Speed Week demonstrates extreme possibilities for used cars in New York

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Posted in General Auto News, Subaru - DO NOT USE

Auto enthusiasts who are considering used cars in New York may want to follow Speed Week at the Bonneville Salt Flats, as more than 500 vehicles are expected to use the desert tracks to try and set records for various classes.

Competitors have descended on the testing range for more than 60 years, taking advantage of two five-mile tracks and one seven-mile track that are flat enough to make high-speed runs relatively safe compared to other venues, according to the Deseret News.

Vehicles travel anywhere from 50 miles per hour to ten times that based on design and engine capacity, and this year could see several marks broken based on the condition of the salt, Joann Carlson, media liaison for the event, told the newspaper.

Early notable reported from the event include those of the shenanigans of Travis Pastrana and Ken Block, who both drive Subaru Imprezas in various events, and used a trash can lid to set a “land speed record” after being towed by the hatchback, according to Top Gear.

Cash for Clunkers infusion may draw buyers to used cars in New York

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Posted in Auto Loans & Financing News

There may be no rush for buyers to take advantage of deals offered in conjunction with the Cash for Clunkers program now that Congress has approved an additional $2 billion for new car purchases, and that may give potential owners enough time to consider the cost savings of keeping a used car in New York.

Edmunds.com, an automotive research site, reported that the deal is likely to decrease demand in the program designed to spur buyers to consider new cars with higher fuel efficiency ratings, because a surge in purchases was based on buyers worried when the funds would run out.

“Now that additional money has been approved, the rush to make a deal will not be as urgent,” says Jeremy Anwyl, the site’s CEO. “This program would have made more sense to continue in October when the traditional summer selling season is over.”

While the savings range from $3,500 to $4,500 when one doesn’t include dealer incentives, it may not make sense for buyers on a strict budget to go after a new car as part of the program.

“The majority of Americans cannot afford a new car payment today, but they probably can afford to trade up to a newer used vehicle or make their current vehicle more fuel-efficient,” said Kathleen Schmatz, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association president and CEO.

AAIA says that routine maintenance of older vehicles over the span of a year would cost owners less than one monthly payment on a new vehicle, and they say that the program entices consumers who may not be able to afford the cost of such purchases.

Instead, holding onto one’s used car in New York or an upgrade to a newer model allows consumers to retain the value of their vehicle once the program is completed, and they can then trade it in or donate it when they are looking to make their next purchase.

Fuel efficiency can also be improved with maintenance, without the need to purchase an all-new vehicle, according to the AAIA. They say that up to 12 billion gallons of fuel each year could be saved by performing routine oil changes and other repairs. That would be the equivalent of the yearly usage of motorists in Illinois, Michigan and Connecticut, and 166 times the fuel savings government analysts estimated for the Cash for Clunkers program.

Used Chevrolet Camaros in New Jersey as safe as 2010 models

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Posted in Chevrolet, General Auto News

Car enthusiasts who have seen crashes involving the new Chevrolet Camaro have seen that it tends to crumple upon impact according to news photos, and now the government finds that in terms of frontal crash ratings, the new model may have similar safety characteristics to used Chevrolet Camaros in New Jersey.

Cars.com reported that unlike other entry-level sports cars, the 2010 model only received four-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the effect of frontal crashes on both the driver and passenger, even though “cars have become so advanced that they easily pass the government’s current tests.”

The 2002 model, which was the last Camaro made before the update, received a four-star rating for the driver in similar tests by the government, but received a five-star rating for front passenger safety.

Buyers considering a used Chevrolet Camaro in New Jersey may like the idea of buying a sports car that’s as safe as newer models, with options for a V6 or V8 engine making up to 275 horsepower.

Blistering track time may make used Ford Focuses in New York a good bet

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Posted in Ford

A car magazine editor recently took a beefed-up Ford Focus around the famous Nurburgring track, and his 8:30 minute lap on the 13-mile run could inspire motorists to consider agile used Ford Focuses in New York.

To be fair, the RS in Europe has a 300 horsepower engine, and the editor is also a racer by the name of Horst von Saurma-Jeltsch, but the time is only a minute or so slower than supercars like the Porsche Carrera GT and the Ferrari F430.

A video of the run was posted on Youtube by Ford’s German media team, and potential buyers can watch it and see how some upgrades can make for a tight handling car over the renowned road course.

A 2004 model without the large engine or performance aftermarket parts is no slouch, though, according to a Cars.com that highlights the “crisp cornering ability” of used Ford Focuses in New York, and the ZX3 hatchback’s ability to “accelerate eagerly from a standstill.”

Other buyers may be interested in the ZX4 sedan, wagon variants, or a SVT model that incorporates a peppier 170-horsepower engine.

Owners may find poor crash tests for new vehicles reason to buy used cars in New Jersey

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Chevrolet, Ford

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently crash tested a set of midsize sedans at low speed, and the sticker shock of repair costs could lead buyers to consider used cars in New Jersey.

Bumpers on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu and 2010 Ford Fusion performed poorly compared to earlier models, and none of the six cars tested attained the institute’s top rating of good.

