Dear Tom,
I saw your article on AOL Autos regarding pre-purchase inspections and it was very helpful. I am thinking of purchasing a ‘73 Chevy P-10 (Original Ice Cream Truck), but it is in rough condition and needs restoration. It has some rust on the axle, brake lines, and leaf springs. The engine and engine block are coated with what looks like years of caked-on oil deposits. It has an aluminum body that is in decent shape visibly. I did not notice any leaks on the ground near or around the vehicle. I want to restore the vehicle for various events, but I don’t have much money. The work would be done the Restoration Company located in New Jersey (the truck is in Connecticut). Do you know a company that could do the type of pre-purchase inspection that you wrote about? Can it be done on location? The restoration company has recommended a compression test. Can this be done on-site? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Paul from Cherry Hill, NJ

Paul,
Any competent repair facility can perform a pre-purchase inspection on this vehicle. All that’s required is a lift and some basic tools. Ideally, you also should have a compression test and a charging system analysis (so you can see if there are any electrically problems). I also recommend an oil pressure test to make sure there are no internal engine problems. The truck probably has point ignition, so a simple tach/dwell meter will reveal any glitches in the ignition system. Also, check the brakes, steering & suspension, and the brake / fuel lines for integrity as these tend to rust over the years. A trained tech, armed with a complete checklist, should be able to give you a good idea as to the vehicle’s integrity before you plunk down the cash-ola for the Good Humor Man’s former ride. Good luck to you.
Tom

Bobbi Ann,
What can I say? Your beloved “Heartbeat of America” has cardiac arrest. The engine has to be removed and either be replaced or rebuilt. I would replace it with a remanufactured engine from a company such as Jasper Engines, so that the new power plant will be just like a new one (and at less cost than rebuilding the old one). As for the tach racing up when you step on the gas, check the transmission fluid. If it’s low, top it off and see if that solves the problem. If the problem is solved then you have a leak that must be repaired. If the fluid is burnt and dark brown or black, the transmission probably needs to be replaced or rebuilt. Your Camaro has given you many years of reliable service, now it’s time to either refurbish it or put it out to pasture. Only you can make that decision. Best to you.
Tom

Rick,
Sounds like the car has a parasitic electrical occurring when the key is off. No, you should not have to turn everything off inside the vehicle when you exit. There is something draining the battery. Have the shop perform an electrical draw test to track down the cause of the drain. During this test, a DVOH (Digital Volt Ohm Meter) is hooked up to the battery. The tech will eliminate each circuit until the draw goes away, identifying the offending circuit. Then he/she will trace the circuit to find the cause of the draw. Good luck.
Tom

For more articles by Tom Torbjornsen, visit AMERICA’S CAR SHOW web site: www.americascarshow.com

Tom Torbjornsen is an automotive expert of 37 years. An automotive journalist in good standing with the IMPA (International Motor Press Association), Torbjornsen is the Repair and Maintenance Editor for AOL Autos, At Home Portals, and many other websites. Hear his radio show AMERICA’S CAR SHOW, on the Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel – Stars Too – Sirius 108 and XM 139; Sunday nights – 10PM – Mid EST. You can hear the live stream of the show at www.americascarshow.com Saturdays at Noon EST. Send your car questions to his website at: www.americascarshow.com.

Ford CEO Alan Mullaly and Scott Monty answering reader questions live from NAIAS

2010 Chevy Cruz

2010 Ford Focus

BMW ActiveE photos

1. Rust-Proofing: Some dealers charge up to $800 for this service, which sometimes amounts to no more than spraying a coating from an aerosol can in the wheel wells.
2. Fabric Protection: For a couple of hundred dollars, some dealers will try to sell you fabric protection for your car’s interior that will repel stains. You know it as Scotchgard.
3. Paint Sealant: This is another instance where the dealership hopes the car buyer will be gullible enough to believe that it’s using some special technique and material that’ll keep your car’s paint looking factory fresh
4. Window Etching: Another easy-money markup for car dealers; they etch your vehicle’s VIN on a window so that your car can allegedly be tracked in case it’s stolen.
5. Alarm System: Many cars come with a basic form of security, such as coded keys, but many dealers will also try to sell you a full-featured alarm system.
6. Extended Warranty: Since vehicles come with longer and more comprehensive warranties these days, extended warranties are usually not worth the extra money. If you plan to hang onto the vehicle for a long time, an extended warranty can be a good investment if and when your car needs major repairs. But don’t buy it from the dealer, since you can often get a better deal through independent insurers, such as Warranty Direct.
7. CD Changer: The price of a CD changer at a dealership can be twice what it is at a car stereo shop or electronics store.
8. Rear-Seat Video: Whether to choose this dealer option is not as easy to decide as the ones above.

