SUVs are available in a wide array of prices and sizes.  They are more versatile than any other vehicle.  They have varying cargo carrying options, carry up to eight people, and allow drivers to be higher than cars.  In addition, they can tackle off-road terrain.  There are car based and truck based SUVs.  Which is the best for you?

Gaining popularity are car-based SUVs.  These vehicles are on car like unibody platforms.  In addition, they use a suspension that is completely independent, and have all-wheel drive.  They usually perform better in fuel-efficiency, handling and ride comfort than truck based SUVs.  Also, in CR testing they generally rate higher overall.  They can be driven off-road in mild situations.

Truck-based SUVs are built on a body on frame platform.  They allow for a larger towing capacity than car-based SUVs.  Also, the ones that have four-wheel drive can tackle off-road terrain that is serious.  The handling on these vehicles, however, can be more cumbersome.  Also, their ride can be a little jolting.

SUVs are a great option if you are looking for cargo space versatility, a large passenger capacity, and off road options.  Do your homework on such things as an auto warranty, maintenance costs, and fuel-efficiency before deciding on an SUV.  Also, have in mind what your needs will be before showing up at the dealership.

For drivers who are sick of paying the high fuel prices and who aren’t willing to wait for automakers to put affordable electric cars on the market, CNN has reported that car owners are doing conversions on their gas powered vehicles to make them electric powered.

The conversion has been described as “surprisingly easy”, which involves taking out the guts of the vehicle, such as the exhaust system and radiator, and making replacements to some, like the fuel injector, with components that are electric.  Of course, you could only say this process was “easy” if you regularly do engine swaps.  Many drivers don’t even know how to change their oil on their own.

Supporting this industry of do-it-yourself are suppliers that sell the parts necessary to complete the conversion, like Electric Vehicles of America.

Once you do that work, the car should be equipped with lead-acid batteries, since lead-acid batteries remain very expensive at $10,000-$20,000.  A truck that is small and has 20 6-volt batteries will reach a speed of 60 mph and run for approximately 40 miles.

Before undertaking a conversion such as this, make sure you know that it will make your auto warranty become null and void.  Also, messing with the inner workings of you vehicle can be extremely dangerous if you don’t have any experience.

If you’re dreaming of purchasing a new vehicle, but can’t afford the high payment, you’re in luck.  You can switch out your car without going into debt.  To get more value for your money buy pre-owned.

The second that a new car rolls out of the dealership, it drops in price.  In fact, you will lose around 25 percent of the price of the car in the first year, and the value drops drastically as the years go by.  A rule of thumb for people to consider is that a 3 year-old vehicle is worth half of its sticker price.  So, if you’re considering a vehicle that is a 2011 for $50,000 realize a ’08 is worth $25,000.

Americans trade in their automobiles every 3 years.  Coincidentally, there is a large pool of quality pre-owned vehicles.  There is a great deal of cars with less than 30,000 miles on them that are only two years old.  They are practically new.  This, and an auto warranty, should eliminate the fear of buying used.

To get the best deal on a pre-owned car, educate yourself.  On the Internet you can find out the worth of a used car, and the cost for a dealer to buy it.  With used cars make sure you purchase an auto warranty to protect your car in the event of a breakdown.

When determining the amount of money you can pay for a vehicle you must consider your credit.  Yet, experts say that consumers should shop around at various dealers to make comparisons on special deals on financing.

To help with your car shopping experience, request a copy of your credit report by going through a credit agency.  This will give you knowledge when it comes time to talk to a dealer about your financing.

You can look at some web-based tools for help.  For instance, go to AutoTrader.com to find a credit center designed for people trying to purchase a car with poor credit.  This is one of the few websites that doesn’t require personal, confidential information.  In fact, you are only asked general questions that allow you to have privacy.

After filling out the questionnaire you will receive a credit level of excellent, good, or fair.  Then, you can search the car dealerships in your area that will be able to help you with your needs in regards to financing.

Look to websites to prepare you with information that will help you when you go to the dealership.  You can learn about the prices of cars, credit scores, and an auto warranty.  This will allow you to get the best deal possible.

Often motorist get sticker shock or experience buyer’s remorse after buying a new car.  However, you can avoid this by considering the expenses that you will encounter in the future.

According to experts, most consumers anticipate the price of the purchase, registration and taxes.  However, many people forget to factor in the price of insurance and new car warranties.  Fortunately, by doing your homework you can get good deals on insurance and an auto warranty.

To control car costs drivers should consider these tips.  First of all, decide before you get to the dealership the amount of money that you can spend.  Also, decide on what type of car will suit your needs. It is also beneficial to get quotes from several dealers, because then you are in the position to negotiate.  Finally, check insurance and auto warranty prices on the vehicle that you want to purchase.

You don’t have to go broke purchasing a new car.  But, be smart and consider all of the costs involved.  It isn’t just the purchase price that you will be paying.

