Your Mechanic Can Be a Valuable Asset When Purchasing A Used Car
Car dealers are not particularly well liked, and knowing as many of them as I do, I can understand why that might be the case. I run an import shop in Florida that specializes in late model luxury imports. I’ve been in business for quite some time, and I have heard plenty of horror stories from customers regarding other dealerships. In my opinion, I think the majority of car dealerships one will encounter are reputable, by and large. I say “by and large” because some dealers I know use nickel and dime methods to maximize their profits, which I disagree with. Personally, I would rather give the customer a quality auto at a fair price and consequently gain a lifetime customer, but that’s a topic for another article. One of the more recent horror stories I heard involved someone who had purchased a vehicle that was leaking oil. For those of you that know anything about cars, you know that this is nothing to be taken lightly. The customer was assured by the dealership that this older, yet low mileage used car was in pristine condition. Here’s where it gets interesting… Before the sale, the customer asked if she could have the car inspected by her mechanic. The dealership did everything they possibly could to keep that from happening, and succeeded. They told her that they would have their own mechanics do a “twenty point inspection” which would save her the time and expense of having her mechanic take a look. Unbelievable! Since the customer parked her car on a busy street where there were already several oil spots, she never noticed the leaking until after her ridiculously short thirty day warranty was up. Her mechanic would have spotted an oil leak the minute he had the car up on the rack. As disheartening as this story is, there is a valuable lesson to be learned here. Car buyers, unless they are dealing with a dealer they are familiar with and whom they trust, should seriously consider having a mechanic check out any used car they are interested in (preferrably the local certified manufacturer dealer of the automobile make they are considering). I have had several first time customers ask me if they can have the car independently inspected and I am always happy to oblige. Take my word for it, the only dealers who would frown upon independent inspections are those who have something to hide. To learn more visit Spanos Imports of Daytona Florida visit http://www.spanosimports.com/
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Dodge Grilles
Many people like the look of Dodge grilles on their vehicles. But many people find that billet grilles add an extra touch that makes their Dodge vehicles look even better. It is quite easy to get a hold of these Dodge billet grilles. Thanks to Auto Parts Online it is even easier; they are a new source that has everything you can think of buying for you?re Dodge vehicle, including billet grilles. They are one of the top online parts suppliers. The company can cater to most of your needs. They sell electrical parts, engine parts, fenders, wheels, mirrors and much more to offer Dodge vehicle owners and other vehicle owners. They are a good place to check out for replacing any kind of part on your vehicles at low prices. Billets grilles are custom grille inserts that you can put over or replace the grille on your vehicle. The most commonly material used for the grilles is billet aluminum, though some manufactures use stainless steel or ABS plastic. But it doesn?t really matter because the grilles are still stronger then other custom add on grilles. It doesn?t matter what material they are made of. As the grilles can be made from different materials, the grilles can also be formed in different styles as well. So whatever your desire you can get the grille that you are looking for. Including, billet grilles featuring punched holes, meshed metal and interwoven bars. Check out Auto Parts Online they can help you find many kinds of Dodge billet grilles with various material and styles. They have a wide rang of grilles that can fit each and every Dodge vehicle. Doesn?t matter how big or small your vehicle is, they have one that will fit your needs. So go check them out, they can change the look of your car with one small change. Jason Cox is a successful freelance author that writes regularly for <a href="http://www.garage-plans-n-kits.com/" title="http://www.garage-plans-n-kits.com/" target="_blank">http://www.garage-plans-n-kits.com/</a> . His articles have also been featured on related sites such as <a href="http://www.myautopartresource.info/" title="http://www.myautopartresource.info/" target="_blank">http://www.myautopartresource.info/</a> and <a href="http://www.myautopartresources.info/" title="http://www.myautopartresources.info/" target="_blank">http://www.myautopartresources.info/</a>
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How Cost Effective Are Hybrid Cars?
There seems to be no stopping the oil companies, as the price at the pumps continues to rise to astronomical heights for a myriad of reasons, valid or not. Civil wars in Nigeria, international conflicts in Iraq, hurricanes and other storms at home and abroad are all reasons gas companies posit to defend their outrageous gouging. In the face of rising gas costs, many consumers are beginning to consider the option of a hybrid vehicle- one which operates on both gas and electricity. All of the models of hybrid car will save money in terms of gas expenditures, but are they really effective when all of the costs of maintenance and other considerations are factored in? Right off the bat, consider the cost of buying a hybrid vehicle. Depending on the model, hybrid vehicles can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 more than the equivalent non-hybrid model. These prices need to be stacked up against the savings that a hybrid car owner would gain in gas, factoring in the mileage needed. One report by Edmunds, for example, shows that huge price increases in the cost of gas would need to take place, or the vehicle owner would need to put on some serious mileage, in order for the hybrid models to gain a sufficient price saving advantage when stacked up against initial purchases. The one exception in the study was the Toyota Prius, which compared very effectively in terms of initial cost with the Camry model. The consumer watchdog points out, however, that as the hybrid cars become increasingly more available as a reflection of demand the prices can be expected to drop, making them more cost effective when it comes to an initial investment. Also important to keep in mind is the fact that the hybrid cars have a much more specialized system than the standard vehicle, and will therefore require a more specialized mechanic when it comes time for any repairs. Most consumer report features consider hybrid cars to require an investment of at least five years in order to break even as far as initial costs go, and do not take into account the possibilities of damage that requires fixing to the power train of the vehicles. It seems as though, at least for the time being, the purchase of a hybrid vehicle for the average consumer may not be the best option when it comes to saving money. It is important to keep several things in mind, however, when considering purchasing a hybrid model. Many consumers are choosing to purchase these cars because they represent a significant development in terms of environmental concerns over standard models. They also mean that as a whole, Western nations will become less dependent on oil as the sole means of power. Finally, it is imperative to keep in mind that the hybrid car is a very new technology. Developed only within the last few years, the technology is still in the infant stages, where costs will continue to be high. Hybrid cars also have only a small percentage of the market right now as well. As time passes, the development of the hybrid technology will begin to push prices down to the point where hybrids are more than competitive with the traditionally fueled models of the past. Frank Little is a hybrid car enthusiast and maintains a website with <a href="http://yourhybridcars.com">hybrid car forums</a>.
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