Posts Tagged ‘auto loans’

What Those Codes Mean – Deciphering Sidewall Graffiti

Saturday, June 12th, 2010

Are secrets to life held in sidewall graffiti on tires? Author Douglas Adams might be intrigued at the notion, but the truth is that tire codes tell consumers about the tire’s size, wear, construction and speed rating, among other things. Using the right size tires for your vehicle is an important part of getting the most from your vehicle and increasing mpg. Thanks to all of our friends at Edmunds, here’s the official cheat sheet for breaking down the mystery of the tire codes on your daily commuter or weekend joy-rider. You will know what the sidewall graffiti means and only need to go to a Car Deal Expert when you need an auto loan.

Source for this article: Deciphering sidewall graffiti – What those tire codes mean?

If your tires could talk – sidewall graffiti

Let’s use 205/55R 16 89V as our example. Let’s see how it breaks down:

  • First there’s 205 – Which measures the millimeter distance between sidewall edges, this is the tire’s section width. The bigger the number, the fatter the tire.
  • Second there’s 55 – The aspect ratio that compares section height to width. The section height in this case is 55 percent of the section width. Lower numbers (under 55, for instance) mean a shorter sidewall, which grants improved handling.
  • Third there’s R – This is the tire’s construction, in this case radial. Radial has been the standard for the past 20 years, but certain trucks still use the old bias-play construction.
  • Fourth there’s 16 ­– This is the rim diameter in inches. If you want to upgrade your wheels, you’ll need a set of tires to match the new wheel size.
  • 89 – The load index, which represents the Maximum Load-Carrying Capacity Per Tire chart. 89 equates to 1,279 pounds per tire. Get the total weight capacity of a set of tires by multiplying the weight by four.
  • Sixth V – This represents the speed rating, which tells you maximum speed a tire can go over an extended period of time. A car can safely go 149 mph for a period of time with “V”. Go over that for too long (say for several minutes) and your tires may explode. For other speed codes, see the link at the bottom of the article.

In sidewall graffiti, other things to consider

Other information according to Edwards that might be important in the case of a recall are DOT numbers (Department of Transportation). A being the best, a traction rating of A, B, or C might available as well. The numbers 120 or 180 along with the word “TREADWEAR” might be visible. The industry standard is 100, so a tire with a 180 is designed to maintain acceptable tread for traction 80 percent longer than the industry standard. The higher the number, the longer the tread life, although sometimes other scales are used.

Find more information on this topic

Douglas Adams

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Adams

Edmunds

http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/howto/articles/43859/article.html

radial

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radial_tire

Maximum Load-Carrying Capacity Per Tire

http://www.kaltire.com/retail/about_your_tires/loadchart.php

speed codes, see the link at the bottom of the article

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35

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Determining Whether Your Car Is Antique Or Classic

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

Nothing really beats a perfectly restored antique or classic car. Elegant line, solid construction, dazzling chrome and even genteel carriage evoke pleasant memories of the past, transporting us into personal fantasy where “They don’t make them like they used to” never rings false. But how are you supposed to know if your hobby cars are classical or antique? There are some guidelines, thankfully. Just remember, whether a car is classic or antique, it should generally not be used as a daily commuter, unless you have unlimited funds at your disposal and don’t need auto loans to purchase vehicles.

Source for this article: How to determine if you have a classic or antique car

Arent classic and antique the same thing?

It isn’t necessarily true that classic and antique are the same as some would argue. According to Wikipedia, “classic car” is used to refer to high quality vehicles from pre world war II era. However, 20 years of life for a car is approximately double the expectancy intended for most modern cars according to U.S. auto insurance laws, so the “classic car” title sets in after a car is 20 years old. And classic or antique car insurance tends to be almost always more expensive than insurance for any standard vehicle because older models don’t have the same safety features that come standard in newer cars. In the United Kingdom, the term “antique car” isn’t used at all, even though they do use the phrase “vintage” to refer to vehicles more than 100 years old.

The Classic Car Club of America contact

The Classic Car Club of America (aka the CCCA) is full of people who live and breathe classic and antique cars. They have their own standards of what is considered antique or classic. More expensive mass market cars made between 1946 and 1985 fit under their definition of “classic,” but certain larger sports and racing vehicles do not qualify. Original parts need to be included in these cars and it doesn’t necessarily have to be American-made. The Antique Automobile Club of America classifies any car older than 25 years antique, but “the legal definition for the purpose of antique vehicle registration varies widely,” according to Wikipedia.