Consumer Reports says almost the same thing:

“Dealerships often try to sell you extras that boost their profit margin but are a waste of you money. They can include rustproofing, fabric protection, paint protectant, or VIN etching, in which the vehicle identification number is etched onto the windows to deter thieves. Don’t accept those unnecessary services and fees. If you see those items on the bill of sale and you haven’t agreed to them, simply cross them out and refuse to pay for them. Vehicle bodies are already coated to protect against rust. And recent CR reliability surveys show that rust is not a major problem with modern cars. You can treat upholstery and apply paint protectant yourself with good off-the-shelf products that cost only a few dollars. If you decide you want VIN etching, you can buy a kit to do it yourself for less than $25, instead of the $200 that some dealerships charge. Also think twice about an extended warranty. It can cost hundreds of dollars. But if you buy a model with good reliability or if you expect to have the vehicle only for five years or less, it often isn’t worth the cost.”

Regarding Car Warranties, US News & World Report says:

“The dealer’s extended warranty isn’t necessarily the best deal; in fact, it usually costs more. Plus, you’re in a high-pressure situation at the dealer and might not be able to read the fine print. Finally, if you buy the dealer’s extended warranty, you might be required to return to that dealership to get it honored – which could become a problem if you move.”

So save yourself some money:

• Skip the rust proofing
• Buy your own can of Scotchguard for your cloth upholstery as well as the carpeting and matting
• Say no to paint sealant which is often just a wax job that you can do yourself or pay the neighbor’s kids to do
• For your alarm upgraded stereo and video systems you can often find a better system cheaper at your local car stereo shop or a big box retailer like Best Buy
• Window Etching – check with your local police or sheriff department – a lot of them hold free etching days like the Amhearst Police Department
• Car Warranty or Vehicle Service Contract – contact Warranty Direct at 800-632-4222 for your best deal on an Auto Warranty

Dear Tom,
If I want to buy my car at the end of the lease, is the price negotiable? They want $15,000. Will they take less? Thank you.
Anne from WA

Ann,
You didn’t give me year, make, and model so I can’t tell you if this is a good price. That said, you must realize that in car sales and leasing EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIABLE!! Especially when you might return a leased car with mileage on it. The dealer wants to sell the vehicle to keep inventory down. Do your homework and find out exactly what the car is worth based on local market values, vehicle condition, equipment, and mileage. Then negotiate hard, especially since inventories are on the rise again. You should be able to get a better price. Success to you.
Tom

Mary.
Assuming your mechanic ruled out all possibilities regarding the rear suspension and the wheel chair lift supports where they secure to the vehicle body and frame, and based on the fact that the noise was absent without the scooter and present with the scooter, then it is probable that the scooter is not properly secured in it’s holding bracket while the vehicle is in motion, hence the rattle. Have this checked. Best to you.
Tom

William,
The fact that you only hear the “screaming” (as you call it) under load or acceleration tells me that the serpentine belt is probably loose or worn out. This is common when the belt stops biting into the pulleys. Have the serpentine belt checked for wear, tears, or missing ribs. If any of these conditions are evident, replace the belt. If the belt is fine then check the automatic tensioner. This spring keeps the belt properly adjusted and it might be broken or worn out, resulting in a loose belt that would “scream” under load.
Tom

Sandra,
In a word, no. The brakes will not wear out by parking on an incline. However, if you drive the car without releasing the parking brake, the rear brakes will wear out in short order. Why? Because, when the parking brake is on, the rear brakes are applied to either the drums or rotors (depending on if you have rear drum or disc brakes). So make sure you release the parking brake whenever you drive off from parking on one of those marvelous hills in San Fran! Success to you.
Tom

