Getting a Mechanic You can Trust to Save on Car Repairs

Your car is a vital part of your life, and unless you live in an area with effective mass transit then you probably utilize it on a daily basis. And when your car breaks down or needs regular maintenance, you really have no choice other than to have it done. Unless you know how to repair it yourself, your only chance for saving on car repairs is to find a mechanic you can trust. There are plenty of jokes about mechanics and how they can take advantage of their customers thanks to the fact that those customers have no option other than to trust them, but in some cases those are much more than just jokes. Do some research to protect yourself.

Take a look at consumer sites like APA.

They post lists of reputable mechanics and repair shops for you to review. If the mechanic you're thinking of using isn't on the list, you may want to consider visiting another one. Their own tests found that thirty percent of repair shops they visited failed their simple tests. Those that passed will be on the list. Even if you live in an area that hasn't been reviewed by sites like these you still have a couple of options available to help you with the task of saving on car repairs.

A study in Calgary involving thirty different garages found that only eight received a passing grade. The rest failed to notice issues or charged extra prices for work that simply wasn't necessary. Because of this, customers could end up paying hundreds of dollars that they don't even need to spend.

Find repair shops that offer free inspections, or at least very cheap ones.

If you can get an inspection and estimate of repair costs from a few different shops then you'll be able to compare each one to see which seem to be trying to make unneeded repairs as well as which ones are trying to overcharge you. It may be a hassle you don't want to deal with, but driving to a couple of different mechanics could end up saving you hundreds.

There are a few points that can help you with saving on car repairs, and remembering them is important whether you need a brake job or a transmission repair. For those in a financial bind those hundreds can be the difference between making the rent or falling behind on it. 

For more information visit www.prudentvaluecars.com

Buying and Selling a Used Vehicle in Ontario make it a Safe Transaction

If you are going to buy or sell a used vehicle in Ontario, you should be aware that the law requires you to provide a used vehicle information package for the buyer. This protects both the buyer and the seller in the case that there is damage to the car or there is a lean against it. That way it becomes clear which problems came with the car and which problems arose after the car transferred ownership. Getting a history of the car is another very important step for someone buying a used vehicle whether they are buying it directly from the owner or from a dealer in used vehicles.

Are you planning to buy Smaller Car  in Ontario?

This information package should require a variety of different information including registration history, odometer information, year, make, model, mileage and the status of the car (if it has been in an accident or not). There are other things that are required as well and if any of them are missing, it should be cause for alarm. Every person who wants to potentially buy a used vehicle should insist on doing a test drive to make sure the vehicle is in good enough condition to drive safely and effectively. There are some problems which might be apparent in the test drive that would be warning signs that something might be wrong with the vehicle.
Thoroughly check the vehicle before purchase 
One of the warning signs is if the vehicle turns or pulls to one side or if the brakes squeal. Strange exhaust, strange smells, and strange sounds are all cause for alarm. It is best to inspect a vehicle in the daylight so never agree to meet a car salesman after dark. A rough ride is another problem that might indicate that the shock absorbers have worn off and need to be replaced. There are legal ramifications for tampering with any of the required elements of selling used cars in Ontario. It is also illegal to tamper with the odometer so be sure the mileage in the report matches what the mileage on the odometer reports. Another great idea in the GTA is to ask to see that it’s passed an emissions control test.

Prudent Value Cars- A Quality Used-Car Dealership

Obtain a buyer's checklist from a government site in order to be sure that you have completed all the legal steps for buying the car and transferring the ownership. There are many people who are dishonest, unfortunately, so you want to be sure that you are not buying a car from one of them. Use your instincts and educate yourself. If something seems off, or if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. The best course is the legal and safe course when buying a used car.



For more, please visit www.prudentvaluecars.com

OMVIC Can Help If You Have a Dispute after Purchasing a Licensed Vehicle

The Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council enforces the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act that is sometimes shortened to the acronym MVDA. If a car dealer has told you a lie about a vehicle you bought, what rights do you have as a consumer? The Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry can get involved to help if you have been badly taken advantage of, but it is important to note what you should do, so you can help yourself before needing to contact them. While Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council can't do anything about private sates and independent repair facilities, they can help with problem resolution for registered dealers and cars that have manufacturing defects that are not more than five years old.

