Teenager Car Insurance
Why do I need a Teenager Car Insurance?
The first thing you should know is that you must complete driver education to be eligible for a probationary license.
To drive legally you also must comply with a law called “Financial Responsibility”. This law requires each driver to demonstrate an ability to pay for injuries to other people or damages to other people’s property if the driver causes an accident.
Most drivers comply with the financial responsibility law by purchasing car insurance. Types of coverage under auto insurance are described below:
• Liability insurance pays claims if you hurt someone else or damage another’s property.
• Uninsured motorists coverage pays claims for your injuries and damage to your vehicle if a driver without insurance hits you.
• Collision coverage (if you buy it) pays you if your own vehicle is damaged.
• Medical expense coverage (if you buy it) pays medical expenses for you and your passengers.
If you don’t have teenager car insurance, you could end up spending a lot more than the insurance would have cost.
Anytime you are stopped by a police officer for a traffic violation or other reason, the officer will ask you for financial responsibility proof.
When you buy auto insurance, the company will send you a card as proof that you are insured. Keep the card in your vehicle so you can show it to a police officer when requested.
If you cannot prove financial responsibility your license will be suspended and your vehicle will be impounded. It will cost you a very large sum of money to regain your teenager driving privileges.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Teenager Car Insurance
Friday, November 14, 2008
Car Insurance Costs
Car Insurance Costs
Car insurance companies base auto rates on a variety of factors. The premium you pay consists of a “base rate.” The base rate is adjusted based on factors such as your age, sex, marital status, driving pattern, claims history, location, credit history, and the make, model and year of your vehicle. When you shop for car insurance, remember that each company uses these factors differently.
Age: Statistics show drivers under the age of 25 have more accidents than adults between age 25 and 65. As a result, insurers charge young drivers and families with young drivers in the household higher rates. Statistics also show that senior citizens are more likely to be involved in a car accident.
Credit history: Under federal law, car insurance companies can use credit history as one factor that impacts your auto rate. They may assign you an insurance score based on your credit history. They use your score as one factor to decide whether to accept or decline your coverage, or how much to charge you. However, the law limits the use of certain information in credit scoring.
Driving patterns: The number of miles you drive per year can increase your car insurance costs. For example, if you drive a total of 7,000 miles in a year, you will normally pay lower rates than if you drive 15,000 miles in a year. Auto insurance companies consider the distance you commute to work as additional miles you add to your non-commuting, pleasure miles.
Driving record and claims history: Most companies apply a surcharge to drivers involved in an accident or convicted of multiple traffic violations. Likewise, the more claims you file, the more likely your rates will increase.
Gender: Young men under the age of 25 are involved in more accidents per miles driven than any other population group.
Location: A higher number of accidents in a highly populated area will raise both liability and collision premiums. Higher crime rates in urban areas can also raise premiums for comprehensive coverage.
Marital status: Statistically, married couples have fewer car accidents than singles and generally pay lower auto insurance rates.
Vehicle type: Generally, the more expensive your car, the more you will pay for comprehensive and collision coverage. Also, because sports cars and high-performance cars are involved in more accidents, cost more to repair, and are stolen more often, they cost more to insure.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Fuel Cell Analysis: Honda FCX Clarity
Fuel Cell Analysis: Honda FCX Clarity
by Richelle McGinnis
Honda is changing the vehicle market as we know it, by making a vehicle that emits water vapor. Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell car is the new breed for green cars. This car has some similarities to hybrid, but nothing compares to its new fuel source hydrogen. Besides hydrogen it runs with an electric motor that generates electricity to the fuel stack and a lithium ion battery. The lithium ion battery serves as a supplemental power source. The lithium ion battery charges up while braking and decelerating. Some questions might arise when thinking about this new fuel cell vehicle, like what makes this car better than the other hybrid cars? What are the Honda FCX Clarity strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats?
One of the biggest strengths about this new fuel cell vehicle is that it emits water vapor and is designated as a Zero emission vehicle (ZEV). The environmental protection agency (EPA) has given this vehicle the lowest possible emission rating. It also can be driven up to 280 miles before being refueled with hydrogen. Honda FCX Clarity is achieves an energy efficiency of 55% which is twice the energy efficiency of the hybrid vehicles and three times the efficiency of regular gas vehicles. Since Honda FCX Clarity is more energy efficient it has been one of the first fuel cell vehicles to receive certification from the EPA and the California Air Resources Board. Unlike the hybrids the Honda FCX Clarity doesn't need to be plugged in to be charged up and there is no need for regular gas.
Honda has many opportunities with this new fuel cell vehicle. First off Honda is designing a home refueling station. No more worrying about going out and getting refueled at the pump. Home refueling stations will elevate the stress at the pump. Also, Honda could make this fuel cell vehicle a household name and market this vehicle all over the globe. Honda just needs to get out there to show off their new vehicle. Honda is starting to market the new fuel cell a little bit. Honda has just released the Honda FCX Clarity for Japan.
One of the few weaknesses for this fuel cell vehicle is its limited availability in the United States. Southern California and Japan are the only two areas where this new vehicle is available. Honda plans to release around 200 vehicles in 3 years in California and Japan. Honda believes that this new fuel cell vehicle will be able to be mass produced by 2018. I think this is one Hondas biggest downfall is the limited release and so few refueling stations.
This car is a little small it's only able to carry four people. The cost of the Honda FCX Clarity is about 600 a month on a 3 year lease. It seems a little steep for someone who is middle class to afford that payment. Not anyone is California will be able to lease this new vehicle. These people who are selected live near the refueling stations and they make a limited amount of commutes.
Basically Toyota and GM vehicles are Hondas biggest threat. With so many new hybrids and small gas efficient cars, this creates a problem for Honda. Another threat is Chevrolet. Chevrolet has developed a fuel cell SUV "the Equinox" and it has already arrived at New York City, Washington D.C. and Southern California. With this being said, it becomes a race between Honda and Chevrolet with the new fuel cell technology. How would the new fuel cell Honda FCX Clarity size up in popularity? The lack of mass production and refueling stations, Honda won't have a chance.
I think Honda has come up with a good concept car with its new fuel source. The new fuel source needs to be researched further before they should market this vehicle. This car is for people who are willing to go green and have the money to do it. The whole problem is making this car available to the public and easily accessible.
On the other hand Honda has a comparative advantage because of their home refueling station. There is no other vehicle out there that you can just plug in and refuel at home. Hybrid vehicles rely on battery and gas to run. You have to plug the hybrid in to recharge the battery.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
How Fuel Cells Work
How Fuel Cells Work
In essence, a fuel cell works by catalysis, separating the component electrons and protons of the reactant fuel, and forcing the electrons to travel though a circuit, hence converting them to electrical power.
