Monday, 19 March 2012

Tips For Buying A Used Car That You Don't Want To Miss

These tips for buying a used car are important if you are in the market for a nice new used vehicle. In order to be sure that you get the best deal and be assured you have the smoothest transaction, you don't want to miss these 5 tips.

Buying a used car is a daunting task to say the least.

Most of the time buying a used car is tiring and frustrating because people are not aware of what they are getting into. They haven't done the proper preparation before buying their vehicle.

So, let's get started...

The first tip is to check your credit report. Pull your report from the 3 credit bureau agencies, Transunion, Equifax and Experian. Look each one over with a fine-toothed comb for errors that don't belong on your report.

If you see mistakes, dispute them through the agency that lists them. Check for accounts that you are not using and call the debtor and close the accounts. These open accounts appear as available credit you have at your fingertips and a potential lender may take this into consideration negatively.

Correcting these errors can help raise your credit score.

You should always know your credit score. The lending institution is going to pull your FICO score to determine if they should loan you money for a used car.

As you wait for your credit score to be repaired, do some research on the make and model of used car that will best suit you, your family and your family's needs. Go online to Consumer Reports to see how they rank specific makes and models that you are considering.

Consumer reports run all types of safety tests to inform consumers what make and models offer the best safety features. In addition, you can find reliability reports to help you determine which vehicle will be the most dependable to own.

Once you have determined a reliable and safe make and model that suits you, now do some homework on the price of this particular vehicle. Use the blue book resources on line such as Kelley Blue Book, Black Book and the NADA Guide to come up with an average price for your car, truck or SUV.

After determining the average of these three resources, further check local classified listings and local dealerships to further compare pricing for that same vehicle. These ads will confirm what is happening currently when it comes to fair market value.

Now, find a reputable dealership that sells used cars. Notice how you are welcomed and how you feel with the salesperson and being at that specific dealer.

Trust your intuition or your "gut" feeling at this point.

Remember, salespeople are trained on how to close you on buying a car today. Their agenda and their goal is to make a car sale today! They are trained weekly on how to get you to say yes. Car salesmen have memorized every answer to your objections for not buying today.

If for any reason you feel uncomfortable or pressured, it is a good idea to move on to the next used car lot. There are dealerships that care about what you are interested in rather than just making a sale today.

If you feel welcome and comfortable that this salesman is interested in what you want, have him show you some cars that fit your needs.

Once you find that perfect car, there is the paperwork. Most reputable dealerships will take the time to walk you through the paperwork so that you fully understand what you are signing. If you have questions, feel free to ask them.

Always remember... be careful of the small print as well as read and understand everything before signing on the dotted line.

If you follow these tips to buying a used car, you will have a much more pleasant experience. In addition, you will feel more confident that you got the best deal possible.

Do you want to learn more about the Art and Zen on how to save money on your next vehicle and get the best terms?

If so, I suggest you check this out: This Boise Used Car Dealer Caught The Competition Napping.

Or maybe you don't believe there is a better way to purchasing a car and you truly believe that all used car dealers are the same!

If so, then check this out: The Big Question?


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What's the Deal With Alloy Wheels?


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The Way Mobility Cars Could Free Your Way of Life


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Tips For Test Driving A Used Car

One of the advantages of a second hand car is its lower price compared to brand new cars. However, buying a used car requires thorough inspection and testing to make sure you are purchasing one that will not give you problems and high maintenance costs, but will instead serve you for several years to come. In this article, we provide tips on how to test drive a used car before you commit to purchasing it.

1. Do your research about the particular make and model you are interested in before heading out to test drive the used car. Is the particular make and model known for its speed? Or perhaps it is popular for its powerful engine. Doing your research first will help give you reasonable expectations about the car's performance.

2. Don't rush. You don't need to have the drive quickly over with. Give yourself plenty of time to focus on the car. This may also be a good time to ask the salesperson questions about the car when something does not feel right during the drive. Does the driver's seat feel sunken? Or perhaps the ride becomes bumpy and noisy when you hit the rough road. Let the salesperson know your concerns to have them addressed before you purchase the car. Be thorough with the test drive to make sure you the used car you are buying is still in excellent condition.

