By: Andrew Dillan
If you are buying a used car, you probably want to save some
money. This means that you need to prioritize what is most
important to you in a car. This article will help you assess
your needs and your wants, so that you can find a car that suits
you perfectly.
Cost
Look at the cost of a car. There is no point in window shopping
at fully-loaded $40,000 trucks if you will only be able to
afford a $4,000 truck in the first place. When you are
establishing your budget for your car, be sure to account for
how much the insurance will likely be, how much gas you will be
spending (although this figure does change, it is best to go in
having at least an idea), and regular maintenance. To budget for
maintenance, you will need estimate the costs of 4 oil changes a
year, plus some extra money just in case. Used cars are, well,
used: they aren't new are generally not under warranty. If you
want a warranty, consider buying a used car from the dealership,
who can often offer warranties even on used vehicles.
Suitability
What kind of driving do you do? You probably don't need a
four-wheel drive behemoth of an SUV if you do mostly city
driving. Conversely, if you live on a gravel road, you might
feel more comfortable driving in winter if you have something
larger than a neon. For most drivers, the way that you drive a
car will mean that you are open to many options. However, if
this is a limiting factor, it is important to take into
consideration.
If you are a commuter, then you will have to take other factors
into consideration. You might not want to buy a car with a very
high mileage, because you will be adding the miles to that
odometer. You might want to find a car that has very comfortable
seats to make your ride go better. Things that could be less
important, like the stereo, become much more important when you
spend a lot of time in your car each day.
Look
Some people would rather have a car that looks good or
prestigious. It's okay to admit that you are one of those
people. For instance, for $3,500 you might be able to buy a 6
year old Honda civic; this same money could also buy you a much
older BMW. If you value appearances, don't lie to yourself when
you are shopping. You want to get a car that you will love, and
there's no point looking at Ford Focuses if the only thing that
will spark your delight is a Ford Mustang.
Load
How many people do you normally travel with? What is the most
number of people that you have taken in your current car at
once? If you don't already have a car, estimate the number of
people you will have with you on a regular basis. If you only
drive around 7 people during the hockey tournament once a year,
you can probably skip buying a minivan. However, if you normally
drive three people around, it might be a pain to get a two door
vehicle. For truck drivers, you will want to consider the amount
of load that you generally put in the back of your truck to help
you judge your purchase.
Your Loan
Not only do you want to get the right car, you want to get the
right car loan. It is wiser to have your financing lined up
before you go to a dealership. You can set up used car loans at
any bank: but one often overlooked type of used car loan is to
go to a credit union, where you can generally get lower interest
than at a major bank. For more information on loans, (and we
won't even try to sell you a loan!) visit
www.theguideto-carloans.com.
In the End
You will be the one driving. Make the decisions based on your
needs and what you feel is right. Though it is great to get lots
of advice (and sometimes it helps to take someone savvy about
mechanics along with you to check out the car), considering
these facts will help make you capable of choosing the right car.
Andrew Dillan is the editor of The Guide
to Car Loans. He is an automotive enthusiast, who currently
drives a used car of his own. Find out about how to finance your
car, boat, motorcycle, or RV from his information-only site;
we're not going to sell you loans, just help you ask the right
questions when you go to get a loan.
About the author:
Andrew Dillan is the editor of The Guide
to Car Loans. He is an automotive enthusiast, who currently
drives a used car of his own. Find out about how to finance your
car, boat, motorcycle, or RV from his information-only site;
we're not going to sell you loans, just help you ask the right
questions when you go to get a loan.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Friday, October 27, 2006
Top five trucks for gas mileage
By: Rich Marsiglia
A few years ago, people would scoff at you if you told them that
you were looking for trucks with the best gas mileage. But, as
truck sales began to slip downwards, manufacturers started
giving due importance to this factor. Today, there has been a
dramatic change in the scenario.
The rising costs of gas, has propelled potential truck buyers to
go for trucks that can meet their gas mileage demands. Truck
makers have now taken firm steps to improve the fuel economy of
their makes at all levels.
