Honda Plans to Launch Electric Plug-In by 2013

Published: July 26, 2010
Posted in Used Cars

Just like many other automakers, Honda has seen plenty of problems in the past year, according to a recent Reuters report; the company will introduce both a plug-in hybrid and an electric car for the 2013 model year.

The electric car will be offered in the U.S. market initially with competitors like the 2011 Nissan Leaf. By 2013, Honda plans to have at least five hybrids on the market.

Currently Honda offers several hybrid models, the 2010 Civic Hybrid sedan and the Insight dedicated hybrid hatchback, and the 2011 CR-Z hybrid two-seater sports car will arrive in the summer of 2010. A fourth model will be a hybrid version of the Fit subcompact, but no details have been announced yet regarding the 5th hybrid model that Honda plans to launch.

Honda is taking into consideration plans to manufacture the Insight in one of its U.S. plants to reduce costs so it can lower the price in order to be more competitive in the market place.

Honda’s proposed plug-in would be a contender for the Toyota Prius electric plug-in model which is expected to be launched in 2012.will hit dealers in very early 2012. Honda’s plug-in would trail it by roughly a year.

According to a Honda Spokesperson; “After Toyota’s RAV4 announcement last week, Honda was the sole holdout in the no-EV crowd. This is the last shot in the first battle of the electric drivetrain wars, and the EV proponents have won a no-prisoners victory. Every major car manufacturer has a major plug-in launch coming in the next three years.” “The next stage is to see who wins the technology bet: GM’s EREV? Nissan’s BEV? Toyota/Tesla’s laptop battery based system? Better Place’s pervasive infrastructure network? Get your popcorn. It’s going to be a lot of fun to watch.”

If you are in the market for a fuel efficient Honda, see your local St. Louis Cross Keys Auto Used Cars and test drive a used or certified pre-owned Honda today.

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Establishing Auto Credit After a Divorce

Published: July 26, 2010
Posted in Auto Loan

Are you recently divorced and trying to establish personal credit on your own? The task at hand may at first seem like a daunting one, but if you give it time it can be done.  Assuming you were married for many years, you may have never even had a credit card of your own.  Be sure to cancel any previous credit card or cards shared with your former spouse.

If a name change was involved you will also want to take all the necessary legal steps to properly establish credit under your new, or perhaps maiden name. Consider limiting the credit cards you apply for to not be tempted to live beyond your means.

Depending on your financial circumstances after the divorce, the first thing you should do is find a job, even if only part-time. Establishing reportable income of your own is an important first step to beginning a new history of credit for yourself.

Next, open up a personal bank account in your own name, even if you only leave a nominal amount in the account at any given time. It’s another step toward obtaining the credit you now need.

If you already have a job and are in need of an auto loan, you may want to pay a visit to Cross Keys Auto use car sales in Saint Louis, Missouri. Our trained sales staff is willing and qualified to assist you with your auto loan needs.

Taking these huge initial steps will make you feel better about yourself in your new life.  Making your payments regularly and on time will also send you on your way to establishing good credit on your own.

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Today’s Used Car Market Is Exploding

Published: July 9, 2010
Posted in Used Truck Sales

Everyone knows that the automotive market has gone through major upheaval in the past couple of years, from the recession, to massive recalls from major automakers, not to mention bankruptcies and government bailouts; one would think that the car industry has all but bottomed out financially.

But according to one expert in the field, Dennis Desrosiers, Canadian expert automotive analyst; “The demise of the automotive industry is largely exaggerated.”

Desrosiers stated that although the industry is not as battered as one may think, what has changed is that consumers are buying more used cars and that the general consensus on used cars has shifted from past thinking that a used car meant inheriting someone else’s mechanical issues, now the impression of a pre-owned vehicle has shifted 360 degrees. “The traditional knock against used cars was that it was seen as buying someone else’s problems.”

According to DesRosiers, since the 70’s cars have been drastically revamped after the automaker spent billions of dollars on building cars and trucks that are much more reliable and dependable, with life expectancies that are twice what they were back then. “The average vehicle built today will still be on the road 20 years from now with 400,000-plus kilometers,” he said- that’s equal to approximately 248,000 miles.

Used car sales are projected to continue to soar, while factory and parts jobs will be diminishing as new car prices go up and the demand goes down.

DesRosiers states; “The consumer is more powerful than any auto company executive,” DesRosiers said. “Never, ever take your eyes off the consumer. If you do, you’re bankrupt.”

To see a great line-up of used vehicles, visit Cross Keys Auto Used Car and Used Truck Sales in Hazelwood today.

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Ford and GM Integrate Google Maps

Published: July 8, 2010
Posted in Used Car Sales

Ford has also made  a decision to assimilate Google Maps into its Sync system which is similar to OnStar and includes; hands-free calling, turn-by-turn directions, 911 assist, traffic alerts, audible text messages-and now the ability to incorporate Google Maps.  In fact, the major difference between OnStar’s telematics system and Ford’s Sync technology is that Onstar has its own communications equipment and Ford’s system is linked through cell phones.