In mobile applications, such as energy sources for vehicles and small appliances such as cell phones and laptop computers, fuel cells offer much the same advantages as batteries, namely, noiseless, non-polluting, and vibration-free operation. For this reason, they are natural candidates for use as battery replacements. However, fuel cells offer the additional advantages that they are much lighter in weight than batteries and are not energy storage devices that require recharging after use. Rather, fuel cells take advantage of the high energy density of fossil fuels compared with the conventional low energy density associated with batteries.
Fuel Cells are electrochemical devices that generate electricity by directly converting the chemical energy associated with the oxidation of a fuel into direct current (DC) electricity. The chemical processes by which the electric current is produced are electrochemical, rather than thermochemical, in nature. Since no combustion reactions are involved in these processes fuel cells do not produce any of the undesirable products normally associated with the oxidation of fossil fuels in conventional energy conversion systems. As a result, fuel cells do not emit CO2, SO2, oxides of nitrogen, or particulate matter. Thus, fuel cells are environmentally friendly.
The primary fuel used by fuel cells is hydrogen and the oxidizer is oxygen, either in its pure form or in its more readily available form mixed with nitrogen and other gases as air. In some fuel cell types, the hydrogen fuel is derived from a fossil fuel, such as natural gas or gasoline, and the oxidizer is supplied as air. In these cases, the fuel cell must be fitted with a device, known as a reformer, that extracts the hydrogen from the fossil fuel.
The hydrogen gas is continuously fed to the anode (negative electrode) compartment while the oxygen is continuously fed to the cathode (positive electrode) compartment. Inside the fuel cell, the anode and the cathode are separated from one another by an intervening medium known as the electrolyte that serves as an ion conductor. The anode and the cathode are also connected together electrically by means of an electric circuit external to the fuel cell that serves as an electron conductor. In a typical fuel cell design, at the anode, the hydrogen is broken down into two components: the hydrogen nucleus (also known as a proton) and an electron. The electron represents the electric current and is transferred from the anode to the cathode through the electric circuit. This electric contains the load such as an electric motor. The proton migrates from the anode to the cathode through the electrolyte. At the cathode, the proton meets up with the electron coming from the load and the oxygen. They all combine together to form water as the only chemical product of the fuel cell.
The electrochemical reactions that take place at the two electrodes (anode and cathode) need to be facilitated by another component of the fuel cell known as a catalyst, usually platinum. At the two electrodes, the electrochemical reactions occur on the catalyst surface where the electrolyte and fuel (or oxidizer) meet. This interface is often referred to as the triple interface, or three-phase interface, since in some fuel cell designs the fuel (or oxidizer) is a gas, the electrolyte is a liquid, and the electrode/catalyst surface is a solid. The state of this three-phase interface plays a critical role in determining the electrochemical performance of a fuel cell; hence, this triple interface has been the focus of much research in improving fuel cells. Figure 1.0 below illustrates the operation of a fuel cell.
Depending upon the manner in which the electrodes and the electrolyte are configured and the nature of the ionic species transported through the electrolyte, fuel cells can be grouped into six basic designs: (1) phosphoric acid fuel cells (PFAC) in which the electrolyte is phosphoric acid (H2PO4); (2) alkaline fuel cells (AFC) in which the electrolyte is a base such as potassium hydroxide (KOH); (3) proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) in which a polymer membrane serves as the electrolyte; (4) molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC) in which molten carbonate, primarily in the form of potassium carbonate (K2CO3), serves as the electrolyte transporting carbonate ions rather than protons; (5) solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) in which the electrolyte is a solid such as yttria (Y2O3)-stabilized zirconia (ZrO2) that transports oxygen ions rather than protons; and (6) direct methanol fuel cells which are similar to PEMFC in that a polymer membrane serves as the electrolyte but the methanol/hydrogen reformer is built in to the anode.
Each of these fuel cell types has a particular set of characteristics with a set of applications for which it is appropriate. In general, the applications can be grouped into two broad categories: stationary applications and mobile applications.
In small scale stationary applications, such as distributed energy sources for residential application with power levels on the order of 10 kW or less, fuel cells, such as PEMFC, offer the advantages of noiseless, non-polluting, and vibration-free operation while at the same time eliminating the need for a loss making, wide area distribution network. In intermediate applications in the range of 10 kW to 250 kW, PAFC have found widespread use in facilities such as hospitals and telecommunications installations. For larger stationary applications at the level of 10 - 100 MW, MCFC and SOFC, offer the additional advantage over conventional power plants of co-generation of both electric power and low grade heating.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
The Benefits of Hydrogen Fuel Cells
The Benefits of Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Why do we care about fuel cells?
Because they produce electricity in a very efficient manner.
Vehicles that use hydrogen with fuel cell technology instead of gasoline are the cleanest around because they emit only water vapor into the air we breathe. These cars simply do not pollute. They can also use hydrogen from domestic energy sources, reducing our dependence on oil. And driving fuel cell vehicles significantly reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emissions, helping to slow the increase in greenhouse gases.
Monday, June 16, 2008
100% Hydrogen Fueled Car: The New Honda FCX Clarity
100% Hydrogen Fueled Car: The New Honda FCX Clarity
Acceleration in the Honda FCX Clarity is smooth and powerful for a great overall driving experience.
Information gleaned from multiple generations of Honda fuel cell vehicles pays off right now. Compared to the previous model, the powertrain on this next-generation FCX Clarity:
- Is over 397 pounds lighter
- Has 120% better power-to-weight ratio
- Is 20% more fuel efficient
- Has a powertrain that is 45% more compact and 10% more energy-efficient
Does the Honda FCX Clarity run on gasoline?
No. The FCX Clarity does not use any gasoline whatsoever. It runs on clean, domestically produced hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe.
Free and Clear
First, the basics: a fuel cell vehicle is powered by an electric motor running on electricity generated by a hydrogen-powered fuel cell stack. The Honda E-Drive electric motor lets you drive with peace of mind knowing that you are helping to reduce the amount of CO2 being released in our atmosphere. The compact coaxial motor is quieter and works at higher rpm, for greater efficiency and speed.
Get Vertical
The Vertical Flow (V Flow) fuel cell stack is one of Honda’s greatest breakthroughs in this area. The new design is smaller, allowing for better packaging efficiency. With a smaller stack, there’s room for more people. This ingenious design allows higher cell voltage stability and reduces the amount of heat generated. Gravity also helps with drainage of the excess water.
