5 Reasons Why You Should Save Your $ and Buy A Used Car

Reasons Why You Should Buy A Used Car

Get More Bang for the Buck

Everyone wants the newest and latest models these days. The mindset "Newer is Better" isn't always true though. If you truly want the most bang for you buck on a new set of wheels, a slightly used vehicle could save you thousands of dollars. 

Depreciation 

For example you can find an earlier version of a used luxury vehicle for less than a new Honda sedan. Lexus, Jaguar and BMW can all be found for a fraction of the price when it was first introduced. Edmunds.com states that even buying a car one year old can save you 20-30% from depreciation. 

Examples: Lexus, mercedes-benz 

Mental Depreciation: Another bonus of a used car is that you often don't stress over the next microscopic ding or scratch. Chances are the previous owner already took care of that for you! 

Insurance

As insurance rates are affected partially to the year of the vehicle, any used vehicle purchase will save you money compared to a new sticker price with your insurance company. Car insurances also commonly pay only for what the car is worth instead of what you owe on them as well. With a new luxury car after a years worth of driving, chances are you're going to owe a lot more than what it's worth! 

Reliability

Consumers have demanded cars that have more reliability than in the past... along with everything else I suppose. Manufactures have continued to step up their quality in the past (Hyundai, Kia, Ford) to match with consumers wants and other competitors, all with a lower price as well. Some manufacture warranties may carry on to the used buyers, saving even more money with the purchase. 

Find What You Want

Years ago it was hard to find what you wanted among the car dealers. Rolling the dice and praying for a great car to fall in your lap. Today however, with the power of the internet you can find exactly what make, model, millage, year, sunroof options and more from the comfort of your favorite couch. This makes buying that perfect dream car of yours much more likely and easier too. With sites such as CarFax.com record exactly where the vehicle has been. Hunting for cars is now pressure free and more enjoyable then ever. 

Best Cars for $15,000 or Under

Top Vehicles Under

$15,000

Valley Motors

Reliability      Fuel Consumption       Quality

#1. Honda Accord 2006 - Known for its V6 engine to be powerful and economical engines out there. For years now, the Accord is still being among the most reliable vehicles, especially during 2006. It has been the most trusted and reliable family car in the industry. Finding one with a clear title, low miles and decent price is rare, so don't pass it up. 

References: 

edmunds.com/honda/accord/2006/ 

consumerreports

#2 Honda Fit 2011 - The biggest of small cars. Utilizing it's given space to the fullest, it drives snappy and quick, qualifying it for an extremely fun little car to drive. Not to mention the money you'll be saving at the pump. 

References: 

edmunds.com/honda/fit/2011/

consumerreports

#3 Toyota Prius 2009 - Finding a lower priced AND lower miles Prius is a gem these days for these high demand cars. "Going Green" has never been so popular and that smile on your face as you drive past the gas station is priceless. According to J.D. Power 2011 testing, the Prius topped the Vehicle Dependability study beating out the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Matrix. 

References:

autotrader.com

edmunds.com/toyota/prius/2009

#4 Honda CR-V 2005 - Awarded, again, for J.D. Power's Top Compact Crossover/SUV. The CR-V has been taking home this title for years and its obvious why. The CR-V is a sporty vehicle in the crossover world along with being one of the safest in its class. Honda's reliability has this vehicle ready to take on many miles to come for whoever can snag it first. 

References: 

consumerreports

edmunds.com/honda/cr-v/2005/

#5 Nissan Sentra 2010 - Nissan's spacious, fuel efficient but often overlooked Sentra. The Sentra may not be one of the top cars and hybrids out there however the Sentra does compete in the areas of interior room, safety and gas mileage among higher competitors. Finding a Sentra with low miles that's been well maintained has a long life ahead. 

References:

edmunds.com/nissan/sentra/2010/

Ford's ECOBOOST Engine

Ford's EcoBoost Engine

What's it all about?

Fords EcoBoost engine technology is designed to put out power and torque that matches with those of larger engines. Although it acquires approx. 20% better Fuel Economy while reducing 15% of greenhouse emissions at the same time. Ford views the future of EcoBoost as an versatile and affordable  part of future vehicles. 

HOW DOES IT WORK!?

This may be driving some of you crazy but this new technology has improved more that one aspect for the engine. Lighter, smaller, less friction and gas consumption but there's still more POWER? How is this possible? Well in Fords EcoBoost video it explains it all...

