Showing posts with label Manly Used Cars. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Protect Your Car from Thieves

With the holidays often comes a lot of travel and sometimes car theft is an unfortunate part of that travel. When you are out holiday shopping, your vehicle could also become a potential target for car thieves. The busy holiday season is one of the most perfect ones for car thieves because car owners are distracted and stressed.

So what can you do to deter thieves?

There are many common sense precautions that you can take. For example, don't leave your keys in the ignition. Always lock your windows and doors, even if you are only going to be gone for a few minutes. It only takes a car thief a few seconds to leave with your vehicle. Always park in well-lit areas, and if you can, in areas where you will be able to see your vehicle. You should also make sure that if you leave anything of value in the vehicle, that it is locked up in the trunk or storage compartments, so thieves can't just spot them.

Warning devices are good ways to deter thieves. These are things like tire locks, alarms, theft-deterrent decals, VIN etching, steering column collars and so on. Another way is with immobilizing devices. These are devices that bypass the ignition and keep the car from turning on, even when hot wired. These are are kill switches, disablers, and the like.

You can also get tracking devices for your cars. These employ GPS and wireless and police can track your car wherever it goes. LoJack and OnStar are two such systems that can help you track your stolen vehicle.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Halloween Bash

At Manly Auto, we love Halloween. That's why we're planning a celebration for Halloween that starts October 8th. Come and prepared to be terrified!

Starting October 8th, come and enjoy the Blind Scream Haunted House, designed by the same people who created the Hopper House of Horror. The story behind the haunted house is that a young boy's childhood took an unexpected and strange turn, changing him into a mad doctor. As you walk through the haunted house, expect to see terrifying experiments and a few other surprises. What kind of surprises? How about the residents themselves? Or a horrifying dinner?

Also featured is Doc's Horrortorium and The Last Ride. The Halloween celebration will be held at the Manly Used Car Superstore on Corby Avenue in Santa Rosa, California. You can call for more details at 707-636-0500 or visit our website to watch a video and get a glimpse of just what you can expect when you wander through the haunted house.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Minimum State Requirements for Auto Insurance

Every state has minimum requirements that you have to have when you buy auto insurance. These requirements vary from state to state, but they are the law in every state. When you move to another state, it is your responsibility to make sure that you meet that state's minimum requirements.

It's not always the best option to have the bare minimum when you buy insurance. In fact, your agent may tell you that.

For example, in Wyoming the minimum requirements for auto insurance are 25/50/20. The first two numbers are injury liability limits and the last number is the property damage liability limit. In an accident, every person injured would receive a maximum of up to 25,000 dollars with only 50,000 dollars available. So if there are 2 people who need it, then no problem. But if there are 3, then whoever files first will have access to the 50,000 dollars. You can be sued for the rest if the accident was determined to be your fault. The last number means that there is $20,000 available to cover any property damage.

It's easy to see that in some cases these limits will not cover everything you might be responsible for paying for, or that you need paid for. Below is a listing of each state, and the minimum amount of insurance it requires. This can be useful for those who want to get as much coverage as possible as well as for those who can only afford the minimum.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements By State

Alaska 50/100/25

Alabama 25/50/25

Arkansas 25/50/25

Arizona 15/30/10

California 15/30/5

Colorado 25/50/15

Connecticut 20/40/10

Delaware 15/30/10

Florida 10/20/10

Georgia 25/50/25

Hawaii 20/40/10

Idaho 25/50/15

Illinois 20/40/15

Indiana 25/50/10

Iowa 20/40/15

Kansas 25/50/10

Kentucky 25/50/10

Louisiana 15/30/25

Maine 50/100/25

Maryland 20/40/15

Massachusetts 20/40/5

Michigan 20/40/10

Minnesota 30/60/10

Mississippi 25/50/25

Missouri 25/50/10

Montana 25/50/10

Nebraska 25/50/25

New Hampshire 25/50/25

New Jersey 15/30/5

New Mexico 25/50/10

Nevada 15/30/10

New York 25/50/10

North Carolina 30/60/25

North Dakota 25/50/25

Ohio 12.5/25/7.5

Oklahoma 25/50/25

Oregon 25/50/10

Pennsylvania 15/30/5

Rhode Island 25/50/25

South Carolina 25/50/25

South Dakota 25/50/25

Tennessee 25/50/15

Texas 25/50/25

Utah 25/65/15

Virginia 25/50/20

Vermont 25/50/10

Washington 25/50/10

Washington D.C. 25/50/10

Wisconsin 50/100/55

West Virginia 20/40/10

Wyoming 25/50/20

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Tips on Auto Insurance Quotes

If you want to make the most of the money that you have, you should take a look at the car insurance that you are paying. Many times, as your life changes, you will find that you could have been saving money if you had looked around more often at other auto insurance quotes. You spend a lot of your hard-earned money on your car insurance, so it pays to look around and see if you can save some money. Here are some tips on getting quotes and when you should look.

