Monthly Archives: August 2009

Used Nissan Sentras in New York still more cost-effective than newer models

By
Posted in Nissan

Taking a look at the 2010 model, one may be tempted by lower manufacturing prices, but a used Nissan Sentra in New York is still likely to be the more affordable choice.

The automaker recently announced its pricing scheme for the compact sedan, with price reductions of every trim line, including $1,000 savings on the SE-R Spec V package which include larger alloy wheels and suspension improvements.

Thanks to depreciation, however, a used Nissan Sentra in New York is apt to cost thousands less than the model found in dealer showrooms this fall, with a cost differential of at least 20 to 40 percent based on some estimates.

Prospective owners could take a look at the 2006 model which was “one of the fastest economy cars in the market” in some trims and included many features available standard in base models, according to an Edmunds.com review.

Easy to operate and “nimble handling” characteristics could prove attractive as well, according to the website’s editors. The sedan also offers similar horsepower and engines to buyers who may have been considering newer models instead.

Lack of insurance could prove costly for drivers of used cars in New Jersey

By
Posted in General Auto News

Some in the industry estimate that up to one in seven motorists drive without insurance, but new enforcement efforts could affect owners who choose not to buy policies for used cars in New Jersey.

Local police agencies are setting up checkpoints that are similar to DUI stopping areas, requiring that drivers prove they have insurance and registration documents.

And it really doesn’t matter who they stop. William Mecke works for the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority as its communications director, and actually has insurance.

However, when an Atlanta-area officer stopped him and asked for proof of insurance, Mecke couldn’t find a current card and ended up with a ticket.

For those who choose to go without insurance entirely, police have the right to seize used cars in New Jersey and other jurisdictions, levy hefty penalties and even suspend someone’s license.

College students may be one group more affected than others, with lower annual income than other demographics.

They could help themselves two ways: a fuel-efficient used car is often less expensive to insure than new models, and getting good grades can reduce rates as well.

Cash for Clunkers could limit charities’ access to used cars in New York

By
Posted in General Auto News

When people consider their options when looking for a newer model vehicle, one possibility is to donate used cars in New York to charities. Owners get a tax break and charities profit from selling their stocks.

Unfortunately, the nonprofits say that the Cash for Clunkers program has had a negative effect on their ability to raise funds for initiatives like housing and feeding the homeless, which is the aim of Mission Solano in California.

“Those profits were already down as consumers hold onto old cars longer or broker their own sales to weather the bad economy,” says Ron Marlette, the organization’s executive director. “But, the Cash for Clunkers program is also hurting those who traditionally turn to the Mission to buy low priced transportation.”

It also hurts the prospects of those who may want to buy used cars that are within their price range, but are unable to do so because the vehicles are now marked “Not for sale – must be crushed,” he added

Further east, some charities in Chicago say they will be lucky to have sales reach 25 percent of their height, according to CBS News.

Used Ford cars in New York may represent the last of their generation

By
Posted in Auto Industry News, Ford

Buyers who like some Ford models could find themselves looking into used cars in New York, as the automaker recently announced plans to revamp a wide swath of its worldwide product line.

In fact, up to 9 out of every 10 Ford cars offered in 2012 will be either an all-new design or an update of a model that incorporates global cues, another hallmark of the company’s rebuilding plan.

“In the worst of economic times, we are taking the actions necessary not only to strengthen Ford’s business but also to deliver world-class levels of product freshness globally,” said Lewis Booth, Ford’s chief financial officer.

That consolidation is also expected to reduce the variety now available with used Ford cars in New York. Worldwide, the automaker is hoping to cut the number of models it offers from the 59 it offered in 2008, a 40 percent decline from the number of options available just two years earlier.

“As we reduce costs, manage cash and increasingly leverage our ‘One Ford’ global product plan, our critical priority is protecting and enhancing our new vehicle pipeline,” added Booth.

Guerilla advertising campaign could inspire purchases of used hybrid cars in New Jersey

By
Posted in Chevrolet, General Auto News

Users of some online video watching services like Hulu and other media may have recently seen an advertisement where an anthropomorphic electric outlet smiled at a 23, with 8-11 flashed underneath. The company behind the commercial recently revealed the explanation, and it could spur interest in used hybrid cars in New Jersey.

General Motors said that the 23 and the plug actually represent 230, the miles per gallon that the 2011 Chevrolet Volt is expected to get when it is tested by the EPA.

There happens to be a slight catch for anyone looking to drive the car for any great distances, however.

“The key to high-mileage performance is for a Volt driver to plug into the electric grid at least once each day,” said Fritz Henderson, GM’s CEO.

What that means is that the car will have to be charged every night, and can only run 40 miles before the gasoline generator kicks in, according to the company.

Buyers looking for a fuel efficient car that maintains efficiency over a longer period may want to take a look at a used Toyota Prius in New Jersey, instead, with models offering better than 50 MPG and no tethering to outlets.

Struggling automakers’ finances could affect future supply of used cars in New Jersey

By
Posted in Auto Industry News, Chrysler - DO NOT USE

The government currently has a stake in both Chrysler and General Motors, and while they are optimistic that GM could go back on the stock market by next year, the continuing troubles for both firms could affect the supply of used cars in New Jersey.

