Best Gas-Saving Vehicles of 2011

It has been an exciting year with more fuel efficient and electric cars coming out. Many are deciding to switch over, saying goodbye to their old gas guzzling cars. Here are some of the most popular and best gas-saving vehicles of 2011.

2011 Chevrolet Volt, ,280: This new vehicle is not all-electric, it can actually go 35 miles on a charge. This would get most American drivers through their daily routines without needing to recharge. Some of the benefits are the nice interior, low monthly cost with regular driving, nice standard features, and an annual cost of 1-,302. The small back seat that seats only two people, the touchy brakes, lack of front power seats and needing a home charger are some of this vehicle's cons.

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2011 Nissan LEAF, ,780: This new exciting fuel efficient car has some great pros: no more gas stations, quiet cabin, quick acceleration, spacious cabin, and a great navigation system. The price to charge is only 1 a year, with 99 MPG fuel equivalent. It takes around 8 hours to fully charge and only 30 minutes for it to be 80% charged. Some of negative issues are: limited cruising range, lack of recharge stations, and the need for a special charger at home.

2011 Toyota Prius, ,600: This family size sedan is one of the most popular fuel efficient cars. Even the low price beats the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt. The annual cost is 8 with 50 MPG. It's a quite and comfortable ride, with a surprisingly large interior and great fuel economy. However this vehicle takes twice as much gas to get around than its electric competitors, features uncomfortable seats, disappointing interior material, and the iPod adaptor is only available if you purchase the navigation system.

2011 Lexus CT 200h, ,120: This new vehicle with great mpg has one of the best gas saving systems with a reasonable price, getting 42 MPG. It has a nice cabin and superb ergonomics. Unfortunately, it's on the dark side of bettering the environment. More downsides of this vehicle: slow acceleration, little storage space, and outdated look of the controls.

2011 Honda Civic Hybrid, ,950: This gas saving green car gets 41 MPG with an annual cost of ,083. There's a wide range of power trains and a comfortable interior. Some of the disadvantages are the fancier models include more of the safety features, road noise, higher price to competitors, and slow acceleration.

Best Gas-Saving Vehicles of 2011

For those of us stuck with an older car there are solutions you can do to help your MPG. For many buying a new car is out of the price range. However there are more affordable solutions out there such as Fuel Doctor's FD-47. The device is easy to use (it plugs into your cigarette lighter socket) and can improve older vehicles' fuel economy by up to 25%, by letting the engine run better, using less fuel, providing more power, and reducing exhaust emissions. Learn more about Fuel Doctor by reading customer reviews at http://www.fueldoctorreviews.com

NADA Used Car Prices, Edmunds Used Car Prices, and Kelly Blue Book Used Car Prices - Who's Right?

The Internet has been touted as the greatest resource for the used car buyer. Prospective buyers can find trade-in, private party, and retail values in a heartbeat. The question to consider, however, is what Internet source is right? The three major sites: NADA, Edmunds, and Kelly Blue Book are clamoring to be the Trusted Authority on used car values. Yet price discrepancies are frequently in the 00's from site to site. Which web site, if any, is the most accurate source for the used car buyer?

To illustrate the discrepancies, here's an everyday example: NADA may retail a 2003 SAAB 9-5 Linear at ,996, Kelly Blue Book prices it at ,456, and Edmunds prices it at ,800. These are all retail values, assuming excellent or clean condition. ,456 minus ,800 is a ,656 difference. That's a huge price difference in the highly competitive used car market. This is not an argument to protect used car dealers. Rather, this is a warning for the used car buyer when he or she is surfing the web for used car prices.

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The retail values placed on many vehicles by these web sites can have even larger price differences - some as high as 00 to 00 dollars. These gigantic price fluctuations can leave a used car buyer spending 00's extra, depending on which guide he or she used. Moreover, private party and trade-in sale prices do not accurately account for vehicle condition.

