Although certified pre-owned warranties are very similar, they do vary some depending on the car manufacturer.  They combine the manufacturers original auto warranty with a certified pre-owned auto warranty, and then offer roadside assistance along with other benefits.  The advantages are apparent: instead of taking a risk with a used car that you know nothing about, you get a car with a complete history and an auto warranty.

Chrysler decided to go one step further and offer extended service contracts for Jeep, Chrysler, and Dodge certified pre-owned vehicles.  The contracts will be divided depending on what they cover.  For instance, the Lifetime Powertrain Care will cover transmissions, engines, and drivelines; the Lifetime Added Care Plus will cover those mechanisms and also electrical functions in the interior, suspensions, and fuel systems; and the Lifetime Maximum Care plan will cover all of the above with just a few exclusions.

Chrysler has not yet announced pricing plans for these contracts, so it isn’t clear how much more consumers will have to pay to get a lifetime component auto warranty, or whether consumers will want the used car warranties at all.

Ford recently announced what the pricing will be for the 2009 F-150.  A regular cab XL with a two-valve V-8 engine will start at $21,345, which doesn’t include the destination charge of $975.  To compare, the 2008 regular cab that had a 4.2-liter V-6 engine and an automatic transmission began at $19,990.  For the 2009 model, the V-6 was eliminated.

Meanwhile, if you move up to the other trim levels, the 2009 F-150 Lariat SuperCrew trim starts at $35,820.  Ford claims that that truck is equipped comparably to the 2009 Dodge Ram Laramie cab, which begins at $41,320.

Ford is offering competitive pricing, which will make consumers happy.  Motorists aren’t purchasing as many expensive pickup trucks, due to the economy and fuel prices.  However, consumers will be more likely to purchase Ford trucks because of the sticker prices and new car warranties that come with them.

Do you find that you are apprehensive about negotiating with an auto dealer?  Are you unsure about topics such as car loans and an auto warranty? Shopping for a vehicle doesn’t have to be nerve-racking, however, you need to be aware of a few things that you shouldn’t say to a dealer.

First, you shouldn’t start talking about monthly payments, instead focus on negotiating the purchase price.  It can become confusing when you’re discussing monthly payments because it might be unclear whether the payment is for 24 or 36 months.

Don’t tell the dealer right away if you’re willing to trade-in your car.  If the dealer is aware of this he will know that you want to get as much money for your car as possible.  The dealer might agree to give you a lot for your trade-in, but usually it’s a smokescreen because then they will fix the price of the new car.

Don’t tell the dealer if you’re planning on paying for the car in cash.  They count on making a lot of money in financing, and if they know that they won’t be able to count on that money, chances are they won’t negotiate on the sticker price.

Do your homework before showing up at a dealership.  Be prepared with information about new car warranties, financing, and vehicle prices.  This will help you negotiate a successful deal on a car.

General Motors just unveiled the upcoming Chevrolet Volt, which is an electric plug-in hybrid.  This four-door hatchback appears very different from the concept car in the 2007 Detroit Auto Show.  GM claims that the production Volt had to be more aerodynamic to provide the efficiency that GM was aiming for.

Just like GM announced previously, the Volt will be able to travel 40 miles on an electric charge.  After that, a gas/E85 capable engine will come on in order to recharge the battery.  All the power that goes to the drive system is electric, so the fuel engine acts like a generator.

General Motors recently revealed some specifications.  The electric motor will be able to attain the equivalent of 150 hp and be able to reach a speed of 100 mph.  Also, there is going to be 220 lithium-ion battery cells that will power the unit.

Unfortunately, GM said that the Volt’s future hinges on help by the government for emerging technology.  Hopefully, if all goes as planned the Chevrolet Volt will make it to showrooms.  However, as with any car purchase, make sure you have new car warranties to protect yourself.

Volvo has always had a reputation for having terrific safety features.  So, when Volvo comes out with new and improved safety technologies people are intrigued.    Instead of coming out with a new radical approach, Volvo has made improvements to their current technology.

Volvo’s latest safety package is featured on the Volvo XC60.  The safety features will assist distracted drivers.

One of the new safety technologies is an automatic low-speed system of braking.  If the driver gets to close to another vehicle at less than 20 mph, a laser will detect reflections from bumpers and license plates and stop automatically.

