All posts in Auto Buying Tips

Auto Upgrade: 7 Signs You Should Trade in Your Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/08/19 in Auto Trades with Comments Off on Auto Upgrade: 7 Signs You Should Trade in Your Car

Although you may have experienced many great memories in your vehicle, a new ride may prove to be a worthy upgrade. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication in order to keep a high-mileage vehicle running. Here are seven signs you should trade in your car.

A Lack of Safety Features

Over the past few years, automakers have introduced a long list high-tech safety features. If you have a family, it is especially important to seek out the newest safety innovations. Studies have shown that components such as a rear-view camera can be extremely effective. Some of the other popular safety enhancements include blind-spot monitoring and LED daytime running lights.

Your Vehicle Breaks Down Regularly

To no surprise, older vehicles tend to break down more often. Aside from the frustration of being stranded along the highway, you are also forced to spend extra money. The cost to replace a broken timing belt can be hundreds of dollars.

Your Gas Mileage Has Decreased

Fuel efficiency is a big factor for the drivers who commute on a daily basis. If your gas mileage has plummeted, it may be time to part ways with your vehicle. Today’s late-model cars are tuned to deliver superior fuel economy. For instance, Jack Burford Chevrolet has several new vehicles that deliver over 30 mpg.

Cost Too Much Money to Restore

While restoring your old vehicle is an option, you must be prepared to spend a lot of cash. A high-quality paint job can exceed $2,000. Meanwhile, a new engine may cost more than the car is actually worth.

Important Components Fail to Work

After thousands of miles of being on the road, it is not uncommon for components such as the air conditioner to stop working. This can make driving your vehicle a very uncomfortable experience. Children will certainly grow tired of riding in a hot vehicle.

You Are Embarrassed to Drive It

If your vehicle has reached the point of being embarrassing, seriously consider trading it. You deserve to drive a vehicle that has a pleasing appearance.

Your Family Has Outgrown the Vehicle

Nothing is more stressful than driving a cramped vehicle. Passenger room is clearly a major concern for families. Although a small coupe may be stylish, it is not designed to accommodate multiple passengers.

Take the time to analyze the overall condition of your vehicle. If your car is barely holding itself together, it’s time to go shopping for a new ride.

Why You Should Buy a Dodge Ram 1500

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/08/17 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off on Why You Should Buy a Dodge Ram 1500

The iconic Dodge Ram 1500 is a full size American pickup truck named as Motor Trend magazine’s truck of the year fives times and ranks second among U.S. News list for the best full size pickup trucks in 2014. On the forecourt, it is a popular vehicle to purchase among pickup truck enthusiasts.

The Dodge Ram 1500 is a work truck at heart with a leather lined luxury interior, offering a smooth ride, comfortable seats and ample storage space. It consists of a 305 horsepower 3.6 litre V6 as standard but upgrades to a 395 horsepower 5.7 litre Hemi V8 or 3.0 litre turbodiesel V6 making 240 horsepower are optional. This can be teamed up with an eight speed automatic gearbox and either standard ear or optional four wheel drive.

Dodge can equip your pickup truck with one of their named packages, for instance the Big Horn. This package consists of a Class IV trailer hatch, an electric shift transfer case, fog lamps, bright exhaust tips, a power driver’s seat, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, a folding rear seat and a 115V AC outlet, ideal for charging up devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops on the go.

As for entertainment, Chrysler’s Uconnect entertainment system can be installed which comes with an 8.4” screen, AM/FM/Sirius XM (where available) radio with Bluetooth, USB, SD and auxiliary inputs.

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Car Crazy: How to Choose the Best Features for Your Family

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/08/10 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off on Car Crazy: How to Choose the Best Features for Your Family

Providing for a family is what any parent is supposed to do, but you can only get the best if you know what you’re looking for. This is why it is important to learn as much as you can about products, sales, and budgeting when you buy. This can be applied to everything, including the purchase of your next family car. There are a few other things you should look for while searching for your new car, and the following are some features that you might want to add to the list.

Backup Camera

One of the most important features to have in a modern car is a fully active and all-encompassing backup camera. Sure, this feature is usually sold as a tool to help you park or ensure that you do not backup into another car, but it means more to a growing family. Accidents involving children and a vehicle backing out of a driveway are reported each year. You do not want to become a part of that statistic, which is what makes the backup camera imperative. The reverse-sensing system, or park assist system, should also be installed on your vehicle for easier parking. The reverse-sensing system helps detect objects that are six feet from the vehicle. Both of these systems are there to warn you if a child is behind you. Still, it is always best to just check before you start backing out of the driveway, and always drive slowly.

Shades on the Car Windows

The feature is not always on cars especially if the windows are tinted, but is a very important feature for children. You might not think about it, but the sun can be very damaging when exposed to it for long periods of time, especially for small infants. Check to see if the vehicle you are considering comes with this feature and take precautions like applying sunscreen when planning to take a long drive. Sunlight can lead to sun burns or heat exhaustion, not to mention put your child at risk of skin cancer. Tinted or shaded windows can also protect your children from the eyes of strangers outside the car. You can ask car dealerships in St. George Utah what other features they might recommend for families like kid-safe windows and automatic locks.

Third-Row Seating

Many vehicles come with third-row seating, but the quality and the position does matter. Third-row seating that is stationary doesn’t really give you much flexibility. You want the third row seating to be as flexible as possible to make it easy for your children to get in. This will also allow you to store big items when necessary. Some family-friendly cars come with a second-row seat that slides so the third-row seat is easily accessible and others allow you to tuck away the third-row seating on those days your children are not there and you need to pick up big items. 

