Car Insurance

Buying a used car? You need an extended auto warranty to protect you from expensive surprises down the road. But be careful when your dealer tries to sell you used auto extended warranty coverage. Usually, the dealer is simply reselling used auto warranties issued by a used auto warranty company, with a markup of up to $1000. You could just as easily have bought the extended warranty directly from the auto warranty company.

But overpaying for a third-party used car extended auto warranty is certainly not the worst used auto warranty deal you can get. The worst auto extended warranty deal is to buy one that isn’t issued by a third party at all.

Dealer-Issued Extended Auto Warranties Explained

Yes, some dealers actually sell extended auto warranties they’ve created themselves. These dealer-issued auto warranties typically only allow you to get service at the dealership. They either don’t cover repairs done anywhere else at all, or they only cover emergency repairs for breakdowns.

Often, a dealer-issued used auto extended warranty even restricts you to getting maintenance at the dealership only. With a captive clientele, the dealerships often charge much more than local mechanics.

There are some other big problems with a dealer-issued used auto extended warranty:

• What happens if you move far away? Answer: you’d have to buy another auto warranty.

• What if you’re driving somewhere far away when your car breaks down? Answer: if the used auto warranty doesn’t cover reimbursements for emergency service, you’re in trouble. Even if it does cover reimbursements, you’d better hope your credit card or checking account can handle the damage in the meantime.

• What if the dealership goes bankrupt? Answer: get in line behind the banks, the car manufacturer, the dealership’s vendors, and everyone else trying to get money out of the business.

• What if you just aren’t satisfied with the dealer’s work? Answer: complain very, very nicely. You can’t take your business elsewhere unless you’re willing to pay for it.

If you comparison shopped the dealer-issued extended auto warranty, you’d realize it wasn’t worth it. But most people never do a used auto extended warranties comparison. There is simply so much ignorance about auto warranties. Your best hope is to learn more.

Dealer-Issued Used Auto Warranties: Why Does Anyone Buy Them?

• Most often, the buyer simply never thought about an extended auto warranty before going to the dealership. When the salesperson explains how important extended auto warranty coverage is, the buyer just thanks him for the tip and buys it.

• The buyer doesn’t realize how expensive the warranty is. Of course, car repairs can potentially be so expensive that even an overpriced dealer-issued warranty can pay for itself several times over. Meanwhile, next to a $15,000 car, even an overpriced $2500 dealer-issued warranty seems cheap. But if you’re going to buy a warranty, why not buy a really good one?

• Many buyers mistake dealer-issued warranties for manufacturers’ warranties. In some cases, the salesperson may even try to let you think the warranty will cover repairs at any of the dealerships affiliated with that manufacturer (say, any Chrysler or Mitsubishi dealership). Of course, such warranties do exist, but they’re more common for new cars than used cars.

In short, if a used car dealer ever tries to sell you an extended auto warranty, make sure to ask flat out: will this warranty cover repairs done anywhere, or just this dealership? Double-check the warranty itself to make sure it has a third-party company’s name on it, not the dealership’s.

Better yet, why not just buy the extended warranty directly from the warranty company rather than pay the dealer hundreds of dollars of markup on it? That way, you can also research the warranty thoroughly, without pressure.

In fact, you should start investigating extended auto warranties even before you go to the dealership. You’ll certainly like the salesperson’s face when you tell him you know what the original warranty company charges for the warranty they’re trying to sell you. You’ll also know in advance how much total the car purchase really will cost you.

Don’t wait. Start looking at extended auto warranties now, before the dealerships’ salespeople ever have a chance to breathe down your neck.

When shopping for a new car there are so many things to consider, including the features, accessories, upgrades, and don’t forget about all the financing options. But no matter how extravagant these features may seem, they are only distracting you from what should be your main concern and first priority when car shopping – safety. Even though every new vehicle must meet the minimum federal safety standards, it is obvious that some cars have been manufactured with your family’s safety in mind. Some manufacturers not only attempt to meet the minimum safety standards, but strive to stretch the limits. This is extremely noticeable in the 2006 Honda Accord (”http://www.samsclubauto.com/L-2006-Honda-Accord.asp”) as it emphasizes safety with its first-rated seatbelts and top-quality airbags.

Seat Belts
Nothing is provides more safety then seat belts. They are the primary protection in every vehicle. The 3-point seat belt with pretensioners is as standard in the 2006 Honda Accord. Each seat belt rides across the lap and chest to help restrain passengers during sudden stops or impacts, and provides superior protection. The features that make this seat belt so unique are the automatic tensioning system and the load limiters. The automatic tensioning system causes the seat belt to instantly tighten upon impact to restrain any forward movement from the passenger’s body. The load limiters work together with the tensioning system by allowing the seat belts to loosen just enough to relieve the passenger’s body of the sudden force while still controlling the overall restraint. Additionally, the 2006 Honda Accord includes adjustable seat belt anchors that adjust perfectly to the passenger’s height, optimizing their comfort and safety.

