Well, most of us have heard about secret shoppers, but were you aware of the Secret Seller’s Society? No? Well there really is one; actually there are hundreds, possibly even thousands of these secret sellers, buying, selling, and trading, your personal information.
When you are in the market for a new vehicle, the information highway should be more of a gathering experience as opposed to a providing one. It seems you cannot even browse for a vehicle from the safety of your home or office without car adds popping up promising the unbelievable deal of the century. These “banner ads” and “sponsored links” are a big money proposition. However, be cautious when electing to “Take Advantage” of these offers, you may actually be the one taken advantage of.
You mostly end up being sucked into catchy little calls to action promising things such as “car buying secrets”, “prices below invoice”, “best deals found here”. Free this, free that, it’s snail mail without needing a stamp. When you click on one of these links, you end up on what can be referred to as a “landing page.” In most cases, you asked to provide personal information. The more you provide the more you are worth. You are often putting yourself out there for the world to see, or buy. But you should be careful and realize that few, if any, can deliver what they promise and they actually make money on your private information.
Feel cheap? Well, you’re not. Actually, you can be very expensive depending on how much information you choose to provide. Companies who say they trade autos for instance, really do trade (your information for money that is). The more a dealer pays, the better chance he will have the first shot at contacting you. The problem is where does the money trail end?
Did you know there are actually “lead houses” that buy and sell you, and your private information? You become a lead – a chance to be sold. In some cases, this is not altogether bad, especially if you are really in the market for a new or used vehicle. But what happens can cause unwanted, annoying and, in some cases, provide disastrous results. The more information you provide, the more opportunity you provide both legitimate, and not so legitimate companies and individuals. Most of the companies promising you instant approvals, deals below invoice, and other offers that ask for your name, address, employer and social security number cannot really get you approved.
These are third party providers; a third party provider, for example, is a company who does not directly finance, or cannot directly sell you a product or service. They cannot sell you a car or get you approved to buy one. You give them all your private information and then they sell you to a company who checks you out, verifies your information and, in some cases, pulls a credit report (even though they cannot approve you). And if you qualify, your information is sold to the highest bidder. If you do not qualify to get their money back they will end sell you to a lead house who then sells you to a dealer who pulls your credit again, and so on.
Oh but wait; it gets better. They can do all this since you “opted in” meaning you since you gave them permission or in some cases multiple permissions to sell your information to third parties and affiliates. Ever fill out a form online then wonder why your email is filled with 300 emails for things you never considered buying? The only sure way to avoid this nightmare is to fill out a secure credit application with the dealership you are interested in buying from. Your automotive dealer provides on the spot financing.
Remember the old saying, “too good to be true”? In the case of the third party providers, it is not only “too good to be true”; in most cases, it’s just not true. There really is no secret to car buying, secret car buying service, or secret car buying society. Information is available to you and it is free (that is what the Internet is for after all). You can visit your local dealerships site and select a vehicle, get the market value on your trade, and yes you can really “get approved” directly, and your information is safe, secure and not out there for the world to buy, sell, or trade.
A fuel efficient vehicle is most likely at the top of your priority list when considering a purchase of a new or pre-owned vehicle. Many vehicle companies are manufacturing more and more fuel efficient vehicles every day in an effort to meet demands as consumers look to reduce vehicle expenses (especially in today’s penny pinching economy). There are some choices that you make when purchasing that may help you reduce your fuel costs. One consideration is to choose a smaller engine like a 4 cylinder or a V6, over a V8. Opting for a hybrid such as the Toyota Prius, or a diesel power plant are great options which you may want to consider. You may also want to consider a 2 wheel drive opposed to a 4 wheel drive if your new truck, or Sport Utility Vehicle will never really see dirt (fewer than 10 % do) so a 4 wheel drive may not be the right choice for you. It is heavier, needs more power, and ultimately uses more fuel. However, there are ways that you can save on fuel costs yourself no matter what vehicle you end up purchasing.
Manual vs. Automatic
Everyone believes that manual vehicles save you more on gas than driving an automatic, but a larger impact on your fuel economy really comes down to how you drive the vehicle. If you have a led foot, which most of us do deep down inside, then it doesn’t matter which of the two you have. When you are constantly accelerating, and slamming on your brakes, you are wasting fuel faster. Relax and get off the gas. If you often find yourself in bumper to bumper traffic, the constant stop and go will reduce fuel economy regardless of your vehicles transmission type.
