One of the most expensive hobbies is collecting cars.  But, here is a twist.  Purchase a new vehicle now that will become a valuable collectible in years to come.  The best part is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to purchase a value-appreciating car.  The following cars are on the road now, but will be regarded as nostalgic in 15-20 years.

First on the list is the Cadillac XLR-V Roadster.  This has a hand-built 4.4-liter V8 engine that puts out 443 hp.  This vehicle is a serious roadster and it competes with the Porsche 911 Cabriolet and Mercedes SL-Class.

The Lotus Exige S is also on the list.  For practical purposes, this car is miserable; after all you wouldn’t find it ideal for grocery shopping.  However, research shows that people admit their hearts beat faster when thinking about this ride.

Finally, the Mustang Shelby GT 500 KR is sure to be a collectible.  This car takes the GT500 in a bare bones form and makes it into a muscle car with540hp.  This car is a tribute to Carroll Shelby.

If you’re a car enthusiast, purchasing a current vehicle that is sure to be a collectible in the future is a smart financial move.  However, make sure that you purchase an auto warranty for these gems.  After all, the point is to keep these cars for many years.

There is no vehicle quite as exhilarating as a convertible.  Motorists love to feel the wind in their hair and the sun on their faces.  Convertibles give drivers a sense of freedom that is hard to find in any other vehicle.  However, are convertibles a good purchase?  Read on and decide for yourself.

Automakers have spent a lot of time improving convertibles.  Motorists used to have to worry about retractable tops leaking, but that is a thing of the past.  Today, convertible tops are superb at sealing out weather and sound.  And whether fabric or metal, the tops can go up and down with the touch of a button in less than 30 seconds.

Convertible safety has also greatly improved.  Cars are now equipped with side airbags.  These airbags deploy from the line of the window in order to create protection.  This is important in the case of a crash or rollover.

Although the convertible market hasn’t been growing, there are many interesting choices for consumers to consider.  Models that are newer, such as the Volkswagen Eos and Saturn Sky have been doing well in sales.  You might also want to consider a high-performance convertible, such as the Dodge Viper SRT10, Audi RS 4 Cabriolet, or the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet.  The benefit of buying a new convertible is that it comes with an auto warranty.

Unfortunately, many convertible owners admit that the novelty of driving a convertible wears off within the first year.  Luckily, convertibles hold their value very well, which means that if you become fickle, you probably won’t have a hard time getting your money back.

Ask a woman if she wants to purchase a Dodge Viper and her answer is likely “no”.  This is a V-10, sports car with two seats with a starting sticker price of approximately $80,000.  However, studies show that this car attracts a large proportion of men drivers.  It seems that as far as cars go, men and women have very different taste.

At least 91% of people buying the Viper are men.  In addition, the BMW M5 and Porsche 911 are also large in buyer percentages being male.  The cost of these models is upward of $60,000.  Men tend to equate their vehicle with their image.  They pick cars that will give them a certain status.

What’s popular with women?  The Toyota RAV4 is the #1 choice.  Women dominate as being the purchasers of cars that are small, affordable and easy to buy.  For instance, the Saturn SL, Saturn SC and Saturn ION are popular with women.  These Saturns start at $10,000 and have a “no-hassle” reputation for buying.

It is clear that men and women think differently in many areas, including cars.  Men go for the impressive, fast cars, whereas women go for the small, inexpensive vehicles.  The only thing that these cars have in common is that they come with an auto warranty.

BMW already uses a start-stop engine for their non-hybrid European 1 and 3 Series, but Mazda is in the process of developing a version that is more efficient.  Mazda’s system that has been independently developed is called Smart Idle Stop System.  According to the company, this system will improve fuel-efficiency by around 10%.

The unique thing about Mazda’s system is how it restarts the powertrain.  Engine restart is initiated by employing the direct-injection system to spurt gas and ignite it under the specific conditions needed to make a downward force on the pistons that is perfect, seamlessly restarting the engine.  According to Mazda, drivers won’t feel any delay because it will only take 0.35 seconds to resume driving.

Mazda’s system appears to be a lot simpler than most other start-stop systems, which are commonly attached to hybrid systems.  Also, it will cost and weigh less than GMs mild hybrid system.  If Mazda combines this system with their new turbo, which is fuel-efficient, it could boost fuel-efficiency by about 40% in a few years, without any expensive hybrid technology.

Just remember, with any new car technology you should protect yourself by purchasing an auto warranty.  After all, you want peace of mind that you won’t have to pay unnecessary repair costs.

With the poor economy, drivers are feeling the pinch.  And while you don’t have control over costs, such as gas prices, maintenance, and an auto warranty, you do have the power to maintain your vehicle’s value by making it last longer.  Your choice is to buy a new vehicle every few years, or to maintain your current one.  Here are some tips to keep your old gem running great.

Perhaps the most important thing you can do for your car is to get regular oil changes and have your oil filter replaced regularly.  In addition, don’t forget about your air filter.  Changing this will allow your vehicle to breathe easier and help your engine last longer.

Don’t forget about your vehicle’s cooling system.  Keep coolant levels as recommended by your owner’s manual to avoid an engine melt down.  You wouldn’t think that a simple act such as this would save you from major repairs, but neglecting to do this will have you using your auto warranty more than you would like to.

