www.wisconsinpreowned.com http://www.wisconsinpreowned.com/certified-preowned Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:33:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 en Alternative Fuel – Single Most Important Key to Achieve Energy Independence http://www.wisconsinpreowned.com/certified-preowned/fuel-and-maintenance/alternative-fuel-%e2%80%93-single-most-important-key-to-achieve-energy-independence/ http://www.wisconsinpreowned.com/certified-preowned/fuel-and-maintenance/alternative-fuel-%e2%80%93-single-most-important-key-to-achieve-energy-independence/#comments Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:00:54 +0000 Bob http://www.wisconsinpreowned.com/certified-preowned/fuel-and-maintenance/alternative-fuel-%e2%80%93-single-most-important-key-to-achieve-energy-independence/ Alternative Fuel is highly prescribed in most states since it is less harmful to the environment compared to the regular fuels such as gasoline and petroleum. Like everything else, Alternative Fuel has its advantages and disadvantages. Understanding both may prove to be an advantage for you, your vehicle, and the environment.

Alternative Fuel includes methanol, natural gas, propane gas, blended fuels (gasoline or diesel), ethanol, hydrogen, and electricity (when used as the only source of direct propulsion energy). It is dubbed as the single most important key to energy independence.

There has been an increase in the demand for vehicles that utilizes fuel instead of gasoline. This has caused auto manufacturers to produce more Alternative Fuel Vehicles. In the United States, E85 fuel is highly recommended by the United States’ Department of Energy. This is because E85 fuel burns cleaner than gasoline, it is renewable, and it is known for its superior quality performance.

E85, is 85 percent ethanol. Contrary to popular belief of ethanol being rare, it is actually widespread. In fact, ethanol-blended fuel has been available to about 80% of America’s gas stations for some time now. An Alternative Fuel usually confused to Ethanol, biodiesel is produced from products such as chicken fat and soybean oil and is different from Ethanol.

Compared to Petroleum and Gasoline, E85 Alternative Fuel contains more oxygen. This means it keeps intake valves and fuel injectors cleaner. Ethanol-enhanced gas also lessens pre-ignition problems such as pinging and knocking. And since E85 fuel has higher tolerance to water contamination compared to gasoline and petroleum, it is more effective to use in cold weather as it absorbs moisture and prevents the gas from freezing. E85 also reduces green house gas emissions to as much as 37.1% and other air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide.

Alternative Fuel is qualified as a unique fuel. This means it only functions with Alternative Fuel Vehicles. So despite its advantages, it is only limited to Alternative Fuel vehicles. Another disadvantage is its lower energy content compared to gasoline and petroleum. Lower energy content means fewer miles per gallon. Another disadvantage is unavailability of E85 gas establishments. This has made E85 accessible only to a limited number of motorists.

Generally, E85 Natural Alternative Fuel is used in vehicles with high concentration of ethanol solution.  At present, Alternative Fuels and Alternative Fuel Vehicles only make a small contribution to energy economy in the transportation sector. However, there are advances that are being developed each year. Continuous research on this field has become more and more a necessity as the prices of petroleum and gasoline continue to increase together with the rapidly growing concern for the environment.

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]]> http://www.wisconsinpreowned.com/certified-preowned/fuel-and-maintenance/alternative-fuel-%e2%80%93-single-most-important-key-to-achieve-energy-independence/feed/ Pre-owned Cars as Safe Alternative to Brand New Cars and Used Cars http://www.wisconsinpreowned.com/certified-preowned/certified-preowned/pre-owned-cars-as-safe-alternative-to-brand-new-cars-and-used-cars/ http://www.wisconsinpreowned.com/certified-preowned/certified-preowned/pre-owned-cars-as-safe-alternative-to-brand-new-cars-and-used-cars/#comments Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:00:37 +0000 Bob http://www.wisconsinpreowned.com/certified-preowned/certified-preowned/pre-owned-cars-as-safe-alternative-to-brand-new-cars-and-used-cars/ If you are in the hunt for a brand new car but you have a limited budget, you may want to consider certified Pre-owned Cars instead. Needless to say, brand new cars and limited budget are two phrases you just don’t find together. Or if you do, it would be in car loan commercials, which is entirely a different topic.

Manufacturer Certified Pre-owned Cars are a popular alternative to brand new cars and even to used cars. It has been classified as a third automobile category, joining the ranks of new and used cars.

For a vehicle to be Certified Pre-owned, it has to pass strict standards, a series of qualifications, and a long list of requirements. Some of the qualifications and requirements include: the vehicle must not be more than four years old, it must not have more than 60,000 miles in the odometer, and not only should it have an excellent mechanical condition but it should also meet high visual standards as well.

Seventy percent of used car shoppers consider buying a Certified Pre-owned Car once they become aware of the certified program features. Some of these features include: inspections and  vehicle history reports and warranties.

You can check the reliability history of the car you are buying. This will give you an idea of what the car can offer in terms of service. Bear in mind that the advantage of a Certified Pre-owned  Car lies on the fact that cars deemed unacceptable based on the standards don’t get the “Certified” seal of approval.

Another helpful information in buying a Certified Pre-owned Car is knowing who is behind the warranty of your choice car. Extended service contract are usually supported either by an independent company or by the car’s manufacturer. Understandably, manufacturer-supported warranties account higher in terms of ease of use while after-market warranties are usually cheaper.

Most concerned buyers think of the number of repairs for a Certified Pre-owned Vehicle. Let us not get ahead of ourselves. But fact is, all vehicles will require an increasing number of repairs as it ages regardless of its model, cost, and whether if it is brand new, used, or Certified Pre-owned.