Properly inflated tires
Making sure your tires are properly inflated is one of the most effective ways you can save in fuel costs and also reduce wear and tear. Make sure to review to your owner’s manual to find out the proper inflation rate for your specific vehicle and driving environment. You also may want to consider adding nitrogen to your tires. This can help improve fuel economy, reduces the oxidation and wear of rubber compounds, and reduces pressure loss helping keep your tires properly inflated. Also make sure to have your tires rotated at recommended intervals. If you are unsure, contact your service professional or stop in to your dealerships service department, they can inform you about proper inflation rates, and will even take the time to put air in your tires for you.
Services and Oil changes
Current estimates are that less than 4% of the vehicles on the road are properly maintained, and less than 10% of vehicle owners change their oil as recommended. We all fall victim of not keeping up with your oil changes as necessary, but this is a very important thing to remember to keep your engine running properly. Your owner’s manual recommendation for an oil change is between every 3,000 to 10,000 miles. If you feel your vehicle is not running as smoothly take it up to your dealership’s service department. Be sure to get all services required along with preventative maintenance such as an oil and filter change. Just remember, the more you take care of your engine, the less it has to work the longer it will run, and you will use less fuel.
Heavy Loads
The more weight you have in your vehicle, the harder it has to work. You can save 2 – 4% on your fuel bill by reducing your vehicles load or weight by a mere 200 lbs. If you plan on using your vehicle to haul heavier items keep in mind the extra weight can also have an adverse effect your cars overall performance and fuel economy since it will take more effort to get from point (A) to point (B). If you must have that extra weight, drive slower and do not over accelerate or brake. Try and place the load closer to the rear axle and try and displace the weight evenly from side to side if possible.
The numbers
You can lie about the numbers, but the numbers never lie.
Current estimates are that less than 4% of the vehicles on the road are properly maintained; only 10% of vehicle owners change their oil as recommended.
Only 3.35% of the vehicles on the road have tires which are properly inflated to manufactures specs.
You can save 2 – 4% on your fuel bill by reducing your vehicles load or weight by a mere 200 lbs.
For every 5 mph you drive over 60, you drop your fuel efficiency by an additional 7% or more, 65 mph =7% reduction, 70 mph=14% reduction, and at 75 mph you reduce your fuel efficiency by 21%.
If you drive approximately 12,000 miles per year, your average fuel savings choosing a hybrid can be somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,300 – $1,500 per year or just over $125.00 per month, mommy or daddy don’t know money. Choosing a 4 cylinder vehicle as opposed to an 8 cylinder can save you between $700.00- $900.00 per year based on the manufacture and specific model you choose. And while you may only save $200.-$300.00 per month choosing a 2WDR vehicle over a 4WDR vehicle, consider your savings on both maintenance and insurance.
For your consideration
Reduce your time at idle if possible- you are getting 0 miles per gallon. Shut off your vehicle while at a dead stop in heavy traffic. Get off the gas and ease to a stop. Coast off the freeway, slow your acceleration, who wants to be the first to the next stop light anyway? Keep your windows up especially when traveling on highways or over 35 mph.
Let my grandma pass you, she rarely does over twenty, and who wants to rush back to work anyhow? Try and be a little lighter in the foot, “The Fast And The Furious” is a movie and their budget was bigger.
The sales, finance, and service departments at your dealership will be able to inform you of any ways on saving fuel costs, among any other questions that you may have. Knowledge is power, so contact them directly don’t be afraid to ask!
Customer Service at Right Toyota is part of an overall approach aimed at continued improvement. http://bit.ly/blQU70
Information, Specials and Offers
Join Our Mailing List
Which models are affected by the recall/stop sale?
Toyota's accelerator pedal recall and suspension of sales is confined to the following Toyota Division vehicles:
* 2009-2010 RAV4
* 2009-2010 Corolla
* 2009-2010 Matrix
* 2005-2010 Avalon
* Certain 2007-2010 Camry
* 2010 Highlander except hybrid models
* 2007-2010 Tundra
* 2008-2010 Sequoia
* No Lexus Division or Scion vehicles are affected by these actions. Also not affected are Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Highlander hybrids and select Camry models, including all Camry hybrids, which will remain for sale.
What is the condition that has prompted Toyota to take this action?
In rare instances, there is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position.
