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  • How Should You Sell Your Car? Get the Most for Your Old Ride

    How Should You Sell Your Car? Get the Most for Your Old Ride

    When it comes time to sell your old ride, what avenue do you take? Do you sell it to a buddy of yours, or do you trade it in at the dealership?

    Maybe you’re wondering if you’re getting the best deal when you sell your car. Today we’re going to help you figure out how to get the most from selling your old car.

    How Should You Sell Your Car?

    Sell it Yourself

    The most obvious and direct way to sell your old ride is to just sell it yourself. Figure out what a car of its age and condition is worth, throw up a few ads online and try to get a good price for it. When it comes to selling yourself, though, you’ve got to consider how time-consuming it will be.

    When you’re selling the car yourself, you’re looking at a lot of time meeting with potential buyers and haggling. You have to put the car’s history report up and be truthful about its condition. Likewise, the awkward nature of having strangers come up and test drive your old vehicle is somewhat odd.

    Dealership Sales

    When it comes to getting money for your old wheels fast, you’ve got a few options. The most straightforward way to do this is to go through a dealership. Dealerships can buy your old ride after an appraisal and give you cash the day you roll up with it.

    After an appraisal, you can choose to take or leave the offer. If you take it, you’ll have cash in hand. Often you can haggle for a bit of a better price if you’re trading the old ride in for a new vehicle. Keep in mind, in any event, you’ll end up getting less for a vehicle you trade-in to a dealership than just selling it yourself.

    Other Services

    There are also services that can help you sell your car. These services, like CarMax and Auto Trader, have their own setups for picking up the vehicles and paying you out for it. This is a bit of an in-between from selling it to the dealership and selling it yourself.

    With these services, you’ve got a bit better chance of getting more for your old car. However, you do pay for the convenience, as you’ll get a bit less than if you just sell it yourself. It’s up to you to decide how much your time is worth when it comes to selling your car.

  • Top Car Insurance Providers: Who is the Best for Your Ride?

    Top Car Insurance Providers: Who is the Best for Your Ride?

    When it comes to driving, you simply have to have car insurance. That’s not just poetic, either, you’re literally legally required to have insurance. Jokes aside, you might as well pick a good insurance provider, since you legally have to have one.

    Today, we’re breaking down some of the top car insurance providers to help you find the one that’s right for you.

    Car Insurance Providers

    Nationwide

    Nationwide, well-known for their goofy commercials starring football players and country music singers, is a solid car insurance provider. While they offer insurance on numerous things, like life and home, today we’re focusing on their auto insurance.

    This company offers rates that are, often, quite competitive with other auto insurance providers. They’ve got a number of features you’d expect from an insurer, including roadside assistance, accident forgiveness and vanishing deductible.

    Erie Insurance

    Erie is a highly-rated insurance company, noted by publications like NerdWallet, J.D. Power and Consumer Reports. They have very high consumer satisfaction ratings, competitive auto insurance rates and great customer service. They’re one of the most well-regarded auto insurers due to their generous offerings.

    Notably, Erie insurance offers its policyholder’s rate lock, letting them lock in their insurance rates. Other great features of this insurance provider include new or even better car protection, allowing you to get a vehicle of the same year or newer if you total yours.

    Travelers Insurance

    Travelers is a long-standing name in the world of insurance. They offer insurance on a number of things, though their auto insurance is particularly noteworthy. They offer a great range of benefits for policyholders, including things like Gap Insurance.

    Policyholders also get the benefit of premier new car replacement if their brand-new vehicle is totaled. Travelers offers ridesharing insurance for people who drive for Uber or Lyft in Colorado and Illinois. They also offer accident forgiveness once every 36 months, and minor violation forgiveness on that same time frame.

    Amica Mutual

    A very highly-rated insurance company, Amica is considered one of the very best auto insurers by many publications. J.D. Power, Consumer Reports and NerdWallet have all ranked Amica highly, noting their various programs like depreciation consideration, free airbag replacement and free lock replacement.

    Notably, Amica even offers reimbursement for earnings loss if you go to court at Amica’s request. This, along with full glass coverage, advantage rewards, identity fraud monitoring and prestige rental coverage for Platinum Choice Auto members, makes Amica a popular pick.