The Motor Vehicles Dealers Act will help you, if you qualify for arbitration, in resolving problems that are stipulated in the act so that you have support, if you were not able to come to an amicable resolution to the issue at hand. But first, you should try to work things out with dealer. Trying to work out a reasonable solution is a good first step to take. You should be careful to be clear and specific about the outcome you desire and the details you are not content with. If you are willing to go to court, the court can order that the dealer compensates you if you win your case, but you may be able to avoid the courts altogether through good mediation and conflict resolution. Make sure your documentation is as detailed as possible in writing, so that if you need to proceed to court you have all possible information at hand.

How To Avoid Curbsider While Purchasing A Used Vehicle? 

You should avoid doing business with curbsiders. Curbsider is the name for car dealers who are not registered with the OMVIC and do not have a license. The Motor Vehicles Dealers Act applies to registered dealers only. When purchasing a vehicle make sure to always keep a record of everyone you speak to incase you need them later or if something is misrepresented. Be sure to record what they say to you and the verbal promises made. It is a good idea to send an email that confirms what was said after the conversation is over.

The Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council isn't able to force either party in a dispute to come to a solution. However they are able to advise both parties of their rights and obligations under the law. They can also advise on how a court of law might view the case. The most important thing to remember is that it’s always easier to back out of a potentially shady deal than it is to try to undo it once it's done. Be sure you feel confident about the deal before proceeding with it.

For more, please visit our inventory at http://www.prudentvaluecars.com

Not Just Any Old Car Will Do When You are Buying a Quality Used Car

There are many reasons why someone would check into buying a quality used car rather than paying the higher price for one that is brand new. The number one reason is that a previously owned vehicle is sure to cost a lot less than one that is showroom new. Some people decide to only purchase a previously owned vehicle for the sheer fact that new cars depreciate when they are driven off the new car lot after being purchased. When you find the car you want and the loan you need to seal the deal most people are proud to have been able to go through the process.

Another reason for buying a quality used car is that many believe older vehicles are just a bit better than one that comes to them directly from the manufacturer. Along with that, some even feel like those vehicles that are still on the road after a year or two have already proven themselves and are worthy of purchase. Even though that may sound really good, and may have some basis in fact there are some things that should be done to assure that the new owner will not find themselves up to their neck in troubles they could have avoided.

When buying a quality used car you should take a look at some of the newer models that are on used car lots today. Many of these vehicles often are less than three years old. That means that they may have some of the original manufacturer’s warranty on them. That could help to give you some peace of mind, at least for a little while. Before you do buy the vehicle check to make sure that way there will be no question that you will be covered if it is.

A certified pre-owned vehicle is one of the best ways to go about buying a quality used car because they typically have fewer than 80,000 kilometres on them making them a better deal right away. They have also been put through multipoint inspections, and any needed upkeep and service has been attended to before being placed on the lot to grab your attention. Often, the major automakers even throw in an extended warranty at no cost to the buyer. A previously owned vehicle can be a great option for those wanting to save money, but it should never be taken for granted that just any old car will do.

Prudent Value Cars offers vehicles that are top quality cars and trucks with low kilometres. They offer flexible financing for all kinds of credit and zero down for qualified customers.
Visit www.prudentvaluecars.com

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

Make Your Vehicle Look More Presentable For Buying

Make Your Vehicle Look More Presentable For Buying

You’ve made the decision to sell your used car so now you must get it ready to be placed on the market. Your goal is to:
• Make your car easy to advertise
• Make your car sell quickly
• Command a higher sale value

How do we do this? You must think like a buyer. Put yourself in the buyer’s position and think about the things that you would look for when buying a used car. You definitely want a car that has been cared for and maintained.

First you’ll want to clean your car inside and out. Remove all garbage or items laying around your car, vacuum the interior including trunk and wipe down the dash and the rest of the interior. Give the exterior of your car a thorough wash and a good wax. Making your car look more presentable will help you maximize the return on your investment.