Things are different in the UK

The car insurance companies that are in the UK help to determine what is a classic car. Cars made 15 to 25 years ago are modern classic cars, but to confuse things a bit, UK insurance companies aren’t sticklers about this. Cars that don’t fall within the guidelines can still be considered collectible.

A final word on classic car insurance

When looking at money, insuring an antique or classic car is essential, considering the amount of money put into maintaining and restoring it. You should discuss the matter with a licensed insurance agent if you want to fully protect your classic or antique car investment.

Additional information at these websites:

Wikipedia (classic car)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_car

Wikipedia (antique car)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antique_car

HowToDoThings.com

http://www.howtodothings.com/automotive/how-to-determine-if-your-car-is-a-classic

Classic Car Club of America

http://www.classiccarclub.org/

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Dealer Service Departments Are Fighting For Business

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

The recession forced many consumers to have to hold onto their cars for longer than they’d planned, which is both a blessing and a curse for dealer service departments, says Wards Auto. Car sales and warranty jobs are down (as well as the market for auto loans), which has prompted dealer service departments to intensify their efforts to market their services to the public. Increases in ad spending – by 30 percent for some dealers, according to Wards– carry the hope that the market will begin to show more positive returns.

Short term gains by dealer service departments

Consumers that end up keeping their cars for a longer period of time will inevitably run into more situations where auto repair and more extensive vehicle maintenance are necessary. To put it simply, “If people keep their cars longer, there is business to be had,” says DriverSide CEO Jad Dunning. AutoMD explains that is likely nearly half of drivers in a recent poll have driven their current cars more than 100,000 miles. The short-term added repair costs that tends to go hand-in-hand with such increased mileage is estimated to be about $ 2,500 per car owner, said AutoMD President Shane Evangelist.

Dealer service departments are predicted to lose out in the long term

J.D. Power and Associates estimate that dealer service departments could lose as much as 20 percent of their expected business between now and 2013, Wards reports. This is another area where dealers are trying to improve, keeping customers rather than losing them to non-dealer shops. Better customer service is the main tool dealerships will attempt to use to stop the bleeding. Contacting customers more often and expanding service to seven days a week are other ideas. Pre-paid maintenance plans and upselling extended warranties might also be necessary.

Focus on maintenance, rather than warranty work

Since there aren’t as many new car sales today, it pays to shift from business models that depend on warranty work. Old cars that aren’t covered by warranty anymore will need repair and service frequently changing the business model for service departments. Expanding dealer service departments’ inventory to have more accessories is a goal dealers like Sid DeBoer of Medford, Oregon’s, Lithia Motors have in mind. He told Wards he is “frustrated we don’t do better in accessories.” The same chain has a Sacramento, Calif., store that leads the way with accessory sales, so DeBoer hopes his dealership can follow suit.

Resources for the article

Wards Auto

http://wardsauto.com/home/auto_dealers_serious_100513/

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Marvel And Audi Introduce The Tony Stark Innovation Challenge

Sunday, June 6th, 2010

If you’re a forward-thinking person that also has a creative knack for developing plans to improve our overall quality of life, Audi invites you to put your ideas to the test in the Tony Stark Innovation Challenge. The most tech-savvy individual who isn’t afraid to use social media to promote the greatness of their concept (and who happens to be a fan of “Iron Man 2″ starring Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark) can make a real difference in the world and win Tony Stark-caliber prizes including a racetrack experience with the Audi R8 Spyder (no auto loans required).

Tony stark Innovation Challenge needs a video

This is how the Tony Stark Innovation Challenge works. You will need to record your ground-breaking idea in a video no longer than two minutes in duration, a video that “showcases ideas for better living through the use of technology,” says Audi. There will be judges to rate the idea but a large part of the success is how well the idea is promoted on social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and blogs. The more votes that are in your favor, the greater the chances are of you winning.

Make sure to innovate like Tony Stark

Fans will notice of course that the Audi R8 Spyder and A8 are heavily featured in “Iron Man 2”. Such product placement is nothing new, but their connection to a contest that could have a positive worldwide impact makes the Tony Stark Innovation Challenge more than your average viral marketing campaign. If your video does the following:

  • Shows how your idea will make the world better by solving or improving upon the solution for a real problem
  • The “better living through technology” theme is followed
  • Has the possibility to have a worldwide impact
  • Showcases “innovation, adventures and intelligence worthy of Audi and Tony Stark”
  • Appeals to people

Then it would definitely be worth submitting in the Tony Stark Innovation Challenge.

What are the prizes for the Tony Stark innovation challenge?

