Instead of writing a lengthy post providing tips on how to buy used cars, we are providing this infographic below courtesy of our friends at NetCars.com. While this infographic was prepared for a British audience, these tips are global in nature.

How to Buy Used Cars is a post from: Cheapest New Cars.net

Based on early reviews, the 2013 Dart is a vast improvement over the outgoing Dodge Caliber and should help the model take on its compact sedan competitors such as the Ford Focus, Chevy Cruze, Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic, and Toyota Corolla.

Dart Pricing & Trim Lines

Chrysler has also announce the pricing on the dart. The base Dart SE undercuts all its key competitors in price, with a starting MSRP of $15,995. However, this model will not even come with power windows (get ready to roll’em up) and no air-conditioning.

Read below for a look at Dart trims and starting MSRPs, not including $895 destination charge, as follows:

Dart SXT, $17,995 – The SXT adds 17-inch wheels, remote keyless entry, power body-color mirrors, six-speakers, 60/40 split folding rear seat, and air conditioning. The SXT also allows owners to add such optional features as an 8.4-inch touch screen, which is the largest in its class, power sunroof, and rear backup camera.

Dart Ralleye, $18,995 – The Dart Ralleye offers the latest engine technologies, a 1.4-liter MultiAir® turbocharged engine that produces a 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine is also found in the Fiat 500 Abarth. The SXT offers more sport with bright exhaust tips, black headlamp bezels, projector fog lamps, front fascia accents, and striking interior colors.

It will be interesting to see what type of EPA estimated fuel economy this model attains. The lighter 500 Abarth (a subcompact hatchback) is rated at 28-mpg city and 34-mpg highway.

Dart Limited, $19,995 – The Dart Limited offers a host of standard features including the 8.4-inch touchscreen, rear backup camera, 10-way power driver seat, and automatic headlamps. Garmin navigation, polished aluminum wheels, and premium Nappa leather with heating steering wheel are among the optional features.

Dart R/T, $22,495 – The Dart R/T comes with the new 2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir four-cylinder engine that produces 184 horsepower. It also features 18-inch aluminum wheels, sport suspension, heated and leather seats, and a class-exclusive heated steering wheel. The Dart R/T release date will be later in Summer 2012.

Compacts Help Build Brand Loyalty

Compact cars account for about 15 percent of new U.S. vehicle sales. Chrysler has not offered a compact sedan model since the Neon was mercifully discontinued in 2006. The Neon started strong and looked good on paper, winning Motor Trend’s 1995 Car of the Year Award, but the car’s unreliability and lack of build quality quickly showed. The Caliber debuted in 2007 but has been a hatchback only.

Statistics show that about 15% of U.S. new car sales are compact sedans. Compact buyers also tend to be a younger demographic so establishing a good customer experience with compacts is important for automakers. Brand loyalty can play a big role in having return customers.

Dodge Dart Release Date is a post from: Cheapest New Cars.net

Below, we’ll target several specific performance upgrades you can make to your small vehicle, so that whether you have a Volkswagen Beetle, a Ford Focus, or another small/compact car, you can still keep it up-to-speed.

photo credit: andrewjsan

Add-ons

Aftermarket add-ons are notoriously popular amongst car tuners looking to improve the performance of their compact vehicles. For years, vehicles such as the Honda Civic have been retrofitted with all kinds of body kits and superchargers to boost their speed and acceleration on the road, not to mention enhance their appearance.

For the least expensive and quickest-to-install add-ons, try utilizing performance chips. Unlike more expensive add-ons that can take hours, even days to install individually, or that may even require professional installation, even novice installers can outfit a car with a chip in under a half an hour.

Performance chips typically cost less than a hundred dollars, can be installed using only basic automotive tools, and most modern versions don’t even require an ECU reboot. For up to 60 extra horsepower and 4-7mpg in fuel savings, that’s certainly nothing to scoff at.

For an add-on that’s dramatically more powerful than a chip, and yet also dramatically more expensive, you can always go with an aftermarket turbocharger. You’ll be able to boost your car’s engine horsepower output by several hundred HP at best, bringing your compact car up to league with upper-end sports cars instead of other compacts just rolling off the dealer lot.

Replacements

Improving your small vehicle’s on-road performance doesn’t always require the use of expensive or time-consuming add-ons. Instead, you can simply replace pieces of your car’s stock build that are ineffective, busted, or simply outdated.

Consider your compact car’s hood, for instance. Though you may have a compact car that’s smaller and lighter than most models, your car still may have an inconsistently heavy hood. Stock hoods can weigh down cars by as much as 100 extra pounds over the car’s weight with them removed.