  • Should You Buy a Used Toyota SUV?

    Should You Buy a Used Toyota SUV?

    Toyota SUVs are popular choices for families for a number of reasons. The 4Runner, C-HR, Highlander, RAV4 and Land Cruiser are all popular choices in their respective categories.

    If you’re looking for a new vehicle for your family, maybe you’re considering a Toyota SUV. Today we’re going over the merits of buying a used Toyota SUV.

    Used Toyota SUVs

    Toyota

    Toyota is a Japanese company, the sixth-largest company in the world and one of the most popular car brands out there. They make a huge variety of vehicles, though today we’re focusing on their SUVs. Their family of SUVs range from affordable, compact vehicles to full-sized luxury SUVs. Let’s talk cars.

    Toyota 4Runner

    The 4Runner is one of Toyota’s most well-known vehicles, though recent versions of the vehicle have received lackluster reviews. Notably, the 4Runner has been rated very low in mid-sized SUV ranking for poor ride quality, uninspired design and cumbersome features. This all combines with a relatively high base price of $35,000 to make the vehicle quite unlikable.

    Toyota C-HR

    The C-HR, a subcompact SUV, is a bit more well-regarded than its midsized cousin. Bringing a good starting price of $20,000, good handling, and lots of safety features, there’s lot to like here. However, the vehicle is somewhat hobbled by a loud powertrain, poor cargo space and underwhelming acceleration. There are better options for subcompact SUVs than the C-HR.

    Toyota Highlander

    If you’re going to buy a used Toyota SUV, consider a Highlander. The Toyota Highlander is a solid vehicle, bringing a comfortable and quiet ride alongside a great engine and wonderful safety features. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious ride or solid performance, this SUV has you covered.

    The Highlander is a bit pricey when new, starting around $31,000. That makes it a good vehicle to find used, to save a bit of money while you’re getting a great ride. Finding one that someone is willing to part with is the hard part!

    Toyota Land Cruiser

    Toyota’s luxury large SUV, the Land Cruiser, is a solid pick for those that love off-roading. This massive vehicle is tank-like in design and performance, bringing a ton of power but sub-par handling. There are tons of standard features in the Land Cruiser, and it’s got a very comfortable ride.

    The fuel economy on this vehicle is also tank-like, as it guzzles gas. There is also less cargo space than one would expect, due to the awkward third-row seating. That said, this is a good pick for off-road enthusiasts who need an SUV.

  • Chevrolet Malibu Review: The Right Car for You?

    Chevrolet Malibu Review: The Right Car for You?

    Today we’re taking a look at the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. We’re going to be digging into its design, its standard features, the price and the value of the vehicle.

    If you’ve been tossing up what kind of vehicle you want, you probably know what sorts of features you’re looking for. Today we’re going to tell you what works and what doesn’t with the Chevrolet Malibu.

    Chevrolet Malibu Review

    Design

    The Chevy Malibu is a sleek-looking vehicle, sporting a slick design that makes it look elegant. The Malibu is a four-door sedan with a svelte design, a mean-looking grille and clean lines. If you like an elegant, upscale look then the Chevy Malibu is a good pick for you. It won’t turn any heads, but it’ll look slick.

    Performance

    The engine performance in the Chevy Malibu is solid. The base trim sports an engine with 160 horsepower, though higher trim levels could offer as much as 250 horsepower. The vehicle sports a respectable 22-27 miles per gallon in the city, and a solid 32-36 miles per gallon on the highway.

    The handling of the vehicle is good, as it can handle turn with an agile and responsive turning action. While you won’t be tearing up any race tracks, this is a solid vehicle for road performance. If you’re looking for something dependable and sporting a good engine, you can do worse than the Malibu.

    Safety

    One of the strongest points of the Chevy Malibu is the safety ratings. The vehicle has a Teen Driver mode that allows parents to set limits for their young drivers. Ample airbag coverage, emergency braking, excellent crash test ratings and more make this a great pick for younger drivers.

    Upgrading to higher trim levels can get you a number of great safety features, too, including a 360-degree camera. You can also upgrade to a Wi-Fi hotspot in the vehicle, smartphone integration and an excellent infotainment system.

