The Peel P50: What The Heck is It?
The Peel P50 was never meant to burn rubber. First produced by Peel Engineering in 1962 on the Isle of Man, it was built to be a city commuter’s dream—made for ferrying “one adult and a shopping bag” through London’s congested streets.
With Lilliputian dimensions (54 x 41 x 48 inches) and a weight to match (130 pounds), the P50 makes a Smart car seem like a tank: The three-wheeled, 4.2-horsepower ride topped out at 43 mph. Peel Engineering ended production of the P50 in 1965, after building only 50 of the autos. But a recent resurgence, thanks to a trio of British businessmen, has brought a limited number of Peels back to the blacktop. Today’s P50 mirrors the original, with its boxy shape and micro size, but it’s available with an eco-friendly 4.2-hp electric motor that can shove this snail all the way to 50 mph. Don’t get too excited though: On roads in the UK and EU, the P50 is legally limited to a less-blazing 28 mph.
Express Auto: Changing the Reputation of Buy-Here, Pay Here’s
Our very own President, Matt Ghazal, was recently interviewed on Michiganradio.org. In the article, called Buy-Here, Pay-Here: Get a Ride, Don’t be Taken for One, Matt explains his commitment to change that bad reputation some Buy-Here, Pay-Here dealerships have.
“The biggest misconception is we’re loan sharks and we gouge on payment and we gouge on price,” he says. “Although there are some that do, the vast majority of dealers out there are fulfilling a niche. And making an honest profit and providing an honest service.”
To read the entire article, click here, or visit Express Auto to see how we are setting high standards for rest of the Buy-Here, Pay-Here industry.
Detroit Auto Show Review
For those of you who weren’t able to make this years Auto Show in Detroit, New York Times published a review of all the things you missed.
Unlike previous years, where huge SUV’s and gas-guzzlers where the main spectacle, this years show featured smaller more efficient and higher performance vehicles.
From debuts like the 2013 Dodge Dart and the Mercedes-Benz SL 550 roadster, 2013 has many interesting prospects. You can see all of the upcoming debuts on the review from NY Times.
Michigan Automakers Support New Fuel Economy Laws…well, sort of
Last week we wrote a post concerning America’s future with 60 MPG cars. MLive.com recently published an article detailing Detroit’s part in the decision making- and Detroit Automakers are supporting the changes to Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards…well, sort of.
While many agreed that the proposed standards are “sensible, achievable, and needed,” and saw a future where the regulations could even increase jobs for U.S. automakers and unions, Detroit Automakers had some “suggestions” for the law makers.
One of the major concerns for automakers dealt with whether or not costumers will actually buy these cars. Are they willing to spend more money on better fuel economy? This sort of concern would be addressed with a proposed “mid-term review.”
Sue Cischke, Ford vice president for sustainability, environmental & safety engineering said, “The midterm evaluation is an essential checkpoint to ensure the standards for these models are consistent with evolving market conditions.”
And Jay Wilton, Chrysler vice president of engineering and regulatory compliance agreed, “We believe the midterm review is critical in determining whether the customer is buying, and will continue to buy, the technology packages needed to comply with the standards year-over-year.”
So while automakers support all the differing reasons for the new fuel standards, they want to make sure they won’t be losing money in the process. What do you think?
To read the full article click here, or to find a large inventory of fuel economic cars, visit Express Auto.
Fighting the Winter Blues! 2012 Southwest Michigan Events
Michigan’s winter this year has been anything but ordinary. Some days we saw 60 degree rain showers and others we enjoyed light flurries with sunny skies. But alas, our luck has run out and Old (Bitter) Man Winter is here to stay. The quickly dropping temperatures may cause some of you to lock yourself in doors for the next 3 months, but your friends at Express Auto are here to help! We’ve compiled a list of fun things to do in Southwest Michigan, which will not only keep you warm, but will keep those winter blues away.
- Speaking of blues, what’s more fun then enjoyin
g a locally brewed beer and listening to live music? Bells Brewery in Downtown Kalamazoo offers tasty seasonal drinks accompanied by live bands. What’s better is that tickets are always cheap!
