Those who know and love cars are always on the lookout for the latest stories about them. Real car enthusiasts can determine what’s a truly big story, and what’s marketing fluff that’s trying to pass for news. We’ll look at two big car stories ripped from the headlines, and what you should know about them.
Tesla
If you live in certain parts of the US, this car maker seems to be on everyone’s lips. The lucky few who have had the pleasure to drive them (or even sit in them) could reasonably describe the experience as seeing into the future. That’s how innovative this car has managed to be in an age where that word has all but lost its meaning. Elon Musk may not be the only person who’s implementing autonomous vehicle technology into his cars, but he is managing to appeal to some of the most demanding buyers on the market, like those who have learned the benefits of driving for the TLC.
When the Model 3 hit the market last year, even the most optimistic employee at Tesla was likely blown away by the response. People who ordered the car months ago won’t even get to test drive it until this summer. They might not get to take one home until potentially next year, especially considering Tesla has not been able to keep up with its forecasted numbers. Production wasn’t necessarily meant to accommodate the 400,000 pre-orders Tesla saw, which means that they’re very much under the gun to get everything finished on time. Some say that this could be their downfall when it comes to future sales, because it will take a while for Tesla to figure out the best way to meet demand. However, it’s likely that Tesla will just go through an adjustment period before smoothing out the rest of their processes.
Apple
And speaking of technology, Apple’s introduction to the autonomous driving market should not surprise anyone, but it may surprise people they waited so late. Instead of letting Tesla be the iPhone of cars, it looks like Apple wants their own name at the top instead. While other tech giants like Google may have already had a head start, the iPhone developers are certainly no slouch when it comes to gaining the upper hand in the public eye. Apple doesn’t just look at what customers want today, they look ahead to how customers will feel when the product debuts. By aiming to fulfill needs that customers may not have known they even had, the company manages to stay fresh regardless of how crowded the market is.
Apple is notoriously close with their money, meaning the investments they do make speak volumes about what they picture the future to be. Regardless of how ubiquitous Apple is, they haven’t had a lot in the way of breakthrough products as of late. The iPad was really the last thing that attracted mass numbers to try something completely new. As the company struggles to fill the shoes of the inimitable Jobs, they’re prepared to use their massive buying power to stay ahead of a game they may have gotten to just a few minutes late.
Whether you’re excited about these stories or are tired of hearing about how your driving skills may be obsolete in the future, there’s a lot to be said about keeping up with today’s trends. For now, consider taking a defensive driving course to increase your safety on the road, and to potentially lower your auto insurance bill. Defensive driving classes can help you understand how to use technology to your advantage, and keep you from being overly reliant on technology as well.
Cars do not always die at the most opportune moment. If your car was totaled in an accident or needs an expensive repair that is not worth making, you may find yourself car shopping before you were ready to. If your finances are tight, the last thing you may want is an expensive car payment. As such, you may be looking for the top 10 Disneyland secrets or to buy a car at a discounted or bargain price. Knowing where to begin your search is half the battle. You aren’t likely to find a discounted price at a dealership, as they mark up their cars to make money. Fortunately, there are plenty of other places you can look for a bargain when you are car hunting. Here are three of the best places to buy discounted cars.
From Private Sellers
One of the best places to look when you are looking for a discounted car is with private sellers. Some private sellers just want to sell their car. They do not want to deal with the hassle of meeting person after person to test drive the car or they may want the money because they already bought a new car and don’t want to insure two cars. Whatever the case, some private sellers price a car low in order to move it fast. Drive around your neighborhood and look for people who have for sale signs in the window of the car or look on street corners for make shift car lots. Also, be sure to check out online classified sites. However, when you are buying a car from a private seller, be aware that the car has no warranty and lemon laws do not apply. Be sure you inspect the car well to ensure there are no problems.
From Auto Auctions
Another place to look for discounted cars is from auto auctions. There are many different entities that offer auto auctions. You can find auto auctions being held for repossessed cars, police impound cars or government car auctions. A repossessed car is a car that someone took out a loan and did not pay for. The lender wants to get what they still owe on the car, not necessarily what the car is worth. A police impound auction is done on cars that were impounded by the police and never picked up. This may be because someone had outstanding traffic tickets, did not register their car or were involved in criminal activity in the car. Regardless, these cars can go for less than blue book value. Government car auctions typically include cars that were used by government officials. When the government is ready to sell the cars and buy new ones, they auction off the old cars. Most agencies take good care of the cars, so this can be a great way to get a clean, well-maintained car.
Through Insurance Salvage Programs
The last place you can look for a discounted car is through insurance salvage programs. When a car is involved in an accident, and the cost to repair the car is more than blue book value, the insurance company salvages the car out. However, they take these cars and auction them off. Some of them are only good for the parts that are not damaged. Others can be repaired and become great cars. If you are handy with cars or don’t mind investing some money to make a car operable, buying a car through an insurance program may be a great way to get a car inexpensively. No matter where you purchase your car, auto insurance companies will usually give you a better rate if you have passed a defensive driving course.
If your current car is no longer operable and you need a new one quickly and cheaply, be sure to look for a car being sold by private sellers, through an auto auction or being offered from an insurance salvage program.