You’ll then want to fix all obvious damage. Fix all broken items that are easy to fix such as headlights. Airbrush touch up of small scratches and chips to make the car look newer.

When you’re presenting your car, make a clean impression. Hopefully you’ll have the original keys, the owner’s manual in the glove compartment along with maintenance and service documents. This shows the potential buyer that your car was well maintained and it will sell faster.

A strong selling tool for your car is a complete report of your car. This will eliminate any questions or concerns regarding the quality of the title of your car.

Make a professional “for sale” sign for your car. Make a sign with a legible phone number, use an eye catching colour. As an added bonus you can make flyers so when potential buys come see the car after visiting several on that day, they will remember yours. A flyer can be created through a word processor and look really great.

Remember that you are not a dealer and cannot give any warranty on the car so be honest about the condition of your car and any serious problems. The last thing you want to do is create a bigger headache from the buyer down the road.

In your bill of sale, establish that the car is sold “as is” and keep a copy for yourself. This will help protect you for any further liability.

Now that you’ve sold your car, if you’re in the market to look for a new used car, please visit www.prudentvaluecars.com/inventory for top quality, pre-owned cars and trucks with low kilometres.

How To Finance a Car after bankruptcy

With the amount of car loan choices that we have today, we no longer have to worry whether we can get a car loan after bankruptcy. There are a number of companies that will offer people who have had financial problems in the past help. Companies now offer secured loans to people with a bad credit history.

Prudent video: Bankruptcy is a legal process

It may not always be as easy as it sounds so here are some sure fire tips that will get you a car loan after bankruptcy:

Re-establish your credit – To rebuild your credit, take out a small personal loan through a loan company that will help you rebuild your credit by reporting your payments to the credit bureau. Make sure you make all your monthly payments on time. Your credit score will eventually increase and when this happens you will get lower interest rates.

Pay Cash – If possible, prior to buying a used car, save up money. You don’t have to buy a fancy new car, it just has to be good and reliable. One way to do this is to make a car payment to yourself for the amount you’re willing to pay for a car. When you have saved enough, you will have a nice chunk of change to pay for a car in full or even a lump sum down payment. This is a great way to save the interest payments.

Review Your Credit Report – This is a great first step after bankruptcy. You need to review your credit report and make sure that all your accounts are in order and there are no errors. All the accounts that were hurt your credit and were included in your bankruptcy should all be closed.

Explain Your Situation – A car loan application may raise questions about your recent bankruptcy. You should explain what led you to this path. This is a great chance to explain yourself and to show that you have taken all actions to correct your financial situation. Also include all important credit improvements that you’ve worked on up until you are applying for the car financing.

Prudent video: Buying a car after bankruptcy

Always remember to keep strong with the dealer. Have your full set amount up front and don’t budge even if the dealer is working out smaller monthly payments to get you your higher priced car. Stick to your budget and don’t allow the dealer to be in control. A good dealer will work with you and this will get you the best buy.

For more information www.prudentvaluecars.com

What to do if You Think Your New Car is a Lemon

The term lemon although may sound citrusy and fruity is actually a term used when referring to a poorly built car. This is because both will leave a sour taste in your mouth. In the 1800s the term lemon was used to describe people who were unfriendly and over time the term was being used for anything that was defective or broken.

A lemon car is a car that when purchased requires many repairs of the same problem. These repairs usually include problems with the transmission, engine or brakes. Problems that may be life threatening if it’s not working properly.

Unlike the US which has a lemon law that gives consumers compensation when they find that they’ve purchased a defective car and the manufacturer won’t fix it. Here in Canada, there is no such law. Ontario tried to pass a lemon law back in 2002 but the efforts were unsuccessful. Each province does however have some consumer protection statues. Consumers can submit a dispute to the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP).

This CAMVAP program is a free arbitration program for consumers. The hearings are held in the consumer’s community. The process takes approximately 2-3 months. Most times you will not need a lawyer to help you as the manufacturers don’t use lawyers. An inspection of the vehicle usually takes place. The arbitrator can either get the manufacturer to buyback the vehicle, have the manufacturer’s pay for the repairs to take place or reimburse repairs already completed including the out of pocket expenses such as towing, testing and rental related to the problem with the car. The arbitrator can also order that the manufacturer have no liability.