Added Power
The compact, high-efficiency lithium-ion battery pack is used as a supplemental power source capturing lost energy during deceleration and braking. The new lithium-ion battery delivers improved performance and energy recovery in a more lightweight, compact package. The new battery is significantly lighter and smaller than the ultra-capacitor of the 2005 FCX, allowing it to be stowed under the rear seat. This gives the car more passenger space and a bigger trunk.
Low Profile
Stylish? Definitely. It’s time to take another look at the FCX. This new model has a lower floor and sleeker overall design thanks to integration of the more compact stack and smaller powertrain. Thin A-pillars allow better visibility. A flat-bottom underbody reduces aerodynamic drag and increases efficiency.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Fuel: Alternative Sources - Eco-Friendly and Cheaper
Fuel: Alternative Sources - Eco-Friendly and Cheaper
by Scotie Keithlow
As responsible human beings it is our moral duty that we leave this world a better place than we got it from our ancestors. There is an ardent need for saving the environment that is being polluted by emissions given out by the extensive use of gasoline.
The conventional and traditional fuel sources are becoming more and more expensive to extract and their indiscriminate use in the past century has resulted in their depletion. Alarm bells have already started ringing that these storehouses of natural fuel sources will reach critically low levels and precipitate a crisis much earlier than we think.
However there are promising discoveries that give hope that before any crisis occurs, mankind would have perfected and commercialized alternate sources of fuel that will be eco- friendly and affordable too.
Bio-diesel is one such alternate fuel source that is extracted from plants. Also known as E 85, bio-diesel is partly renewable. Its contents of 15% gasoline and 85% ethanol mean that it is at least better than using pure gasoline.
Although such alternate fuel sources like E 85 score above gasoline, they still pollute and require a vast amount of corn to be grown which in turn translates into availability of lesser land for growing food for people.
Presently, electric cars seem to be the best alternate fuel source that we have, if we are to conserve our natural fuel sources. They are efficient because all of the electricity that they need can be generated at one central location. It is a much better option than consuming petroleum derivatives and polluting more by using small and inefficient combustion motors. Electricity can be produced in any manner that suits the needs on a particular location depending on the resources it has. One can use coal, hydro-electric or wind to produce this electricity that is required for electric cars.
The ultimate alternate fuel source, of course is your own legs on bike peddles. Peddle power is becoming increasingly popular as none of the other alternate fuel sources has completely panned out. Bio-diesel is not widely available and the power that the electric cars allow has not been perfected as yet. The bike is really a flawless machine for short to medium commutes. You will be in better shape, save some money, and do the environment a favor as well.
So, before switching on the ignition of the vehicle, ask yourself if it would not be easier to walk or ride.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Autos: A Car Buying Story
Autos: A Car Buying Story
by Michael Thornessen
Generally, I wasn't too happy with the variety of models in Canada. When it comes to family cars, the choices are quite simple - you go for a mini van or, as of lately, for an SUV. No big deal. But I thought that mini van is a waste of money if you have only two kids and don't run a repair business. SUV has a fun, all-terrain drift to it, but it too is a waste if you don't use it. What I was looking for is a smaller multi-purpose, single-volume vehicle, and there aren't many of them here. Domestic makes are better in that respect than imports. I almost got to think that the selection is such that it forces you to either buy a big car or two cars.
I'm mostly saying this because I've seen plenty of such versatile models in Europe. For example, you can find a new Civic in 5 door trim - diesel!
Or a highly unusual, but apparently very versatile and practical Fiat Doblo (a wide spacious crossover) that looks somewhat like Honda Element, only it's a bit smaller and proportionally wider.
Wagons and generally single volume vehicles are very popular in Europe. Half of Fiat's fleet are such cars. And of course, the diesel option - everybody has it. I was really sorry I did not find a suitable one here.
Anyhow, that is what it is. This is my overview of different models I've looked at:
Honda Accord
I drove Accord '89 for years, and I can testify to its quality. The engine was just great, even with 230,000 km on it. Every year when I need to perform Air-Care, all I'm thinking is: "Is it going to be slightly better or slightly worse than last year?" In the first couple of years I used to drive a bit before the air-care to warm up the engine, but later abandoned that practice - it was simply unnecessary. Anyhow, Accord was my first thought, and always a backup plan: "if I don't find anything I like, I'll just buy Accord".
And the latest Accord (model 2003) was in all aspects a very good choice. Good space, good quality, safety, fuel economy, pretty much everything. It wasn't that sleek and pretty as I would hope, but that's really not big a deal. Also, it did not have the perfect safety scores (in couple of tests it had 4 out of 5) - and I was kind of expecting perfection from my favourite make. In the end, the current model was just about to be replaced, the 2008 is completely redesigned, and I was expecting major improvements with the new model. So the current model seemed somewhat an outdated choice.
Honda Civic
Haven't really thought of Civic before - to me it was a city car for singles or a first family car that you replace quickly. However, the new Civic (model from 2006) made a strong impression on me.
Pros: A lot of new features, some quite advanced. Top safety: impact-absorbing body, all 6 airbags, ABS, sensors, and all of that in the base version. Excellent fuel economy - just slightly worse than Corolla (which is top in that respect). Although a smaller car, it grew over time. The passenger space is very good even for a taller person. I even tried moving the driver seat all the way back and then sitting behind it, and it was ok. It's quite wide inside - it's no minivan, so don't expect wonders, but perfectly acceptable.
Also, the options are created reasonably, so all I had to add was AC - it had everything else. The design is sleek, the interior very pleasant, and very enjoyable for a driver. Driving a Civic (manual transmission) is just a beautiful experience.
Cons: The only flaw I found was small trunk space. Trunk is smaller than most of the cars I've looked at. Corolla has 40L bigger trunk which is not negligible especially in smaller cars. The shape of the trunk is good which means you can put in different robust pieces, but the total volume is simply small.
Honda CR-V
A completely new model (2007), bigger than before, and very nicely designed. I generally did not shoot for SUVs, but if I decided to get one, CRV would have been a serious candidate. The only flaw for me was that it doesn't come with manual transmission.
Honda Hybrid
I have also considered hybrid cars, but gave up generally for one reason: the batteries occupy a good part of the trunk space, and that was already an issue with non-hybrid models. And with the price, I decided to pass on those nice modern things this time.
Toyota Corolla
Towards Corolla, I had similar feeling as to the pre-2006 Civic - seems as a city, young/small family car, only even more than Civic. For my current situation, I was seriously considering it. What I didn't like was the way it was sold: the base model did not have ABS, only front airbags, and generally some other nice safety features were missing. Now the options are managed in such a way that if you add those things, you also get plenty of those that you don't need (e.g. sunroof), and it's not that affordable anymore.