Vern,
You changed the engine mounts, but what about the transmission mounts? If a trans mount is worn out, it will cause the symptoms you’re experiencing. Why? Because the rubber wears out which causes the mount to sink and ground to the frame or engine cradle. If this is evident, engine torque will cause a drivetrain vibration (especially in reverse). Also, check the engine cradle mounts, because they could be loose or bad. As for the roar you’re hearing from the tires? It could be either choppy wear on the tires or a bad wheel bearing. Have that checked as well. Good luck.
Tom

Jim,
If you’re going to let a car sit in the garage with gas in it, pour a bottle of fuel stabilizer into the tank. The stabilizer will maintain the octane and keep the gas from separating and dropping varnish into the bottom of the tank. There are some great fuel stabilizer products out there. Check with your local dealer for what they suggest. One that I swear by is K100G from Kinetic Labs. Their website: www.kineticfueltreatment.com. Best to you.
Tom

For more articles by Tom Torbjornsen, visit AMERICA’S CAR SHOW web site: www.americascarshow.com

After all, those fuel costs are edging up every day, and the idea of being able to stretch gas dollars is very intriguing.

Well, perhaps you need to consider a few more factors than just the price you pay at the gas pump when you fill a tank. There is more to owning a hybrid car than just having the coolest looking ride and higher gas mileage.

Pros of Hybrid Car Ownership

• On the plus side, hybrids give you the ability to shake your green banner in front of the world. These cars create almost no pollution and they definitely help shake at least a little of that reliance on fossil fuels.
• These cars can squeeze every drop of gasoline until it sneezes and you can double your normal gas mileage.
• There are some good tax breaks available for purchasers of some hybrid car models.
• Even car insurance companies will often cut you a deal when you drive one of these eco-friendly cars.
• Some models like the Toyota Prius simply look so adorably chic that just owning one makes you the envy of the neighborhood.

Cons of Hybrid Car Ownership

• These cars can cost much more than many of the traditional gas engine models, and as gas prices climb you can expect to see the sticker price do the same.
• It can be difficult to find mechanics to work on these models if you have a problem and are not near a larger city.
• Remember how easy it was to jumpstart your old car; well this does not hold true with the hybrid models. In other words, do not attempt to work on your hybrid at home, under any conditions.
• The tax rebates that were offered as incentives have limitations that everyone should be aware of. This is a gift horse that you need to look in the mouth, several times.
• Maintenance costs can be higher than those for a standard gas powered car.
• Many of the hybrids are still in short supply and you might be sitting in a rocking chair before you are able to buy the one you want.
• These cars are not made for speed and endurance, so if you have a heavy foot and tend to neglect routine auto maintenance it can be a problem. Of course, this kind of behavior can be a big problem with gas engine cars too.
• These cars may be great for people in the city, but for people who are commuting long distances on a daily basis, there could be problems. The electric motors have to be recharged sometime in order to function properly.

The decision is yours and you need to weigh all of the factors involved before signing your name on the dotted line. Hybrids can save you money in gas costs, but only you can decide if it all balances out at the end.

Warranty Direct offers extended warranties on hybrid cars. Call today for your free quote – 1-800-632-4222.

Convertibles still have security issues – parking them with the top down is an invitation to have problems in a lot of urban areas. But advances in engineering have made them much more practical all weather cars than they used to be in the past.

Mazda Miata MX-5: One of the sportiest "fun cars" out there, and one of the best selling roadsters ever to grace pavement, the MX-5 got a solid overhaul with the 2009 model year, with sharper handling, a new front look and re-done ergonomics. The newer models have a retractable hard top that goes from open to folded in 15 seconds – about the time it takes to sit at the red light and decide you want to let the wind run in your hair.

Mercedes-Benz SLK: The car that brought the retractable hard top to mainstream appeal, this car has smooth lines and retains its roadster roots. It hasn’t had a major refresh since 2005, but the incremental changes have added to its undeniable appeal. They’ve got wonderful handling, and as you go up the line, more horses under the hood, including a V8 on the top of the line model with 355 horsepower.