Vehicle condition is a critical variable. An owner might think his trade-in is in stunning condition and thus worth X, based on his Internet research. An expert may know it needs 00's in repairs and reconditioning costs.

The answer to "whose prices are right" is that none of the big three web sites reflect used car prices accurately. Most often, the prices are too high on the retail side, questionable on the trade-in side, and confusing on the private side.

So what or who is the real authority? The answer is the Market! The market (i.e., the folks grinding it out everyday in the used car market place - sellers and buyers) reflect true market value. Web sites are guides only. Thus the used car prices from these sources need to be measured against the reality of the market.

Here's a scenario to illustrate the importance the market plays on used car values. In the Northeast, the banks rely on NADA, used car dealers prefer to use Kelly Blue Book, and used car buyers are turning more and more to Edmunds. Now the dealer of course wants to use the inflated Kelly Blue Book value. The buyer wants an unrealistic Edmunds price, and the bank wants to use an under-valued NADA price. In other words, the three primary people in the car buying process - the buyer, the seller, and the lender, are all on different pages. Each player wants the most advantageous price based on the part he or she is playing. The market is the only element that evens the playing field. The point here is to demonstrate that the market is the true source to determine a REAL and FAIR used car value.

In order to get a fair price, according to the market, a used car buyer should aim for the middle. Avoid the highest prices and be realistic and flexible about the lowest. Stay somewhere in the middle to get a fair deal.

If you want a great deal, follow the market closely. If buying from a retailer, eBay and auction prices don't count, as these are wholesale venues. Check out Cars.com, AutoTrader.com, and some of the other Used Car Sources. See what the vehicle you want (including miles, equipment and accessories) is being advertised for. Again, shoot for the middle!

Use the popular Internet resources, but don't follow these GUIDES blindly. You may actually pay significantly more than market value.

Having said all this, this doesn't mean that used car dealers are going to stop trying to low ball trade-in offers. And of course every dealer wants to sell its vehicles for a maximum. But remember, the same goes for car owners, but in reverse. They want the highest price for a trade and the lowest retail price on a vehicle.

When using Internet sources to determine a used car value, be sure to enter the correct information. This may sound elementary, but option packages, models, miles, color, equipment, engine, transmission, gear ratios...etc, can be confusing. Yet these are important variables that will affect prices dramatically. In short, the wrong information skews the numbers.

Finally, what really needs to be highlighted with NADA, Edmunds, and Kelly, as well as other Internet sources, is that they are GUIDES. They are excellent resources for vehicle information, but weak resources for prices. This is not to bad mouth any of these sites - they are great starting points. Remember, however, that these guides may or may not be in the car buyer's favor. Fair used cars prices are dictated by the market. Yes, do your research on the Net, but don't cling to it. Use the Internet only to find the used car market's middle ground.

NADA Used Car Prices, Edmunds Used Car Prices, and Kelly Blue Book Used Car Prices - Who's Right?

-Theodore P. Olson
RepairTrust
Making sense of Used Car Prices

Ted Olson is the founder of RepairTrust - a web site designed to actually help the car repair customer and the used car buyer, as well as to shamelessly promote its products...

Car Repair Loans - Do They Exist?

Car repairs are expensive. While the initial cost of a car might not be that much, bringing that same car to the mechanic can easily empty your bank account. Hundreds of people lose money every day due to a car that doesn't work properly. If you rely upon your car to get to work, to pick up your children, and to simply get around town, you know how important your vehicle really is. But, what can you do if you just can't afford to pay for those pricey car repairs?

Have you considered applying for a car repair loan? That's right - car repair loans do exist. These loans are reserved exclusively for those that cannot pay for car repairs up front. While traditional lenders might provide loans to those with stellar credit, these lenders hardly every approve any kind of loan for those with poor credit. If your credit report isn't something that you are proud of, you can take solace in knowing that there are private lenders out there that will approve a car repair loan for you - no matter what your credit report might look like.