Many people have purchased lemons in the past and many have become extremely angry over it. If you recently bought a lemon that was made in the last 4 years, don’t suffer in silence, consider using the CAMVAP. This program may be able to help you resolve your dispute with the car’s manufacturer.

If you’re buying a used vehicle and want to prevent yourself from purchasing a lemon, review the past maintenance history prior to the purchase. Ask for the VIN number so you can conduct a search of the vehicle maintenance history.

Prudent Value Cars sells top quality, pre-owned cars and trucks with low kilometres. They offer flexible financing for all kinds of credit and zero down for qualified customers. For more, please visit our inventory at http://prudentvaluecars.com/

Everyday Things That Will Ruin Your Car

You may already know the proper way to take care of your car. Remembering to take your car for maintenance repairs is extremely beneficial to your car. Other than crashing our cars, there are everyday things that we may do that will damage our cars.

Here are just a few common things that we do that ruin our cars:

Parking brakes – Not many of us use our parking brakes. We should remember that parking brakes are very valuable. When we park on an incline without using our parking brakes, we’re actually putting all of the stress on the transmission. When a parking brake is used, it locks the non drive wheels as well as the drive wheels and takes the stress off the transmission adding years to the life span of your cars transmission.

Brakes – When driving down a hill, you should not keep your foot on the brakes. Riding your brakes down a hill will wear out your brake pads quickly. This can also cause problems with your tires if you’re constantly riding your brakes down the hill the entire time.

Engine – 50% of all engine wear occurs in the first few seconds after you start your car. Revving your engine when you start up the car does damage. It takes more time to warm up the engine when your car is sitting idle so you should drive your car gently for the first five minutes until your car is warmed up.

Shifting – We’re usually in a rush and most of us make this mistake but we need to try having our car come to a complete stop before we shift gears. This adds months of wear to your transmission in just seconds. Not only does it damage your transmission but can also damage your drive shafts which the thing that sends power to your wheels. After a while, it will also affect your suspension handling.

Oil – Changing your oil every 5 thousand miles or when your owner’s manual suggests is important. Doing this will increase your cars performance and may double the life span of your car.

There are many things we do every day without realization that can affect our cars performance and life span. 

Prudent Video: How to take care of your brakes

Remembering the above simple things will help. There are also many other things that will help even if it’s minimal. Things like not ignoring your cars sounds, turning off your radio, wipers and temperature controls will all make a difference.

For more valuable tips and information, please visit www.facebook.com/prudentvaluecars

How Financing Your Car Can Help Your Credit Score

When it comes to purchasing a car, most people don’t want to buy a car they can’t afford. They want to try and get the best interest rate and be able to calculate their monthly payments. If you've had bruised, bad credit, no credit or no previous history with car loans, an auto loan (and personal loans) will be tougher to get but they can also help you build your credit.

Consumers should do their homework on how financing is determined. Auto financing depends on a number of factors and understanding each will get you a better deal. The rates are affected by the applicant’s age, down payment, type of vehicle, length of the contract and their credit score. If you do not have any credit history, you may need a co-signer. This will allow you to obtain the car you want, the loan you need and help build your credit. Keep in mind that not making your monthly payments will not only destroy your credit but also the credit of your co-signer.

Borrow with your car- Vehicle title loans

The prime benefits to your credit score doesn't come from paying off the loan itself but from the payment history of the loan and the management of debt that your credit report will show. Paying off a loan does a great service to your future borrowing power. Every time you make a payment on a debt that is not over 30 days late, you will receive a positive note for that payment of your credit report. Paying off your loan is a great accomplishment and of course will not hurt your credit but the monthly payments itself boost your credit report as it accounts for 35% of your score.

Credit history counts for 15% of your overall credit score so you will be able to benefit from your loan simply because of the age of your account. The older the account gets, the more it helps build a positive past credit history.

