Thrifty Car Rental

Car rental companies have some interesting names. Names like Budget and Dollar give renters the impression of low cost, a great deal, while names like Enterprise engender smart business. But no name is better than that of Thrifty car rental. Thrifty, as a word, is the ultimate in wise money decisions. So when people are looking for cars to rent, there’s no better decision than to save money, spend it wisely and only when necessary. In other words, to be thrifty.

Thrifty began in the car rental business way back in 1958. It offered stock in the 1980′s before being purchased by Chrysler in 1989. It was later combined with Dollar, another car rental company. Thrifty operates today as one of the largest car rental companies and one of the best known brand names in the world. The majority of its fleet is, as expected, Chrysler cars including both Dodge and Jeep.

Thrifty operates some other car related businesses. As many other rental companies, Thrifty sells its rental cars after their time of service as rentals is complete. The first impression of such cars is they would be in bad shape, long abused by people who only drive them for a short time. While some cars are abused, the majority of the vehicles from a rental fleet like Thrifty’s are well cared for. They receive all the scheduled maintenance, unlike many used cars at dealerships that come from private customers who are lax on such care. Furthermore, penalties for damage encourage rental car drivers to take extra special care of the car while in their charge. Thus, cars sold by rental companies tend to be in better overall condition than used cars from private owners.

Another business Thrifty operates is long term airport parking. Travelers who drive to the airport often need a safe place to keep their car while they’re out of town. Long term parking offers this facility at a reasonable price. Thrifty operates these facilities at airports all around the world.

Back to the history of Thrifty, there are some pretty interesting aspects. Thrifty originally rented Volkswagen Beetles at a time when they weren’t too common in the United States. The rental cost for a Beetle was $6. In the wild and wacky 60′s Thrifty took advantage of the general playboy mentality with Miss Thrifty. This was a lady, usually young and pretty, who would drive customers to Thrifty’s off airport facilities. Perhaps most interesting of all was Miss Thrifty wore Scottish plaid.

Thrifty car rental is a serious subject. But as with many companies it has its quirky side too. Maybe wear a little plaid next time you rent from Thrifty. Maybe they’ll offer a rental discount.

Honda Cars

Believe it or not, but Honda makes some of the best cars in the world. That’s why in many categories Honda cars are the most popular for consumers. These cars have some of the best engineering in the world, along with some of the best manufacturing standards. That’s even compared to more expensive cars in the same class. When a person buys a Honda automobile, they’re buying quality and reliability.

The Honda Civic is an excellent vehicle. With models from a sedan to a coupe and even a hybrid version, many people purchase and drive this model. The more basic models cost around $15,000, with the hybrid topping the price chart at around $23,000. This car is also one of the best when it comes to gas mileage. The coupes and sedans get around 36 miles per gallon on the highway, while the hybrid boasts 46 highway miles per gallon. Both will save money at the pump, but keep in mind that the hybrid mileage is offset by the extra cost and the cost of a replacement battery likely needed after 3-5 years.

The Honda Civic car also has one of the best resale values in the automotive industry. People who buy them new are often pleasantly surprised when it comes time to sell or trade in for a new model. If maintained in excellent condition it’s possible to purchase a new Civic every few years for only a few thousand dollars. For people who like driving new cars all the time, that’s a great deal.

But some people don’t want to sell. The same features that make resale value so high also make this car a good candidate for long term service. The key again is proper maintenance. If that’s done, then this car can last 10 or even 20 years. That’s a long time for a well running car. It gets to be your friend, not only your car. And there are a lot of other things to do with money other than buying or repairing vehicles.

Another nice Honda car is the Element. This small sized SUV is a real bargain. It has features that lend itself to the type of SUV adventurous people need. Most of the interior is rubber, along with cloth seats and a plastic dash. At first this seems to scream cheap, but there’s a method to the madness. The interior is designed to be easy to clean. Get sand in there from a trip to the beach, and it can be washed away with a hose. Yes, a hose, inside the car. Leather may seem nice until the car is actually put to use.

