All posts in Uncategorized

What To Get? A Preowned Car vs. A New Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/03/04 in Uncategorized with Comments Off

Finding your next vehicle is often a difficult, time-consuming process. Not only is purchasing a car, truck, minivan, or SUV a major investment, it is a decision that you’ll experience the consequences of each day. Ultimately, making a decision you’re happy with will require plenty of research and consideration of your family’s transportation needs. One of the first – and also most challenging – is whether to get a new car or a pre-owned car. Which type of vehicle is better for you depends on a variety of factors.

Preowned Car

Purchase Price

The primary advantage of a preowned car tends to be the price; cars with more miles on them tend to be less expensive. Thus, even a relatively recently released model may have a dramatically lower price than you’d expect to pay for it new. So if you’re looking for a fully-loaded car but don’t want to make a massive investment, a preowned vehicle can allow you to have the best of both worlds.

Reliability

Preowned cars also tend to be reliable, despite having been used. Depending upon how old the preowned vehicle is, it may have already had damaged parts replaced. In addition, you are less likely to have a preowned car recalled due to defective parts – such recalls tend to occur soon after models are released. It is always important to have a preowned vehicle inspected before buying it, and going to a dealer with an on-site service center, such as Mazda 3 in Overland Park, provides both peace of mind and convenience.

Availability

With a new car, a dealership may have a limited supply and you may have to custom-order models with certain features or your favorite color. With preowned cars, what you see is what you get and it is available on the spot.

New Car

Quality

There is nothing quite like a new car, from the new car smell to the guarantee that everything is in prime working condition. Investing in a new car and being the vehicle’s first owner means you can likely expect to avoid having maintenance costs for a few years.

Warranties

Additionally, you’ll have the benefit of a manufacturer’s warranty in the event that anything does go wrong. And, if you really have difficult problems that offer no easy resolutions, your new vehicle will probably be protected by your state’s Lemon Laws, which would not provide relief for a preowned vehicle owner.

Value

You can also recoup the higher initial investment price of a new car through its life. Whereas you might have to buy another preowned car just a few years after your previous purchase, a new car will last longer. If you do not elect to keep your new car that long, you can count on a higher resale price than you would get with an older, preowned vehicle.

Although price is a significant factor in the decision of whether to buy a new or preowned vehicle, it should not be your only consideration. Ultimately, a vehicle’s value depends on how well it aligns with your needs.

Keeping it Real: 4 Tools for Original Car Restoration Projects

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/02/10 in Uncategorized with Comments Off

When it comes to planning and completing your own original car restoration projects, the first thing you’ll certainly need is the right set of tools for the job. After all, no two cars on the market, past or present, are ever the same. With each make and model of car that you restore, you’ll need a different selection of tools. However, with a bit of planning, you can easily have all the tools you need on hand to complete your restoration project. What follows is a list of some of the more commonly used restoration project tools.

3/8" Professional Air Ratchet

You’ll certainly need a professionally balanced air ratchet for nearly every original car restoration project that you undertake. The 3/8" model is capable of delivering a torque of up to 50 pounds. The slimmer, more portable 3/8" design is also especially handy because it will allow you to reach fasteners in crowded, inaccessible spaces that the regular impact wrenches simply cannot. This is one item that will definitely need to be on every car restorer’s list.

Dual Action Air Sander

Another item that no qualified car restoration expert can afford to be without is a dual action air sander. You’ll need a sander that employs dual action for the simple reason that sanding the body of your car is not a one time process that smooths down only one type of surface on your car. Therefore, you’ll need a sander that can handle varying surfaces, such as metal, fiberglass, and others, without causing damage to the body. A dual action sander will give you the best results in this tricky situation. Unlike larger sanders, this still gives you the quality and detail control without giving up efficiency.

Portable Abrasive Blaster Kit

A portable abrasive blaster kit is an excellent addition to your personal garage. This handy instrument is equipped with a blast gun, 15 ft. of hose, and a 50 pound hopper. It’s the ultimate tool for removing paint, rust, graffiti, and previous restoration errors! These tools might seem expensive for the scope of the project you’re working on, but spending months with a small sander trying to take the paint and bad welding lines off of your restoration project is also time consuming. Save your valuable time and get yourself a fun tool in the process. Even if you don’t choose to restore another car after you’re done, this handy tool is great for all sorts of home improvement projects, and could be lent out to help with community service projects, like an eagle scout project to remove graffiti.