On the other hand it had a lot to offer: good space for a smaller car, the best fuel economy, proven quality.
But I gave up on it mainly because of the lack of safety features.
Toyota Matrix
Similar to Corolla, with very similar and annoying option structure. I mean, it goes up to $28,000 if I add features I want (ABS, Airbags, AC, ...). That is because you also get leather seats, sunroof, and some other options.
Now Matrix was conceptually exactly what I wanted - a single-volume, not too big, but practical, multipurpose car. But it has been built on Corolla chassis, and to me it had a certain "incomplete" feeling to it. And almost some cheapness as well.
Toyota Camry
I did not like it very much. I mean, it seems to be a great car - it's big, spacious, amazingly soft and comfortable. It's a bit heavy which you can feel on acceleration, but again, it's a bigger car, so it's no surprise. Generally, Camry is starting to look and feel as a regular 6 cylinder large American car, which is perhaps exactly what they are trying to do. I did not like that much - I like cars such as Accord better; it's sleeker, more dynamic, a bit harder on the road, more sporty.
Anyhow, except for the fact that I did not need a big limousine-like car, I have nothing really against it.
Nissan
Nissan is an excellent car that simply did not flare any particular interest with me. This is of course just a personal taste. Altima is in particular very nice, well made and affordable car. Sentra is less so - I found it below similar sized cars. Maxima is a great full sized car - but similar to Toyota Camry it was a bit larger sedan that I'd go for.
Hyundai
Now this is a puzzle. Sonata has a beautiful and very elegant style. It looks fairly high-end by appearance. And it has excellent features and plenty of them. For example, a latest trend - Shiftronic transmission or CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission) that pairs the best attributes of manual and automatic mechanisms. I've heard that the fuel economy with CVT is almost as good as in the manual one; actually Volvo claims that in one of their models, on a highway, CVT performs even better than manual. But to me, driving a car with CVT was not that impressive experience.
Hyundai obviously has a lot of latest features for a highly affordable price. And although it does look good, you can still tell that it's an affordable car. When Hyundai entered the American market it was known as the worst car - people say it would last you for about a year. But in the past 5 years they have made such a good progress, that in some independent ratings (Such as Consumer Report's) they rate better in some aspects than Honda or Toyota.
All in all, I did not spend much time on it, although I've considered both Sonata and their SUV Tucson as an option.
Mazda
I was looking mainly at Mazda 3 Sport. By the way, the name is completely misleading - for a long time I did not even consider it because I simply thought it's a sport edition not suitable for a family. But when I did looked at it, I was surprised to learn that it actually isn't - the term "sport" apparently came up only because "hatchback" was too "boring". Silly - I don't think they really thought this one through well.
Anyhow, I learned it has almost all I needed, and on test drive it felt really good. The dealer told me they sell mostly manual versions because it's a performance car. I doubt this is really true, but it is true that the car is pretty sporty - very responsive, fairly strong, and in general a pleasure to drive. Nevertheless, it has good space inside, and generally is suitable for a family.
But the trunk was small, i.e. narrow. The width of the trunk is virtually the same as the width of the trunk door. This I simply don't understand - seems as if they purposely did not use all the available space.
In addition, its crash ratings (from the tests) were not the best. And as a smaller flaw the seat covers felt a bit unpleasant.
But it is generally a very good car and I was considering it very seriously
Mazda 5 also caught my attention because it was a bigger family car, yet not a mini van. I was comparing it to Matrix. However, it looked to me that the goal with an unusual "crossover" design was not really achieved (or completed), at least to my personal taste. The third row is too small for anyone except kids to use for any longer drive. With the third row up, the trunk is too small. Although not a mini van it is still fairly heavy and "lazy" on the road.
It's generally a very interesting vehicle, worth looking at.
Subaru
Ah, Subaru...
Subaru was the most pleasant discovery for me. I didn't know much at all about this make, only a few vague facts. But after I learned a bit about it I figured that this make is simply excellent. And they have recently been gaining more and more popularity. Then I went to US for a weekend and saw that there are as many Subarus (mostly Outbacks) on the road there as there are Honda Civics in Canada. Every other person owns it!
So I explored the models a bit and figured that Forester and Outback are most appealing. Forester as a smaller and cheaper option and Outback as a bigger and more expensive. Impreza was too small and a bit too much sporty - it's a performance car used for racing. Legacy, built on the same chassis as Outback and very similar as well was ok, but Outback simply looks better.
I took Forester on a test drive - although it has older look, and is boxier, jeep-like, I liked it somewhat better than Outback. Actually this comparison is a bit like comparing apples and oranges - both look very nice and are conceptually different in exterior design. Perhaps I liked Forester a bit better exactly because it looks like a small SUV. It drives just beautifully. It's not really an SUV, because it's smaller and lower than, say CR-V, but it does feel like one because you sit higher above the road than, say, in a sedan. This gives you an excellent visibility of the road in front of you. The space was good, but not too good - in particular the shoulder and hip room is comparable to even Corolla and Civic. So two car seats and an adult can fit in the back, but it wouldn't be too comfortable on a longer, hour%u2019s long trip. Other dimensions including the trunk size are just fine.
An interesting little side feature of the Boxer engine (horizontally opposed pistons): When you turn the ignition on, Forester "shakes" just a wee bit, just as if you were sitting in a truck. This is not too noticeable, but it gives you a bit of a nice feeling of strength.
Security with Subaru vehicles is the one of the strongest points. Their cars have straight 5 on all tests (front impact, side impact and rear impact). This is not accidental - they have systematically developed this quality. They've been known in the past to put a lot of effort in security, so much that even they admitted they did it on account of the style. Thus, even the Forester that does not have the curtain airbags at all, protects rear passenger better than some vehicles that have the curtain airbags. However, I found that lack of those airbags was too serious flaw for me - as I mentioned, my first priority was safety and I did not want to compromise in that respect even a bit. Outback on the other hand has all 6 airbags, but it's also considerably more expensive.
Another security feature resulting from the engine design, i.e. the Boxer style, is that it has very low center of gravity, lower than ordinary engines. For this reason, the risk of rollover with Forester is comparable to a sedan, rather than any SUV.
Subaru vehicles are not true gas-savers. Specifications claim they spend 10.7L/100km. I drove Outback for 24 hours, and it spent 12L/100km. This is understandable; you'll never get the fuel economy from the spec, especially with brand new car. However, compared to Corolla's 7.1 or Civic 7.8, it is almost 50% more.