Safe and Inexspensive Parent Friendly Cars

Parent Friendly Cars

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Parents worry over the safety of their kids so it would only make sense to make a list of the safest cars out there. Reliability and quality would also be close behind on the list of must have attributes.
For this list we have searched across the web, taking into consideration information found from Consumer Reports, Edmunds, KBB and our own team for the best "Parentmobiles" out there.

For safety measures, we looked at Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) past favorites. To be one of the "favorites" the car had to pass crash tests with a "Good" average.

Costs for 5 year average is based on normal attributing factors: Insurance, fuel, tax and maintenance.

Who would appreciate the vehicles are based off of how much room, visibility, and ease of access for the little ones as they grow up.



Small Car             Price              Cost for 5 Years Est.                 MPG              For Who? 

Honda Fit           $15,000             $5,100                                         27/33          Small Kids-Teens
Honda Civic       $14,000             $5,950                                         26/34          Small Kids-Teens
Toyota Corolla   $14,000             $5,550                                         27/35          Small Kids-Teens

Family Car             Price              Cost for 5 Years Est.                 MPG              For Who? 

Honda Accord    $16,000             $6,500                                          21/31              Kids-Teens
Nissan Altima     $16,000             $6,700                                         33/33          Small Kids-Teens
Mazda6               $11,000             $6,950                                         24/31           Small Kids-Kids
Ford Fusion        $19,000             $7,350                                         17/24          Small Kids-Teens

SUV                       Price              Cost for 5 Years Est.                 MPG              For Who? 

Honda CRV        $17,000            $7,200                                         20/26            Small Kids-Kids
Mit.Outlander     $16,000            $7,700                                         17/24            Small Kids-Teens
Ford Flex            $29,000           $10,200                                        16/22            Small Kids-Kids
Kia Sorento        $16,000           $8,100                                           15/22                    Kids


These are all great options for about every parent out there. Minivans were not part of the list because, naturally, they are designed for above factors already. We simply wanted to show alternatives. Maybe a Father's Day gift is something the whole Family can enjoy!

Tips & Tricks to Keeping Your Car Looking New

Tips & Tricks 

to a 

Good Looking Car

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Only a few years ago you brought home your new four-wheeled baby, promising to protect it from the harsh elements and those horrifying shopping carts. Now look at your car. Have you given it some love over the years or is it such a lost cause you don't even know where to start? Either way, go through the check  list and see what you can do for your carriage of steel. 

• PLEASE wash your car! Research polls suggest that about 52% of the public don't wash their car once a month. About 16% of the public have never washed their car. Don't be one of these people.

• Take the time to wash your car 1-2 times a month, this will make a huge difference. Try to wash the car when it is a little cooler. This will help avoid water spots, dry streaks and paint damage. 
• Don't use dish soap either, dish soap is to harsh for your cars paint, ruining it over time. 
• While washing, focus on working from the top of the car to bottom. 
• Don't air-dry! Grab a microfiber/chamois cloth and hand dry the left over wet spots. 
• Wax On, Wax Off.
• Now you don't have to wax your car every time you wash, but every 3-5 months is recommended. 
• Make sure the car is completely dry before you start waxing. 
• Follow car wax's directions exactly. Some will say to wait for a few minutes till there's a haze, then buff. 
• Headlights.
• Clear up your cars vision with a head light restoration kit. They're usually around $30 and instantly make a huge difference for the appearance of your car. 
• Update the Rubber. 

• Checking the tire pressure in your tires is a great start. However, if you want considerable difference in handling, look for some new tires. 
• Tires are EVERYTHING. Without tires on a car, well, it's not a car anymore. It's a beautiful piece of metal sitting in your garage. Spend some money on tires to give your used vehicle a quick jog down memory lanes. This may not be the cheapest option, but it sure is less expensive than buying a 2014 vehicle off the lot. 
• Vacuum like a Man. Most of us are guilty of eating a few times in our cars, for some of us the cockpit might as well be the kitchen. If that's so, its time to do some serious vacuuming. 
• "Scrub" at the carpet freeing up dirt. Vacuum around, in, above and under the seats the best you can. 
• Floor Mats. 
• Getting some new floor mats (if the ones you have are past restoration) are a inexpensive way to bring back the new car look. 
• Control the Cockpit
• Dust off the dash and apply the correct Amour-All on there to bring back some soft shine to the interior. 
• A steering wheel cover may be the difference between "OK" and "Great" looking interior. 
• Is your car still taking cassettes in the digital age? Perhaps now is the time to upgrade to a new sound system for your car. They're more affordable now than ever. AUX plugins and Ipod integration is common for decks these days. 
• Fun time. "Exercise" that car. 