The popularity of Honda cars is well placed. Their quality creates that popularity. Whether looking for a new or used car, consider a vehicle from Honda.

National Car Rental

In 1947 24 independent rental car agents got together to form National car rental company. It began with 60 locations around the United States. That was considered pretty big by the standards of the time. But in the next 60 years National grew to the point that today it has over 2000 locations all over the world. That means whenever and wherever someone needs to rent a car, they can turn to National.

Renting a car is a necessity for many business travelers. When they get off the plane to work for a time in a new city or even country, it’s nice to have independent transportation without having to rely on others or on public transportation. That’s particularly true when travel has to be at night. People don’t want to ride a train or bus then.

National, like many other large rental car companies, has some incredible rates on rental cars. It’s possible to have a car for about $20 a day. During some special promotions it’s even lower. Try $1 a day for one way travel to certain cities at certain times of the year.

In addition to the specials many other car rental services offer, National offers last minute deals. It considers itself the last minute car rental specialist, and takes action to make that come true. People don’t always have notice for a trip that requires a rental car. It might be a funeral, or just a sick family member, or a last minute business trip to handle a problem client or situation. Whatever the issue National works hard to provide the best rates and service in that situation. Try some of these. A last minute rental of a full size car for only $170 a week, or an economy car for $19 a day. Those types of rates are a relief to people who have to make last minute plans.

Something not many people know is that National and Alamo rental car companies are owned by the same corporation. Since August of 2007 Enterprise owns both through an umbrella corporation. The reason the brands remain separate is that each has an associated niche. Whereas Enterprise is associated more with business rentals and corporate fleets, and Alamo has a reputation as a vacation car rental company, National maintains the image of the place to go for last second rentals.

That doesn’t mean someone can’t go to any of these companies for any reason. Compare prices of all the companies through a service like Expedia. Look around foar specials and coupon codes. And if they’re the best car rental deal, then by all means choose National car rental.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Toyota Highlander hybrid is a the green variant of a mid-sized family SUV, with seven seats and lots of additional functions added to its predecessor model. This new design aims at attracting a wider range of consumers that have shown interest in eco-cars. The wheelbase of Toyota Highlander hybrid is developed from the Camry chassis with the mention that the new model is nearly four inches longer and three inches wider. Due to the eco-power option, Toyota Highlander hybrid is also a lot heavier, with a surplus of 263 pounds as compared to the model it has evolved from.

Toyota Highlander hybrid has a 3.3-liter, and a V6 engine with an electric drive motor that makes this car race with a sum of 270 horsepower. The electronic steering mechanism makes parking in crowded parking lots accessible and not at all cumbersome. A difference between Toyota Highlander hybrid and the gas-powered model is present in the design of the suspension system. The gas version which is considered the more conventional has sport suspensions whereas the eco version translates the comfort need in the presence of the softer suspensions. Every vehicle offers three ways of maximizing fuel economy and they are comprehensively presented in the owner’s manual.

Toyota Highlander hybrid users should carefully read how to interpret and use the info on the hybrid system indicator according to the “normal” or “acceleration” modes. You don’t have to be an expert to understand what each of the above mean, and it goes without saying that once you hit the acceleration pedal the fuel consume will increase significantly. However, even for higher speed there is an optimal instant consume that you can maximize accordingly. When at low speeds, Toyota Highlander hybrid allows you to operate only on the electric mode but on limited distances only.

Last but not least, Toyota Highlander hybrid has another control function known as the Econ drive mode that doesn’t allow you to accelerate excessively and thus abuse the fuel consume. The Econ mode is known to work great when you drive in a crowded city with the stop-and-go traffic, then the fuel economy increase will be significant under the circumstances. As for driving on highways, the Econ mode of Toyota Highlander hybrid is not that rewarding as you will feel incredibly slowed down. In a nutshell, you need to adjust the functions of this great car to the needs of the moment in order to be efficient and green at the same time.

