Archive for May, 2009
May 31st, 2009 | 
Author: Buying New? Instead Choose An Approved Used Model Of Car
With the current economic malaise it is understandable that many people are choosing not to buy brand new cars and instead choosing to buy approved used models. While the new car smell is certainly an appeal the question remains whether it is a worthwhile investment? Add the high cost of new cars to the levels of depreciation and buying new can be considered somewhat foolish. A far more sensible idea is to look at the approved used cars from dealers such as Ford Audi BMW and Renault to name a few. By doing this you will gain a car that is in good working order and good value.
Whenever buying a car it is important to consider as any options as possible. Looking at the entire range of approved used cars at the dealership is advisable. A range is a group of cars that have similar characteristics and features for instance the Audi A6 BMW 5 Series and Citroen C6 could all be deemed saloon cars. When looking at different cars considering how each will benefit your life is also good advice. For example many regard the Audi as having great fuel economy while the Citroen could be described as the safest. These kinds of factors are not always important; in some cases people willchoose the BMW purely out of badge snobbery.
Because of depreciation approved used cars can be considered a better financial option. A recent report showed that levels of depreciation seem to be at an all time high. For instance a car that is bought new is likely to lose as much as thirty five percent of its list price in the first year alone. In the following five years it is estimated that it will lose yet another thirty percent the result being that within six years of buying a car it loses at least half of its value in many cases more. If the prices of premium motors such as BMWs Mercedes and Audis are considered than a car that cost sixty thousand pounds could only worth fifteen within a decade; no matter where you come from this is poor financial sense.
As well as the cost of a car in these times of astronomical fuel prices fuel economy should always be a consideration. The large off road vehicles that have been popular in the past are no longer a viable transport solution unless you plan on rarely using it. Models such as the BMW X5 fall into this category and in today’s climate should be avoided instead cars such as the Audi A3 or Toyota Corolla should be selected and will have a better fuel economy. Additionally for those who are acutely aware of fuel issues hybrid cars can be deemed a worthy option. Cars such as the Prius combine high levels of economy with performance whilst all the while being friendly to the environment.
Naturally before you buy an approved used car it is advisable to take it out for a test drive. This will let you get a feel for the car the way it performs and handles. In addition it should also give an idea of any potential problems although being approved any such issues should be minimal. Remember however not to be sucked into the feel of a car after a test drive remaining logical in your approach is the best course of action to follow.
Hopefully this information has given those looking for cars good advice. The concurrent theme is that brand new cars are rarely worth the investment and can be seen more as a status symbol rather than a transportation solution. For a logical choice the approved used route is the most advisable to follow.
About the writer: Motoring expert Thomas Pretty looks into why an approved used Audi can be deemed a sensible financial outlay.
Posted in 
Buying A Car The Smart Way
When going to purchase a new or used car right now it seems that most people are trying to bargain shop price and special incentives. Is this all you should be concerned about? Residual resale? Reliability? Total cost of ownership? Will the person building my car be around to warranty it down the road? All good questions but trust me they are rarley asked by most I encounter.
The hype of the deal is important that why all the car companies offer some sort of incentive or another but thats mainly for the emotional part of the experience. Lets just admit the list price ins’t the real price of any car the list less the incentives are really the initial true cost.You can always check sites edmunds.com to find out what companies are spending to sell their cars but frankly its usually about the same. So dive a little deeper on what the car really cost. Research the values of that car compared to its competition say three years down the road. There is one true fact of life the cost of a car is simple. What you pay at first minus what you sell it for later is the real cost of car. Period end of story. May be sweet to tell your friends you jusy got 14000 off a new truck but wait whats it worth next week answer is probaly half what you paid. Now compare to say an import only got 5000 off of that one but wait its worth a more later on . Do you homework depreciation is your money!
Try to get the deal with someone you get along with. I’m not saying go into a dealer and just give them want they want. But be realistic you will need them down the road more than likely your new car has a scratch you need warranty work done. Some dealers will preform free services for good customers. So don’t leave them beaten up mad and bent out of shape. They may be business people but I promise they are human too. Always end the deal on a positive conclusion make friends. They will come in handy down the road.
I know that buying a car is stressful but at the end of the day have fun. It should be something that should be enjoyed after all we’re Americans buying things makes us feel good right? Well maybe not always. You can go to www.freesavetoday.com to check out some more tips. Be careful and good luck.
About the writer: I have been working for a decade on the retail/credit end of the auto industry. I have insight on what to do and better yet what not to do.
Bmw Z4 – Flame Surfaces The Attention-grabbing Coupe
BMW has unveiled its coupe version of the Z4 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2005. BMW Z4 is a 2door rear wheel drive sports car designed by Chris Bangle and was manufactured in Spartanburg South Carolina. It is made bigger and more powerful than its ancestor Z3.
Z4 was originally built as a roadster. However this year a coupe version was eventually introduces to the automotive world. It exudes Bangle’s controversial ‘flame surfacing’ design which is said to be aggressive yet stylish. This design is also noticeable in most BMW vehicles.
The stunner of the 2005 Frankfurt auto show was produced in May 2006. BMW Z4 comes in two distinct flavors the 255hp 3.0si and the 330hp M. BMW’s new Z4 3.0si is designed to be fascinating and fun. To grab the attention of the fanatics Z4 coupe is given a sloping doublebubble roof that tapers to the rear like a droplet. The front suspension of Z4 is also made different from its ancestor. Said suspension is based on E30 BMW 3Series only that in the recent version said is made more advanced. The bigger engines power outputs range from 170 hp 2.2i to 231 hp 3.0i. On the other hand the base of the car uses an updated version of the 3.0 L straight6 N52 engine that produces 195 kW and 315 Nm. This is done to accumulate primed speed.
BMW Z4 is also furnished with tempting equipment. Its pride includes the BMW Z4 alloy wheel electric roof standard airconditioning CD player twin front and side airbags leather upholstery and sports steering wheel. Further its electronic driver assists in the stability control as well as cover traction.
Prices for BMW Z4 3.0si coupe start at 40795 2000 less than its ragtop counterpart. Moreover the price is almost 10000 lower than the base price of its rival Porsche Cayman.
About the writer: Joe Thompson is the owner of a successful auto body shop in Ferndale California. This 38 year old is also a prolific writer contributing automotive related articles to various publications.