Toyota Avalon Recall.
Just yesterday, Toyota announced that they are recalling approximately 412,000 of their upscale passenger vehicles because of a steering problem. That can be quite frustrating for someone who opted to go with the more luxurious and expensive Avalon rather than the Camry or Corolla. It is even more annoying when consumers know about all the Ford Incentives being offered right now and Ford has not had near the amount of recalls that Toyota has been part of. Even with the recent recalls affecting the line up at Reading Chrysler Dodge Dealers, nothing compares to the sheer volume of vehicles that Toyota has recalled recently. And to think, a nicely equipped passenger vehicle from an AZ Volkswagen Dealer is just as comfortable and convenient as the Toyota Avalon, without the recall headache.
For the Toyota Avalon, model years 2000 through 2004, there are going to be 373,000 vehicles affected by this recall. Under some possible driving conditions, the steering lock bar could break. Additionally, there are going to be 39,000 of the LX470 SUVs recalled. The model years affected for this one is 2003 through 2007, and this recall pertains to the steering shaft becoming disengaged.
As of right now, there have been no injuries related to any of this affected vehicles. There have been three accidents with the Avalon steering issue, but it is not 100% confirmed that the faulty steering lock bar was the cause for the accidents. As of right now, no accidents have been reported for the LX470 recall.
For those unfamiliar with these vehicles, the LX470 is the Lexus SUV, one of the first SUVs available on the market. It received praise for its quality craftsmanship, supple leather, exquisite wood inlay designs, and third-row seating so that eight passengers plus cargo can be carried. The Avalon is a full size sedan with a standard V6 engine. The initial versions, released in the mid 1990s, were not anything fancy. The third generation was released with a complete redesign and now it is a main competitor in the full size sedan class.
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2002 Ford Explorer: Not Worth It!
Have you ever purchased a new vehicle from VW and thought that the benefits of buying new would protect you should something possibly go wrong with your new car? If you buy a new Santa Fe from Philadelphia Hyundai Dealers and something breaks on it, their amazing warranty is likely to cover the costs of the repairs. Well, that is how things are supposed to go. Looking back into the history books of vehicle complaints, the 2002 Ford Explorer seems to still be making people angry. You can buy a new model Explorer at NC Ford Dealer, but if they have a used 2002 model on the lot, keep walking on past it! What is even more interesting is that in 2000 Ford had their Firestone tire mishap and the anticipated release of a reliable vehicle in the following years did not come until later.
The 2002 Ford Explorer is plagued with transmission problems and numerous complaints about the back panel below the rear windshield mysteriously cracking. Plus, the wheel bearings like to fail at around 70,000 miles. So if you are reading this and you are about to buy a used model, you might be ok because the previous owner had to deal with the bulk of the repairs!
The main complaints have to do with the transmission. You can do a simple Google search and come up with dozens and dozens of pages about consumers reporting the same frustration with Ford. Many of the complaint posts also state that these drivers have or had been loyal Ford owners for many years, but when you purchase an expensive SUV only to be plagued with repair costs and a warranty that doesn’t cover many repairs, you are bound to be a bit frustrated. Many owners report total transmission failure, some report that the overdrive indicator light keeps flashing, and the third highest transmission complaint is that it slips and makes loud clunking noises while shifting. If you have less than 100,000 miles on your 2002 Explorer, you should be covered under warranty and Ford should take care of the problem for you. With as many complaints registered, they should help!
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Avoiding High Pressure Sales Techniques
Buying a new car is already a stressful experience, so you have to wonder why some car salesmen don’t try to make it a more pleasant experience. You walk onto a lot and see signs for Ford Incentives, which is already a pull at your emotional strings attached to your wallet. We all want to save a dollar or two, and the idea of incentives and rebates is hard to pass up. The auto industry has gone too long with their high pressure sales tactics. Minneapolis Toyota Dealers and Peoria Volkswagen are two dealerships we know of that truly don’t use high pressure sales, but rather approach you with an honest effort. As for the rest of the dealerships across the nation, be cautious and follow the advice listed below so that you can recognize high pressure sales trained techniques when you see them!
There are the salesmen who will urge you to go and shop around to compare rates with other dealerships. Perhaps that salesman quoted you a great price on a vehicle, and then after two days of exhausting car shopping you return to your first stop for that great deal. Here is where you just got taken advantage of; either the vehicle has sold and you must find something else, or when the salesman presents the quoted price to his finance guy, the boss will reject the price.