1. Just Do It

Every year, car insurance rates go up down, sometimes by hundreds of dollars! This is why you need to compare rates from different companies often, because you don't want to be paying more than you need to. Yet that raises the question: How often is enough?

After certain life events, it's a good idea to compare some quotes. If your unhappy with your current company or your premium goes up, it's time to compare. Whenever you move, buy a new car, add a new driver, have in increase in assets or salary, or your marital status changes, you should check other companies' prices. If it's been 2 years since you last looked, check the rates.

Don't put off checking on new rates. Check as soon as something changes.

2. Prepare to Get the Quote

It's very easy to get a quote on car insurance. If you have everything that you need, you can get a quote in as little as seven minutes from a company's website. Sometimes it takes even less time.

In order to get a quote you need to have the Current Insurance Declarations Page, year, make, model, and VIN number of your cars, how many miles you drive annually and the distance to your workplace, how much any aftermarket or custom equipment is worth, and the type of any theft recovery or alarm devices. You will also have to provide information about every member of your household who is old enough to drive, including their name, occupation, gender, how many years they have held a license, and their Driver's License number. You will need to include information about violations or accidents from the past three years. Include the dates, who's fault it was, whether or not someone was hurt, and how much the claim was.

3. Get What You Need

Before you start looking at quotes for new auto insurance, you should first look at the insurance you currently have. Make sure that your current policy offers you the protection level you want, or at least what you need. To lower your rate, you can increase your deductible. You might want to increase the liability limits on your policy so that it will cover a new income level or a new home. If you own an older car, it is important to find out what the car is worth. Sometimes you can save money by dropping the collision coverage on older vehicles when the insurance costs more than the vehicle is worth.

4. Check for Discounts

Different car insurance companies offer different discounts. If you have more than one car on the policy or you have safety features like anti-lock brakes, most companies will give you a discount. You might also see discounts for completing defensive driving courses or having a young driver who has taken driver's education courses. For the best quotes, you should always ask for discounts because most of the time they won't just offer them to you.

5. Compare

Make sure you compare the quotes that you receive. While the previous tips can help you get the best quotes for your needs, you need to shop around. Get quotes from at least three companies and compare everything – the price, the services offered, features, customer service, how easily you can talk to someone, and so on. You might find that it is worth it to pay a little more for better service. This way you can be sure to get the best rate.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Save Money on Car Insurance

One of the most expensive things any car owner has to buy is car insurance. Insurance gives you peace of mind and protects you financially in the event of a car accident or your car being stolen. You don't have to settle for high-priced car insurance.

Shop

Make sure that you shop around. You should get quotes from at least three companies. This will let you see the price differences for the kind of coverage that you need. You can find out this information by calling the company or you can find it online. Keep in mind that some companies use agents, some don't, and sometimes independent agents offer policies from several companies. Look for a variety and don't forget to ask your friends and family about car insurance companies that they use. Sometimes, it's worth paying twenty dollars more if the customer service is a lot better than the company that is cheaper.

Look at Insurance Before You Get a Car

When you go car shopping, it's time to take a look at insurance. Car insurance premiums are based partly on a car's sticker price, overall safety record, likelihood of being stolen, and how much it would cost to repair it. If you have features that help to reduce injuries, such as airbags, or that deter theft, such as an alarm, you can often get a discount. It doesn't matter whether the car is used or new – the insurance will still be affected.

Get Higher Deductibles

Higher deductibles will lower your costs. A deductible is what you have to pay before the insurance company will pay. Just for example, if you increase your deductible to $500 from $200, you could save 15-30% on your collision and comprehensive cost. You'll save 40 percent or more if you take the $1,000 deductible. However, before you decide to take a higher deductible, you need to make sure that you will be able to pay if the need arises.

