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  • Time for a New Car Battery? Our Top Picks

    Time for a New Car Battery? Our Top Picks

    Regardless of what kind of car you have or how you prefer to drive and get around, your car needs a battery. If your current battery is giving you trouble then it may be time to start looking for a new car battery. Today we’re looking at some of the best batteries on the market to make sure your car keeps running even in the most extreme conditions! No one wants to try to turn their car on just for it to sputter and stop. Don’t let that happen to you.

    Best Options for a New Car Battery

    Car Batteries

    Your car’s battery is the heart of its engine. No matter what type of engine you have, your vehicle needs a battery to get started. The battery also provides the electricity for your stereo, headlights an cab lights, as well as any other electrical appliance in your car. Remember, extreme weather such as cold and snow can be a huge drain on the lifetime of a given car battery.

    So when it comes to picking a good new car battery, you need to make sure it’s of the highest quality. After all, you don’t want to wake up one morning with a dead battery and no way to get to work!

    Odyssey PC680-P

    This deep-cycle battery will last you for a very, very long time. While it works in any car, it’s particularly useful when used with electric cars. The AMG is non-spill and highly rated for protecting the vehicle from the strongest shocks and most persistent vibrations. While these types of wear-and-tear normally work to break down a battery, the Odyssey PC680-P is rated to resist this type of breakdown.

    Thanks to its rechargeable cells, the Odyssey can be recharged in a short 4 hours. This makes it one of the most efficient batteries on the market! The 170 CCA battery is rated for up to 70% longer lifespans than the majority of deep-cycle batteries in its category. The Odyssey is also highly rated even in extreme climates, not losing its effectiveness even in the face of extreme cold.

    The best part of this battery, on top of how durable and efficient it is, is the reasonable price. You can make this your new car battery for just $106, making it an incredible value.

    DieHard Advanced Gold 50778

    This battery is a unique absorbed glass mat style battery made to perform well in any and all extreme conditions. If you live in a region that is extremely hot or cold, this is a great pick for you! If you’re a more forgetful type, this is a great pick due entirely to its amazing longevity. Many users reviews have remarked on how excessively long the battery lasts, even when left on. Some users have reported that they’ve left their headlights on overnight on accident only to find the DieHard battery was still able to crank their engine the next day.

    This no-frills, easy-to-maintain battery also sports a unique design that makes it last much longer than the average battery. You’ll never need to replenish the water thanks to this design, and it’s the unique design that allows it to stay strong even through extreme temperatures and for long periods of time. If you’re looking for the most rugged battery out there, this is a likely pick.

    While the price is little higher than some, coming in at $165, you really get what you pay for! The battery even sports a 3 year warranty, so, even if it does go out on you, you can get a replacement to make up for it.

    Optima D35 YellowTop

    The Optima D35 YellowTop is a powerful battery, sporting a 12-volt design and double-wall that makes it exceedingly durable. The dual-purpose battery has a design that resists shock and vibration better than most, and it is marketed as one of the most durable car batteries on the market today. It sports a very sleek design that makes it surprisingly durable to normal activity.

    The Optima battery is also very resistant to leaks, sporting a low discharge rate and having very little overall maintenance to worry about. Even if you leave it in a vehicle for a while, you can trust that it will still crank and run just fine. Coming in at $169, it’s a bit pricier than some batteries on the market, but it’s well worth the investment. If you want a tough battery that won’t let you down, look no further than the Optima D35 YellowTop.

  • Best Hatchbacks for 2019

    Best Hatchbacks for 2019

    Hatchbacks are an interesting configuration of vehicle. For their small size and reasonable engines, they’re rather practical in terms of size and cargo space. They first appeared in post-WWII Europe as an alternative to station wagons.

    In the US, during the oil crisis, many families downsized significantly and found hatchbacks to be great options for saving on gas. In 2019 the culture has changed but hatchbacks remain popular among families! Today we’re looking at some of the best hatchbacks for 2019.

    Best Hatchbacks for 2019

    Hyundai Elantra

    The simple, straightforward and likeable Hyundai Elantra is a favorite of no-frills customers. It’s got a great platform, two distinct trim levels and a reasonable price. The Elantra GT sports a 2-liter 4 cylinder engine with 161 horses and 150 pound-feet of torque. The other trim level, the Elantra GT Sport, is a bit meaner. It has a 1.6-liter turbo four with 201 horsepower, 195 lb-ft and offers an optional 7-speed dual-clutch.

    The first trim level and the sport level both come standard with manual 6-speed transmissions, though they can both be ordered with automatic transmissions. The Elantra offers great fuel economy, sports great cargo space and has a nice, luxurious interior.