• It's good to get that engine going from time to time. Pushing the pedal to the metal flushes out the cars system and hoses. In a way, you're just exercising an old friend. 

These are just a few of the things you can do to turn back some miles on that used car. Take care of your car and your car will take car of you. 

Mitsubishi Outlander. Protecting the Ones You Love

Mitsubishi Outlander

Top Crossover SUV for Families

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Searching for a vehicle that will fit the whole family is harder than one would think. Finding a vehicle that's versatile and safe is on the top of lists for many. A great family vehicle should be reliable, spacious, versatile, comfortable and safe (if the vehicle had some style as well it wouldn't hurt). After reading various articles on how to solve this dilemma, the 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander stood out, and this is why. 

Performance: With SUV's known as not being the most fun to drive vehicles, the Outlander breaks though that barrier with a bang.  The stylish athletic look of the vehicle suggests the way the crossover handles, sporty and fun. Outlander ES/SE are equiped with 2.4L four cylinder engine creating 168 horses. The bigger XLS comes with a 3.0L V6 for a boost of 220 hp. Outlanders come with 2WD or AWD options. AWD can shift between 2WD, Auto 4WD, and Full 4WD depending on where you are. 

MPG: V4 20/25 city/highway. V6 17/24 city/highway. 

Body: Cream of the Crop. XLS comes with the luxury features such as: third row seat, hands-free bluetooth, auto climate control, roof rails, key-less entry, heated mirrors, alloy wheels and more. The Outlander holds 72.6 cubic feet with the rear seats down, which is great among the other competitors in its class. Kbb reviews said that the 2009 Outlander is most likely the top vehicle for tech-savvy customers. 

Reliability: According to edmunds car reviews and MSN Autos the Outlanders reliability has been outstanding for years now. No significant or even moderate problems (for V4 & V6) have affected the majority of these crossover SUV's for years. Families can drive this vehicle with ease of mind as long as they take care of regular maintenance. 

Safety: This is where the Outlander really shines. Featuring: anti-lock disc brakes, stability control, front and side curtain airbags and more come equipped on even the standard model. Earning impressive scores across the board, the Outlander achieved 5 star ratings in nearly every category. 

Overall: This vehicle would be recommended for most families. Acknowledging the fact that not all family cars need to be minivans, the stylish Outlander steps it up. The Outlander is a vehicle that will take a family anywhere they need to go thanks to 4WD, with decent millage, peace of mind with reliability and safety, all for a very reasonable price. 

Photos of the Mistubishi Outlander 2009 in our Inventory. Take a look.

  

  

Photos of the Mistubishi Outlander 2008 in our Inventory. Take a look. 

  

  

Some Nissan Love

Notable Nissan's 

Nissan was a pioneer in the automotive industry, dating back to the early 1900's under the name of Kwaishinsha Motor Car Works. In 1934, Kwaishinsha was converted to the world wide known Nissan name. Nissan became a major player in America in the 1970's which then lead to manufacturing in the States during the 80's. Today, it is one of the most recommended foreign cars manufacturers. 

Nissan has done well over the years in every department. Affordable family sedans such as the Maxima and Altima come to everyone's mind. On the other hand, the power hungry 370Z proves that Nissan can do much more than just make great family vehicles. 

Nissan Altima: As the Altima closes in on nearly two decades on a car that is practical and also a blast to drive. Making the list of being one of the most family friendly sedans according to Kelly Blue Book's list of 10 Best Family Cars of 2013, the Altima continues gathering respect from consumers. The 2013 version has also been setting a benchmark for other top competitors for fulfilling expectations and doing the little things on top. The older versions, 2007-2012, excelled at being a budget friendly alternative to the bigger companies. Leading car review companies acknowledge that this version of the Altima (especially the V6) were superbly fun to drive while not sacrificing comfort at the same time. 

2010 Altima in our Inventory. Take a look.

  

Nissan Cube: Styling of the modern day with a touch of Picasso love. One of the latest blocky hatchbacks available, the Cube has grown to fit the niche of a an electric, modern, unique and bigger customers. With the boxy design, big and tall people will appreciate the amount of head room this vehicle holds and their legs wont be complaining either. Lots of room and above average mpg, can anyone say road trip? 