Cheap Used Cars

In the modern Internet enabled world finding cheap used cars is easier than it’s ever been. With private listings, auction sites like eBay and live auction listings, used car superstores, dealerships listing used cars online, and all sorts of other options it’s a snap to find used cars, compare their features and prices and even complete the purchase. With a few simple tips in mind the smart consumer can also avoid lemons and unscrupulous sales.

The first thing to remember is that just because something is online doesn’t mean it’s true. Sometimes people put too much trust in the Internet, just as they put too much trust in a book or the media. Just because something is written in a newspaper or mentioned on the radio doesn’t mean it’s 100% true. The Internet is no different. People can write anything, promise anything, and with some of the tools available they can even create convincing photos and video out of thin air. The same predators that run shady used car lots can get onto the Internet. But now the buyer can’t see their cheap suit, smell their cheap cologne, or get a glimpse of the bad condition of the cars or the facility. Programs such as Photoshop allow dings and dents to be taken out of car images. And all too often people purchase used cars online, as is, without taking any of the usual used car buying precautions. It doesn’t mean everyone is lying or that every deal is a bad one, but don’t go in with closed eyes.

Always have a used car inspected by a good mechanic. That means driving the car to a garage. If it’s an online listing where no contact is expected, hire a garage to inspect the car for you. There are plenty of independent garages that will perform vehicle inspections. There’s no need to rely on the seller’s inspection or garage. Get a look from someone not involved in the sale. For under $50 you can avoid problems that could cost thousands, including the money spent on the used car purchase price.

Purchase the used car on price, not on payments. If the dealer is pushing payment amounts – “I can get you in this car for $x a month – demand to know the purchase price. Do not use the dealers’ finance company, either, because that’s another way for them to add in extra that pushes up the real price of the used car. Go in with your own financing or better yet save up to pay cash for the used car. And when you pay cash, demand a discount.

Cheap used cars are a reality. There are a lot of modern tools to aid in their purchase. But it’s true for used cars just as it is for anything, if a deal looks too good to be true it is.

Hybrid Honda Accord

The present tendency and raised interest in taking care of the environment, and saving the planet’s energy resources by wasting as little as possible has materialized, at least in the field of car making. We are talking about the appearance of a new type of vehicle: the hybrid. Honda is among the many car manufacturers that have taken this approach, coming up with a number of hybrid cars like the Hybrid Honda Accord. The Hybrid Honda Accord was made between 2005 and 2007 by Sayama, Japan and Marysville, Ohio. The successors of the Hybrid Honda Accord are Honda FCX Clarity and Honda Accord Diesel. The class to which the Hybrid Honda Accord belongs is mid-size. This is actually a 4-door sedan with an FF layout. It has a 3.0L V6 engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission. The other specifics of the Hybrid Honda Accord are wheelbase – 107.9 in, length – 189.5 in (in 2005) and 191.1 in (in 2006 – 07), width – 71.4 in (in 2005) and 71.7 in (in 2006 – 07), height – 57.0 in (in 2005) and 57.2 in (in 2006 – 07). Other vehicles by Honda related to the Hybrid Honda Accord are Honda Accord and Honda Inspire.

The Hybrid Honda Accord is a hybrid version of the North American Honda Accord which was provided in model years 2005 through 2007. The Hybrid Honda Accord followed the other hybrid models from Honda: Honda Insight and Honda Civic Hybrid. The third in the line of hybrid Hondas, this Accord variety was valued $3,000 more than the EX V6 model Accord and it maintained the same trim and feature levels, except the 2005 model which did not include the power sunroof. The Hybrid Honda Accord has been placed at the top of the Honda lineup.