    The ride quality has been described as smooth, quiet and enjoyable. If you’re looking for an affordable, reasonable and no-frills hatchback, consider going with this sensible option from Hyundai. If you really like sports performance, the Sport trim will scratch that itch, too.

    Buick Regal Sportback

    Following a rough 2017 and poor sales of the Regal, the Sportback was redesigned as a hatchback-style vehicle. The lighter, more nimble and sportier Sportback is a unique take on the Buick style, making it an interesting pick and a solid contender for best hatchback of 2019. The 2-liter turbo 4 is a great engine for getting up and taking off, putting out a respectable 250 horsepower. For torque, the engine gets 260 or 295 lb-ft, depending on whether you go for the front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations.

    The starting price for the Buick Sportback is a reasonable and affordable $20,000, though the trim levels and options go all the way up to $40,000 for those who want way more luxury. In either event, the vehicle sports some great standard features, stellar selection of options and unparalleled luxury that you expect from a brand like Buick. This is a solid choice for discerning drivers.

    Kia Forte5

    The Kia Forte is most well-known for its sedan configuration, though the Forte5 hatchback-style configuration remains popular. It’s a bit more powerful, sporting an engine with 164 horsepower, or 201 in the SX trim. The engine in the Forte5 is a more impressive 1.6-liter turbo four engine.

    The sleek Kia is a serious contender when it comes to the discussion of which hatchback you should go with. The cargo space is great when you compare it to how powerful the engine under the hood is. While the engine is mighty and the storage space is great, the Forte5 also sports numerous amenities within the cab for the savvy driver. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are supported, and the infotainment center is nothing to scoff at.

    Safety features are also a high priority for the Forte and Forte5. The body is made of strong material and is highly rated for safety and crash ratings. This is a great pick for someone looking for a more budget hatchback with great features and an excellent engine.

    Honda Civic Type R

    The Type R configuration of the Honda Civic doesn’t look like a hatchback. It looks like a lean, mean, bad-ass machine. And that’s not a bad thing, at all. Hatchbacks are known for their practicality and value to families. That makes the Type R quite a unique car in its field. It’s eye-catching, sleek, and looks like it might eat lesser hatchbacks. If you want to look mean and ready to roll, this is the best hatchback for you.

    For roughly $34,000, the Type R brings you 306 horses, 295 lb-ft and a 2-liter turbo 4 engine that can be pushed all the way past 7,000 rpm when you need to move. That’s beyond awesome for the price and further solidifies Honda as a premier car maker for lovers of performance and practicality. The enhanced Dual Axis technology in the suspension takes torque steer out of the equation. The engine computer reads the conditions and makes the Type R run smooth like butter. If you want a well-balanced, sporty compact with a hatchback and a great price, look no further.

  • Ford Edge ST Review: Sports Car Performance in an SUV?

    Ford Edge ST Review: Sports Car Performance in an SUV?

    While the Ford Edge might not seem like the most important car in the company’s lineup, it’s got more going on than you think. You see, the 2019 Ford Edge itself is simply a mid-cycle update to one of Ford’s lesser-selling car models.

    The 2019 Ford Edge ST, however, is a different story. The Ford Edge ST is the first utility vehicle to be uptuned by Ford’s ST performance wing. What does this mean for the long-term world of vehicle sales?

    For Edge ST Review

    Context for Cars

    The last few years have been difficult for traditional cars. SUVs, trucks, minivans and the like have all overtaken traditional car sales. This means that fans of serious power might be feeling like they’re a little left out. Many people who would otherwise be buying powerful sports cars are instead opting for responsible choices like SUVs so they can take their kids to soccer practice and pick up groceries between gunning it down the road.

    This context should show just how important an SUV with sports-car like power could be. The Ford Edge is hardly a noteworthy vehicle, but the Ford Edge ST? This could be a game-changer. This could show the ways that traditional carmakers could be making concessions to fans of traditional muscle who also need to get their families around town.

    The Specs

    So, what kind of car is the 2019 Ford Edge ST? It’s a bit longer and a bit lower than the 2018 version, and it is a little weightier. It weighs about 75 more pounds, due in large part to a higher amount of standard equipment at all trim levels. It’s got the same cargo space and legroom as the 2018 though: the change in look is strictly cosmetic. This year’s Edge ST does look a bit meaner than the previous iteration, which underscores the increase in real power.

