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Some of the hidden costs of smoking?

OK,  we all know smoking is bad for you and it costs a lot of money. Consider the additional impact it has on your wallet when it comes time to trade or sell your car. The financial damage can be shocking.... 

 

Decrease In Car Value

When it comes to determining the value of a car, the interior condition of the car is a top factor. Smoking in a car greatly reduces the condition of a car's interior and the result is that the car is worth much less than if nobody had been smoking in it. Due to this smell, smokers receive less money when they try to sell their used car or a smaller trade-in value from a car dealership. Depending on the year and model of the car, the decrease in value will be hundreds of dollars at a minimum and could easily exceed $1000.

There are several factors that conspire together to reduce the value of a car that has had a smoker as an owner:

Smaller Market: The market for cars that have been smoked in is much smaller than that for cars that have never been smoked in. The fact is that many people will not even consider purchasing a car that was previously owned by a smoker. Since the number of people interested in the car is much smaller, there is less competition which results in a lower price offered.

Smell: Cigarette smoke leaves a smell that is difficult, if not impossible, to completely remove. The smell of the car is a major factor of the interior condition. Cars that smell of smoke are much less desirable resulting in people offering less.

Burns: If a person smokes in a car, there is a good chance that the interior has some minor burn marks from fallen ash or accidentally dropped cigarette. These are often unsightly and reduce the value of a car.

Stains: Smoking will usually seep into the seat covers, floor carpet and car paneling. This can stain, dim and discolor the interior of the car all of which will make the car appear older and reduce the value of it.

Assuming that a person keeps their car an average of 5 years and that the value decreases by $1000 due to damage and appearance as a result of smoking, the cost of smoking on the value of a car is $200 a year more for a smoker than a non smoker.

Tune up Your Vehicle for Winter and Holiday travel!

Tune up Your Vehicle for Winter

It’s always smart to get a winter tune up—before winter and all the holiday travel arrives. Tires, batteries, belts, blades and fluids will all be checked or replaced to maximize your car’s performance and safety, during the most challenging months on the road.

To avoid accidents or sliding altogether, never exceed the speed limit. When driving in snow or in freezing conditions, reduce the car’s speed to allow time to react.
If you do hit snow or ice, brake gently, in other words, brake in a slow and steady manner. If the vehicle begins to ‘lock up’ and slide, take your foot off the brake and simultaneously down shift.

Did You Know? If in an accident, dial 911 to get help or to call for roadside assistance. Do not continuously run your vehicle’s engine. If you are stranded, run it about every 30 or 60 minutes to get heat in the car.

Winter Driving Safety Tips

• If you veer off the road and are unable to maneuver back onto a road, it’s best for your personal safety to stay in the vehicle.
• Use your lights, high beams, flashlight or flashers to get the attention of other vehicles. Use your cell phone to call 911 to get help or to call for roadside assistance.
• Do not continuously run the engine. If you are stranded, run the engine every 30 or 60 minutes to get heat in the car.
• Do not drink alcohol – it will lower the temperature of your body and increasingly make you drowsy.

Keep the following items with you in the trunk of your vehicle:

• Fist Aid supplies
• Jumper cables
• Ice scraper with brush
• Tire chains
• Blankets
• Salt or sand – or, kitty litter
• Flashlight and batteries
• Emergency flares
• Snow or retractable shovel
• Water
• Extra phone charger
• Large jar candle and matches
• Quart of oil
• Strip of bright colored fabric

If you are looking for a new vehicle this winter..call us @ 800-539-2277 or email sales@fleetstreetusa.com. or karen@fleetstreetusa.com Have a safe and Happy winter/holiday travel season!

IT'S ALL ABOUT TIMING!

There’s a right time for just about everything, right? Like the right time to get married. The right time to buy a house. The right time to plant a garden. You get my point. And right now it’s the right time to buy a used car at Fleet Street Autos and here’s why:

§                     you have an old car that costs more to repair than it’s worth

§                     it would make the best present ever J

§                     you’ve had a lifestyle change

§                     there are tons of vehicles available

§                     you can get a smokin’ deal

These are truly some things to really think about. If your car has become unreliable and you seem to always be taking it in to get fixed then now is a great time to buy a used car here at Fleet Street Autos. Not only is your car taking up a lot of your time being fixed every other week, but it can also be unsafe.  You should also take a look at the amount of money you’re spending on fixing it compared to the amount it’s currently worth today. You don’t want to be throwing money down the drain. Sure you may have an attachment to your current car, but believe me, when you find the perfect used car at Fleet Street Autos you won’t even look back.