Airbags
Today airbags are mandatory in all new cars and are designed to act as a supplement to seat belts. When airbags and seat belts are used together, there is a significantly higher reduction in serious head injuries when compared to people using seat belts alone. The 2006 Honda Accord is manufactured with top-quality airbags that offer outstanding protection.
Dual-Stage, Dual-Threshold Front Airbags (SRS).In the event of a collision, sensors will detect the front impact and cause the dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags to inflate and deflate in a fraction of a second. Depending on the level of impact, the airbags will inflate at various speeds; high impacts cause rapid deployments and low impacts cause slow deployments. The speed of inflation also accounts for whether or not the passenger is wearing a seat belt. All these features help prevent serious head and chest injuries.Side Curtain Airbags.The side curtain airbag in the 2006 Honda Accord increases protection during side collisions. The airbag is positioned along the side of the headliner, providing a layer of protection between the passenger’s upper body and the car door. In the event of an impact to the side of the car, five sensors will cause the airbags to quickly inflate, providing further protection for all outer passengers.Front Side Airbags with passenger-side occupant position detection system (OPDS).In the event of a side impact, sensors will cause side airbags to immediately inflate. The OPDS uses a total of seven sensors in the front passenger’s seatback to detect the height and seating position of the passenger. If a child or small-statured adult is leaning forward into the path of the side airbag, the sensors will deactivate the airbag. The driver will immediately be notified by a warning light. Similarly, the warning light will turn off as soon as the passenger sits back in the upright position.

There are about 3 million minor injuries, 2 million permanent injuries, and almost 40,000 deaths in the United States each year caused by car-related accidents. Car accidents are one of the most common sources of injury. Even the most minor fender-benders can cause severe injury and permanent disability, not to mention insurance rate hikes and other expensive inconveniences. Severe auto accidents resulting in critical injuries and death are tragedies for everyone involved. Nothing is more devastating and unexpected then a car accident.

Despite your greatest efforts to drive cautiously and safe, you are always at the mercy of other drivers as soon as you pull out of the driveway. For this reason it is important that your vehicle provides full protection, from the inside and out. It is evident that the Honda CRV (”http://www.samsclubauto.com/L-Honda-CRV.asp”) is built with your family’s safety in mind. With its solid steel exterior and exceptional driving capabilities, you can stop worrying about your own safety and start concentrating on other drivers on the road.

Solid Exterior Build
The Honda CRV’s sturdy framework is designed to provide greater safety in collisions with larger vehicles because of its unbeatable strength and durability. The frame is built with high-tensile steel and uses extensive cross-bracing and stiffening members in key areas of its frame. This build will help to absorb and disperse collision energy over a larger area. The Honda CRV is also designed to withstand high levels of resistance in key areas for further protection.
Side-Impact Door Beams. The dual side-impact door beams provide protection to the passengers during a side impact. They are made of high-tensile steel and absorb the energy of the impact.Front & Rear Crash Zones.The front and rear crash zones provide all passengers with further protection during front and rear collisions. They, too, are made of high-tensile steel which will absorb the impact.
In addition to providing solid protection, the steel framework also reduces vibration and the noise level, leaving you with a smoother and more comfortable ride during all your road trips.

Driving Capabilities
Nothing is scarier for a driver than suddenly loosing control of the vehicle due to elements on the road. With these key driving features, also found in the Honda Odyssey (”http://www.samsclubauto.com/L-Honda-Odyssey.asp”), you no longer have to worry about driving in the rain or snow.
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS).The anti-lock braking system (ABS) is used in the Honda CRV to give the driver greater steering control of the vehicle. The ABS uses a special modulator to pulse the brakes, preventing the wheels from locking up. This feature helps the driver maintain steering control when braking hard. The Electronic Brake Distribution system (EBD) also enhances this feature by balancing both the front and rear braking forces.Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA).The Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) is a sophisticated safety device that aids the driver in retaining control of the vehicle if any amount of side slippage is detected. This system controls sudden changes in the vehicles behavior, allowing the driver time to take control of the situation. For instance, when the driver is driving around corner or has to make a sudden maneuver, the VSA system will automatically engage if detects any loss of traction and stabilize the vehicle.

It’s impossible to control other drivers on the road, but choosing a sturdy and dependable vehicle for your family is possible and extremely important for their safety. It’s up to you to take the proper steps that will lessen the consequences and seriousness of car accidents, should they occur. It’s always easier to prevent than to repair.

Poor used car dealers. With consumers learning more and more about them from the internet, overcharging for the automobile itself isn’t as easy as it used to be. Fortunately for the poor used car dealers, they’ve found something else to gouge consumers for: extended automobile warranty coverage.

