by Admin | Mar 5, 2024 | Car Blog, Why Keep Your Old Car
According to psychologists, our brains are wired for novelty. New things trigger the release of dopamine, a hormone associated with pleasure and reward.
Seeing a sleek, shiny car activates this reward system, making us feel excited and motivated to possess it. But for how long?
Well, your brain eventually adapts to the new stimuli and the initial excitement fades away.
So, is the excitement worth it, especially when it comes at such a high cost to your finances and when things are tough?
Freedom From Financial Pits
Imagine cruising down open roads in your reliable used car, paid for upfront. No payments dragging you down in the slow lane surrounded by folks regretting their loan decisions later.
Owning a practical relic like a 2004 Honda Civic outright keeps your options wide open. You can switch jobs more freely without worrying about your wheels getting repossessed. And no monthly millstone means you’ll pay off student loans post-college quicker, instead of that albatross strangling your flexibility for a decade-plus.
Sure, you occasionally envy their smooth-riding suspension and cutting-edge dash displays, while your wheels groan and the radio glitches. But any jealous skids vanish quickly when you remember the freedom of owning your transportation outright.
Hitting the road packed with laughing buddies for a crosstown concert sparks joy money can’t buy – and no loan officer can take away because you were smart enough to reject the shackles of debt.
As gas prices surge, you smile cruising right past stations, knowing no payments inflate your costs. Your used Civic has another 10 years left, minimum. And the savings compound as you invest wisely instead of pumping over $500 monthly to boost bankers’ pockets.
Getting tied down with a car loan really kicks you in the teeth long-term. Don’t swallow incentives that ultimately consume your dreams! Buy used, avoid debt, and you’ll stay securely in the driver’s seat of your financial destiny. The open road awaits!
by Admin | Feb 20, 2024 | Car Blog, Dodge, Minivans, Vans
“Van living” or “van life” is an emerging trend that has been growing in popularity around the US. Yahoo Finance estimates that the number of vanlifers has grown by at least 63% over the last handful of years.
It appears more folks are turning vans or buses into tiny homes on wheels and hitting the road full time. Thanks to social media, #vanlife looks idyllic – but who wouldn’t want to wake up to mountain views every morning! It’s dreamy!
But is this barebones, mobile lifestyle truly sustainable for the planet?
Evaluating the Eco-Scorecard
On one hand, van lifers consume way fewer resources. Small spaces mean limited energy for heating and cooling. Rooftop solar panels provide electricity and water tanks get refilled only when needed.
This lightweight living uses a fraction of what the average American home gulps down. A vanlifer rarely spends similar amounts as living in an apartment.
Typical expenses of a vanlifer would include groceries, gas, laundry and sometimes, gym memberships to access the showers. A 300-watt solar panel can power a rice cooker, toaster oven, coffee pot, toothbrush, laptop, cellphone and electric shaver, among other equipment.
The van is a tiny home, and you’ll not be needing to heat or cool a big place. That means less carbon footprint than most people.
But many older vans guzzle gas, especially lumbering around all day seeking boondocking sites. Newer conversions to high-mpg hybrids or electric help, but aren’t the norm yet. And even eco-vans still require manufacturing and materials. Don’t they?
The Takeaway
While not 100% green, van living reflects growing anti-consumerism sentiment. Trading McMansions for just the essentials of a modest mobile pod reduces waste.
But this unicorn of sustainability still has some warts. For now, #vanlife lands somewhere in the middle on the eco-scorecard. At least nomads are driving in the right direction – literally and philosophically!
by Admin | Jan 20, 2024 | Car Blog, Ford F-150, Used Cars
While we all love that “new car” smell and feel, buying a new set of wheels right now is a big expense. Bigger than ever! You see, interest rates are soaring, and it’s almost like the sky’s the limit in this economic time.
So, is there a way around the 14% interest for 60 months for a new ride when you don’t have that 825 FICO score? We tend to look at what we don’t have and not the treasure that’s already in our hands.
What’s this obsession with hoarding the new shiny?
Did you know that working on your current ride is like starting from a position of strength?
There are inexpensive DIY add-ons you can install to make your used car feel new and updated. And with a little creativity and elbow grease, you can upgrade your existing vehicle’s look, comfort, tech, and convenience right in your garage.
Interior LED Lights
Swapping out standard bulb lighting with battery-powered removable LED stick-on lights illuminates the cabin with a fresh modern glow. Use them to see passengers, items, and awkward corners better at night. There are options for colorful ambient lighting too.
Seat Covers
Dingy upholstery gets new life with the addition of cushy seat pads and breathable, protective seat covers. Choose patterns and materials that upgrade your interior’s look. Enjoy a refreshed seating experience, and the driving becomes enjoyable as well.
Decorative Chrome Accents
Peel-and-stick trims can chrome out vents, handles, knobs, and gauges on the cheap. It’s an easy way to modernize the aesthetic.
More ideas cover things like hands-free phone holders, backup cameras for safety, custom-fit floor mats, mini vacuums, Bluetooth music adapters, and exterior detailing. With small upgrades like these, older cars gain significant style and function. The journey feels as good as the destination!