Ford Mustang GT: This classic muscle car is now 45, and has been in production almost as long as our current President has been alive. The GT is Fords attempt to get deep into the Mustang’s DNA, and arguably, it resurrected every detail that made those 60′s muscle cars such dreams to drive, while updating them to modern sensibilities. The upper end GT convertible has a 315 horsepower monster of a V8 under the hood, and a lovely soft-top. Just because the car’s over 45 doesn’t mean it won’t growl when you need it to.

Don’t forget, when you buy that sexy new convertible, you don’t have to buy the extended warranty from the car dealership. Instead, save a lot of money by going online to buy it directly from Warranty Direct, using our convenient new payment plan.

Every three to four years, the big automakers have to come up with something to drag consumers into the showrooms to buy the biggest and best cars out there; their bottom lines are built on the average tenure of car ownership being about four to five years. This is why they give five year, 50,000 mile warranties and more. It also explains cash rebates, 0% interest sales and more.

With the current down economy, the newest wrinkle on this is the Payment Protection Program. In a nutshell, if you meet all the terms and conditions, if you lose your job, the company will take over paying your car payment for a specified period of time. From their perspective, missing X number of months of car payments if you lose your job is roughly the same as giving you a discount…and if you keep your job, the discount doesn’t even come up at all.

Most of these programs expire within 24 to 36 months after the purchase of the car, which is somewhat telling. Even better, from a corporate accounting perspective, they’re great on the balance sheet for reasons that we won’t cover here.

Psychologically, what they’re trying to do is convince you that it’s OK to spend money even if you’re not entirely certain about your job situation. If that’s sounding kind of familiar, like, say when that mortgage broker talked you into refinancing your house, there’s a reason: It’s usually a bad idea.

Don’t buy the car because there’s a payment protection program and you think you need a new car. Buy the car because you genuinely need the car, new or not. Any time you’re making a multi-thousand dollar purchase, you should ask yourself if you can live without it for a little while longer. Chances are, the answer is yes…and you can save the money you would’ve otherwise thrown into car payments into something earning you interest. Or spend it on fixing up your existing vehicle, or buying an extended car warranty for it.

Remember, if it still rolls, it does everything you need it to do; you’re better off being frugal and saving that money for something really important.

That idea went overboard quickly as competition came in, and painting cars and getting cars in specific colors has been part of the American automotive experience since the 1910s.

Every decade or so, the preferences for colors in cars shifts, as a new generation of 20-somethings buy their first cars and want something that doesn’t look like a parental hand-me-down. Plus, paint manufacturers are working hard on sprucing up the old tried and true color combinations.

There are, of course, the usual pieces of advice: Lighter colors are more comfortable in sunnier climates, and visibility is important. However, here’s the latest wash of new colors in cars:

Pearlescent Neutral Tones
Where white used to be relegated to delivery trucks and rentals, a new wave of pearlescent finishes are giving it a bit of an appeal to work from. It’s now the most popular car color in America. Usually this is done with a three-layer paint job, a base white, a pearlescent over layer, and a clear coat. This type of finish is also being used for black (with subtle nebular effects) and gold. Even beige is getting this sort of treatment.

Metal Is Metal – And Looking Older
Conversely, cars painted the traditional silver have become a bit overexposed, and fewer people are getting their cars in that hue. It’s still popular, but it’s slumping fast as people look for a color that’s a bit more distinctive.

Going Outside The Box
The vast majority of cars are done up in neutral tones, because cars tend to be long term purchases, and nobody wants to get stuck with something that could be charitably called "diaper contents yellow." More innovative use of the color palette tends to happen in smaller cars, where a bright shade won’t overwhelm the way it would if, say, a Suburban was painted Midlife Crisis Red.

Expect to see more earth and nature tones in cars in the next two years, as the market shifts to smaller cars – with the occasional case of Lime Green Envy or Safety Orange to make your eyes water.

Whatever color of car you choose, remember you can buy an extended car warranty for it directly online from Warranty Direct and save bundle of money!

Just because it’s a necessity doesn’t mean you should leap right into buying a car that you’ve found for sale.

Here are some tips for signs to back away slowly before signing that purchase agreement.

Missing Records
If the seller doesn’t have a service history, you’re taking a big risk. Every major auto shop is computerized; chances that a car made in the last two decades has been serviced without a trace are virtually nil. If you can’t document when it was last serviced, odds are it hasn’t.