  • $15,000 to put your idea in motion
  • An extensive write-up on Audiusa.com
  • A four day trip for two people to California with air transport, hotel, and meals
  • Transportation in a 2011 Audi A8
  • Top notch grooming, Luxury spa treatment, and tailored cocktail attire
  • A tour of the Audi Design Center in Santa Monica, Calif.
  • (Seen in Iron Man 2), a VIP day with ICON Aircraft where you’re in on testing of the ICON A5 aircraft
  • Drive the Audi R8 Spyder on the Audi Sports Car Experience racetrack

So then, what is there to wait for?

The Tony Stark Innovation Challenge with many caviar dreams beckon!

Resources for the article

Tony Stark Innovation Challenge

http://microsites.audiusa.com/ironman2/?section=contest

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Finance Your Atlanta Honda Civic Purchase

Friday, May 28th, 2010

As the Honda Civic is one of the top selling cars in the US, when looking for one in Atlanta, you should keep a few things in mind. A used Atlanta Honda Civic can be a great deal, while a new Atlanta Honda Civic has the style and everyday drive ability the brand is known for. Make sure you research what type of Atlanta Honda Civic you want, make a smart purchase, and line up auto loans.

Know Atlanta Honda Civic facts

The Honda Civic has been sold since 1973 in Atlanta and the rest of the US got it soon after. There is a ninth generation planned for the Honda Civic vehicles. In 2006, Honda Civic vehicles were sold in Europe. You will probably find all types of Honda Civic cars when looking in Atlanta. Once you find the Atlanta Honda Civic that you are interested in buying, you should get a Carfax or Autocheck report on it so you know exactly what kind of shape the car is in.

Get your Atlanta Honda Civic financing

Getting pre-approved for your financing for the Honda Civic would be smart. You can negotiate more easily with the car seller with pre-qualified financing. You also will avoid the higher rates they have at car lots. It is easy to get pre-qualified for your Atlanta Honda Civic. It is just one form, and takes less than an hour. Once you are qualified for an auto loan, you can take that information to the seller and know that a Honda Civic in Atlanta will be all yours.

After getting your Atlanta Honda Civic

Make sure you get your Atlanta Honda Civic licensed and insured as soon as you get it. You should include the costs of this initial setup in your auto financing loan. If you get a used Honda Civic, take it to a mechanic you trust to make sure that it is in the shape the dealer promised. Make your monthly payments on your auto loan and your Atlanta Honda Civic should last year’s. You made it; congratulations!

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What Is The Difference Between Cars 4WD And AWD?

Friday, May 28th, 2010

Whether you’re in the market for a SUV, pickup, or car, you’ve probably come across this question at one point or another: What’s the difference between 4WD and AWD? Both distribute power to all four wheels of a standard vehicle, as opposed to the standard front- or rear-wheel drive of 2WD vehicles. The power of the added system could be beneficial if you live in a place where you are driving in mud and snow. Many consumers, however, don’t know what the difference between the two is.

Even though they cost more, 4WD and AWD could save you

While a vehicle with either of the two systems is more expensive than a two-wheel drive vehicle, you’re less likely to find yourself stranded on the road during less-than-optimal driving conditions, whether caused by weather or environment. Get more auto loans for a safer 4-wheel drive care or get something less: the choice is the buyer’s. You can get help choosing between 4WD and AWD by the summary from How Stuff Works below.

4WD only part time – throw the switch when it’s needed

In attempting to answer what’s the difference between 4WD and AWD, start with part-time 4WD. This is the basic way 4WD is offered; there is a switch that switched between 2WD and 4WD. Excessive mechanical wear can be avoided as long as 4WD is avoided on pavement. Some vehicles in this class have a basic 2WD/4WD toggle, and some have added options like 4WD High and 4WD Low (the latter and should only be used in extreme off-road scenarios). Newer part-time 4WD vehicles allow the driver to make a shift from 2WD to 4WD High while the car is moving but must be stopped before moving from 2WD to 4WD Low. Older part-time 4WD vehicles must be stopped before any such shift can occur. If you will only be using 4WD occasionally, then part time 4WD is the best choice for you. Frequent changes in the driving conditions that would mean a constant switch between 2WD and 4WD are both inconvenient for the driver and add a lot of wear and tear on the drive train.

When you want to keep it running – full time 4WD

This is a more advanced form of 4WD that can be left on without placing undue strain on the drive train. High and Low settings are available, as well as an automatic 4WD. With most vehicles, shifting from high to low while in 4WD will mean the vehicle needs to be completely stopped. Drivers who tend to drive under adverse situations more often can avoid the tedious 2WD/4WD switching and go with this full-time 4WD option.

