New Car Shopping Tips

Nowadays no matter what car you buy, new or used, fuel efficiency is the buyers' most concerns. Choosing a fuel efficient car sure will save you a lot of money over the life of the car, which could be significant. But the fuel efficiency varies widely between different car manufacturers.

Finding the most fuel-efficient car such as mid-sized, SUV, two-seater, MPV or pickup truck depends on each individual interested in. Always remember the bigger engines which generally can be find in a large vehicle are less fuel-efficient. There are several website where you can compare fuel consumption ratings between cars. You can also check car magazines and website for more information.

Generally, a manual transmission car, assuming you shift properly is more fuel-efficient than one with automatic. Do buy an automatic transmission car if you have to with more gears the better. Normally larger cars came with automatic transmission.

It is true that smaller engines offer better fuel efficiency than larger ones. But in some cases a bigger and more powerful engine may save cost as compare with smaller engine. If your vehicle always heavy loader, a smaller engine has to burn more fuel to work harder and function beyond it's most fuel-efficient range.

The majority of minivans and passenger cars are design to have front-wheel drive. It is due to supplies better traction and more interior room. There's really not much difference in fuel efficiency between the front-wheel and rear-wheel drive although front-wheel drive was design to improve fuel economy. It all depends on your choice at the time you purchase.

Do you know that power windows, seats and mirrors to air conditioning cost you more in fuel consumption which decreased fuel efficiency? But by limiting the options you select for your car, you can become a fuel saver. Aluminum wheels are one of the few options that actually increase fuel efficiency due to their light weight.

Obviously, another option for a fuel-efficient car is a hybrid electric car.

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Finding Vehicle History Reports For Used Cars in Toronto

Before purchasing a used car in Toronto, a consumer may want to locate a vehicle history report (also known as a vehicle title search) that can tell him more detail about the vehicle itself. The vehicle history report can offer information about the previous use of the vehicle, where it was registered, the odometer information and if it was subject to any major repairs as a result of accidents or natural disasters. While many car dealers offer a report of this type to potential customers, they may not, so it's then up to you to purchase one on your own if you are serious about buying. Here are some resources to help you find a vehicle report for used cars in Toronto.
One of the easiest ways to obtain a report is by visiting an online service like "Carfax" that charges a nominal fee for this report. All that's required is the vehicle identification number (VIN) and a small secure credit card payment. The service then pulls information about the used car from government and dealer databases and compiles it into an easy-to-read format. You can review the report and then take it with you to the dealership in Toronto to discuss with them if you find any conflicting information about the vehicle you are considering.

Or you can discreetly obtain the VIN by taking the car for a short test drive, then jotting down the long alpha-numeric code that's generally found on an engraved plaque on the car's front dash. If the vehicle is missing a VIN or it has been altered or concealed, then that will be a big red flag for you to not move forward with a purchase on that used car. It is illegal in both the US and Canada to deface a VIN for the purpose of concealing information about the car from consumers.

If you are working with a reputable used car reseller, you may be able to get a free vehicle history report from them before you agree to buy the used car. It's as easy as asking the salesperson or his manager for one. They will more than likely also go over the report with you and answer any questions and address any concerns you may have. If you ask and they are hesitant to provide a history on the used car, something that they should have readily available, that will be another bad sign that they are not someone you can trust.

Buying a used car in Toronto doesn't have to be a stressful experience. Having the tools and information needed is a good way to reduce this stress and make buying your used car a good experience for all concerned. Getting a used vehicle history report ahead of time is a useful tool you can take advantage of to know more about the car you are considering and save yourself considerable money and headaches as a consumer.

About the Author
Formula Honda in Toronto offers Honda new cars, used cars, trucks, SUV's, minivans and commercial cars. Toronto Honda offers a large inventory of both Honda new and used cars in Toronto and the GTA.

Choosing The Car Model That's Right For You

There are car models made for just about every need under the sun and many of them cross over into other model types. Choosing the car model that best suits you can be a daunting task. You must first define your wants and needs, and then choose a car based on these specifications.

As well as model choices, the extra features of each vehicle type should also be considered in your selection. What kind of engine do you need? Petrol, diesel, or hybrid power? Do you need economy or hauling power? What type of transmission - automatic, manual or auto-manual? How about sound systems, air-conditioning, and optional upholstery? The basic vehicle package often won't include many optional extras that you want, so you may have to outlay more money to ensure you get the features you want.

Features aside, what car is going to be right for you? Here's a brief run-down on some popular car models and their main features:

Economy or Small Car - This model is typically a small two-door hatchback or small car. These types of vehicle offer great basic transportation and generally deliver good fuel mileage. They are great "city cars" and are ideal for short trips with up to four passengers.

Economy Crossover - These vehicle models have a more functional body type - think "station wagon". They generally have a good fuel mileage, and can carry four or five passengers as well as stow some gear. Economy Crossover's are more costly that the economy small car, but are a lot more functional.

Compact SUV - These cars are designed for more rugged use. The compact SUV often has four-wheel-drive and can handle less than favorable road conditions, but are not designed for heavy off-road use. There are some trade-offs in fuel economy and higher base prices when compared to crossovers or small cars.

Mid-sized Coupe or Sedan - The Coupe has bigger dimensions, more interior space, more comfort for passengers and better for longer trips. This model can be economical with appropriate engine and transmission choices. The base models will often have more accessories and luxury features but the cost is generally higher than more compact car models.

Mid-sized SUV - This is like the compact SUV, but with larger dimensions and is more appropriate for off-road usage, towing and other heavy-duty activities. The mid-sized SUV can comfortably carry four of five passengers and their gear on long distance trips. The big downside of the mid-sized SUV is the fuel consumption - particularly as we see fuel prices and global warming concerns on the rise.

People Movers - these van-types of vehicles have large interior spaces and generally seat five to eight passengers, plus storage space. The People Mover is suitable for longer trips or transporting the kids' sports teams and all their equipment. Again they are not as economical as the small car, but they are far more appropriate for large families or frequent transportation of groups.

Sports Cars - Small, high-performance vehicles that usually only carry two people comfortably, but can sometimes carry up to four. Sports cars have minimal storage space and are a fun drive for the auto enthusiast, but are not that practical for a family.

Large Coupes, Sedans and SUVs - These large car models are like the mid-sized, but with larger dimensions and are generally even less fuel efficient.

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So what car model is right for you? You may picture yourself in the sports car, but if you are a family of four then that choice isn't very practical. Your vehicle selection should be made based upon your general needs, not the occasional ones.