Usually the ranking of the top five trucks based on gas mileage
is founded on a combination factors. The prime parameters are
the fuel economy rating given by EPA, the transmission of the
vehicle, and its inherent popularity amongst car buyers. The
formula for calculation for most gas mileage rankings is a
combination of the city mpg rating, which forms 55 percent of
criterion, and the highway mpg rating that completes the
remaining criteria.
It is really very difficult to bring forth a list that
enumerates the top 5 trucks on the basis of fuel efficiency. Not
one, not two, but three trucks hold the first rank. This spot is
shared by the 2006 Ford Ranger one of the premier trucks that
are out in the market today. Ford has made it a point to come
out with trucks that offer the best gas mileage. This is why
most of their newer models find a place on the best gas mileage
list year after year.
However, all the trucks, which feature in the list, have the
same engine; the 2006 Ford Ranger is a supremely refined version
of its older model that came out in 2005. It has the better
off-road capability then other trucks in the rankings and is one
of the best alternatives in your search for a truck giving you
the best gas mileage.
The completely redesigned 2006 Toyota Tacoma comes next in the
list. The Toyota Tacoma is one of the roomier trucks available
in the market and its looks are an epitome of sophistication.
The only disadvantage of the 2006 Toyota Tacoma is its price
tag. It is more expensive then the others.
If you are looking for something on the cheaper side then the
2006 Mazda B-series is the truck that you must go for. A
fuel-efficient truck delivers on its promise. It is called in
some circles as the bargain pickup truck. Don't expect styling
and comfort but you do get an unashamed practicality with this
vehicle.
The Toyota Tundra is the next in line of your picks. It comes
with 4.0 liter V6 engine that is geared to give you competitive
gas mileage. The truck gives you a mileage of 20 /mpg on the
highway and a 16/mpg when you drive in the city.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 comes a close fifth in the
rankings. It comes with a mild hybrid engine that enables the
electric motor to keep the vehicles running when idle so the gas
engine can be shut off.
Description: When looking for trucks with great gas mileage, the
list can be pretty large. You will have a wide variety to choose
from. Select the one that best suits your requirement. This
article lists out the top five!
About the author:
Author Rich Marsiglia, ATM
Restyle Truck Accessories Tonneau Covers Nerf Bars.
A few years ago, people would scoff at you if you told them that
you were looking for trucks with the best gas mileage. But, as
truck sales began to slip downwards, manufacturers started
giving due importance to this factor. Today, there has been a
dramatic change in the scenario.
The rising costs of gas, has propelled potential truck buyers to
go for trucks that can meet their gas mileage demands. Truck
makers have now taken firm steps to improve the fuel economy of
their makes at all levels.
Usually the ranking of the top five trucks based on gas mileage
is founded on a combination factors. The prime parameters are
the fuel economy rating given by EPA, the transmission of the
vehicle, and its inherent popularity amongst car buyers. The
formula for calculation for most gas mileage rankings is a
combination of the city mpg rating, which forms 55 percent of
criterion, and the highway mpg rating that completes the
remaining criteria.
It is really very difficult to bring forth a list that
enumerates the top 5 trucks on the basis of fuel efficiency. Not
one, not two, but three trucks hold the first rank. This spot is
shared by the 2006 Ford Ranger one of the premier trucks that
are out in the market today. Ford has made it a point to come
out with trucks that offer the best gas mileage. This is why
most of their newer models find a place on the best gas mileage
list year after year.
However, all the trucks, which feature in the list, have the
same engine; the 2006 Ford Ranger is a supremely refined version
of its older model that came out in 2005. It has the better
off-road capability then other trucks in the rankings and is one
of the best alternatives in your search for a truck giving you
the best gas mileage.
The completely redesigned 2006 Toyota Tacoma comes next in the
list. The Toyota Tacoma is one of the roomier trucks available
in the market and its looks are an epitome of sophistication.
The only disadvantage of the 2006 Toyota Tacoma is its price
tag. It is more expensive then the others.
If you are looking for something on the cheaper side then the
2006 Mazda B-series is the truck that you must go for. A
fuel-efficient truck delivers on its promise. It is called in
some circles as the bargain pickup truck. Don't expect styling
and comfort but you do get an unashamed practicality with this
vehicle.
