Researching New and Used Cars
Those who are in the market for a new or used vehicle may have many goals, including wanting to get a good deal, a good financing package, and wanting to end up with a vehicle that perfectly suits their needs. How does one achieve so many goals? Research. The research step of the car buying process is one of the most important, yet many consumers do not spend enough time, or no time at all, researching. With so many makes and models available, with so many features, options, and powertrains, it is crucial to know what your needs are as far as traveling on the road goes. Once you know the type of vehicle you are looking for, whether it is a truck, sedan, SUV, or minivan, the next step is to find specific models that match your needs and likes. Reading reviews of a certain car is a great place to start. For example, if you know you want a new Honda you may want to read a review of the 2012 Honda Civic, the 2011 Honda CR-Z, or the 2011 Honda Pilot. This way you can get an idea of what these vehicles have to offer. If you have decided to search for an affordable, yet reliable used car you may want to read a used Honda Accord Coupe or used Honda Accord review.
Once you know the exact new or used car model you want, and you have completed your research, you can easily search for it at a local dealership’s online inventory. And hopefully, if you have done your ‘homework’ you will end up with the perfect vehicle at a great deal!
Posted by on Feb 10 2012 in Buying Tips
The Ford Explorer is the 2011 North American Truck of the Year. The winners were revealed at the North American International Auto Show. The winners were chosen by a jury of 49 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada. The awards are unique in the United States because instead of being given by a single media outlet they are awarded by a coalition of automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites.
Ford’s all new sedan and hatchback, the 2011 Fiesta, is the first minicar to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award since the IIHS added a roof strength requirement for rollover protection. No other minicar the Institute has tested has earned top ratings in all four safety evaluations.
For 2011, the Mustang gets some significant updates to its powertrain. The 2011 Mustang has more features, more comfort, and more sheer performance than any previous production Mustang, and it’s priced to sell. The newly standard 3.7-liter V-6 in base Mustangs makes 305 hp and 280 pounds-feet of torque, while the 5.0-liter V-8 that powers GT models produces 412 hp and 390 pounds-feet of torque. In addition to the new engines and transmissions, the 2011 Mustang gets an additional front Z brace and a revised suspension to improve ride quality while also improving handling; new safety features including Ford’s MyKey system, power side mirrors with integral blind spot mirrors, and fold-down rear headrests; electric power steering meant to improve fuel economy while also aiding steering feel; and new features, such as a Performance Package for V6 models and available Brembo brakes for the GT. Safety equipment includes dual front airbags, front side airbags, tire-pressure monitor, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and Ford’s SOS post-crash alert system that unlocks the doors, turns on the four-way flashers and sounds the horn if an air bag is deployed.
Ford has taken safety for rear seat passengers to a whole new level with the introduction of inflatable safety belts for rear outboard seats. How do these belts work? In the event of a frontal or side crash, the inflated belt is designed to deploy in less than the blink of an eye. Its unique design helps distribute crash force energy across more of the occupant’s torso than a traditional belt, which helps reduce the risk of injury while providing support for the head and neck. After deployment, the belt remains inflated for several seconds before dispersing its air through the pores
Ford offers a wide variety of SUV’s, from the mid-sized Ford Escape, to the all new Ford Explorer, to the full sized Ford Expedition. With new technology and safety features, SUVs of today are safer than ever. Once common problem with SUVs of the past were rollovers. With their taller stance and weight distribution SUVs tend to rollover easier than vehicles that sit closer to the ground such as sedans and wagons. SUVs appeal to consumers because of their greater cargo capacity and their towing and hauling capability. But the fact is many SUVs have a payload capacity (how much weight they can carry) that is considerably less than what buyers assume. Once an SUV is overloaded, the chance of a rollover increases dramatically. This is why it is crucial to know your SUVs limits, as from one model to another, they vary greatly.
Ford last competed in the minivan market with its Freestar model, which ended production in 2007. In 2012, the automaker will re-enter the competitive market with its all new 2012 Ford C-Max, a model that is much smaller than many of today’s vans; it would better be described as a microvan. The C-Max will hold seven and all the second- and third-row seats in the C-Max fold flat, and all folding mechanisms have been engineered to operate with just a single hand. Additionally, the middle seat in the second row folds and stows below either adjacent seat, making for easier passage to the way back. The C-Max will ride on the next generation of Ford’s global C-platform, which will also underpin the redesigned Ford Focus. Ford says the C-platform will eventually spawn up to 10 vehicles, although we will not see all of those in the U.S. Neither will we see the full range of EcoBoost engines that will be offered elsewhere. Design-wise, the lower edge of the side windows slopes downward rear to front, creating a nice, tidy wedge shape, with expansive glass for great outward visibility. The front end is nicely sculpted, with big headlight