3. If you have a trusted third-party mechanic, ask them to go on the drive with you. When something in the car feels out of the ordinary, a mechanic can easily point out what it means and can give you good advice if the car you are testing is well conditioned and maintained.

4. Test drive the car in different roads to see how it performs in varied conditions. If buying at a dealership, ask the representative if you can drive off the usual route. Drive the car on the highway. Does the car accelerate well? Can you pass other cars at speed? Next, drive the car on a bumpy road. Does the car feel bumpy and noisy or does it drive smoothly?

Also try to drive the car along tight corners. Is the car able to make a turn adequately? How are the brakes performing? Finally, test drive the used car on an uphill road to see how it performs on an uphill drive. Does it drive smoothly uphill or is the car having a difficult time just getting up an inclined road?

5. Test drive 2 to 3 cars to help you make accurate comparisons between them. This will also help you determine which car feels right for you. Try not to drive too many cars though as this can confuse you about which one to purchase!

6. Don't overlook the small details in the car including the seat belts, mirrors, pedals, heat, air conditioning and lights. More often than not, buyers will be concerned about how the car runs that they forget to test these items. Make sure these are all working well. Take a look at the back seat and trunk as well to make sure it has the space you require.

7. Check the controls on the dashboard. Make sure they are functioning well and are easy to set and adjust.

Some final tips
After a few days of your initial test drive, try to ask the seller or the dealership if you can drive the car a second time. This will give you the opportunity to see something you might have missed out on during the first test drive.

This article was written by Tom Jerrat for Jupiter Motors. Jupiter Motors is one of Australia's leading regional car dealerships located in Wagga Wagga, NSW. We provide a comprehensive selection of new Subaru, new Mazda, and high quality Wagga used cars. For more information, visit jupitermotors.com.au


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Grow Your Service and Parts Business in 2012

What was the biggest problem in 2010? Not enough people to take care of the Customers! This is the single biggest problem I see today in Dealerships. In 2010, I've visited Dealerships from Kentucky to Virginia to Texas to Minnesota to Georgia to Wisconsin to Florida. All but one have the same problem in common - not enough people to "cuddle" the Customers. Since 2008, almost every business cut its staff. It made sense. The future was uncertain; businesses needed to remain profitable and the logical place to start was the single largest expense every non-manufacturing business has - Personnel Expense. Several positives came from this. Dealerships were able to get rid of outrageous guarantees, "dead weight" and they were forced to improve and streamline processes. But if Dealers want to thrive in the coming years now that the economy is well-past "rock bottom" (March, 2009), they have to be prepared to grow their Service & Parts business by being able to handle the business professionally and properly.

The problem seems to be that Dealers are now "addicted" to very high Net Profits and Net Profit to Gross Profit ratios. What I am talking about is adding straight commissioned Service Advisors and Technicians to the Staff, not overhead "fat". This will increase both Gross Profits and Net Profits. New Vehicle Sales will not "rebound" to previous levels for years; it's called "the New Normal". The "gold" is in Used, Service and Parts. Prepare for "the New-Normal" that we have been in and will be in for the next few years by staffing your Departments with the right number of Employees to take care of your current and prospective Customers. In the Service Department, to have enough time to take care of the Customers, your Service Advisors should NOT be handling more than 15 Customers a day on average (12 if you are a high-line Dealer). And if your Service Advisors have taken on the cashiering duties or warranty coding, the number of Customers they should handle should be less. Here's a simple exercise; for the month take the number of Customer Pay and Warranty Repair Orders and add them together. Add in the Internal Repair Orders IF your Service Advisors also write those. Then divide the R.O. totals by the number of Service Advisors. If you answer exceeds 325, you need more Advisors.

If you're thinking, "Our Advisors are currently able to handle our Customers, we don't need to add anyone else." think about this: As of 2009, the average Customer pay vehicle in most Service Departments had well over 70,000 miles on it; do you think it only needs an oil change? Couple that with the fact that your Service Advisors are seeing Customers maybe twice a year due to expanded maintenance requirements and improved product quality. That doesn't give them/you many chances to build a relationship or take good care of the Customer's vehicle. To do both, your Advisors need TIME! Your Service Advisors may be forced into "short-cutting" crucial steps when they handle too many Customers. Advisors will do what it takes to keep up with the day's work, but are they doing what it takes to increase your business and theirs when they don't have the time? Advisors write up the Customer, get the spending approval for the Customer's request and close out the ticket. Hopefully they personally deliver the vehicle back to the Customer through the Active Delivery process to RETAIN that Customer. But to grow your Service Business and to increase your Sales per Repair Order, they need to do more.