I didn't choose Subaru for a couple of reasons, although I was so close to buying one. Forester does not have curtain airbags, and new Forester model is planned for 2009. Outback is not cheap - with taxes and PDI and the rest of the fees it comes up to $38,000. Buying Outback in US would cost me somewhat above $30,000. Forester would be somewhat below $30,000. So, I'd have to pay good money, and wouldn't be happy with either lack of airbags or not the best fuel economy. But I think my next car might easily be a Subaru.
Volvo
No need to say it's a great make, and one of my personal favourites. However, affordable or close to affordable Volvo's (such as S40, V50) are small, and larger ones (S70, XC70) are expensive. If it wasn't for the price I think I wouldn't even analyze it - I'd just go and buy it.
Volkswagen
I know VW was always a good car - when I was a kid half of my hometown was driving VW. I know features of Golf models from Golf I to Golf IV. And I drove it a bit too. But my main interest in VW was that I was looking for a diesel car. I was disappointed to find that VW dealers in Canada do not sell plenty of diesel models. There is TDI (here and now it means Jetta TDI) - that's it.
Then I also discovered that City Golf and City Jetta are amazingly affordable - they are cheaper than Civic and Corolla. And they are good cars! I almost decided to go for one of them!
But Golf is small for a Canadian family, in particular, the trunk is too narrow - I can't even put the kid's stroller in straight, but have to incline it a bit. I started wondering how did the half of my hometown raise kids with a Golf? (And the other half of the town drove smaller cars.) But those were different times...
City Jetta is better in that respect, but not too much. It is an old Jetta model, first designed several years ago. It's still the same with all the small improvements made over the years, but nothing major.
Major redesign of Jetta went into the Jetta model (without "City") that is some 8 grand more expensive and looks more like a Passsat (actually so much so that on the road I have trouble telling Jetta from Passat). Jetta is an excellent car, has excellent security features, lots of space (very, very comfortable inside). And there is diesel (TDI) option.
Generally, an excellent option - only a summary of all features and price decided against it, and not by far at all.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Nissan Titan 2008 Review - Test Drive & Pricing
Nissan Titan 2008 Review - Test Drive & Pricing
by Brian Lebow
The Good: Nissan's half ton grows even larger with a new long-wheelbase version and exterior styling has been updated a bit!
The Bad: Lacking powertrain options (like a V-6) or a single cab option
Overall: Though it's not as versatile as the Tundra, Silverado or F-150, the Titan has a lot going for it, including a spacious interior cab, also now available, a full 8.2-ft bed and great technology. But can it bite into the American Truck Segment that's predominantly occupied by legends like the F series truck from Ford? Nissan hopes so...
We're on the Road in the 2008 Nissan Titan
Trucks are part of our culture here in America. In certain parts of the country it's required to have a truck with a gun rack or optionally a large dog in the back, some parts of the country you can't have one without the other. In late 2003 (2004 Model Year) Nissan debuted in the segment with challenging the domestics in this typical American market segment. What's more American than good old fashioned competition?
Since 2004, the Titan has been updated, the 2008 model got even larger. The Titan's exterior was updated this year and a new PRO-4X trim level is available. Nissan's Titan is offered in four models: XE, SE, PRO-4X and LE; two cab styles - King Cab and Crew Cab; four bed lengths - 5'6" and 7' for Crew Cab, 6'6" and 8' for King Cab; 4x2 and 4x4 drive configurations; and continued from last year, Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) capability (E85 Ethanol) as a no-cost option. That's a lot of variations, but still no regular cab or V-6 engine option is available. The newest colors available in 08 are Desert Stone and Timberline.
Powertrain/Transmission: The heart of any work truck of course is the powertrain and though the Titan offers only one option, it shoots above the average. The Powertrain consists of a 5.6-liter V-8 good for (an improved) 317-horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission, with available tow/haul mode and shift on the fly 4-WD system. The five-speed automatic shifts are somewhat slow, but it's got enogh hp to compensate and the slow shifts rarely detract from the passing ability or driving experience. The 30 year segment leader F-Series trucks from Ford, have many more powertrain options, starting with the 4.2-liter V6. The Titan's shifts are sluggish, but there's power to compensate. If you regularly have heavy loads the slow shifting might be more of a consideration. For everyday 'light duty' driving, it's not an issue.
Given gas prices what they are, you can't overlook the large segment of consumers (those that don't need a work truck) turning away from larger engines. For the construction worker or those that need a serious work truck, we don't have a problem recommending the Titan. With the optional tow package, the Titan can pull up to 9,500 pounds (the Crew Cab maxes out at 9,400-lbs.) Rear and four-wheel drive models are available.
Exterior: This year the Titan got a couple of upgrades, like the extra cargo box length for the long wheelbase models. Other updates include: the new grille and headlights. The standard wheelbase bed options are: 5.5-foot cargo box (Crew Cab) or a 6.5-foot bed (King Cab), and the long wheelbase models can have the 7 or 8.2-foot bed, respectively.
The trucks lines are hard and fresh, making for a nice looking, modern truck. The Pro-4X trim level gets the Rancho shocks, more skid plates, all-terrain tires, a locking rear-differential, and Pro-4X logos. There's also Titan's available spray-on bedliner which helps prevent scratch damage and corrosion to the bed and inner tailgate surface. Thinner than drop-in bedliners or typical aftermarket spray-on applications, the Titan bedliner also maximizes bed volume. It is the first offered by any original equipment manufacturer and is covered by the Nissan warranty.
Jump Inside the Nissan Titan and find seating for five or six (depending on whether you opt for the captians chairs or bench up front). There's really a great deal to enjoy inside the Titan, you can add the Mobile Theater System for about $1450, which will quell the kids on long rides and there's the Nissan Nav System which is pretty useful on out of town trips, it'll run about $1,800. and you'll probably want to add the VDC package which also adds supplemental airbags. There's some really nice touches inside the Titan.
Safety: The Titan earned the highest possible result, "Good" from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for front impact, while side impact tests have not been conducted.
Reliability Issues: Consumer Reports the Titans two wheel-drive model predicted reliability is 'worse than average', while the four wheel drive Titan was rated "Much Worse Than Average." We certainly did not experience any problems during our test drive, the vehicle was over 13,000 miles and no problems were discovered as we put the truck through it's paces.
While most trucks in the segment still offer a lap belt for the front center position (when you get the bench up front), Nissan's Titan steps up to a three point belt in this position. All-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and active front head restraints are standard. Optional equipment includes: side-impact airbags for front seats, side curtain airbags and the power-adjustable pedals.