Ford is claiming that it is the only automaker offering the capability to send directions remotely to a vehicle without a paid subscription to a telematics service such as OnStar. But Google doesn’t plan to make Ford an exclusive partner, the Internet giant is teaming up with OnStar to develop navigation features for GM vehicles as well.

All GM vehicles purchased from Cross Keys Auto Used Car Sales in St. Louis from the 2006 model year forward that are equipped with Turn-by-Turn Navigation capability will be able to get access to the new technology to interact with the Google Map system. 2010 and 2011 vehicles equipped with the Ford Sync option will get access to the new Google Maps program as well.

OnStar and Sync users alike will be able to search for and identify destinations using Google Maps from their desktop, or laptop computer, then send those destinations to the Turn-by-Turn Navigation Service in their vehicle.

According to Onstar vice president of development, Nick Pudar; “eNav is a perfect solution for subscribers who like the flexibility of being able to use Google Maps to plan their trips in advance, but without the hassle of bringing printed maps into the vehicle.”

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Personalize Your Used Ford

Published: July 8, 2010
Posted in Used Car Dealer

Ford has developed a new website for its customers to easily create a personalized look for the Ford of their choice by adding a variety of choices of new vinyl graphics that mimic custom paint jobs and cost only half as much. The vinyl graphics are professionally installed at Ford dealerships and each one comes with a warranty.

There are virtually 50 different designs to choose from every vehicle on the website, including Ford Taurus, Fiesta, Focus, Edge, Flex, Escape, Explorer, the F-Series trucks of course, the Mustang (Mustang and F-150s are two of the most commonly customized vehicles), and many more.

The idea must have caught on from the recent Ford Fiesta/American Idol promotion where 12 custom designed Fiesta’s were given away in a drawing to aspirant contenders.

The new website makes is easy and affordable for Ford customers to personalize their ride, so after purchasing your pre-owned Ford from Cross Keys Auto Used Car Dealer in St. Louis, try going to the website, www.fordcustomgraphics.com selecting the model and color of their Ford, then picking form dozens of custom vinyl graphics that customers are enabled to try it before they buy it, by seeing exactly how the graphics will look on their automobile before purchasing any of the designs.

Long term plans are to offer customizable graphics to all vehicles that Ford makes.

Of the 50 designs that were were created specifically for each vehicle customers can choose from a variety of colors and sizes which were created to target a specific consumer; for example, the Fiesta designs target a younger buyer with patterns such as bubbles and flowers.  Mustang and F-150 designs are completely different configurations such as a camouflage look.

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Ford Designs Eco-Friendly Material

Published: July 8, 2010
Posted in Used Car Sales

Ford has done it again!  The automaker has been known to change with the times is now adding more eco-friendly materials to their automobiles.  For example, the new 2011 Ford Explorer will offer a new bio-based polyurethane foam made from soy in seat cushions and seatbacks as well as 25% increase in fuel economy over the 2010 model.

Ford was the first automaker to reveal that soy-based foams could be devised to be approved for automotive purposes, revolutionizing its use in seats as far back as 2008 in the Ford Mustang.

Now Ford plans to continue developing the use of soy-based foam in the interior of nearly all of its 2011 line-up as part of a project to start utilizing more recyclable and renewable vehicle lineup this year as part of an ongoing effort to use more renewable and recyclable resources.

Already there are over 2 million Ford vehicles that have the bio foam content that was used to construct their interior seat cushions, Ford reports that the use of the innovative material has helped the company reduce the use of petroleum oil by 3 million lbs every year as well as reducing greenhouse gas emission by 11 million lbs.  Those are very impressive numbers evolving from simply substituting one substance for another.

Ford now claims to have a larger number of models with seats that use bio foam than any other automaker.  The 2011 Explorer will actually become one of 23 other models to feature the  new soy seat cushion material that was pioneered by Ford itself, including; Ford Taurus, Mustang, F-150, F-250/F-350, Focus, Flex, Crown Victoria, Escape, Edge, Expedition, and many others.

If you are in the market for a used Ford, see your local St. Louis Auto Dealer, Cross Keys Auto Used Car Sales in Hazelwood today.

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6th Generation Volkswagen Jetta

Published: July 8, 2010
Posted in Used Cars

Volkswagen is preparing the launch of the new 6th generation, 2011 Jetta which is promised to be a more conservative redesign

The 2011 Jetta eliminated the Golf platform for its own structural design, which VW is calling the New Compact Sedan. It’s attractive in a conventional way, similar in exterior design to a Toyota Camry, more chiseled, but it is said to be rather demure by some critics.