Below are 10 processes that could be falling by the wayside on a daily basis if you are shorthanded:
1. Taking a GOOD reservation prewriteup, including requesting mileage.

2. Reviewing the Customer's vehicle's history, looking for needed or previously missed maintenance and postponed repairs for presentation to the Customer.

3. Doing a GOOD Walk-Around with the Customer when the Customer arrives.

4. Presenting the appropriate Maintenance Menu after the Walk-Around.

5. Properly introducing the permission based Multipoint Inspection.

6. The Technicians doing a quality Multipoint Inspection, with digital photos.

7. The Advisors then contacting the Customer and asking for the sale on items found during the Technicians' Multipoint Inspection (if you think this is already happening, ask the Techs, not the Advisors).

8. Providing BEST, Better, good options to close more Sales.

9. Soliciting a good follow-up date on the unsold work, and recording same in an electronic reminder system such as Outlook, Google Calendar, etc.

10. Doing face-to face Active Deliveries where the Advisors set the next Service Appointment and request any other vehicles at home you could maintain for the Customer.

When any one of those processes is skipped, you are wasting your "Service Ups." When you have enough trained staff to follow the processes that are designed to take care of your Customers, everyone wins. My Service Drive Process works best when all of the steps are followed, and to do that, you need enough people. Your Customers are depending on your Dealership to take care of their vehicles. To do that your Advisors must look at the vehicle's mileage and vehicle's history; then recommend what it takes for a Customer's vehicle to be safe and worry free. By inviting the Customer to your Dealership, you have taken on the responsibility of taking care of the Customer's vehicle. That means selling recommended repairs and needed maintenance, not just accepting what the Customer came in for.

Not only do you need enough Service Advisors, you need enough Technicians with time to do the work the vehicles need. Your Technicians become more efficient when they are not bounced from one vehicle to another. Few things are more frustrating to a Technician than starting a job, then being told, "Wait a minute, could you to take a quick look at this vehicle," or "Could you knock out this waiter oil change before you finish that?" Running around in chaos to take care of Customers' vehicles willy-nilly because we have too few Technicians is inefficient and wastes your Tech's time. Your Technicians will NOT do a quality Multipoint Inspection until they know the Advisors are going to sell the work and they know they will get a chance to do the work on a vehicle that is already in their stall. Otherwise, it's all checkmarks or a rubber-stamped approach. If you say, you can't find any good people; try Craiglist.com, "the national electronic bulletin board." Every Dealership I have been in has had amazing results when they post an ad on Craigslist. Just last week, in Macclenny, Florida (where you ask? - right), the Service Department needed to add more Technicians. Within 24 hours of posting the ad, the Service Manager was interviewing and hired a GM Master Tech, with another GM and Ford Master Tech coming in the next day. There is no good excuse for not having the right amount of staff. The only way your Staff can handle your Customers properly is to have enough folks to "cuddle" your Customers. This then optimizes your Customer's visit, your facility, and dollars spent on training and advertising. Take care of your Customers and they'll take care of you by coming back and spending money vs. defecting to the 100s of options they all have that are closer to home or closer to work. For more ideas like this or information on Management Training & Development for Dealership Operations please contact Lloyd Schiller at lloydschiller.426@gmail.com.

Lloyd Schiller
Consultant
LloydSchiller.com
http://lloydschiller.com/
561.212.6966


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How to Compare Car Insurance Online


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Sunday, 18 March 2012

Laws and Regulations of Car Insurance in Colorado


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Bentley Continental for Sale - Choose a Continental to Match Your Style

If you want a car from an iconic range, then you should definitely look for a Bentley Continental for sale. It is worth considering the latest models as they are packed with new advanced technological features and offer luxury typical for the brand. Of course, you may want to check out some recently made pre-owned cars, if you want to save on the price. In any case, you have to pick an automobile that corresponds to your taste, preferences and requirements.