Creative Maintenance
If a car has mismatched tires, or looks like something that came out of Dr. Frankenstein’s Mad Garage, it’s probably got problems. In particular, check out the paint job. If the paint job looks like it came from the Home Depot, it’s time to back away nice and easy.

Other key signs are cars in lots so covered in oil and transmission fluid that you can’t tell if any of them are leaking, and anything that has stashes of nuts in it from something out of a Disney cartoon. All of these are signs of long term abandonment.

Prior Ownership by Miscreants
Rental companies turn cars over to used car lots when they run out of warranty coverage, and can’t be maintained readily. Which is a euphemism for "Was driven until the axles bent, and was abused by everyone who rented it." Given the incentives to unplug odometers to avoid rental car mileage charges, you can’t even take a guess on the actual mileage. Similar abuses happen to cars owned by teenagers and turned into street racers.

This isn’t to say there aren’t good deals out there in used cars, but you should always take the time to do your homework, and to look into the issues of getting a new warranty on a used car.

The first thing that people think about is the wonderful feeling of status. Ah, yes! I am sitting back in my chair, fingers laced behind my head, and imagining Brad Pitt giving Angelina the hand when he sees me touring down the road in my brand new Lincoln Continental (do they still make them?) or maybe a simple Jaguar will do.

Then you have to consider today’s improved technology. Recent advances mean that every time my mother-in-law speaks, the car makes a humming noise that blocks out the sound of her voice. If little Jimmy spills his bottle of orange juice all over the seats, it’ll wipe right up. Divine!

Safety has to be a major consideration. When the kids are close to murdering one another, whether they have their hands around each other’s necks or if they’re just tossing flammable projectiles, rest assured that their seat belts and shoulder harnesses plus the air bags will keep them safe. Until I get them home.

Reliability is a key factor. I can rely on all my neighbors being jealous if I get that new car. So there.

But if you’re like me, you have to look for a car that won’t leave you broke. You have to figure out how to pinch pennies so that they squeal louder than when you put Abe Lincoln’s head into the tread on your tires. You have to look beyond what you pay for the car.

When you decide it’s time to buy, factor these points into your costs:

• How will you finance it? If you have a large down payment and a great credit rating, you are going to get a lower interest rate. You will reduce the ownership cost, which is its price once you’ve added in all the interest you will pay over the life of the loan.

• Check your credit rating before you buy, and if there’s anything you can do to fix it up go for it. Don’t be afraid to shop for a better interest rate, even if your rating isn’t A-1.

• How much will your insurance go up? Think about factors that raise your insurance rates. Less expensive cars usually have lower safety ratings, and insurers will charge you more. Cars with high repair costs will jack up your insurance. Talk to your insurance agent before you buy.

• Buy a car that fits your needs. Do you travel long miles to work? Then you want great mileage and road safety. Do you transport your young’uns around town? Then you want versatility and reliability.

• Don’t buy a new car if you old one isn’t paid off. It’ll just pump up the size of the loan, and you’ll be forever building up equity. The term “upside down” aptly describes how you’ll manage your car loans for the rest of your life.

• Check out the cost of an extended car warranty. If you buy it from a reliable online source like Warranty Direct, you’ll avoid paying the cost of a middleman.

Today’s cars are built to last for years. Considering a new purchase involves some soul searching. After the economic hard times we’ve been through, it’s important to take advantage of your car’s life span, drive it, and pay it off while you sock away some money. Maybe the best financial decision is to buy an extended car warranty that will cover things like wear and tear, which will include emergency roadside service and rental car reimbursement.

Don’t be so quick to trade it in! Getting a new car is like deciding on a total knee replacement: When it’s really time, you’ll know.

We’ve all heard stories of money lenders not lending, of banks closing. We’ve all known people who have lost their jobs or had their paychecks otherwise cut. Maybe you’re one of them.

But if you are in need of a new car, then don’t shy away from making a purchase. Have fun picking out what you want and just enjoy the entire process, including showing off your new ride to the Joneses.

Here’s what we think about it. We’ve learned a lot about the economy in the past year. We’ve seen what happened to the people who financed homes that they really couldn’t afford. So one of the primary decisions you need to make is to buy a car that fits your budget. Be careful about which options you approve.

