Friday, July 22, 2011

What makes a quality used car?

Buying a quality used car can be a great decision if you know what to look for in a previously owned vehicle. There are some cars that simply do not hold their value the way some others do. Then again, there are some cars that will last longer than others do as well. Do your homework as you do your search for a good previously owned vehicle. Not all cars are created equally, and even though you will not be paying the new car price, you will want to make sure you have gotten the best your money can buy when buying a quality used car. 


You may be interested in knowing what gives a used vehicle, what is known as “a quality rating”. Several factors must be considered when placing that rating on a previously owned vehicle, so it would be a good idea to educate yourself before you are ready to proceed with buying a quality used car. The biggest factor to take into account, when rating a used car, with a quality rating is just how long a car will retain its value, and you have to know that there are huge differences between the different car brands. Be sure you are armed when you go shopping.

Make sure you are purchasing from an O.M.V.I.C. Registered Dealer. There are two very good reasons for this. Access to consumer protection funds and making sure there is full disclosure in advertising and contracts. OMVIC is The Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council that enforces the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act. They are there to protect you and their mandate is to “maintain a fair, safe and informed marketplace in Ontario by protecting the rights of consumers”.

Check the mileage of the car you look at to see if you think they will last the length of time you need it to. Also check the history before buying any quality used car to see if there are any accidents in its past. Sometimes, even though repairs have been made, many of those repairs are for cosmetic reasons, and some damage may have been missed in the inspections. A previously owned vehicle that has had extensive damage in the past may be one that will have more problems showing up in the future. Many times all you need are the facts to make the right decision. www.prudentvaluecars.com

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

If you're looking to buy a car, you probably want two things.


Value and reliability. Oh sure, a little style doesn't hurt, but you'll probably sacrifice style for good resale value.
If you can have your cake and eat it too, why not.
Consumer Reports is one of the top sites to help you make the right choice. They research their choices thoroughly and back it up with strong data.
Here's a fact you may not be aware of; the average new car loses 47 percent of its value in the first three years. How can you counter that sort of depreciation?
According to Consumer Reports, think used. It's an affordable, intelligent way to get the car you want with all the safety features and added options, without all the drastic drive off the lot depreciation.

When buying used however, there are a few more things to keep in mind.
Do you trust the dealer. Have they been around for a while? And what sort of bumper to bumper warranty do they offer.
 Do your blue book price comparisons. Sometimes a deal that is too good to be true, often is. If the car is priced way below blue book value, there is likely something you've missed. It could be obvious such as above average kilometres. Calculate that the average driver, in normal use, drives about 20-25,000 kilometres a year. If the car is only two years old and has 80,000 kilometres it means the car has likely been part of a fleet of rental cars, or it has put some hard time in.
This will greatly reduce the lifespan of the car and should probably be taken out of consideration.

What cars are most highly rated?
Well, courtesy of Consumer Reports, here are some vehicles to consider. In the small car category they rate the Honda Fit number one. For family cars they have great things to say about the Toyota Prius.
If you would like something upscale but have no issue with something a year or two old, seriously consider the Lexus ES. Still in the luxury arena consider the Acura RL. Need something a little sportier? They give a thumbs up to the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Small SUV's are very popular these days. Consider the Honda CRV In the midsized category, try the Toyota Highlander. Next, minivans; Consumer Reports says to go with the Toyota Sienna FWD. If it's a pickup truck, again Honda gets the nod with their Ridgeline.

That’s it for our overview of Consumer Reports top recommendations for used cars and trucks. They recommend these vehicles on average over the last ten years. We suggest that you do your homework, then choose the vehicle that feels most comfortable for you and your circumstances.

For more information about making intelligent used vehicle decisions, go to PrudentValuecars.com

Friday, July 8, 2011

When Purchasing New or Used Vehicles Put Child Safety First!


When Purchasing New or Used Vehicles Put Child Safety First!

If you have children , choosing a safety-oriented vehicle is most likely one
of your concerns. Here are a few things to consider in selecting a vehicle
that is perfect for your family's needs.

Blind Area's in Car's

Physically check to see where your blind spots are on your own vehicle.
Simply have another person kneel or hold something at a child's height, sit
in your driver's seat and look for any blinds pots you may have while
backing up. Rear view video camera's or parking assist camera's are one
addition to the family that may save everyone from knowing how dangerous
blind spots can be when backing up.

Car seats or safety belts

There must be by law, a latch tether system or lower anchor system built in
for all car's made after Sept 1st 2002. Children's car seats must fit
securely in your new Pre Owned Vehicle or New Vehicle. Try your car seat out
just to make sure it is compatible with the Vehicle. The police are also
able to assist with verifying your car seat has the proper specifications.
Be mindful that there are weight restrictions on car seats as well as front
seat belts ( due to the air bag release mechanism releases).

Locking systems for Window's

Windows are fun to play with, even for adults. However they can prove fatal
for young children as they explore boundaries in sticking their head out the
window to gain a different perspective. Most injuries occur when the keys
are in the ignition and the child leans out and accidentally hits the window
button. Most of the newer vehicles have the safety locks that allow the
driver to lock the rear windows shut. In the event that there is not a
switch, remember to turn your car off and pull the key's out so no mischief
can occur.
Prudent Video: Avoid Distractions While Driving

Remember, safety and common sense go hand in hand with small ones. www.prudentvaluecars.com