Thanks to the poor economy, people are skipping the big purchases and becoming disciplined shoppers.  Instead of splurging on cars equipped with all of the gizmos, people are holding onto their current rides and purchasing used car warranties.  However, with some savvy buying tips, you can get a new car with great features.  Here’s how.

First of all, in order to splurge in the cabin, downgrade under the hood.  You can purchase a car with a smaller engine and still enjoy the interior upgrades.  For example, a Honda Accord that is top-of-the-line comes with heated seats, leather upholstery, dual climate control, and plenty of other comforts, all for $29,000.  However, instead of getting the V-6, you can get a four-cylinder for $3,000 less that will also allow you to save on gas.

Also, you can save by ordering options a la carte.  Many times, popular options, such as a sunroof or heated seats get bundled together into megapackages that has a lot of features you may not need or want to pay for.  So, shop around for cars with smaller packages, or just order the features you really want.

Finally, skip the options that are the most expensive.  Features such as entertainment and navigation systems can cost you an extra $2,000.  By purchasing a portable DVD player and navigation system you can spend less than $500 combined.

When purchasing a new car it is important to put your money towards necessary things, such as new car warranties, safety features, and maintenance costs.  Pick your upgrades wisely to avoid going over your budget.

With the poor economy, motorists are looking a little more closely at used cars.  The National Automobile Dealers Association reports that last year the average cost of a used vehicle was around $15,000, while it was $29,000 for new vehicles.

While you want to purchase a pre-owned car that has a solid reputation for dependability, it’s even more beneficial to purchase a used vehicle that consumers find less popular, because it has already depreciated rapidly.

Many people believe that the best new vehicles make the best used vehicles, which is true in general.  However, often these cars depreciate at a slower rate, which makes them popular as new vehicles, but means they cost more as used vehicles.

According to Kelly Blue Book, the vehicle brands that depreciate the slowest are Mini, Scion, Volkswagen, BMW, and Honda.

Instead of purchasing those models, consider other brands that have high reliability scores, but depreciate more quickly and can save you thousands of dollars.  Domestic brands are good to consider, such as Dodge, Ford, and Chevrolet.  These will get you a bargain.

If you want to save money by buying a used car, consider depreciation. You can get a good bargain by buying reliable, more rapidly depreciating models, and buy used car warranties to give you peace of mind.

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.

People often try to choose a repair shop that is close to their homes and that they believe to be trustworthy.  However, the time may be coming when motorists aren’t going to have the freedom to pick whichever repair shop they want.

Cars today are operated through computers, therefore to determine what repairs need to be done the computer codes are needed.  Carmakers don’t like to release these codes, which means that independent service shops may not be able to repair cars properly.  This means that motorists are being forced to take their vehicles into dealerships for repairs.  This makes having used car warranties even more essential because dealerships usually charge more for repairs.

Congress has realized that this is a problem because independent repair shops may be put out of business.  In response to this they are trying to get the Motor Vehicle Owners Right To Repair Act passed.  This bill would make it mandatory for automakers to disclose information with independent repair shops.

Motorists need to be able to have the option of where to get their cars repaired, otherwise people may avoid having repairs done and end up calling for roadside assistance.

Regardless of the year or make, one of the biggest investments people will make is a vehicle.  Buying a used car is a great way for consumers to save some money.  However, risks can be higher, which is why an auto warranty should be purchased for the car.  Fortunately, there are ways that buyers can recognize the difference between dependable used cars and lemons.

The safest thing to do is to have the car that you are looking to buy checked out by a licensed mechanic.  However, there are some things that you can do on your own.

For instance, bring a soft magnet from your refrigerator to determine if there is damage underneath a new coat of paint.  You can run the magnet all along the fenders and doors, which are steel.  If it seems that the magnet won’t stick, there is probably a type of body filler under the paint.

Also, examine the inside of the vehicle for stains from water.  If the car was damaged in a flood, it could mean trouble in years to come.  You also want to look at the wear on the pedals of the vehicle.  It should be consistent with what the mileage claims to be.  If there is low mileage, there should be little wear on the pedals.

Don’t forget to examine the tires of the vehicle, too.  If you see wear on the outside edges of the tires, the car is probably out of alignment or might have components that are worn-out.

Knowing what to look for in a used vehicle will bring you peace of mind about your purchase.  Also, know that used car warranties will allow you to save on costly repairs that are unforeseen.