    Pricing

    There are a number of trim levels available, and the Malibu starts at $21,680. However, you’d do well to discount the base trim, as there are very few standard features that are worth it at this price. Adding an extra $1,500 and going to the LS trim offers a ton of great features for your money.

    Wi-Fi, infotainment and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto are all available with the LS trim. We’d recommend starting there if you’re looking for a solid, modern vehicle.

  • Should You Drive for Ridesharing Apps?

    Should You Drive for Ridesharing Apps?

    Let’s face it. We’re living in the gig economy now. For better or worse, picking up gig jobs is one of the best ways to make money on the side to keep up with bills.

    If you’re struggling to come up with money, or just want a bit of extra jingle in your pocket, you could get into driving for ridesharing apps. Here’s what you need to know.

    Driving for Ridesharing Apps

    The Pros

    There are some benefits to driving for a ridesharing app. For one thing, you don’t have to worry too much about scheduling. When you’ve got some free time to make some money, you can turn your app to “driving” mode and pick up some fares. Then, when payday comes, you get some extra cash in your pocket.

    Another upside to this type of work is that you don’t have to directly deal with a boss or coworkers. If you’re like us, there’s something nice about not having to deal with a superior face-to-face. One of the most obnoxious aspects of normal jobs is dealing with petty drama brought on by coworkers and managers. Well, when you drive for Uber or Lyft, you only have to deal with fares.

    Another big plus for driving for ridesharing is that you can still interact with people, just not as coworkers. There’s something nice about getting to talk to a bunch of different people and just experience a swath of the population of your city.

    The Cons

    As you’ve certainly heard or gathered, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. There are some distinct disadvantages to driving for a ridesharing app. Notably, drivers aren’t really considered full employees. If you rely solely on Uber or Lyft for your income, you’ll need to cover your own insurance and benefits.

    Another drawback to this type of work is the amount of wear and tear it puts on your car. You need to have a relatively new car to drive for these services, and then you’re putting miles on it just to make fares. You’ve got to keep gas in it, pay for insurance and the like, all of which are considerable expenses.

    Finally, some people like having coworkers or an office to go into work. Dealing with the public can be a lot, especially when you’re not a very social person. As such, ridesharing is for everyone. However, if you don’t mind these drawbacks, there’s some money to be made through driving for Uber or Lyft.

  • Finding Low-Price Tires Online: Stop Overpaying

    Finding Low-Price Tires Online: Stop Overpaying

    Putting new tires on your vehicle can be very expensive. If you’re sick of paying a ton of money for tires in-store, maybe you should look into buying online.

    When you know where to look, you can get incredible deals on high-quality tires! Today we’ll help you find the best places to get low-price tires online.

    Low-Price Tires Online

    What to Look For

    Make sure when you’re shopping that you don’t fall for scams. A lot of sites that promise deals that are too good to be true actually are. When you’re online, make sure the site you’re using is secured and reputable. If you’re doubting the veracity of a site, google them and see what people have said about them.

    If you’re seeing a lot of reviews that call it a scam or mention that they provide sub-par tires, you’re safe to just move on. Likewise, if you can’t find prominent contact information, or the reviews all seem to sound similar, do some more research. Shady sites might use “sock-puppet” accounts to boost their reviews when they’re actually scamming people.

    Why Shop Online

    When you shop in-store, there are many factors that can increase tire prices. For one thing, people are simply used to paying more than they have to for tires. Another factor is the pressure. When you’re in-store, there could be salespeople pressuring you to make a decision, allowing you less time to compare prices.

    When you shop online, you get a totally different experience. There are no impending pressures, you’re not having to field salespeople, and you can compare prices at a glance. Whether you’re looking for great sports tires for running around the track or just good tires for around town, shopping online affords you the luxury of a leisurely pace.

    Finding Deals

    Finding deals isn’t too hard when you know what to look for. Begin by installing the right plug-ins for your browser. Namely, you’ll want Honey, a coupon-searching plugin that keeps you from overspending. From there, remember to be unafraid of tabs. Open as many as you need to in order to price-match and compare.

