Buying a car can be overwhelming, yet, keeping a car can even be worse.  Enticing television ads and the lure on the web can make it hard to resist buying a new car.  However, during this difficult economy, it makes sense not to give in to temptation.

In America, people find it hard to stay with a car for over five years.  But with a few common-sense tips and an auto warranty, an unnecessary car purchase can be avoided.

First, make sure that the current car you drive is small and Japanese.  For instance, the Honda Civic is a sure thing.  It may get a little rust, but it won’t die.  And even though driving a Tercel from ’92 may not get you a date on Friday night, it’s reliability will make you not want to give it up.

Second, do lots of research.  This is actually a great method to prevent buying a car.  Searching the Internet for the cars in your price range will overwhelm you with too many options.  Also research used car warranties to protect the car you have.

Finally, focusing on a specific model and make is a good tactic.  This is especially good if that model hasn’t been produced for at least a decade.  The odds are very slim that you will find that car on the market with less than 300,000 miles.

So, what do you do if you still desire a new car after weeks of research?  What if your old Civic is pulling you toward the dealer?  Just remember as soon as that new car gets off the lot it’s value will drop instantly.  Keeping your clunker is your best bet.

Most people realize that hypermiling is not the safest practice; in fact it leads to car accidents. However, many people still do it.  Well now, AAA is weighing in with their view on the subject.

AAA has released a very strong warning saying that practices to save gas, in which illegal driving techniques are used, are dangerous, and therefore shouldn’t be used.  They are referring to practices like drafting off of other cars by tailgating, rolling stops, and turning off the car while driving.

Other gas saving practices toe the line of acceptability.  For example, motorists who have manual transmissions sometimes cruise in neutral to conserve fuel.  This practice is fairly common, yet safety advocates express concerns about motorists not having complete control of their cars.  Also controversial is the practice of utilizing neutral with automatic transmissions, however some drivers who do this say that they can do it safely.  AAA also doesn’t bring up the fact that there are numerous local laws having to do with improper driving, like not keeping your vehicle in gear.

Although motorists are tempted to do anything possible to save money on gas, including skimping on an auto warranty, people need to realize the danger involved in illegal driving techniques.  Unfortunately, hypermiling has been known to lead to car accidents, which is why it is important to have roadside assistance. In addition, drivers should have good used car warranties to avoid unnecessary repair costs, should they arise.

Every year thousands of people are killed in car accidents.  Many of these crashes could have been avoided with some simple safety knowledge.  Here are some tips to keep your driving experience pleasant and help you avoid dangerous accidents.

First of all, if your are taking any medicines, double check your product label to see if it could affect your driving.  If your medication causes drowsiness, stay off of the roads.

Next, secure children properly in a restraint system that is size and age appropriate.  All children less than 12 years of age should be in the back seat.  Just by putting children in the back, and not the front reduces injuries and deaths 30%.

One of the biggest causes of car accidents is driver inattention.  This means that drivers should stay off of cell phones and pay attention to the road.

Finally, prepare a safety kit in your car.  It should include a first aid kit, flashlight, nonperishable foods, water, blankets, motor oil, jumper cables, and a spare tire. And all drivers should have used car warranties in order to keep up with important maintenance and car repairs without unnecessary costs.

Teenage drivers add a significant amount of cost to a family’s auto insurance.  This is because insurance is based on the likelihood of a driver getting into a car crash.  According to statistics, young drivers who are inexperienced account for a large amount of auto accidents. This is why they require a road service program and a good auto warranty. So, what can parents do to eliminate some of the cost?  Here are some tips.

First of all, make an effort to qualify for as many discounts as you can.  You might be able to classify your teenager as a driver who is “occasional”, instead of a primary one.

Next, ensure that your teen has taken a driver’s education class.  This can qualify them for an insurance discount.  Also, having them take a defensive driving class might reduce premiums.

Avoid buying a high performance, sporty car that your teen might get into trouble with.  Insurers frown upon these vehicles.

Finally, if your adolescent goes away for college without taking the car, it is likely that you can drop them from your insurance policy.

These simple tips will save you money on insurance and save your teen from calling for emergency roadside assistance.  In addition, invest in used car warranties to avoid unnecessary repair costs. It is a win, win situation for everyone.

Would you ever think that a convertible could receive the same safety ratings as its counterpart sedan?  Well it has happened with Saab vehicles.

The Saab 9-3 two door convertible, years 2006 and 2007, that has a fabric retractable roof received the same ratings for side, rear and frontal crash tests as its counterpart with a steel roof.  In fact, it was also named a “Top Safety Pick”.