- Although sometimes we all want to curse the snow, many states would give anything to see powder on the ground, so why not celebrate the season! Grand Haven hosts an annual winterfest the last week of January. Here’s what their website says, “Winterfest is a full weekend of winter fun in Grand Haven, Michigan during the last week of January. The snow is upon us and with Michigan’s winters being long and cold, this is a perfect time to get out and be active. There are plenty of activities to keep everyone warm and having a great time. Wintrfest began in 1979 and has grown into a big event along the West Michigan shoreline. This is an interactive festival with many participants getting involved from the very young to the old. Activities are indoors as well as outdoors.” Visit their website to learn more!
- Like sports? Check out Western Michigan University’s Men’s big basketball game against rivals Central Michigan
University. Dates and prices are listed on their website along with a whole slew of other sporting events. Go Broncos!Feeling artsy? Watch a Broadway show or attend a concert at Miller Auditorium. This season they will be hosting the Moscow Festival Ballet and shows like “Jersey Boys” and “Young Frankenstein.” Be sure to reserve your tickets soon!
- If you’re brave enough to venture outside,
ichigan offers tons of adrenaline pumping activities! From skiing and snowboarding to snowmobiling and even dog sledding! Check out Pure Michigan’s website to find some locations and sweet deals.
Lastly, if you’re really bored, you can always come visit your friends at Express Auto!
Top 5 Gasoline Myths
Although we have yet to hit the $4.00 mark in 2012, gas prices will surely continue to rise as a main route for transporting Middle-East oil is threatening to be cut off. With the help from our friends at AOL, we have brought you the top 5 myths about gasoline. Click the myths to learn more.
- 1. High gas taxes would be bad for the U.S.
- 2. Environmental regulations keep oil prices high
- 3. High octane gasoline improves mileage and improves “power”
- 4. If I use regular gas in a car that says “use premium gas only,” I will damage the engine
- 5. Diesel fuel is dirty
Need a car with better fuel economy? Express Auto has a large selection of fuel efficient cars that fit your budget!
Are 60 MPG Cars the Future?
By the year 2025 government legislation may mandate that all cars must get at least 60 MPG. A feverish debate by lobbyists and politicians has been happening lately but the real question is : are Americans ready to shell out close to $3,000 more for a hybrid? Maybe not.
Aside from just the price tag, another reason given by AOL’s recent article on the subject says that these tiny sleek cars will not appeal to families. Sure, automakers can “fill up showrooms with tiny, really expensive vehicles.[But] given that the most popular vehicle in the U.S. has been the Ford F-150 pickup for 34 years in a row, there’s no evidence Americans want tiny cars.”
On the other hand, significant strides to better fuel economy have been made…
“We are seeing more cars topping 40 mpg in highway driving, and 30 mpg in combined city/highway driving, than ever before. The new Ford Explorer is much more fuel efficient than the old one, and is selling much better than the old model did in the last few years. The new Subaru Impreza has jumped from highway mileage in the mid-20s to the mid-30s, using every engineering trick available to hit those numbers.”
Are we as consumers ready to give up heated leather seats and Blu-Ray viewing options in exchange for better fuel economy? It’s a question that we may have to answer sooner rather than later. Because while the 60 MPG dream is still 13 years away, in the year 2016, new federal mandates will require all vehicles to get 34.1 MPG.
In the meantime, automakers and the environmentalists will continue to fight over what the exact fuel economy of vehicles should be…But here at Express Auto we want to know : What do you think?
30 Million Americans are Underserved
CNBC recently published an article called “Why Banks Shun 30 Million Americans,” detailing the troubles of the unbanked and underbanked Americans.
After congress passed the Durbin amendment in 2010, with the goal of protecting low-income consumers from high banking fees, the legislation actually left these consumers with lower banking options.
Why? Because in the long run, these costumers lose the banks money. Take the example given in the article:
“Let’s assume each deposit account costs the bank $250 a year to maintain regardless of the balance of the account. Adam deposits $10,000 into his bank account, while Brenda deposits $100. The bank loans out that money at 7 percent interest, making $700 off Adam and $7 off Brenda. They pay each customer an interest rate of 1 percent, meaning that Adam earns $100 in interest, and Brenda earns $1. But since each account costs the bank $250 to maintain, the bank makes $350 off Adam and loses $244 on Brenda.”
Before the recent legislation, the banks would charge enormous over draft fees knowing that low-balance account holders are more likely to overdraft. And just a few of these mistakes over the course of the year can eventually make the banks profit.