No switch with AWD-4WD

All-wheel drive sends power to all wheels of the vehicle in a similar fashion to four-wheel drive vehicles, but a 2WD switch is typically not present. AWD locks the vehicles axles and automatically feeds power to all wheels on slippery roads. Most AWD vehicles are great for slippery roadway conditions, but are not intended for rugged off-road excursions. Certain AWD vehicles such as the Dodge Durango and Toyota 4Runner will offer a low-gear AWD setting that allows for tougher roads. AWD usually doesn’t add much weight to the car and is good for any weather condition.

Which is safer – 4WD or AWD?

Both are supposed better than 2WD but How Stuff Works says: that doesn’t mean 4WD and AWD are automatically safer. Drivers should keep in mind that while 4WD and AWD help acceleration, they do not help with cornering and braking. On wet, snowy roads, it matters little whether you have a 4WD, AWD or 2WD vehicle when it comes to maneuvering and stopping. Having good brakes, having a fine suspension, and using the right set of ties will be more important.

Article Sources

How Stuff Works

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/your-ride-4wd-vs-awd-cga.htm

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Saturn Cars Deeply Discounted as GM Discontinues Brand

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

Saturn cars on sale

People shopping around for cars and auto loans should take notice: You might have an opportunity to get a brand new Saturn car for a used-car price. The same thing goes for Pontiacs.

General Motors has axed both the brands, so Saturn and Pontiac are basically having a fire sale right now. It’s sort of unclear how this sale works, so maybe someone can enlighten me about how this makes these cars “used” when they haven’t been sold to consumers.

Incentives plus price slashing

First of all, GM says it will pay dealers “$ 7,000 for every new Saturn or Pontiac on their lot that is moved to rental-vehicle or service-vehicle fleets operated by the dealers,” says the Wall Street Journal. Essentially GM is paying dealers to take ownership of these cars. So that’s weird and backward. Right?

Then, dealers have to label them as “used” because the dealers are technically the first owner, not customers. Obviously, most of them won’t be used, and they’ll have either zero or test drive mileage on the odometer.

A little assistance?

What’s missing here? This strategy really makes no sense to me. Why doesn’t GM simply give a bonus for Pontiacs or Saturns sold? Why not slash prices instead of going through the motions and justification of labeling the cars as “used” at lots?

I’m still waiting for this to click. The brands are both being discontinued, so it can’t be for the purpose of maintaining value attached to the Pontiac and Saturn names. I don’t know what to say. Let me know what you think.

The bottom line

Anyway, regardless of exactly what GM and its dealers are doing and why they are doing it, you could be able to buy Pontiac and Saturn cars for super cheap, so if you’re thinking about getting a new car sometime soon, you might want to set your plan in motion sooner rather than later.

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Important details to consider when buying used cars

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Today, more and more folk are enticed to buy used cars.  With so many monetary decisions available and autos’living longer,’ many people just decide to buy used vehicles. 

actually, many smart purchasers say that buying used automobiles is just the same as purchasing new ones if the buyer knows the easy way to buy used vehicles. 

So, to help people who want to purchase a automobile but cannot afford a new one, these are some of the finest tips that may be implemented when purchasing a used car. 

1.  Research

It is extremely important for an individual to conduct some research when buying used cars.  In this way, the buyer will be able to know the perfect make and model to buy, the kind of performance to seeks, and the prices of used cars in the market. 

moreover, the chance of buying used cars is lessened if the buyer knows the vital details to consider when buying used vehicles. 

two.  Check the automobiles history

The auto’s history will definitely provide the buyer some solid information relating to the performances, repairs, and issues of the vehicle.  So if you CAN discover some history it might be to your benefit.  In this manner, the purchaser will be able to compare and differentiate one car from the other.  There are instances whereby used cars are being sold due to some past accidents or negative experiences.  Buyers might consider more if the auto he is about to buy has a history like this one. 

3.  Check the security features

what else can you predict with a used car but it does not definitely mean the buyer will neglect the availability of security features in the vehicle. 

By all means, a perfect vehicle must possess security features, whether it is old or new.  According to some reports, virtually 80% of the accidents are heightened because safety features are not available in the car. 

4.  Buyers should be careful about the documents that are included when buying used vehicles. 

Buyers should be sure the auto is not stolen, there are no liens on the automobile, and that the one who signed on the’Bill of Sale’ is the true seller and the possessor of the property. 

5.  Before purchasing a second hand car, it is best to fastidiously inspect the overall condition of the car first.  Buyers should be wary of any rust or damage ; the tires should be checked, for example. 

Indeed, buying a used car can be extraordinarily boring.  Nonetheless, it will give the buyer some satisfaction and assurance that what he has bought is a good buy.

