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.

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.

Five Reasons to Fall In Love with a Hatchback

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

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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.

The Ultimate Garage: Five Ideas for Improving Your Car’s Bedroom

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/02/28 in Auto Garage with Comments Off

Contrary to popular belief, a garage does not have to be only used to store the car, the kids’ bikes or the Christmas decorations. If you are a true car enthusiast, you will want to transform your garage into an ultimate garage. Transforming your garage into an ultimate garage is not as hard as it may seem. By following a few simple steps, you will be able to create a garage that will be considered an ultimate garage.

Flooring

The first step in creating an ultimate garage is to transform the flooring. The traditional cemented porch will not work if you want to have the ultimate garage. You will want to have floor mats that are specifically designed for a garage. These floor mats may be designed in camouflage, or they could be the colors of your favorite sports team.

Work Bench

Most garages are known for having work benches in them, and your garage should not be any different. However, your work bench will not only be used for storing your tools and power equipment, but it will also be used to give you space to store things such as keys, soda cans and other items that are not expected to stay permanently. Having a few extra drawers will ensure that the keys for your many different cars will not be lost.

Cabinets

With an ultimate garage, you will probably need lots of storage space; therefore, you will want to have lots of nice cabinets installed on the wall. There are a broad range of options for storage space in garages, but it can be surprisingly affordable to get cabinetry that will really impress.

Refrigerator

What is the point of having an ultimate garage if you do not have a refrigerator stocked with beverages and food? It is important that you do not rely on the small office refrigerator, but instead, you should opt to get a full-size stainless steel refrigerator. After working all day to get your car’s engine exactly like you want it, you will definitely want to be able to grab a beverage without having to go to the kitchen refrigerator.

Entertainment System

Finally, an ultimate garage has to have a great entertainment system. An ultimate garage will be the perfect spot to hang out all day long. With a quality entertainment system, you will be able to watch the best movies and sporting events in the perfect environment.

An ultimate garage is a must have for the car enthusiast. Whether you are working on a car or simply enjoying a day to yourself, you will enjoy the ultimate garage. Using the preceding ideas and ensuring that you’ve repaired all that ails your garage, (like getting a service such as Jacksonville Garage Door Opener to help unstick that stuck door), you’ll have an ultimate garage that will really impress your friends.

What to Look for When Deciding on Your Next Car Project

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/02/26 in Auto Parts with Comments Off

Since the moment you purchased your first car, you knew that you would be spending a lot of time working on. After all, this has always been a dream of yours. Now that you’ve taken on a few projects, you’re ready for the next. What should you look for this time around?

Professional Inspiration

Deciding what exactly to do what your car can be a bit of a conundrum. Instead of just picking up some parts and tinkering around, look to car magazines for inspiration. If you have a mechanic in the family, you might ask him or her about some the hottest models that come into the shop. Some ideas will come into your head natural, but others will have to be sought out.

The Right Parts

As you embark upon your next car project, you want to make sure you have the right parts. Failure to obtain them could mean that the entire project goes under. If you don’t get the correct parts at your local shop or junk yard, then the car project might leave you with a broken vehicle or one that is simply not in as good of shape as it should be.

Assistance with the Project

Tackling a car project alone might prove to be a little overwhelming, and this is especially true if you’ve done only minor projects in the past. If you have some family members or friends who are handy with cars, then you probably want to ask these individuals. However, car projects can be an excellent way for a father and son to bond or for two brothers to build up the connection they used to have. Learning together is part of the experience.

The Value of the Car

When you are going to make changes to your car, you want to ensure that you are not hurting its value. At some point, you will probably sell it or want to trade it in for a newer model. Check out cars that have had similar projects done and see what they are selling for. Of course, cars generally depreciate in value as the years go by, so you will need to account for this element.

A Handy Guide

Perhaps you have not done too many car restoration projects, but you want to start. If that’s the case, you should look for step-by-step instructions or a guide, so that you do not cause damage to your car and so that this project can act as an inspiration for many others.

If you are a car hobbyist then having a project is surely an important priority. So before you start consider your next project take a look at this list to make sure you are getting yourself into something you will enjoy instead of a headache of a project that will take the fun out of your favorite hobby.

Author Bio: Annette Hazard is a freelance writer that usually writes about business, but occasionally dabbles in writing about her hobbies such as cars. She suggests getting items for you next project at US Auto Supply.