Car Dealer Daily

The Nissan GT-R is arguably a good value. Compared with other sports cars that deliver the same performance, the Nissan GT-R is cheaper, more affordable (relatively speaking of course), and benefits from and reliability of Japanese engineering. But one way in which the GT-R is more expensive than its rivals is in insurances costs.

Based on estimates for an adult male, the Nissan GT-R is the most expensive car to insure according to insurance quotes from Insure.com. Comparing twenty of the most expensive vehicles and twenty of the least expensive vehicles, the GT-R is hands down has the highest car insurance rates, requiring about $2,500 to insure.

The high insurance rates for the Nissan GT-R are based on the fact that customers will be buying this car specifically for its speed admits Alexandria Nissan dealers. As such, insurance companies will charge a premium warns one used car dealer Los Angeles since there is a greater risk of accidents. Other vehicles that ranked high on the list of most expensive vehicles to insure include the Dodge Viper and BMW M6. Aside from sports cars, SUVs also made their way on to the list. These included the Land Rover Range Rover, Hummer H2, and BMW X6.

Also included were the least expensive cars to insure. To Hyundai Washington DC’s delight Hyundai and Kia dominated the top of this list. At the top was the Hyundai Santa Fe, which is no surprise to Los Angeles auto loans specialists as the Santa Fe balances safety and value well. Also included on the list were vehicles known for safety and/or family hauling such as the Honda Odyssey and the Volkswagen Passat. Check out the full list below. Continue reading ‘Nissan GT-R A Good Value But Expensive to Insure’

Just a couple years ago, sport utility vehicles dominated the shopping lists of new car buyers. Specifically, buyers wanted large SUVs, and sales of Tahoes, Expeditions, and even Hummers flourished. But times have changed, and the ‘bigger is better’ mantra is now a thing of the past.

But even despite a rapid change in consumer demand, the general love of the sport utility did not completely vanish. Instead, the feelings were simply redirected to a new form of SUV – the crossover. Consumers realized that the crossover vehicle had just about everything they wanted; the space and versatility of a SUV, with the car-like driving dynamics and fuel economy of a car. American drivers also came to realize that the crossover was designed for the urban driving, and not the Rubicon, which to the surprise of many former Tahoe owners, is actually a good thing.

Let’s take a look at some of these magical crossovers that truly offer the functionality, fun, and frugality that was never quite achieved with the larger sport utilities of recent years.

Volkswagen Tiguan

While it may still be a new comer to the segment, the Volkswagen Tiguan was worth the wait. Powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine (the same engine in the sporty GTI), the Tiguan is plenty peppy, while delivering a commendable 24 mpg on the highway and 18 mpg in the city. The turbo four is also mated to a smooth shifting six-speed automatic transmission. Inside, drivers from Dartmouth Volkswagen to Volkswagen Saint Louis have found a roomy, well-appointed interior with excellent quality materials throughout. There’s even an oversized panoramic sunroof that adds plenty of light to the interior. For those who want entry level luxuries and European styling, the VW Tiguan is worth a look.

Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester has remained a popular compact crossover since its inception, but the most recent model offers much more than previous generations. Perhaps the biggest difference between the current Forester and its predecessor is the styling. With more modern, yet conservative lines, more buyers at Massachusetts Subaru dealers and other locations are likely to notice the Forester. Plus, with an available turbocharged boxer engine, the Forester offers the performance to match its new-found good looks. With sportiness, versatility, and also safety, assured, the new Subaru Forester is quickly rising to the top of many crossover buyers’ shopping listings.

Nissan Rogue

Car-like driving dynamics is one of the major appeals of the crossover, and in those terms, the Nissan Rogue doesn’t disappoint. Hartford Nissan drivers have noted that the steering is quick, and the four cylinder engine never feels underpowered. The Rogue is offered with a continuously variable transmission as well, delivering power and efficiency. With all-wheel drive and excellent ground clearance, Tacoma Nissan dealers stress that the Rogue also offers excellent all-weather driving capabilities. Passengers in the rear quarter may find the Rogue to be a bit cramped, but up front there is plenty of room. The Nissan Rogue also gets 27 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg in the city.

Mazda CX-7

The Mazda CX-7 is the largest crossover of the group, and certainly shouldn’t go unnoticed. Although is offers ample room, the CX-7 is nimble and quite, and is among the sportiest compact crossovers available. The turbocharged engine offers ample power according to Pittsburgh Mazda car buyers, while also delivering 23 mpg on the highway and 17 mpg city. Mazda Sugarland drivers have also been attracted to the Mazda since it provides a very car-like demeanor in city and freeway driving. If you like the curvy, athletic looks of this Mazda, you’ll also like the interior which also offers distinctive style and excellent fit and finish.

Ford Escape

If you have more conservative tastes, and prefer a crossover that still has boxy, truck-like styling, you’re in the luck! The Ford Escape offers the styling that’s reminiscent of the larger Explorer or Expedition, while also providing excellent on road manners that one would expect from this segment. With a powerful four cylinder that delivers outstanding fuel economy (22 mpg city, 28 mpg hwy), the Ford Escape is also unique in that it also offers a powerful V6 option, and even a hybrid model which delivers the best fuel economy in its class and has excited eco-conscious consumers among Newark Ford dealers. With many reports claiming that Ford vehicles are on par with Toyota and Honda in terms of reliability, the latest Ford Escape promises to offer more practicality than you may think.

Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V may be a more familiar nameplate than others in this list, but it remains among the most competitive and most desirable compact crossovers available. Why? Well for starters, Birmingham Honda dealers say the Honda CR-V simply does everything well. Although it’s not the fastest, nor the largest, the CR-V offers strong mileage, decent performance, ample versatility, and incredible value and reliability. The CR-V is also a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which Honda Long Beach is proud to promote to potential CR-V shoppers. If you’re looking to get the most for your money, the Honda CR-V could be your best choice.

Toyota RAV4

Last, but certainly not least, the Toyota RAV4 was one of the first compact crossover vehicles available when it first debuted. Since then the RAV4 has become larger and more powerful, with available third row seating and an optional V6 engine. Although it offers loads of power, Long Beach Toyota dealers stress that the Toyota RAV4 still achieves competitive mileage, with 28 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg in the city. Despite plenty of newer models to choose from, such as the aforementioned Tiguan, many buyers at a Westminster Toyota dealer have still been drawn to all that the RAV4 offers. Continue reading ‘Top 7 Most Functional, Fun, and Frugal SUVs (Big Surprise They’re All Compacts)’

Car buying these days isn’t easy. Lenders are tightening their belts and offering fewer loans, not to mention offering fewer leases. Some automakers such as Chrysler have even cut out leasing programs completely. To make matters worse, trade-in values have also plummeted, particularly for trucks and sport utility vehicles.

Despite the adverse market conditions, the fact remains that it’s certainly a buyer’s market. With car dealers hurting, they’ve become desperate to sell cars. Because of this, potential car buyers can expect to see substantial discounts when they head to dealerships.

Many automakers are offering plenty of incentives these days, in many cases saving buyers thousands of dollars. For example, Toyota is now offering 0 percent financing, which Toyota dealers Olympia says is uncharacteristic of the automaker as such as promotion is more commonly found among domestics. Trucks and SUVs especially have seen huge discounts among Detroit Chevrolet dealers, in some cases tens of thousands in discounts.

While it may be a buyer’s market, auto sales continue to fall each month, with auto sales reaching their lowest point in decades. Although fresh 2009 models are not hitting the showrooms of Boston Infiniti dealers and other dealers across the country, many 2008 models remain unsold on dealer lots. This has placed a huge strain on dealers as the cost to finance these vehicles is steep, and having them sit unsold for longer periods of time has placed a heavy toll on many dealerships. In fact, hundreds of dealerships are expected to go out of business by year’s end according to the National Automobile Dealers Association.

With all the turbulence in the current auto market, how exactly should one go about buying a new car? Just as importantly, what should be done with your old car? These are important questions in the current unstable economic atmosphere.

Perhaps the best place to begin is to explore your financing options. Regardless of whether you have good credit or bad credit, your financing options may be limited, making it wise to begin shopping for financing first. Needles to say, however, those with bad credit may have a little more difficulty says Bad Credit Car Loans Chicago, especially considering some lenders, such as GMAC, will no longer consider shoppers with credit scores below 700.

If you are fortunate enough to have solid credit, you’re likely to find an easy approval process and even some pretty attractive interest rates for your new car. For those with less than ideal credit, you may be looking at having to put a 15 percent down payment on your vehicle to qualify. While a new car may be tough to secure financing for, used cars Nashville dealers say that a pre-owned car is usually easier to get financed.

Shop for a car loan before you shop for the car to help save money and make the process a bit smoother. There are plenty of websites that can help you shopper for a loan online, such as E-Loan. Your local credit union or bank may also be offering attractive rates.

Finally, pay a visit to the dealership. In many cases you may be able to find better financing options elsewhere, so it will be advantageous to secure financing before stepping on the lot. However, some buyers of certain makes, such as Nissan or Toyota, may find 0 percent financing available if they have an excellent credit history, which has made Nissan Saint Louis customers quite relieved upon their new car purchase.

Another important aspect of the financing process to consider is the length of the loan period. If you intend to hang on to the car for much longer than six years, then you shouldn’t have a problem. But if you’re looking to buy a new car in three years, Toyota dealer Hays warns that a longer loan may not be a good deal.

The problem with longer loans is that a vehicle depreciates so quickly over a long period, and you may end up paying much more than the vehicle is worth.

Consider what you’re going to do with your current vehicle. Detroit Chevrolet dealers warn that if your current vehicle is a truck or SUV, you may find that you vehicle isn’t worth nearly has much as what you paid for it. The value of pickups and SUVs, for example, has fallen by about 23 percent compared with last year. With that in mind, prepare for some bad news. While you may want to get something brand new, the steep depreciation is another reason to consider holding on to your current vehicle. Check out Kelley Blue Book to see what your vehicle is worth and the decide what your next move will be. Some of Durango Toyota customers have even considered finding an online Toyota parts store and simply investing in fixing up their current vehicle.

In today’s economy it’s the wisest move is to think conservatively. When buying a car, take your time and shop for the best deal possible.

Continue reading ‘Car Buying in a Shaky Economy’