Finance Agreements

With the average price of a new vehicle passing $25,000, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing you have to spend a small fortune to drive anything worth writing home about. Unless you’re all about impressing your friends, neighbors and co-commuters with the size of your monthly payment, the entry end of the market is filled with a higher concentration of cool cars, trucks and SUVs than ever.

After putting together a list of all the vehicles available for less than $18,000, the editors of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com then picked the 10 coolest. Instead of reporting based on vehicles’ Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (MSRPs), the list is based on each model’s New Car Blue Book value, the price buyers are typically paying in the market. Your actual payment will be determined by the down payment on the vehicle and the finance rate.

The Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000

• Toyota Yaris-With a long history as a best-seller in Europe, the Toyota Yaris migrates to the U.S. as the least expensive vehicle in the Toyota lineup. Sporting unusually cool styling, Toyota quality and a 34/city and 40/highway MPG rating, the Yaris’ value more than exceeds its under-$12,000 starting price.

• Scion xB-The xB has proven to us that, these days, it’s cool to be square. Not only does its slab-sided styling set it apart, but its boxy dimensions also mean this diminutive and fuel-efficient vehicle is a surprisingly commodious hauler of people and stuff.

• Dodge Caliber-Caliber changes the small-car game by offering a larger, more flexible interior filled with way-cool features like an air-conditioned storage bin to keep drinks cold, rear speakers that flip down to project outward from the open tailgate, a 110-volt outlet for powering small electronics and a self-charging flashlight.

• Kia Sportage-When buying your first SUV, bang-for-the-buck is a very cool thing to find. Pricing out the Kia Sportage is almost fun when you get to include a sunroof, a great stereo and a tire pressure monitor all for under $16,500.

• Chevrolet HHR-As cool as the 1940s-style exterior is, the Chevrolet HHR is equally cool for its efficient use of space and worthwhile features like remote start and the increasingly requisite iPod connector. It offers hauling ability like a compact SUV, yet it handles like a car.

• Ford Fusion-Size does matter, so getting a well-styled, contemporary midsize sedan with the roominess and comfort of the new Fusion is cool. Even better is the unexpected level of equipment for the price, including remote keyless entry, tilt steering wheel and cruise control.

• Nissan Frontier-Utility is in, and nothing’s more utilitarian than a pickup. The Frontier backs up its sharp styling with excellent ride and handling.

• Mazda3-Available as a hatchback or sedan, the Mazda3 is a deft one-two punch to the compact-car segment. We can’t decide which model we like better, but the combination of fine driving dynamics, upscale interior and arresting looks make this a “cool cars” list repeater.

• Honda Civic-You know how U2 were cool, then in the mid-90s they weren’t so cool, and now they’re as cool as ever? Well, the Civic has traveled a parallel path to regain its stature as arguably the finest economy car ever built–and cool once again.

• Scion tC-If you’re cool enough to appreciate it, the slick styling and fashionable features in the tC deliver Lexus-like technology in an affordable package. This year, the improved audio features stand out, including steering-wheel gauges and iPod connectivity.

This article brought to you by Automotive Finance Company in conjunction with best 7 passenger vehicle

We’ve all seen them, and some of us may even own one-a cell phone that has numerous capabilities beyond a normal phone. Some may contain cameras, games, internet access, blue tooth devices, speakerphone, and even video recorders, which enable its users to create mini home movies. What is the purpose of all of all these capabilities, and are they really necessary? Well of course, there are opposing opinions about this.

Some people are old-school, meaning they aren’t really into all the latest technology. They may not see the necessity in having a blue tooth device attached to their cell phone, or the ability to access the internet from it. They may have a very simple mobile phone that has the minimal amount of abilities because their needs don’t require them to buy all the extras.

These people may feel that people who are willing to pay hundreds of dollars for a simple device are ridiculous and are wasting their money. If they want to access the internet, then they can just do it the usual way-by using a computer.

Most people, of course, wouldn’t live without their cell phones and all the extras. They relish making mini home movies of their families and friends, and they enjoy the convenience of the ability to multitask with the addition of the blue tooth wireless device. Let’s face it: Many people lead busy lives and they may not have the time to do the things that other people do.

Like take the time to sit at a computer to check email or they may have the need to clean out their desk as well as talk to a client simultaneously. Holding a traditional cell phone between their ear and shoulder, and may cause neck cramping and pain, but with the use of the handy new blue tooth devices, multitasking is easy and hassle-free.

You can find more Cell Phone Accessories Articles at Articoolz.com

We’ve all been bombarded with ads, emails, commercials, and billboards saying how much we can save on our auto insurance by switching to another company. It’s a competitive industry. Just because another company is offering a better rate doesn’t mean you should rush to call and cancel your insurance and switch. There are a few things you need to make sure of before you do.

Here are a few things to watch out for before you switch your auto insurance to another company.

If you’ve been with one company for many years and they offer a credit that waives the first accident you have, you may want to stay or see if the other company can match it. Sometimes this is referred to as good driver discount or a longevity discount or accident forgiveness. The company rewards you for your loyalty by waiving the first accident you have.

This discount can be pretty significant. Since most accidents can raise your rate by 40% for 3 years the potential savings could be several hundreds of dollars over that 3 year period. But when you switch companies, you lose this credit you’ve built up. If you have an accident with that new company how much are you going to regret not having that accident forgiveness by seeing your rates jacked up by 40%?

Another thing to be mindful of is to make sure the company you are switching to is not offering you just a teaser rate for the first 6 months to get your business and then bump you up 6 months later once they’ve got you on their books. Since auto insurance is a profitable industry, companies may offer you a low ball rate to get you to switch and then once they’ve got you increase your rates at the renewal. If the rate the new company quotes seems too goo to be true do more research. Check out insurance forums or search Google for “XYZ insurance + Reviews.”

Watch out for hidden fees. This is one that can surprise you. Some companies charge you for making monthly payments – usually $3-$5 a month. Over the course of a year that comes out to $36-$60. That one fee can take a big bite out of your potential savings so make sure you factor that into the rates you are comparing. Make sure you are really saving money when you switch.

Two other things to keep in mind when shopping around for auto insurance are the new company’s website and hours of operation. Make sure their hours work with your hours. If they are only open from 8-5 and you work 8-5, when are you going to be able to call them if you have a question or need to make a claim? If you do all your business online you want to make sure the company you are looking at has a capable website that can help you 24 hours a day.

You can save money by shopping your auto insurance around. Just be sure to keep in mind the things I’ve mentioned to make sure the deal you’re looking at is really a great deal.

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