My Autos

Why your next pickup should be a GM
Oddly enough, out of all of the research done into hybrid technology GM has been forward thinking enough to make theirs are not only affordable, but ingenious as well. They now offer both the Sierra and the Silverado pickups as hybrids country wide. Using a technology not formerly seen in hybrids, GM attempted to not only lower emissions in their pickups, but to make them handier as well. Affordable technologyGM wanted to make a hybrid truck that was too well priced to turn down, the major complaint of the hybrid models is high price tag which counteracts the gas mileage benefits. In response to this GM produced their pick up hybrids to cost only $1500.00-$2500.00 more than its gas guzzling brothers, saved with tax cuts at the pump within the first few years of ownership. Especially if you consider that the hybrids produce a 10% improvement in fuel economy, all without sacrificing any power. Both the Sierra and Silverado offer the same 245 horsepower V8 engine, and can tow up to 7,700 pounds. If you consider that pickup truck drivers are not sacrificing any power and when sitting stopped in traffic it emits very limited pollution for their size. Hybrid systemGM employs what they call a “flywheel alternator starter hybrid system” which uses a compact electric motor incorporated between the engine and the transmission. This electric engine runs the truck when it is slowing or idling at a standstill. They calibrate the flywheel alternator system to turn off the engine more frequently than even those systems used in most smaller hybrid models. Eliminating much of the pollution caused by slow moving traffic in high volume. Now your work truck can double as a generatorBoth the Sierra and the Silverado boost four 120-volt, 20 amp three-prong outlets which can be used to provide power for electrical tools and electronics. This eliminates any need for a gassy generator spewing fumes into the air at a work site. The truck must be running, but utilizing it’s electric engine allows it to run virtually emission free. GM reports that their hybrid trucks can continue to pump out power for up to 32 hours non-stop before needing to refuel. Aimed specifically at contractors, whose need to access abundant sources of energy and drive long miles to job sites fuel this intelligent new take on a work truck. Testers reportThe power source for tools was not quite as juicy as GM would have you think, however the idea is a brilliant one. No doubt in a few generations they will have nailed down this imperfection in an already forward thinking vehicle. Although the gas mileage is a tad better overall, it borders on insignificant. Which again is certain to be addressed and updated in generations to come. Reviewers say that the feel of the engine cutting out as you hit ten miles an hour is a bit disconcerting, and takes some getting used to, but its pollution saving benefits far outweigh that small detail. Every accessory on the truck is electrical, so the gas engine only runs when it is needed to for its sole purpose, to accelerate the vehicle. Overall appealThe brilliance behind the ideas developed for these pickup truck models is really what drives them at this point. Fine tuning is necessary of any piece of equipment and GM has been making pick up trucks for a long time. They will continue to address the issues and refine the existing good points, driving the hybrid market to continue to bring us new and innovative ideas. <b>About the Author:</b> My name is Paige Filler and I'm a creative writer with a love of all things that go vroom. I do my homework to bring thought and innovation into everything I write about the auto industry. You can find more of my stuff at <a href="http://www.cash4usedcars.com/" target="blank">Cash 4 Used Cars</a>, and <a href="http://blog.cash4usedcars.com/" target="blank"> this blog.</a>
Source: www.ArticlePros.com

How To Get An Extra $1500 For Your Trade In
How To Get An Extra $1500 For Your Trade In If your’re trading in a car to a dealer follow these steps and get an extra $500 to $1500 for it! Get the wholesale price for the car your’re trading in. This allows you to have a starting figure and know what the dealer thinks your vehicle is worth. Now you’ll know what you can expect to get from your car, but the dealer won?t make it easy. Remember, they’re trying to make a profit, and giving you as little as possible for your trade-in is another way they can make money. They’ll try to bargain down the price they’ll give you for your car by saying: There are huge rebates on the new ones which affects the secondary market. “That’s a nice car, but we have 6 just like it already on the lot.? Oh, that’s an old body style, they’re impossible to sell anymore. Wow, this one’s been through the wringer there sure are a lot of dings and scratches.” Hmmm…it has a lot of miles on it, well have to take it to the auction. Of course, some of these statements might be true, but the dealer is also likely to exaggerate so they can under-value your car. How can you fight back? Here are a few tips: Have your vehicle professionally detailed. Bring all your service records to show the car was properly maintained. Make sure everything works: air, radio, etc. Put a few new car brochures (from other manufacturers) are in your car, plainly visible, so the salesperson knows your’re shopping. If you you follow these simple steps you will guarantee to get more for your trade-in! [ Submitted with ArticleSubmitter Pro - http://www.articlesubmitterpro.com] Gus Skarlis is a former car dealer and founder of Before You Buy A Car. His Book "10 Things You Must Do Before You Even Think About Buying A Vehicle" has helped thousands of consumers save money and time when purchasing a vehicle. This FREE resource takes you step by step through the car buying process. The site is located at: http://www.BeforeYouBuyACar.com
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Trade'r in? Yup! Nope! Whaaat?