    While the standard Edge is sporting an unsurprising 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder, things with the ST are much more interesting. The Edge ST has a mean 2.7-liter Ecoboost V6 under the hood that can really go. For just how much go we’re talking about, you need look no further than the hard-and-fast specs. The engine boasts 335 horsepower and a respectable 380 pound-feet of torque. As those numbers show, this is comparable to some diesel engines in terms of torque, and has as much horsepower as some sports cars.

    How it Compares

    Ford faithful may recognize the Edge ST’s engine as the same 2.7-liter Ecoboost found in the F-150 since the 2015 iteration. That engine, with its strong construction and quality materials, is just as rugged, reliable and awesome here as in the top-rated truck that Ford is known for.

    The Edge ST also sports eight speeds, the seventh and eighth of which both top overdrive. The final drive ratio is lower in the ST compared to other Edges, too, coming in at 3:39:1. Surprisingly, in spite of all this increased performance, the Edge ST still brings better gas mileage to bear with its 19 miles in the city and 26 on the highway. The standard Edge only gets 17 in the city and 24 highway.

    The options on the 2019 are all pretty stellar, even when it comes to standard trim levels. LED headlights, FordPass app, Co-Pilot 360 safety suite and even a WiFI hotspot all come standard with the SE trim. Those safety features are nothing short of impressive, with automatic headlight brightness adjustments, lane assist, forward collision warning and more. Expected features like blind spot detection and cameras for backing up are also all present, as one might assume.

    Pricing

    This is the part that most people are most curious about. The Edge ST is available starting at $43,350, making it a rather expensive vehicle for most families. Even the standard Edge starts at $30,990 for the front-wheel drive configuration. That makes the Edge, in all configurations, a rather expensive new car for families. However, following Ford’s discontinuation of several popular lines of traditional cars, it seems likely that the Edge ST will be the smallest performance car in Ford’s lineup soon.

    The Edge ST costs nearly double the price of base Ford Focus ST. This is a bit concerning, of course, as Ford has discontinued production of the Focus as well as the C-Max. The Fiesta and Taurus are both expected to end production in 2019. This means that going forward, Ford will be selling only SUVs, trucks and the like, and cars will no longer be part of their portfolio.

  • The Secrets To Getting Better Gas Mileage

    The Secrets To Getting Better Gas Mileage

    Holidays are a prime time to travel. You have time off work and family and friends are anxiously excited at the chance to see you. Its a great time for a road trip. What about the gas? Although gas is much cheaper this Christmas season, they’re still not giving it away. So it pays to improve your mileage the best you can, especially if you can do it for little or no money.

    No matter what kind of car you drive, you can be getting better fuel economy than what you’re getting now. Did you know you can get better mileage by never filling up your tank? Lets take a look at a few other ways to improve your gas mileage.

    Mileage… Keep Track

    Knowing what your consumption looks like from tank-to-tank is important, but that’s really not enough. Knowing what mileage you’re getting in real time–being able to compare it to what you got yesterday or even 10 minutes ago, is the new way to drive these days. Get an app or go the ecomodding way and add a scangauge to track mileage.

    Luckily, ecomodding combines the love of saving money and adding gadgets to your car. People with cars made after 1995 have it relatively easy: All you need to do is throw some money at a fuel-economy computer like the Scangauge, and you’re instantly instrumented. For older cars, you may need to get your knuckles dirty by installing a vacuum gauge, which measures how hard the engine is working, or explore the growing world of DIY fuel-economy electronics, like the arduino-based MPGuino. Either way, a conscious mind combined with instant feedback should get you that instant 10 percent.

    Most passenger vehicles require unleaded fuel with an 87 octane level, but always check your owner’s manual or gas cap for your vehicle’s requirements. A higher octane fuel will not benefit a car that is built to run with a lower level octane level and could add up to more than $100 per year in additional costs.

    Change Fluids and Maintain Steady Speed

    Make sure to get your oil changed, it does lower your gas mileage. And, although it doesn’t affect gas mileage, you might as well top off your coolant while you’re at it, to beat the heat. At the same time studies show that the more erratic your is driving, the more gas it burns – up to 37% more! Keep your driving consistent and steady. Drive proactively. Rapid acceleration and hard braking can lower your mileage by up to 37%. Look at the road ahead, and try to use your brake and gas pedals as little as possible. However, you may be surprised to hear that cruise control isn’t necessarily the answer. That’s because the terrain varies, which affects how hard your engine will accelerate.

    Don’t idle. When you’re sitting still, you get zero mph. Duh, you say, until they realized that turning off an engine rather than idling could increase overall fuel efficiency up to 19 percent. Consumer Reports suggests turning off your car if you’re going to be stopped for more than 30 seconds. As for taxing your starter? They say it won’t hurt it.

