Quick Cash Auto Blog

How many times have you been out shopping, rolled up your cart to your car, opened the trunk, and realized that there was no way that your purchases were going to fit in your car because of the clutter that was already taking up space in your vehicle? Unfortunately, there is no way to actually add space to your vehicle storage, so optimizing what you have is the key to instantly getting a roomier vehicle.

• Clean your vehicle regularly so that trash isn’t taking up valuable space. How much of your trunk space is currently being used by empty containers that shouldn’t be there? A simple cleaning is often all that is needed to increase the available space in your vehicle. To make cleaning easier, keep a small, behind-the-seat trash receptacle in your vehicle and empty it regularly.

• Organize the items that have to be in your vehicle so that there is no wasted space. Try to keep all necessary items in the same area, and stack items in a way that optimizes your available space. Before organizing, go through all of the items you have in your vehicle and determine whether they are really necessary. If there is anything that you only need sometimes, remove it when you’re not actively using it.

• Purchase organizing accessories that can help you keep things in order. This includes extra cup holders, map organizers, and CD organizers. Many vehicles do not come with a set space for loose items, so purchasing an accessory to help will free up space.

• Use storage bins in your trunk to keep items in one place and free up the rest of the space. You’ll find a big difference between letting items scatter across the trunk and keeping them in a definitive area. Getting large shopping purchases or a stroller into your vehicle will be much less of a hassle when your trunk is kept organized and clean.

• If you regularly carry a lot of equipment with you in the car, you may consider installing a cargo box on the roof rack to keep the space in your vehicle clear.

Even if you can’t afford to purchase a larger vehicle, you can fit more in your car by keeping it clean and organized.

The battery pack in the Chevrolet Volt, an all-electric vehicle, has been shown to catch fire on impact during serious accidents, causing concern and prompting government investigation into the issue. Crash-tested vehicles are being closely monitored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to pinpoint the issue. So far, two batteries in Volts involved in the government crash tests have caught fire following the test.

General Motors, the manufacturer of the Chevrolet Volt, stated that the vehicle is no less safe than any other vehicle on the road, both during normal operation and following an accident. The government was made aware of the issue with the battery pack six months ago, when a Volt in storage that had been involved in a crash test three weeks prior caught fire, causing damage to the vehicle and vehicles in the immediate area.

The fires in all three of the cases had taken place after a crash test that simulated a side impact into a narrow object, such as a tree or a utility pole. While there are nearly 5,000 Chevrolet Volts currently on the road, no such incidences have been reported as a result of an actual road accident.

So far, there has not been a decision regarding recalling the vehicle for a mandatory replacement of parts. Because the vehicles are equipped with OnStar technology, General Motors would be notified immediately if there was an accident involving a Volt, and specifics concerning the cause of the accident and combustion in the battery pack would also be passed along to the car manufacturer.

The Volt is the only electric vehicle that has had reported problems with the battery pack, but the battery fires have cooled public opinion in regards to electric vehicles. To try to encourage the sale of electric vehicles, the government has required that electric vehicle manufacturers follow more stringent rules regarding crash testing in the future. Information specifically concerning battery packs must be reported to assure that the battery fires do not become a common occurrence.

In the case of an accident while driving an electric vehicle, a driver should do the same thing as they would in a gas-powered vehicle: get out of the vehicle and travel a safe distance away before calling for help.

Remember when you purchased your vehicle and the dealership told you that roadside assistance was included in the warranty? Or, if you don’t have a vehicle warranty that includes roadside assistance, have you added the feature to your insurance policy? Do you know who you would call if your car broke down today? Many people are not only unsure of who they would need to call in the case of a roadside emergency, but they do not even have this information available when they drive. Keep yourself more prepared by knowing who to contact and what to do during a roadside emergency.

• Keep information about your roadside assistance options in your vehicle at all times, preferably in an easy to access location such as the glove compartment. It only takes a few minutes to identify what kind of coverage you have and to list phone numbers. If you ever break down, you’ll be happy that you took those few minutes to get prepared.

• Be sure that you’re covered in case of emergency before you start driving. This coverage is often optional, so check that you have chosen it. Additionally, make sure that you’re not double covered. Some people don’t realize that many warranties include roadside assistance, and they add the feature to their insurance policy, driving up the price of their premium.

• Have a method of contacting roadside assistance available to you whenever you drive. This means a cell phone with a partially charged battery at the least. If you are going on a long trip, consider taking along a travel charger for your phone that allows you to charge your phone in your vehicle. If this isn’t an option, purchase an extra battery for your phone and keep it, fully charged, in your vehicle.

• Assemble an emergency kit in case of a break down. Include tools that can help you fix the problem and get you back on the road in case you cannot reach roadside assistance, as well as some blankets, nonperishable snacks, water, and a basic first aid kit.

Before you head out on the road, assure that you know who to call in case of a roadside emergency. Keep the phone numbers and a cell phone in your car, and keep an emergency kit in your vehicle.

You may find yourself in a situation in which you need to replace your current vehicle, but you cannot afford much. Whether past credit problems or a recent job loss are holding you back, having to purchase a very inexpensive used car doesn’t have to mean that you’ll be stuck with a clunker. Use these tips to fit a car into your limited budget.

• Be realistic about your budget

Set your budget according to what you can truly afford, even if that’s only $2,000. Once you’ve determined your budget, be realistic about the kind of car that would be available to you in your price range. You may find the odd car listed in your price range that wouldn’t normally fall into that range, but keep in mind that there’s likely something wrong with the vehicle. Make a list of makes, models, and years of cars that would realistically fall into your price range.

• Search for vehicles in your price range

Vehicle auctions are a good place to start looking for inexpensive cars, but remember that there may be liens on vehicles that are up for auction. Ideally, you’d like a car with a clear title that you are able to test drive, so search online classifieds and used car dealerships to locate vehicles in your area.

• Keep condition in mind

Inexpensive vehicles often have mechanical or cosmetic problems, so inquire about any problems when you call about a vehicle. Also be sure that the owner will allow you to have the car inspected by a mechanic of your choosing, but be prepared to take on the inspection cost. Only have a used car inspected if you are seriously considering buying it.

• Don’t rule out negotiations

Just because you are looking at inexpensive vehicles doesn’t mean the price is firm. You can expand your search outside of your price range and attempt to negotiate the price down. If a seller is very motivated, mention your price range during negotiations so that they know that you’ll only buy if the price comes down.

Even if you have a very tight budget, you can find a reliable car to use for your daily commuting needs. Be realistic about your budget and the type of car you can afford, and don’t forget to negotiate.