Few people have enough money to pay cash for a high-quality used car. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for coming up with the money to buy a safe, long-lasting vehicle. From the bank to the dealership to your own checkbook, here are some ways you can finance your dream car. Read More »
At the heart of every certified used-car program is one thing: the vehicle inspection. A good, thorough inspection gives certified used cars a big advantage over traditional used cars, so pay close attention to exactly what has been checked and what hasn't. Buyers should dig in to the details of the inspection process. Who inspected the car? What did they look at? What repairs or service were performed on it? Read More »
You can tell when a company believes in their products. They put their money where their mouth is. Because certified used cars have been inspected and fixed, manufacturers are willing to back them up with longer warranties and better coverage than other used cars, often at no additional charge. Every certification program offers some type of additional warranty protection, ranging from simply extending the original new-car warranty to adding extra benefits on top of the basic warranty coverage. A few even offer full, bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage for a period of time, even if it has expired under the new-car policy. Read More »
Buying a car isn't like buying anything else. If you pick up a sweater at the store, then bring it home and decide the color is all wrong, you can return it and get your money back. For the vast majority of car purchases, though — which are much more important and expensive — you don't have that luxury. Once you decide to buy the car, you typically can't take it back to the dealer to get your money back. A select few certified pre-owned vehicle programs make an exception to that policy, though, which is a good advantage if you can find it. Read More »
AT A GLANCE TECHNOLOGY: Hemi V8 engines are practically synonymous with the Dodge name, and the automaker has been dipping its toes into electric car manufacturing as well. HISTORY: Founded by brother Horace and John Dodge in 1914, Dodge has enjoyed several ups and downs throughout its storied history. FAMOUS MODELS: Charger, Caravan, Neon and Avenger. KNOWN FOR: Solid, reliable and powerful ... Read More »
The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado is revealed for the first time before the media in Pontiac, Mich. The Silverado has a new look that differentiates it more from its corporate cousin, the GMC Sierra. Read More »
There was a time when new cars were hard to afford. Just a couple of years ago, during the so-called credit crisis, banks tightened their lending standards and made it more difficult for anyone to get financing for a vehicle. Well, the credit faucets are flowing once again, and lenders are lining up to offer buyers the chance to purchase a new car — often on very favorable terms. Read More »
The 2013 Lexus ES 350 gets a new, more aggressive look up front as part of a complete redesign for 2013. It's now based on the Toyota Avalon instead of the Camry. Of all the changes this year, perhaps the most noticeable is a roomier back seat. It has several inches of extra legroom compared to the older Lexus ES design. Read More »
AT A GLANCE TECHNOLOGY: Stow-n-Go seats in the Town & Country. uConnect delivers entertainment and navigation. HISTORY: Founded by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925. Purchased by Fiat in 2009. FAMOUS MODELS: 300, Town & Country, Sebring, PT Cruiser. KNOWN FOR: Classic styling combined with performance, particularly in the PT Cruiser and 300 models. Stylish, American value Chrysler is the flagship brand of ... Read More »
The LX570 is a luxury version of the Toyota Land Cruiser, already a legend for its off-road capability, comfort and longevity. The Land Cruiser is also not cheap, starting over $78,000. Considering the Lexus version starts around $81,000, ever so slightly more than the Toyota, it's really not much of a premium to pay for the luxury branding. Read More »