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How does this type of loan work? While customary lenders will base your loan entirely upon your credit history, other private lenders will base a loan only upon your assets. This means that your bad credit report doesn't matter at all. All you need to have is some form of steady income, a car that's less than eight years old, car insurance, and a clear car title. Car repair loans through bad credit lenders are the easiest and most efficient way to fix your vehicle. Car owners with no credit, bad credit, and a history of bankruptcy can gain a specific car repair loan. This type of loan is also perfect for truck drivers.

Car repairs might cost a lot, but repairing a large truck is another kind of expense altogether. If your rig needs major alterations, don't skip another day of work. There are lots of loads out there that you might be missing out on if your truck doesn't work properly. Still, finding the money to repair a large truck might seem like an impossible feat. If you are stuck in this situation, you should know that car repair loans can apply to you as well - regardless of your credit history.

You'll also be happy to know that paying back this kind of loan is also easily attainable. Monthly payments will always be well within your budget, and you'll find those repayment terms easy to follow. Why should your credit report prevent you from getting where you need to go? It shouldn't. Instead, apply for your car repair loan online right now. Within moments, you should be approved for that loan that you so desperately need. Why put your life on hold due to car repairs? Instead of trying to scrape together the money for those large car or truck repairs, sign up for an Auto Title Loan... and get your life back in motion.

Car Repair Loans - Do They Exist?

For more information on whether a car title loan is right for you, please visit our website at http://www.carfco.com.

Recreational Vehicle Tow Bar Basics: How to Get the Best Value in Towing a Car Behind Your RV

Recreational Vehicle Tow Bar Basics

Recreational Vehicle traveling is continuing to grow rapidly all over the world. The traveling home away from home is convenient, comfortable, flexible, allowing the traveller to go to a wide variety of historical sites, beautiful locations and just to get away to wherever. Once the RV is settled down in the campground, RV Park or wilderness area, and you've seen and visited all the sites within walking distance or park bus, are you content with sitting watching the grass grow? Wouldn't it be great to not have to drive your big beautiful RV and just hop in a car to see the towns next door, the nearby historical site, go shopping?

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Then just tow your car!

It's a three part integral system when it comes towing a vehicle- the RV, the towed vehicle and the tow apparatus. There are also three basic towing methods- the transport unit/trailer, with vehicles inside; the tow dolly, where the vehicle rides on two wheeled trailer. Both of these systems are great and useful, but often they can be a hindrance trying to park in a campground or RV Park with your RV and your trailer, usually no enough room, for such a large system.

That's why the third choice, RV Tow Bars are so popular. The tow bars are stowable, lightweight and allow the RV owner greater flexibility with towed vehicle choice. There are also three types of Tow Bars-

*Rigid A frame- the least expensive, utilizes solid arms, often difficult to attach the towed vehicle to the RV alone often needing two people to perform the task. The towed vehicle needs to be placed in a precise spot due to the inflexibility of the solid arms.

*Self-Aligning Car Mount- greater flexibility in getting the vehicle in position due to the adjustable arms. The tow bar if left on the car could be damaged while left on the car causing safety concerns, can be heavy on the towed car, and might distract from the natural 'beauty' of the towed vehicle.

*Self-Aligning RV Mount- this system if becoming more popular every year. It removes the tow ball hitch from the RV, which is often low and strikes the ground when entering parking lots, and can be folded away to keep it safe and secure.

When choosing a type of tow bar and a manufacturer keep in mind where you travel and your access to parts and service for the brand you choose.

It's also important get a tow bar that is appropriate to work with you vehicle. Points to consider include where the bar can be mounted on your vehicle, the weight of you vehicle and even the type of vehicle you are towing. Front Wheel Drive, manual transmissions can be towed readily; Front Wheel Drive Auto Transmissions probably will require a lube pump as an addition; Rear Wheel Drive vehicles require some sort of release for the drive shaft; certain 4WD vehicles are easily towed. Each car manufacturer has certain vehicles that are set to be towed off the lot as they say- the recommendation is always to check with the manufacturer's recommendations and whatever works best for you as far as access, serviceability and performance.