Get Homeowners and Car Insurance from the Same Company

If you buy more than one kind of insurance from the same company, they will usually give you some kind of a break in the price. Some companies will give you a price reduction if more than one vehicle is insured. Long-time customers may get reduced rates. But you should always shop around, because sometimes you will find that you'll save more even over multi-policy discounts.

Older Cars Don't Need As Much Coverage

If a car is worth less than 10 times the premium you pay on it, then you should consider dropping the collision and/or comprehensive coverage you have for it. You may be spending more than you really need to. You don't want to spend more in insurance than the car is worth.

Good Records

It's important to keep a good credit record and driving record. You can get discounts for having a good driving record, such as good driver or safe driver discounts. Good credit can help cut your insurance costs because it is becoming more common for companies to use your credit rating to determine your insurance price.

Low Mileage Discounts

Check and see if your company has a low mileage discount. If you drive less than average every year, you might be able to get a reduced rate. This can also apply if you car pool.

Group Insurance

Sometimes, you can get car insurance through your employer, alumni groups, or other groups you might be a part of. Some companies will give you a price reduction based on what you belong to.

Other Discounts

If you haven't had any moving violations or accidents for a certain number of years, some companies will give you discounts. Defensive driving courses also count. If you have a young driver who has taken driver's education and gets good grades, you can sometimes get a discount. The same is true if your child is a college student who doesn't have a car and attends college out of the area.

Let Manly Automotive Group help you in your new and previously owned vehicle choices today stop by our website today and drive away knowing that you made the right choice with us! http://www.manlyauto.com/ We also can be found on Twitter https://twitter.com/ManlyAuto and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Santa-Rosa-CA/Manly-Auto-Group/103413126362572?v=wall&__a=3 & stop on over and visit us!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Leasing VS Buying Part 4

Now for the last part of our little series about leasing or buying - GAP coverage.

Gap coverage is a very important part to consider when you lease or buy a vehicle. Also called gap insurance, gap coverage pays the difference between the amount you actually owe on your lease or loan, and what your vehicle will be worth if it is destroyed in an accident or is stolen. The majority of car leases have gap coverage built in, but car loans rarely do.

Without gap coverage, you can end up owing more on your lease or loan than you car is worth. With long-term loans and leases as well as refinanced loans, rolled-over loans, and small or no down payments, being "upside-down" is not uncommon. If you don't have gap coverage you could find yourself owing hundreds or even thousands to your finance company. This is true even if your insurance company has already paid for a car that has been stolen or totaled in an accident. For most who end up caught in this unpleasant situation, this comes as a nasty surprise.

You're better protected if you get a lease, but if you opt for a loan instead, you can buy gap insurance separately. The trick will be finding it.

So is it better to buy or to lease?

Short term you will pay less per month if you lease than if you were to buy. In fact, the monthly payments can be anywhere from 30-60 percent less than if you had a loan, even if you had a 0% or low interest loan. This is great if you have other expenses that need your attention every month.

Mid-term, leasing costs about the same as buying does when you take into account the fees and finance costs. But this is only true if the buyer resells her car for the resale value right at the end of the loan. If you invest the savings you get every month from leasing however, you will actually pay less than if you were buying.

Long-term, leasing always costs more than buying does if the buyer keeps his vehicle when the loan ends. Driving a vehicle after the loan is paid off means the cost is spread over a longer term. It's easy to see, when you take into account finance charges and other fees, that buying a car and driving it for ten years will be cheaper than leasing or buying four or even five cars during the same ten years. If you are concerned about long-term finances, then it's best to buy and keep your car maintained so it will last years.

Take a look at your lifestyle, budget, and needs before you decide to lease or buy a vehicle. You don't want to waste money, but you also need to be able to afford the car you do have. Hopefully, these articles have helped you understand better the differences between buying and leasing a car.

Let Manly Automotive Group help you in your new and previously owned vehicle choices today stop by our website today and drive away knowing that you made the right choice with us! Manly Auto http://www.manlyauto.com can also can be found on Twitter https://twitter.com/ManlyAuto and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Santa-Rosa-CA/Manly-Auto-Group/103413126362572?v=wall&__a=3& stop on over and visit us!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Leasing VS Buying Part 3

Some people compare buying or leasing a car to a savings account. It's easy to see why.

When you buy a car, you can think of it like this: you are putting money in a savings account that declines in value. You will never get out of it as much as you put into it. Part of every payment you make will disappear into depreciation and finance charges. When the loan is paid off, what you have to show is what is left over after interest and depreciation are through with it. Therefore, it can be said that a car is a terrible investment. But then, most people don't buy cars as an investment.