The current Continental Flying Spur is for those who want a luxury and powerful sedan that offers great comfort and smooth performance on the road. The 6-liter flex-fuel V 12 engine is a paragon of craftsmanship. It produces 552 horsepower and allows the car to reach a maximum speed of 194 mph. The acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes 4.9 seconds.

The automatic transmission and advanced control features allow for perfect handling and a serene ride. You will love the spaciousness and opulent features of this car such as the wood veneers and the all-leather interior. The Speed version offers even more power and speed, making a Bentley Continental a good choice for those who intend to drive it themselves.

The new Bentley Continental GT has a classic two-door, four-seat coupe body. Of course, you can expect sophisticated modern style and performance. The innovative 6-liter flex-fuel V 12 engine puts out 567 horsepower. The maximum speed is 198 mph and the acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes 4.4 seconds. Of course, you can go for the less powerful and more economic variant with a V8 engine. Inside, you will find features like cobra designed seats with leather upholstery, the latest touch screen technology and a powerful sound system.

If you want a convertible, then you should search for the latest Bentley Continental Drophead. The sleek design with fine aerodynamic curves is not the only impressive thing about this model. The 6-liter flex-fuel V 12 engine of this car makes 567 horsepower. It reaches 60 mph from standstill in 4.5 seconds. The top speed is 195 mph. The interior design does not differ greatly from that of the GT model.

The Super ports Bentley Continental is the ideal choice for those looking for a sports car in the classic Bentley style. Of course, it is has a more massive bulk than its competitors, but offers great luxury and top performance. The twin-turbo charged 12-cylinder engine produces 612 horsepower allowing the car to reach a speed of 200 mph. The acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes just 3.7 seconds. No matter whether you go for the two-seater coupe version or for the convertible with four seats, you will appreciate the comfortable lavish interior.

The very next time you are searching for a Bentley for sale, you must be sure to check out this Bentley Continental for sale at the leading specialist Bentley dealers showroom in London W3.


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Mobility Scooter: Benefits


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Auto Insurance Laws And Requirements


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Reasons Why You Need to Do an Auto Insurance Comparison


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Avoiding Highway Hypnosis


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Saturday, 17 March 2012

The Popularity Of The Hatchback


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Shopping Around For Auto Insurance Coverage


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Guide on How to Change Oil

Changing the Oil on Your Own:

The main concern of any car owner is how to change the oil and how much does the oil change cost. Obviously it is the cheapest to do it by yourself, however unless you are a very experienced gearhead it might be a bit problematic. All in all it will be around $20, but make sure you know what you are doing, as you will need things like latex gloves, funnels, drains, wrenches and so on. For one thing you will be going under the car and probably spend another twenty minutes trying to pry of the oil filter. Even if you were successful with everything you have to dispose of the used oil and you cannot just chuck it into the sewer system. It needs to be taken to the nearest service station, where they accept old oil.

Other Ways of Changing Oil:

Most people choose the nearby garage, where the local mechanic can take care of you issues. If you are a regular, he will remember you and won't rip you off and will provide superb services including the oil change, which will cost you around $35 to $40. Another alternative is your car dealership, where you will be paying the most. They do make the finest maintenance for the price of $50 or so, however all of the repairs and changes are recorded, so whenever you have a claim of warranty, it will come in handy. The last method would be getting your oil changed with the specialized chain store like Midas or Aamco. They do a good work, charge approximately $25-$30 and have a bad habit of upselling.

How Often One Must Change Oil:

It heavily depends on the oil you use. If you have conventional oil than to be on the safe side oil must be changed every six months or 3000 miles, even though it might say that it should be changed every year or 8000 miles. With the synthetic oil you should not concern yourself, since this kind of oil is used in cars that have an automatic reminder of when to change the oil.

Oil Change Deals:

You will be able to find countless coupons online not only for just oil change but for transmissions and tires. Currently Firestone, Midas, Jiffi Blue, Pennzoil and many more chain stores have deals. You can find printable coupons of $5 to $10 off or the percentage deduction with those stores. Make sure to take advantage of them as soon as possible as they normally expire quite quickly.

For more information on how to do an oil change and how you can save on oil change coupons 2012, for the detailed information follow to AutoInsuranceMonitor.com


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Benefits of Short Term Car Insurance


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Regulatory Challenges and Automobile Manufacturing


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Best Used Luxury Cars For Your Money

The best used luxury cars have become an extremely popular choice amongst car enthusiasts. It used to be that people bought used cars because of their budgets. Now days, more and more people are buying used cars because it is a wise thing to do.