At speeds of three to six miles per hour, the tests are designed to simulate minor mishaps like backing into another vehicle in a parking lot.

The IIHS reports that construction choices in the Fusion would cost more than $2,500 to repair in tests of the front bumper, while owners of a new Malibu could expect a bill over $2,000 if they backed up into something accidentally based on test results.

“Consumers buy midsize cars for practical reasons,” said Joe Nolan, IIHS senior vice president. There’s nothing practical about a $1,000-plus repair bill after a minor bump in commuter traffic.”

Concept car could inspire purchases of used Mazda Miatas in New York

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Mazda - DO NOT USE

Looking at concept cars at auto shows can show buyers updated versions of popular cars, and a new design could inspire buyers to consider used Mazda Miatas in New York.

Set to be displayed at this year’s Frankfurt Auto Show, the MX-5 superlight concept takes a Miata and strips it of windshields, door handles and anything else that engineers thought could be eliminated to save weight, reports Car magazine.

Internally, the car also reduces bulk through technologies to lower emissions and improve fuel mileage that the automaker says will be revealed this fall as part of the 20th anniversary of the Miata’s introduction, according to the website.

The popular two-seat convertible was designed to be a lightweight in stock form throughout its history, and buyers looking for an affordable cruising option could be enticed by a 2005 used Mazda Miata in New York.

It is “still the standard when it comes to delivering top-down thrills” at an affordable price point and offers good handling for its class, noted Edmunds.com editors.

Personal finance advisers recommend used cars in New Jersey

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Posted in General Auto News

The investors at the Motley Fool generally focus on stock tips, but in a recent personal finance article, they recommend that visitors consider used cars in New Jersey to save money.

They say that because cars tend to depreciate in value by about 30 percent over the first several years, buying a new car can lose a buyer money almost as soon as it’s driven off the dealer’s lot.

“Survey after survey shows that the best current cars provide longer, more dependable service than ever before,” adds the report, noting that some domestic cars from General Motors and Ford have recently caught up with offerings from Japanese automakers in terms of build quality.

But buyers who are considering used cars in New Jersey because of their value may want to start researching sooner rather than later.

Residents of New York and New Jersey are being driven to dealerships because of the Cash for Clunkers program, and choosing used cars if their previous vehicles don’t qualify for the rebate, reported the Wall Street Journal.

Summertime could lead to increased sales of tow-ready used GMC Sierras in New York

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Posted in GMC - DO NOT USE

The warm weather in summer is perfect for boating, and one European company is trying to capitalize on that with a buy one yacht, get one Bentley free program.

Pearl Motor Yachts is based in Spain and the UK, and is offering a free Bentley Continental GT coupe when customers order one of the firm’s 60 foot yachts.

The yacht manufacturer has found success with the automaker in a previous venture with Bentley, and has successfully partnered with several dealerships to implement the program.

Marine enthusiasts with a smaller budget could combine a pre-owned boat with medium trucks like used GMC Sierras in New York for a more affordable package.

A GMC Sierra 1500, for example, can tow most boats that are 20 feet longer or shorter, and enable owners to bring light craft to reservoirs or shore towns on the weekend.

For the price of a new sedan, buyers could combine a 2003 GMC Sierra and a used fishing boat, towing their vessel in a truck whose “quietness is above average” and is easy to park due to its size, reported Cars.com

Low dealer satisfaction may lead customers to used cars in New York

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Auto Loans & Financing News

Dissatisfaction with the financing options and availability at new car dealerships for leasing and purchasing vehicles may turn potential buyers to used cars in New York.

A recent analysis by J.D. Power and Associates finds that buyers have been increasingly unhappy with the “captive” financing wings of several automakers, with satisfaction ratings dropping 5-10 percent in 2008.

It’s not the rates that make up a large portion of a consumer’s experience, but rather the services provided by financiers that help to explain the reduction in buyers’ happiness with the experience, the marketing firm found.

Some of the lowest ranked firms include GMAC and Chrysler‘s captive financing wing, with General Motors receiving the equivalent of a C grade and Chrysler a D based on their ability to offer loans for new cars.

“Current economic conditions have created something of a ‘perfect storm,’ as declines in new-vehicle sales, tightened lending and reduced inventory funds have combined to put extreme stress on dealer business,” said David Lo, J.D. Power and Associates financial services director.

Maintenance may help prolong the useful life of used cars in New Jersey

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Posted in General Auto News

As more motorists consider holding onto used cars in New Jersey, proper maintenance may be needed to ensure that their vehicles last as long as owners desire.

Roughly half the car owners surveyed by Consumer Reports say they are putting off purchase plans for new cars, and the company says that warning signs that occur before major problems can point owners to preventive repair options.

Brake pads are designed to start squealing when they are worn down, but motorists may be put off by the $100 to $200 that replacing each one can cost. Replacing the pads, however, can help to protect the rotors, which can cost up to four times as much to repair.

Similarly, changing one’s oil can cost $20 to $50 depending on the make and model, but regular replacements limit sludge that could cause a $6,000 engine failure.

“Taking immediate action when you hear a noise or feel something wrong can save you thousands of dollars on avoidable repairs,” says David Champion, Consumer Reports Auto Test Center senior director.