Blistering track time may make used Ford Focuses in New York a good bet

A car magazine editor recently took a beefed-up Ford Focus around the famous Nurburgring track, and his 8:30 minute lap on the 13-mile run could inspire motorists to consider agile used Ford Focuses in New York.

To be fair, the RS in Europe has a 300 horsepower engine, and the editor is also a racer by the name of Horst von Saurma-Jeltsch, but the time is only a minute or so slower than supercars like the Porsche Carrera GT and the Ferrari F430.

A video of the run was posted on Youtube by Ford’s German media team, and potential buyers can watch it and see how some upgrades can make for a tight handling car over the renowned road course.

A 2004 model without the large engine or performance aftermarket parts is no slouch, though, according to a Cars.com that highlights the “crisp cornering ability” of used Ford Focuses in New York, and the ZX3 hatchback’s ability to “accelerate eagerly from a standstill.”

Other buyers may be interested in the ZX4 sedan, wagon variants, or a SVT model that incorporates a peppier 170-horsepower engine.

Summertime could lead to increased sales of tow-ready used GMC Sierras in New York

The warm weather in summer is perfect for boating, and one European company is trying to capitalize on that with a buy one yacht, get one Bentley free program.

Pearl Motor Yachts is based in Spain and the UK, and is offering a free Bentley Continental GT coupe when customers order one of the firm’s 60 foot yachts.

The yacht manufacturer has found success with the automaker in a previous venture with Bentley, and has successfully partnered with several dealerships to implement the program.

Marine enthusiasts with a smaller budget could combine a pre-owned boat with medium trucks like used GMC Sierras in New York for a more affordable package.

A GMC Sierra 1500, for example, can tow most boats that are 20 feet longer or shorter, and enable owners to bring light craft to reservoirs or shore towns on the weekend.

For the price of a new sedan, buyers could combine a 2003 GMC Sierra and a used fishing boat, towing their vessel in a truck whose “quietness is above average” and is easy to park due to its size, reported Cars.com

Personal finance advisers recommend used cars in New Jersey

The investors at the Motley Fool generally focus on stock tips, but in a recent personal finance article, they recommend that visitors consider used cars in New Jersey to save money.

They say that because cars tend to depreciate in value by about 30 percent over the first several years, buying a new car can lose a buyer money almost as soon as it’s driven off the dealer’s lot.

“Survey after survey shows that the best current cars provide longer, more dependable service than ever before,” adds the report, noting that some domestic cars from General Motors and Ford have recently caught up with offerings from Japanese automakers in terms of build quality.

But buyers who are considering used cars in New Jersey because of their value may want to start researching sooner rather than later.

Residents of New York and New Jersey are being driven to dealerships because of the Cash for Clunkers program, and choosing used cars if their previous vehicles don’t qualify for the rebate, reported the Wall Street Journal.

Concept car could inspire purchases of used Mazda Miatas in New York

Looking at concept cars at auto shows can show buyers updated versions of popular cars, and a new design could inspire buyers to consider used Mazda Miatas in New York.

Set to be displayed at this year’s Frankfurt Auto Show, the MX-5 superlight concept takes a Miata and strips it of windshields, door handles and anything else that engineers thought could be eliminated to save weight, reports Car magazine.

Internally, the car also reduces bulk through technologies to lower emissions and improve fuel mileage that the automaker says will be revealed this fall as part of the 20th anniversary of the Miata’s introduction, according to the website.

The popular two-seat convertible was designed to be a lightweight in stock form throughout its history, and buyers looking for an affordable cruising option could be enticed by a 2005 used Mazda Miata in New York.

It is “still the standard when it comes to delivering top-down thrills” at an affordable price point and offers good handling for its class, noted Edmunds.com editors.

Former president may inspire purchases of used Mercedes-Benz S-Classes in New Jersey

Bill Clinton recently flew to North Korea on a surprise visit to agitate for the release of two journalists by authorities there, and eagle-eyed buyers considering used Mercedes-Benz S-Classes in New Jersey may have caught the former president riding a similar style limousine.

Stretched and regular versions of the S-Class sedan are popular among celebrities and government officials like Clinton, as well as people worldwide who see the car as a vehicle that is a sign of affluence, according to a Totalcar report.

Buyers may want to consider buying their own used Mercedes-Benz S-Class in New Jersey, as older models may offer the luxury automaker’s top car at a more affordable price.

With room for five to sit comfortably, the 2004 model is a “smooth and supremely capable cruiser” with “performance that approaches the level of stunning,” according to Cars.com reviewer Jim Flammang.