The best way to annoy a BMW executive is to ask about the new Mini station wagon.  In other words, the Mini Cooper Clubman.

Today, in the car business, the station wagon conjures up negative imagery.  It is the opposite idea that BMW wants associated with the Mini.

But if you really look at the Mini Clubman, it looks like a winner.  It can be considered a station wagon, but it is a fantastic one.

The Clubman has a smooth, clean design, is fuel-efficient, has innovative doors, and has plenty of room for luggage and rear passengers.

The mini is a big success story for BMW. When it was launched in 2001, BMW was hoping to sell 150,000 a year.  This year it is projected that 240,000 Minis will sell, with the help of the Clubman.

Consumers want to purchase realistic cars that are fuel-efficient.  BMW has delivered.  Motorists can buy this car with the addition of an auto warranty and rest assured that they made a wise purchase.

The majority of Ford’s models are not only equipped with new car warranties, and numerous safety features, they come with a gas-cap-less fuel tank.  Ford is referring to this as “EasyFuel,” which shouldn’t be confused with “FlexFuel”, which is when a car can use E85.  However, if you get the two mixed up, cars with the EasyFuel system have a warning that E85 won’t flow easily into the gas tank.

When hearing this you may wonder, “Are people too lazy to even screw a gas cap off and on?” but chances are you have actually forgotten a gas cap at a gas station once or twice.  And sometimes it can be annoying to remember if your gas cap clicked properly when you turned it.

If you purchase one of the new Fords, you may feel a bit strange just taking the pump in and out without doing anything else.  But chances are that you will get used to the convenience after a short time.  Oh, and did I mention that the new Fords come with a hefty auto warranty?

It’s the moment that every motorist dreads, a flat tire.  You don’t know if you ran over glass or hit a nail, but you need to take action.  You may need to call for road service, and then you have to have the tire fixed or do it yourself.  Surprisingly, it isn’t that hard to repair a tire yourself, and you can save the extra expense of having a repair shop do it.  Here’s how.

First, it is necessary to determine the location of the puncture.  You can do this by submerging the tire in water and watching where the bubbles come from.  Before you can patch the tire you must remove any foreign objects stuck in the tire.  You can pull out the object with pliers.  Be sure to pull out the object in the direction of the tread so you don’t do additional damage to the tire.

Now, use a tire reamer and clean out the hole from the inside of the tire.  Center the patch over the puncture to ensure proper sizing.  Take off the patch and coat an awl using cement.  You should run the awl in the hole a few times to make sure the damaged area is coated adequately.  Then, put a coat of vulcanizing cement directly on the patch and tire and let it dry.

Next, apply a layer of cement on the stem of the patch and then pull the stem through.  When the patch stem is all the way through the hole, cut it off.

Now, you are ready to get back out on the road.  With a little diligence you can do a quick tire fix and save yourself a trip to the repair shop.  Just always protect yourself with an auto warranty.

Over the past few decades, perhaps one of the biggest technical developments has been to tires.  And now, new rules concerning tires will yield even more mileage and safety improvements.

After the estimated 280 deaths that were linked to Firestone tire failures on the Ford Explorer SUVs, lawmakers ordered tire pressure monitoring systems are used.  These systems alert drivers if they have a tire with low air.

Thankfully, some of the recent monitoring systems don’t have problems that were experienced with the earlier technology.  Problems included false alerts, and failure to advise drivers which of their tires was low.

Now, there is a national registry that has been approved, allowing drivers to register their tires that they purchase.  In the case of a recall, such as Firestone, drivers would be notified quickly.

Drivers will be much safer with the new tire rules.  However, drivers should always protect themselves by doing regular tire pressure checks and having an auto warranty in case of necessary repairs.

In future car accidents a circuit could be as crucial to survival as a seat belt.  Congress made seat belts mandatory in the 1960’s, which was revolutionary in car safety.  Since then, seat belts have greatly reduced deaths.  Now, there is an additional safety revolution in the midst.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has employed a new standard.  This makes electronic stability control equipment a mandatory component in all cars.  The adoption of ESC will save approximately 10,000 lives every year.

Most luxury vehicles already come with ESC.  Other models offer it as an option.  This is just one of the new safety advancements designed with the purpose of preventing auto accidents, not just protecting passengers.  The majority of these new features have a microchip base.  Many are still being perfected. So beware, you never know when new technology will fail.  However, new car warranties will save you from unnecessary expenses.

Many motorists are finding it easiest to buy a package of safety options, rather than individual gadgets.  Lexus, for example, places an emphasis on how its safety features work as a system.  It has a package with lane-departure warning, smart cruise control, and ESC.

Integrating such systems, and the yielding of throttle, brake, and steering raise the question: Do drivers need or want this much help?  Who is actually in charge of the wheel?  No matter the answer, an auto warranty is essential in protecting your vehicle with all of those fancy gadgets.