Posted on 2/20/2014
Safety sells. We know that wasn’t always the case; but in today’s market, the majority of new-car shoppers do value how well a car will protect them in a crash—or how it might help them avoid one altogether. Trouble is, between the two U.S. agencies that conduct crash tests—the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)—there’s a lot of information to distill. And to compound matters, the test results from these two agencies aren’t always in agreement. We already help make sense of that in the Safety section of each full review here at The Car Connection, and that’s a great place to start when cross-shopping models before you head to the dealership. And to make this information even more useful to those who want one of the safest new cars, we’ve done some additional sorting to filter out the best of the best. In order to come up with this list of safest cars, we looked at vehicles ... read more
Posted on 2/14/2014
As the first of the winter snow begins to fall and the roads become snowy, icy and the gritting machines come out at full force, it seems about time to prepare ourselves (and our cars!) for the cold weather. Winter weather of course has its benefits but can also be extremely damaging to your car. As the weather deteriorates so can our cars if we do nothing to protect them from these potentially damaging conditions. Driving on salted roads can cause our bumpers and wheel wells to rust, windscreens can whiten very quickly, batteries become flat and tyres can easily become corroded. Essentially every aspect of your car has to work that bit harder during these blustery and busy months. There are a few ways to avoid any temporary or long term damage and keep yourself safe during winter conditions. Firstly, ensure that the tire pressure is correct; an over pressurised tire can lose traction which can be extremely dangerous during snowy and icy conditions whereas low press ... read more
Posted on 2/14/2014
The 1995 Honda Civic is stolen more often than any other car in America, according to the NICB. The popular 1995 Honda Civic continues to be the top pick among thieves, holding onto that position for the 2007 calendar year, according to the “Hot Wheels” report released in July 2008 by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). And while the types of vehicles being stolen remain consistent from year to year, overall car theft in the U.S. declined almost nine percent in 2007. “The continuing national decrease in vehicle theft is a positive sign that the fight against vehicle theft by law enforcement, the insurance industry and the NICB continues to be effective,” said Robert M. Bryant, NICB’s president and chief executive officer. The most recent NICB report listed the 1991 Honda Accord as the second-most-stolen vehicle, followed by the 1989 Toyota Camry ... read more
Posted on 1/25/2014
If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, chances are you’re like most people and want to find something that’s reliable and affordable. When it comes to making the final purchase, used cars can have a great advantage over vehicles that have just rolled onto the showroom floor. Whether you’re looking for a car or truck for yourself, a new driver in your family, or another loved one, consider how a pre-owned vehicle can benefit you in the short and long-term. One major advantage to choosing from a selection of used cars is lower pricing. Pre-owned vehicles are less expensive than their new counterparts. Most consumers are aware of the fact that as soon as your new car is purchased and hits the streets, it depreciates in value; this trend continues, dropping as much as 30% over the course of one to two years. Without taking into perspective the big picture, examine your monthly payments and interest paid over time on a pre-owned vehicle versus a new one. Le ... read more
Posted on 1/18/2014
Today’s automobile customers are not just satisfied with what the manufacturers offer for the general public but would like to want more from their cars and hence rely on different aftermarket products to not only further enhance the look of their car but also the engine performance and fuel efficiency with the available technology and products in the market. The performance chips for cars are one such product that are designed to increase the overall power and fuel economy of the engine by improving its efficiency which is possible by retuning the factory engine control module (ECM) monitors. However before installing the performance chips for cars check out the reliability of the company offering these products for best experience and avoiding any void of warranty of the dealers. So by installing this product it shall start interfacing with the car factory ECM through the OBD II port that is underneath the dashboard by sending continuous signals to retune the fact ... read more
Posted on 1/10/2014
Americans are noted for purchasing the latest models of cars and look for the best price. Since cars lose their attraction once it goes out vogue, it may be necessary to do some research when you wish to sell your car. Depending on the make and model you should be able to quote the best price and receive cash for cars. It is advisable to do some homework before you ask for your price. The best way to do is to scour the classifieds. Compare different vehicles and the prices quoted or check out websites for used cars. You will get a fair idea of the price that can be expected for your car model. Make a note of the prices for the year and make and then consider the following: What is the mileage that you get? What is the condition of the car? Are there any special features that you would like to mention? There are other considerations that you have to factor in when trying to sell your vehicle. One is the weather as this de ... read more