You should also consider the difference between the three categories. Brand new cars, although it remains the best option, are “commercially” old three years from the time it was produced. It is worth 60-70% less two-three years from the time you paid for it. On the other hand, there are smart ways in choosing used cars but you are still practically gambling with this choice. With Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, you have the warranty of a brand new car for almost the same price of a used car. It practically margins the extremes - used and brand new. And above all, it adds options to the buyers.

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]]> http://www.wisconsinpreowned.com/certified-preowned/certified-preowned/pre-owned-cars-as-safe-alternative-to-brand-new-cars-and-used-cars/feed/ Is Pre-Owned Worth It? http://www.wisconsinpreowned.com/certified-preowned/certified-preowned/is-pre-owned-worth-it/ http://www.wisconsinpreowned.com/certified-preowned/certified-preowned/is-pre-owned-worth-it/#comments Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:00:00 +0000 Bob http://www.wisconsinpreowned.com/certified-preowned/certified-preowned/is-pre-owned-worth-it/ A certified pre-owned car has the price and depreciation of a used car and the warranty of a new car. Also known as CPO, certified pre-owned is a term used in the automotive industry for late-model, low-mileage used cars that have undergone evaluation and have factory warranty and/or service contract for backup.

So if you’re wondering, what is the difference between certified pre-owned and the average used car? The answer is nothing much in terms of the fact that both are “used”. However, certified pre-owned is generally in better shape compared to an average used car since cars labeled as “preowned” has to pass strict standards. Also, certified pre-owned vehicles offer insurance which is important especially in second-hand vehicles.

Where are they from?

Certified pre-owned are mostly cars that were leased new instead of sold. And since it is leased, customers are expected to take care of the car to avoid extra charges for wear and tear at the end of the lease. It started in the 90s during the leasing boom when automakers needed to sell low-mileage, off-lease cars.

What will I get from it?

Most pre-owned programs have warranty, an inspection, and customers have the option to return the car if it does not satisfy him or her. This is the biggest advantage that any car buyer could have. Consider buying for the price of a used car with the warranty of a brand new car.

How does manufacturers make money out of it?

So far, it sounds too good to be true for the customers. What about the manufacturers? Manufacturers test and give warranty to certified pre-owned cars not because of charity but because of profit. With the traditional, lucrative trade of used cars, manufacturers make little to no profit. With the advent of CPOs, manufacturers and dealers now get a cut from the sale of each used car through the certified pre-owned tag. And the buyers pay for that.

So, is it worth it?

Certified pre-owned cars may sound like a bargain. But it’s not. It is, however, a smarter choice, a safer alternative, and a better purchase compared to an average used car. It is also considered as the third category along with used and brand new cars. So if you prioritize insurance, certified pre-owned is definitely worth your extra money. Consider the extra pay is worth the insurance that you will get your money’s worth. On the other hand, if you consider the price as compared to used cars, then certified pre-owned is not the best for you. You may take a gambl out of buying plain used cars, an option that is pretty risky for your hard-earned money.

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]]> http://www.wisconsinpreowned.com/certified-preowned/certified-preowned/is-pre-owned-worth-it/feed/ Should You Sell, or Should You Trade-In? http://www.wisconsinpreowned.com/certified-preowned/selling-prices/should-you-sell-or-should-you-trade-in/ http://www.wisconsinpreowned.com/certified-preowned/selling-prices/should-you-sell-or-should-you-trade-in/#comments Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:00:19 +0000 Bob http://www.wisconsinpreowned.com/certified-preowned/selling-prices/should-you-sell-or-should-you-trade-in/ You have decided to buy a new car and thought that the best way to deal with your current one is to trade it in. Most of the time, trade-in is a one day process. So there’s less hassle for you. Trade-in may or may not be the best option, so read through the following facts and decide.

The most important question you should ask next is, how much is your car worth? With this in mind, remember that you’re after your car’s trade-in value or wholesale value, not the retail value. There are many books and online guides that you can use for a rough estimate.

Keep in mind that since car dealers mean business, they will most likely not offer you the exact value of your car. Most dealership will offer only about eighty five to ninety percent of the car’s actual value. So to give you an idea of the actual value of the car, you can visit different dealerships, average their offers, and add on ten to fifteen percent. The result should be, more or less, the value of your car.

You will get lower amount if you trade-in as compared to selling your car in a private-party sale. But with trade-in, you can save time and energy. So think of trade-in as the lesser of two evils when it comes to giving you headaches. It is about convenience. No paperworks, no direct contact with customers, and no ads to worry about. So if you don’t have time to spare or if you don’t have skills in marketing, then it’s best to trade-in. You can also have tax benefits if you are going to buy a vehicle at the same time. The formula is:

Trade-in value – Price of the new car = Payable sales tax

This means that if the trade-in value of the car is $5,000 and the price of the new car is $10,000, you are required to pay the sales tax on the $5,000 difference.

On the other hand, selling your car in a private-party sale guarantees bigger cash. The down side is, this will take time and in most cases, money. The first step is for you to determine your car’s worth. You can check magazine ads on used cars and the Internet to help you determine the local market pricing. Once you’re done with the first step, the next thing you need to do is publicize or advertise your car. Most private-party cars are sold through local used car publications. Start here and advertise in multiple sources later on. After you have placed your ads, expect phone calls, schedule hassles, and competing offers. And when you finally have a buyer, you will have to transfer title and registration and cancel your insurance on the car.

Selling in a private-party sale is a straining task. But if you have contacts, time, and patience, you will benefit more in selling your car yourself.

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