“The U.S. Department of Transportation today called on automakers, safety advocates and consumers to help the federal government develop a new and more effective five-star safety rating program used by many consumers when deciding which vehicles to buy.Secretary Peters and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Administrator Nicole Nason today kicked off a day-long public meeting on proposed improvements to the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) used to develop the government’s five-star safety ratings, and urged the public to offer suggestions on ways to improve the program by April 10, 2007.The Secretary asked for ideas on the best way to improve the current front, side and rollover tests conducted by NCAP. She also asked for advice on whether the Department’s proposed enhancements, including adding upper leg injuries to its frontal crash tests and head injuries to its side crash tests, would raise the bar on safety. She also asked for advice on the best way to include ratings for proven crash avoidance technologies such as electronic stability control, and those emerging ones like lane-departure and rear-collision avoidance.“While we have made some strong and sweeping recommendations for strengthening this system, we know that we don’t have a monopoly on good ideas. When it comes to saving lives and preventing injuries, there is always room for improvement” said Mary Peters, U.S. Secretary of Transportation. “Strengthening and improving the current five-star program will help us continue to give consumers the most up-to-date and useful information about the safety of the vehicles they are considering.”

For close to 30 years the NCAP has been providing consumers with realistic and reliable information on the safety performance of vehicles sold in America Secretary Peters noted but, she added that vehicles tested 10, 20 and 30 years ago are vastly different than today’s improved fleet. As technology has reshaped vehicle performance and safety, it has also reshaped driving habits and the public’s expectations for staying safe on the road. “The time has come to rethink our approach to testing the safety of vehicles in this country,” said Peters.

“As more safety technologies appear in our vehicles, our programs and procedures must be flexible to accommodate those advancements,” said Administrator Nason. “These new innovations have the potential to save thousands of lives, and we must never become complacent when it comes to that.”

The public comment period for the proposed changes to the current NCAP program, which began in January 2007 when Secretary Peters visited the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, will close on April 10. NHTSA will begin to asses the comments and hopes to establish the proposed changes soon after.”
(source)

There are many practical considerations in buying a used car as well as some sound reasons to choose a used car over a new car purchase. After all, it is a maxim in auto purchases that a new car starts loosing value the moment that you drive it off the lot.

Often you can find a used car that has bells and whistles that you could not have afforded if buying new. A friend bought a used Jeep that included a wider wheel base, AC, CD player and leather interior – none of which he could have afforded new.

Once you have decided on buying a used car, the usual applies. Does it meet all of your needs? Is the financing being offered the best that you can do or should you shop further? Have you a mechanic friend that can examine it for an independent evaluation?

And then there is the used car warranty. Sometimes, if the car is a late model vehicle, there may be a remainder of the manufacturer’s warranty.You will find that there is no standard used car warranties and that the most common used car warranties are the 3month/3000 mile used car warranty that will cover major components.

Kelly Blue Book is an excellent online source to pricing used and new cars and offers basic guidelines for either purchase.

For used car shopping, they suggest the following:

• Find Out How Much You Can Afford
• What’s the Right Car for You?
• Find Your Car’s Value
• Contact and Communicate with the Seller
• Get Both a History and a Safety Report on the Car
• Conduct a Thorough Walk-Around
• Conduct a Thorough Test Drive
• Go the Extra Mile to Assure Quality
• Negotiate Your Best Private Party Price
• Negotiate Your Best Dealer Retail Price

(Source)

If you are interested in buying a used hybrid car you may wonder what criteria you should use to evaluate the car. How different are they from a regular used car? Are some parts more subject to wear than those found on a normal vehicle? Are they as safe as a regular automobile? What type of used car warranties are available for the hybrids?

“One of the biggest concerns relating to buying a used hybrid car is the hybrid battery. I am often asked Each hybrid car manufacturer has different warranties for their hybrid components, varying from 8 year/ 80,000 miles for Honda products, to 8 year/100,000 miles for Toyota products. (This is a generalization. Check the with the manufacturer’s customer service for specifics.)

Currently replacing a hybrid battery after the warranty has expired could cost in the $2,000 – $3,000 range, although I have yet to hear of someone actually paying for one in full on their own. The only hybrid batteries that I have heard needing replacement out of warranty relate to certain 5-speed Honda hybrids and even then, hybrid owners have reported that Honda stepped forward and paid for some or all of the bill.