Leasing is similar to buying but there is not savings account (no equity.) You will pay for what you use and won't have to put anything into a savings. At the end of the lease you will own nothing - you won't have a car to show. But you also won't own the depreciated part of the car that a buyer would have to deal with. The amount that a car depreciates is gone no matter whether you lease or buy.

When you lease a vehicle, you can use the money you save every month and put it into a savings account or mutual funds that will increase in value. Experts encourage this, but the majority of people will use that extra money for things like bills and groceries.

You will build ownership equity when you buy but you will not when you lease. Buyers receive equity because they pay higher monthly payments, essentially purchasing the loan. Part of those payments goes towards the equity. On the other hand, leasing will give you lower payments every month but no equity.

You should be away that it can be more complicated to lease than to buy. You need to make sure that you read all the fine print so that you will know exactly what is going on with your lease.

Another thing that you should keep in mind is that while you can buy your car at the end of the lease, you will actually be paying more than if you simply bought the car outright. This is because fees that are added in often make it more expensive. For some though, this may be the very best option that they have, and the only way that they will be able to get a newer vehicle.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Leasing VS Buying Part 2

For some people, leasing saves a good deal of money.

Let's take a car that costs $20,000. The estimated resale value of the car is $13,000 after a period of 24 months.

If you buy the car, you will have to pay the entire $20,000, finance charges, and fee. If you decide to sell the car later, then you won't be able to sell it, or trade it, for more than $13,000. That's $7,000 that you are not going to see.

Now let's lease the car. You will pay any possible fees and finance charges. However, you will only pay for the difference between the cost of the car and the resale value, or the depreciation cost. That means that you will pay just $7,000 to lease the car. This gives you lower monthly payments, which can be extremely beneficial for those who need lower payments.

If you want to keep the car, then at the end of your lease you will be able to buy it for the resale value of just $13,000. For some, this works out a lot better than buying the car right off.

So how are the payments different?

There are two parts to a lease payment: a finance charge and a depreciation charge. The finance charge is the money that the lease company finances for you to drive the car. Essentially, you are borrowing the money that your leasing company used to buy the car from the car dealer. The depreciation charge is what you pay to the leasing company and compensates them for the value that the car loses while you are driving it.

Loan payments also have two parts: the finance charge and the principal charge. The finance charge is the interest that you pay on the loan while the principal charge pays off the full price of the vehicle you are buying.

Some people consider part of the principal charge as a depreciation charge like you would get if you leased the car. This is because all vehicles lose value whether they are bought or leased, and they lose value at the same rate. This money is essentially lost because you will never get it back, even if you should sell your car later because the car has lost value.

What's left of the principal payment will go toward equity. Once depreciation has taken hold, equity is what remains of the car's original value when the loan ends. This is your resale value. The longer you drive and own your car, the lower the equity you will have. Once you have driven the car so long that the engine has worn out and the tires are falling off, you will only have scrap value. You will never get back the full amount that you paid for your car.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Change the Oil to Prolong the Life of Your Car

Everyone has heard that it is important to change the oil in your car but many people don't realize exactly why the oil needs to be changed. Changing the oil helps to lengthen the life of your engine and can save you money in repair costs because your car will not be breaking down.

To change the oil and the oil filter - something that many people tend to forget when they do an oil change - you drain out the old oil and put in fresh, new oil. You can find many brands of oil to use, such as Castrol or Valvoline. You can do the oil change at a professional's garage or you can do the oil change yourself. You will need something to catch the oil you drain, a rag to clean your hands, and a quart of new oil.

So why should you change the oil in your car? Oil is a lubricant for your engine and it keeps parts from rubbing together. This makes your engine last longer because the rubbing can cause serious wear on your engine, resulting in a shortened life span and possibly repair bills. Oil also can neutralize acids that are in your engine. Additives in the oil keep the acids from damaging your engine; after a time, the oil loses those additives and can't neutralize the acids. Impurities such as dust, water, and combustion byproducts are kept in suspension by oil. When the oil is saturated with these impurities, the oil cannot protect your engine and the impurities begin to cause corrosion.

So when should you change your oil? You should check the oil level in your car every few hundred miles. To do this, simply pull out the dipstick and if it says you are low or at the minimum level, add oil until it says full but no more than a quart. The recommendations vary as to whether you should change your oil every 3,000 miles or every 10,000 but most of the time if you change your oil every 5,000 miles you will be able to make optimum use of your engine.

