Quick Cash Auto Blog

You’re in the market for a new car, and you’re not sure where to begin in the vehicle purchasing process. You have some basic ideas about what you’re looking for, but there are so many choices available that things can quickly get confusing. Are you sure that your top choices are right for your family? For your commute to work? For driving long distance?

Whatever the purpose of your vehicle purchase, making a list of requirements for that next car is the first step in choosing a vehicle that is the right fit for you. What is the car going to be primarily used for? For example, will it be a family car used to take your kids to school, soccer practice, and their friends’ houses? If you’re using the car primarily for work purposes, you’ll want to take the length of your commute and whether or not you have to take business equipment along for the ride into consideration when examining features on prospective choices.

Here are some different factors and features that you’ll want to seriously consider before you make a definite decision about your next vehicle:

• Is buying new essential, or is a used vehicle also acceptable? Along with that, how old can a used car be? How many miles can it already have on its odometer?

• What are you using the car for? Consider not only the primary use of the car, but every possible scenario. You may be purchasing a work vehicle that will also be used for your family outside of business hours.

• What is most important to you in a vehicle? Cost? Fuel efficiency? Safety ratings? Rank the features most important to you in order of importance.

• How much is the maximum you can possibly afford for a vehicle? This requires you to do some budgeting and estimating of the interest rate you’ll be paying on financing. If you have money saved up and you don’t want to spend more than you have on hand, you’ll also have to take that into consideration.

Purchasing a vehicle is not a task that should be taken lightly or done quickly. Research all of your options based on the criteria you have determined after answering the above questions. Take at least a few weeks to look at and test drive cars, and to discuss your financing options before you come to a definite conclusion.

When you park your car in a public parking lot or garage, or on a city street, do you know how safe it is to leave it behind while you shop, dine, or run errands? How can you make sure that car thieves will pass your car over instead of driving it away? There are some vehicle features that make car thieves run the other way. Check out these features to keep your car safer when it’s parked in the open:

• New Anti-Theft Technology

Thieves generally hate to deal with any of the new anti-theft mechanisms available in vehicles. These include:

- Car alarms that not only go off if someone breaks into your car using force, but are also triggered if someone uses a different key than yours. Some cars can be opened with modified keys, making this feature a deterrent for thieves using such keys.

- Brake and steering wheel locks turn car thieves off because they do not want to take the time to get around these blockades.

- Tracking devices are possibly the most effective way to keep a car thief away from your vehicle. Stealing a car that can be easily found because of an installed tracking device is not appealing to a thief since they’ll be caught if they don’t dump the vehicle almost immediately. If you want to virtually ensure that your car will not be stolen, purchase a vehicle that comes with tracking technology.

There are some anti-theft mechanisms that don’t necessarily work. For instance, ignition immobilizers tend to be a good way to keep someone from stealing your entire car, but do not turn thieves off from stealing property from inside your vehicle.

• Hide Valuables

If you have to store valuables inside of your car for any amount of time while it is parked in public, be sure that you hide them well. Keeping valuables in the trunk and out of sight is best. When you don’t need access to valuables, leave them at home while you’re out and about.

• Choose a “Safe” Vehicle

You can research how common it is for your vehicle to be stolen, and choose your next vehicle accordingly. Generally, makes and models that come with anti-theft mechanisms are less likely to be stolen.

If you routinely park your car in a public lot or on the street, choose one that has anti-theft mechanisms built in.

A new car company, Miami-based Vehicle Production Group, has emerged, with its first offering being the MV-1, a car completely designed with disabled persons in mind. Instead of past vehicles that have been modified to accommodate the disabled, the MV-1 has actually been designed using the Americans with Disabilities Act as a guide from the start.

The new vehicle is considered the first to be specifically designed for those with disabilities. Some features in the vehicle that have been designed to accommodate disabled persons include:

• A sliding door that allows more room and maneuverability than a door that opens out

• A ramp that has been built into the vehicle

• Wheelchair restraints that have been built into the vehicle

In the past, these features have been available in vehicles, but only as aftermarket modifications to existing vehicles.

The MV-1, which stands for “Mobility Vehicle One”, will be manufactured by AM General in its Mishawaka, Indiana plant. The vehicle was originally designed as a commercial vehicle that would allow taxi drivers and public transportation outlets to offer vehicles to transport disabled customers, but has since been revamped to be sold as a consumer vehicle for personal use. Vehicle Production Group worked on the design for four years with financial backing from venture capital firm Perseus before revealing the final product.

There are approximately 10 million disabled persons in the United States that require a modified vehicle, with 4 million in a wheelchair. Citing the 1.5 million modified vehicles on the road today and the need for more of such vehicles, Vehicle Production Group hopes to sell 12,000 of their MV-1 model in 2012.

The MV-1 is currently offered for sale at a limited number of dealerships across the country, with an MSRP of $39,950. According to the Vehicle Production Group, this is twenty percent less than aftermarket modified vehicles.

Although the model does not offer hand controls, it is an aftermarket modification that is available. With the look and handling of an SUV and the accommodations of a full size van, the MV-1 allows disabled persons to purchase a vehicle without requiring aftermarket modifications.

In the market for a new vehicle, but working on a tight budget? Want the benefits of owning a new car? Even though car prices as a whole have risen, more manufacturers are making an effort to offer at least one model that is discount priced as Americans continue to struggle with unemployment and slashed salaries.

If you’re looking for a 2012 vehicle starting under $15,000, here are some models to start with:

• Nissan Versa
Starting at $10,990

The Versa sedan offers excellent gas mileage, with a rating of 30 miles per gallon for city driving and 38 miles per gallon for highway driving. Ample trunk space and seating for five make it an excellent choice for families on a budget.

• Kia Rio
Starting at $14,350

Kia has been considered a pioneer in affordably priced new vehicles, and the Rio is an example of why they’ve earned the honor. Past problems with the transmission and safety issues regarding crash tests have been addressed in the 2012 model, making the 2012 Rio an attractive choice for new vehicles under $15,000.

• Toyota Yaris
Starting at $14,115

Although the Yaris hasn’t gotten high ratings for its driveability, time and time again owners have noted how reliable it is. If you’re looking for a car that won’t give you problems and doesn’t need to spend time in the shop, and you’re not as concerned about pick up or smooth rides, the Yaris may be for you.

• Hyundai Accent
Starting at $12,445

The Accent has been for sale in the United States for over fifteen years. If you’re choosing to purchase a new car because of the security of a warranty, the five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty is an attractive advantage that the Accent offers. If fuel efficiency is an issue for you, the 2012 Hyundai Accent sedan gets an impressive 30 miles per gallon for city driving and 40 miles per gallon for highway driving.

It’s not impossible to buy a brand new car when you don’t have a lot of money. Even as the cost of the average car soars, vehicle manufacturers are realizing that many people don’t have a lot to spend and are offering discount priced vehicles that are reliable and roomy enough for a family. Before writing off the possibility of a 2012 vehicle, check out the models listed above to get more for your money.