Now with strict limits on service and overdraft fees, the banks are serving less low-income consumers and the “underserved market is considered on of the fastest growing segments in the United States.”
To read the entire article and find out what the unbanked and underbanked can do about this problem, click here.
Why is this article important to us? Because at Express Auto we never turn anyone down. We work with you and your specific situation to get you back on the road to good credit and back on the road in a great car.
How to Drive Safely While Using Your Cellphone
LifeHacker.com (one of the best blogs in the world) has an article on driving and cell phone use. Coming on the heels this week of the NTSB recommending the banning of ALL cell phone use while driving, it seemed appropriate to share.
The National Transportation Safety Board has voted to recommend that states ban the use of cellphones while driving. This controversial decision has some people upset and others pleased, believing that banning the use of cellphones will reduce the risk of accidents. We believe that cellphone use can absolutely pose a risk to safe driving, but that it doesn’t have to. Through a mix of studies, statistics, and often-ignored common sense, we can help you drive safer without giving up the use of your cellphone. Here’s how.
Friends Don’t Let Friends…
It’s dangerous, distracting, and not to mention, it’s illegal. But we’ve all done it. What is it that we do that makes us all criminals in the eyes of the state? Texting and driving. Whether you have justified your habit by only texting while at a red light or sending a quick response “just this once,” texting while driving (and general cell phone use for that matter), has contributed to more than 9,000 car accidents in Michigan alone, in the past decade.
Analysts speculate the actual number for cell phone related traffic crashes is much, much higher, but normally people do not admit that their cell phone was involved.
And these high numbers are triggering a nation wide debate on whether or not all cell phone use should be banned while driving.
While Michigan only has a law against texting and driving, the National Transportation Safety Board recently “called on all states to impose total bans on hand-held and hands-free devices by motorists after a spate of high-profile fatal accidents,” reports Mlive.com.
In fact, “more than 1,000 phone-involved crashes were reported during peak years. In 2010, there were 881 such crashes, with 290 people injured and five killed. This year there were 397 crashes through the first six months.”
On January 3, interstate truckers will be banned from using any cell phone or handheld devices, but still there are no states that prohibit general motorists from using handheld or hands-free phones.
“However, nine states, Washington D.C. and the Virgin Islands do prohibit drivers from using handheld cell phones, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. Thirty states and Washington D.C. ban all cell phone use by novice drivers, generally those younger than 18.”
This year, Michigan State Senator Howard Walker, presented legislation that would restrict novice drivers from all cell phone use, “The measure would not make the usage a primary offense, however, meaning a probationary driver could only be ticketed if stopped for another offense or was in a crash.”
But Walker does not want to extend the law past probationary drivers as he sees it as a “personal freedom issue.”
Other Michigan law-makers are waiting to see the success of the almost two-year-old ban of texting while driving. Although, they fear that in effort to conceal texting, instead of doing it with hands at 10 and 2 on the wheel, drivers are putting phones in their laps and totally taking their eyes off the road.
While we all may be guilty of it ( I certainly am), texting and driving can have some fatal repercussions. Whether you’re the driver or the passenger—friends don’t let friend’s text and drive.
What do you guys think? Should Michigan pass a law prohibiting all cell phone use?
Click here to read the full article, or visit your friends at Express Auto of Southwest Michigan.
Auto Dealerships are Making Car Buyers Happier Than Ever
Oh Happy Day
A recent study performed by J.D. Power and Associates revealed that car buyers are happier with the general sales process at auto dealerships.
“Overall sales satisfaction averages 648 on a 1,000-point scale in 2011,” USA Today reported on the study, “improving by 13 points from an average of 635 from 2010.” The study suggests that one reason costumers are happier is because dealers are taking more time and using technology to demonstrate a cars features.
Demonstrating these features adds time to the overall sales delivery process, making the average 2011 time 32 minutes, 4 minutes higher than it was in 2010. However, it seems that these explanations improve costumer satisfaction because they consider the extra time as added value.
The general consensus is that the demonstrations also improve costumer loyalty and advocacy. Further, the total average length a buyer in 2011 spends at a dealership rose to an average of 4.3 hours from 2010’s average of 4.1 hours.
Click here to read the entire article or visit Express Auto to see how we always make our costumers happy.