With the holiday seasons coming up, you may want to consider getting one of our great corporate off lease 2010 Ford Fusions as a gift. This is the ultimate present.  Imagine how excited the person receiving the gift will be! The look on their face will be priceless. So if you are getting a used car as a gift, we would love for you to capture the moment and send us a picture!!

It may be time to consider buying a used vehicle if you have had a recent lifestyle change. This can be anything from getting a new job that now takes you on a commute to a new teenager that’s ready to drive.

Right now at Fleet Street Autos we have had the best selection of used cars including our 2010 Fusions and Escapes in our history. I don’t know if you recall, but finding a great used car has been a bit tricky the last year and half. They just weren’t as available as they usually were. But we’ve searched high and low and have brought back the best of the best. Come check them out at Fleet Street Autos  today. And of course tell all of your friends. This is a great used car time to buy.

In addition to not only having the best inventory right now at Freeman Grapevine, we also have great deals. You don’t have to take my word for it, come on down to Fleet Street Autos and see for yourself!

Top 10 Most Affordable SUVs in 2011

Top 10 Most Affordable SUVs in 2011



How many times have you heard or said – “No matter how affordable SUVs get, they’re still gas-guzzler’s!” – for the most part it’s true and continues to be a major roadblock to purchase, especially with gas edging back up over $3.50 a gallon! However, car companies are doing their very best to offer affordable SUV solutions not only from a ‘base price’ perspective but also from a fuel economy perspective – which may be ‘just enough’ for some SUV lovers like myself.

Here are the top 10 most affordable SUVs in 2011 which hopefully will be helpful for those interested in buying a new car within a set price range. Ready? Let’s rock n’ roll…

1. 2011 Jeep Patriot – $15,595

The most affordable SUV, the Patriot packs a punch for its price. The Patriot hearkens back to its off-road beginnings, while providing for on-road driving pleasure.
With twenty-three cubic feet of cargo space and seating for five, the Patriot is the perfect camping vehicle. Cargo space increases to fifty-four cubic feet when the rear seats are folded.

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2. 2011 Kia Sportage – $18,295

The Sportage is one of the most affordable SUVs, and one of the safest, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Equipped with Bluetooth technology and a USB port as standard equipment, the Sportage keeps its owners in touch even when off-road.

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3. 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport – $18,495

The Outlander Sport was named the US News and World Report’s 2011 Best Compact Crossover for the Money.
Excellent fuel economy and ample passenger and storage room are two factors in US News and World Report’s decision.

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4. 2011 Hyundai Tucson – $18,895

The Tucson boasts Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture design, ensuring a beautiful exterior. Comfortable seating for the driver and passengers bring the SUV’s fluidity into the Tucson’s interior.
The Tucson’s sporty handling is an added bonus for one of the most affordable SUVs.

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5. 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara – $19,199

The Vitara comes with a standard navigational system and one of the longest warranties in its class. Its rugged exterior makes it an impressive vehicle on or off the road.
Its well-designed interior makes it a joy to drive, with automatic climate control, a tilt steering wheel with stereo controls, and keyless entry and start as standard features.

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6. 2011 Ford Escape – $21,215

The Escape provides more than thirty-one cubic feet of storage. The storage expands to sixty-eight cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
The Escape’s 2.5-litre engine comes with a five-speed manual transmission for a sporty driving experience or a six-speed automatic transmission for a more luxurious driving experience.

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7. 2011 Toyota RAV4 – $22,025

The RAV4 offers comfortable seating for seven and ample cargo room with a solid, beautiful interior that anyone can enjoy.
The SUV that launched the market for SUVs, the RAV4 ranks high for its solid and substantial feel and its versatility.