The Way you feel Inside: This updated Titan has some nice modern amenities, things you wouldn't find in your old pick-up, like available Bluetooth connectivity, moonroof, satellite radio, heated power seats, and rear seat dvd entertainment system. The Titan has an innovative bedside storage compartment located behind the rear driver's side wheel. The bedside storage bin is designed to hold common truck items such as work gloves, rope, road flares, first aid kit or a hitch ball. It's about the size of a kids lunchbox inside. The compartment is double-sealed to help prevent the intrusion of water and dust (though the compartment is not designed to be waterproof in case of submersion) and uses the ignition key for un/locking - see photo. Also helpful is the rear sonar system that helps you back up and the extending tow mirrors with dual mirrors.
Though the Titan does have a great deal to offer, it's what's missing that stands out. The lack of a V-6 option plus you can't get it in a regular cab could be stumbling blocks for some consumers that don't need the power of a V-8 and the additional passenger space. If you do need the power and space, the reliability issues noted from Consumer Reports might be enough to make you think twice. We certainly had no issues with our nine month old test truck (a 4x4 LE), which had over 14,000 miles and performed very well.
By the numbers
The Nissan TITAN (V-8) is rated at 12 mpg city/17 highway on dual fuel, Ethanol (E85) which can be 20 -30% less expensive than gas, which you can also use to fill the largest in class 37 gallon tank.
The 2008 Nissan TITAN - MSRP Price
The 2008 Nissan Titan King Cab and Titan Crew Cab are offered in four models - XE, SE and LE, each with a choice of 4x2 and 4x4 drive configurations - and PRO-4X (4WD only). Each offered with list of standard equipment including a powerful 5.6-liter Endurance V8, 5-speed automatic transmission with Tow/Haul mode, power rack-and-pinion steering and 18-inch wheels and tires.
Titan XE models are equipped with a standard 40/20/40 split front bench seat with a center seat fold-down armrest storage bin, split fold-up rear seat and three-point seat belts for five positions. XE and SE 2WD models are available with a Traction Package (standard on LE) that includes 2-wheel limited slip (ABLS) and front tow hooks. The new PRO-4X grade adds 18 x 8J alloy wheels with off-road-style center cap, largest-in-class* P275/70R18 off-road tires, body-color front and rear bumpers and grille, a lockable bedside storage box, unique interior features including unique meters and gauges, splash guards, the off-road equipment detailed above and auto on/off headlamps.
Titan SE models include standard 5-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels and P265/70R18 tires and chrome steel center bumper, while LE models add 6-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels, standard high-utility bed, leather-appointed seating, Rockford Fosgate?-powered audio system with eight speakers, dual-zone auto-climate control system and power folding mirrors with heat, power adjust, auto dim, and integrated turn signal.
Optional SE equipment packages include a Popular Package (equipped with split bench seat or bucket seats) including upgraded audio system with steering wheel audio controls, rearview mirror, temperature and UGDO, proximity sensors and adjustable pedals; and Popular Rockford Fosgate Package, which includes Popular Package contents plus premium sound Rockford Fosgate-powered audio system and, new for 2008, Bluetooth? hands-free phone system and XM? satellite radio tuner.
Other available equipment and packages include sunroof, Navigation Package with DVD-based navigation system and Utility Bed Package with C-channel tie down system, bedside storage, rear bed lighting and power point and spray-on bedliner. The Titan's Tow Package includes receiver hitch, lower final gear ratio, additional 7-pin wiring harness plug, trailer brake prewiring, transmission temperature gauge, extending mirrors and heavy-duty battery
The 2 wheel drive King Cab XE starts at $24,390 and standard features include a six-speaker CD stereo, cruise control and air. The rear wheel drive SE starts at $26,650 and adds upgrades like remote keyless entry, allow wheels and power windows, door locks and mirrors. The Pro-4X models have off-road upgrades and start at $31,980. The LE gets 20 inch wheels, heated power seats, leather upholstery and more. Depending on configuration (2 or 4-Wheel Drive / Bed Length) you can spend up to $46,000 on a Titan when you add nav, rear seat entertainment, rear parking sensors, and other options.
Our test vehicle - the 4x4 LE - 7'3" bed - with Nav, rear seat entertainment the Tow Package, Side-Air Bag Package with VDC, Moonroof, Step Rails and Sliding Bed Extender had an MSRP of $44,900.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Cars: Luxury Hybrids Vehicles
Cars: Luxury Hybrids Vehicles
by Thomas Jones
Do you know what luxury hybrid vehicles are available on the market today? Do you get confused when you see advertisements on the television for the many different makes and models? You're not the only one. Hybrid vehicles are becoming more and more popular in today's driving world and the choices are growing each and every day. This handy guide will give you - hopefully - a clearer look at the variety of hybrid vehicles that are available for consumer purchase.
BMW
The racing market has been cornered by BMW and its HR2 hybrid. They also have a line of consumer hybrid vehicles which include the BMW C-1 scooter, BMW X6 hybrid, BMW SUV hybrids, and the BMW X3 hybrid.
Lexus
Luxury vehicle manufacturer Lexus offers consumers two hybrids in the sedan style: the GS and the LD. The RX is their SUV hybrid. The LS sedan is one of Lexus' top line models with a hefty price tag of$104,000.00 MSRP. The GS comes in at $54,900.00 MSRP, and the RX SUV starts at $41,280.00 MSRP.
Mercury
Mercury is the working classes luxury automobile and their Mariner SUV hybrid is a four-wheel drive starting at $28,945.00. The full wheel drive model is $27,195.00. Mercury's prices for their hybrids are staying to close to the MSRP for their conventional models even though most hybrids go for an average of $10,000.00 more.
Porsche
Deep pockets drive Porsches in the first place and they are getting into the hybrid market with the introduction of the Porsche Cayenne SUV sometime in the 2008-2009 automobile season. Considering a fully loaded Porsche SUV sits around $93,700.00, plan on bringing your bank book. This will probably not be the only hybrid Porsche will develop. Many people will be interested in the sedan line the company offers and that will probably be the next offering after the Cayenne.
Mercedes-Benz
While they still don't have a consumer hybrid on their dealership lots yet, Mercedes is planning on bringing one out in 2009. One of the S-Class cars, this hybrid will not be cheap. Estimates are already placing cost between $127,000.00 an $195,000.00. Hybrids tend to be more expensive overall so don't be surprised if it goes over that $195,000.00. If it goes well, Mercedes will bring out more by 2010.
Just because you don't see your favorite car line on this list, that doesn't mean they do not have a hybrid available. Toyota and Ford both have models on the lots and there is rumor circling that Volkswagen will begin producing them as well. As a matter of fact, it will probably just be a matter of time before most major automobile manufacturers have a hybrid in their 'stable' of vehicles.
