All posts in Auto Buying Tips

Five Things to Consider When Buying Your Family Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/03/11 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

For most people, purchasing a vehicle is one of their most important financial investments. If you have children, purchasing a family-friendly vehicle should remain a top priority. Due to the fact that not every family is the same, it is very important to choose the best vehicle that suits the needs of your household. Here are five things to consider when buying your family car.

Cost

Family sedans range in cost from $14,000 to upwards of $100,000 or more. Ideally, the expense of owning the vehicle should not exceed 20 percent of your monthly income. Although the price tag on a particular vehicle may be seem affordable, it is very important to factor in all of the other costs associated with car ownership. Some of the additional costs include fuel, insurance, maintenance, and taxes.

Size

Family vehicles vary greatly in size. If you choose to purchase a small family sedan, make sure that your children will not outgrow the rear seating anytime soon. Do not forget to also consider the total cargo capacity. Items such as strollers and sporting equipment can take up a great deal of space. Some sedans actually have more interior room than a SUV.

Extra features

Although creature comforts add to the total cost of a vehicle, they may prove to be very valuable in the long run. The children will certainly benefit from features such as a built-in entertainment system and rear-seat air conditioning. A USB port will come in handy for hooking up various electronic devices. Some of the available safety features include blind-spot monitoring, a rear-view camera, and lane departure warning.

Fuel efficiency

Most big, powerful SUVs usually have a relatively poor fuel economy rating. There are several family vehicles on the market that deliver over 30 miles-per-gallon on the highway. Diesel-powered cars and hybrid vehicles usually get better fuel mileage than a traditional gas engine.

Safety rating

While some vehicles are very safe, there are others that have distinct weak points. Before selecting a new ride, always check the safety data that is collected by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Purchasing vehicles that have been nominated as a “Top Safety Pick” will give you an extra sense of security.

Although a racy sports car may sound exciting, it will never make the best family vehicle. If you use sound judgment, you will be able to find the perfect ride for your household to enjoy.

Information credit to Diamond Honda of Puente Hills, a Los Angeles used car dealerships

Image source: By imagerymajestic, at www.freedigitalphotos.net

Ticket to Ride: 5 Ferociously Fast Cars for Under 35,000

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/03/05 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

Fast cars and affordable prices are a tough combination to find. However, as technology advances in automotive engineering, more cars are being made not only faster but cheaper. Not only are cars getting more affordable and faster; but they are becoming more and more stylish. When you are in the market for a ferociously fast car for less than $35,000 there are plenty of great models from which to choose.

Ford Mustang

The All-American classic, the Ford Mustang can often be purchased for just over $30,000. Redesigned to showcase a sleek, powerful body and a 5.0 liter V-8 engine, a driver can use the 6-speed manual transmission to go from 0-60 in less than five seconds. The 5.0 also has a compression ratio of 11:1 and cylinder heads designed to enhance airflow. Every part under the hood, including the high-energy coil- on, plug design, is designed to work in harmony. This lets the muscular engine breathe efficiently and deliver 100 percent exhilaration every time you hit the gas.

Subaru Impreza

When thinking of fast cars, Subaru is not usually the car that comes to mind. However, the company has recently put a greater emphasis on speed and power with many of its models, and the Impreza is definitely impressive. With a sticker price of just under $32,000 a buyer can get lots of power for their buck. The 2.5 liter 4-cylinder turbo engine can go from 0-60 in 5.2 seconds, more than fast enough to impress anyone.

Chevrolet Camaro

Another power car from days gone by, the Camaro has been redesigned by Chevrolet to provide a sleek, aerodynamic body that is built for speed. New styling cues add to its aggressive appearance and performance. This is not your father’s Camaro. This Camaro features an updated design that is a guaranteed head turner. The V-6 engine can go from 0-60 in just under six seconds, making it very fast for the money.

Mazda6 Grand Touring

Another of Mazda’s vehicles built for speed and reliability, the Mazda6 Grand Touring is a bargain at just over $29,000. With a 3.7 liter V-6 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission, a driver can go from 0-60 in 6.4 seconds. As with many Mazda vehicles, the Grand Touring is becoming a popular choice of young professionals seeking a reliable car that still gives them a feeling of power under the hood and behind the wheel.

Honda Accord Coupe EX-L

Another company known more for reliable cars than fast ones, Honda joins the ranks of fast, affordable cars with its Accord Coupe EX-L. With a 3.5 liter V-6 engine, it reaches 60 miles per hour in 6.3 seconds. Complete with a 6-speed manual transmission and dynamic blend of aerodynamics, it sells for $31,450 to those wanting style and speed.

For anyone who is on a tight budget and still wants to buy a car that gets them around town with lots of power under the hood, any of these five vehicles can get the job done.

Author Bio
Karleia is a freelance blogger. She recommends a quality dealership like Sawyers Chevrolet, if you are searching for an affordable, but fast new car.

Five Reasons to Fall In Love with a Hatchback

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/03/03 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

Image Source

In the United States, the most common type of car seems to be the sedan. However, you will come across plenty of people that swear by hatchbacks. Hatchbacks are continuing to gain a lot more traction in the United States. Why is that the case? Here are five reasons why you should also fall in love with the hatchback.

5. Practicality

Hatchbacks are known for their practicality. The rear seats can be folded down and this allows for a lot more cargo space than a sedan. For people that have families but don’t want to deal with the mileage costs of an SUV, hatchbacks are becoming very practical choices. Despite their relatively compact size, they have a tendency to offer a lot of space on the inside. For example, the Mazda 3 offers a whopping 43 cubic feet of cargo room. This is comparable to SUVs that take up more space and don’t get as good gas mileage.