Look for a Good LATCH System

A LATCH system refers to specially designed seats that come with lower anchors and attachments so that a parent can easily set up the child seat. Remember that the LATCH system is not universal and some cars are designed differently from others. It is a good idea to take your car seat with you to the car dealership to see if you can easily set up the car seat in the vehicle you are considering. Be sure to find out how easy is it to remove the car seat as well. You should not let anyone else set up the seat for you because you will be the one dealing with this.

Of course, you cannot forget to check for other basic family features, like the safety rating or how many airbags are in the car. See if there is an entertainment system installed that could help keep children calm while you drive. Hopefully this guide helps you determine the best features for your family.

The Advantages Of Buying A New Car Versus An Old One

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/07/19 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off on The Advantages Of Buying A New Car Versus An Old One

One of the most important decisions to make when buying a car is whether you want to purchase a brand new vehicle or a used one. Each type of vehicle has its own set of advantages and drawbacks, but buying a new car ultimately offers the best experience.

Customize

The primary reason to buy a new car is that you can customize it however you want. You can select the features that you want and eliminate optional features that are of no use to you and generally drive the price up significantly. You have a much larger selection of vehicles to choose from when you buy new and can get yours made to order with your preferred interior and exterior colors. When buying used, you might have to settle for something that you aren’t really a fan of or have to spend time surfing dealer’s websites and driving from one location to another on your search. It is time consuming and can be mentally exhausting.

Warranty

Another benefit to buying new is that you have an all-inclusive warranty that may cover anything that goes wrong for a specified time period. While used cars offer warranties, nothing compares to the one offered by the manufacturer to the original owner. These bumper-to-bumper warranties typically last anywhere from three years or 36,000 miles to five years or 60,000 miles, but you can also purchase extended warranties to give yourself better peace of mind.

Newest Technology

The latest features and technology are only available in newer vehicles. A vehicle even one year newer than another can have a completely different set of features that make both driving and riding in your car more enjoyable. It’s much easier to buy a vehicle with all the features such as a sound system, back up camera, remote start or navigational systems already installed so you can save yourself the hassle of putting them in yourself.

Safety

New cars also have the latest safety features to keep you and your passengers safe. Laws continue to get stricter as safety standards change, and older vehicles don’t meet the newer requirements. Features such as front and side air bags, brake assistance, blind spot monitoring, rear view cameras, stability control and automatic tire pressure monitoring that are now being installed in new vehicles help keep everyone safer.

Maintenance Costs

Maintenance costs are significantly low, if not free, when you buy a new car because many manufacturers include routine maintenance built into the price. It gives you a reason not to put off getting your vehicle serviced regularly since you’re not paying out of pocket for routine care. You aren’t going to need to replace tires, exhaust, and brakes or need a new battery for quite some time.

Financing

Financing rates for new cars tend to be lower than used cars because they’re worth more. The price of the vehicle might be more, but the bank has better collateral for the loan since a brand new car hasn’t depreciated in value.

Last but not least, newer vehicles have the technology to be more fuel efficient which makes them better for the environment and for your wallet with fluctuating gas prices. Buying a new car instead of a used car simply makes sense. Check out Findlay Auto to get started on finding your dream car with all the options you want.

Looking for Luxury? 4 Affordable Car Features to Look For

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/06/10 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off on Looking for Luxury? 4 Affordable Car Features to Look For

In the past, mainstream vehicles were primarily designed to safely get you from one destination to another. These days, car manufacturers continue to make more options available as people’s wants and needs change. Many people are now interested in purchasing tech-centric vehicles at an affordable price. If you’re in the market for a vehicle that has economical yet luxurious gadgets, be sure to consider the following in-car features.

Navigation System

Two-thirds of people under 25 years old cannot adequately read a map, and as technology advances, this trend seems unlikely to change. Most vehicles, even economy cars, now come with the option of a factory-installed navigation system. These devices are seamlessly mounted into the vehicle and provide more than just directions—they will also give you alternate routes, traffic reports and locations of nearby points of interest.

Adaptive Cruise Control

This advanced form of cruise control has previously been available only on high-end cars, but it is now offered as a standard or optional feature on vehicles from many different manufacturers. Adaptive cruise control uses a sensor to detect other cars and will automatically adjust your automobile’s speed, allowing you to maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead of you. The most basic systems will only operate above certain speeds, so they will not function in traffic jams. Prices continue to decrease, and it is now possible to purchase this option for less than $1,000.

Electronic Seat Adjustment

If multiple family members drive your vehicle, you know that repositioning the driver’s seat is an annoying necessity that wastes your time. When your car uses electronic adjustment, the system will change the height and angle of the seat. Additionally, it will reposition the exterior mirrors and steering column. Depending on its specifications, your system will be able to save two or more configurations.

Heated Steering Wheel

Touching an ice-cold steering wheel can make driving unpleasant. Wearing gloves can solve the problem, but you will then have difficulty operating the navigation system and pressing small buttons on the dashboard. This feature is an inconspicuous upgrade that will surely increase your comfort level.

Luxury features are no longer restricted to expensive vehicles, and many luxury brands offer entry-level models that are similar in price to mass-market cars. Investing in deluxe features will truly enhance your driving experience, so visit a car dealer like Quebedeaux Buick GMC to see the large number of luxury options that are available at affordable prices.

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