Proper care of your Tow Bar system is crucial. It's a fact that most travelers get a new towed vehicle every couple of years, and a different RV a few years after that, but the tow bar is rarely upgraded. The Tow Bar is an absolute integral part of your towing system and should be treated with the same respect as the RV and the other vehicle. Check all its parts, pins and tighten all the bolts, even replace them where possible- the price of a bolt is far less than a totaled vehicle and loose parts can increase the vibrations that result in damage to all pieces. Make sure you have all the needed accessories and they all work as required such as straps, light connectors and security cables.

So, before choosing your new tow bar make sure you know:

A) If your vehicle can be towed,

B) The RV towing capability,

C) how often you travel and tow,

D) that you have matched the weight capacities,

E) that you have all the needed accessories.

Answer those, choose your tow bar and tow away!

Recreational Vehicle Tow Bar Basics: How to Get the Best Value in Towing a Car Behind Your RV

If you are ready to RV'ing this summer and want to make sure that everything works as desired before you go, then just go here for further information: RV Tow Bars.

Author: Kenny Brickler is an expert with Anything to do with an RV! From Planning a Trip, Finding a campground, replacing parts or living the Life of Luxury aboard your Land Yacht, you can't go wrong with RV Parts King.

Save Money on Auto Insurance for Business Vehicles

From owning or leasing a handful of corporate cars to a fleet of large delivery trucks-and everything in between-auto insurance for business vehicles protects your company from financial responsibility in the event of an accident. Without the proper type and right amount of insurance coverage for your business vehicles, you can place your entire business at risk.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right auto insurance for business vehicles, and each should be discussed with your insurance agent. Some of the basic information that will determine your commercial insurance includes state requirements, the number of vehicles, type of vehicles, number of drivers, type of drivers, the value of the vehicles, the purpose of the vehicles, how often the vehicles are used, and the value of your business.

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If this seems like an overwhelming list, keep in mind that there are also many steps you can take to reduce the cost of your auto insurance for business vehicles. Some are similar to your personal auto insurance and others are specifically related to your business. Here are several factors that affect your premiums and what you can do to keep them as low as possible:

• Deductibles: Raising your deductible will lower your premiums, but be careful not to select a deductible that is higher than your business can reasonably afford in the event of an accident.

• Safety and security: Alarms, GPS tracking, air bags, and parking vehicles in secure locations can also lower premiums. For example, if you park all of your vehicles in a fenced-in lot, many companies will see this as much safer than having employees taking vehicles home.

• Drivers: The quality of your drivers is one of the main cost factors of your auto insurance for business vehicles. You probably already did a background check on your drivers' history during the hiring process but, if not, expect a thorough review of their DMV records for accidents, DUIs, and other violations.

• Prior insurance: Depending on the insurance company, you may also see savings by maintaining continuous insurance coverage without any lapse.

• Paying upfront: Many business auto insurance companies offer a discount if you pay the full amount of your policy all at once, which saves you administration and interest fees.

• Claims history: Not having a history of accidents and filing claims will also typically lower your rates. The agency is taking a risk on your business, and will generally deem your company a good risk if you have a track record of being safe.

• Business experience: Some companies that offer auto insurance for business vehicles offer discounts if you've shown your company's viability by being in business for at least three years. You can also get discounts if your business has a history of good credit.

• Investing in driver training: Depending on the insurance company, you may receive a discount by having drivers enroll in a driver safety course. In all cases, you will ultimately save money when you pay for driver safety training because your drivers will likely have fewer accidents-which means fewer claims and better rates.

Of course, the type of insurance matters as well. Do you just want to protect your fleet with liability insurance, or do you want to consider collision or comprehensive insurance as well? These are just a few of the many factors that will impact the cost of your auto insurance for business vehicles. Your ultimate goal is to obtain the most coverage while paying the lowest premium, so your next step is meeting with an insurance agent to review your options.