2000 PSI Pressure Washer

Before you can really consider your car restoration project complete, you’ll need to clean it up. A 2000 PSI pressure washer is the instrument most restoration experts recommend to accomplish this goal. It contains the recommended amount of pressure needed to fully clean a newly restored vehicle in a safe and convenient fashion, perfect for most personal home garages. This is a must have before you paint. If you paint over shavings and dust from your sanding, it will destroy that coat of paint, and any additional layers you add to it. A pressure washer can ensure that the body of your vehicle is clean and dry before you attempt to paint.

Whether you are interested in learning more about these and other car restoration tools, or looking for a a good place to source affordable parts, there are plenty of handy online resources available to you. YouTube has thousands of helpful how-to videos for repairs on all types of vehicles. Your car restoration project might not be as far away as you think, and it might just be the perfect excuse you need to stock up on some fun new tools.

Author Bio

Marlena Stoddard writes on antique cars and auto repair. Originally from Senoia, GA, Marlena lives in Santa Rosa, CA with her husband and 2 children. For help finding parts for classic restorations, Marlena recommends established sites like 99 Truck Parts.

Image credit: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Cars_Buses_and_Truck_g71-Vehicle_Engine_p31193.html

The Top 5 Ways To Add Style To A Car On A Budget

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/12/23 in Uncategorized with Comments Off

Getting a car can be a joyous occasion. It can feel like you have the world at your fingertips, and all you have to do is turn the ignition and get on the open road. However, not everyone is lucky enough to have a vehicle that looks as great as they may want. Luckily, you don’t have to have a car that’s out of your budget to roll around in style. Here are the top five tips for adding style to your car, even when you are on a budget.

Clean It Up

It might sound so obvious that you don’t even comprehend the value of it. But cleaning your car is something that can really make your car look better and have more style. If you have left over food, dirty clothes, or just general trash all over the place, your car will lose all of the potential it has. But by cleaning it up a bit, you can quickly add some flair to it, and it won’t cost you much to do so. Simply take the time to vacuum your seats and floors, wipe down the doors and the center console, and make sure that after clean the outside you apply a nice layer of wax to make it look brand new.

Add New Seats

If you add new seats on your own, all you have to consider for the payment is the price of the actual unit. You won’t have to pay for installation, since you will be doing that all on your own. Having a new pair of seats in your car will not only make your vehicle look more stylish, but it’ll also be more comfortable as well. And if you don’t want to get entirely new seats, just add seat covers instead. This small little addition can have an enormous effect when it comes to the overall look of your vehicle.

New Wheels

New wheels can be the perfect accessory for your car. Whether you have an every-day driver, a car you only drive on weekends, or something that you like to race up and down the streets, new wheels can greatly increase the performance of your vehicle, as well as the overall appearance. Online stores, such as Autopart UK, can provide you with a wide variety of different selections that you more than likely will not be able to find locally. These same stores might also be able to provide you with customized products that can truly add a bit of personal style to your car.

Stereo System

If you enjoy listening to music, the center console may be the most important part of your vehicle. A nice control panel will cost you a small amount of money but it will help to give a modernized and clean look to the inside of your car. You can also get subwoofers and an amp for the back of your car, which will add some serious bump when you are listening to your favorite music. Satellite Radio is also a great option for your new stereo system in your car, especially since this great option costs a negligible amount every month and it provides you with an enormous amount of music.

Running Boards

Running boards typically look best on a large truck or vehicle that can be somewhat difficult to get into. However, you can also put running boards on a smaller vehicle to add flair to the body of the car. Running boards are also great in geographic locations where the weather can get messy, so you can wipe your shoes off before you get in your car.

You can make your car look great with just a few changes. Consider the tips on this list to get your car looking stylish, without having to pay and arm and a leg for it.