Volvo also added to their current LDW system.  The purpose of this system is to audibly alert drivers if they go over a line without activating their turn signal.  Volvo has also added a program for micro corrections, which indicate a driver may be falling asleep.

Volvo’s advanced safety technology will allow drivers to have added safety on the road.  Safety technologies, as well as new car warranties, provide motorists with peace of mind.

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.

With fuel prices at an all time high, motorists are trading in their giant gas-guzzlers for smaller, more efficient cars.  And although this makes sense, if you switch out cars too soon you could end up paying more costs overall than you’ll save on fuel.  Consumer Reports claims that it is beneficial to downsize if you time it correctly.

A Consumer Reports study shows that if you haven’t paid off your car loan yet, it may not be to your benefit to downsize after only three years.  A car loan is made up of a large percentage of interest initially, so, if you trade in your vehicle too early you will end up with less equity, which will give you less for a down payment on a new vehicle.

Another thing that has a big affect on your car equity is depreciation.  For the first five year of owning a car, depreciation is approximately 48% of overall vehicle costs for the owner.  And on average, fuel costs are only equal to around 21%.  Depreciation is the greatest in the first three years, and after that it starts to level off.

So if you trade in a car three years old, you will start over with a whole other depreciation ride.  However, it makes sense to trade in your vehicle if you have owned it for more than four years.  But, whenever you keep a vehicle for a long amount of time you should purchase used car warranties for peace of mind.

It’s apparent that hybrids are the wave of the future. With fuel prices at more than $4 a gallon and oil costs at around $100 a barrel, we need to find ways to save on gas costs. Also, the concern with air quality and global warming makes it a good time to take the plunge. But many people get confused about what hybrid to purchase. Consider these factors.

First of all, what size vehicle is best for you? If you require a lot of cargo space and want an SUV there are many current options. Just realize that even the SUVs with the best fuel-economy aren’t as fuel-efficient as sedans powered by gas.

Also, think about style. Some consumers hate the look of the Toyota Prius, while others rave about it. However, if a conventional car is more your style you might like the Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, or Ford Escape.

It is time for our country to stop relying on fossil fuels, and hybrids are a good start. The type of hybrid you choose is up to you, so do your research and determine which one will suit you the best. Also, research new car warranties so that you are protected from unnecessary repair expenses. Hybrids offer advanced technology, but they still break down like any other car.

It is important to consider reliability and safety when purchasing a car for a teenage driver because teens don’t have a lot of experience.  Look for cars that score high in crash-test results and safety features.  Also, make sure you have a good auto warranty for the car you purchase because teens tend to be hard on vehicles.

In crash tests, big heavy vehicles typically perform the best, although they are harder to handle and have poor fuel-efficiency.  Large pickup trucks and SUVs aren’t recommended for teens, though, because they roll over easier than other cars in an accident.

A mid-size sedan with good crash test and safety ratings is the best bet for teenagers.  Some of the sedans with these features include the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Acura RSX, Mazda 3 and Subaru Impreza.

The best thing that you can do when purchasing a vehicle for your teen is to find the newest possible model that is very reliable.  Take a look at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to find out the crash test results for cars that you’re interested in.  And, to protect your wallet purchase used car warranties.

The Mini SUV that has been the object of many rumors is finally here.  Being called the Mini Crossover Concept, this vehicle, which is a 4×4, is the largest Mini to date, which measures more than 156 inches in length.  That is just a little longer than the Mini Cooper Clubman, but is still shorter than the Honda Civic sedan by 20 inches.

Probably the biggest news is that the Crossover concept will be equipped with four-wheel drive, which is a first for Mini, and will be a huge selling point for Snow Belt drivers.  The concept will likely have a standard bench in the rear instead of single seats, and a 3-D touch display.  It is expected to be in the auto show circuit in 2009.

Powertrains have not yet been announced, but because it’s only slightly bigger than the typical Clubman, it will probably have the same peppy engines seen in the Cooper lineup.  The concept is not going to use the Cooper name, though; it will just be called the Mini Crossover Concept.  Prices on this vehicle have not yet been announced, but if it follows suit with the other Minis, it will be reasonably priced and come with large new car warranties.