    Keep Your Tire Pressure Spot On

    One of the biggest areas in which manufacturers compromise fuel economy for comfort is in tire pressure. That 32-psi rating is mainly there to make the ride smooth as silk, even as you run over potholes and pedestrians. It can be controversial, but believe it: To get the best mileage out of your car, up the pressure to the maximum listed on the sidewall. The ride will get a bit rougher, but your rolling resistance will be reduced and you’ll get better gas mileage.

    We know we’ve covered the importance of having properly inflated tires before. But it really is that important. For every tire under-inflated by 2 pounds per square inch (psi), fuel consumption increases by 1%. Try to check your tire pressure every couple of weeks to ensure you have the optimal rolling resistance. Also don’t just do it once and forget about it! Make sure to check your tire pressure every other time you fill up, or you could be leaking air and losing MPGs. Another option is to invest in low rolling resistance tires. They can add 1-2 miles per gallon. Look for highly rated tires that provide reliable traction.

    The Final Gas Mileage Thought

    While most tips sprout from a kernel of truth, many produce so little effect they’re not worth considering. On the other side if you can improve 2 miles per gallon, that’s an extra $5 per tank in your pocket.

  • Tips for Saving Big on Your Next Car Rental

    Tips for Saving Big on Your Next Car Rental

    When you take a trip out of town, one of the expenses you have to keep in mind is your car rental. However, you don’t have to break the bank just to rent a decent ride to get you around town! Today we’re going to help you save big on your next car rental. Save your money so you can afford to do more fun things on your trip or vacation! Trust us when we say you’re going to be thankful you read this list the next time you travel out of town.

    Tips for Saving Big on Your Next Car Rental

    The Basics

    Most major car rental companies offer coupons for their services that you’d be remiss to not take advantage of. If you’re anything like us, you love finding great deals lurking around the internet. Use some search engine mastery or a plug-in like Honey before you fork over any cash for the next car rental you pay for. There are many sites that collect coupons and codes from many of the biggest car rental companies, so saving money could be a few short clicks away.

    Another basic thing you can try is to simply ask for a discount. You’d be surprised at how many companies offer discounts for various organizational affiliations. For example, if you’re in the military or a retired veteran you may get a discount. Many places offer discounts for AAA members, or AARP members. It never hurts to ask what kind of discounts you can get! The worst that could happen is they simply tell you that they don’t have any discount programs.

    Frequent Flyer Miles

    Another discount you might find could come through your frequent flyer miles. If you’re a member of a frequent flyer program, such as through your credit card company, you might be eligible for discounts on rental cars using your miles. Sometimes frequent flyers don’t even realize these savings are available through their rewards program! Additionally, your rental company may be able to offer you miles in return for renting through them. As always, it never hurts to ask!

    Rental Car Loyalty Program

    Much like with frequent flyer programs, it might be a good idea to look into a car rental loyalty program if you’re out of town and renting cars rather often. Many of these loyalty programs are free to join and give you tons of benefits for sticking with your favorite rental company. Often these programs will allow you to store up points the more you use the company in question for car rentals.

    Once you have so many points, these programs typically allow you to cash them in for upgrades to your rental, or even outright free rentals. While these programs might not occur to you right away when you’re thinking of savings, they’re a stellar way to keep extra cash in your wallet. After all, if you’re often out and renting cars, then you might as well get rewarded for it!

    Shop for the Best Price

    Make sure you do some research beforehand if you plan on heading out for a vacation or distant trip. After all, it can be difficult to find the best price on a car rental when you’re standing in the airport. Instead of getting caught out like that, do your research at home before you set foot on the plane.

    Many websites, like Kayak and other price aggregators, allow you to see a number of car rental prices side-by-side. This allows you to pick and choose which prices look the most appealing to you. This ensures that you not only get the best deal, but it also means you know what you’re in for when you land in a distant airport.

    While you’re online, you should also consider prepaying for your car rental. A lot of people don’t realize that you can save as much as twenty percent if you opt to prepay for your rental car before you go to pick it up in person. This requires a bit of planning ahead on your part, but it will save you a decent chunk of change.

    Consider Avoiding the Airport

    When it comes to car rentals, you should consider avoiding picking up in the airport. While it is very convenient to step off of the plane and get your rental car right away, it could be costing you as much as thirty percent more. If you take a cab into town and rent from there, instead, you could likely save a lot of money (even considering the cab fare).