Need help with upgrading or maintenance of your trusty ride? We can help. Contact us at A1 Performance Auto Repair, and we’ll give your car the TLC it deserves.
by Admin | Jan 5, 2024 | Car Blog, Used Cars
It’s all over the dailies – the cost of buying new and used cars has skyrocketed! So, when does it stop? We can only speculate.
Meanwhile, many buyers feel priced out of their dream vehicle. But even this leads some to believe that holding onto an older paid-off car is asking for mechanical troubles and expensive repairs down the road.
But much of that worry comes from myths about the correlation between a car’s age and the likelihood of issues. So, is there any truth to it? Well, the answer is that it depends on the quality of the TLC you’ve been giving your car.
Busting the Myths
In overheated markets like Silicon Valley where prices and financing rates are astronomical, buying new often doesn’t compute money-wise.
With interest rates over 14% on 5+ year loans if you have an average credit score, your savings will run dry faster than you can imagine. Think about this: you only need a portion of this cost to maintain your trusty vehicle, and either way you do the calculations, buying new will not match up to the cost of maintenance and DIY.
Equipping yourself with DIY fix-it knowledge for your paid-off vehicle can avoid the pitfalls of both new and used car lots. Things like tuning up mechanical systems, swapping out fluids, replacing worn parts, updating technology features, and detailing both the interior and exterior can work wonders.
On the other hand, protective steps like wax seals, seat covers, door edge guards and more help safeguard against incremental wear and tear.
With watchful maintenance and some cost-effective upgrades, lasting hundreds of thousands of miles in a used car is achievable.
So don’t let dubious myths about unreliability scare you into an unwise purchase. A little TLC allows you to save money and transport yourself in style minus the monthly car loan payment. Bust those myths and feel confident striking out on the open road worry-free.
by Admin | Dec 20, 2023 | Car Blog
Of course, we all remember when trucks and SUVs were mostly for folks who needed to haul stuff for work? Today, huge trucks cram highways for basic errands while sedans become endangered species. Americans love their cars big and a federal loophole is partly to blame for this truck takeover!
Where it All Started
See, back in the 1970s when emissions rules were cooked up, trucks got leniency since only contractors and ranchers drove them. Made sense then – why stick farmers with strict rules meant for everyday cars?
Fast forward to 2010, and the EPA extended this “SUV loophole” so automakers could sell bigger “light trucks” with lower emission standards. Automakers started pushing truck-like crossovers and smaller SUVs to bring down their overall fleet emissions.
Ten years later, trucks account for 3 in 5 new vehicles sold, while cars plummeted from half of sales to just 1 in 5. Crazy!
This explosion of SUVs and trucks hurts more than just the planet. Studies show bigger vehicles lead to more deadly crashes with pedestrians and bikers. Plus they guzzle way more gas, contributing to climate change.
But the EPA’s latest proposal aims to close this SUV loophole by making emission rules for cars and trucks more similar. No more easy passes for automakers. This could deter them from supersizing future vehicles quite so much.
When Can We Expect the Rules to Change?
One thing is clear, the truckification trend will not reverse overnight.
Consumers love the size and perceived safety of SUVs. And they rake in huge profits for automakers over smaller cars.
But closing the loophole will push automakers to electrify their massive gas-guzzlers. And over time, it could put smaller vehicles back on the menu.
by Admin | Sep 5, 2023 | Car Blog
Once in a while, some old fashion or designs will trend in modern times. It almost seems like our tastes and preferences keep repeating themselves. And this is precisely what’s happening in the automotive world with the latest resurgence of retro-inspired designs in modern cars, and it’s awesome.
Why Retro in Modern Vehicles?
There are a few reasons why retro-modern car design is so popular. For example, it appeals to a sense of nostalgia. Many people have fond memories of classic cars from their childhood, and they are drawn to the styling of these cars. We all remember a past where everything seemed better.
On the other hand, retro-modern design can be seen as a way to add a touch of luxury to a car. Classic cars are often seen as more luxurious than modern cars, and by incorporating classic design elements, automakers can give their cars a more upscale feel.
But more importantly, a retro-modern design can be a way to pay homage to a car’s heritage. Many automakers have a rich history of producing classic vehicles, and by incorporating elements of classic design into their modern cars, they can celebrate their heritage.
Examples of Retro-modern Cars
First, there’s the Mini Cooper, a classic car updated with modern features. While the car’s retro design is instantly recognizable, its latest version has modern amenities like a turbocharged engine and a touchscreen infotainment system.
And so does Fiat 500. This classic needs no introduction, and it’s a good thing it has earned some modern features. The car’s retro design is iconic and has been a popular choice for car buyers since it was first introduced in 2007.
Of course, we cannot forget the Volkswagen Beetle, which rumors indicate will return soon. The iconic Beetle! The Volkswagen Beetle was refreshed with modern features in recent years and now comes with features like a turbocharged engine and a sunroof. A dose of retro has quickly become a dose of the exciting! And we can only rejoice when it becomes available.