The “base” model, an S430, also comes standard with a 275-horsepower V8 engine, and a new transmission introduced that year enables motorists to have access to more of the car’s power band while driving, Flammang added.

Maintenance may help prolong the useful life of used cars in New Jersey

As more motorists consider holding onto used cars in New Jersey, proper maintenance may be needed to ensure that their vehicles last as long as owners desire.

Roughly half the car owners surveyed by Consumer Reports say they are putting off purchase plans for new cars, and the company says that warning signs that occur before major problems can point owners to preventive repair options.

Brake pads are designed to start squealing when they are worn down, but motorists may be put off by the $100 to $200 that replacing each one can cost. Replacing the pads, however, can help to protect the rotors, which can cost up to four times as much to repair.

Similarly, changing one’s oil can cost $20 to $50 depending on the make and model, but regular replacements limit sludge that could cause a $6,000 engine failure.

“Taking immediate action when you hear a noise or feel something wrong can save you thousands of dollars on avoidable repairs,” says David Champion, Consumer Reports Auto Test Center senior director.

Low dealer satisfaction may lead customers to used cars in New York

Dissatisfaction with the financing options and availability at new car dealerships for leasing and purchasing vehicles may turn potential buyers to used cars in New York.

A recent analysis by J.D. Power and Associates finds that buyers have been increasingly unhappy with the “captive” financing wings of several automakers, with satisfaction ratings dropping 5-10 percent in 2008.

It’s not the rates that make up a large portion of a consumer’s experience, but rather the services provided by financiers that help to explain the reduction in buyers’ happiness with the experience, the marketing firm found.

Some of the lowest ranked firms include GMAC and Chrysler‘s captive financing wing, with General Motors receiving the equivalent of a C grade and Chrysler a D based on their ability to offer loans for new cars.

“Current economic conditions have created something of a ‘perfect storm,’ as declines in new-vehicle sales, tightened lending and reduced inventory funds have combined to put extreme stress on dealer business,” said David Lo, J.D. Power and Associates financial services director.

Trading in a used car in New York may increase insurance rate

One of the upsides of holding onto a used car in New York is that insurance costs are lower than for new cars. The price of buying insurance for a car purchased through a Cash for Clunkers program may actually outweigh the discount, according to industry research.

For example, insuring a used Ford Explorer in New York costs roughly $1,400 per year on average for the 1999 model, while a new Honda Civic costs more than $2,000 even though it is one of the more affordable new cars to insure.

Adding up the cost difference over a five-year period would total $3,500, or the discount offered for such a switch, noted an Insurance.com report.

While insurance may be one reason to consider staying with a used car in New York, another may be the efforts by Republican legislators to nix any more funding for the Cash for Clunkers program.

Conservative senators are not enthusiastic about a bill passed by the House to augment the initiative with an additional $2 billion, and some Democrats say that the funding would create issues by supporting a program that does not help the less affluent, reported Fox News.

Nissan Leaf may inspire buyers to consider green used cars in New York

Nissan has introduced its first purpose-built electric vehicle for mass consumption, the Leaf, but buyers who don’t want to wait until 2010 to get an affordable car that’s good for the environment may consider several models of used cars in New York.

The new car is expected to come as a hatchback with seating for five, powered by an all-electric motor that produces no emissions and has a range of 100 miles on a single charge.

Automakers like Nissan, Honda and Toyota have taken different routes to reducing emissions, and Nissan has released fewer cars that incorporate electric motors than its two Japanese competitors until now.

For buyers who may need a new vehicle now, looking for a used Toyota Prius in New York may make more sense, with the Leaf not likely to be available for at least a year.

A 2004 model offers fuel mileage of 60 miles per gallon in city driving, and similarly to the Leaf is a midsize car with room for five occupants, according to Cars.com

Buyers considering used cars in New Jersey may soon see electric version of Audi R8

F1 drivers have been using regenerative braking technology to add power to their supercars this season, and rumors are circulating that buyers looking at used cars in New Jersey may see an Audi sports car with similar technology at this year’s Frankfurt Auto Show.

An Audi R8 ePerformance would include an all-electric motor and a new look incorporating a smaller grille and redesigned headlights, reported Automobile Magazine in France.

The car would also likely do away with the side scoops used by the current R8 to bring air to the large V8 and V10 gasoline engines that presently power the super car.

While an electric car may improve fuel efficiency for former guzzlers like high-horsepower sports cars, a used Audi A6 in New Jersey may offer better fuel numbers and room for more passengers.

The sedan comes standard with all-wheel drive and “heavenly cabin furnishings,” and while it won’t be as powerful as an R8, it does come with an optional 335-horsepower V8, according to Edmunds.com.