Domestic Cars Are More Popular Than Ever!

With all the recent negative publicity in news about Toyota, it seems that the days where all we heard about was the financial crisis at GM are over.

Domestic car manufacturers have been emerging with more fuel economic, stylish and affordable vehicles. Manufacturers like Ford are leading the domestic race, continuing to produce some of the highest quality vehicles while GM has rolled out its new, post-bankruptcy line up.

So where does that leave you? Import or domestic? It seems that there are so many choices and so many deals out there. The car makers aggressively advertise their new car line ups, advertising deals to move those new cars. The problem is when you visit the manufacturer all they have to show you is their vehicles.

Why sample one appetizer, when you can try them all.

A pre-owned low mileage vehicle is a great plan for someone who is looking to go to one dealer and test drive all different makes and models of vehicles. Low mileage pre-owned vehicles usually are lease returns that have only had one owner. Another benefit to buying a low mileage pre-owned vehicle is you get the benefit of the remaining manufacturer’s warranty and can avoid the “drive off the lot” vehicle depreciation that occurs when you buy a new vehicle.

Many who like import vehicles, like them because they have a reputation for holding their value. Well I guess Toyota is an example that anything can happen and the best thing is to choose a vehicle that you like, feel comfortable in and fits into your budget.

For more valuable tips and information, please visit us at http://prudentvaluecars.com/

How to drive safe with kids in cars ?

We love our children and want to dote on them so it’s very easy to understand why a parent would leave a child alone in a car for a minute or so to pick up laundry or to pay for gas. Taking your children out of the car in freezing temperatures or waking your toddler up from a deep sleep is not ideal when it simply takes a minute to pop in and grab a carton of milk at the nearby convenient store. These actions can all be understandable but the consequences can never be reversed.

Accidents can happen within moments of leaving a child unattended. Kids can suffer from hypothermia in freezing temperatures. On a sunny day, the temperature inside a car can jump 10 degrees causing your child’s body temperature to rise which may cause heat exhaustion. Leaving your car running should not be an option because your car may get hijacked. Some hijackers wait around and scan for these opportunities, sometimes not noticing that there is an infant/child in the car. The child may be old enough to get out of the car seat and start playing with the gear shifter or they may play with windows getting their limbs or neck caught. Your child may also become violently ill in an instant and start choking.

Unattended children in vehicles may not be widely publicized as often as it happens but the results are usually deadly. It does seem like a harmless thing to do and it definitely shaves minutes off our busy schedules but a minute is all it takes.

Planning ahead to use drive through services when available, calling the dry cleaners and asking them to drop off your items to your car and have the exact change ready, arrange a babysitter for an hour once a week to get all small errands out of the way will not only save you time but will eliminate any tragedies.

For more tips and valuable information, please visit http://prudentvaluecars.com 

What you should know to save money when repairing your car

Using a dealership when repairing or getting regular maintenance is very costly. Research for a reputable independent repair shop and they will almost always do the job for cheaper. Know what work needs to be done and call around for quotes. Speak to family and friends to get recommendations from them.

When you are repairing your car, it’s very easy to spend at least 30% more than you need to so once you have found a reputable repair shop, keep the 3 following tips in mind and your wallet will thank you later:

1. Insist that the mechanic NOT call you before doing work on your car with what other work they suggest needs to be done.
2. Never tell a mechanic to fix whatever is wrong with your car. You’re giving authority to the mechanic to run up your bill to hundreds maybe thousands of dollars.
3. Try to be as descriptive as possible or research what could be wrong with your car prior to taking it to the repair shop. Simply telling the mechanic that your car is making a funny sound is telling them to run as many tests to determine what the issue is costing you hundreds of dollars just to locate the problem.
4. Get a rough estimate from mechanic (preferably in writing) before repairs begin. If possible try to figure out what could be wrong with your car and ask around for estimates before taking your car into a repair shop. This way you can know for sure that you’re getting the better deal.