• In that spirit, evaluate the cost of anything extra before you add it on. Visit Edmunds.com to view price ranges for vehicles that interest you. Your monthly payment should be absolutely no more than 20% of your monthly net income.
• Know where your credit stands before you enter a dealership. It’s true you can get free credit reports from the major credit card companies, but you don’t get your credit score. You must pay a small price to learn that, and it’s worth it. Expect problems getting financed if your score is below 630 or if you’ve had a recent bankruptcy.
• You can initiate your own financing. Fill out an auto loan application at your local bank—you might get a lower interest rate. But if you’re suffering from a low credit score, keep in mind that the dealerships establish relationships with banks—sometimes the dealership guarantees to send customers with great credit to a specific bank, and in exchange that bank will occasionally approve a riskier customer.
• Finance it for the shortest possible time. People used to finance their cars for three or four years, on average. In recent years car loans have stretched out to five or six years. Try calculating your interest on a loan for that length of time, and you’ll see that you pay thousands more than you realize. Fool around with the auto loan calculator at bankrate.com. Sit down with your sales rep and figure out what your monthly payment will be for different lengths of time, at different interest rates.
• Ask the dealer about incentives for whatever car you’re buying. They’re not always openly advertised for one reason or another. Keep in mind you’ll probably get great incentives or a low interest rate, but not both.
• Buy an extended auto warranty from an independent provider like Warranty Direct to avoid paying the middleman markup costs. You don’t have to buy the extended car warranty from the dealership.

Life does go on, even in these severe economic times. The only way to wrestle this great country into moving forward again is to keep living: buy a home, plan a vacation, and buy a car. Think how much you’ll enjoy looking at your new auto sitting in your driveway!

Let us know what you pick out.

There are many vehicle history report services available to you. They don’t give you a 100% warranty that the car is perfect, but the few dollars you spend for a history report can end up saving you a lot more in the long run.

The history report can provide you information on the following topics:

• Flood damage
• Junked titles
• Lemon histories
• Lien activity
• Odometer rollbacks
• Service and repair history
• State emissions inspection results
• Totaled in an accident/salvaged
• Vehicle use (taxi, rental, lease, etc)

All you need to get your vehicle history report is the car VIN number. The VIN number can be found in the vehicle title or under the car windshield.

Taking the time and the little bit of money to get a used car history report, will be well worth it. On top of getting a clean history report, make sure you get an extended warranty when you purchase your used car.

Between a good history report and an extended car warranty you are protecting both yourself and your car from timely, costly and unnecessary issues.

As a college graduate, stepping into a “real” world job and purchasing a brand new car doesn’t have to be so scary.

The truth is that major vehicle manufacturers desire you to drive their brands and therefore are prepared to enable you to do so. There is no need to huff it by foot or bike any longer.

Special Graduate Financing

Most major auto dealers offer special college graduate financing programs that offer benefits. These benefits include no down payment, cash rebates, affordable interest rates, delayed payments and service support.

It would also be in your best interest to secure long-term protection by investing in an extended auto warranty. Surveys have revealed that about 60 percent of first-time buyers remain for life with the brand of the first new car they purchased – so yes, you are in demand! Don’t be intimidated, but be prepared to take advantage of the benefits thrown at you as a young consumer.

Good Credit is Essential

First, you must qualify for the numerous programs that will be available to you. It would be in your best interest to start the process of eligibility a few months prior to your college graduation. If you have already graduated, it is no big deal, but get started establishing credit as soon as possible.

Good credit is essential to qualifying; take care to avoid getting bad marks on your credit report, as this will hurt your chances at qualification. Your credit report can be bought easily online for a fee.

Do Your Research

Second or simultaneously, do your research. Before you visit the dealership it always helps to collect advanced information. Visit the automakers web site directly, as well as the dealerships web sites.

Supplemental research is also vital to this process and can be collected at independent car-buying sites such as CarsDirect.com and Autobytel.com. These sites are useful to collecting information about cost of vehicles, available options, financing terms and payment plans. These sites also will provide articles, reviews and tips.

Sufficient research will give you confidence in your final purchase and help you to avoid being “sold to” – instead you will have control of the process.