A reduction in sales for the past year has led to both companies cutting down on production of new cars, and White House officials say that General Motors may be able to even break even this year, if the industry as a whole can sell 10 million cars, according to BusinessWeek.

Demand could increase for used Chrysler cars in New Jersey, because “[the firm] is undertaking a remarkable transformation, but it will take time for new vehicles to come out,” Ron Bloom, a senior adviser to the White House, told the magazine.

If the $65 billion already given to the automakers doesn’t provide them enough stability to remain solvent, the Obama Administration will not recommend future financial aid, according to a New York Times report.

Neither will auto parts suppliers, which some analysts have said will go bankrupt because of reduced demand for new cars, noted the newspaper.

Speed Week demonstrates extreme possibilities for used cars in New York

By
Posted in General Auto News, Subaru - DO NOT USE

Auto enthusiasts who are considering used cars in New York may want to follow Speed Week at the Bonneville Salt Flats, as more than 500 vehicles are expected to use the desert tracks to try and set records for various classes.

Competitors have descended on the testing range for more than 60 years, taking advantage of two five-mile tracks and one seven-mile track that are flat enough to make high-speed runs relatively safe compared to other venues, according to the Deseret News.

Vehicles travel anywhere from 50 miles per hour to ten times that based on design and engine capacity, and this year could see several marks broken based on the condition of the salt, Joann Carlson, media liaison for the event, told the newspaper.

Early notable reported from the event include those of the shenanigans of Travis Pastrana and Ken Block, who both drive Subaru Imprezas in various events, and used a trash can lid to set a “land speed record” after being towed by the hatchback, according to Top Gear.

Used Chevrolet Camaros in New Jersey as safe as 2010 models

By
Posted in Chevrolet, General Auto News

Car enthusiasts who have seen crashes involving the new Chevrolet Camaro have seen that it tends to crumple upon impact according to news photos, and now the government finds that in terms of frontal crash ratings, the new model may have similar safety characteristics to used Chevrolet Camaros in New Jersey.

Cars.com reported that unlike other entry-level sports cars, the 2010 model only received four-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the effect of frontal crashes on both the driver and passenger, even though “cars have become so advanced that they easily pass the government’s current tests.”

The 2002 model, which was the last Camaro made before the update, received a four-star rating for the driver in similar tests by the government, but received a five-star rating for front passenger safety.

Buyers considering a used Chevrolet Camaro in New Jersey may like the idea of buying a sports car that’s as safe as newer models, with options for a V6 or V8 engine making up to 275 horsepower.

Cash for Clunkers infusion may draw buyers to used cars in New York

By
Posted in Auto Loans & Financing News

There may be no rush for buyers to take advantage of deals offered in conjunction with the Cash for Clunkers program now that Congress has approved an additional $2 billion for new car purchases, and that may give potential owners enough time to consider the cost savings of keeping a used car in New York.

Edmunds.com, an automotive research site, reported that the deal is likely to decrease demand in the program designed to spur buyers to consider new cars with higher fuel efficiency ratings, because a surge in purchases was based on buyers worried when the funds would run out.

“Now that additional money has been approved, the rush to make a deal will not be as urgent,” says Jeremy Anwyl, the site’s CEO. “This program would have made more sense to continue in October when the traditional summer selling season is over.”

While the savings range from $3,500 to $4,500 when one doesn’t include dealer incentives, it may not make sense for buyers on a strict budget to go after a new car as part of the program.

“The majority of Americans cannot afford a new car payment today, but they probably can afford to trade up to a newer used vehicle or make their current vehicle more fuel-efficient,” said Kathleen Schmatz, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association president and CEO.

AAIA says that routine maintenance of older vehicles over the span of a year would cost owners less than one monthly payment on a new vehicle, and they say that the program entices consumers who may not be able to afford the cost of such purchases.

Instead, holding onto one’s used car in New York or an upgrade to a newer model allows consumers to retain the value of their vehicle once the program is completed, and they can then trade it in or donate it when they are looking to make their next purchase.

Fuel efficiency can also be improved with maintenance, without the need to purchase an all-new vehicle, according to the AAIA. They say that up to 12 billion gallons of fuel each year could be saved by performing routine oil changes and other repairs. That would be the equivalent of the yearly usage of motorists in Illinois, Michigan and Connecticut, and 166 times the fuel savings government analysts estimated for the Cash for Clunkers program.

Owners may find poor crash tests for new vehicles reason to buy used cars in New Jersey

By
Posted in Auto Industry News, Chevrolet, Ford

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently crash tested a set of midsize sedans at low speed, and the sticker shock of repair costs could lead buyers to consider used cars in New Jersey.

Bumpers on the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu and 2010 Ford Fusion performed poorly compared to earlier models, and none of the six cars tested attained the institute’s top rating of good.

At speeds of three to six miles per hour, the tests are designed to simulate minor mishaps like backing into another vehicle in a parking lot.

The IIHS reports that construction choices in the Fusion would cost more than $2,500 to repair in tests of the front bumper, while owners of a new Malibu could expect a bill over $2,000 if they backed up into something accidentally based on test results.

“Consumers buy midsize cars for practical reasons,” said Joe Nolan, IIHS senior vice president. There’s nothing practical about a $1,000-plus repair bill after a minor bump in commuter traffic.”