With the financial hardships we are facing nowadays, planning ahead has become a necessity. Planning ahead puts you in the driver’s seat and keeps you in control. Prevention is the best way to avoid rip offs and saving you money. It’s your money and your vehicle!

For more valuable tips and information, please visit us at http://prudentvaluecars.com/

Saving on car insurance

We all know that it’s illegal to drive a car or any motorized vehicle without valid car insurance. Car Insurance is extremely important for many reasons but paying more money for insurance over another insurer doesn't mean you’re getting better service. The rule “you get what you pay for” DOES NOT apply here. You want to make sure you’re getting the coverage you need at the best rate possible. Some Insurers charge twice as much as others for the very exact coverage but there are some factors for you to consider that will impact your premiums and allow you to save on car insurance.

Here are just a few factors to consider:

· Insurers don’t advertise prices so don’t assume that you’re getting the better rate. You must research for the lower cost. Each insurer prices differently for different customers.
· If you’re thinking about purchasing a car, contact insurers to inquire which cars are cheaper to insure then use this information in your search. Considering a car which is cheaper to insure can save you money in the long run.
· Choosing the right driving school for when your child is ready to drive will not only ensure they get the proper training which will ease your mind when they’re behind the wheel but you’ll also save on your car premiums.
· If you have more than one vehicle it may be wise you insure them both with the same insurance provider. This stands true for any additional insurance you may have such as homeowners insurance or condo insurance.
· Consider changing your deductible. If you’re able to afford having a higher deductible should something happen to your car then it may be wise to change your deductible from $500 to $1000 for example. This will lower your insurance premium.
· If you have an older car with high kilometres and in bad shape then you may want to discuss with your insurer cancelling collision insurance to save money. If you’re car is worth less or equal to your deductible you may be able to save that money and put it towards a newer car.
· Traffic tickets have a big impact on your premiums and can end up costing you more than double what you’re currently paying so drive carefully.
· Notify your insurance company if you’ve moved to a safer neighbourhood or are now working from home. Both these factors may save you on your car insurance.

The above may take extra time but it’s the best way to ensure that you are receiving the best car insurance rate possible. For more valuable information, please visit http://prudentvaluecars.com/

Help your teenager to become a safe driver

It’s that time! Your child suddenly morphed before your eyes and is now a teenager. It’s now time to learn how to drive. Here are some tips on how to teach your teen to drive safely.

You’ll need to always remember that you’re their role model. One of the most important things to remember is to practise what you preach. Your teen watches you very closely, so if you’re wearing your seatbelt and obey the rules of the road, your teen will follow suit. Beware of your bad habits and correct them as soon as possible.

When you are teaching your teen, you’ll want to eliminate all distractions. Turn the radio off, ask your teen to get off the cell phone and ensure that they are paying attention to your instructions.

It can be nerve wrecking to teach your teen to drive so try to remain as calm as possible. Increased stress levels will only result in a negative effect on your teen’s driving experience.

Guide them and teach them confidence while keeping it friendly and fun.

Teach your teen to maintain their vehicle. Not only for obvious reasons like getting the most of your car but you are also creating a safer driving experience for your teenager and other drivers on the road.

You may want to enrol your teen into a good driving school. This will not only allow them to become a better and safer driver but this will help on your auto insurance premium also. Practise makes perfect.

Some teenagers are not as mature as we would like them to be. Teenagers sometimes tend to think they are invincible and indestructible. It’s the parent’s job to determine if and when your teenager is ready to drive responsibly and safely.

Check out the Prudent Value Cars inventory at http://prudentvaluecars.com/ for our top quality used cars for when your teenager is ready for the road!

Watch Your Mileage – It Could Cost You Big

It is true that driving gives you a lot of freedom. You can take a road trip with the family, visit the cottage on the weekends and get around faster.

Some consumers avoid leasing vehicles because of kilometre restrictions and choose to finance their vehicles instead. This way they are free to use their vehicle however they choose to. This raises the question, “why do leasing companies” care about the mileage you use?” There is an easy answer to this question.