When to change your oil depends on how you drive as well. If you drive on dirt roads, drive fast, start and stop abruptly, carry heavy loads or have a jam packed car or have an old, oil burning engine then you should change your oil more frequently. This will allow you to drive the way that you normally do without incurring huge repair bills.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Tire Rotation

Did you know that you should have your tires rotated regularly? When you rotate your tires they will definitely last much longer and in the end will save you more expenses that can occur because of the wear and tear that is happening to them.Your front tires should be rotated so that they will at last at least every 10,000 to 20,000 miles and that your rear tires should be rotated so that they will last at least every 50,000 to 80,000 miles.

The reason tires need to be rotated is so the tires will even out their wear and when done in the right way they will all be worn out at the same time. When you rotate your tires it is a good chance for you to also have your brakes inspected. Brakes are just as important if not more so to be checked on a regular basis.

Your car tires should be rotated at a minimum of every 6,000 to 7,500 miles. When you get your tires rotated it insures that your tires will be properly inflated and that a physical inspection will be happening as well. It just makes practical sense as well to do them both at the same time.

Different tire manufacturers suggest in different ways what is the correct way to have your tires rotated. Tires should be rotated in a straight forward and a straight back or another option can be if you criss cross the fronts and or the backs before you do rotate them. It really matters as to how the wear and tear is occurring on the pattern of your particular tire.

A big reason that for shocks and struts to wear out faster is because tires can tend to do what is called scalloping and it causes a whining noise or a humming noise when your tires reach the higher speeds. By rotating the tires it changes the direction of the rotation and then it evens out the wear and you won’t experience those noises.

If you have an alignment problem you need to get that fixed right away because this is causing your tires to wear down faster then it should. When your tire begins a wear pattern it is going to continue with that pattern until it wears itself out or you throw it away. It is never a good idea to just put one new tire at a time on your car and also make sure that you are also checking on that spare tire in your trunk area at least once a year to make sure it is showing no wear and is properly inflated, there is nothing worse then having a flat tire because you failed to have your tires rotated or replaced and they wore themselves down and are now sitting on the side of the road with a flat! So if you have not had those tires rotated you might want to schedule that appointment with your auto shop today!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

The Hydrogen Car for a Greener Tomorrow

You may not have heard about Hydrogen Cars but they are available not for purchase but for lease however right now you can only have the chance to do so in the State of California thanks to Honda’s FCX model. Hydrogen vehicles do not use gasoline and they do not add pollutants to the air. What they do add to the air is steam and not the exhaust fumes.

It is the hope of car manufacturers that these Hydrogen cars to have these fuel efficient vehicles on the market in the next 30 years. The technology for Hydrogen cars have been around since the early 19^th century. Many of the auto manufacturers have already made concept cars that are Hydrogen fueled.

The Fuel Cell is what makes the Hydrogen car possible to drive by converting hydrogen into electricity that gives off only heat and water. However there are many problems that they are running into that need to be resolved before they will actually be put on the market. Many are asking where will people get the hydrogen and how expensive will these hydrogen cars be along with many other questions. Many are asking whether or not hydrogen vehicles will really be as non polluting as everyone is making them out to be.

Hydrogen cars manufacturing is not so different then making the typical vehicles of today. Hydrogen cars and electric cars have the same thing in common when it comes to creating electricity with the same type of electrical system.

The biggest problem everyone is facing is how we will actually end up producing the hydrogen to power these vehicles. Even though hydrogen is the most abundant of elements it is also the lightest of the elements. It is actually very difficult to contain hydrogen because it floats off the surface of the planet almost immediately. What hydrogen that is actually on our surface comes in the form of water molecules and that we definitely have a lot of water on the surface our planet.

Nearly 150 years ago Sir William Grove discovered how to pull hydrogen from water by using electrolysis. When this is done an electric current will run through the water which breaks it down. The process is a slow one but since we have so much water on our planet it could definitely be done on a large scale production.

There are experts that are suggesting that there is a possibility to produce hydrogen by building small hydrogen plants and these then can be put into the average person’s garage so that there would be no need to create local fueling stations. Others suggest that electrolysis could be put directly in the cars themselves however this would be a more costly venture as well as the fact that this particular process would require a battery that would need to be re-charged every so often.