  • 2020 Ford Bronco: What We Know So Far

    2020 Ford Bronco: What We Know So Far

    In 1996, the last Ford Bronco was released, much to the dismay of many outdoors-y enthusiasts. After the rugged, off-road capable 4×4 went off the market, many of Ford’s faithful mud-lovers ended up switching over to brands like Jeep. After all, the Jeep Wrangler has largely kept the spirit that made the Bronco such a hit alive.

    Well, there is good news for those who love to go off-roading: the Ford Bronco is coming back soon. As soon as January 2020, if some rumors are to be believed. This new model still has a lot of questions surrounding it, even including what it might look like as a finished product. However, one thing is certain: fans of the Bronco are ecstatic.

    2020 Ford Bronco

    Rock Solid

    The Bronco’s legacy is that of a rock-solid vehicle that could tackle even the most demanding off-roading challenges. The 2020 Bronco looks set to follow expertly in those footsteps. Body-on-frame 4×4 vehicles are no joke, and you need look no further than the Jeep Wrangler to see that. The Bronco will be no exception. Additionally, the Bronco promises solid front and rear axels and enough ruggedness to make a grizzly bear look like a ballerina.

    Rumor has it that the Bronco is going to share a frame with the Ranger pickup, making it a solid choice for outdoors-types. Likewise, the Bronco is likely to be constructed primarily of aluminum, which allows Ford to keep the body light while not sacrificing on pure power. What’s not to love?

    Looks Like…

    As far as looks go, there are a few guesses out there. Pictures have been snapped of the new Bronco in the wild, and, though it’s covered by specifics-obscuring tape and deflectors, we can get an idea of the appearance. It looks like the design for the smaller Bronco is mostly based on the Ford Escape. However, some sources have indicated that a few of the Bronco’s designs and layouts will be more strongly based on the Ford Ranger.

    From rumors we’ve gathered that the Bronco looks to be a sub-brand for Ford, likely paying second fiddle to brands like the F-150 and other, more established lines. As for inspiration into what kind of performance and handling it can have, many have pointed to the Ford Troller and Jeep Wrangler as examples. These are all stellar design choices on which to base a 4×4, so we can safely say the Bronco is going to look rugged when it rolls out in 2020.

    Under the Hood

    If the Ford Ranger Raptor is any indication, expect to see an Eco-Boost engine under the hood of the 2020 Bronco. Ford is nothing if not consistent, and they’ve been putting the Eco-Boost in everything from the Raptor to the GT Supercar. Our best guess for the engine is that it churns out no less than 325 horses and puts up comparable torque to the Raptor. That means at least 370 pound-feet of torque across the solid front and back axles, meaning this is your go-to vehicle for getting deep in the mud.

    Keep in mind, of course, that this is all speculation based on Ford’s other recent vehicles. Ford themselves have made no indications as to what we should expect when the Bronco arrives in 2020. These are our best guesses, and though we feel they are likely, they could turn out to be inaccurate.

    How Much, and When?

    Again, it’s still a good bit of time away from releasing, so these are estimates at best. However, our best guesses for the eventual price and release date are based on rather credible rumors and educated guesses. Since the Bronco is being produced in Detroit and on the same body as the Ranger, we can make some safe assumptions. The first is that it will have many similar capabilities to the Ranger, and the second is that it will cost around the same.

    That means we can safely peg the price in the low-to-mid 30’s, depending on trim level and other factors. As for when you can expect to see these, we could expect around January 2020. It’s worth noting that we’re likely to see the “baby” version, based on the Ford Escape, hit dealerships first. It likely won’t be until a year after that, in 2021, that we could expect to see a full-sized iteration of the Bronco.

    Keep in mind that none of this is set in stone. Even if these are Ford’s current plans, they’re still more than a year away and could change at any time.

  • Best Value for Used Mini Vans in 2019

    Best Value for Used Mini Vans in 2019

    When it comes to mini vans, the first thing you want is a good value. If you’ve got a big family with a lot of kids and want to cart them all around comfortably and affordably, you’re looking for a value minivan. As everyone knows, one of the best ways to keep the costs down is by buying pre-owned.

    If you’re on the lookout for a good used minivan, it might be difficult to find the right one. After all, there are a ton of options out there. Which year, make and model is the right choice for your family and your budget? Today we’re looking at a few of the best used mini vans on the market.

    Best Value Used Mini Vans

    Why Buy Used?

    If you’re looking into buying a minivan in order to get the whole family around town more easily then you’re probably looking to save money. While buying new cars can be great for making sure they have no existing defects, buying used has some serious upsides. Namely, used cars are much more affordable! When you’ve got a ton of kids to feed and clothe, this is a pretty major consideration to keep in mind!