Prices for hybrid batteries will come down as more hybrid cars are on the road, and as battery technology improves.”
from About.com

Other factors to take into consideration are insurance costs, depreciation and the ease with which one can obtain replacement parts.

Steve has heard enough horror stories from friends who had bought a used car only to end up spending over half the purchase price again on repairs. Just because you know how to handle a wrench doesn’t mean that you can keep up with the inevitable repair expenses that a used car may require.

So Steve did his homework, studied up on used car warranties, or extended warranties, and was glad he did so when his own car broke down after a month.

Here are some questions to ask while considering various used car warranties:

1)Are you a Member of the BBB and in good standing?

2) Do you offer financing?

3) Can I choose the repair facility?

4) Do you pay the repair facility directly?

5) Where can I take my car for repairs? Your dealership, or any ASE Certified repair facility you choose.

6) Depending on the age and mileage of a used car, do you offer bumper to bumper coverage for vehicles out of manufacturers warranty?

7) Do you include Wear & Tear?

8) Is overheating covered?

9) Do you offer a per visit deductible?

10) Do you offer a Zero Deductible option?

11) Do you offer Road Hazard protection?

12) Do you offer Car Rental reimbursement with your extended auto warranty?

13) Is the agreement transferable / renewable?

14) Are High Mileage plans available for up to 102,000 miles?

15) Are claims handled by the same company that sells car warrantys?
from Buy-and-Sell-Car-Secrets.com

“General Motors Corp. said Friday it will extend its five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty to used cars going back to the 2002 model year, another move to convince customers that its cars and trucks are as reliable as those made by its Japanese rivals.

The warranties apply to all GM Certified Used Vehicles and are fully transferable. They become available March 1.

“This is what you’d expect from a company like GM — a company that wants to remain a leader,” said Troy Clarke, president of GM’s North American operations who announced the deal in Las Vegas at the National Automobile Dealers Association annual convention. “Quality will not be a reason for people to not buy our cars.”

The world’s largest automaker has made strides in improving quality, but its cars and trucks still are widely perceived by consumers as inferior to Japan’s Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co.

The new warranty covers hundreds of components that comprise the engine, transmission and final drive assemblies. It applies to all GM Certified Used Vehicles from Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Oldsmobile and Pontiac sold in the United States.

A similar offering soon will be made for Saturn vehicles, Clarke said.

The warranty will help GM in its fight to maintain its lead over a surging Toyota and keep its title as the world’s No. 1 automaker because, Clarke said, a strong reputation translates to sales.

Dealers had been pushing GM to back used cars with a warranty, and the automaker wanted something that would help it stand out in a market where overall vehicle quality is good.

“The No. 1 thing a used car buyer is afraid of is problems,” said Ed Bozarth, a Chevrolet dealer with eight Chevrolet outlets in Topeka, Kan., Grand Junction, Colo., and the Denver area. “This is a safety net. It’s huge.”

More importantly, the move is a statement that GM is confident its vehicles, even used ones, will hold up, said Tom Libby, senior director of industry analysis at J.D. Power and Associates.”
fromAuto Insider/Sharon Terlep

Back “in the day”, the word most frequently associated with used cars was “lemon”, not warranty. Any type of guarantees or warranties for a used vehicle was unheard of. With the passage of consumer protection laws and an educated consumer base, you can now purchase a used vehicle with a great deal more confidence then in days of yore.

With that reassurance in mind, which manufacturer’s used car is the best bet? Auto Warranties.com will help answer that question by regularly featuring vehicles that have been noted for their features, quality and longevity in the world of used cars.

If you are in the market for an economy car, the Honda Civic comes well recommended.

“For years, it’s been the Civic and Toyota’s Corolla fighting for the title of best economy car. Both are wise choices from a strictly utilitarian point of view; they’re frugal with fuel, require minimal maintenance and are reliable. That said, the Civic gets our vote because it offers a few things that the Corolla line lacks: a sportier driving feel, a coupe body style in addition to a sedan and, in 1999, 2000 and 2004, an Si version of the coupe that boasts a sizzling 160-horsepower inline four and a taut handling-biased suspension.”

from Edmunds.com

As you shop for your new car and consider new car warranties and extended warranties and all the bells and whistles on the options sheet, it doesn’t hurt to day dream about the cars you wish you could buy. A great site to peruse is Super Cars.net. Pictured here is the 1936 Delahaye 135 Figoni et Falaschi Torpedo Cabriolet. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be able to pronounce it in order to dream.

