CAR WARRIORS: TOP 3 CHOICE CONVERTIBLES UNDER $30,000

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

TOP 3 CHOICE CONVERTIBLES UNDER $30,000

In America, the open road calls to you, and there's no better way to experience the thrill of travel than the convertible. Peel back the roof, feel the wind in your hair and sun on your face. Ironically, the appeal of the modern convertible rests on its ability to deliver practical transportation as well as playful recreation. Convertible hardtops deliver the security of a folding metal top, although at the price of extra weight. Traditional fabric tops now afford multiplayer insulation from both weather and road noise. Forget the days of clumsy, manually operated tops and unwieldy covers. Thanks to the choice between folding hardtops and tight-fitting soft tops, life with a convertible can be just as comfortable as with a coupe.

Our top pick here is the Mazda Miata, which embodies the pure spirit of the roadster: precise handling, superior steering and a rev-loving engine. Its virtues also include a low cost of entry. For example, in the top trim levels you can opt for a power-retractable hardtop and still not bust the budget. Maintenance costs are low, too. This car is snug for average-size drivers, and taller people may find they can't slide the seats back enough. The trunk is small. The sound system disappoints. But if you came for the driving, this is your car.

The Ford Mustang V6 convertible is an iconic American pony car and a marvel at this price. Even better, the 2013 model has updated exterior styling and a new gauge cluster. An automatic transmission with manual shift control is new, but the authentic manual is a better choice. As always, what draws us is the Mustang's ability to be both a daily driver and a weekend romper. There are a few flaws here, including some interior trim executed in cheap plastic, no telescoping steering wheel and less trunk space than the coupe. But don't let these cavils stop you.

There's no trading down with the BMW 1 Series convertible, the scrappy entry-level soft top in the carmaker's line. The inline-6 engine is the one you find in the BMW 3 Series. You get the responsiveness, handling and in-cabin refinement found in higher-math Bimmers. Of course, there's less trunk space here than in the coupe, and the backseats are from Lilliput. Options can bust a budget. But you can choose some things that will enhance the big-sky experience, such as optional leather upholstery that comes with a sun-reflective treatment. Thoughtful convertible-centric things like that make the car a winner.

A complete redesign takes the already popular Porsche Boxster up several notches, making it this segment's top pick. The new base engine is more powerful and achieves better fuel economy. The car looks sharper and handles better, with an interior that accommodates taller drivers and offers more occupant space overall. You'll see Porsche Panamera inspiration in the gauges, dash and center console. The power-operated soft top folds in 10 seconds. But there are some downsides. The Boxster's options are virtually endless, so costs can escalate. There are two trunks, but together they offer just about 10 cubic feet for cargo.

Audi likes to carve its own path, and that's evident in it the Audi A5 Cabriolet. The car is powered by a spirited turbocharged four-cylinder engine, not the six-cylinder you'd expect. There's no retractable hardtop on offer. But there are upsides here. The four-cylinder engine is more fuel-efficient, and powers a car that's taut and crisp on the road. The soft top is light, raises or lowers in 15 seconds and leaves good trunk space when stowed. The A5 has a handsome, feature-rich interior. Although the rear seats are best for shorter passengers, they do fold down, which comes in handy.

The BMW 3 Series hardtop convertible is our third pick. BMW has redesigned the 3 Series sedan and wagon, but not the convertible (yet). It retains the previous-generation body style and naturally aspirated inline-6 engine. The car has excellent ride and handling balance, an upscale cabin and convertible-specific safety, convenience and comfort features. Even with the elegant top stowed, the trunk will hold a standard roller suitcase. Just as with the BMW 1 Series, option packages and à la carte choices are close to overwhelming and can kick up the price. But you'll get plenty of car for the money.

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KNOWING ABOUT YOUR POWER-TRAIN WARRANITY

A powertrain warranty is a form of assurance offered by the manufacturer of an automobile. When a consumer purchases a vehicle, at the time of sale, he or she will be given a powertrain warranty, which will cover all or part of the powertrain of the underlying automobile. When a mechanical problem occurs to the powertrain the costs associated with repair or replacement are covered in the powertrain warranty—the manufacturer or dealer whole sold the automobile will pay to have the car fixed. That being said, what parts are covered and the extent of the repayment associated with fixing the car will vary greatly based on the powertrain warranty offered.

Depending on the manufacturer, a powertrain warranty will provide different forms of coverage based on interpretative differences; for example, one manufacturer’s definition of an engine can be referred to as a ‘long block’, meaning the engine, as well as everything attached to it cannot be removed. Another definition of an engine can be a “short block” meaning only part of the engine—typically the piece below cylinder head—cannot be removed. As a result, the coverage abilities will vary between these two warranties if the engine proved to be faulty.

In addition to the engine, the type of automobile will necessitate different variables within the powertrain warranty. For example, if you purchased a manual transmission vehicle, the warranty may exclude repairs or replacements for important pieces, such as the clutch—an extended warranty for a manual transmission will typically only provide coverage for the driveshaft and the axles.

A powertrain warranty will last for a certain number of years or for a maximum number of miles. In most instances, the powertrain warranty will last longer than a typical car warranty; the basic powertrain warranty is offered as a 10 year or 100,000 mile warranty, or whichever comes first.