High vehicle mileage significantly reduces the value of the vehicle and here is how:

· The vehicle will require more repairs
· The vehicle will require more maintenance
· The life of the vehicle is reduced for each additional kilometre driven

So how does one enjoy life without running up the mileage on their vehicle? Here are some ideas that you can use to save your mileage.

1. If you are going away, try renting a vehicle. Many car rental agencies offer unlimited mileage. Also if you check with your insurance, some policies cover insurance on car rentals, so you won’t have to pay the car rental company additional insurance. Some car rental companies will rent a compact sedan for as little as $40 per/day.

2. Try using transit to get to work. You can save not only your mileage, but also gas and parking by doing this.

3. If you can’t get your head around using transit. Talk to your co-workers and see if there are any opportunities to car pool. Then you can fly to work, taking advantage of HOV (aka carpooling) lanes.

Finally, don’t buy a vehicle that already has high mileage. Prudent Value Cars only sells low mileage vehicles and offers flexible financing and will even negotiate your car loan terms so that the term is consistent with the mileage you drive. This ensures that you finish your car loan with a vehicle that still has value. For more information visit www.prudentvaluecars.com.

Repair by the dealer or by an independent shop?

Conventional wisdom has it that an independent repair shop is a better bet than a dealership for having your car repaired, but that's not as true today as it used to be.

Dealerships are making a vigorous effort to draw customers to their service departments for repairs.  They now offer longer warranties and certified repair people. This is occurring because profits on new car sales are so low that the service departments have to be profit centres in order for dealerships to survive.

Repairs made under warranty once amounted to 70% of the service done at dealerships. Today, they are only 20% as vehicles are built better and last longer.

Here are the pros and cons for each option.

The dealership

● To retain their franchise licenses, dealerships must pay for training their technicians and providing special tools and equipment. So you can expect their service to be expert.

● Dealers have access to proprietary information on their new Vehicle -information that is often needed for proper diagnosis and repair. Also, dealerships service mostly the makes and models that they sell. Since they are very knowledgeable about those cars, they can usually identify a problem faster.

● The dealership is tied to the auto manufacturer, so if the customer is unhappy with the service or a specific repair, they can always take their complaint to the manufacturer.

● Dealership technicians are usually paid a flat rate. If a specific repair calls for a flat rate of $100 for two hours of work and the repair person can do the job in one hour, they will still receive $100 in compensation. If the job takes longer than two hours, the customer isn’t charged extra. That’s the upside. The downside is that, because of the incentive pay, the repair person may cut corners to finish the repair in less than two hours and pocket more money.

● Many dealers provide a free loaner car or a courtesy shuttle if the customer has to leave the car to be fixed, whereas it's likely the repair shop will expect them to find their own ride home after they’ve dropped the car off.

The independent

● Independent shops tend to be small, employing only three to five technicians. So over time, the customer will come to know the owner and the techs, and is able to pose questions directly to the mechanic working on their car.

● In addition to a personal relationship, the independent offers versatile service for different makes and models. Seasoned mechanics who have worked in independent shops have been exposed to a variety of vehicles. They make excellent resources for difficult repairs.

● Independent shops usually use aftermarket parts unless the customer requests OEM parts (ones supplied by the Original Equipment Manufacturer). Dealerships generally use OEM parts even though they are more expensive than aftermarket parts.

● Traditionally, independents have had lower hourly labor rates than dealerships. That differential is closing, as independents face rising costs. Rapid technological change in the auto industry has resulted in the need for ongoing training and the purchase of new tools and equipment.

● Still, the independent’s repair person is usually paid an hourly rate or a salary. Therefore, the mechanic has no incentive to rush through a repair or to compete with the other techs for the “easier” job.

● Today, top-notch independent repair shops offer nationwide warranties through the auto parts suppliers.

For information about PRUDENT VALUE CARS, visit our web site: www.prudentvaluecars.com 

Saving on Car Insurance and Getting the Lowest Rate

Everyone wants to save money, and a great deal is always a welcome sight for anyone. There are plenty of areas of your life where you can cut costs and save yourself some cash, but one you may be overlooking is your auto insurance. Since all car loans will require you to carry car insurance of some form, there's no real way to completely dodge the bill. Saving on car insurance is a great way to put some extra money in your bank account. It's also easier than most people realize. While some ways to cut your car insurance bill may not be feasible for you, others could very well lower your rates drastically.