The Auto Industry is Seeing the Highest Sales in Over Two Years
The auto industry is seeing a huge increase in sales des
pite America’s overall bad economy. The New York Times recently published an article reporting that “auto sales in the United States climbed 14 percent in November as lower gas prices and a wider availability of Japanese models helped the industry achieve its highest selling rate in more than two years.”
And they say December is likely to show even higher gains. With the average car being around11 years old, analysts speculate that consumers and businesses are no longer able to put off buying a new car.
Compared to November 2010, Chrysler’s sales have increased 45 percent; Jeep’s climbed 50 percent; the Ford Motor Company was up 19 percent; and General Motor’s sales rose 7 percent.
With these numbers “auto makers are on track to sell at least 12.7 million vehicles this year, about 10 percent more than last year.”
It seems that consumers who previously held off buying because of the sluggish economy have made the executive decision that now is the time to buy.
Click here to read the full article or for more information visit Express Auto of Southwest Michigan.
Christmas Cash First $1000 Winner!!!
We’ve had our first $1000 winner over in Benton Harbor. Buy a vehicle at Express Auto this holiday season and you’ll get a chance to win $50, $100 or even $1000!
Could you use $1000 extra this Christmas?
College Life: Buying Your First Car
Does this sound familiar: You graduated high school and are stepping onto a university campus for the first time; every experience is fresh and new, from buying your books to taking the
Is This You?
bus. But as the weather turns colder and the inches of snow begin to build up (Michigan, anyone?), you realize that walking everywhere is no longer an option.
Or maybe this is more you: You are a junior in college. Going to school full-time, working part-time and driving the car you’ve had since you were 16-years-old. You had planned on driving this car until graduation and possibly through its dying days going on job interviews. That is, until one cold December day your loyal car, the one that’s been with you through everything, won’t start. You pay money to have it towed and checked, only to regret not having the chance to say ‘goodbye’ because your car is deemed a goner.
No matter what your situation may be, life’s little hiccups always seem to get in the way of our plans. And now you’re left car-less, broke, and without a clue about buying a car…what is a hard-working college student to do?
Well, your friends at Express Auto are here to help. Yahoo published an article titled Buying Your First Car: Legal Guide for College Students and below we’ve compiled a mini-summary (because let’s face it, who has time to read a WHOLE article) of how to buy a car as a college student.
1. Use the internet
You most likely grew up during the “Era of the Internet.” Use your superior Googling skills and do a little research. These days, all dealerships have websites. Check out their inventory online, read costumer reviews, and examine the dealers grade using the Better Business Bureau.
2. Remember Cost
It goes without saying that you’re probably on a budget. Not only do you have little funds to work with, but we’ll bet you have either a low credit score or not much credit at all. Some auto dealerships require you to get financed through a bank or credit union while other dealerships, like Buy-Here, Pay-Here’s (BHPH), are designed just for you. BHPH’s are a great option for financing your first car when a bank turns you down. To get lower interest rates, try saving up for a strong down payment. Also, you must remember that just because the sticker price says $5,000, that won’t be what you pay out the door. Always consider tax, title, license, and your insurance.
3. Check the history
Many used car lots buy their cars from auctions. Make sure to ask for a Carfax report to be sure that the title is clean.
4. Use your negotiating skills
Although these take practice, buying a car almost always includes some negotiations. Make sure to be upfront with the sales person, but don’t be afraid to ask for other options.
College can be a stressful time on the mind and on the wallet; but buying your first car doesn’t have to be. For more help or if you have any more questions visit Express Auto in Kalamazoo, Benton Harbor, or Battle Creek to chat with one of our Program Advisors.
People of Express Auto: Scott Pieper
Scott Pieper- General Sales Manager
Meet our newest Express Person. Scott is the General Sales Manager here at Express Auto.
Born and raised in the Motor City, I bleed motor oil. I ‘m inspired by the overall inventiveness, technology and influence the automobile industry offers, and the critical part it plays in shaping our every day lives. 
“I’m fortunate to have a beautiful family that understands the importance of my work and how creative and rewarding industry. This business is challenging, and sometimes difficult, but with your loved ones cheering you on, there’s nothing you can’t accomplish.”
Top 5 Myths About Buy-Here, Pay-Here Dealerships
MYTH # 1: Buy-Here, Pay-Here sells junk cars
SOME Buy-Here, Pay-Here dealerships do in fact sell junk cars (those are the lots that give BHPH lots a bad name). But the same can be said for any auto dealership. The key is to do your homework. Kelly Blue Book the car you’re interested in, read reviews and ask the dealership lots of questions. Discuss their policies on mechanical checks. Ask how much money they put into a car after they buy it. And make sure they can show you the Carfax history report.