If you can have any car in the world, what would it be? Visit thesupercars.org for information and specs on the greatest cars in the world, also take a look at used cars Portland.

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Go online to see what the used car you want to buy is really worth

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Let the Net be your guide when buying a second hand car.  The info you will find online is valuable and just a few clicks away from your fingertips.  You can find out what a used auto of any make or model could be worth if you were trading it in, selling it yourself, or purchasing it from another non-public owner or car lot. 

Before you take out a vehicle loan, go browsing to see what the used automobile you would like to buy is really worth.  Besides the indisputable fact that you do not need to pay too much for the automobile, you also don’t want to take out a bigger automobile loan than is obligatory. 

‘Trade-in value’ is explained as,’What shoppers can expect to get from a dealer for a trade-in vehicle,’ and’private party value’ is explained as,’what a buyer can expect to pay when purchasing a second hand car from a private party.’ But when it comes to’suggested retail value’ KBB switches gears and outlines it as,’representative of dealers’ asking costs and is the starting point for negotiation between a buyer and a dealer.’ – advertisement -

Now, use caution.  You have to check more than one source, as the web has many websites that have their own opinion about used cars and about car loans.  Depending on the website, the values for some cars can change by at least 1000 greenbacks for what appears like the same type of car in the same condition. 

Most free websites that say they can help you find out the worth of a second hand car or that claim to help get an automobile loan, sometimes have an intimate relationship with car dealers and vehicle loan companies that support their website thru advertising or other means.  That relationship with their adherents can make the info less reliable. 

two popular websites for info about used automobile values are Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds.  They’re the most trustworthy sources I have found for info about the value of a used auto.  For information about vehicle loans, go to http://allaboutcarloans.com after you know how much you will need to borrow for that dream car you simply investigated. 

First, let’s figure out what the auto you want to buy is worth.  There are lots of things that go into a used auto’s value, including regional differences, supply and demand and what’s happening in the new automobile market.  Run through the calculator on Edmunds, and see what the result is for the vehicle you want to buy.  Then check the same car at Kelley Blue Book.  You’ll likely see two different values for the vehicle you checked. 

Why?  Every one of the 2 internet sites have an alternative method of calculating the value of automobiles.  The prices that are figured out at the websites also use different sources for information about used cars.  It seems that Edmunds.com uses a little forecasting to determine real cost of a second hand car, while kbb.com or Kelley Blue Book gives you a {advised suggested} price as a guide for automobile dealers. 

more recent autos are simpler for these websites to compare and you’ll find less differences in the price comparisons.  The older the car is, the more probable they are going to be different estimates.  None of these estimates should be taken as 100% accurate, but using both of these sources will help you define a range. 

So what does one do?  First remember, no two used cars are alike and no 2 vehicle loans are alike.  Also, it should be observed that using the higher reckoned worth when applying for your auto loan and using the lower estimated value to arrange the purchase of your vehicle could be a plus.

How fast can your car travel at top speed? Compare you car to some of the fastest cars in the world at thesupercars.org and also have a look at used cars in Nashville city.

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Auto Loans : People With Bad Credit

Friday, November 13th, 2009

Should you be dependent on financing from a bank or credit union for the purchasing of a new or used vehicle, you may find yourself disappointed.

If you have anything but a good credit history, your choice of lenders for an auto loan will be severely limited. From the point of view of the lenders, you would just be too much of a risk.

If buying a car from a dealership, you should be aware that the dealership is taking a risk when approving a bad credit application and many will charge accordingly.

It’s not all doom and gloom though, with a little perseverance you should still be able to secure an auto loan in spite of your previous financial mistakes.

Auto loans for people with bad credit need not be a bad experience though. There a number of things you can do to try and secure the best deal possible, not least applying for an auto loan with the right lenders for you based on your personal circumstances.

Before setting out, you need to have done all of your sums and be aware of your limitations. If you overstretch yourself with another loan then your already bad credit rating could take a further hit that you might never recover from.

Having assessed your finances and worked out what you can afford, choose a car and auto loan that can be accommodated within your budget. Being prudent in this way will also improve your credit rating over time.

We all would love to buy the best car in the lot but for most of us that is not possible. Accept your current situation and look at vehicles that are within your budget and price range.

What’s the point of buying a car that is too expensive for you if you end up not being able to insure it, put gas in it or, even worse, lose it because you cannot afford the payments?

If you have any worries or concerns about applying for an auto loan, then you should contact a Kansas City auto loan expert by clicking here : Kansas City Local Dealership

Alternatively, if you live in Kansas City, you may wish to contact someone that specializes in auto loans for people with bad credit in Kansas City.

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