“If the Talbot T150 Teardrop is Joseph Figoni’s masterpiece, then the runner up is his Torpedo Cabriolet. Eleven of these striking bodies were manufactured, and some feature the best two-tone paint schemes ever used on a car. In comparison, these Cabriolets make almost every other Delahaye look second rate.

Everything on these roasters has an attractive and diminishing flow that’s extended to details such as light surrounds and accent lines. These bodies can be marveled from every angle, but the defining trait is a highlight dash that runs along the side of the car and complements similar detail on the wheel skirts. Other features, such as fully enclosed wire wheels, lights pushed to the extremity of body and a distinct rear fin further set these cars apart from the rest.

Inside, a plush interior is surrounded by gorgeous woodwork and an intricate dashboard dons color-matched O.M. gauges. Hidden behind the two seats is a disappearing soft-top that’s concealed by a hinged body panel that pivots from near the rear bumper. Underneath this huge panel, there is also room for a spare wheel and modest storage.

Built on a sporting chassis, the Torpedos benefit from a triple carbureted version of Delahayes 3.5 liter inline six. Good for 120 bhp, top speed is around 100 mph (160 kph). Only the very best cars, like the Alfa Romeo 2900, Duesenberg Model J and Bugatti Type 57SC could rival this level performance.”

SuperCars.net

AutoNation did not meet the expectations of Wallstreet Journal

AutoNation announced that they did not meet expectations in the first quarter. In fact, Q1 was not their best performance.

AutoNation blames the folly on unbelievably high interest rates and towering stock option costs.

Of course, making a dealership a successful dealership is not as easy as it was at one time, says Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mike Jackson. Jackson also insists:

It’s not looking like a good start in ’06 for the auto world. I’m sure this news affected everyone in the auto industry and there will be a ripple affect accordingly up the line all the way to the auto manufacturing sector.

See Also

• Car Warranty Quotes
  Get Your Personal Quote Here
• 3 Secrets of the Auto World
  3 secrets that will help you ge tthe best deal

A few common sense steps to saving money at the gas pump

Fluctuating gas prices are now a signature of the oil industry. With all of the fluctuation in gas prices, it would be wise to enhance your vehicle’s mpg in any way. There are a few things you can do to increase your vehicles gas mileage, thereby decreasing what you pay at the pump.

1. Good vehicle maintenance is always a must.
   Keeping your vehicle in tip-top shape will not only supplement your vehicle’s gas mileage, but it will also keep you safer.

   Just simple measures like keeping your tires properly inflated can make a real difference.

   If you’re not a vehicle wiz, just take your vehicle to your local auto mechanic and tell him or her to give you a tune-up.

2. Get rid of any excess junk in your vehicle.
   That’s right, clean out your trunk and back seat to make room for all that money you’ll save.

   Some studies suggest the average driver carries around between 50 and 100 pounds of unnecessary weight – not counting the very important spare tire, jack, and emergency road kit – that costs you each time you fill your car, truck, SUV, or (mini)van.

3. Consolidate your trips.
   Carefully plan your errands so you’re not backtracking yourself too much.

   For example, when you have a doctor’s appointment in another city or another part of your town, try to think ahead to any other business you might need to conduct in that area.

   Also, try and stock up on the necessities. You don’t need to make 15 trips to the grocery store in one week. Think ahead of time; make a list of what you need for the entire week and get it done with one trip.

4. Carpool
   Finally, if you have kids, you know that it’s difficult to manage all of their schedules especially if you’re acting as chauffer.  You, as a parent, may want to initiate a car pool with other parents so you can split the cost of gas. Likewise, you may want to inform your child about the fuel situation, from a global perspective.

These are just a few common sense ways that you can decrease the amount of fuel you use and increase the amount of money you save.

See Also

• Auto Warranties.com
  Research your next auto warranty in minutes
• Microbes in your car
  Save money by using ethanol in your automobile
• Hybrid Cars
  Save money by purchasing a Hybrid vehicle

Protect Yourself With An Auto Warranty

Complaints from the Attorney General’s office of the state of New Mexico are topped by consumer Auto Sales complaints:

Anyone who’s ever purchased a car knows that buying a car comes with risk. You have no idea if the car will have problems or not. In fact, if it’s a used car you may end up with one that’s not been maintained or even raced. An auto warranty is your best protection when buying a car.

See Also

• Auto Repair Shops Continue to Fight Dealers
  Should you have the right to have your vehicle repaired where you want?