Monthly Archives: October 2009

Zip ties may be the reason to overlook new models and buy used Toyotas in New Jersey

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Lexus - DO NOT USE, Toyota

If you have ever tried to repair your own vehicle with little or no training, you might have tried some combination of duct tape and/or zip ties to keep everything intact. Unfortunately, Toyota is telling dealers to use the latter to fix an interior problem, and buyers may want to shift their focus to used Toyotas in New Jersey.

Nearly 4 million Toyotas are being taken off the road because of a voluntary recall initiated by the automaker. It’s been reported that in one crash, the driver’s side floor mat became lodged in the gas pedal mechanism, leading to uncontrollably high speeds that resulted in at least one crash.

In response, the Japanese car company is asking dealers to remedy the situation by using zip ties to attach the driver’s side mat to the seat assembly, preventing it from becoming lodged underneath one’s feet, reports Automotive News.

“We have reviewed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration what we’re calling a semipermanent floor mat installation process, and we’re providing these instructions to our dealers,” company spokesman Brian Lyons told the news provider. For those who would rather their interiors look a bit cleaner, used Toyota Camrys in New Jersey made before 2007 don’t have this issue.

Dropping temperatures may mean it’s time to winterize used cars in New Jersey

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Posted in General Auto News

There’s already been a few days of chilly weather in the Tri-State area, which may mean that it’s a good time to consider preparing used cars in New Jersey for winter driving.

Owners of sport sedans or high-powered vehicles are likely to have a special set of grippy tires for summer driving, but those won’t provide good traction on snowy or ice-covered roads. It may make more sense for drivers to consider a set of snow tires, according to some mechanics at Meineke.

Even if the car is a daily driver, making sure that there’s enough tread to provide traction in inclement weather can help keep a car between the yellow and white lines during the winter months.

“To see if your tires need replacing, look at the grooves and make sure that the tires have not worn down to the tire wear bars,” Don Rauch, Meineke director of dealer communications. “These are ridges of rubber that run perpendicular to the grooves in your tires. If your tires are past this point, you should replace them.”

Another possibility to improve winter driving capabilities of used cars in New Jersey is to replace the windshield wiper blades, since they may otherwise be affected by road salt and other debris.

New car purchases decline, buyers may find savings in used cars in New Jersey

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Posted in Auto Industry News

Cash for Clunkers is over, and the hangover has set in for dealerships trying to sell new vehicles, according to some industry reports. Now may be the time for some shoppers to take a look at used cars in New Jersey, where values have remained constant without government assistance.

Roughly half of the buyers considering a vehicle purchase are putting off plans to purchase a new car, reports the staff at Kelley Blue Book. New incentive packages and initiatives like General Motors’ 60-day money back guarantee have done little to change attitudes; more than 60 percent say incentives play no role in their purchase plans.

“With the ongoing economic recession and the Cash for Clunkers stimulus program over, the latest Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence data shows that availability of incentives and rebates is no longer enough to persuade car shoppers to deviate from their intended purchase timeframe,” said James Bell, Kelley Blue Book executive market analyst.

Although some buyers indicated that they would be willing to pay more for their next vehicle than they would have several months ago, a used car in New Jersey could offer more value for an owner’s budget.

Gold medals optional to purchase used Mercedes Benz CLKs in New Jersey

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News, Mercedes-Benz

Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps was recently spotted by celebrity photographers as the swimming star picked up his customized roadster from an auto tuning shop, but buyers considering a convertible don’t need world reknown to check out used Mercedes Benz CLKs in New Jersey.

Phelps’ SL63 may be outside of the price range of some, both because of the initial price point and the extensive customization he had done to it, including darkened tail lights and larger-diameter glossy black wheels to complete the now-common all-black look popular on many celebrity vehicles.

But if a convertible is what you’re looking for from the German automaker, finding a 2005 model may be a worthwhile choice when perusing used Mercedes Benz CLKs in New Jersey.

They’re somewhat less expensive than the model owned by Phelps, but they offer a “melding of comfort and performance suitable for all but the most serious driving enthusiasts,” with a price range closer to that of a new Accord, reports Edmunds.com. The 2005 model also includes a newer seven-speed automatic transmission to utilize more engine power than previous examples.

Drivers of used cars in New York should put away the cell phone on interstate trips

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Posted in Auto Industry News

Bans on texting and driving, or on cell phone use in general, are already well known in some Northeast states, but owners of used cars in New York may want to be mindful of a new legislative push to make the ban a nationwide prospect.

Following a summit in Washington, DC, President Obama recently announced that 3 million federal employees throughout the nation would be asked to stop texting while driving, though enforcement is still an issue, reports the Washington Times. There is now a 90-day period where administration officials will decide how to punish employees caught in contravention of the new executive order.