When trading a vehicle there are four categories that will clearly affect the value of your vehicle; (1) Current market value. This is an adjustment amount to the book value that is made by the vehicle appraiser and occurs when there are real time changes in the market that are not readily reflected in current book values. One powerful example is the energy crisis that came along in the fall of 1973. Many consumers panicked (mildly) and began trading their gas hogs for fuel efficient smaller vehicles. As the extent of the crisis and its duration were unknown, and there were no real predictions as to the short and long term effects, most dealers looked on the gas hogs with an eye of concern, specifically in relation to their dollar value. I counseled many buyers during that time, encouraging them to be patient and wait it out. Most of them, nearly all, traded anyway. They received as little as 50% of the book value for their gas hogs and paid over retail in many cases to purchase a fuel efficient vehicle. Many of those people returned to the market within a short period of time and traded their fuel sippers for gas hogs. Again, values were adjusted to allow for the glut of small vehicles on the dealers lot. There are always current market value adjustments whether just at a dealership, in a city, an area, a state, a region, or across the country. These adjustments may be as simple as a dealership being overstocked with used vehicles due to some internal problem; therefore the dealer has to pay less for vehicles currently being traded in. An area may be affected by an economical crisis that overall affects the consumers ability or willingness to spend money. Wars and rumors of war have a strong negative effect on vehicle values, as does the price of fuel. One major factor that affects the value of trade-ins are the deals being offered on new vehicles. The greater the deal on new, the less is paid for the trade. Why? Used vehicle buyers will step up to new vehicles and pass on the late model used vehicles. In many cases payments on a new vehicle may be roughly the same as a one year old used.  Additionally, consumers may determine that they are better off trading their current vehicle sooner than intended, taking advantage of the factory incentives, and driving off in a new vehicle with payments close to where they were, and offsetting maintenance expenditures in the process. (2) Dealership attitude. Vehicle values may be affected simply by some issue within a dealership. An inexperienced Used Vehicle Department manager, a poor cash flow in the dealership, a weak sales force not selling vehicles, and other situations. One thing learned when purchasing at an auction, talking with a wholesaler, or shopping a trade-in to another dealership is that prices vary widely across the board. Realistically I have witnessed value swings by as much as $2000.00. (3) Dealership wants. In some circumstances a dealer may not want your trade. You might have a very expensive trade, the dealer does not want to tie up money in a slow seller and the dealer cannot find a home for it with another dealer. Therefore to make a deal he will hit the trade low expecting to find a home for it at the auction, with another dealer, or attempt to cheap sell it on his own lot. Regardless, the vehicle may bring several thousand dollars below book, your loss. (4) Dealership need. The dealership may not need “another one of those”. Some vehicles are a glut on the market. An example would be the dumping of a rental car fleet at the auction, everyone buys them, everyone has one, and no one needs another one. Dealership want and dealership need may also swing in your favor. There were many times that I paid over book (more than $1200.00) to own a vehicle, knowing that if I did not, someone else would, and I would miss the sale on three vehicles; (1) my vehicle, (2) the trade-in, and (3) the trade-in on that one. Instead of missing business, I would make three profits. It should be clear that; (1) you must know the value of your vehicle to do business with it; (2) the book value is affected by other circumstances, some of which are beyond your control. However, because you know the value of your vehicle you have an idea of where you should be, and by shopping more than one dealership (if you don’t get the value up front) there is a very good chance you will get your money. It is absolute that you use a professional source to determine the value of your vehicle prior to shopping for your next vehicle. If you had a wad of $10.00 bills in your pocket, a big wad, and you wanted to trade them for $50.00 bills, and if you had never counted them, how would you possibly know how many $50.00 bills to get in return for your 10’s? Would you just throw them out there and take back whatever 50’s were offered? Or would you count them ahead of time, separate them in $50.00 packets, band all the packets together, and put in writing the total amount of all the packets, put that slip of paper with your packet, and put one in your pocket? Would you then watch as the other party counted your 10’s, and as the 50’s were counted out for you? Wise folks count their money first, record the amount, and observe while others handle their money! Chuck Norlin is a 41 year veteran of negotiating, a Cal U and General Motors University graduate, and 30 year career expert in the retail vehicle business.
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