It can be difficult to decide if you should buy or lease a vehicle.  There are more things to consider than just their car budget.  Most often, leasing ends up costing less money, but in the long run the motorist has no equity.  Consider these important factors when making your decision.

The most obvious thing to consider is the cost.  There are four factors to think about.  They are the length of the lease, the monthly payments, the restrictions on the mileage, and the down payment.  You could end up with large fines if your mileage exceeds the restrictions.  In addition, if you keep the lease for over three years, replacing tires and other maintenance costs will be up to you.

You also have to pay close attention to your budget.  If you are thinking short term, leases are generally less expensive because of the lack of a down payment and the low monthly costs.  However, purchasing a vehicle that you plan on keeping for ten years ends up being less expensive than leasing.  This is making the assumption that you have an auto warranty that will save you from paying unnecessary expenses.  Motorists who enjoy having a new vehicle every three years would benefit from leasing.

Also, consider if you have any changes coming up in your life.  If you are going to be moving far away or beginning a family, leasing is the way to go.  This gives you a lot of flexibility.

Consider all of these things to make an educated decision on buying or leasing.  Just keep in mind that whenever you buy you want to make sure you are covered by an auto warranty to keep you from paying unnecessary repair expenses.

According to the Associated Press, Toyota has “secretly” started to develop a solar-powered car, even though the Japanese company has experienced its first year down after having positive growth for 70 years.

However, don’t get too excited yet.  Perhaps the story that is the biggest here is the reason that the AP wrote about a potential solar car being created by Toyota.  This isn’t any different than any other carmaker that has developed a prototype in the Research & Development department.  Toyota is known for a reputation for its green technology that is cutting edge, and it will receive key expertise when Panasonic, its battery developer, takes in solar leader Sanyo later in the year.

The technology is there to build such a car, without a doubt.  However, you have to ask, what sort of range is it going to have?  Also, is there going to be anyone that will purchase a car costing $200,000 that will need to be recharged after 35 miles?  One thing’s for sure; an auto warranty would be a good idea for a car with solar technology, such as this.

In other words, can a vehicle that is solar-powered be mass-produced and actually work for people’s lifestyles?

More and more recent cars are being sold with all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive as an option.  Is this something that your really need?  Will it actually make you safer or is it just a way for automakers to make extra money?

As of now, there haven’t been any formal studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on the effectiveness or ability to prevent crashes, in regards to four-wheel drive.

To decide if two or four-wheel drive is for you, you should make a list of the ways you will be using the vehicle and the conditions you will be driving in.

And ask yourself a series of questions.  For instance, do I live in an area with a lot of rain or snow?  Or, do I go on skiing trips often?  Do I travel on dirt roads, or off-road?  Also, will I be doing a lot of hauling?

These are worthwhile situations to have two or four-wheel drive.  However, if you’re just traveling on roads where there are mild conditions, you probably don’t need it.

Having two or four-wheel drive can benefit you greatly if you’re going to use it often.  However, if you really don’t need it, it might just be a waste of money.  This is a terrific feature, but you will want to purchase an auto warranty to ensure that you aren’t going to pay repair costs that are unnecessary down the road.

Consumers are buying sedans more than ever.  They want to rely on their cars with the addition of an auto warranty and feel peace of mind.  This year Acura has taken note. Just take a look at the Acura TSX, which is quite impressive.

The Acura TSX is a sedan that is very sporty, and it might surprise people who assume that entry-level means basic and stripped.  The TSX is loaded with numerous features, such as Bluetooth capabilities and leather seats.

The latest model of the Acura TSX would be familiar to aficionados, however it is larger in practically every way.  This includes width, track, length and wheelbase.  This provides for a ride that is more stable and comfortable.

Although the look of the Acura TSX is familiar, it has a new design element that is distinct.  Its grill that is almost shield-like is a love or hate feature.  It is displayed best with the body color being light.  The longer vehicle provides Acura lovers a ride that feels sporty and aggressive.

All in all, the 2009 Acura TSX is a success.  Motorists can rest assured that this is a solid car that will provide the comfort and safety that they need.  As with any car, new car warranties are recommended to ensure that your vehicle is protected in case of breakdowns.

Buying a pre-owned car is a good way to get a good car for less money.  However, when most people go car shopping they inspect the outside thoroughly, but forget to inspect the interior.  Here are some things to look for.

Notice the smell of the interior.  If you detect mold, must or mildew, there is a chance that the vehicle has water leaks.  Make sure to look under the floor mats for wet spots.  Also, it is easy to detect the smell of smoke, which probably means that the previous car owner was a smoker.  Just be aware that it can be virtually impossible to eliminate car odors, so if there is a bad smell, look at other cars to purchase.

Sit in every seat, including the back, even if you don’t plan to ever ride in the back.  Also, make sure seat adjustments are working as intended.  And know that if a car is advertised as having low mileage, the upholstery should still look good.