The Toyota Tundra is the next in line of your picks. It comes
with 4.0 liter V6 engine that is geared to give you competitive
gas mileage. The truck gives you a mileage of 20 /mpg on the
highway and a 16/mpg when you drive in the city.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 comes a close fifth in the
rankings. It comes with a mild hybrid engine that enables the
electric motor to keep the vehicles running when idle so the gas
engine can be shut off.
Description: When looking for trucks with great gas mileage, the
list can be pretty large. You will have a wide variety to choose
from. Select the one that best suits your requirement. This
article lists out the top five!
About the author:
Author Rich Marsiglia, ATM
Restyle Truck Accessories Tonneau Covers Nerf Bars.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Fuel Efficiency: Top Priority For Honda Civic
By: Jennifer Dylan
The demand for more fuel efficient vehicles has surely gone up.
Compared to previous years, the demand is much higher these days
perhaps because of the high fuel prices. And it looks like the
Honda Motor Corporation is set out on providing the market with
the right vehicle that would fill in the void.
What Honda will be doing would be actually to make sure that
their factories, plants, and other facilities would be able to
fill up the demand. The company would be making sure that their
facilities would have an increase in production so much so that
the production of those plants in North America could now start
producing up to 60,000 units of Honda Civic models per year.
These Honda Civic units would be those that are fuel efficient
and would hold engines with four cylinders to better facilitate
fuel efficiency. However, it is also important to note that
these plants would still be producing other Honda vehicles and
other parts
Honda with that.
The key parts of this plan of Honda would include that by the
February 2007, the company's production facility in Canada that
produces the Honda Pilot would then be transferring its share of
load to the Alabama plant. Such a mode would actually make the
Alabama plant create more vehicles. Then come April next year,
the Honda Civic sedan models would then be produced in the plant
in Alliston, Ontario, Canada. Since 1998, the plant has only
been creating light truck vehicles. However, this time, the
company has decided that this plant would be the best facility
wherein they would be able to produce more units of the popular
vehicle.
As per these plans, the company's executive vice president for
their American arm, does say, "We have been challenged to keep
up with record customer demand for our lineup of fuel efficient
cars and trucks. Our flexible production system is a wonderful
tool that enables Honda to better meet the demand of our
customers and dealers in an efficient and timely way."
At present, the Honda Civic units are built in two plants in
North America. One is the East Liberty plant while the other one
is the Alliston Plant.
About the author:
Jennifer Dylan is a 35-year-old gal who hails from San
Francisco. She has a habit of updating herself on new car trends
and models. She spends most of her time reading up on cars and
hopes to test drive them. She works for one of the topnotch car
parts dealer in the U.S.
The demand for more fuel efficient vehicles has surely gone up.
Compared to previous years, the demand is much higher these days
perhaps because of the high fuel prices. And it looks like the
Honda Motor Corporation is set out on providing the market with
the right vehicle that would fill in the void.
What Honda will be doing would be actually to make sure that
their factories, plants, and other facilities would be able to
fill up the demand. The company would be making sure that their
facilities would have an increase in production so much so that
the production of those plants in North America could now start
producing up to 60,000 units of Honda Civic models per year.
These Honda Civic units would be those that are fuel efficient
and would hold engines with four cylinders to better facilitate
fuel efficiency. However, it is also important to note that
these plants would still be producing other Honda vehicles and
other parts
Honda with that.
The key parts of this plan of Honda would include that by the
February 2007, the company's production facility in Canada that
produces the Honda Pilot would then be transferring its share of
load to the Alabama plant. Such a mode would actually make the
Alabama plant create more vehicles. Then come April next year,
the Honda Civic sedan models would then be produced in the plant
in Alliston, Ontario, Canada. Since 1998, the plant has only
been creating light truck vehicles. However, this time, the
company has decided that this plant would be the best facility
wherein they would be able to produce more units of the popular
vehicle.
As per these plans, the company's executive vice president for
their American arm, does say, "We have been challenged to keep
up with record customer demand for our lineup of fuel efficient
cars and trucks. Our flexible production system is a wonderful
tool that enables Honda to better meet the demand of our
customers and dealers in an efficient and timely way."
At present, the Honda Civic units are built in two plants in
North America. One is the East Liberty plant while the other one
is the Alliston Plant.
