Quick Cash Auto Blog

If a new car and an Apple iPad are on your after Christmas shopping list, lady luck may be on your side. In fact, the first 500 consumers that registers to purchase a 2011 Saab 9-4X have the option of getting a free Apple iPad.

For those who choose to pre-order the new Saab SUV there will be an extra $500 deposit required to cover the iPad, but this is completely refundable via a $500 credit towards their new vehicle once it arrives. The iPad can be expected to be shipped in two to four weeks after the consumers’ pre-order registration and subsequent deposit is received. While it is a sweet deal to have the opportunity to score a brand new Apple iPad, this hot technology is only one of the great perks that the new Saab 9-4X comes with.

The Saab 9-4X is the newest mid-size crossover sport utility from the Swedish automaker, and it comes with high expectations. The 9-4X is expected to compete with similar crossovers such as the Buick Enclave, Volkswagen Tiguan, and the Chevrolet Equinox. The newest Saab crossover model will boast an impressive 265 horsepower thanks to a respectable 3.0 Liter V-6 engine and comes with an optional Haldex All-Wheel-Drive option.

Rumors are abound regarding the luxury options that will be available on this crossover but luxury features such as leather interior, heated seats, moon roof, navigation technology, and premium sound are all safe bets. The Saab 9-4X may remind consumers of Cadillac’s SRX crossover SUV and for good reason; the SRX was the initial inspiration for the 9-4X.

It is still somewhat unclear what editions will be offered beyond the basic 9-4X. There is a chance that Saab will have a bio edition or hybrid model as well as a limited edition that will come with a heftier price but other details will be confirmed soon.

While the expectations are high for this crossover sport utility and some of the details are still vague, early bird consumers that pre-order a new Saab 9-4X can expect one thing to come with a great amount certainty: a new Apple iPad!

When shopping at a local mall or department store for clothes, it is common practice to try on the clothes that you have picked out before purchasing the items. A couple of turns in front of the mirror will help the shopper decide what items that fit best and therefore, which ones to buy. This clothing “test drive” is much less important than test driving a car before purchase and much less stressful. Stress is what makes most consumers more apt to try on clothes before a purchase than to give a vehicle a thorough test drive prior to buying one.

Obviously a car purchase is much more important than shopping for a cardigan or a pair of pants, which is one of the reasons that consumers get so stressed out when buying a vehicle. Along with the overall magnitude of the decision, pushy salespeople and lack of familiarity with a vehicle are other common reasons that cause stress during the test driving process.

There are several tips to remember when test driving a vehicle that will alleviate some of the associated stress as well as help you make an educated decision regarding the vehicles you test drive. First, be sure to pick vehicles that will fit the needs of you and your family. For example, if you have a large family it may be unwise to consider a two-door compact car because it will not accommodate your overall needs in a vehicle.

An important tip to remember when test driving a vehicle is to familiarize yourself with the car before driving it. Take your time and do a pre-trip inspection of the entire vehicle including looking over the exterior of the car, checking each tire, and even looking in the trunk. When you get inside the car, it is important to become acquainted with all the knobs, buttons, and compartments so that you do not have to worry about fumbling to find something during the test drive.

Another vital part of staying stress-free when test driving a car is to not let a pushy salesperson intimidate you. Remember, you are in control during the entire buying process and even the test drive. While it is unwise to break the law while on a test drive such as going faster than the speed limit, you can test the car without feeling intimidated. Push the car just as you would if it were already yours by doing things like accelerating from a stop, giving the brakes a test, and hugging a few curves to see how well the car responds. It is acceptable to ask the salesperson to not speak much during the test drive so you can truly focus on the car itself.

So remember, before purchasing a car always be sure that you try it out and make sure it fits just right!

“So close, but yet so far away”. This is a common expression used in the United States when something that a person wants is just out of reach. The expression is very fitting for when describing the way automaker Volkswagen teased consumers by debuting the 2012 Beetle on talk show host Oprah Winfrey’s show on November 22nd. The wealthy talk show host gave away a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle to every person in the studio audience in her final “Oprah’s Favorite Things” episode.

While audience members became borderline hysterical when Oprah gave out the keys to their new compact car there is a catch involved. The audience members will not get their new car until late 2011 because the VW Beetle is not being officially debuted until then. Beyond Volkswagen employees, Oprah is reportedly the only person to have already seen the 2012 Beetle. The 2012 model was on display at the taping of the episode but all that was visible was a silhouette of the car because it was wrapped up and the lighting in the studio cast too many shadows to be able to distinguish any details regarding the car.

There have been many reports that the redesigned model will have much sleeker styling which includes a more streamlined, elongated roof, as well as modifications to the existing hood design. Volkswagen has yet to confirm exactly what models will be offered in the sporty car but there will most likely be gasoline and diesel engines offered as well as a fuel efficient hybrid model. Experts expect all of these models to also be offered in a sleek convertible edition as well.

In addition to having slightly more headroom than previous models, the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle will reportedly also offer other great features such as a premium sound system, comfortable sport seats, optional navigation system, and sporty 19-inch wheels.

While Volkswagen is being very secretive about their latest edition of the popular Beetle model, it is no secret that there are high expectations for this cool car because of the high sales figures for similar competing models such as the Mini Cooper. In addition, while being featured on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” is great for publicity, it is also added pressure to be successful with their newest model. The 2012 Volkswagen Beetle may fall into the category of “so close, but yet so far away” but this sporty, unique, and fuel efficient car may just be worth the wait.

It is a common misconception that leasing a car means that it is simply a rental situation. Leasing a car is simply a financing option for obtaining a vehicle. Both buying and leasing have advantages and drawbacks and each person’s individual life and financial scenario will dictate which financing option is best.

Leasing a vehicle can best be explained as a way of financing the use of a particular car whereas buying a car involves incurring all costs of the vehicle or financing a purchase rather than just the right to use it. When leasing a vehicle you may sign a contract for 1-3 years depending on the rules of the financing company or seller and you pay for only the years that you will have it rather than paying for the entire car. For example if you lease a car that is worth $25,000 and it is expected to be worth $15,000 after a two year lease agreement then you would be responsible for financing the $10,000 difference to make up for its inevitable depreciation.

Leasing has advantages and drawbacks just like any other business deal and these should be considered before any decision is made regarding a vehicle. When leasing a car the monthly payments are often lower than if you purchase a vehicle outright because in leasing you are only paying for the depreciation of the car and not for the entire vehicle. With this in mind, people who lease can often afford to lease a new vehicle that may have been out of their budget if they were simply purchasing the car. In addition, leasers are not usually required to make a down payment which keeps money in their wallet whereas buying a car almost always requires some type of down payment and monthly payments will inevitably be more expensive.

Leasing a car can be more complex with regard to paperwork and restrictions than purchasing a vehicle is. Making changes to a leased car such as engine modifications, body work, and audio systems would be restricted without express consent from the financing company. When buying a car outright, people are free to make whatever changes they wish.

While making a decision about leasing versus buying a car it is important to weigh all the options, benefits, and disadvantages. Leasing a car allows people to always have a newer car that is under warranty with a lower monthly payment. Buying is the more cost effective long-term option and owning something outright gives the purchaser at least partial equity in the vehicle, which is not possible in a lease situation. So in the end, these financing options depend on financial situation, long term goals, as well as personal preference and the deals should not be undertaken without thoughtful consideration.