MYTH # 2: You can buy a car with very little or no money down
While you may be able to get into some cars with little money down, you cannot get into all cars. Buy-Here, Pay-Here dealerships, like Express Auto, will work with your specific situation to find out what you can afford. BHPH programs are supposed to be tailor made for each individual costumer. When a dealership considers your current situation, rather than your past mistakes, they set you up for a secure future with a dependable car. Just be ready to bring in current paystubs, W-2’s, and employment history, that way the dealer can examine what you can currently afford and offer you a loan from there. The best dealerships should finance you first, before you pick out any car.
MYTH # 3: Financing through a bank or credit union is better
Buy-Here, Pay-Here dealerships were created for the costumers that get turned away from the banks, but that does not mean they are not a good option for everyone. Why? Because to banks or credit unions, you are just another number. BHPH dealerships offer you the chance to build relationships with the people you are paying every month. The best BHPH dealerships pride themselves on returning costumers and referrals, and when times are hard credit unions almost never work with you. Other dealerships sell you their cars and then pass the loans off to the banks. If the car breaks down or you lose your job, it’s no longer their problem. But the constant contact BHPH dealerships have with their costumers serves as a “checks and balances” system- Because, let’s face it, who would sell a junk car to a costumer they have to see every month?
MYTH # 4: Buy-Here, Pay-Here loans don’t improve your credit score
While it is not mandatory for BHPH lots to report your good payment history, the best lots will. Do your research and ask questions. When using a BHPH dealership, you most likely got turned away from all the other options. Request that not only the lot help you get back on the road in a good car, but back on the road to good credit as well.
MYTH #5: Car Salesmen are Crooks
Well that’s just an unfair generalization, but if your salesman looks like this guy–>
RUN!
For more information or to dispel any more myths about BHPH dealerships, visit Express Auto of Southwest Michigan.
Costumer Testimonials
There’s are so many reasons why we are Southwest Michigan’s #1 Buy-Here, Pay-Here dealership, and happy costumers is just one of them! Here are a few things our costumers had to say…
“I am a recently divorced mother of two left with bad credit, a broken down car and limited options. Basically I live day-to-day. They helped me finance a car that I could afford and I have started to rebuild my credit. I am very grateful for their help.”
Rhonda R. – Kalamazoo
——-
“I recently purchased a Toyota Camry for my wife. The people at Express Auto made purchasing the vehicle a pleasure. They understood what it was I was looking for and were not pushy in putting me in something I didn’t want. Our family is looking forward to purchasing another vehicle and it will DEFINITELY be from Express Auto. Plus now my wife doesn’t have to stay ducked down embarrassed by the conversion van we had.”
Brandon, Kellie and Gavin D. – Comstock
——-
“My wife and I came into our marriage with bad credit from lost jobs, a house foreclosure and bankruptcy. We moved to Kalamazoo for a fresh start. We both needed vehicles to get to our jobs. Express Au
to was able to get us financed for both cars, with weekly payments that fit our budget. We hit rock bottom and are building our way back.”
Jeff C. – Kalamazoo
The Big-Ticket-Present. A NEW CAR!
Congratulations! You survived Black Friday! But were you really able to get all of your holiday shopping done? Now that Oprah is off the air, it is your civic duty to give away those big ticket items… “You get an elephant! You get an elephant! And YOU get an elephant! Everyone gets an elephant!”
Okay, so no one is really getting an elephant for Christmas, but just because you’re not Oprah doesn’t mean you can’t give your loved ones a big-purchase-present they won’t remember for the rest of their lives. And new-set of wheel will certainly suffice.
Here are a few tips from your friends at Express Auto and Auto Trader, on how to give a car as holiday gift.
- 1. Do a little research
If you already know what kind of car the recipient likes, you are one step ahead. When buying the car, remember that just because you are drawn to the shiny red sports car, does not mean a mother of five will appreciate it. Think about their everyday life: Do they have kids? A crossover may be best. Do they travel a lot for work? MPG’s are important to think about. Environmentally conscience? Try a hybrid. Or is it their first car? Safety features are key. When you have chosen the make and model, you are left with the most IMPORTANT decision out there…what color? Now you can turn to the cars they have driven in the past and possibly the color of clothing they generally wear. And if all else fails, the most popular car colors are black, white, and silver.
