It’s a cliche to say that we Americans love our cars. But just because something is a cliche doesn’t mean it isn’t 100 percent true. We do love our cars! Why, though? Well, cars mean freedom for a lot of us. What’s better than grabbing your keys and jumping behind the wheel to take off on the spur of the moment--on a road trip to a famous location, to visit an old friend, or just to pick up some late-night munchies? To a lot of Americans, our cars reflect our personalities. And why not? Most of us spend an awful lot of time behind the wheel. Why not take the time to figure out exactly what kind of vehicle both meets our needs and tells the world, “Hey, world, here I am!” What do different types of cars say about their owners? Pickup truck drivers tend to be hardworking and no-nonsense. People drive hybrids both to save money on gas and because they care about the environment. Drivers of sports cars like to feel powerful and attractive. Do you kno ... read more

OK. Is there such a thing as most popular with women? In what some people (not us!) might term “the good old days,” cars were something that only men were supposed to know or care about. Automobile manufacturers advertised to men in commercials written by men. The assumption was that men bought the cars, men drove the cars, men by their very nature understood cars. (Women? Not so much.)   The process of shopping for and buying a car was so manly it practically screamed (well, bellowed in a very deep voice) “ladies, stay away! And while you’re at it, bake me a pie!”   If a woman even dared to venture alone into the testosterone-fueled atmosphere of a dealership showroom, she most certainly would be patronized by the plaid-suit-wearing, cigar-chewing salesman (always a man) and told “Here’s the perfect car for you, little lady--look, it even has a light-up vanity mirror so you can check your lipstick while your husband is driving you ar ... read more

It is officially spring! After a long and cold winter, we are ready to be met with the warm sunshine and budding flowers that the springtime brings us. Despite temperatures still hanging out in the 30s, it is time to get a jumpstart on spring cleaning. Our homes aren’t the only thing in need of some spring cleaning - our vehicles are too! Cars experience a lot of wear and tear during the harsh winter months so it’s only fair that we give them a little TLC when the weather clears up.  Here are 5 tips to help get your car ready for the spring:1) Clean Out the Trunk Now some people may not use their trunk as a place to store things, and others do. If you are one of the latter, then this tip is for you. Get a big empty box and a garbage bag and go to your trunk. Begin to sort through the things that you want to keep and put them into the box. Any garbage or things you want to throw out go into the trash bag. After you have done that ... read more

Owners of older cars often enjoy immense satisfaction in not having to shell out the bucks every month for a car payment. On the other hand, as the car ages, the uncertainty surrounding “what will conk next?” can sometimes burst that no-more-payments bubble. Conversely, the new car driver knows s/he’s facing plenty of debt, but also realizes that new car is far less likely to break down. Are you wondering whether you should repair your current vehicle or cough up the sizeable cash for a new car? A car salesperson might make that new set of wheels sound awfully enticing, but what are the true costs of a new car vs. maintaining your current ride? You might be surprised. The average new car price has jumped in recent years. Kelly Blue Book analysts ... read more

Lots of vehicle owners chalk up car-ownership costs to the price at the pump or unexpected repairs, but other factors figure in big time when calculating how much your set of wheels truly is costing. Driving style, preventive maintenance and insurance options all contribute to how much you’re paying (and could be saving). Driving up costs Excessively slurping gas via poor driving habits can rack up the bucks. The usual suspects: Speeding Rapid acceleration These aggressive driving moves can minimize MPGs by 33% on the highway and roughly 5% in the city, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Reversing those percentages by resisting the urge to gun it translates to saving the equivalent of 10 cents to 66 cents per gallon of gas. Plus, by not constantly coming to a screeching halt from a speed-limit-exceeding ... read more

With recent news that Detroit can’t keep pace with the demand for new cars, we thought it was a good time to remind everyone that you’re not required to use the dealer when your new car is under warranty. We know this is a common misconception because we often hear, “Oh, you guys are wonderful, but I bought a new car. I’ll be back as soon as the warranty is up.” If this were by choice, that would be one thing. We would be sad to lose them as clients for a few years, but we would understand. Sadly, however, too many consumers switch to the dealer because they believe they have to. Let us set the record straight: You are never required to use the dealer, even when the vehicle is under warranty. Most motorists want the ... read more