It has the same displacement as the regular 7th generation Accord V6 power plant; yet the engine of the Hybrid Honda Accord is derived from the Honda Odyssey Minivan model of 2005. The Hybrid Honda Accord has the capacity to shut off three out of the six cylinders for fuel economy reasons, but only under certain conditions. This technology regarding the cylinders is called Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) and it was invented by Honda. The engine of the Hybrid Honda Accord features iVTEC technology and also drives a new compact transmission. This new transmission was developed as to allow the inclusion of the electric motor inserted between the transmission and the transversely-mounted engine. The fuel economy in this hybrid Honda was initially estimated at 29 mpg (8.1 L/100 km/35mpg imp) in the city and 37 mpg (6.4 L/100 km/44 mpg imp) outside. With such features, it’s no wonder that the Hybrid Honda Accord won the Canadian Car of the Year Best New Alternative Power award in 2005.

Impounded Cars For Sale

People love cars. And they’re always in search of great deals. Whether it be haggling with a dealership for new cars, or kicking the tires while talking down a used car salesman, people also love deals on cars. Some of the best car deals around can be found when authorities offer impounded cars for sale. This is normally done via an auction. And if you play your cards right, you can end up with a steal (pun intended.)

Where do these cars come from? Often the police impound cars that belong to criminals or that were used in committing a crime. Laws are in place to allow authorities to take all the possessions away from drug dealers, for example. That means a lot of cars, often very fancy cars, in the hands of the city or state who wants to sell them for a profit. Cars can also be taken for traffic tickets or even parking tickets. If the owner doesn’t claim the vehicle, or if the fines accumulate to a certain point, the car will be up for sale.

Sometimes the cars are sold straight to dealerships who either sell them on the lot or auction them. Or auto auctions might buy them and then sell them in turn to the highest bidder. It really makes no difference. At some point the car is up for sale to the highest bidder and can become a whale of a deal for a savvy person. But beware of some pitfalls of purchasing cars via auction. As the saying goes it’s “buyer beware.”

The first thing to keep in mind is these cars are generally sold with no warranty. It’s a case of what you see is what you get. That is, in the auto industry, “as is.” The seller can even engage in puffery in most states. That’s making non specific positive claims about the car such as “it’s a great deal” or “you’d be foolish not to want to drive home in this beauty.” There are even some tricky words involved in puffery such as “clean” or “in great condition.” These sound like specific descriptions or even promises of a well working auto. However, on closer examination they really don’t mean too much other than “here’s a worm, grab the hook.”

The wise thing to do is go in with knowledge and expertise. Be ready to examine the cars closely. That means attending an auction with an automotive expert if you don’t know much about cars. Take advantage of the test drives most auctions offer. When it’s impounded cars for sale it can be a great deal. But remember that if it seems too good to be true it usually is.

Hybrid Engine

What is a hybrid engine? What are the functioning principles of a hybrid engine? The hybrid engine is typically described as an engine with two sources of energy: thus, on the one hand there is the gas part and on the other, there is an electrical battery that supports the gas system. Through this combination, the outcome is lower pollution due to the electric component and the high power output of the gas engine. What can be said about the variety of hybrid engine types is that there are as many of them as there are hybrid cars. Each and every hybrid engine is created as to allow the gas engine and the electric motor to connect to the drive train in order to power the vehicle and make it move.

How does the hybrid engine work? The principle by which any hybrid engine functions is quite simple. The hybrid engine works as follows: the gas engine and the brakes are used with the aim to recharge the battery for the electric motor; thus there is no more need to plug in overnight, as it would be the case with an electric only motor. When the brakes are pressed, some of the energy otherwise used to stop the car, is collected by the regenerative brakes in the electric motor.

In the case of a typical full hybrid engine, the electric motor will take control while the vehicle is cruising, when it stops or when you slowly accelerate it. When extra energy or power is necessary, it is the gas engine’s turn to interfere to give the expected acceleration. In the case of the hybrid engine,we will obtain higher mpg than in the gas-only engine vehicles by letting the electric motor to take over.