Many people who have good incomes and money to spare have learned that it's a smart decision to purchase slightly used vehicles over brand-new. This is because of the steep savings you will gain by not having to pay the large depreciation costs that new cars are saddled with.

If you are someone that likes the smooth, comfortable ride that comes with a luxury vehicle, this list is going to cover the best used luxury cars you can buy.

The first on the list is the BMW 3-Series. This car gels perfect road performance with excellent comfort. You can spend hours on end winding and curving through any country side enjoying the sights in a BMW 3-Series, any of the models. Whether it is the sedan, coupe or hybrid this car oozes performance and quality.

The Audi A4 ranks up there when it comes to used luxury cars. With its beautiful, splendid cabin and smooth handling, any road trip becomes appealing. Drivers will relish in this beauty as the find the performance top notch and the comfort over the top. The Audi A4 comes in a convertible, sedan or wagon style to offer drivers plenty of choice.

The next suggestion would be the BMW 5-Series. This mid-sized sport sedan connects luxury, interior beauty and performance to a T. Most BMW 5 series come with a 6 cylinder engines that carry you through the curves with ease. The safety features include first and second row tube headline airbags. If you are looking for Luxury a BMW 5 Series will deliver.

Now we have the Audi A6 ranked up there for the best used luxury cars. This car comes with a wide range of drivetrain options. The A6 has a wide array of luxury in the interior as well as the exterior. Whether the all-wheel drive six cylinders or the all-wheel drive V8 model this car is jam packed with options that will tease you.

Infiniti G35 Coupe is fast and furious. You will find extremely fast acceleration paired with performance in this coupe. The sleek looking exterior holds a luxurious and comfortable interior that screams fashionable. Its unique exhaust system purrs like a kitten and its style is sure to turn heads wherever you drive the Infiniti G35.

Now that you are suited with the list of best used luxury cars, I wish you happy car shopping.

Do you want to learn more about the Art and Zen on how to save money on your next vehicle and get the best terms?

If so, I suggest you check this out: This Boise Used Car Dealer Caught The Competition Napping.

Or maybe you don't believe there is a better way to purchasing a car and you truly believe that all used car dealers are the same!

If so, then check this out: The Big Question?


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Friday, 16 March 2012

Dealership Online Reputation Management

I've attended over a dozen NADA conventions and there are always vendors hoping to sell you the magic behind Happy Customers. From sending fresh baked cookies to monitoring your phone calls, there are many different ways to improve the Customer experience. This year's convention introduced me to companies that will help you with your On-Line Reputation.

A Dealership can build a reputation on the Internet, unfortunately, just like the factory CSI scores, it's usually the unhappy Customers who speak out. So it's not difficult to develop a bad reputation, even when you haven't earned it.

Before you can do anything, find out where you stand with your on-line reputation. Go to Google and type in your Dealership's name. What shows up is your Dealership's website and in most cases a rating that Google has accumulated with reviews found throughout the Internet. If you have no rating, enter your competitions' names in the Google search, and see what their ratings are. It's scary! Even the world's best Dealer couldn't get all 5 stars. When you click on "Reviews," you can see from which sources the comments are coming, and you can see how easy it is for anyone to write a review - either negative or positive.

What's important is listening to the reviews from your Customers. It may be hard to swallow, but this feedback is extremely valuable to continually improve your business. After reading some reviews on one Dealership, the problem was even though the Customers were entering all the information on-line for a service appointment, when the Customer got to the Dealership the Customer had to start from scratch. We know that when a good reservation process is put into place, this problem can be fixed. In this example, we see Customer Comments can be useful to the Service Department. Do something positive with the Internet posts, don't ignore them.

To find posts on your Dealership go to blogsearch.google.com and type in the Dealership's name and look how often your name comes up. As more and more Customers look to the Internet for their purchasing decisions, you'll want to insure that what Customers read about your Dealership is heavily weighted with positive feedback.

Being able to respond to the anonymous "feedback" is important to keep things positive. Dealerrater.com claims you can monitor all your feedback and allows you the opportunity to follow up and reconcile any negative comments. It's easier if you don't think of the comments as negatives, think of them as opportunities to improve the Customer experience.