4. Size

Generally speaking, hatchbacks are more compact than sedans and small SUVs. Since a hatchback doesn’t have an actual "trunk," it’s a lot easier to maneuver in and out of traffic and to squeeze into small parking spaces. As mentioned before, these cars still have plenty of space on the inside. Therefore, you are getting a smaller car without compromising too much when it comes to space on the inside.

3. Style

Sedans have gotten fairly run of the mill. You’ve seen one Honda Accord, you’ve seen them all. Frankly, sedans are boring cars. Hatchbacks are gaining a lot of popularity because they are stylish. Some of the most fashionable cars on the market are offered only in hatchback form: Scion xB, Nissan Cube, Kia Soul, and many others.

2. Versatility

One huge draw when it comes to buying a hatchback is how versatile they can be. For those that want a spacious hatchback for the family, they can get a Mazda 3. For those that want a compact and sporty hatchback, they can get a Honda Fit. For those that just want something completely different, they can get a Nissan Cube. No matter what you’re looking for in a car, there is a hatchback that will fulfill that need.

1. Gas Mileage

As gas prices continue to go up, having decent gas mileage has become a very important criteria for those buying new cars. The rear door of a hatchback tends to give them a wedge shape; this makes hatchbacks more aerodynamic and get better gas mileage. This is the reason why a lot of hybrids are also hatchbacks.

All in all, a hatchback can be an amazing choice no matter what you’re looking for. They combine style and practicality better than just about every other type of car out there.

About the author: A recent college graduate from University of San Francisco, Anica loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here. This article was cowritten by the automotive experts at www.overlandparkmazdacx5.com.

Five Things You Need To Know Before You Purchase Your Next Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/02/17 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

There are very few things that cost as much as a car and with the economic pressures it is vital that you do your research and make the best financial decision when you make your purchase. You will need something that is reliable, affordable and serve all of your traveling purposes. Look at these four tips before you make a final decision.

Interest Rates

When you decide you need a new car there will be several different financial options you can make. You can either pay all costs up front and buy a used car. You can lease your new car or take a loan out and purchase it. When you talk to a bank or car dealership, make sure you take a look at the interest rates that come along with your purchase. Finding an affordable rate will make a huge difference in the payments that you make. Make sure you are getting a competitive rate and one that will work with your finances.

Reliability

It is important to do your research on the different types of vehicles. There are certain manufacturing reputations that you should be aware of when you are considering which car is for you. Research how many miles you can expect, what problems you will run into and what type of warranty will come with your purchase. Finding the right combination will lead you to the purchase that works best for you.

Additional Costs

Buying a car is not the end of your spending. You should also calculate the registration, insurance coverage and your monthly gas expenditures that you can expect. If you decide to have car payments make sure you add up everything else and determine if you can ultimately afford the car that you picked out. Once you have a final number that it will cost each month, you will be able to decide if it is worth it.

Insurance

Depending on what finance option you have chosen, that may determine what insurance coverage you may need. If you have a loan or a lease on the car you may be required by the banks policy to get full coverage insurance. If you bought the car outright you could get away with liability insurance. Talk to your insurance agent to decide what best fits your situation.

Maintenance

Each vehicle will have different maintenance requirements after you are done. There are different maintenance costs at certain checkpoints. The maintenance costs at certain mileage destinations, this is more important for used cars. The maintenance requirements will vary between cars and it will be worth it to do your research.

Buying a car is an exciting time in your life. Make sure that you do the research necessary to make the best decision for your situation and have fun in the process. Understanding what to look forward to financially will help you in the long run and make your purchase even more enjoyable.

Author Bio: Hannah Whittenly is a freelance writer from Sacramento, California. A mother of two, Hannah enjoys writing on blogs of all niches. If you run into any problems after your next car purchase make sure you contact the Law Offices of Jon Jacobs and get the help you need.

Image credit: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Other_g374-Man_In_Car_Showing_Key_p77124.html

Three Decisions You Need to Make Before Going to the Car Dealership

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/02/12 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

When you have decided to buy a brand new car from one of the many dealerships in your city, it can be a very exciting time. People are often anxious to run out and find the car of their dreams right away. However, it is important to slow down and secure a few things in your mind before visiting the actual dealership. Having some facts and figures in mind before meeting the first salesman can allow you to get better deals, be happier with your purchase over time, and lessen the actual amount of time that you spend on the lot.

Understand What You Want

Dealers make it their business to try to meet the needs of their customers while simultaneously making the most profit possible for their dealership. Many times this practice leads to a dealer attempting to “up-sale” the customer to a larger vehicle, better trim, or a newer model. In order to take this kind of worry out of the picture, buyers should have a definite idea of the make and model of vehicle that they want. Coming into the situation with this idea in mind makes it easy to avoid temptations presented by the salesman. Even if you can’t settle on one specific type of vehicle, at least outline concrete needs that you have from your vehicle that include items such as cargo space, fuel efficiency, and numbers of passengers.

Look at the Numbers in Advance

It is a very bad idea to walk onto a lot without any idea of what kind of cost should be associated with the vehicle you want. Shopping around beforehand in order to understand the kind of price range you should see on the vehicle gives you some leverage when dealing with salesman in addition to providing you with protection against dealers attempting to gouge the price. According to experts at Mazda dealers in Kansas City like Premier Mazda, research the MSRP value on top of getting some round figures that reflect what the final cost should be after taxes and other fees. Decide on a price range and stick to your decision.

Make Your Own Decisions about When to Buy

Smart shoppers will avoid buying a vehicle on the first visit. Use this time to get a feel for the car you want, and gather some information from the dealership about what they can offer you. With this information in hand, you can do further comparisons and research. Schedule an actual appointment with a sales manager when you are ready to buy. These two actions let the dealer know that you are serious and will not be pushed around when it comes to closing the deal.