What’s wrong with extended automobile warranties? Absolutely nothing. In fact, given the expensive surprises used cars always pack under the hood, extended automobile warranty coverage is essential. The problem is that dealers overcharge, often by as much as $1,000.

It’s one of the biggest secrets of the used car industry. You can buy the same extended warranty the dealer will sell you for much less. Why? The dealer is simply buying the extended automobile warranties from a warranty company and marking the prices up.

This is no small secret. Used car dealers are making an ever larger share of their money from selling extended automobile warranties. Unfortunately, when buying an automobile, extended warranty coverage is not a high priority for most consumers. That’s especially bad considering the average person knows even less about extended automobile warranty coverage than about automobiles.
There are 4 Extremely Common Myths about Buying an Extended Warranty:

Myth 1: Extended warranties aren’t necessary. Fact: Even if a car is in mint condition (and almost no used car really is), it won’t stay that way long. Automobiles, like people, develop problems as they age. Besides, even the most thorough inspection can’t guarantee there are no problems. Often, the consumer first learns from the dealer that for a used automobile extended warranty coverage is essential. The unprepared buyer simply takes the first warranty offered.

Myth 2: Used car dealerships are the only place you can buy extended automobile warranties. Fact: used car dealerships are generally buying their used automobile warranties from somewhere else and then reselling them for a big markup. You can just buy the warranty from the company yourself.

Myth 3: Comparable extended warranties for the same automobile will cost about the same. Fact: for the same automobile, extended warranty coverage prices can vary as much as $1,000 across comparable warranties.

Myth 4: Used automobile warranties all offer essentially the same protection. Fact: there are important differences in coverage from warranty to warranty. The biggest difference is power-train-only versus bumper-to-bumper. Some warranties have extremely restrictive rules about what damage is covered. There are even a few that only pay for repairs by reimbursement rather than direct to the service provider.

In short, you’re better off not buying used automobile extended warranty coverage from a used automobile dealer. You’ll save money comparison shop among automobile warranty issuers to find the extended automobile warranty that’s the best value for all. After all, do you really want to buy any more from a used car dealer than you absolutely have to?

The question of when to buy a car is simple – when you need one. There is no better determinant then your own personal needs. By then you have probably researched everything from interest rates to insurance costs and know all the current pricing information. You may also have had time to save some money for a considerable down payment. Deciding to purchase a car is ultimately up to you, but always be sure to do your homework. There is nothing worse then being stuck with an unwanted car because of an impulse purchase.

On the other hand, the question of where to buy is a little more complex. Once you’ve decided to purchase a car, the next decision of where to shop can be just as hard as choosing the model and color of the car. In fact, it is even suggested that you consider the car dealership just as thoroughly as you would the car you want to buy. Buying a car is already extremely stressful so don’t make the experience worse by choosing a bad dealer. Use the following criteria when selecting a dealer and you’ll be on your way to a smooth ride.

Reputation
The dealership’s reputation is one of the most important things to consider because in more cases than not, the reputation reflects the dealerships true character. For instance, if a dealership has a reputation for being dishonest or shady, they probably are dishonest or shady. I found this to be true when I purchased a car a few months ago. I heard that a local Hyundai Dealer (”http://www.samsclubauto.com/L-Hyundai-dealer.asp”) was not only honest and but very accommodating to customers so I decided to check it out. I quickly learned that they lived up to their reputation.
There are several ways to learn about a dealerships reputation. Start by asking for the opinions of your friends and family who have had experiences with the dealership in question, both positive and negative opinions will help you determine reputation. Knowing how you will be treated is very helpful. You may also want to learn about the dealership’s reliability with the local Better Business Bureau.

Location
When selecting a dealer, you should always consider choosing one that is located near your home. Proximity is especially important for maintenance issues. Usually vehicles are serviced at the same dealer where they were purchased, especially when they are under warranty. For maintenance and repair issues it is ideal to have the dealer’s service department close by. This will give you more flexibility in your schedule and it will help you get your car quickly through the system. Location may not be a necessity, but it is definitely an advantage in the long run.

Pricing
The “sticker price” is very rarely the actual price of the vehicle. Dealerships offer additional accessories called “Add-on’s.” These include interior and exterior accessories that are used to increase the car’s value and include window tints, CD & DVD players, etc. The accessories are usually added on at the dealers request because it forces customers to purchase them regardless. If these extra additions are things you were not looking to buy, you best make sure that you can purchase the car without the extra costly accessories.
Car buying is already a nerve-wracking experience because of the large investment. A poor dealer will only make things more stressful than they need to be. The best thing you can do for yourself is to do your homework. A little research and awareness can go a long way. For you, it may be the difference between a smooth car-buying experience and a bumpy one.