Other sales techniques include making friends with you instantly. While this may be great customer service, it can also be high pressure. People don’t like to let down their “friends,” and if your car salesman friend really wants you to buy a car from them, they may try to guilt you into the purchase.
Another technique is to make it seem that the offer you are being quoted is an incredibly limited time deal, and unless you act instantly, you will never get such a great deal again in your life. The truth of the matter is, cars on dealership lots don’t move at record speeds. Chances are you should opt to shop around and come back to share the lower quotes you received from other places.
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Car Maintenance Confusion!
Even though the line has been discontinued, you can still get your Pontiac Service from wherever you purchased your vehicle. The real question is, how often do you need to get your car serviced? It can be overwhelming, all the automotive advice that people will try to give you. Some people say use high octane gas, others say it is a waste of money. Some say to visit Kansas City used car dealers to save a lot of money while others say buying a used car is risky (it really isn’t if you buy certified used vehicles). And some people will tell you that imports from Peoria Volkswagen or a Volvo dealership will require more maintenance that is always more expensive than the upkeep on a domestic vehicle. Truth be told, there is no one right answer! There is a reason your vehicle comes with an owner’s manual. Each car has slightly different needs and the owner’s manual will tell you what the manufacturer suggests for your particular year, make, and model.
It is still suggested that you change your windshield wipers every year. Just like the reminder to change your smoke alarm batteries when we change our clocks for daylight savings, it is a good idea to change your wipers every fall. And depending on where you live, some of the more expensive blades might be worth the extra money.
It used to be suggested that you have your oil changed every 3,000 miles. Now, many newer cars can go 5,000 miles between changes, and some even can wait 15,000 miles! This is where you have to check your owner’s manual to see what the manufacturer suggests. Engines work better and the lubricants are made to last longer than previous generations.
One last piece of commonly overlook advice: park your car in the garage if you have one! You spend how much money investing in your house and usually people require having a garage before they’ll buy a home. You spend a pretty penny buying a vehicle, too, so why is your car sitting on the curb while your garage is holding garbage and old items you haven’t found the time to get rid of?
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Electric Cars Will Keep Trying!
Chevrolet Sarasota has likely been busy fielding calls and inquiries from anxious consumers regarding the release of the electric car, Chevy Volt. As our nation continues to acknowledge our dependency on oil, catastrophes like the Gulf oil spill make us a bit more anxious to find a solution to our need for fossil fuels. VW Arizona dealerships have their popular diesel engine to offer as an alternative, and their hybrid Jetta has yet to be released to the public. Good thing for Fort Lauderdale Cascadia Dealers, whose primary inventory is commercial grade trucks, they won’t have to worry about hybrid competition because that concept hasn’t even been toyed around with yet!
The main electric cars dominating the news headlines recently include the Nissan Leaf, Tesla Roadster, and aforementioned Chevy Volt. With all the hype about these vehicles, how come we don’t see more of them driving around yet? If America is trying so hard to go green and stop our oil dependency, why aren’t these vehicles more available to the general public?
Since opening shop in 2008, only 1,000 of the Tesla Roadsters are out on the road today. That could be in part because of its high sticker price of around $105,000. Some consumers are concerned about buying an electric car because what happens when their battery dies? Is there going to be a charging station nearby or are they going to have to call AAA for a tow? Until a product is tried and true tested, American consumers remain cautious.
Tesla boasts that its Roadster can drive about 245 miles before needing a charge. Just like estimated fuel economy, these figures are totally dependent on road and weather conditions, as well as how the driver drives and maintains their vehicle. Nissan Leaf drivers can expect a smaller ticket price and will get about 100 miles to a charge.
Some third party companies have talked about installing major networks along major routes to offer drivers a place to quickly recharge their vehicles. Government agencies have proposed numerous bills about how to make electric cars a reality, but nothing has been finalized yet. Talks include tax credits for people who have charging stations in their homes and large grants to install facilities on well-traveled routes.
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Auto Warranties: Bring Out Your Magnifying Glass
When you were taught as a youngster to always read the fine print before signing a contract, it was meant to be a lifelong lesson that you still do in your daily life. However, many Americans know that to get what we want there is often a lot of bureaucratic red tape. Sometimes we just go along with it so that our wishes come true. Other times we read and read and read so that we know what it is we are agreeing to when we sign a piece of paper. How many of you know the exact warranty coverage on the vehicle sitting in your driveway? Is your warranty good? How does it measure up to the nation average and comparable other auto maker warranties?
