Ideally, when you’re kicking the tires on a possible used-vehicle purchase, you should get the candidate inspected by a mechanic. If you can’t, there are still some things anyone can watch out for, and that includes the tires themselves. Tires play a key role in keeping your vehicle safe on the road. They can also … Continue reading How to Inspect Tires When Buying a Used Car
How to Choose a Certified Pre-owned Car
If you’re interested in saving money and maximizing your financial investment, it makes sense to choose a used car over one that’s new. Depreciation eats into the value of your car the minute you drive it off the lot, and the effects can be brutal; new cars typically lose up to 19 percent of their … Continue reading How to Choose a Certified Pre-owned Car
Are Used Hybrid Cars Reliable?
Nearly 20 years after the original Honda Insight became the first mass-market hybrid vehicle for U.S. drivers, cars with hybrid powertrains have become firmly established on the automotive landscape. And with dealers selling so many new hybrid models, and so many used-vehicle shoppers also interested in saving fuel, these cars are increasingly popular in the … Continue reading Are Used Hybrid Cars Reliable?
2018 Kia Rio: Because Basic Doesn’t Have to be Boring
Are there any bad cars anymore? Yes, of course there are but it’s a herd that is thankfully thinning. The old adage that inexpensive econoboxes exist only so dealerships can advertise the lowest price but not actually sell that model is as realistic as self-driving cars. Oh, wait. Nevertheless, my point is that automakers are … Continue reading 2018 Kia Rio: Because Basic Doesn’t Have to be Boring
What is the Difference Between All-wheel Drive and Four-wheel Drive?
Shop for a vehicle, especially an SUV, and you may find all-wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) listed as available choices. In both cases, power goes to all four wheels when these systems are operating. While these two systems work well in slippery conditions, handling isn’t always improved, and there is no added benefit in … Continue reading What is the Difference Between All-wheel Drive and Four-wheel Drive?
What’s the Difference Between Unibody and Body-on-frame Construction?
Within the past 10 years, popular midsize SUVs like the Ford Explorer have switched from body-on-frame to unibody construction. With the exception of a handful of models – like the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner – the only body-on-frame vehicles left are pickup trucks and the few big SUVs that share these truck platforms. Pretty much everything else relies on unibody … Continue reading What’s the Difference Between Unibody and Body-on-frame Construction?