“Text messaging causes drivers to take their eyes off the road and at least one hand off the steering wheel, endangering both themselves and others,” noted the president in the order, according to the newspaper. His goal of reducing texting may also be supported by some in Congress.

Senator Chuck Schumer has already seen how the bans affect drivers of used cars in New York as well as other vehicles in his home state, and has called for a bill that would cut highway funding to states that refuse to institute similar regulations.

Automakers’ incentives uptick aren’t going to match value of used cars in New Jersey

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Posted in Auto Industry News, General Auto News

Edmunds.com recently issued a report finding that domestic automakers are continuing to increase the incentives for new cars offered at dealerships. Buyers looking for a deal may think they’re finding savings, but it’s likely that used cars in New Jersey will still offer a better price point.

The site is reporting that dealerships are offering price cuts or payment assistance that averaged $3,500 in September, with performance automobiles and SUVs receiving the deepest discounts. Comparatively, foreign automakers are cutting back on the deals offered to consumers.

“After five straight months of decline, incentives are on the rise again,” stated Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds.com director of industry analysis. “And now that Cash for Clunkers is over, automakers have to give consumers an incentive to buy – out of their own pockets, not the taxpayers.”

But one doesn’t need to resort to a pen and paper to see that used cars in New Jersey are the better deal. A new car depreciates as much as 20 percent as soon as it leaves the lot, so a new car would have to be priced at less than $14,000 and still receive the $3,500 discount to be as inexpensive as a pre-owned option. Comparing the two sets of prices may point frugal buyers to a more cost-effective option.

Insurance rates are down momentarily for used cars in New York

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Posted in General Auto News

Insuring a used car in New York is an added cost that may not always come up in budgeting discussions by some buyers, but rates can change each month and buyers will want to be aware of the potential for savings by locking in rates.

According to an analysis by Carinsurance.com, September saw rate decreases across the board, including in New York and New Jersey, with the average quote dropping by $37 per year in the Garden State and $165 annually in New York.

Prices are one portion of the policy options available to those who drive used cars in New York, but coverage availability can play an important role as well, considering that many respondents to a recent survey didn’t understand what their car insurance coverage entailed.

According to Allstate, 92 percent of participants felt confidence about their understanding of what would be covered; that number dropped below three-quarters after drivers found out that leaving a car running before it was stolen would affect the claims process. Other questions also contributed to the decline.

Jessica Alba’s ride could prompt sales of used Chevrolet Tahoes in New Jersey

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News, Chevrolet, GMC - DO NOT USE

No one watched the Fantastic Four to see Jessica Alba compete for an Oscar, but for the body beneath the skintight suit. Likewise, those who have seen her alight from a GMC Yukon could opt for a more affordable used Chevrolet Tahoe in New Jersey, as both SUVs share the same underpinnings.

The A-list star was recently seen exiting her new jet-black Yukon, which allowed the focus to remain on her new ruby-red tresses and figure that couldn’t be hidden by a nondescript black tanktop and skinny jeans. The reporters weren’t able to find out Alba’s rationale for the full-size SUV, but buyers looking for a vehicle that can carry more than the star’s tiny pooch may be attracted to used Chevrolet Tahoes in New Jersey.

That’s because like her Yukon, a Tahoe shares much of the same frame and chassis work that powers the GMC version. Unlike luxury versions of some makes, like Toyota and Lexus, a GMC and Chevrolet SUV pair are more closely linked and look a lot alike on the outside as well.

“It maneuvers better than its external dimensions suggest,” Cars.com reviewers said of the 2005 model, adding that “performance is abundant and the ride is reasonably smooth.”

Paris Hilton’s SUV could be reason enough to check out used Cadillac Escalades in New York

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Posted in Cadillac - DO NOT USE, Celebrity Auto News

Paris Hilton’s choice in cars is going to get her in celebrity magazines because she’s popular, and people want to know when she decides to go hybrid. People on a tighter budget can still look to the luxury SUV market, though, and consider used Cadillac Escalades in New York.

In fact, the young magazine mainstay was recently spotted exiting one of the newer Cadillac Escalade hybrids, developed for those who want somewhat better fuel economy with the ability to bring seven friends along for a ride in style.

But does incuding a hybrid powertrain really make sense for those who are looking for a luxury nameplate on an SUV that can carry around most families in a popular style? Well, used Cadillac Escalades in New York only suffer a 5 mpg hit compared to their new hybrid brethren, but at a price premium of $50,000, according to Edmunds.com estimates of new and used pricing.

You can achieve the same look as Paris Hilton’s ride, or that of prominent businessmen and women, at a fraction of the price if you go used. And unlike Hilton, you can use the money you saved on an exclusive party for you and your friends.