    Whether you’re outfitting your sweet new ride with performance tires or just buying a new set for the family SUV, it’s important you get a good deal. After all, there’s nothing better than getting your money to stretch further. Thankfully, you’ve got the tools now to make sure you get a good deal next time you shop tires online.

  • 2019 Subaru Outback Review

    2019 Subaru Outback Review

    The 2019 Subaru Outback is an interesting pick when it comes to a full-sized SUV. It’s in a competitive price range, it offers ample features, and it’s great for families.

    Does it stand out compared the competition, though? Today we’re breaking it down in our 2019 Subaru Outback review.

    2019 Subaru Outback Review

    Design

    There’s no mistaking the 2019 Outback for anything but a Subaru. The front grille design, the soft lines along the body and the general aesthetic all give it away for being a Subaru. That’s neither a compliment nor a condemnation: Subaru has a distinct look. Fans of this design will like the Outback, and those who find it dorky will continue to do so here.

    New Features

    This year is mostly an iterative upgrade over 2018, though the new model comes with some new bells and whistle. Namely, the EyeSight driver assist suite is now standard. More standard safety features is never a bad thing! Along with that, the base 2.5i trim now has more USB ports for everyone to charge their devices.

    What You’ll Love

    The cabin is huge and comfortable, and you’ve got tons of space to put all your stuff. On top of that. The vehicle offers great visibility, sporting very small blind spots. You’d be hard-pressed to get into an accident in the Outback, between all of the standard safety features.

    The loading heights for the cargo and roof are also notably lower than on other SUVs. In short, the Outback is short! That’s not new for Subaru, however, as their cars are, by-and-large, rather squat.

    What You Won’t Love

    Unsurprisingly, the 2019 Outback doesn’t sport a terrible great engine. The acceleration is lackluster and the handling is okay at best. That said, you’re not likely to be considering the outback for competitive street racing, so these drawbacks might not matter to you.

    Bottom Line

    In its class, the Outback is what you’d expect. It’s a spacious, comfortable SUV with ample safety features and a somewhat silly appearance. It sports a sub-par engine, middling handling and bad acceleration. But, then, what do you expect for an SUV that starts at $26,345?

    If you’ve got a big family that you need to get around town safely, and in comfort, then the Outback is a great pick. If you’re looking to impress your buddies with the speed and handling of your new ride, well, you already weren’t thinking about picking up an SUV.

  • 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan Review

    2019 Volkswagen Tiguan Review

    The 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact SUV with a smooth ride, spacious cabin and ample features. Whether you’re a hardcore fan of Volkswagen or just looking for a good SUV for your family, the Tiguan has a lot to offer.

    Today we’re going to break down whether the Tiguan is a good pick for you and your family. Here’s our review for the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan.

    2019 Volkswagen Tiguan

    Design

    The Volkswagen Tiguan doesn’t pack any surprises into its appearance. The design is smart, economical and tight. This is a compact SUV through and through, sporting a small profile and clean lines that are sleek and unassuming. If you’re the kind of driver who doesn’t like drawing attention to themselves, this is a great design.

    However, if you’re looking for something more bold or aggressive, you’ll likely find the Tiguan wanting. Those who prefer a bolder design should look elsewhere.

    Performance

    This lack of punch applies to the Tiguan’s engine, too. You’re not going to get that satisfying rumble or roar when you punch the accelerator. Turns are taken wide, the acceleration is nothing to write home about, and the handling could be described as “floaty”.

    However, with all of that said, the Tiguan does offer a very quiet, smooth ride. What it lacks in power and flash it more than makes up for in comfort. If you’ve got kids or you’re just looking for a nice, quiet SUV, there’s a lot to love about the Tiguan. For people who don’t need the most aggressive or punchy vehicle in the world, sometimes a quiet ride and nice interior are a welcome sight.

    Life as it Comes

    The Tiguan offers a great amount of cargo space and tons of legroom and space for its compact profile. This smart use of interior space is wonderful for people who have kids and need to tackle life as it comes. Loading groceries, soccer equipment or whatever else you need is easy as can be.

    Likewise, the ample infotainment features are great for people with busy lives. Using the system to quickly set up your preferences is a breeze. It’s easy to forget just how nice a good user interface can be!