    Chrysler Town and Country

    With tons of standard safety features and a very reasonable price when used, the Town and Country is a solid vehicle for families. While the last production year was 2016, the vehicle remains an excellent value as a pre-owned minivan.

    The Town and Country does have a few issues that are worth noting. The powertrain isn’t the most reliable, making t a little more expensive than some others in this category for maintenance. The safety ratings aren’t quite as high as some of the competition, as well, which makes the vehicle a little less reliable.

    A drawback worth noting for the budget-conscious is the lower-than-average fuel economy. If you’re looking to save money, it’s not ideal to have to keep gassing up your vehicle. That said, the Town and Country does have a few things going for it. Plentiful standard features like lane assist and emergency braking make up for the lower safety ratings.

    It also sports a rather powerful engine for its size, making it a fun drive. The average price for a used Town and Country is around $20,000, making it a solid choice.

    Toyota Sienna

    The Toyota Sienna is a great pick for people looking for value in a minivan. Between the various years that this line has been on the market it has released some stellar vehicles for families. Notably, the Sienna offers a comfortable, sooth ride with plenty of interior room for the whole family.

    The Sienna has a plethora of great features for the price. The Sienna is huge and comfortable, so everyone from the driver and front seat passenger to kid in the third row will be plenty comfortable. There’s all-wheel drive available, which is great for getting out of sticky situations like mud or snow. There’s also a large area for storage which is impressive for a minivan,

    The only drawbacks are in the engine. When pushed a bit too hard, the vehicle sounds a bit rough. Additionally, at some trim levels the Sienna offers a somewhat rough ride at higher speeds. However, these are minor quibbles. When purchased used the Sienna is usually around $23,000, making it a great value for the family.

    Honda Odyssey

    The 2016 Honda Odyssey is an exceptional minivan for the price. As for value, this is one of the best on the market. Sporting one of the best safety ratings of minivans in its class, the Honda Odyssey is a great pick for your family.

    The cabin is spacious, durable and well-built. Everyone knows how destructive kid tend to be, but the Odyssey was made to be kid-proof. If your little ones tend to be terrors, you won’t have to worry about them in this vehicle!

    The Odyssey gets reasonable gas mileage for a minivan and is relatively easy to maintain. Being a Honda, it’s not surprising that this vehicle was built to last. Even when buying used you can count on a Honda to be reliable! When it comes to getting your family safely from place to place, that reliability is impossible to put a price on.

    If you had to, though, a used Honda Odyssey tends to run about $25,000. If you’re looking for a reliable and easy-to-maintain minivan that will safely get your family around town, the Odyssey is the one for you.

  • Does Certified Pre-Owned Mean You Get a Better Car?

    Does Certified Pre-Owned Mean You Get a Better Car?

    Buying used can help you really keep the costs down on a vehicle. However, how can you be certain that the vehicle you’re purchasing isn’t a lemon? How can you know what the vehicle has been through? Certified pre-owned vehicles are often considered the safer pick when it comes to buying used, as they typically pass inspections and history checks by the auto dealership.

    That said, you can never be one-hundred percent certain when it comes to used cars. While CPO cars tend to be a safer pick than straight-up used car from someone you don’t know, they’re not going to be as safe as a brand-new car. If you really want to spend more and get a car that will last longer, a brand-new one is the one you want.

    However, if you want to be safer than a straight-up used car but save money compared to a new car, CPO cars are the happy middle ground. But does that mean certified pre-owned means you get a better car than buying used?

    Certified Pre-Owned

    How Cars Get Certified

    Auto dealers differ from place to place but, generally speaking, CPO cars have to pass a number of inspections. Depending on the dealer these could be more or less strict, but they typically involve checking a number of systems. Brakes, steering, belts and the like are all usually checked out and certified.

    Another aspect of CPOs that can make them a safer pick than regular used cars is that they have a clear history and background. Maintenance records, accident reports and the like help to paint a picture of what, exactly, has happened to the vehicle in the past. That way you can rest assured knowing exactly what issues the car has had in the past.

    The Benefits

    Generally speaking, CPOs are going to be cleaner vehicles that were well taken-care of and have few, if any, issues. Dealers normally only take in rather new vehicles with very low miles as certified pre-owned. That means that, essentially, CPO cars are marketed as “good as new.”

    Dealers tend to offer a number of benefits to those who buy CPO vehicles, too. If you need repairs on the vehicle or something goes wrong with it, it’s usually covered by an extended warranty from the dealership. The warranty alone can often be well-worth the extra money you spend on CPO, depending on the vehicle and what you’re looking for.