About the author:
Jennifer Dylan is a 35-year-old gal who hails from San
Francisco. She has a habit of updating herself on new car trends
and models. She spends most of her time reading up on cars and
hopes to test drive them. She works for one of the topnotch car
parts dealer in the U.S.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Will Toyota Dethrone GM?
By: Mark Clarkson
Toyota Motor Corp. has dethroned Ford Motor Co. as the second
largest automaker around the globe. Now that it is already in
the top two positions, critics are saying that Toyota is eyeing
the top position and is planning ways to overthrow General
Motors Corp. In addition to this, the company has announced its
ambitious plan to produce 9.2 million vehicles worldwide in the
year 2008.
The soaring oil prices have been a blessing in disguise for the
corporation since more drivers turn to fuel-efficient cars. This
has made Toyota Camry, Corolla and Prius hybrid a success.
Further, due to high demands of said vehicles, Toy
ota Prius parts as well as that of Camry and Corolla, also
make good in the market. GM and Ford, on the other hand, have
relied on their sales for larger vehicles. Furthermore, the
shift of consumers to small cars made a devastating drop in
sales figures.
In the year 2005, Toyota has sold 8.13 million vehicles
worldwide. This year it is expected to sell a total of 8.85
million vehicles. According to Shotaro Noguchi, auto analyst
with Mitsubishi UFJ Securities Co. in Tokyo, "American
automakers are in trouble because their products aren't
selling." He added that the main challenge is to keep
profitability up. "It's a positive and aggressive plan," he said.
Katsuaki Watanabe, Toyota's president, declined to give any
statement on the vehicle production for 2008. However, the
president noted, ""We are aiming for steady growth through
strengthening all our operations."
With these growing sales figures in favor of Toyota, GM through
its spokesperson John McDonald said, "We respect our competition
around the world, and were realistic about our challenges and
opportunities. We know we have to earn the right to maintain our
global sales leadership, and were doing that day after day."
Toyota's profit has increased by 39 percent amounting to $3.1
billion in its first fiscal year. On the contrary, GM has lost
$3.4 billion in the April-June period.
About the author:
Toyota Parts Online
Toy
ota Prius parts
Mark Clarkson is a 35 year old marketing consultant for a
leading auto parts store. This native of Denver is also an
offroad enthusiast.
Toyota Motor Corp. has dethroned Ford Motor Co. as the second
largest automaker around the globe. Now that it is already in
the top two positions, critics are saying that Toyota is eyeing
the top position and is planning ways to overthrow General
Motors Corp. In addition to this, the company has announced its
ambitious plan to produce 9.2 million vehicles worldwide in the
year 2008.
The soaring oil prices have been a blessing in disguise for the
corporation since more drivers turn to fuel-efficient cars. This
has made Toyota Camry, Corolla and Prius hybrid a success.
Further, due to high demands of said vehicles, Toy
ota Prius parts as well as that of Camry and Corolla, also
make good in the market. GM and Ford, on the other hand, have
relied on their sales for larger vehicles. Furthermore, the
shift of consumers to small cars made a devastating drop in
sales figures.
In the year 2005, Toyota has sold 8.13 million vehicles
worldwide. This year it is expected to sell a total of 8.85
million vehicles. According to Shotaro Noguchi, auto analyst
with Mitsubishi UFJ Securities Co. in Tokyo, "American
automakers are in trouble because their products aren't
selling." He added that the main challenge is to keep
profitability up. "It's a positive and aggressive plan," he said.
Katsuaki Watanabe, Toyota's president, declined to give any
statement on the vehicle production for 2008. However, the
president noted, ""We are aiming for steady growth through
strengthening all our operations."
With these growing sales figures in favor of Toyota, GM through
its spokesperson John McDonald said, "We respect our competition
around the world, and were realistic about our challenges and
opportunities. We know we have to earn the right to maintain our
global sales leadership, and were doing that day after day."
Toyota's profit has increased by 39 percent amounting to $3.1
billion in its first fiscal year. On the contrary, GM has lost
$3.4 billion in the April-June period.
About the author:
Toyota Parts Online
Toy
ota Prius parts
Mark Clarkson is a 35 year old marketing consultant for a
leading auto parts store. This native of Denver is also an
offroad enthusiast.
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