By utilizing alternatives such as carbon fiber or fiberglass hoods, you can significantly cut weight from your car’s total, resulting in lessened engine strain and easier acceleration. Replacing partially deflated tires can also result in more even weight distribution, resulting in enhanced performance and fuel efficiency as well.

So if you don’t have any intention of installing add-on parts to your car because you like it mostly the way it is, consider using replacements as alternatives that can still bring you the performance results that you’ve been looking for.

Originally posted 2012-01-04 23:11:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Compact Car Performance Improvements: Getting the Best out of your Vehicle is a post from: Cheapest New Cars.net

LoJack, a company that provides theft prevention and car recovery services, has released its 2010 “Vehicle Theft Recovery Report”. It is the second year the company has published the report, which lists the top 10 most stolen cars in America. According to LoJack, the number one most stolen car in 2010 was the Honda Accord, a popular midsize sedan. Number two on the list was the Honda Civic, a compact sedan.

This is a flip from 2009 when the Civic finished as the most stolen car and the Accord finished second. Hondas have been popular theft targets for years due to their renowned reliability and popularity for parts and ability to make modifications. Honda makes Acura, which had a model place fourth on the list, making three of the top four most stolen cars in 2010 Honda products.

Below is the top 10 list for most stolen cars of 2010 according to LoJack:

1. Honda Accord

2. Honda Civic

3. Toyota Camry

4. Acura Integra

5. Cadillac Escalade

6. Toyota Corolla

7. Dodge Ram

8. Nissan Altima

9. Nissan Maxima

10. Chevrolet Tahoe

Three of the cars on this list are compact models – the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Acura Integra. The Integra is actually a compact sport coupe that was sold from 1995-2007. Excluding the two SUVs and one pick-up, all cars in the top 10 list were made by Japanese automakers.

No matter how much your car is worth, if you wish to better protect it from theft, you may wish to consider purchasing LoJack’s service. It is available at many auto parts stores. How it works is that a LoJack transmitter is installed, hidden inside of your vehicle. In that way, if your car is stolen, the tracking device allows police to find and recover it. With this device installed, vehicle recovery usually only takes a few hours.

LoJack has a high success rate noting that nearly 90% of the vehicles equipped with its tracking hardware were recovered in 2010. The company is now offering a 24-hour recovery guarantee.

Originally posted 2011-04-17 12:54:25. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Most Stolen Cars is a post from: Cheapest New Cars.net

The Focus ST has not previously been available in North America but the Focus SVT was a higher performance version of the model that was last offered in the U.S. for the 2004 model. The Focus SVT had a 2.0-liter 170 horsepower engine.

Engine and Power

The Focus was all-new for 2011 so there are otherwise few changes for the 2012 model year. The Focus ST features Ford’s lightweight, all-aluminum 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost® engine, which is also seen in the 2012 Ford Explorer.

In the Focus ST, the engine produces an estimated 247 horsepower and 250 pound feet of torque. In comparison, the Impreza WRX has 265 horsepower, the MazdaSpeed3 has 263 horsepower, and the VW GTI has 200 horsepower. Expect a Focus ST 0-60 time of under 6 seconds.

Features and Options

The Focus ST has a sporty design, distinctive from other Focus trim lines. The model has unique 18” Y-shaped alloy wheels and front and rear upsized disc brakes for quicker stops. Optional features include partial leather Recaro® seats, heated seats, eight-way adjustable seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and bi-xenon headlights.

The model has uprated shock absorbers and springs that lower its chassis by one centimeter. This gives the car a lower center of gravity and better handling than other Focus trim.

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy has not yet been announced but the Focus ST comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission. The model uses high-pressure direct injection, twin-independent variable cam timing, and a low-inertia turbocharger to conserve fuel. The Focus ST is front-wheel drive but has a torque steer compensation system that counteracts the effects of torque steer feel for the driver.

Coming in 2012

The Focus ST its global debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. It goes on sale in the U.S. in calendar year 2012. The model brings back more competition in the sport hatchback market as the Chevrolet Cobalt SS and Dodge Caliber SRT-4 were both discontinued.

The Focus ST will be available in more than 40 markets and an ST Wagon will be sold in Europe. Buyers in six continents can enjoy the performance, agility, sound quality, and driving dynamics of this car.

Pricing has not been announced but expect a starting MSRP of about $25,000 making the Focus ST one of the cheapest performance cars you can buy.

Originally posted 2011-09-24 19:24:22. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

2012 Ford Focus ST is a post from: Cheapest New Cars.net