    Bottom Line

    Starting at $24,295, the Tiguan is a great pick for families. If you’re not worried about a dorky design or pokey engine, there’s a lot to love with the Tiguan. A quiet ride, tons of cargo space and useful features can more than make up for the otherwise boring design features.

  • Does AAA Offer More than Roadside Assistance?

    Does AAA Offer More than Roadside Assistance?

    AAA is a federation of various motor clubs that offers a number of benefits to members. The most notable of these benefits is roadside assistance, such as flat-tire replacement, lockout services and towing. However, AAA offers more than just roadside assistance to its members. Today we’re taking a look at everything AAA has to offer its members.

    AAA is More than Just Roadside Assistance

    Memberships

    There are a number of different membership levels available through AAA. The classic membership runs between $40-$70, on average, depending on the benefits you want. There are also Plus and Premiere memberships, which offer more miles of towing, fuel delivery and other great perks. These, of course, come with higher monthly rates to compensate for the higher level of benefits.

    Discounts

    Something many people don’t know about AAA is that membership with them entitles you to a number of discounts with associated businesses. Everything from oil changes to repair work with affiliated body shops is on the table. There are even discount movie tickets and discounts on moving trucks and electronics that some members can take advantage of.

    AAA Insurance

    Another discount available to members is the discount on AAA’s auto insurance. You have to be a member to join, but the discounts often cover the fees associated anyway. Sometimes you can also bundle this insurance with life and home insurance, too, allowing you to keep your costs down across the board in some situations.

    This isn’t true in all situations, though. Not all AAA clubs offer insurance, so make sure you do your research before you join a AAA club on that premise.

    What Else does AAA Do?

    AAA is also a lobbyist to the US Government. They lobby for automotive businesses like body shops and dealerships. The membership fees collected by AAA primarily fund their lobbying efforts. This is an important thing to keep in mind when you’re considering AAA roadside assistance, insurance and discounts.

    If you’re not a fan of funding a lobbying group, there are alternatives to AAA. You could go through your auto insurer for roadside assistance, though this could increase your premiums. Your cell phone service provider likely has a roadside assistance service you could add to your plan, too. Some car manufacturers even offer roadside assistance if your vehicle is still under warranty.

  • Top Reasons to Buy a Used Car

    Top Reasons to Buy a Used Car

    Does anything beat that new car smell? Yes, we’d say, the smell of money in your wallet beats that new car smell. See, when you’re saving money by buying used, you’re coming out with a lot more cash in your wallet. Today we’re running down the best reasons to buy a used car when you need a new ride. Make the right call when you hit the dealership!

    Top Reasons to Buy a Used Car

    Car Values

    It’s no secret that new cars cost a lot more than they have any business costing. That’s why a new car depreciates by 50% in the first three years after it rolls off of the lot. This really stinks when you buy a new car and go to trade it in a few years later. The thousands of dollars it’s lost in value is essentially gone, and you’re about to sink the excess value into another new car.

    Stretch your Money

    It doesn’t have to be that way, though. If you go to a used car dealership and look for a 3-year-old vehicle, you can get a nice, modern car for half the price of a new car. Beyond that, once a car is three years old, it’s stopped depreciating at such a dramatic rate.

    That means, after you’ve driven your used car around for a few years, it’s unlikely that you’ll have a hard time selling it for a similar amount that you spent on it. This goes double if you’re buying used cars with lots of options, like infotainment systems, safety features and the like.

    Insurance

    Driving a new car is expensive for a lot of reasons. One of those reasons, on top of the sheer cost of a new car, is the insurance. Insurance on a new car can be as much as double the price for the same vehicle that’s three years old.

    Here’s the thing: you won’t feel the difference driving a three-year-old car around the road unless you’re a professional driver. Your insurance company, however, marks that difference in cold, hard cash. Cash that you could save for fun stuff like going on vacation or just for putting in your savings account.

    Choices

    Most dealerships have much wider varieties of cars that are used. After all, the newest cars have to appeal to a very specific kind of driver. If you’re looking for the right car for you, your best bet is going to be looking at a used car. Make your budget go farther for you by buying used for your next car.