Get a quote for auto insurance for business vehicles today by visiting http://www.KellyWilliamsIns.com or calling 562.498.8661.

Save Money on Auto Insurance for Business Vehicles

Kelly Williams is the president of Kelly Williams Insurance, a boutique, full-service Long Beach insurance company specializing in all lines of insurance including auto, home, life, health, and business. Kelly Williams Insurance was founded in 1895 and is based in Long Beach, California. The insurance company also serves Orange County and Los Angeles County. Visit http://www.KellyWilliamsIns.com or call 562.498.8661 to learn more about the company's personal and business insurance products.

Police Seized Vehicles - Buy Cars At Discount Price Through Auctions

Police seized vehicles offer some of the best deals for automobiles on the market. Often, when criminals are brought to justice their assets are seized by the city or the state. This means that their homes, boats, cars, trucks, and other valuable belongings are made available to the public. In the majority of cases, these police seized vehicles and other items will be put on the auction block where they will be sold to the highest bidder.

Before you take part in a police seized vehicle auction it is important to understand exactly what you are getting into. It is very possible that you will take home police seized vehicles for a mere fraction their value. In fact, cars, trucks, and SUVs have been known to sell at discounts of up to 90%, and many people have even driven off in a relatively good-conditioned car for only a few hundred dollars.

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However, anyone can come to bid, and used car dealers are no strangers to police seized vehicle auctions. They can quickly drive up the price of a car, and if you get drawn into a bidding war you can actually end up overpaying for an automobile.

Most auctions for police seized vehicles provide buyers with a preview period. This is a great chance for you to find what you are looking for and to determine how much you are willing to pay. It is also an opportunity for you gauge the vehicle's condition, so you'll know what you are getting if you do end up placing the highest bid.

Police Seized Vehicles - Buy Cars At Discount Price Through Auctions

For listings of police seized vehicles, please visit http://www.auto-car-auctions.info/

2007 Dodge Caliber SXT Hatchback

Take for instance a 2007 Dodge Caliber, economically priced at ,995. Financed at 6.9% for 60 months that's only 8 a month. Take a look at some of the Caliber's features:

The Dodge Caliber engine has 16 valves with sequential multi point fuel injection. The variable valve control coupled with a cylinder with I-4 configuration ensures that the car attains maximum speed in the shortest possible time. The 17" wheels have independent suspension. Both the front and rear wheels offer anti-roll bar protection.

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The 2007 Dodge Caliber SXT Hatchback offers maximum comfort and is well equipped to ensure maximum safety for the occupants. Features include an FM/AM radio and CD player and air conditioner. Driver and passenger doors, in the front and back, include door bins and there are cup holders for everyone. Passenger and driver side sun visors include vanity mirrors.

Safety equipment includes remote keyless entry, overhead, front and side airbags for driver and passengers and knee airbag for the driver, ignition disable, panic alarm, delayed auto-off headlights, and power door mirrors and more. A tilt power steering wheel enables the driver to adjust to his or her comfort level.

Other standard equipment includes front reading lights, wipers both in the front and in the rear, tachometer, rear window defroster, perimeter approach lights, and illuminated entry, all adding to the comfort of the passengers and enabling the driver to drive the car with more confidence.

The car is also popular for its fuel economy. This front wheel drive car gets 28 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway. The fuel tank has a 14-gallon capacity. Leg room is 35.6" in the rear and 41.8" in the front while the exterior length of the car is 173.8" and the width is 68.8". This Dodge Caliber SXT Hatchback seats five with ample shoulder and hip room. A front reclining bucket seat offers comfortable adjustments for both for the passenger and the driver. The rear seat has a split fold design to add cargo space when needed.

2007 Dodge Caliber SXT Hatchback

Welcome to Best Kia Financing Department, your auto loan and car lease resource. We're eager to provide financing for your new car, or we can assist in used South Carolina Kia dealerships can help you refinance your car loan or adjust the term of the contract. You're just a step away from approved car financing!