Adapted from Post for Monday, March 24th 2014 @ 11am by News Radio 810 and 103.1 WGY
Albany, New York
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Spring Auto Buying Discounts
Car dealers, like you, can't wait for the spring weather to heat things up. They are eager to get you out to their lots to choose one of their many unsold vehicles from their winter inventory. The good news is they are making it more enticing with incentives and discounts.
According to chief analyst Jesse Toprak of cars.com,"Consumers will benefit from auto makers and dealers who are willing to move standing inventory at a steep discount." Dealerships are offering a variety of low-interest loans, rebates and low-payment lease deals if your credit rating qualifies you for these offers.
Even with these discounts you can still be in a position to negotiate down the selling price. Be determined in your negotiating and you will see even bigger discounts Even where a rebate is offered.
Here is a closer look at a selection of deals on 2014 models cited as among the best by cars.com.
Low-rate financing
Ram 1500: Consumer Reports' best pickup, this RAM comes with an offer of 1.9 percent financing for 36 months. Dealers also are offering rebates of up to $1,500 along with the low-rate financing.
Toyota Avalon: Praised by critics for its roominess and quiet, comfortable ride. Dealers are offering the Avalon with zero percent financing for 36 months.
Rebates
Buick Enclave: This midsize SUV is family friendly with three rows of seats. General Motors is offering a $4,131 rebate to shoppers who currently do not own or lease a GM vehicle.
Toyota Prius: Popular hybrid, among the top-ranked vehicles for gas mileage (51 MPG in city driving, 48 on the highway), the Prius carries a $1,500 rebate.
Lease deals
Honda Civic: One of the best-selling small cars, the Civic LX models can be leased for $159 a month for 36 months with $1,999 due at signing.
Toyota Prius: Toyota is offering a choice of a lease deal on its hybrid in addition to a rebate for buyers. If you prefer leasing, the Prius is offered at $279 a month for 36 months with $999 down at signing.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Wax Away
Angie's ListMarch 10, 2014
To wax or not to wax?
Wax says the pros, especially if you want to do your utmost to protect your vehicle's finish from the harsh effects of sun, road debris, tree sap, bugs and more. According to a group of highly-rated auto detailers, failing to occasionally apply wax or another protectant to your car's exterior finish can lead to the breakdown of the clear coat that protects the paint. Your car than becomes more vulnerable to exposing the paint to damage from oxidation, road salt and other factors.
The detailers say that the clear coat that manufactures provide on the car is not enough to prevent this kind of damage. The protective boost of polymer or Teflon that is found in wax or other protectants or sealants can act as the temporary barrier to take the abuse that might otherwise damage the clear coat. The wax when applied correctly can cover up small scratches and small blemishes as well.
So how often to wax?
At a minimum, twice a year. However the pros go on to recommend increasing the frequency to three or four times a year if you live in a hot sunny climate or where road salt is used. Over time, say detailers, oxidation - which occurs when heat and oxygen combine - will break down even the highest quality vehicle paint.
How to wax?
If you decide to wax your vehicle yourself, the pros recommend that you make sure it's freshly washed, rinsed and allowed to thoroughly dry. To wax, apply a thin layer of wax, buff off the excess, and repeat. Be careful not to over-apply as a thin application will bond and cure better.
If you decide to pay a detailer to wax your car it will cost $50 to $95 to apply wax or other sealants. A more extensive exterior detail includes cleaning, buffing and waxing, and can range from $150 to $300.
Now to wax...
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Apple's CarPlay Coming to Luxury Cars
Benny Evangelista
Updated 6:51 am, Tuesday, March 4, 2014 SF Gate News
Apple Inc. is entering the field of automobiles, and it has the edge over other technology greats such as Microsoft or Google. Premium European automakers are signing up for Apple's new in-car smartphone technology. Some of the definites are Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo who will be the first companies to introduce models equipped with CarPlay. CarPlay utilizes iphone's Siri voice recognition technology to control music, maps, messaging and other features.
"It's a big win for Apple," said analyst Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Technologies of San Jose. "The car is almost as ubiquitous as the television and it represents a powerful platform to deliver Apple hardware, software and services," he said.
CarPlay also works with the vehicles' own knobs, buttons or touch-screens. The technology will work with Apple's latest phone models of iPhone 5, 5s and 5C. The system connects to the phones using a Lightning cord.
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