Right now these fuel celled concept cars are just a dream to many but it goes to show you that people are continually striving to reduce the pollutants that are being created today which only means for a cleaner planet tomorrow.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Automatic Transmission versus Manual Transmission

Everyone has their favorite when it comes to driving a car that has automatic transmission versus manual transmission. Many try as they might give up on learning how to drive the manual transmission cars because they get frustrated with the car dying on them all the time. While those that learned from the very beginning on a manual transmission car wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Cars that have an automatic transmission are simple to operate because the person driving only uses the shift bar for the steering wheel assembly which also could be located between the two front seats. The driver simply shifts from the park indicator to the drive notch and off they go. The car will shift itself automatically as needed into the higher gears as the car moves faster.

With a manual transmission the car not only needs to be driven with two feet by they must also move the clutch before they attempt to shift gears manually. A drive also will need to disengage the clutch slowly so that the car will move forward. When the car starts to move at a faster speed a driver then has to repeat this process until they are at the proper gear for the speed they are driving at.

Manual transmission driving might take a lot of a person in city driving situations but when there is an open road there is far less need for the use of the clutch. When using the manual stick shift driving option a driver does have more control but they will have more difficulty if they need to stop on top of a hill because the car will want to roll backwards as the driver takes their foot off the brake.

As far as the difference for power when it comes to a five speed manual transmission there is more of a rapid acceleration then there would be with an automatic transmission. A drive controls the gear changes with a stick shift where a driver with automatic will be able to have sufficient enough power on its own for the new gear it moves into. Many times automatic shifting to a higher gear to quickly will stop any full throttle acceleration.

The down side for automatic cars is that they do use more fuel then a manual car. The reason for this is that it takes more power to operate a car that has automatic transmission and that they require more complex servicing then a manual car would need. Also if an automatic car battery goes dead it won’t move and a manual stick shift car can be pushed in order to get it started.

Having a manual shifting car does have less of a resale value but the other side of the coin is that they normally cost a little less then the automatic cars.

Those people that learned how to drive a manual transmission car from the very beginning wouldn’t trade their manual shifting car driving for anything but as well those that have only learned how to drive an automatic would not think to bother to try to learn to drive a manual transmission car. It is definitely is a personal choice but either way both choices have positive sides as well as negative sides.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Car Auction Options

Car Auctions are not for everyone but there are all types of car auctions out there and sometimes you can really get a hold of some great deals, you just need to shop around and you’ll find what you are looking for.

The government car auctions are probably one of the best ways to find an incredible deal on a car. The government and law enforcement agencies whether they are local or state and even federal have a large amount of property from seizures. On top of that they also have an amazing amount of surplus that they have on hand and they are always holding auctions because they do not have the space and they do not have the budget to have employees maintain the items.

You can check with your local law enforcement agency to find out where and when they are holding their next auction or you can also check online with the FBI, DEA, IRS as well as our Border Patrol and homeland security departments. They are always having regular auctions due to seized and repossessed vehicles. Another good place to check is with the banks who will sell off their property in public auctions as well.

The public auctions that are held by your local law enforcement agency as well as the state are usually thought to be where you can find the best prices because they would rather get rid of the car and make some money then have to deal with the expense of keeping it in storage.

The maintenance cost drains the budget for these agencies where the money can be used in more practical ways. Their motive is to make money and save money at the same time and they don’t want to be spending it on storage costs for these seized and repossessed vehicles.

When you are at these auctions there is usually a minimum bid that is placed on the vehicle but they are normally very low. Banks however will normally have auctions where the prices are a lot closer to the actual market value of the vehicles they are auctioning off. The banks goal is to pay off a balance due to the non payment of the actual loan of the car.

Auto auctions are normally held either monthly, quarterly, bi-annually and even yearly. You can check online or in your local newspaper for the date and times of these auctions. If you don’t see any scheduled dates there just give them a call and they will be happy to supply you with the information of their next scheduled auction.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Up and Coming Auto Technologies

We have all seen the movies where cars of the future have been depicted and they showed that the vehicle could interact with the driver with no assistance from the person driving. Cars of today are starting to take on those futuristic technologies.

The Hybrid has been on the market for a bit now and there is technology on the horizon where the vehicles will be totally electric and with no need for any gasoline. Think of what the auto makers are doing as far as the technology in trying to create a fully electric automobile that gives off zero emissions and where you once saw gas stations you will start seeing recharging stations that would run on solar power or even quite possibly wind power.