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8. 2011 Chevrolet Equinox – $22,475

This compact SUV boasts the size of a mid-sized SUV and the fuel efficiency of a sedan.
Its organizational compartments and cargo storage provide ample room for running errands. Its smooth handling ensures a quiet, comfortable ride.

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9. 2011 Volkswagon Tiguan – $23,720

Bluetooth technology and that famous German engineering combine to create an SUV that can keep up with its owner’s busy life. Combines great design, comfort and reliability expected from the VW brand.
The only German vehicle in its class, the Tiguan is truly in a class by itself.

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10. 2011 GMC Terrain – $24,250

The angular styling of the Terrain sets it apart from its rounded counterparts with a super sharp design in this new 2011 SUV!
Fuel efficient and roomy, the Terrain offers a really sweet sliding rear seat, creating extra legroom for passengers and even opening the opportunity to haul weird shaped items.

Wrapping it up…

Well, there you go guys, 10 of the most affordable 2011 SUVs on the market today. Keep in mind that these are base prices and will go up as you add on all the bells & whistles (obviously). However, if your looking to buy an SUV, there has never been a better time with all the great deals that auto dealers are offering to boost both their business and the economy. Happy hunting

P.S.  We have several beautiful 2009-2010 corporate off lease Ford Escapes (and Fusions for you sedan lovers) at great deals! They are going fast so call soon for the best selection at the best price! 800-539-2277

A little info on warranties to pass along.

Some good information on warranties that may be helpful in negotiating your car purchase.

Warranties
Warranties are a written promise that your vehicle will perform just as it did when it left the car lot, for a designated period of coverage time. Warranty stipulations vary by manufacturer, but here are the basics:

• “Bumper to Bumper” warranty
  This is the standard warranty that comes with most new vehicles, and spans usually 3 years or 36,000 miles. This package covers nearly everything on the vehicle not affected by normal wear and tear, and may even include some other perks like roadside assistance, periodic maintenance, towing services, car rental reimbursement and some electronic equipment coverage. In most cases rust, emission control equipment, tires, brakes, hoses, belts, bulbs, wipers, drums or rotors are not covered.
• Powertrain warranty
  This option is an extended warranty that is available as an upgrade when you purchase the vehicle. This coverage spans on average 60 months or 60,000 miles. This will provide additional coverage on the engine, transmission, drive axle and water pump. Rental car benefits and towing services are usually included. Powertrain warranties are also transferable to the new owner, should you sell your car.
  
  When purchasing your extended Powertrain warranty from the dealer, don’t be afraid to ask for discounts. Dealers may mark up the price over 100%, so be sure to negotiate. You can also check online to see if you can find an independent warranty company offering a better deal.
• Corrosion/Rust warranty
  Body panels in new cars are often pre-treated in the factory with agents to protect against rusting and corrosion. This warranty is usually included in your purchase of the vehicle and protects rusting through on the sheet metal of the car, not on surface rust. Perhaps this is something you would want to consider if it is not included and you live in an area where the vehicle will be subject to inclement weather. However, by just keeping your car clean, there should not be a big problem with rust. During the winter, ensure that your undercarriage is clean and free of road salt.
• Emissions Equipment warranty
  This coverage is required by law for all vehicles covering smog pollution reduction equipment for a minimum of 5 years or 50,000 miles.
• Used Car warranty
  These are usually very limited on coverage options, but may span up to 30 days. Some cars are sold as-is, with no coverage available.

Make sure when shopping for a warranty of your own, you know the following:

• How long will your vehicle’s coverage last?
• What does it cover?
• Who is allowed to service your car, and is the labor cost included?
• What are the Terms & Conditions?
• Are there any limitations?

Rebate vs. Special Dealer Financing
Once you’ve narrowed your choices down, it’s time to start really getting down to the nitty-gritty on pricing. First, take the invoice price of the model, and instead of obtaining the package price the dealer provides for the options you’d like in your car, check online at a buyer’s guide site like www.kbb.com to find the prices of each option listed separately. Add those amounts to your invoice price, and you have a base figure to work with.