Automaker Financing Programs

Get started. Here is list of major automakers that offer financing programs targeted at college graduates:

• General Motors
• Ford
• Honda/Acura
• Hyundai
• Mazda
• Toyota
• Mitsubishi

Enjoy the process and start your professional career off with brand new spankin’ wheels, and I am not talking about for your bike!

Well, I can tell you. Twinned vehicles are essentially the same under the skin, but sold under different brands.

This is an illusion that manufacturers can create with the goal of killing two birds with one stone: expanding their market reach and avoiding the higher costs of engineering an entirely new vehicle.

The two vehicles will most likely be marketed as unique vehicles identified by simple changes of the badge, the grille and other superficial styling details

This twinned vehicle reality is made possible by many brands under one corporate parent. A classic example of this is General Motors. They have successfully accomplished efficiencies by using carbon copies of its cars across many brands.

However, in today’s market of world customization, the company is tailoring its vehicles to appeal to different customers. Therefore, the engineering of one vehicle might be very similar to another, but the overall design and features might be very different and appeal to different audiences.

It’s important to be aware of this actuality when purchasing a vehicle for a few reasons: pricing, resale value and vehicle warranty coverage. If you are able to identify vehicle twins then you will be able to see through the marketing spin and make a smarter purchase. You will also create more flexibility and bargaining leverage for yourself at the dealership.

Below is a list of twin/triplet/quadruplet vehicles to get you started:

Cars

Chevrolet Corvette/Cadillac XLR

Chevrolet Cobalt/Pontiac G5

Chevrolet Malibu/Saturn Aura/Pontiac G6

Dodge Avenger/Chrysler Sebring

Dodge Charger/Chrysler 300

Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable/Lincoln MKS

Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan/Lincoln MKZ

Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky

Toyota Camry/Lexus ES350

Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe

Hyundai Accent/Kia Rio

Minivans

Hyundai Entourage/Kia Sedona

Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan

SUVs

Buick Enclave/Chevrolet Traverse/GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook

Chevrolet Equinox/Pontiac Torrent

Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon/Cadillac Escalade/Hummer H2

Chevrolet Trailblazer/ Saab 9-7x/GMC Envoy

Dodge Durango/Chrysler Aspen

Ford Expedition/Lincoln Navigator

Ford Explorer/Mercury Mariner/Mazda Tribute

Ford Edge/Lincoln MKX

Hyundai Tucson/Kia Sportage

Jeep Compass/Jeep Patriot

Jeep Liberty/Dodge Nitro

Nissan Armada/Infiniti QX56

Toyota Land Cruiser/Lexus LX570

Toyota 4-Runner/Lexus GX470

Trucks

Chevrolet Avalanche/Cadillac Escalade EXT

Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon

Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra

Dodge Dakota/Mitsubishi Raider

Ford Ranger/Mazda B-Series

,

When looking to buy a new vehicle, it is extremely important that good safety features fall on the top of your priority list.

Here we will provide some important vehicle safety features that should be considered when you purchase your next vehicle.

Crash test ratings, electronic stability control and rollover resistance should all be looked at closely when evaluating a car for safety. Crash test ratings come from The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. They test cars in frontal collisions and side impacts. Once a vehicle is tested they give it a rating based on its results – knowing the crash test rating of your potential vehicle will help aid you in making a safe car choice.

Electronic stability control selectively applies brakes to one or more of the wheels in order to avoid sliding and skidding. This feature is highly recommended and will help your car stay under control when making sharp and quick turns.

Some vehicles have a high likelihood of rolling over. It is important to determine the roll-over tendency of your potential new vehicle before you buy it. The NHTSA provides a 5-star rollover rating that can be accessed at www.safercars.gov. Take advantage of their research and find out if the car is right for you.

Following through with the suggestions above, along with purchasing an extended auto warranty will help you stay protected. There are so many resources out there that can benefit both you and your vehicle; we highly suggest you take advantage of them all.

Why do I say this? Over the last five years numerous cars have been damaged by flooding, hurricanes or heavy rains. Some states have even reported a six-time increase in the number of waterlogged vehicles from just five years ago.