    The other upside to CPOs is that dealers often offer things like rental cars in the event the vehicle is in the shop, free satellite radio, and even reduced lease rates. Generally, these upsides are all there to keep the CPO deal an attractive option for dealers.

    The Downsides

    CPO vehicles aren’t without their downsides. For one, any used vehicle runs the risk of having some unforeseen issues. Most notably, though, CPO vehicles tend to be rather expensive. While not as pricey as brand-new vehicles, they tend to be markedly more expensive than regular used cars.

    Generally speaking, many car experts find that CPO vehicles are often a bad value compared to buying regular used cars. If you know what you’re looking for in a used car and know what warning signs to look for, regular used can be a better value than CPOs. This can vary based on the dealership and where you’re buying the used vehicle, but it generally bears out to be true.

    If you save up a bit of money and set it aside to cover repairs then you can use that to cover the things the extended warranty that a CPO would normally cover. That way you not only save money by not buying the expensive extended warranty, you can use the money you save to put towards any repairs that might come up. If no repairs need to be done, you simply pocket the savings!

    Conclusions

    So, do you get a better car when you buy certified pre-owned? Yes and no. You’re likely going to get a car with less miles, a clearer history and an extended warranty. While these are all great upsides, they’re also things you spend a pretty penny for. As such, while the CPO vehicle is likely a great car, it’s probably a bad value.

    If you want to save money and buy a used vehicle, consider a getting a regular used vehicle. If you get it inspected by a mechanic you trust and set aside money to cover repairs you’ll likely get more value for your money.

  • Cars Redesigned for 2019: Check out the Newcomers

    Cars Redesigned for 2019: Check out the Newcomers

    The time-honored tradition of redesigns is in full swing again in 2019. If you’ve been itching to get your hands on a brand-new, redesigned vehicle than this list is for you. Today we’re going over some of the coolest cars redesigned for 2019. From awesome luxury cars to SUVs, we’re looking at some of the coolest vehicles that are getting proper redesigns.

    Cars Redesigned for 2019

    Aston Martin Vantage

    The storied sports car manufacturer has really outdone itself with this one. If you’re a lover of fine British sports cars then the Aston Martin Vantage’s redesign for 2019 will knock your socks off. The advanced systems on display all over the car indicate its pedigree. The iconic Aston Martin silhouette shows you the legacy of this company, while the top-of-the-line features show you it’s all-new.

    The engine takes in air from the oversized front grille, keeping pace with the demands of its mighty powertrain. While the DB11 is a luxury car, the Vantage is a $153,000 racing vehicle. This souped-up mega car can tear around the track with the big boys, and it shows.

    Acura RDX

    When the Acura RDX first emerged in 2007 it was nearly one-of-a-kind. The only major competition in the luxury compact SUV space was the BMW X3, making the entire category a bit obscure. In 2019, that’s not the case. Compact luxury SUVs are some of the most popular vehicles on the lot for most dealerships. In order to keep up with the changing times, the RDX has been redesigned for this model year.

    The Acura RDX is sporting a bold exterior design that gives it a sporty, sleek look. If you’re afraid that an SUV is too lame-looking, this is one that will set your heart at ease. The engine is a turbo-charged 4 cylinder that doesn’t sacrifice power for efficiency. It’s got plenty of torque and great gas mileage, making it a notable departure from its predecessor. It also sports ample safety features and tons of high-tech interior amenities like infotainment systems and the Integrated Dynamics System.

    RAM 1500

    Coming in around $35,000 to start, the 2019 RAM 1500 is quite the luxury pickup truck. With seating for six and a towing capacity of 12,750 pounds, this is also a heavy-duty vehicle for getting jobs done. The 2019 redesign sports a number of great quality-of-life improvements that make this top-of-the-line truck that much more awesome.

    The redesign, notable, makes the vehicle significantly lighter and thus more powerful. The engine isn’t much smaller though the vehicle is, meaning it’s got that much more power to play with. Notable differences from the competition include the Ram’s coil-spring suspension and incredible luxurious cab. The ride is smooth and quiet, making this as good a vehicle for road trips as for hauling to job sites.

    Toyota RAV 4

    Seeing a brand-new redesign for 2019, the RAV 4 is a new beast entirely this year. The RAV 4 was already one of the best-selling vehicles in the USA, so it’s unsurprising that Toyota knocked this redesign out of the park. Don’t fix it if it isn’t broken is good advice, and Toyota stuck to it!