2009 Nissan Cube in our Inventory. Take a look.

  

Nissan Xterra: Active and Adventurous customers instantly love the Xterra. Taking you anywhere off the beaten path, limitations aren't even in the Xterra's vocabulary. Solid build and reliability translates into pure confidence when you're out in the boonies adventuring with friends. The 4.0L V6 engine is powerful and strives to be the best with 261 hp. Packed with a first aid kit, adjustable cargo rack and more just adds to the dirt hungry vehicle. 

2005 Nissan Xterra in our Inventory. Take a look.

  

Nissan Quest: A constantly improving minivan that's gaining on their competitors. While beginning models where nothing to boast about, the latest couple have gained in leaps and bounds. The Quest took a step out from competitors with bold styling and interior. As far as minivans go, this one is takes an aggressive look. The current version holds a 3.5L V6 engine with 260 hp, not bad for a minivan. Simply smooth and powerful. 

2006 Nissan Quest in our Inventory. Take a look.

  

  

We love to hear from our readers! Comments and ideas for future reviews are welcomed. As always, questions about our inventory will be answered quickly as possible so don't hesitate to contact us.
Ride On!

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All of Honda's Hottest

Honda's Hottest

Honda has satisfied their customers for years through a line of reliable quality vehicles. 

Hybrids, Family Sedans, a roomy Minivan, honorable SUV's and even a Ridgeline Truck has converted millions of loyal customers to the Honda name. 

As you read through reviews of Honda vehicles, you will notice a tendency that many swear by. Customers boast in the fact that only regular maintenance is needed for these perfect family cars to keep on running well past 200k miles. The safety of Honda vehicles is among the best in their class, another perk for families. Also, don't forget the nagging fuel consumption rate that the company is constantly improving as well. 

Honda Accord

The Honda Accord was first introduced in 1977 (right) and impressed many right away. Setting a standard for front wheel drive vehicles, quality build, and features. Decades later, these standards are no different.    

 Now days, the Honda Accord is a modern powerhouse (as far as family sedans go). Forbes has mentioned the Accord Coupe EX-L V6 as one of the fastest cars under $30,000 going from 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds. With the previous models of 08'-12' the Accords power was improved, again, without loosing any fuel efficiency. Not to shabby there Honda, not to shabby.  

Being a sexy, dazzling, speed demon is not how the Accord made it to being one of the most well respected vehicles in the industry. It was by making the Accord easy to drive, safe, and a capitalizing on strong reliability. Now it has one of the highest resale values to date. 

Below are pictures of our Honda Accord 2010 

Valley Motors Honda Accord

  

  

Honda Civic

Behold the Honda Civic 2013 (left), one of the most popular compact cars ever sold in America since 1973. The Civic now has a wide range of models to choose from so you can find exactly what you are looking for. Environmental awareness, peak fuel efficiency, and constantly improving performance is what makes the Civic today. 

Our Honda Civic 2010

Valley Motors Honda Civic

      

Honda Odyssey

Odyssey of 2013 (right) has always been favored among the minivan world throughout its lifespan. The Odyssey is among the very top compared to every other minivan out there in all aspects. The amount of safety that this Odyssey provides is outstanding, proving a point in all safety tests. Once again, from the family vehicle view, it doesn't get any better for a family than the Honda Odyssey. 

Okay, I lied, it does get better. Honda has turned the family minivan into a power hungry best that will attack the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb later this month (learn more about it here). After some light tweaking, switching a few parts, and adding a Garrett GT34R turbo which  doubles the Odysseys hp to a total of 532 horses.  This should give the kids a memory to remember. Anything for the kids, right Dad? 

Honda Pilot & CR-V

Pilot: For the population that just couldn't settle with the thought of a turbo charged minivan, the Honda Pilot made an excellent alternative for many. Decent fuel consumption, easy to maneuver, more than adequate versatility and seating, it was sure to become a favorite for those anti-minivan folks. 

CR-V: Simply, the middle child between the Pilot and the Accord. Holding a car base design with the room of a small sized SUV. Commuting with a 4 cylinder engine, car like handling, lower pricing and adequate space, the CR-V was an instant hit in the automotive world. Years later, Honda still rakes in strong sales with this vehicle and customers are more than content. 

Our Honda Pilot

Valley Motors Honda Pilot 2010

  

  

Our Honda CR-V

Valley Motors CR-V 2008

  

  

Other Honda Vehicles that deserve a look:

Ridgeline - http://www.edmunds.com/honda/ridgeline/

CR-Z - http://www.edmunds.com/honda/cr-z/

Element - http://www.edmunds.com/honda/element/

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