The fact that most of the energy is collected, and to a certain extent saved, when the vehicle is stopped or slowed down, makes hybrid vehicles better and more efficient in city driving. Unlike what happens due to hybrid engine vehicles, in the situation of gas-only engine cars, driving is more fuel efficient when racing at higher speeds, out of the city. The hybrid engine vehicles not only eliminate the need to plug in, but they have also increased the range of technical possibilities.

Used Cars Online

Everyone agrees that used cars online are a gift to mankind. There was a time when buying a used car was a real hassle. It meant going to a used car lot or to a dealer, in many cases dealing with hard sell, slick salesmen, having no information about the car as well as nothing to which to compare the deal on the lot, and in the end even if the deal seemed good the buyer had a feeling that somehow he had been fleeced. But now with the Internet an interested consumer can complete the deal without ever leaving their desk.

There are as many used car information sources online as there are outlets to purchase used cars. These include sales resources like Kelly Blue Book where a potential buyer can compare prices for any model, any year vehicle in a variety of conditions. This is important to judge a deal. Web sites like those maintained by Carmax list thousands of cars regionally, and can be another great resource for comparing used cars and used car prices. Don’t forget the new car dealers. They have to do something with the cars people trade in when they buy a new vehicle. Most dealers maintain lists of the used cars they have available for sale. Another important resource for used car shopping is the auto mechanic for an inspection. The Internet is full of sites that list mechanics by region. A buyer can even arrange an inspection without having to be present.

Don’t forget financing. The price is the most important element of financing, and it’s wiser to save to pay cash for a used car. But if you must finance the car do it with some information in hand. Online payment calculators can spit out the monthly payment based on used car price, down payment amount, trade in, interest rate and even other factors such as insurance premiums. Use those calculators as a general guideline as to whether the used car fits in the budget. Make sure never to go to the lot or even complete an online purchase unless your financing is already in order. That means either have the cash on hand to pay up front, or have a loan pre-approved for the amount you’re seeking to spend on the car.

Yes times have changed. Technology makes things easier. But purchasing used cars online is no different than that old time trip to the smiling used car salesman. Take advantage of the resources available on the Internet. That way, you’re more likely to be the one smiling when the used car purchase is completed.

Car Payment Calculator

Having a car is a necessity for most people in the modern world. Sure public transportation exists, but for many people it’s not realistic. People have to go to work and school, drive the kids to various activities, go out to movies or social functions, all on their own unique schedule that doesn’t always fit in with the bus or train time tables. Add to this the fact that it can be dangerous to ride public transportation especially at night. The case for a car is a good one. To avoid the pitfall of buying more can then they can afford, people often turn to a car payment calculator to estimate how the car fits into their budget.

These calculators are pretty simple. Many can be found on line on sites like http://www.edmunds.com. They take input for the sales price, interest rate, term, amount of a down payment, amount of a trade in and often other factors, then spit out the expected monthly payment. Some of them even add in the expected insurance costs, but if the one you choose doesn’t make sure to keep that cost in mind. In fact, it’s a good idea to look at all the costs of car ownership before making a purchase. These include insurance, of course, maintenance such as tires and oil changes, cost of storage which might include extra rental fees for a garage space at the apartment and the office. Costs also include the price of gasoline in your area.

Many people often overlook hidden costs such as cost for accidents. Sure, there’s insurance, but insurance always has a deductible. Can you pay it to get the car back in working order? Then can you pay the increased insurance premium? Other things to keep in mind are the price of registration and emissions testing. Sure these will be the same or at least similar for all cars, but it’s still part of the price.

One big mistake people make when purchasing a car is to go by that monthly payment. The salesman says “I can put you in that car for $359 a month.” That sounds great. But something is missing. That’s the price of the car. Without the bottom line price a buyer can’t really shop for the best deal or haggle for the best price. Looking only at the monthly payment, or even at the monthly payment plus all the other expenses, is only part of the picture. The price must be known before the car is purchased.

A car payment calculator is a great tool to help determine if a car fits into the budget. But it’s only one tool that offers only some of the important financial information needed for a car purchase. Make sure you have all the tools and all the information before buying that car.