Chances are at one time or another you have been told that you need new shocks and (or) struts.  After being quoted a large price, you might find yourself thinking, “Can I get away without replacing them and are they covered under used car warranties?

Your shocks and struts serve two functions in your car.  Some cars only have struts, and some only have shocks.  Their purpose is to dampen the oscillation of springs and assist in ride control.

If your shocks and/or struts are worn, your suspension parts and tires will wear out sooner.  This is why it is important to take your vehicle in for preventative checkups.  It is a good idea to have your mechanic look at your shocks and struts every time you get an oil change.

There are several warning signs that might tell you it is time to replace your shocks/struts.  First, you might notice leaks on the housing or dents on the strut body.  Also, you might see high and low worn spots on your tires and pitted piston rods.  Finally, you may have rubber bumpers that are crushed from bottoming out.

It is important not to cut corners when dealing with your shocks/struts.  It is essential that these parts function correctly for handling and cornering.  Purchasing an auto warranty is a good idea for motorists in order to avoid unnecessary repair costs down the road.  After all, you never know when your car will need maintenance.

Thanks to gas for $4 per gallon and a poor economy, people are skipping the big purchases and becoming disciplined shoppers.  Instead of splurging on cars equipped with all of the gizmos, people are holding onto their current rides and purchasing used car warranties.  However, with some savvy buying tips, you can get a new car with great features.  Here’s how.

First of all, in order to splurge in the cabin, downgrade under the hood.  You can purchase a car with a smaller engine and still enjoy the interior upgrades.  For example, a Honda Accord that is top-of-the-line comes with heated seats, leather upholstery, dual climate control, and plenty of other comforts, all for $29,000.  However, instead of getting the V-6, you can get a four-cylinder for $3,000 less that will also allow you to save on gas.

Also, you can save by ordering options a la carte.  Many times, popular options, such as a sunroof or heated seats get bundled together into megapackages that has a lot of features you may not need or want to pay for.  So, shop around for cars with smaller packages, or just order the features you really want.

Finally, skip the options that are the most expensive.  Features such as entertainment and navigation systems can cost you an extra $2,000.  By purchasing a portable DVD player and navigation system you can spend less than $500 combined.

When purchasing a new car it is important to put your money towards necessary things, such as new car warranties, safety features, and maintenance costs.  Pick your upgrades wisely to avoid going over your budget.

We’ve all been there.  You’re driving along when all of a sudden you hear sirens blaring behind you.  You realize that you are going to get a speeding ticket and you really don’t have the extra funds to pay for it.  With all of the expenses you’re already paying for your vehicle, such as used car warranties, maintenance, and loans, the last thing you need is the added cost of a speeding ticket.  Well, never fear because the Trapster just may save you.

Pete Tenereillo of California invented trapster.  Essentially, this is a social network where motorists can use their cell phones to alert other drivers about speed traps that they have encountered.

All you have to do is sign up for a free membership at the website and then download the Trapster software on your cell phone.  Most of the latest cell phones, PDAs and Blackberries can accommodate this software.

After signing up, you’re ready to get out on the road.  If you come across a state trooper looking for speeders you hit “pound 1” on your cell phone.  This alerts other motorists when they approach the same spot.

This system is ideal because it’s “hands free”, which means it’s safe for drivers.  Also, sophisticated cell phones can allow a map to be displayed where the speed trap is.

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.

The recommended intervals for oil changes have increased a significant amount over the last ten years.  It used to be that oil changes were recommended every 3,000 miles, but now recommendations are for every 8,000 miles.  This is great news for drivers because it means less time at the mechanic and less money spent.  However, there are a few cautionary notes to consider.

First of all, consult your owner’s manual for the “maximum recommended interval”.  Make sure you don’t extend beyond that number because saving $40 on an oil change is not worth having an $800 repair due to sludge buildup.

Second, if your driving type falls under “heavy duty” you will need to change your oil more regularly.  Often, drivers don’t realize that daily stop-and-go commuting falls under this category.  Also, if you use your vehicle for short trips with little highway driving you many need shorter oil changeouts.

Finally, you should use the specific oil type/grade recommended by the carmaker.  Failing to use the right oil type can result in poor car performance, engine damage, and even void the terms of your auto warranty.

Although less frequent oil changes are convenient for consumers, people need to follow these cautionary notes.  After all, you don’t want to ruin an engine because you didn’t add a couple of quarts of Pennzoil.  This is why an used car warranties are always a good idea, too.