Also, car manufacturers are constantly adding to the product line and rolling out new models every year. If you have a little bit of patience, you will be able to find the perfect hybrid for you. It doesn't matter if it is an SUV or car - maybe even a truck - hybrids are the way of the future and there will more on the road as the years go by.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Nine Lies Car Insurance Adjusters Might Tell You
Nine Lies Car Insurance Adjusters Might Tell You
by Dave Williams
This fact can’t be disputed or denied: Insurance adjusters often lie to consumers, hoping their antics will cause them to become discouraged and accept a smaller settlement than they are rightfully owed. While it is true, mistakes occasionally happen and some adjusters pass untruths out of ignorance, many others are handsomely rewarded for routinely telling blatant and deliberate lies to claimants.
In this article you will learn nine of the most frequent lies car insurance adjusters tell. Beneath each lie, you will learn the truth.
- 1. You must get your car repaired
- 2. You must go to the insurer’s preferred shop
- 3. You must turn the claim in to your own company if we disagree
- 4. Repairs will restore your vehicle to its preloss condition
- 5. You Don’t need a lawyer
- 6. Your car will be just as valuable after the accident and repairs as before
- 7. We don’t pay Diminished Value (DV)
It is usually more difficult to collect diminished value under your own policy than it is in third-party cases where another person’s insurance is paying. The reason for this is that many consumers, unbeknownst to them, purchase insurance policies that have diminished value exclusions written in them. By virtue of being bound to this contract that they purchased, these consumers will be forced to forgo this portion of their claim. But, even in these cases, consumers that have purchased a post-repair inspection will often have proof that repairs failed to restore a vehicle to its preloss condition. Faced with this proof and the obligation to indemnify the policyholder, insurers are often forced to make a monetary concession - though rarely will they call it a diminished value payment.
- 8. You must go back to the same dishonest and/or slothful shop for rerepairs
- 9. Insurance direct repair shops are the best places to get your car repaired
Reality is, whether or not you get your car repaired, you are entitled to full value for the cost of repairs necessary to restore your property to its preloss condition. You shouldn’t settle for less!
This information is general in nature and should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal or insurance advice. Readers are encouraged to consult specialists in these fields who have an understanding of legal and insurance issues on a local, state, and national level.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Car: Should You Buy New or Used
Car: Should You Buy New or Used
by Dennis James
When you decide to purchase a new car, there are many things you must take into consideration. First there is the car's make and model. There are small hatchbacks you can buy, family cars or, if you prefer, large SUVs.
It all depends on your personal needs and your budget, the bigger the car, the more it will cost and the more gas it will consume. Think about the future when buying the car, not only on your current financial position. Then what kind of car you will buy: a new one or a used car.
Both situations have their pros and cons. Buying a new vehicle has the main advantage that you will be the car's first owner. You will be the first one to drive it, it will smell like new and you can be considered the proud owner of a brand new vehicle.
Another important fact is that a new auto with a two or three year guarantee, so the manufacturer ensures you that the car will function properly this entire time. In addition, if sometimes breaks, it will be covered by the warranty and the vendor will change that faulty item free of charge.
However, all these advantages come with a price. A new car is always going to be more expensive than a used one. In addition, not only do you pay a lot more when you buy it, but also the car will loose its value very fast. In fact, a new car looses about 15% of its initial value each year. In addition, when you will want to sell it after a couple of years, you will see that you have obtained a lower price than hoped.
On the other hand, a more convenient way of purchasing a car is to buy a used one. Not everybody has the money to buy a new car and an used vehicle is the perfect solution for them.
A car is more than a luxury object nowadays, it is indeed a necessity. If you have kids, you can even go as further as to say that a car is vital. You can go anywhere you want anytime you want, you can do the shopping very conveniently and you can carry more things than before. And a used car is a great solution, especially if you can find a car in good working condition.
When it comes to buying second hand cars, there are many solutions available. While you can read the newspapers and follow those ads, you can buy a used car in a more convenient way.
Many good cars can be found in online auctions. There are many online cheap repo car sales and if you are lucky, you can even find a car up to 95% off its retail value.
Repo cars are in perfect condition but they are very cheap as these vehicles have been repossessed, for various reasons, from their initial owners. Usually these cars have traveled few miles and for the past recent years they have stayed in a garage and not on the streets. Choosing a cheap repo car can be the perfect solution for you, especially as you can be sure of the car's origin and about the fact that the car has not been hit or damaged.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Hybrids: How to Select the Best Hybrid Vehicle
Hybrids: How to Select the Best Hybrid Vehicle
by Darren Williger
Environmentalists are fans of the hybrid vehicle. Customers consider them in high regard. Manufacturers feel the demands of the consumer market and can't wait to manufacture more variations of these vehicles. Mixture cars are becoming all the more popular. The constant variations in the prices of gasoline have meant a lot of benefits for the manufacturers of hybrid vehicles. People who purchase mixture vehicles are flooding the market in order to determine whether these vehicles are worth the prices that they are being sold at.
Estimated projections have shown that in the next decade or so there will be a substantial number of alternative fuel vehicles in the global automobile market. This is quite a large difference from the minimal number of hybrid vehicles in existence a while back. Despite this fact, the main thing that people who are out to buy alternative cars should do is try to understand what these are about.
What Is A Hybrid Vehicle?
A hybrid is a vehicle that is between an electric vehicle and a gas powered engine. Hybrids have an internal combustion engine as well an electric motor that has a backup battery. Most typical mixture vehicles tend to share both gas and electric energy at the same time. What this means is that traditional mixture vehicles are actually a whole lot more fuel efficient than they are environmentally friendly. Another thing that consumers should be aware of when buying a hybrid is that they should know that two main hybrid types exist. These hybrid types are the mild hybrid and the full hybrid. Buyers of such cars should also decide how important it is to save on energy before choosing one energy saving vehicle or the other.
Mild Hybrid Vehicle
Mild hybrid vehicles predominantly use gas as a means of power. The electric motor is only used in cases where additional power is needed to support the gasoline engine. Mild hybrid vehicles therefore rely on a whole lot more gas than their full hybrid vehicle counterparts. Because of this reason they only offer a small reduction in the amount of dangerous emissions that they release into the atmosphere. When you compare these hybrid vehicles with traditional vehicles on the other hand, they still offer a greater financial and environmental benefit.
Full Hybrid Vehicle
When most people think about hybrid vehicles they are actually thinking about the full hybrid. This is because the full mixture vehicle is more in line with what people feel mixture vehicles are supposed to be all about. These vehicles allow the electric motor to work independently of the gasoline or the traditional engine. A full hybrid can solely be powered by electricity thereby eliminating the release of dangerous substances and saving the costs of gas as well. When you make an idle stop such as you would before a traffic light, the full hybrid switches power entirely to the electric motor. The full hybrid is great for town driving and allows the electric motor does most of the work when you're travelling at slow speeds. Most people often think that hybrids must be plugged into a recharging source at one time or the other to recharge their batteries, the truth however is that these vehicles recharge themselves by using the internal battery pack while you're driving.