But when it comes down to it, the only way to overcome any negative remarks is to encourage Happy Customers to post positive remarks. Kinda makes you yearn for the days when just sending cookies would make a Customer happy.

For more ideas like this to help improve your Dealership's Net Profits and Customer happiness contact Brooke Samples at brooke@blueprintforprofits.com

Brooke Samples
Profit Advisor and Consultant for Profit Blueprints, LLC
http://www.blueprintforprofits.com/index.htm
877.316.7418
brooke@blueprintforprofits.com


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Speeding Ticket Risks and Hazards


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Auto Extended Warranty Plans - Are They Worth It?

Whether you buy a new or used car, you usually get some form of warranty. A new car typically come with a three year or 36,000 mile warranty; a used car probably comes with a three or six month warranty; depending the age.

The warranty offered by a manufacturer on a new car is an indication of how confident they are that you will have trouble-free driving during the warranty period. There are a couple of car companies that now offer warranties of five years or more which really does show confidence in the product. None of the aforementioned types of warranties need to be paid for; they are already included in the package. They generally cover major parts, but they do not cover items that are subject to usual wear and tear during driving, such as tires.

Warranties offered on new cars are generally very good and you can be certain that in the event of your car developing a problem, the matter will be dealt with quickly and efficiently; in many cases you will get a replacement car while the car is repaired. Additionally, you will usually find the warranty documents easy to understand and because the warranty covers so many items you will find that only the exclusions are listed.

However, extended warranty plans or vehicle service contracts, as they are often referred to need a lot more consideration. On face value they offer to cover your car after the car manufacturers warranty has expired, providing you peace of mind in the event of problems occurring.

You need to undertake research before choosing an extended warranty. Always choose a company that has been in the extended warranty business for many years. Remember, is not really any different than other insurance contracts you enter into; except that the likelihood of them getting a claim is higher than a regular insurance company.

Check out their claims handling procedures. Always get testimonials from satisfied customers. Make sure that you are not too limited as to where repairs can take place. It is usual for warranty companies to specify certain places where you can get you car repaired; they don't want you doing a deal with you garage friend down the road for example.

Importantly, make sure that you are not liable for having to pay for the repair up front and then get reimbursed by the warranty company later. You have no idea how much it may cost; and you may not have the money. Additionally, you don't know how long it will take for the company to reimburse you; or even if they will.

Check that the warranty covers parts and labor costs. Some warranties pay for the parts, but not the labor and you can be sure that the labor costs will far exceed the cost of the part.

Lastly, read the warranty document before you sign. Check all the small print, read the exclusions. Extended warranties can be expensive, so make sure you shop around and get the best deal, but always remember, you tend to get what you pay for, so a cheap warranty may mean you are not properly covered.

For more information about engines and other used auto parts, check out Woodfins.com. And you can click here for their selection of used transmissions.


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How To Minimize Distraction While Driving


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Frozen Windscreen Do's and Don'ts


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Thursday, 15 March 2012

Fixing Your Old Car Vs Buying a New One


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Extended Car Rental

If you need a car for an extended period, say between 1 month and 11 months, check out the market for extended car rentals. You are probably used to renting a car for a weekend or maybe a week, but you may not know that you can get a rental agreement from many companies for an extended period at preferential rates.

Before you decide about taking an extended rental period on a car, undertake plenty of research. You can do this entirely from the comfort of your own home by researching on line. All the rental companies have websites that provide full details about extended rental periods and if you need more information you can email or call them.

Extended rental periods mean you get some great discounts. There are several reasons why rental companies want you to take an extended rental. Firstly, the company gets a guarantee of continuous usage of its car; cars waiting in parking lots waiting to get rented cost rental companies money. Secondly, it cuts down on administration; they only have to complete one rental agreement for the entire period, rather that possibly hundreds for the same vehicle over the same time.

Lastly, it cuts down on their maintenance costs; a rental company has to clean the exterior and interior before every rental. It also has to do safety and mechanical checks before a car is rented. SO the savings to the rental company can be fairly high and this enables them to pass on some of the savings to you.