From here, apply any sales or rebates that you have gathered. These change weekly, so be careful when factoring in this number. You may think this is your baseline number, but alas – hold back for the holdbacks! The manufacturers sell the car to the dealer, but place a certain percentage (usually 2 - 5%) in a savings for that dealer. At the end of each quarter, the manufacturer issues a check to the dealer, and this guarantees that the dealer has profited that particular quarter. You can find the holdback rates within the same buyer’s guides where you will obtain the option pricing, and you can subtract the appropriate percentage from your figure, resulting in your new number – the number close to what you will be paying for that vehicle! (Hey, there’s still some overhead.) But remember that trade-in? Yep...that figure comes out of your number, too.

Keeping Track Of Your Fuel Economy to save some $$$

 

The average household will spend at least $500 more on gasoline this year then they did last year. We all want to get the most miles per gallon out of our cars. Few people know how to do this though.

The first step is to keep track of your miles per gallon.  The key to keeping track of this data is being organized. People report that they see an improvement in their fuel economy just by keeping track of it and being aware of what it is.

FuelClinic.com allows you to be organized. It’s free to sign up and it will calculate your miles per gallon. You can read more about how it works here.

http://www.fuelclinic.com/how-it-works/

The real cost of Auto Repair...a little FYI

A lot of owners right now make an effort to effectively maintain their vehicles in order to steer clear of automotive repair shops. Some may possibly even go as far as arming themselves with as a lot understanding as probable so that they can manage performing diagnoses and repairs them selves to prevent the paying fees for automotive repairs. However, one can only go so far as their knowledge and expertise permits them to and unless you truly do this for a living, seeing automotive mechanics will eventually turn out to be unavoidable as your vehicle’s parts begin to wear down and its complicated systems begin to malfunction.
The thought of having to take their vehicles to an automotive repair shop is rarely a pleasant one among vehicle owners. The number one reason for this is that they pretty much have an idea of how high the overall price can get. This is surely a excellent reason for thinking this way and one that deserves some clarification.

Typical automotive repair shops post their hourly rates in a visible location that can be seen as you bring your vehicle in. It may well indeed be fairly expensive but it would also be greatest to think about the truth that fixing up technical issues with vehicles can get pretty complex that some may well even describe the job as nerve-wreaking. It’s not simple to do what they do which usually demands specialized training and intensive encounter. You should also keep in mind that these automotive technicians have to invest enormous amounts of cash to gain access to advanced tools and sophisticated equipment in order to do their jobs effectively. Furthermore, they typically have to invest a lot more to cope up with the numerous advances in the automotive business. Guess where a massive component of that upkeep price goes? That’s right, it is reflected on that hourly rate appropriate there. You only need to have automotive repair manuals.
It would also be very best to point out that automotive repair shops won’t give you a dollar quote right away once you ask them how significantly the overall price would be right after dropping your vehicle off for repairs. They’ll nearly often offer to offer you with an estimate instead. This is due to the obvious truth that each and every vehicle was built and manufactured differently. For instance, a repair job that requires replacing a catalytic converter on a Cadillac could demand a longer or shorter quantity of time to do in a Honda Civic.
Automotive repair shops generally supply a list of flat rates pertaining to a particular repair work. The estimates that they might offer you are made employing the flat rates as a baseline. Truth be told, automotive technicians will rely on their knowledge to assess if a specific repair could take longer than what was indicated on the list and thus charge you the price of the estimate. Nevertheless, if the repair work demands a shorter quantity of time than what was listed in the flat rate list, you will still be charged the flat rate price.
Automotive repair shops may well also charge additional fees for conducting specific tests and diagnosis in order to make up for the quantity of time spent setting up and working the essential equipment.
Lastly, the price for replacing necessary components is also one thing that contributes to the overall cost. They generally raise the retail price to a minimum of 25 percent. You can attempt steering clear from this cost by acquiring the parts yourself and making use of haynes repair manuals. Nevertheless, numerous automotive technicians may well just refuse installing them for you.
Having mentioned all of the points mentioned above, you may possibly be wondering how all of these info can be of any help? Well for one thing, knowing how automotive repair shops actually work, you can ask them about their flat rates for a distinct repair you require to have done and have them confirm the quantity of time required to complete the repairs. That way, you won’t be left blind with the cost and know how to set the appropriate expectations in terms of overall price.