- 2. Buy at the right time
Department stores are not the only ones that can partake in Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The holiday season is a great time to find special offers and great deals at auto dealerships. But just remember, after you buy the car, you will need somewhere to store it before the big reveal.
- 3. Buy the car like it’s for you
When you think about buying a car for yourself, you do tons of homework. Research the make and model online, read reviews of the dealership, test drive the car, and ask lots of questions. You may also want to tell the salesperson that the car is a gift to make negotiations easier, and remind them not to send any paperwork home (if you live with the recipient).
- 4. Have a back-up plan
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and it’s also the time for your plans to go awry. Anything like a big-snow storm or a power outage at the dealership could cause your gift to not show up on Christmas morning. Take pictures or wrap the set of keys, just in case.
Lastly (and most importantly), buy a BIG RED BOW!
With these tips, there’s no reason that everyone on your nice list shouldn’t get a car. Happy Shopping! Click here to read the full article or visit Express Auto of Southwest Michigan to find the perfect present.
People of Express Auto: Dustin Thomas
Dustin Thomas – 
Finance Manager
Dustin is now the manager at our flagship Riverview Dr. store in Kalamazoo.
Dustin moved to Kalamazoo following his service in the U.S. Army, and has been in the area for 7 years now.
” I love spending time with my family and friends. Some people never realize how close to success they really are until after they have already given up. Give me a chance.”
Dustin works out of our Stadium Drive location in Kalamazoo. Contact him at 269.340.0578 or 269.488.0000
Drive Safely This Holiday Season
Football players are not the only ones kicking off tomorrow… Thanksgiving is less than 24 hours away, and the holiday season, celebrations and parties are getting kicked off too! Along with oversized belly’s, long naps, and stuffed shopping bags on Black Friday, comes the start of one of the most dangerous driving seasons of the year. The National Safety Commission reports that almost 400 automobile deaths and thousands of more injuries occur each year during the long Thanksgiving weekend. When packing up the kids and making the trip home for the big feast, yo
u may want to keep some of these tips in mind…
- Plan your route ahead of time and always have a back-up
Even with a GPS, it is easy to get confused or frustrated when you are heading somewhere new with hundreds of other anxious drivers. Have a passenger help navigate the roads so you don’t have to fumble with your smart phone. When you have an alternate route and a navigator to rely on, keeping calm in heavy traffic or bad weather isn’t hard.
- Leave earlier
If possible, try to travel the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and come back on Saturday; that way you will miss the heaviest traffic on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. If you can’t leave that early, allow an extra hour or two to compensate for delays or bad weather. No one will complain if you arrive early, although they might make you set the table.
- Buckle up
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Wearing your seat belt can reduce your risk of dying in a crash by about half. Also, make sure your young passengers are buckled into appropriate safety seats. The safest place for children of any age to ride is properly restrained in the back seat. Data show that child safety seats reduce the risk of death in car crashes by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers ages one to four.”
- Check the roadworthiness of you car
Make sure to gas up and inspect your vehicles headlights, break lights, wipers, and brakes to see that they are all working properly. It’s a good idea to visit your local automotive maintenance shop to get your routine check-up before you head out; the last thing you need is to break down in the middle of no-where.
- Plan your stops for gas and food
Sites like www.GasBuddy.com make it easy for you to find the best deals and lowest prices on gas during your trip.
- Designate Drivers
It’s no secret that Thanksgiving Eve is the biggest bar night of the year. Always designate a non-drinking driver any time your celebrations include alcohol. If you’re hosting a party be sure to remind guests to plan ahead and take the keys if a friend is too impaired to drive. They’ll thank you for it later.
In the end, with an estimated 40 million drivers hitting the road this holiday weekend, these tips can save time, hassle, and your life. From everyone here at Express Auto we wish you a safe and happy Turkey Day!
It’s Time to Winterize Your Car
Are you ready for the next West Michigan winter? With Thanksgiving this week, the holidays and a promising white winter are just around the corner! Time is running out and you don’t want to have to worry about fixing your car when you are already spending all that money on presents do you? Here are a few tips to “winterize” your car to ensure you have the smoothest ride this season, provided by Cartips.com.