You typically have a basic warranty, or bumper-to-bumper, that is short. The longer warranty is the powertrain warranty, but it is awfully limited. Some companies offer a corrosion warranty as well as roadside assistance. An example would be if you bought a Volkswagen from Peoria VW; you can expect to get a 3 year 36,000 mile basic warranty, and your powertrain will be covered for 5 years 60,000 miles. Keep in mind that it is whichever comes first, if you reach the limit in years or the limit in miles. VW models also come with an impressive 12 year corrosion warranty and 4 years of roadside assistance. This article will not cover the specific definitions of roadside assistance, but beware that an auto brand’s definition of roadside assistance will be night-and-day different from another car company’s definition; hence, read your fine print!
Toyota Los Angeles will give you a 3 year 36,000 mile basic, a 5 year 60,000 mile powertrain, and a 5 year corrosion warranty. They do not come standard with roadside assistance. Something to keep in mind also is that the manufacturer will often offer extended warranties or your finance lender will offer you extended warranties. These cost money, but consider how long you plan on owning your vehicle to decide if you should spend the extra money for the extended coverage.
Vehicles purchased from Charlotte Jeep Dealer come with the pretty much industry standard basic warranty 3 year 36,000 miles but Jeep vehicles come with an unlimited powertrain warranty. Again, read your fine print, as unlimited seems too good to be true.
Kia, Hyundai, and Mitsubishi all offer impressive 5 year 60,000 mile basic warranties combined with the industry leader 10 year 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. There is a handful of brands that offer unlimited powertrain warranties, but again, read those with a fine-toothed comb!
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California: New HOV Restrictions
The California State Government is taking an interesting approach at trying to persuade car shoppers to buy certain low emission vehicles. There is not one model that you can find at Peoria Volkswagen that will let you drive solo in the carpool lanes in that state. And while for years and years, solo drivers of the Prius which is sold at Toyota Lexington for example were welcomed in the HOV lanes. Now, one of the most expensive and crowded states to live in the whole country is changing the legislature regarding solo drivers in the HOV lane. No longer will hybrid vehicle drivers be allowed in the carpool lanes unless they are legitimately carpooling. That means more business for Kansas City used car loans as people are likely to trade in their hybrids and opt for one of the newer electric car models with record low emission rates.
California has plenty of traffic and bumper-to-bumper rush-hour congestion records! Thus, the state has over 1,300 miles of carpool lanes. Legislation has recently been extended for four years so that solo drivers of ultra-low emission vehicles are rewarded by using the carpool lane until January 1, 2015. This law is going to help electric vehicles get a sales boost, as having access to the carpool lane is a huge selling tactic. There are five other states currently with similar legislation.
The new legislation is termed Assembly Bill 1500 and approved vehicles receive a white sticker that says “Clean Air Vehicle.” This new white sticker replaces the previously yellow sticker that was part of previous legislation. That previous legislation also allowed solo drivers of the Honda Civic hybrid, the Honda Insight, and the Toyota Prius to use carpool lanes. Approximately 85,000 vehicle owners will have to use the regular lanes while driving as of December 31, 2010; unless they do what is anticipated and slightly expected of them and they upgrade an electric vehicle, such as the Honda FCX Clarity. There is currently a bill on the table that would extend the solo privilege to plug-in charging vehicles, like the Chevrolet Volt, but it has yet to be approved and finalized.
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Time to Move? Expensive States to Own a Car
According to a recent study by Forbes, the state you live in greatly affects what it costs to purchase, maintain, and own your vehicle. A VW Dealer in California is going to charge more than one in South Dakota. A truck from Ford Knoxville is going to be comparable to a similar truck you would get at Chevy Bradenton, but when you look at insurance costs for different states and where the vehicles were purchased from, the numbers could begin to vary greatly.
Edmunds describes these price differences as the TCO, or True Cost to Own. They factor their numbers based on the additional costs of car ownership as well as value depreciation. Things held constant are owning the vehicle for five years, driving 15,000 miles per year, financed with 10% down, gold credit, and 60 month term loan.
West Virginia comes in as the 5th most expensive place to own a vehicle. Edmunds estimated you will spend $5,627 on financing, $13,799 on fuel, and experience $18,185 worth of depreciation! Total TCO is $57,532. Nevada is the 4th priciest, with a five year TCO of $57,763. Financing will run about $6,110, insurance around $10,616, and a hefty $4,036 on taxes and fees. Alaska is the 3rd most expensive, and your taxes and fees are only $538! None of the other numbers are too large compared to the other top pricey cars, they are just equally elevated. Your TCO for Alaska comes in at $58,052.