The least expensive maintenance tip is to make sure your tires are inflated to the proper levels. However, the benefits of this are immense.  You will get better fuel-efficiency, have your tires last longer and have a safer vehicle.

Find a mechanic that you trust and use him for all of your car service.  This way he can get familiar with your car and know your car from the inside out.

If you want to avoid purchasing a new car right now, follow these service tips to keep your current car running like a champ.  And, make sure you purchase used car warranties so you don’t have unnecessary repair costs down the road.

It is helpful to use a car loan calculator to determine what the cost for a new or used car purchase will be monthly.

These can be found online with options for buying or leasing.  This is a helpful tool in determining what your budget actually is and how much car you can afford.  Just remember to factor in other car costs, such as maintenance and new car warranties.

Just remember that the numbers on a vehicle loan calculator are not actual quotes.  The calculator allows you to compare the costs of different cars and see what your payments per month will be.

On the calculator there is a line to enter the dollar amount you would like to finance. Then, by clicking your mouse you can compare what payments will be, with different arrangements for paying.  You can also find out what interest payments will be for the life of the vehicle loan.

It is a bonus to use a car loan calculator before going to a dealership to buy a vehicle.  You will already know what your budget is, which will allow you to make a smart purchase.  You will also know how much money you have left over to spend on maintenance costs and an auto warranty.

You may think you’re getting a bargain, but you might be mistaken.  According to Consumer Reports, a car that is inexpensive initially might cost you more in the long run.

People fail to add in additional costs such as, fuel, maintenance, an auto warranty, interest, depreciation, and interest.  After doing the math, you may find that owning the car may cost a lot more than you thought.  For example, a Mitsubishi Lancer at $17,500 is $5,000 less than the Mini Cooper.  However, if you look at owning the vehicle for five years, you will actually be paying $3,000 more for the Mitsubishi.

Consumer Reports says that the average new vehicle will depreciate in value 65 percent over the course of five years.  Just a few of these percentage points are significant for the owner of a car.  In addition, cost in fuel varies widely among vehicles.  Repairs and maintenance will add up to around 4 percent of ownership costs.

Motorists can protect themselves by considering all of the expenses that they will endure owning a vehicle and purchasing an auto warranty.  This will allow drivers to have peace of mind.

A recall has been issued by Kia of 6,680 of the Rondo EX and LX minivans from the model years 2008 and 2009.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there may be a defective fuel pump for the four-cylinder 2.4-liter engine, which may not be able to get enough fuel effectively to the engine.

This could result in engine hesitation or failure of the engine starting correctly, which might endanger motorists if the problem gets progressively worse.  If the problem occurs, the check engine light coming on may alert drivers.

If you have a 2008 or 2009 Kia Rondo, Kia will replace your fuel pump free of charge.  Vehicle owners can also call Kia at 1-800-333-4542.  Taking care of the problem right away may save you trouble in the future.

Unfortunately, you never know when your car will fail, which is why an auto warranty is a must. However, listening for recall alerts can also save you from unnecessary car problems.

Safety is one of the biggest considerations when purchasing a new vehicle, but it’s difficult to make an assessment on your own.  There are many factors to consider when looking at the overall safety of a car.  Here are a few of the most important safety issues.

First of all, you want to consider crash protection in a car.  The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety performs crash tests on vehicles from different directions to rate a car’s ability to withstand a collision.  You can access the results of these tests at www.hwysafety.org.

Next, take into account vehicle compatibility.  Taller vehicles have bumpers that are quite a bit higher than a passenger car’s.  This is dangerous for cars because taller bumpers hit cars above the crumple zone and often inflict great damage on cars.

Rollover resistance should also be a factor in the safety of a new car.  SUVs are three times more likely to rollover, according to NHSTA.  Rollover ratings are provided at www.safercar.gov.

These are a few of the many safety considerations when buying a new car.  Consumers should do their research on such things as safety issues, car prices, and an auto warranty before going to the dealership.  It’s best to be prepared so that you can make good decisions.

You might find that your car has become a mess from kids, pets, friends, etc.  But how are you supposed to keep it clean with kids spitting up and people having four-course meals in your backseat?  Let’s face it; it can be hard.  However, here are some tips to help you get started.

You might want to insist that whatever people bring in the car they have to take it out.  This means that kids should be responsible for the cups, stuffed animals, books, etc.  Also, you could limit them to only bringing one item each car ride.

Keep a trash bag from the kitchen in your vehicle.  This comes in handy for trash, or for dirty wet clothes.  You can have your oldest child be in charge of the trash bag.

For toddlers, purchase spill proof snack bowls and cups.  You can buy a “snack trap”, which keeps Cheerios from spilling all over your floor.

Keep toothpaste in your glove compartment.  This can save you from a stain on your upholstery.  Just rub gently on lipstick or ketchup stains to remove stains.

Purchase some rubber mats to go on top of your carpet.  If you don’t want to spend the extra money you can even turn your carpet mats upside down to reveal the rubber side.

It’s never easy to keep your car clean when you have a busy lifestyle, however, these tips will help.  Don’t just purchase an auto warranty to maintain your car, put a little bit of work into cleaning the interior.