    Instead of changing everything, they tightened the vehicle’s weaknesses and made it appeal to an even wider audience. First, they introduced more trim levels to allow for a wider variety of budgets to be satisfied when buying the RAV 4. If you want an affordable SUV for your family, there’s a trim level for you. If you want a luxury SUV to get you and your friends to the hottest parties, there’s a trim level for you!

    Notably, this year’s RAV 4 has markedly better suspension and handling from the previous iteration. This is a fun vehicle to drive, less lumbering and tank-like than its predecessor. It’s also much larger than some other compact SUVs, markedly longer and more spacious than, say, the CR-V.

    BMW 3 Series

    BMW is known for nothing short of luxurious, top-quality vehicles, and the 2019 redesign of the 3 series is no exception. The seventh iteration of the 3 series sports a 2.0 liter, 4-cylinder engine with twin-scroll design. The redesigned engine sports 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, making this a powerful and zippy BMW.

    The long running 3 Series line is a perennial favorite in the US for good reason: it’s downright fun to drive. If you’re looking for something zippy, with good handling and luxurious interior features, the new 3 Series hits dealerships in March of 2019.

  • Warning Signs to Look Out for When Buying Used

    Warning Signs to Look Out for When Buying Used

    Buying cars used is a good strategy. After all, buying brand new cars is both expensive and environmentally unsound. Why buy a brand new vehicle when there are perfectly good used cars out there? That said, there are some stinkers out there being sold used. Here are some of the warning signs to look out for when buying used.

    Warning Signs to Look Out for When Buying Used

    The Obvious Stuff

    The big, obvious signs of abuse should be red flags. If a car is dinged, scuffed, smelly and generally nasty it’s a good indicator that they probably didn’t take great care of it. That goes for both the body and engine of the car. If the person selling the car hasn’t been taking care of the mechanical aspect of the car, you could be looking at a lemon.

    In short: if they can’t be bothered to wash the car and keep the interior clean, what makes you think they’d be taking care of the engine?

    No Records

    If the seller doesn’t have a detailed record of repairs and service the car’s engine has received then it’s time to take a big step back. Without accurate records it’s very difficult to tell whether the car was properly maintained. If you’ve got no way to verify when the engine has been properly maintained, you can’t say the vehicle is reliable.

    On the reverse of this issue, a seller with a detailed repair record should earn some trust from you. If you know what’s happened to the car and how it’s been maintained then you can make better calls about whether you should buy it.

    Consider the Type of Vehicle

    When you’re buying a used vehicle you should consider what kind of car it is. If it’s something like an SUV or minivan it’s a bit more likely it was well maintained. Conversely, a sports car or some other performance vehicle may be a bit riskier of a purchase.

    After all, if someone is enough of a thrill-seeker to buy a performance car, they’re also likely to treat the car a bit more harshly. That’s not true in all cases, of course. Some people actually take better care of their vehicles when the car is faster and more powerful. However, this is a general rule of thumb, and it pays to be cautious.

    No Smoking

    Don’t buy a car from a smoker, former smoker or vaper. If someone is reckless enough to smoke cigarettes then you need to think about how reckless they would be with their car. The kind of person who would heedlessly put their health on the line certainly doesn’t have any issue with putting their car’s maintenance on the line.

    That’s not even getting into that awful smell that gets into everything and never goes away. Tobacco smoke stains everything it touches and leaves a powerful smell behind. If you’ve ever owned a car someone used to smoke in you know what we’re talking about. It’s nearly impossible to get that terrible smell out of your things.

    Accident Damage

    A normal fender bender or dents and dings from bang-ups is to be expected. If you’ve ever owned a car for a few years you know that it’s a matter of when, not if, you get in an accident. These scraps alone aren’t worth passing on a car. Major accident damage, however, is a different story.

    A major accident could do some weird stuff to a car. For instance, if the car’s wiring has been pinched or some electrical work was pulled out of place then you could have weird issues with the headlights or radio. If the frame was bent, or if an axel is misaligned, it could result in uneven wear and tear on the vehicle.

    The Seller

    If the seller is a relatively easy-going, laid back type of person it might be hard to get a read on them. However, if they give you the vibe of someone who could care less about the car or its maintenance, that’s the biggest red flag you can come across. A good seller is someone who clearly takes care of their things and cares about the condition their car is in.

    People to avoid buying from are those who are clearly trying to hustle you. If the person dodges questions and won’t give straight answers about the car’s history then you know it’s probably not a vehicle you want to spend your money on. Don’t get ripped off out there!