How To Keep Your Nice Cars In Good Shape In The Winter

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/12/16 in Uncategorized with Comments Off

Winter can be a rough time on cars. Temperature extremes, poor road conditions and the presence of corrosive materials on the roads can all add up to problems. Fortunately, there are a number of things that car owners can do to keep their rides in great shape through the cold months of winter.

Washing and Waxing

Keeping a car washed and waxed does more than make it look good. Washing removes dirt and other debris that can scratch paint and waxing provides a protective layer to protect a car’s finish from damage from sand, cinders and other objects on the road that are thrown up by other cars. Washing and waxing is especially important during the winter months when there is more debris on the road surface that can end up on a car.

Underbody Washing

While maintaining a clean and well waxed exterior is important, winter is also a time to focus on the underbody of the car. Road salt and other corrosive materials are constantly being splashed under a car onto frame components, CV joints, brake lines and other parts. Left alone over time these materials will cause parts to corrode and fail. For this reason, it is important for car owners to thoroughly clean the underbody of their cars during winter. It is important to spray off the bottom of the car as well as focusing on the wheel wells, bumpers and other areas that collect debris.

Tires

If a car owner plans to drive his or her car during the winter months, a tire inspection is mandatory. Tires should have at least 50% of its original tread depth for safe winter driving. An even better idea is to purchase winter tires to be used only during the cold months. Studded tires are still available in most areas, but modern winter tires that do not use studs perform better in most winter driving conditions. Car owners who choose to buy winter tires can have them taken off when warm weather returns in the spring and stored until next winter.

Storage

Car owners who want to protect their cars from all of the problems that winter can present should consider renting storage units to protect their car during the cold months. This is a particularly good idea for those people who do not have access to off street parking. Parking on the street in winter is especially hazardous for a nice car as snow plows, sliding cars and the splash of salty street slush provides an unending array of hazards for a parked car.

The Top 5 Fuel Efficient Vehicles For Your Daily Driving Needs

by Carsurfer Admin on 2013/11/01 in Saving Fuel, Uncategorized with Comments Off

Due to the expensive price of gas, many motorists are seeking to purchase an extremely fuel-efficient vehicle. Although hybrid vehicles are an option, some drivers are not willing to pay the extra premium. The good news is that there are a few gas-only models that deliver an outstanding fuel economy. Here are the top five fuel efficient vehicles for your daily driving needs.

Mazda Madza3

If you are looking for an agile vehicle that gets great gas mileage, then look no further than the Mazda3. With a highway fuel economy rating of 40 mpg, the Mazda3 is one of the best daily-drivers on the market. The availability of a sedan or hatchback model further sweetens the deal.

Hyundai Veloster

Are you the type of person that likes to stand out from the crowd? If so, the Hyundai Veloster is right up your alley. Boasting a unique hatchback design and a 40-mpg fuel economy rating on the highway, the Veloster is a true bargain. Some of the standout features include a hidden third door and a motorcycle-inspired interior.

Chevrolet Cruze Eco

The Chevrolet Cruze Eco is definitely one of the best bargains in its segment. Not only does it offer a superb fuel economy rating of over 40 mpg, but it also offers a surprisingly spacious interior. There is also an available six-speed manual gearbox, which gets a tad less gas mileage. The best part is that it comes well-equipped for under $20,000.

Kia Rio

The Kia Rio has improved by leaps and bounds over its predecessor. Aside from the fact that it gets great mileage, the Kia dealership Newark NJ also offers the Rio with plenty of high-tech amenities. Some of the available features include a rear-view camera, touch-screen interface, and paddle shifters. If you are in the market for an economy car, this option will also bring you some luxury.

Ford Focus SFE

The stylish Ford Focus SFE is definitely engineered to deliver driving satisfaction on a daily basis. With an impressive fuel economy rating of 40-mpg on the highway, the Focus SFE is destined to save a few bucks at the fuel pump. Its 160-horsepower engine also provides plenty of punch when called upon. The push-button start and heated seats are just icing on the cake.

All of these fuel-efficient vehicles prove that gas-only vehicles are still capable of delivering fantastic fuel efficiency. The fact that these cars are also affordable makes them an even more rewarding choice.