Why Buy A Hybrid Vehicle?
Regardless of current claims by certain researchers that alternative automobiles don't save as much gas as the manufacturers of these vehicles claim. These same researchers agree however that these vehicles tend to use half as much fuel as their traditional gasoline counterparts. Newer models may be heavier and this requires more gas to run but hybrids remain much more environmentally friendly and cheaper than other vehicles.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Liability: How to Avoid Liability Once the Car Is Sold?
Liability: How to Avoid Liability Once the Car Is Sold?
by Khalid Mustaffa
You can no longer call the car that you have been trying to sell my car any more. Depending on how attached you were to the car, and your future plans this may be the toughest or happiest moment in the process. It is now time to kiss the car goodbye, but I am about to provide you some last minute tips that may save you some money, and future liability.
Make sure that you secure the payment; I understand how anxious you may be to get rid of the car, and go on with your plans, but remember you don’t want to end up without the car, nor the money. If you had accepted a check or money order make sure it clears. On the other hand had you used an escrow service, you should wait until you get a confirmation of money receipt.
On a different note, so long you described the car to the best of your knowledge, and did not deliberately hide information, mechanical problems or prior accidents you shouldn’t be liable for those you were not aware of. Most state laws around the nation assume that private-party sales have a built in “as-is”, however, it will only make you feel safer to get that understanding in writing, make sure that both parties sign off before the transaction is complete.
However, it is to your best interest to protect yourself in writing and include an as is statement in the bill of the sale, or have the buyer sign a paper stating that he or she is aware that you the seller are not responsible for any future breakdowns.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Ford Focus 2008 - Test Drive & Pricing
Ford Focus 2008 - Test Drive & Pricing
by Shaun Davidson
The Focus' outward looks were starkly similar to what I had driven as a rental the last number of years. Not very encouraging news for Ford, nor for the shoppers looking for different pastures. I found the styling to be ultra conservative, a should have been Focus in 2003 as opposed to today as this segment has a lot more attractive vehicles for the money. The overall impression however, is one of middle of the road, the exterior quality was just good enough for me. The rearward fascia is more noticeably different in contrast to it's predecessor. I thought Ford could of spent much more time at the clay mold to make a much more radical design. Ultimately, I could see about 700 of these at the airport terminal rental car depot on any given day.
The interior landscape was no less different than what was outside, and I was further disappointed at the lack of creativity and craftsmanship. Seating was pseudo-comfortable, if not stiffer than I liked it. Just imagine sitting in a folding card table chair, consumers will want to get up every 15 minutes to stretch. Controls were easy to use and required very little automotive education to get the general idea of the layout, it was smart simple. I give strong kudos to the Sync system, this a slick piece of hardware for the radio, one I've been especially looking forward to in automobiles. If consumers ever consider the Focus, try out the Sync, it's incredible! My cheap test model had the crank windows, automatic transmission, c/d player w/sync, a wide array of cup holders and power outlets. It was decently equipped for the money and had everything that a commuter looks for in this class. Rear seating was taught, not suv in space, but was good enough for medium sized car poolers. In the end of my interior visual inspection, it was bargain based in design with an extra surprise element that had no added elaboration.
Lastly, overall performance for the California freeways was a little too average for my tastes. The powertrain seemed like it had to work harder for me than some of my other small cars I've driven lately. The recently reviewed 2008 Hyundai Elantra felt more rigid and powerful in my interstate testing. Pricing for this model is market competitive, but only if consumers were just looking at the Focus. My test mule rounded out at just under $16k with the specified equipment. And expect anywhere from $700-900 between invoice and MSRP, but the end product will leave buyers wanting more. It was difficult to leave the Ford lot disappointed, especially when I expected such huge things for the auto company. It's a good car in need of market attention, the 2008 Ford Focus will find it's buyers no problem. I would hope Ford will not give up on a segment that sells so many cars with the gasoline situation, it is just too crucial to have a competitive economy car.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Car Buyers Bill of Rights (And Wrongs)
Car Buyers Bill of Rights (And Wrongs)
by Peter W. Robinson
On July 1st, 2006, a landmark consumer protection bill became law in California. Known as the Car Buyers Bill of Rights, this bill has been more successful at confusing the public than it has been at eliminating predatory dealer practices. In it's final realization, it is an abject example of what can happen when well-meaning consumer groups make unrealistic proposals and settle for impractical solutions. Key features of the bill include:
- Imposing a limit on the interest rate markup allowed to dealers when arranging an auto loan.
- Setting more specific criteria for cars that are to be sold as 'certified'.
- Establishing a two-day return option for buyers of used vehicles.
- Requiring dealerships to disclose to customers, in writing, their credit scores and the source of the information.
The BAD: This legislation was originally aimed at all car dealers, but the 'cooling off period' is available only to used car buyers. So, if your new car does not please you...too bad! The 'cooling off period' does not apply to new car buyers.
Being 'forced' to reveal the credit score to someone who did not check it out before trying to buy a car seems....well, let's face it: If you did not check your credit before going out to buy a CAR, either you are A) rich and don't care, or B) have perfect credit, or C) Your credit is so bad that it doesn't matter what the number is...you just want to buy a car!! A raw credit score does not mean anything whatsoever to someone who does not approve loans for a living.
The UGLY: Talk about "fine print"! Car dealers are allowed to charge for the two-day return option! In other words, instead of creating a protection for buyers who feel they have been victimized , this bill has created another profit source for the dealership!
" Mr. Jones, for only $300 you can have the peace of mind..."
For a vehicle priced at more than $10,000 , a $500 restocking fee may be charged. This is assuming that you came back within 48 hours, drove fewer than 250 miles, and were able to comply with all other provisions, stated or not. Who will go through all of that? Not many, even if they are not happy with their deal. Who will pay for the 'concept' of the right to go through all of that? Quite a few do. It is difficult for folks to consider the implications of these "only $5 dollars a month" options when they come flying at them out of the blue. "This is only to protect YOU" or " This is an option the state requires us to offer for your protection". See what I mean?
As always, the best advice is to deal with people you know and trust. The typical car buyer will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars buying cars in their lifetime. It is essential to develop relationships with the sellers of vehicles. Talk to people you know, check with the Better Business Bureau, know where and from whom you will be buying your car from before you go out to do it!. DO NOT go driving from lot to lot hoping to find a car that "speaks to you". If the car really could speak to you, it might tell you to run away.