- During your regular maintenance check-up, give you battery a little more love. When it’s cold outside, a car’s battery power is greatly reduced; this means you could have problems starting up in the morning when you’re already running late for work. Make sure your battery and charging system are running efficiently, and when all else fails, invest in some quality jumper cables.
- When there’s a blizzard outside, the last thing you need is for your wipers and defroster to fail. Make sure these things and your heat are all working properly. You may even want to replace your wipers if they are brittle or worn down.
- For proper engine warm-up, your filters, hoses and coolant all need to be working correctly. Coolant needs to be replaced every two years, so if you it slipped your mind last winter, it’s time to make an appointment at your local maintenance shop.
- Michigan is known for their harsh winters and Artic-like temperatures and when the temperature drops below zero, you need to remember lubrication for the engine. Fully synthetic oils will prevent wear and tear on your engine parts.
- Speaking of lubrication, starting your car and letting it warm up will help ensure that the engine is entirely lubricated. But you only need to set your alarm clocks for a few minutes earlier, letting your engine run idly for too long will just waste gas.
- Invest in some quality winter tools; ice scrapers, de-icers, and a shovel (yes, a shovel). Keep these items in your trunk because you can’t de-ice your locks when the de-icer is sitting on your passenger seat.
- Lastly, make an appointment at fully serviced maintenance shop, and let the professionals check through anything you may have missed. You can visit Express Auto in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek or Benton Harbor to guarantee you car has been totally winterized.
For the full article and more tips on having a safe and happy winter with your car, visit Cartips.com.
13 Most Stolen Cars of the Last Decade
As it happens, I own one of the cars on this list. The ubiquitous Toyota Pick-up Truck. I love mine, but can’t image anybody wanting to steal it. I personally think it made the list because with some many of them on the road, quantity has a quality all it’s own. Great little article though.
Did you’re vehicle make it?
Like a cockroach, you just can't kill these little trucks.
The first decade of the 2000′s isn’t quite finished yet, but when it comes to annual lists of the nation’s most stolen vehicles, we think we get the idea.
These all-star hijacked vehicles have tickled the fancy of crack fiends, eBay pirates and listless Vin Diesel fans for at least eight of the last 10 years. (There apparently aren’t complete numbers earlier than 2001, and lists for 2009 and 2010 haven’t been released yet.)
Red it all
Old Money Rules That No Longer Apply
LifeHacker, one of my favorite sties for all sorts of information has an article on managing your money that covers some very good points. A lot of the old rules (pre-meltdown rules) for managing your money need to be re-thought. The truth is, in today’s financial landscape, much of the conventional wisdom is not so wise anymore.
Old Money Rules That No Longer Apply (and Two That Still Do)
Many traditional money management concepts or principles, such as saving three to six months of expenses for emergencies, have been passed down to become “rules” of a sort. But given all that’s changed with the economy, old school advice may no longer be relevant. Here are some rules to reconsider, and ones that still stand the test of time.
Old School Thinking That May No Longer Apply
Save 3 to 6 months’ worth of expenses in your emergency fund
Refrain from using credit cards
Retire at age 65
They’ve also covered some money memes that just won’t ever go out of style –
Golden Rules of Money Management That Will Always Be Relevant
Spend less than you earn and invest the difference
Invest in assets, not liabilities
The Times They are a Changing — Or Maybe Not
Cars,com is reporting, based on June sales figures from the major car manufacturers, that the recent announcements regarding the death of the SUV may have been somewhat exaggerated.
June car sales proved the theory that America’s love affair with the sport-utility vehicle is far from over, despite high gas prices. And last month they wanted their SUV from a domestic automaker.
The SUV may be labeled differently these days — perhaps as a CUV, crossover or tall wagon — and the specific objects of affection are generally smaller than in the past.
But that doesn’t take the luster off of GM, Ford, and Chrysler combining to post a 28% year-over-year improvement in utility-vehicle sales in June. The overall U.S. light-vehicle market improved by just 7% in that same period. That’s also in stark comparison to a decline of 1% for Japanese SUVs. Since that figure is likely impacted by the recent Japanese earthquake, we also looked at SUV sales from Korean automakers Kia and Hyundai. The two saw SUV sales up 18%.
No SUV sold in greater numbers last month than the Ford Escape.