The most important rule for saving on car insurance is simply to shop around.

• A number of people are probably paying too much for car insurance but don't bother changing it because they don't feel like dealing with the hassle.
• But when you consider that some studies estimate that rates can vary by up to five hundred dollars for six months' worth of coverage, taking the time to get a few quotes suddenly seems like a worthy endeavor.
• Get at least three quotes, but get even more if you can. It's the best way to know if you're paying too much.

You should also take the time to inquire about discounts on car insurance.

• Some companies may tell you about them immediately, while others may hold back on explaining them. You can get discounts for combining insurance, for taking defensive driving courses, and even for being a loyal customer.
• You can also get a lower rate by dropping coverage. In some cases, the bare minimum coverage required by law can be hundreds of dollars cheaper, although it will leave you at a higher financial risk during an accident.

Even your credit score can have an effect on your car insurance price. Poor credit could cause you to pay up to thirty to forty percent more for car insurance than someone with good credit, another reason rebuilding bad credit is important. Finally, consider raising your deductible. Like lower coverage, it will leave you at a higher financial risk but can lower your monthly payments tremendously. Saving money on car insurance can help you put groceries on the table and put extra cash in the bank. These tips will make it easier for you to lower your insurance payments while still keeping you covered. For more valuable information, visit www.prudentvaluecars.com

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO DRIVE SAFE IN WINTER?

We've already got our first real snow fall. So it’s time to gear up the way we drive to keep Toronto’s road safe.

Winter driving is difficult. You may think everything is all set after winter tires installation.

But in reality there is much more--check out our top picks to keep winter driving hassle free.

Get winter tires- All four of them!

Installing winter tires may look like additional costs after holiday expenses, but having only two winter tires may cost even more ---maybe someone’s life.

According to Transport Canada one must install all four winter ties to avoid over-steer and under-steer skid. 

Over steer skid may happen when a slip is occurred having only two winter tires at front. Because of the front two winter tires grip will only exist at the front, causing a rear spin and skid at the back. 

Opposite is expected for under-steer skid when two winter tires at the back will have grip that’ll cause a spin and skid in front with regular tires while facing a slip on the road.

Slow Down

It is expected to drive smart during winter—that means when traction is reduced, speeds need to be reduced. 

Such as-- when driving on packed snow, a good rule of thumb is to reduce that speed level to about a fourth of the usual speed for that area. 

This is because a speed limit of 80/km of on a road will mean that’s the maximum speed one can go given under the perfect weather and pitch condition. 

Clear the snow off the vehicle

Visibility is crucial for a safe drive. Section 74 of the Highway Traffic Act states that “No person shall drive a motor vehicle upon a highway (a) unless the windshield and the windows on either side of the compartment containing the steering wheel are in such a condition as to afford the driver a clear view to the front and side of the motor vehicle and (b) unless the rear window is in such a condition as to afford the driver a clear view to the rear of the motor vehicle.”

Check the weather

You definitely don’t want to face a snow storm on Highway 401! Check out weather conditions before you plan to drive. You can tune into any weather channel on TV or radio station to find out about road conditions. 

Plus, if you have a smart phone or tablet try to install a weather app to keep you up to date with weather conditions at all time.

Prepare yourself before driving

Finally, prepare before you drive. Turn off cruise control if not necessary, drive smoothly. 

Stay focused on the road not the car driving in front of you. Avoid wearing heavy boots and winter coats when you drive. There is heater on every car to keep you warm while you drive. 

Be comfortable; keep a pair of comfy shoes and lite jacket inside the car for driving purpose only. 

Plus, never forget to keep winter emergency driving kit including- windshield wiper fluid, an ice scraper, fuel line antifreeze, flashlight, shovel and so on.   

For more information visit www.prudentvaluecars.com