Up front, the car’s front-end, headlights and hood contours closely resemble the NCC, while around back; the taillights are pretty much the same shape as the concept car’s. Apart from the similarities to the appealing coupe concept, this promises to be a traditional revamp for the VW Jetta.

The 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine will continue as the base engine for now. The gasoline-fired turbo-four may continue in the Jetta, but it is a costly engine for VW because it has to be imported from Europe.

Volkswagen will offer two different suspension setups on the new 2011 Jetta. Lower-line models would stick with the torsion beam rear suspension, while higher-line versions will get a multilink setup similar to the new Golf’s.

If you are looking for a pre-owned Jetta, see your local St. Louis Cross Keys Auto Sales, we have a great line-up of  used cars.

“Overall the changes are minimal in the 2011 Jetta, basically better fuel efficiency, the 2.5-liter inline-5 as the base engine, followed by the 200-hp 2.0T and the 2.0-liter TDI diesel four.

Starting price is more attractive than last year’s version at around $16,000.

Production versions of the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta sedan should be available to consumers in the United States, showing up on dealer lots before the end of the summer of 2010.  If the Jetta R is to emerge, expect it to show up later.

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Auto Financing for First Time Buyers

Published: June 29, 2010
Posted in Guaranteed Credit

If you are a first time car buyer, guaranteed credit may be difficult to find,  but there are lenders who offer loans to all types of consumers who have not yet established credit.

First of all start building credit by applying for a major credit, even if it is a very low balance card, or you have to pre-load the card before using it.  Once you pay off the initial balance, you will be eligible for a higher credit amount, and it will help to establish your credit.

Keep your credit card payments sent in on time for at least six months make sure to pay and keep your balances low, then when it comes time to apply for a car loan from Cross Keys Auto in St. Louis, your credit history will be positive.

Some lenders will approve a first time car buyer’s loan application, but most likely your interest rate will be higher than after your credit is more established. After you pay off your first auto loan, you will be able to get a better interest rate to purchase a newer, more expensive car, but the first time you may have to go for a less expensive used automobile.

To find a no credit history car loan, try checking for an online sub-prime auto loan lender.  Whenever you select a company online, be sure to check with the Better Business Bureau in the local area that the company is based in.  If the company is NOT affiliated with the BBB, skip that particular lender and go on to another one until you find a lender with a good track record. Be aware that there are many financing online scams that are just attempting to get your sensitive financial information.

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Why Lease a Truck?

Published: June 29, 2010
Posted in Used Trucks

Leasing is starting to become more popular again, but what are the advantages of leasing your next truck?  Why would consumers lease new instead of purchasing new or used trucks?  It’s not like the dealership will cover the owner’s expense in a lease situation.

One of the strongest pro’s to leasing over buying a vehicle is that one will actually get more buying power with a leased vehicle.  In other words, you can qualify to get a more expensive vehicle than you would when you opt for ownership.

When you lease a truck, you pay for the depreciation that is happening during the time that you are leasing/driving the truck.  In other words, you pay for the part of the car’s value that you are using plus interest vs buying a used truck from Cross Keys Auto dealer in St. Louis

When you start a new lease agreement the dealer will estimate what the truck’s residual value will be at the end of the lease.  For a closed end lease, you simply turn in the truck when the lease expires, no additional fees apply.

Residual value is what your car will be worth at the end of the lease. It’s what it would cost to buy the truck, used, at that time.

If you opt for an open-end lease, you may owe the difference between the residual value of the car and the actual market value at the end of the lease. This might be the way to go, as long as the street value of the truck has remained above the residual value determined by the dealer. You would then be buying the truck for less than you could anywhere else.

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Finding a Reputable Online Lender

Published: June 29, 2010
Posted in Auto Loan
Online auto loans are becoming more popular these days, particularly for those with poor credit. There are so many different companies out there and it seems they are all offering to approve auto credit for anyone.  But how can you possibly sort through the mass of information to find a reputable online auto finance company?  Here are some tips designed to assist in locating an online finance company for your next auto purchase from Cross Keys Auto in St. Louis;
A reputable auto loan and financing site is E-loan, you can get your credit report for free, E-Loan also has separate sections for car re-financing and lease buy outs.
The Lending Tree is one of the more respected online-based financing institutions. The Lending Tree takes your information and gives it to competing banks so you may qualify for more than one offer at once.
If you plan to select your own online lending agency, be sure to check the background including doing an inquiry at the local Better Business Bureau in the town that the lender’s headquarters is located. If the prospective company doesn’t have an affiliation with the BBB, it is suggested to move onto the next prospect.
Be aware that using one of the companies that check for competitive rates with multiple lenders may result in your credit score being checked multiple times which can lower your score.  Be sure to find out if the company you select plans to share your information with any other business.  Make sure to ask how long the process takes from pre-approval to the actual check being issued.
To compare rates consider using the Yahoo online calculator which asks you to put in the information and it does the rest. It can even compare loan costs vs. the cost of leasing.
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