Blog
4/22/2021
What to Do When Your Used Car No Longer Works
You’ve had the beauty for many years, and it has served you well. You are now in a tough spot since it is an old model and worn. The car’s parts are failing, and it is to the point where you are spending more on repairs than the vehicle’s market value. There are several options you can consider.
4/9/2021
Luxury SUVs dominate used car market
Used cars were always popular, but what’s surprising is amid the pandemic, consumer preferences are turning toward used luxury cars. In fact, the fastest-selling used cars in February were luxury cars.
According to an iSeeCars analysis of more than 1.2 million new and used cars sold in February from model years 2016 to 2020, the average used car took 42 days to sell. The top 20 fastest-selling vehicles, including luxury SUVs, averaged just 31.2 days.
4/9/2021
How Do I Determine the Value of My Used Car?
The values of used cars have increased 15 percent compared to last year. If you are in the market to replace your used car or sell it outright, you will want to find out the value of the vehicle first.
4/1/2021
Time to Wake Up Your Car and Get It Ready for Spring
Spring is here! As more people are vaccinated and states and cities slowly relax pandemic restrictions, many a car owner will get the itch to go on a road trip. You may be ready for a trip, but you have to make sure that your car is ready, as well. The last thing you need is car trouble to spoil your trip.
3/26/2021
Most Satisfying Cars May Not Always Be the Most Reliable
According to a Consumer Reports survey of most satisfying brands of cars, Tesla topped the list, with 88 percent of its owners saying they would buy a car from the same brand again. Lincoln came in second with 79 percent of owners saying they would buy the same car again. Ram placed third with 76 percent owners happy with their pick.
3/19/2021
Is a Certified Pre-Owned Car Better than a Used Car?
At one time or another, a car shopper will ask, “Which is better, a certified pre-owned car or a regular used car? What’s the difference?”
A certified pre-owned (CPO) car is a gently used vehicle sold by a franchised car dealer of the same brand. They are vehicles that are typically well-maintained, collision free, low-mileage, that are only a few years old and pass a rigorous inspection process.
3/12/2021
How to Tell It’s Time for a New Car Battery
Have you ever had your car stall on the road, only to find out later that it stopped because your car’s battery died? It can be a frustrating experience that was totally preventable.
3/4/2021
How Long Can My Used Car Go Without an Oil Change
If you want your used car to last a long time, getting the car’s oil changed regularly is a must. You should abide by your auto manufacturer’s guidelines regarding intervals for an oil change, but intervals may change as your vehicle gets older.
2/26/2021
Getting Your Car Serviced During the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is still prevalent around the country. The CDC guidelines say the best way to stay safe from the virus is to stay home. However, there are times when we need to leave our house to go to the grocery, the bank, and yes, to get our car serviced.
2/18/2021
Confirm the Odometer Reading is Accurate When You Buy A Used Car
Since used cars have surged in popularity and price, the incidence of odometer tampering has also increased. Odometer fraud has become so rampant that the Iowa Department of Transportation has updated the rules for odometer disclosure statements in the sale of vehicles to align with federal changes starting with the new year.
2/11/2021
Best Pickup Trucks in Iowa for 2021
Pickup trucks continue to reign supreme in Iowa. According to Edmunds data collected on new vehicle registrations over the course of 2020, the Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-Series and Ram 1500/2500/3500 were the three top-selling vehicles in Iowa. The GMC Sierra 1500 ranked fifth, coming next to Chevrolet Equinox compact crossover SUV. Edmunds ranked all four pickup trucks as the top four best large trucks for 2021. These trucks are also among the top-rated pickup trucks in quality in a survey of thousands of verified new truck owners conducted by J.D. Power Initial Quality Studyand many otherauto consumer sites.
2/4/2021
Winter Isn’t Over - Don’t Disregard Car Winter Maintenance
It may be February, but anyone who lives in Iowa knows the weather can change dramatically. One day temperatures can be a balmy 65 degrees and overnight they could dip to 35 degrees or lower and bring snow or ice. This dramatic shift in temperature alone can be hard on your car.
1/28/2021
Things to Know About Auto Insurance
Whether you are buying a used or new vehicle, you will certainly need some type of auto insurance coverage. Regulations regarding auto insurance, rates, and premiums, can vary for each state.
1/21/2021
Best Safe Used Cars for Teens
It is a new year, and you have a teenager who is excited about getting a driver’s license and their own car to drive, but you are understandably nervous since the crash rates for teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are nearly four times those of drivers ages 20 and older per mile driven. To allay fears of parents, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports (CR) have teamed up to compile a joint list of recommended safe, reliable and affordable used vehicles for teen drivers. Prices are rounded to the nearest $100 and based on Kelley Blue Book average U.S. prices from July 1, 2020 for the lowest trim level and earliest applicable model year and range from a little over $5,000 and under $20,000.
1/15/2021
Don’t Let Anyone Steal Your Vehicle
Every 40.9 seconds, a motor vehicle is stolen in the U.S. In areas like Des Moines and Cedar Rapids there are more cars, trucks and other vehicles stolen than in smaller towns. In fact, Iowa ranks 37th, with 4,687 motor vehicles stolen in 2018, according to a ValuePenguin analysis on “2021 Motor Vehicle Statistics”.
The most stolen cars in Iowa include the Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge Pickups, Honda Accord and Ford Taurus. Don’t let your car be one of them!
Unless you have comprehensive car insurance, which covers a stolen vehicle, having your car stolen can cause lots of grief in money and time. You’ll have to contact police immediately to file a stolen vehicle report and you must contact your insurance company to file a claim within 24 hours of your vehicle being stolen.
1/8/2021
Picks for Best Used Cars for 2021
It’s a new year and iSeeCars.com has come out with the best picks for used cars for 2021. The car search engine studied over 24 million cars and combined the results with crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Their scores on reliability and value retention were aggregated with their NHTSA average safety ratings for an overall final score of which 10 points was highest score and a highest safety rating average of 5.
Where are our older articles?
Our older articles have been archived but are still available for viewing at this link: Archived Blog