Other Warranites Usually available to car buyers:

Basic: Also known as "bumper-to-bumper" coverage, this is the general coverage that would pay to repair defects in factory-installed parts. Tires are not typically included because they're usually covered under a separate tire manufacturer warranty.

Corrosion: Covers rust that causes holes in sheet metal in parts such as the doors or side panels.

Roadside assistance: Provides help with towing and tire-changing if the car breaks down while traveling.

It's best to check with dealers for specifics, but here is a list of seven top auto companies that offer among the best car warranties, despite the fact that many are rated safe cars by independent research firms.

Car Insurance Tips

Find out what’s covered and what isn’t. Get your quote in writing and confirm the accuracy of each vehicle and driver you are insuring, as well as the coverages you requested. Ask about free, value-added features, such as emergency roadside assistance. Check to see if repairs are guaranteed for as long as you own your car, and find out what kind of payment options are available.

To see if you’re getting credit where credit is due, it's a good idea to find out all the discounts available to you. Some simple ways to save money on your auto insurance include maintaining a clean driving record, being a good student and the inclusion of certain safety features when buying a new car can save you money on your policy.

Your state sets forth the minimum liability coverage you must maintain, as mentioned above. But these are just the legal minimums and might not give you the coverage you need. You'll have to decide what you want to buy beyond these minimums. Keep in mind that you are looking to find the balance between having adequate coverage and overpaying.

According to Consumer Reports, a general guideline for adequate bodily injury liability limits is $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, plus $100,000 for property damage. These amounts are what your insurer will pay to someone you are in an accident with. For uninsured motorist coverage, you should get the same amount as for bodily injury liability, as this covers your medical costs when someone who is not insured hits you.

Auto insurance tip #1
Understand why you need auto insurance
In short, you need car insurance to protect your car, yourself and your passengers. You also protect any assets, like your home and savings, as well as comply with state law.

Auto insurance tip #2
Know your current coverages-but be willing to adjust
Use your current coverages and limits as a starting point; you can refer to your declarations page for this information. Then, adjust your coverages as necessary to match your lifestyle-which might be different than it was when you first bought the policy.

For example, if your teenager starts driving next month, you might consider adding him or her to your policy now. Or, if you just bought a new car, you might choose loan/lease payoff coverage, so that if your car is stolen or declared a total loss, you'll have help paying off your loan or lease.

Auto insurance tip #3
Decide what you want to protect, then choose your coverages

Auto insurance tip #4
Use deductibles to your advantage
Your deductible is what you agree to pay out of pocket when you use your car insurance. In general, the higher you set your deductible, the less you'll pay for your policy. And conversely, if you set your deductible low, you'll pay more for your policy, but less when you have a claim.

Auto insurance tip #5
Know that certain things affect your rate
Insurance companies evaluate a variety of things when they calculate your rate, from your driving record to where you live and how many miles you drive on average. Keep this in mind when you see your rate.

More alternatives:

Raise your comprehensive and collision deductibles to at least $1,000, which lowers your premiums and prevents you from filing small claims that could jeopardize a claims-free discount. Add some more money to your emergency fund so you’ll have the cash to pay the deductible if anyone in your family does have an accident.

Drop collision and comprehensive coverage entirely on older cars that are worth little more than the deductible. You may be paying more in premiums than you could ever get back from the insurer, even if the car is totaled.

Tell your insurer if your child goes away to college. If your child goes to school more than 100 miles away and does not use the car, you can usually get a big break on your premiums but still have coverage when he or she comes home for vacation.

Ask about other discounts for teenage drivers. Some insurers offer discounts for driver-safety programs, cutting costs if the kids take a special class, watch a DVD, or read a driver-safety book and take a test. Ask your insurer what your kid needs to do to qualify.

Make the most of multi-policy discounts. You’ll usually get a break on your auto insurance and your homeowners insurance if you keep both policies with the same company. You may get an additional discount if you include an umbrella policy, which provides extra liability coverage beyond your auto-insurance limits and can be particularly valuable when you have a teenage driver.

Some insurers offer much better deals than others for teenage drivers, so it’s important to compare costs. The insurance company that offered the best rate for you and your spouse may have some of the highest rates when you add a teenage boy to the policy - and it’s almost always better to add the child to your policy rather than have him get his own policy.

You can get price quotes from several online insurance companies like Progressive or AllState or get personalized service from an independent insurance agent who works with many companies. You may not want to switch from a longtime insurer just to save a few dollars, however, because your current company may be less likely to raise your rate or drop you if your child has an accident. If you stay with the insurance company you currently have there more room for forgiveness and benefits of such various programs. Also keep in mind that if you have been getting a multi-policy discount, your homeowners-insurance rate might rise if you take your auto-insurance business elsewhere.

One thing you don’t want to do in an attempt to reduce your premiums is skimp on liability coverage. recommends liability limits of at least $250,000 per person, $500,000 per accident and $100,000 for property damage or a policy with a “combined single limit” of $500,000, when available, which does not limit the coverage to $250,000 per person involved in the accident. Young drivers are more likely to have accidents, and lowering your liability limits could leave you on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars in expenses if your child does hit another car or injure someone.

CAR WARRIORS

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

TOP 3 CHOICE CONVERTIBLES UNDER $30,000

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