The great thing is you don't have to pay the total rental charge at the time of rental. You pay a down payment and then your credit or debit card is simply charged once a month for the rental. You also get all the benefits of a regular short rental; if the car gets a mechanical problem the rental company deliver you a replacement. If you have an accident, they just give you another car for the remaining rental period. You are fully insured, including breakdown cover so you have total piece of mind.

You will also find that as the rental is for an extended period, it's quite likely that you may want another driver to be included in the rental agreement. Most companies offer to add one additional qualified driver at no extra cost, so if you need a rest from driving, your partner takes over.

The amount of discounts varies, depending on the company you choose and can vary by location. However, you can expect to get discounts that increase the longer you choose to rent. For example, if you rent for 2 months you may get $25 discount which increases to $30 dollars in the 3rd month and may even go as high as $75 to $100 from the fourth and every subsequent month.

If you've never considered long-term rental, or didn't know it even existed, check it out; it may just be a solution to your car problems for a while.

For more information about engines and other used auto parts, check out Woodfins.com. And you can click here for their selection of used engines.


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Essential Information on Car Insurance in Alaska


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Saving Money on Car Insurance Tips


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Auto Insurance Claim List


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2012 Honda Insight

Honda is one of the largest vehicle manufacturers in the world with dealerships and plants in several countries. Honda is based in Japan but the cars are made in a number of different places including in the United States. Honda is known for fuel efficiency, reliability, affordable vehicles and their line of hybrid vehicles. They have a range of vehicles including compact cars, full size vehicles, SUV's, crossovers and more.

Honda is set to release an updated version of the popular Honda Insight with a number of improvements from previous models. First the new Insight is going to get 44 mpg on the freeway, which is a mile more than the last model. The style and look have been upgraded as well with a new grill and a more aerodynamic frame. The interior has been changed as well, with higher quality materials and a more sophisticated look.

Where the Insight came from Honda first introduced the Insight in 2005 and the goal was to compete with the popular Prius Hybrid. Originally they wanted to sell 70,000 cars, but they actually only sold 20,000, a big disappointment at the time. While there is debate as to the reasons, despite the Insight being significantly less expensive than the Prius, the Prius got 53 mpg while the 2005 Insight got 41 mpg.

Instead of giving up on the Insight Honda remodeled and re-released their hybrid in 2009. They decided to focus on giving their hybrid more speed, better handling and to make it feel less like a hybrid and more like other non-hybrids in their line of vehicles.

The newer Insight was on par with the Prius, surpassing it in all but mpg many critics agreed, plus the Insight was significantly less expensive. To make sure Prius wasn't muscled out of the market they began a price war. Prius lowered their price to only $1,500 more than the Insight. Insight soon lowered their price again to only $18,200 which was $4,600 less than the Prius.

The 2012 model will have even more improvements, a better interior, more miles per gallon, a more powerful and faster engine, an updated sleek look, and the 2012 will only cost $18,350, only $150 more than the previous model.

What is in store for the Honda Insight? The new Insight is expected to be very successful. Honda is committed to making sure each new generation of vehicle surpasses the last while ensuring prices stay down. If the 2012 Honda Insight does as well as expected it is likely you will see more Insights in the future.

Benefits of the Honda Insight It is one of the few truly reliable and affordable hybrids on the market. Along with great gas mileage it offers drivers an exciting driving experience and has all of the reliability of a Honda.

Honda City is your local Honda dealer long island in Levittown NY. We have been serving the Long Island area for years. We offer amazing deals on all of the amazing new and used Hondas you love. Come to us for service and maintenance as well.


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Wednesday, 14 March 2012

Car Insurance Tips For The Modern Driver


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The Evolution of Windshield Wiper Blades


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What Are Side Curtain Air Bags?

If you were alive and driving a vehicle just a couple of decades ago, the introduction of the air bag seemed like a silly thing. Really? A bag could save you from serious injury and not prevent more injury from its deployment? Actually, yes. And when the first airbags proved to be so successful, manufacturers and safety experts continued to investigate ways to expand airbags and make vehicles even safer in crashes. The result they came up with is side curtain air bags.

Side curtain airbags are exactly what they sound like. When the vehicle is in a crash, an air bag is deployed from each side of the vehicle to protect the driver and the passengers. The side air bag is deployed when the front and passenger side airbags are deployed.