When it comes to safety features for the future with manufacturers developing systems that are using radar and or lasers to assist a driver in keeping a safe distance from the other vehicles. The technology is astounding and according to some manufacturer surveys their crash tests are looking very promising.

Many say that they sure don’t make cars like they used to and they are totally correct. The vehicles of today are far more light weight and have better fuel economy and give off lower emissions. Yes it is correct to say that when you have lighter vehicles they don’t handle accidents very well. The technology to create the lighter materials are now being made with materials that will hold up as well as with stand a bigger collision then when they first came out on the market.

Those computerized cars that you saw in the movies are now being realized through computer technology. Items such as the GPS or global positioning systems are becoming a standard for vehicles. There are also some on the market that come equipped with breathalyzers so that the driver if they have been drinking will not be able to start their car if they do not past the test.

Self driving cars are going to become a reality in the world some where in the future. The concept is there but as of yet we have not come that far. A self driving car concept in the works is one where a vehicle will be able to be used that contains a magnet system.

So don’t be surprised when one day we are all driving a car of the future and putting aside any thought to those old heavy gas guzzling and air polluting automobiles.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

The Facts and Nothing but the Facts of SRS

The SRS or also known as the supplemental restraint system is the warning light is more commonly known as the air bag system light. It is a computer controlled system that will deploy one or air bags as needed. This system also will tighten seat belts in order to protect the driver and passengers in a collision to prevent any harm that my come to any of the occupants.

In order for the SRS system to work properly every passenger must latch themselves in via their seat belt. This sort of system is also described as the passive restraint system due to the fact that the driver or a passenger does not need to do anything to activate the SRS system.

When a driver starts their vehicle, it is normal for the SRS light to light itself up for a few seconds to do its self testing. When the light goes out your SRS system is ready, however, if the light stays on then you can be certain that there is something faulty in your SRS system. When this happens the system will disable itself. The bad part is if there is an accident the air bags will not release nor will the seat belts tighten.

If the lights do stay on you will need to bring your vehicle in to a qualified repair shop so that the SRS system can be inspected and have the necessary repairs done. This system is important so it’s not a good idea to put off this type of repair.

An incentive to getting your SRS system repairs is that more and more insurance companies will not cover your medical expenses if it was determined that the SRS system had been disabled and not repaired. The system has a black box just like airplanes do and records any data from your accident. It can tell them what speed you were going as well as how many people actually had their seat belts on. So if you’re insurance company finds the fault to be with you not repairing the system over a certain time frame they will not be willing to cover any injuries that may have occurred.

Another cause of concern for you should be if your SRS light system not only stays on but starts flashing on and off. This means that the fault system has been compromised and you are putting not only yourself but your passengers at risk.

There are some newer and more enhancements that have recently been made to the SRS systems which can recline a front seat which will help those sitting in the front portion of the vehicle to absorb the whiplash phase in a collision which is the cause of most neck and spinal injuries. Many of the newer vehicles have side air bags as well to protect the occupants from hitting the side of the car with their heads. There are also some that come with curtains that drop down to protect everyone from the breaking glass that comes from the windshield or side windows.

The facts are simply just the facts; the SRS system is a wonderful system to protect not only you and your passengers so it makes perfect sense to make sure that it is fully operational at all times. When an accident happens you’ll be glad you took care of any issues before it has become to late.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

No Stress New Car Purchase Tips

Purchasing a new car can be a stressful time for many people or even you may be one of those people that find it to be an easy process. By knowing some of the in and outs when it is time to make that new car purchase will definitely help you!

If you are looking to trade in your used car towards the purchase of a new car you need to research your trade in value. Having this information when you go into the dealer will definitely give you an edge.It is an easy option however you may want to try selling your car on your own because you might get closer to that retail value then if you actually trade in the car at the time of your new car purchase.

When you go to make that new car purchase, instead of sitting at the dealership waiting to be financed it is a good idea to secure financing before you actually go in to buy that new car. You will more then likely get a better rate financing this way then actually going through a dealership.

Many people are afraid of negotiations when it comes to making a new car purchase. Dealer invoice prices are available online and this will help you when it comes to negotiating a better deal on your purchase. If you do a little bit of research before you go into the dealership you might be able to negotiate a better price with the incentives that are being offered at that time.

When it comes time for that new car purchase there is no need to be nervous or let it become the worst experience of your life. If you make yourself aware of what bargaining tips you do have it won’t be that big of a deal.

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