A vehicle is a big commitment but a strong financial stepping stone. Maintaining the vehicle and making timely payments will save you money in both the short and long runs by reducing the costs and repairs and building a strong credit history.

The economic downturn has negatively impacted auto sales but a consumer can benefit from this because dealers are offering incentives and great leasing options such as no interest financing in order to get a sale. Visit Prudent Value Cars inventory at http://www.prudentvaluecars.com to find the right car for you and the financing you need!

The Most Popular Cars on TV

There are many great TV shows/movies out there and some of these great shows were made so that the car was the stars. Cars that were modified and designed to make a lasting impression on the audience. Here is a list of some of the most creative and popular cars on TV.

Herbie the Love Bug:
This car was a Volkswagen Beetle. It’s easy recognized with the red, white and blue stripes and sporting the number 53. This Beetle rose to popularity in 1969 being cast as Herbie. This love bug could feel and think for himself. He could also drive himself and triumphed in multiple races that he featured in. This is also a car that kids turned to love.

KITT – Knight Rider:This T-top 1982 Pontiac Trans Am was more than just a flashy 80s car. KITT had the ability to receive and respond verbally to voice commands through artificial intelligence. Along with being a super fast, super loaded car, KITT developed a caring and compassionate personality. He was constantly put on autopilot so that he can perform super stunts.

General Lee – Dukes of Hazzards:
This 1969 Charger was orange and had the number 01 painted on its doors. This was a pure muscle car. General Lee was the highlight of the popular show Dukes of Hazzards and was always in car races or chases so there was never really just one General Lee. There was a total of 309 Chargers that were used during this TVs run.

Batmobile – Batman:The Batmobile is a black, cherry trimmed, revamped 1955 Lincoln Futura concept car. Adults and kids of all generations know of the Batmobile. Batman’s ride had many gadgets like parachutes and batwings. This was a mean looking car. Ford sold the original Lincoln Futura to the Batman creator for $1 as it was thought to be a worthless concept car.

There are many more popular TV cars worth reading about online. Many of them from the 70s, 80s and 90’s. Car enthusiasts everywhere can’t get enough of these wacky creative automobiles that brings back that nostalgic feeling.

For more information about automobiles, visit www.facebook.com/prudentvaluecars

Teenage Car Crashes – Is Weather Really A Factor?

Every time we get behind the wheel of a car, we begin a risk assessment process. We look both ways, determine the speed limit on rainy days or determine whether we can accelerate and go 10 over the speed limit. If you’re an adult, you most likely have years of driving experience so the process is quick.

Teenage car accident statistics is scary. Parents have heightened anxiety when their teens are ready to get behind the wheel. With a teenage driver, there is a lack of judgement. They don’t carry the same experience as an adult would and the chances of making poor decisions based on emotional and impulsive behavior is a lot greater as a teen. This inexperience puts teenagers at a greater risk for car crashes.

During the first 500 miles that a teenager drives, crashes are 10 times more likely than for an adult driver. Teen drivers make up for 7 percent of licensed drives and account for 14 percent of the fatalities in accidents and 50% of those deaths occur on the weekend.

We’ve heard time and time again how dangerous cell phones can be while driving. Inexperienced drivers SHOULD NOT be on their cell phones chatting or texting while behind the wheel. Teenagers are pretty connected nowadays so it’s pretty hard to get them off their phones. We should increase our education to our teenagers about how fatal cell phones, not wearing seat belts or drinking and driving can be.

We need to stress the importance to our teenagers that they are not invisible. Being distracted by loud music and a car full of friends may seem like a grand time but being a responsible driver will keep them safe and alive to enjoy many years with their friends and music.

Parents and educators need to be more strict. We need to alert them of the risks of distracted driving, the risk of using their cell phones while driving and the risk of speeding. Our teens need to stop making the same mistakes that have lead to many teenage deaths.

So as parents, how do we do this? We reduce the risk by setting limitations. We restrict the number of passengers allowed in the car, determine the responsibility and restrictions on the times the car can be used.

Always remember, it’s your car and your rules. Safety comes from us as parents first. For more valuable tips and information, visit www.prudentvaluecars.com