The crash tests that were performed were the first ever done on convertibles.  They were conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hasn’t even done tests on the convertibles that the IIHS did, so these scores are the very first indications of the safety of convertibles.

The 2007 version of the Saab 9-3 sedan has a suggested retail of $26,250, and the Saab 9-3 convertible goes for $37,495.  General Motors Corporation is the owner of Saab based out of Sweden.  Saab has had a longstanding reputation for safe vehicles.

No matter how high a car is rated it is important to purchase an auto warranty in case of unforeseen problems.  Used car warranties will save you money down the road when your car needs repair.  After all, no vehicle is without faults.

Motorists who try to stretch out trips to the gas station may want to think about filling up their tank more often because it might cost them to run out of gas.

Running out of gas puts motorist at risk for getting into an auto accident, and it also may cause their cars damage that could have them paying for repairs down the road.

According to Allstate Motor Club, drivers are placing more roadside assistance calls than ever because they ran out of gas 68% more in the early months this year compared to the same period last year.

It seems that people are dreading paying gas prices; therefore they are putting off filling up their tanks.  These people run the risk of getting rear-ended by another vehicle and are causing mechanical problems to their cars.  For instance, the fuel pump can become damaged giving it a shorter lifespan.  This is why it is necessary for people to purchase used car warranties.

It may be tempting to drive right on past the gas station instead of filling up, but you may end up calling for road service and doing damage to your vehicle.  People need to realize that they will be paying the same amount of money anyway, so why not fill up before ending up stranded on the side of the road.

Most people depend on major car companies, like Avis for rentals on business trips and vacations. Yet, most people don’t realize that firms such as these are great sources of well-priced used vehicles.  Avis’ business is rental cars, however, they also sell their older models.  Car shoppers get a big savings by purchasing a vehicle from Avis instead of car dealers.  This gives people the opportunity to put their money towards used car warranties that will protect their car.

Avis sells their vehicles that are more than one year old so they can make room for more recent models.  This is how Avis ensures that they have a well-maintained and current fleet.  When certain car models prove to be popular, Avis often sells them early, after the car has passed a certain mileage.

Another good thing about purchasing a car from Avis is that they treat their vehicles with metallic paint.  On the other hand, car dealers usually don’t do this.  One concern that car shoppers have is that rental cars have been through a lot of wear and tear.  Yet, Avis points out that vehicles for sale are around six months old and less than 13,000 miles.  Also important is that many times the car’s auto warranty is still valid.  However, the auto warranty will only last for approximately one year, so it is important to shop around for used car warranties.

The AARP, which was formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, supports various goods and services and endorses them for their members; this includes auto insurance.  Recently, Bloomberg news reported some practices that appear to be pretty shady, in regards to their insurance endorsements.

Some members are actually shelling out double for insurance that is AARP-backed in comparison to what the price would be for another plan.  Why would AARP advise them so wrong?  When people pay for their vehicle insurance, part of the premium goes to the AARP as “fees” and “royalties”.  What this means is that AARP gets a cut of each payment before the insurer receives any payment, and since AARP has a large membership base, it’s a pretty lucrative business.

These so called “fees” have leaped from accounting for about 11% of the AARP’s revenue in the year 1999 to about 43% in 2007.  If this organization is intentionally coaxing its members to pay added funds for their insurance to get financial awards, that is definitely shady.  Especially considering all of the car costs that people have to pay these days, such as used car warranties and maintenance.

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.

In order for a vehicle to maintain its peak performance motorists must get routine maintenance and service.  This will also keep your car prepared for difficult driving conditions that come up. Purchasing used car warranties is a good idea so that you don’t dread taking in your car just to find that it requires additional repairs.  To keep your car in tip-top shape, follow these tips.

First, check your tire pressure on a regular basis.  To keep track, you should do it every other time that you get gas at the pump.  In addition, check your tire treads to look for wear and tear and ensure that there isn’t any cracking.

Second, get regular car washes to keep a nice, shiny exterior.  And add a coat of wax to keep away corrosion.

Don’t forget to be aware of your check engine light.  Don’t ignore it if it lights up.  Make sure to take your car to a professional in this case so that you don’t have expensive repairs down the road.  Of course an auto warranty will help you avoid unnecessary repair expenses.

Lastly, determine a service schedule with a mechanic and keep it.  Your car has certain parts that a professional should look at periodically.  Look at your owner’s manual in order to determine what maintenance schedule is best for your car.

Just by following these tips you can head off unnecessary repairs in the future.  However, you want to make sure you have an auto warranty to protect your wallet.