The pedals will give you an indication of true mileage.  If the pedals are worn it means the car has high mileage.

Do your homework when buying a used car.  Research costs, such as maintenance, an auto warranty, and auto insurance to ensure that you are making a good car choice.  And make sure to have the vehicle inspected before you purchase it.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently did a study of 20 small cars in real-world, low-speed simulated collisions that motorists encounter all over the country in parking lots.  Their findings were that some of the most inexpensive cars you can purchase would cost you a lot of money to repair, even with a mild tap at 6 mph.

In order to replicate the full bumper from another vehicle the organization used a barrier.  By doing this they were able to assess rear and full frontal collisions, and also rear corner and frontal collisions at 6 mph and 3 mph.

Coming out the best was the Ford Focus.  This car was the least expensive car to fix, at $3,031 in damages after being put through the four tests.  The worst performer overall was the VW Rabbit, which totaled $9,511 in damage.

These tests show that small cars have gotten very complex over the years, and that simple parts like headlights have become expensive to replace and repair.  This is why it is essential for drivers to have an auto warranty to cover unnecessary repair expenses.

When it comes time for you to test-drive a car, you need to be aware of a few things.  After all, this will be one of your most important drives ever, so make sure to get the most out of it.

First, make sure you test-drive the exact model that you’re thinking of buying.  There may be big differences in various models, such as transmissions and engines, tires and suspension, and features in the cabin that will largely affect the way a vehicle handles and feels.

If the salesperson is talking a lot, ask him to please be quiet.  You need quiet to properly evaluate a vehicle.  This will allow you to hear how the vehicle operates.  It might make things easier to tell the salesperson in the showroom that you might need some quiet driving time.

Request a specific test route of your liking if you are familiar with the roads.  You are the only one who knows what kind of driving you will be doing and on what roads.

It is easy to get excited when test-driving a car, but don’t forget these important tips.  They could save your from purchasing a car that might not end up liking.  Also, do your homework to get a good deal.  You’ll need to factor in the price of maintenance costs, an auto warranty, and auto insurance.

It can be difficult to find a car that is suitable for the needs of a family.  In fact, consumers can often feel overwhelmed with all of the choices.  So, what are some necessary considerations when purchasing a family car?

First, most families are in search of an affordable vehicle.  This typically means that the sticker price is under $30,000 and comes with a good auto warranty.  There are many good quality vehicles out there that go for less than $30,000, so if you are looking at a company that can’t produce a good vehicle for this price, you’re searching with the wrong company.

One very important feature for a family car is comfort.  Five people should be able to fit into a vehicle comfortably, otherwise no one will be happy.  Also, make sure that you have sufficient cargo space for groceries, hobbies, etc.

Safety is essential in a family vehicle.  Many of the new car models have innovative safety features capable of saving people’s lives.  For instance, the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu incorporates the OnStar system of communication, which has the Advanced Automatic Crash Notification.

Try not to get overwhelmed with the shopping process when looking for a family vehicle.  Just take these tips into consideration and make sure purchase an auto warranty in case of unforeseen repairs.

Motorists feel great relief after finally paying off their car.  So, why do drivers want to dive right in and buy a new car?  Before you take the plunge, consider a few things.  If you don’t have a good reason to make a new car purchase you will be making payments that are unnecessary.

It could be beneficial to buy a car for several reasons.  First, if you have experienced a change in your lifestyle, such as having children, you might need a bigger car that can accommodate you.  Secondly, if you are driving a gas-guzzler, a more fuel-efficient car may be a smart buy.  Third, if you are experiencing a lot of repair costs, it might be time to trade in your vehicle.  However, an auto warranty eliminates unnecessary repair costs.  Finally, if your car doesn’t have the safety features that you desire, you should purchase a safer car.

However, if you are just feeling bored with your current car and are tempted by the new car ads, beware.  The new technological features, such as navigation systems and satellite radio might be alluring, but think twice about getting rid of your paid off vehicle.  After all, the cash that you were giving your lender will end up in your pocket.  As long as your old tried and true has an auto warranty, you can enjoy your car for many years.

When buying a car for a teen driver it is important to consider safety and reliability.  After all, teens don’t have a lot of experience.  When car shopping for a young driver, cars should be considered that have good crash-test results and advanced safety features.

For the most part big, heavy vehicles perform the best in crash tests.  However, large cars can be hard to handle and often have lousy fuel economy.  SUVs and large pickup trucks aren’t recommended for teens because they are more prone to roll over in an accident than other cars.

The best bet for teens is a mid-size sedan with good safety and crash ratings.  Some cars that have these features are the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Sonata, Ford Focus, Mazda 3, Acura RSX and Subaru Impreza.

The best thing to do when buying a car for a teenager is to get the newest model possible that is reliable.  Consult the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to see crash results for cars that you are considering. And make sure to protect your wallet by purchasing an auto warranty.  After all, teenagers tend to be a little bit hard on their cars.