Side air bags have shown significant decreases in injuries in people driving cars and mini-vans. So why aren't they included in all vehicles? Mostly because they aren't required to be yet. Adding them in also makes for more expense and some owners don't care about having side protection as long as they have it in the front. But they should because it could make a huge difference in the injuries received for everyone..

Side air curtain air bags protect the side and back of a driver and the passengers. The crash could be a head on collision, it could be a side impact crash or it could even be a rear-end job. The sudden deployment of the side airbag can prevent whiplash injuries, serious injuries to the side and even protect from glass and pieces coming in to the vehicle from the impact.

Side curtain airbags are becoming very important for smaller cars and convertibles that haven't traditionally had good safety records. But with stronger steel frames, front and side airbags, smaller cars are becoming just as safe as larger vehicles and mini-vans. Side curtain airbags are getting installed on more and more models of cars and may soon become a requirement for all cars if they continue to show such drastic decreases in injuries during accidents.

The side curtain airbags are deployed out of the side column where the seat belt is attached. The airbag is deployed when there is a side, rear or front end collision and the other airbags are deployed. The deployment is so sudden that even if it is a split second behind the initial airbags in the front, it is still enough to save a life in a violent crash. Most people would prefer to have the safety feature over saving a couple of hundred dollars on a new car that they have to pay for in the first place anyway.

Service Plus Automotive is a family owned business since 1991. We are focused on providing the best possible customer service experience when servicing or repairing a customers vehicle. We strongly believe in customer education and regularly show the customer what needs repairing. We are very involved in various community activities and believe in giving back to the community who has supported us for almost 20 years. For more information, go to http://serviceplusautony.com/


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2008 Chevy Tahoe - Built Tough

The 2008 Chevy Tahoe offers an excellent choice when it comes to used larger sized SUVs. Since Chevy changed the name from Blazer to Tahoe in 1995, this baby has remained a constant in its class.

Families looking for the power and comfort of a larger, truck based SUV Chevy has been a go-to in its category. This is because of its performance, comfort and safety.

First, let's take a look at its performance.

Although it is hard to tell by looking, it provides an element of aerodynamic with its body shape. This feature provides for a smooth quiet ride as well as better fuel economy.

The single transmission is a 4 speed automatic and has a V8 engine. The 2 wheel drive is carrying 295 horsepower and 305 pounds of torque. The 4 wheel drive comes with 320 horsepower and 340 pounds per foot of torque; this vehicle is able to tow almost any toy the owner wants to haul, up to 8200 pounds in fact.

If it fits into your price range the used 2008 Chevy Tahoe with its top of the line model, the LTZ package sports 20 inch alloy wheels, power lift gate, rain-sensing windshield wipers, locking rear differential, power operated second row seats, third row seating and rear end air suspension.

After performance comes comfort.

The souped-up model LTZ comes with heated front and rear seats to keep your back end toasty during long winter trips.

The front split bucket seats share a console; it has 2 rear seats that comfortably seat up to 9 passengers. This makes the 2008 Chevy Tahoe stick out among the rest of its contenders in its field.

All materials are high quality and controls are easy to use. Even the navigation system will be a breeze to operate.

You will find a rearview camera and a DVD system for the rear end passengers. Both these features are definitely family friendly.

Additional high tech items for increased comfort include satellite radio, On Star telematics, dual zone climate control, full power accessories, a trip computer and an MP3 capable CD player.

Now that you know that the 2008 Chevy Tahoe is a great running vehicle as well as providing comfort for all its passengers, let's take a look at its safety rating.

Stability control, antilock disc brakes and full length side curtain airbags (with rollover sensors) come standard on all the Tahoe models.

According to the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration, the 2008 Chevy Tahoe receives 5 star markings in frontal impact testing for both the driver and the passenger.

Consider the 2008 Chevy Tahoe if you are in the market for a used larger sized SUV. You may find that it satisfies all your needs from performance to safety for you and your family.

Do you want to learn more about the Art and Zen on how to save money on your next vehicle and get the best terms?

If so, I suggest you check this out: This Boise Used Car Dealer Caught The Competition Napping

Or maybe you don't believe there is a better way to purchasing a car and you truly believe that all used car dealers are the same!

If so, then check this out: The Big Question?


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