Blog
How Long Should You Keep a Car?
Posted Friday, July 27, 2018
There's a contentious question that a car owner is always asking: "When is it time to get rid of my car"? Whether you've bought it new or pre-owned, a car seldom grows in value. In fact, almost all cars begin to depreciate as soon as you've signed the bill of sale. The longer you own it, the more value it loses. So, how long should you keep a car?The answer isn't the same for everyone. There are three main schools of thought for how long should you keep a car, and there isn't one that's right all the time. Let's explore the three different answers for "How long should you keep a car".
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How to Avoid Buying a Car that's Been in a Serious Accident
Posted Friday, July 27, 2018
"I had to get the paint touched up because of a scratch." "It was just a minor accident, nothing more." "They deemed it a total loss, but the damage wasn't bad at all." These are excuses you might hear when you're shopping for a used car. It might be true, or it might be a cover-up for a car that's been in a serious accident.That's a mess you don't want to get into. A car that's been in a serious accident almost never ends up the same after repairs. But how can you avoid buying a car that's been in a serious accident? How can you tell the difference between a minor fender bender, a cosmetic repair, and a major collision? Here are a few tips.
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Five Expensive Truck Repairs to Avoid
Posted Friday, July 13, 2018
No one said owning a truck was going to be cheap. In the past decade or so, new trucks have lower maintenance costs than they used to. As pickups continue to climb in popularity, there are more used ones available to purchase. But when you buy a used truck, there are potential problems that can exist if you haven't bought from a reputable seller. And these truck repairs - well, they can break the bank.With truck ownership, you can expect truck repairs from time to time. You're using it as a work vehicle or an off-roading machine, and the added stress can wear things out faster. But if you encounter one of these five truck repairs, you might want to reconsider the fix. It's going to be expensive.
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What Those Dash Warning Lights Really Mean
Posted Friday, June 29, 2018
You're driving along through Kansas City, maybe even headed to a Royals game. Suddenly, a light pops up on the dashboard...but nothing seems to be working any differently at the moment. It could be a nefarious computer glitch, or maybe a sensor acting up, you tell yourself. But because you don't know that much about cars, it's just a guess. Wouldn't it be great to know what those dash warning lights actually mean?We hear you. There's nothing fun about driving when you're staring at dash warning lights blinking or staying on solid. Here are some explanations for a few of the dash warning lights every driver will see at some point.
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What Happens If I Miss a Car Payment?
Posted Friday, June 29, 2018
A study in 2016 by Experian discovered that the average car payment in America is a whopping $503 per month! That's a big chunk of change for most people. And with a vast majority of Americans living paycheck to paycheck, you're only one small problem away from not being able to make ends meet that month.So, you might choose to skip a car payment. But what's the result if you don't make that payment? What happens isn't a complete surprise, but it might have implications beyond what you expect.
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What Does an Oil Change Really Do?
Posted Friday, June 22, 2018
You own a car, and you know that an oil change is required at regular intervals. It seems, though, that those oil change intervals are really short. It's usually just a few months and you're draining the oil and changing the filter again. Has the oil really had time to go bad? Is it necessary to change the oil so soon?Don't even think about ignoring your engine oil. Your car's manufacturer has set the interval for a reason, whether it's by time, mileage, or with an oil life monitoring system. Just so you understand why you need an oil change a few times a year, check out these functions your oil performs.
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What's Wrong With Your Fuel Mileage?
Posted Friday, June 15, 2018
It always seems like you're stopping at the gas station. You've been passing it off as the cost of owning a car, and it is. No matter which make or model you drive (unless it's electric), your vehicle is going to burn through fuel. It's just how it works. But there's a point when your car is burning more gas than it should, and you've noticed you aren't getting decent fuel mileage.You can't look past it anymore. You need to figure out what's wrong with your fuel mileage. Here are a few things you can have checked to find out why your fuel mileage has tanked (pun intended).
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The Best Family Cars of 2018
Posted Friday, June 15, 2018
It's not common that you're the only one driving in your car. Kids in the backseat, your significant other riding shotgun - your family is a major factor in the vehicle you own. You want a car that's safe, has the room your family needs, and is convenient and efficient to operate. That's why you're looking for the best family cars around.For 2018, Parents Magazine has ranked 300 models, and the best family cars have been awarded. They're vehicles with oodles of space, easy child seat installation, efficiency, and technology that you want.Looking for one of the best family cars of 2018? Check out these five, rated the Best Family Cars of 2018 by Parents Magazine.
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The Winners for Edmunds 2018 Best Retained Value Awards
Posted Friday, June 8, 2018
One of the sure things about buying a car is that it's going to depreciate. There are no two ways about it - as it ages, you rack up the miles, and it develops little issues, it's not worth as much anymore. But some vehicles retain their value better than others. When the time comes to sell it, you won't take as much of a depreciation hit. And that's what the Edmunds Best Retained Value Awards are all about.
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Five Reasons You Need a New(er) Pre Owned Car
Posted Friday, May 25, 2018
Do you already own a car? If you're reading this, it means you're probably thinking about replacing it. And if you're on the fence about getting a newer pre owned car, you might need a little advice.It might be a little biased, but we think you should buy something a little newer. In fact, we've even compiled five reasons why you should switch up to a newer pre owned car.
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