even more mileage and safety improvements.

After the estimated 280 deaths that were linked to Firestone tire failures on the Ford Explorer SUVs, lawmakers ordered tire pressure monitoring systems are used.  These systems alert drivers if they have a tire with low air.

Thankfully, some of the recent monitoring systems don’t have problems that were experienced with the earlier technology.  Problems included false alerts, and failure to advise drivers which of their tires was low.

Now, there is a national registry that has been approved, allowing drivers to register their tires that they purchase.  In the case of a recall, such as Firestone, drivers would be notified quickly.

Drivers will be much safer with the new tire rules.  However, drivers should always protect themselves by doing regular tire pressure checks and having an auto warranty in case of necessary repairs.

Typically, you will get the best value purchasing a used vehicle.  This is especially true for late models.  Not only will you find the price to be lower than a new vehicle that is comparable, but also expenses for ownership, such as taxes and collision insurance will be less.  In addition, a used vehicle has already taken its largest depreciation hit.  You also can get a vehicle that is better equipped by buying used.

Used cars have become more appealing because their reliability has improved.  Exhaust problems and rust used to be a major concern, but aren’t a problem anymore.  Studies have shown that reported problems declined significantly since 1980.

Although reliability has improved considerably, repair costs and maintenance are important things to consider.  Many used cars don’t have an auto warranty left or are close to the end of its life.  This means that motorists will be paying out of pocket for expenses.  However, buying used car warranties will take care of this problem.

Overall, buying used is a great option to save money.  Also, consumers can get a car with more features than they would be able to afford new.  However, an auto warranty is a necessity so that you don’t pay for unnecessary repair costs.

An extended auto warranty can bring motorists peace of mind.  However, drivers need to get the most out of their auto warranty by keeping documents organized and asking the right questions.  Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your auto warranty.

Often times an extended auto warranty requires service records.  This is why it is necessary to keep your records straight.  Create a central location for your records if you don’t already have one.  This will alleviate frustrations down the road when you are trying to locate documents.

Don’t just rely on your computer to keep records.  Print hard copies of records if you buy an auto warranty online.  You never know when your computer will be down, and it could be when you need your auto warranty.

Make sure to read everything in the auto warranty.  If something isn’t written in the contract, then it isn’t covered.  Never make assumptions when it comes to your auto warranty.

Finally, make sure that you have contact information accessible to you at all times.  This will make things easier when you have a claim.

Often, drivers who have a big SUV feel a false sense of security.  People feel that just because they are in a large vehicle nothing can happen to them.

Yet, the truth is that SUVs are much more likely to roll in an accident than other cars.  And approximately 35% of fatalities in car accidents occur because of rolling.  Also, it was recently discovered by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that the strength of a SUVs roof is directly correlated to the risk of injury to the occupants.  In other words, if a vehicle’s roof is made stronger, it can reduce injuries.

The U.S. government currently requires cars to be able to withstand a force 1.5 times the car’s weight before it reaches 5 inches of crush.  For safety reasons, the government would like to change that to 2.5 times the weight of the vehicle.

Drivers never know if they are going to be involved in a car accident.  Drivers should protect themselves by buying a safe vehicle, having a good auto warranty, and taking safety precautions while driving.

Several small vehicles have had cult status, the French Deux Chevaux, the Volkswagen Beetle, and the original Mini.

All of these cars were popular in their day.  However, they also had something else; an indefinable quality that gave them a cult following.

Today, there are new vehicles with a retro-style in the American market.  The New Beetle by Volkswagen in 1998, the PT Cruiser by Chrysler back in 2000, and the Mini all qualify.

All of these cars have similar qualities.  They look great, and handle well.  In addition, they have a classlessness that allows people to make a statement without announcing that they have tons of money.  Motorists drive them because they are tons of fun and they have personality.

Small vehicles in the U.S. are making a comeback, and a few of these have cult status.  Consumers like to drive a “cool” car with personality and they take care of it until it dies.  This is why people buy an extended auto warranty so they can keep their cars running without paying unnecessary repair costs.

It is essential for consumers to do their homework before trying to purchase a new vehicle.  To avoid unnecessary costs, follow these three important tips.

First of all, you need to shop around to find the best dealership.  To do this, use the Internet and read blogs that people have written about specific dealerships.  You will find a wealth of information just by doing web searches.  Many times, you will come across complaints or favorable revues about how a dealership operates.  Also, it is a good idea to contact three dealerships in your area to determine which one responds quickly.  This will give you an indication of good service.

Next, dealers will try to talk you into financing through them, but don’t do it.  Financing at dealerships typically isn’t the best deal you can find.  Save your money by finding financing elsewhere and use your extra money for a much needed auto warranty.

Also, don’t fall for buying an alarm system through the dealer.  Carmakers already install wiring in vehicles, yet they then sell alarm systems for approximately $1,200 separately.  They will tack this cost onto the price of the new car purchase.

Lastly, sell your current car yourself to save money.  Chances are you aren’t going to get as much money for it through the dealership.

Follow these tips to save big when it comes time to purchase a car.  Also, purchase an auto warranty to protect your wallet down the road.