California, not surprisingly, is the 2nd highest price state to own a vehicle. The TCO for five years is $59,347 and you will spend approximately $14,280. Insurance is practically double the rest of the states and will cost you $11,670. Hawaii is the most expensive place to own a vehicle. The TCO is $59,457. Your finance fee is around $6,000, your fuel around $14,000, but insurance costs of $12,744 is where you will feel the financial tug the greatest.
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Worst Small Cars
Our picture shows one of the best-value small cars on the market right now; Ford Fiesta. However, the following three small cars have price tags so low it is unlikely you would have to use the services provided by KSMO bad credit car lots. Just because you are buying an affordable, economic small vehicle does not give car makers the right to make inferior products. Peoria VW models are typically quite small; the Beetle and Golf should come to mind. Yet, both cars have stellar reputations. U.S. News ranked the Chevrolet Aveo, the Suzuki Reno, and the Suzuki Forenza as the worst of the affordable small car category. It might be better if you scrap the idea of buying one of these new and visit Providence used cars; a used affordable small car has got to be better than paying full price on a new model!
The Chevrolet Aveo is lacking key safety features. Not only is it missing some pretty standard features and equipment, side airbags are not even available on any of the trim levels! Consumers criticize the backseats for being uncomfortable and the fuel economy is less than you would anticipate for how small the car is. The steering leaves a lot to be desired and the roaring engine works extra hard when accelerating to highway speeds.
The Suzuki Reno may have a stylish exterior and your passengers won’t complain about being too cramped. However, the small 2.0 liter engine gives drivers a measly 19 mpg while driving in town and only 28 while on the highway. Plus, the road noise from the engine is rather loud.
Lastly, the Suzuki Forenza has numerous complaints from unhappy consumers. The steering and handling is sloppy, there is next to no power, and its safety scores are downright scary. You might be getting more car for less money, but then again, you get what you pay for!
Before you assume that all small cars are economical and incredibly fuel efficient, with the obvious exception of sports cars, take some time to compare. Check out the U.S. News website and see the affordable small cars that got their highest approval ratings.
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Car Category Confusion!
As consumers, the auto industry can be awfully confusing unless you work for a car company or are simply an automotive fanatic. Even automotive fanatics who are familiar with all the models you will find at Used Car Indianapolis shoppers have the option to decide between might still be confused about how to make accurate comparisons. Say you set your sights on the new Ford Fiesta which will be available at any Cincinnati Ford dealer soon, how will you know you are making the right choice? You can’t compare oranges to carrots; they are different food categories. If you are in the market for a Ford Fiesta, you should check out vehicles that are similar to it to make sure you really like all that is has, or doesn’t have, to offer. You could compare it to the Passat Wagon which can be found at any VW Dealer, but then how do you make an accurate comparison between two very different vehicles? Frankly, it can be quite confusing. We will outline how U.S. News categorizes their cars. This won’t help you with trucks, vans, SUVs, crossovers, or hybrids, but seeing all the categories laid out can only help to clarify the car categories.
U.S. News divides cars into small, midsize, large, sports cars, convertibles, wagons, and hybrids. All of that sounds simple enough until you realize that each of those is further broken down into subcategories!
Small cars have the subcategories and examples as follows. Affordable small cars, with the top three models being Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, and Honda Civic. Upscale small cars, with the top three models being Volkswagen GTI, Audi A3, and BMW 1-Series. Lastly, hatchbacks with the top model being the Ford Fiesta.
Midsize cars have similar subcategories. Affordable midsize cars typically are under $25,000 and include the Ford Fusion Hybrid. Upscale extends to $40,000 and includes the BMW 3-Series.
Large cars also include luxury model categories. Affordable large cars include the Ford Taurus, with prices usually under $35,000. Luxury large cars include the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Infiniti M, and Acura RL. Super luxury cars cost more than $60,000 and include the Porsche Panamera. The last subcategory is exotic cars and includes the Maserati Quattroporte.
Sports cars have similar subcategories as above. Affordable sports cars are under $35,000 and include the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Vehicles above $35,000 are known as luxury sports cars and include the Chevrolet Corvette. Super luxury implies a price over $70,000 and includes the Porsche 911 Carrera. Exotics cost over $100,000 and an example is the Lamborghini Murcielago. Muscle cars go into this category and include the Chevrolet Camaro.
The convertible category is broken down into affordable (Ford Mustang) and luxury (Chevrolet Corvette). The wagon category is divided into affordable full size wagons (Subaru Outback), affordable compact wagons (Hyundai Elantra Touring), and luxury wagon (Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon). The hybrid category has yet to be divided and includes the Ford Fusion Hybrid.