So please be wary of not just the lifetime of the vehicle you are purchasing, but where and what it has survived. Don’t be fooled, most often vehicles with this problem are moved to less suspicious areas, where harsh environmental conditions were not prevalent. You can find them back on the used car market, camouflaged and rebuilt to look clean.

Before You Buy That Used Car

In order to avoid being a victim of deception, take the time to study and examine the guts and exterior of the car. If a flood has spoiled a car, it will rot inside and out. Water damage can also threaten the mechanics and electronics of the vehicle without leaving much evidence.

The point of all this is not to make paranoiacs out of all of you. The point is to install awareness and give you a platform of skepticism. Used car sales are expected to reach 45 million this year and consumers need to be on high alert when making a purchase. Another important thing you can do to protect yourself, would be to purchase an extended car warranty to cover any unforeseen repair costs.

It can be nasty out there. Don’t be a victim of the deception of a waterlogged vehicle.

Sometimes we buy cars because they’re cool looking, sometimes we buy cars because they’re fast, sometimes we buy cars because they make sense for our lifestyle, but one thing that should always be considered when buying a new car is how reliable the car will be.

After all, a car that looks good won’t get the appreciation it deserves if it’s cooped up in the garage with a busted clutch. Below we have provided you some information on reliable cars that will allow you to avoid the use of your extended vehicle warranty as much as possible.

Reliable Cars

Honda is a great place to start.  Honda has an incredible reputation of producing both safe and dependable cars.  Their cars typically need minimal repairs and experience very few problems.  The Honda Odyssey is a perfect example as it is ranked first on the list of durable cars.  Also making the list is the Honda CRV, Pilot, Accord and Civic.

Other cars that are known for their reliability are small SUVs, such as the Volvo XC90 and the Subaru Forester.  For those of you who want fast, sleek looking cars, the Acura RDX and Audi A4 are both luxurious and well known for their durability.

The Durable Cars List

These cars were selected for The Durable Cars List according to safety, vehicle performance, and history of complaints.  Anyone looking to buy a new car can feel confident in the purchase of any of the above vehicles, especially if reliability is what you’re looking for.

In addition, it’s always good to have an extended auto warranty in case of unexpected repairs that catch you off guard. Unfortunately, as much as we can help to prevent unnecessary fixes, we can only control so much – it’s always a good idea to be prepared for the unforeseen.

There’s nothing more frustrating then browsing at a car dealership, minding your own business and then getting approached by the dreaded car salesman. It seems like nothing you say will get him to leave you alone.

Here are some funny one-liners from our overly aggressive friends that I think we can all relate to:

• Everybody pays this fee
• This car won’t be here tomorrow
• We’re losing our shirt on this deal
• You’re stealing food from my baby’s mouth
• The web sites you got the prices from are wrong
• The bank requires you to buy an extended warranty to get loan approval

It’s hard to know as a buyer if what that sales guy is saying is factual or not. This is why it’s extremely important that if you do decide to make a big purchase that you do your research!

There are many resources available to you, including this site where you can find the car warranty information you are looking for. Did you know you don’t have to buy your extended vehicle warranty from the car dealership? You can save a lot of money by buying it direct.

Once you do your research and know your facts, you’ll find that fighting off that pit-bull of a salesman won’t be so hard.

Having once been a youngster myself, I can empathize with the strong desire to have a turbo two-seater, James Bond, dream machine. Now a proud parent of a young adult, my empathy is outweighed by the concern for my child’s safety. This has obvious ramifications when choosing my young adults first automobile.

Obviously, reliability is going to be a main concern. Accredited reliability is out there, but can also carry a heavy premium in the used car market. Fortunately there are a few manufacturers building reliable vehicles at less of a premium than Toyota, Honda and Lexus. When comparing pricing with reliability it’s important to remember a few things:

1) Don’t be fooled that size means safer; there are many compact vehicles out there that have been rated well in crash tests.

2) Inexpensive doesn’t have to mean small; there are plenty of mid-sized sedans that are offered in the $5K range.

Affordability will forever be an issue with your kids first set of wheels. Gas, maintenance, an extended warranty, vehicle repairs and insurance costs must be considered before the journey begins.

Do your research. Invest your money where it is necessary. It is your responsibility as a parent to ensure the safety of your child, not spoil them rotten.