Fleet Street Autos-June 15, 2011

Fleet Street Autos-June 15, 2011--- Check it out!!

Rust Breakouts on your car in the spring.

As a 30 year (+) mid-western resident an car owner, I was always under the impression that the harsh effects of the northern winters with all the salt and snow was the major contributor to rust damage on my vehicle. I'm sure that is true because I faithfully spent good money to wash my car every week to remove all that ugly residue. I have since moved to the sunny, beautiful, tropical (and by that I mean very humid) paradise in Florida. It was pointed out by one of my co-workers this morning as I pulled into the parking lot, that I would soon see the damaging results of the humidity in the form of rust on the front of my car. He pointed out all the little bubbles on my hood and told me I would soon see a major rust breakout. I thought I left all that behind in Ohio but alas....not so much! Found some info on this to share, and thanks for the good news John....more car maintenence for me:)

http://news.carjunky.com/car_maintenance/Auto_Care_Tips_Beware_Of_Rust_Breakouts_This_Spring_gas073.shtml

Great Car Website for Women!

I came across this website a while back and just wanted to share it for all the women out there who want OR need to know a little more about their vehicles.

Hope you enjoy the content!

http://www.women-drivers.com/engine/terms.aspx

Fleet Remarketing Solutions...

Use a Fleet Remarketing company to sell out-of-service or off lease fleet vehicles to your own employees or outside buyers at a better-than-wholesale price.

Fleet managers can turn to companies that provide customized remarketing services. They offer services run the gamut from employee sales to dealership consignment. Technology now provides easy access to maintenance history, condition reports and vehicle photos, as well as online purchasing processes.

Once the domain for only large fleets, fleet remarketing services are accessible to small fleets as well. Fleet Street Remarketing LLC, tailors its services to each fleet manager regardless of size. We offer our highly regarded Employee Purchase Program (EPP) as a very sucessful solution that benefits both your company and your employees. Owner Kevin McGrath says, “For all fleets, including small fleets, we can facilitate employee/friends and family sales. And if the driver declines, we will resell vehicles by putting off lease fleets in the right market for your highest return. Based on YMM, miles condition and location, maximized returns are achieved by selling through multiple channels starting with the retail public. An expert analysis of each unit will intelligently profile the best market for resale and we automatically contact existing customers and dealers that have purchased similar units.

"There are several advantages to partnering with our company instead of putting your inventory on Craigslist or eBay," says Steve Bender, National Corporate Fleet Remarketer for Largo, Fla. based Fleet Street Remarketing. Selling end-of-lease vehicles to drivers and other company employees minimizes days-to-sell, thereby reducing depreciation and eliminating downstream expenses such as auction costs. It also offers your workers a valued benefit. Another benefit is limited liability to protect against potential negligent entrustment claims brought by a new buyer. This value is not offered on public auction sites. We protect the company selling the vehicle and the buyer, which is usually their employee. Liability to your company is taken out of the equation wherever possible.

Other resale options include: Wholesale – we have numerous online and physical locations selling to our network of dealers. Exporters – we sell directly to numerous exporters reaching buyers in places like Europe, the Middle East, South America, Russia, and China. And finally purchasing directly from our newly renovated online Retail site http://www.fleetstreetautos.com.

Like the major online auctions, an established remarketing firm like Fleet Street Remarketing has experience in working with all manner of businesses, vehicles and the technology for their resale. That includes fleets comprised of cars, vans, upfitted work trucks and vehicles in public-sector work. Visit us at http://www.fleetstreetusa.com/.

The Internet has changed the way we do business.

As consumers use the Internet to search for cars online, read reviews and even place orders, dealers are responding and changing the way they do business too. A recent statistic shows that 80 % of Certified Pre Owned buyers set out to purchase a CPO vehicle and 42% of the people found the exact car they purchased online. The percentage of online purchasing will continue to rise. As dealers we are continuously challenged to keep up with the advances in technology and internet resources for conducting business in a 24/7 world. I enjoyed this article I recently ran across while researching the ways we at Fleet Street Remarketing will keep offering new and innovative solutions for operating in the global market.

http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-articles/internet-changes-buyer-and-car-dealership-behavior-2253017.html