When you buy a vehicle through Pierre Money Mart, you not only get a great price and superior customer service, but the opportunity for excellent terms on auto loan and financing options. A Loan Officer will help you save money by comparing loans auto from top lenders.

Financing a new car purchase requires some research. Before venturing out to the car dealerships uninformed, you can take a look at what you will need to know about the car buying process right on their site.

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Some people take advice about motor oil from those who may not know any more about lubricants than they do. There are meaningful differences in motor oil, however, so selecting the right one can make a difference in the performance and reliability of your car.

There is no easy way to determine lubricant quality, but price is often an indicator since the more advanced lubricant technologies cost more to produce. Additionally, consumers can research lubricant companies’ Web sites to seek out information on independent third-party testing. The following oil breakdowns should help you navigate the many motor oil choices and find one that’s right for you and your car.

Mineral-based motor oils

These are the cheapest and most widely available oils. Refining helps reduce the impurities in the mineral oil but leaves molecules of all shapes and sizes. These lubricants typically use standard additive packages that provide minimum levels of performance and protection.

Synthetic oils

These man-made oils are more expensive than mineral-based oils but are still widely available. Their performance advantages come predominantly from the synthetic base oil used. Synthetic lubricants are man-made compounds whose molecules are all the same size and shape. Consequently, they reduce friction better than mineral oils. Synthetic oils have a longer service life and offer some improvements in protection. They typically use the same additive packages found in mineral-based oils.

High-performance “specialty” motor oils

These technologically advanced motor oils outperform both widely distributed mineral-based and synthetic motor oils. These oils primarily differ in their use of more advanced, proprietary additive technologies. Their performance advantages include reduced engine wear, increased horsepower and torque and reduced fuel consumption and emissions. These oils also allow users to go longer between oil changes, saving consumers time and money.

Stuffing more horses into your engine used to take countless hours, cost a ridiculous wad of cash in parts, and usually resulted in the busting of several knuckles.

If you’ve seen the TV shows geared at getting every droplet of power out of a classic vehicle, you know they spend the entire show with a load of time-lapsed video of them tearing the engine apart to put in extremely technical and wildly expensive parts. When it’s all done, they crank up the dyno and get giddy over the 3 horsepower gain realized after roughly 4 hours of work.

That’s not exactly how most would want to spend their weekend, and all for a measly 3hp.

Of course, there’s quite a bit to be said for those computer-free classics that you can have full control over. However, when it comes to getting more power in no time and without having to tear up your hands or throwing piles of cash on hard-to-find parts, a computer-controlled vehicle has a distinct advantage.

The good news is, you’re probably driving a computer-controlled vehicle, like most sold over the last quarter century. This makes tuning much easier, because a set of programs determines how your engine performs. Simply replace your engine’s stock programming with some that’s geared toward performance and you’ll discover power gains almost instantly.

Just how can you get these power gains in minutes? The answer is easy - with a power programmer or performance chip, like those made by Hypertech or DiabloSport. These power programmers are designed to hold performance programs created and tested by the pros. It’s so straightforward a caveman could do it. Just plug it into the OBD-II port beneath your steering column, enter a few simple yes or no commands to adjust how you want the engine to perform, upload the new programming, and you’re ready to rock with 25 or more horsepower. For most folks, this will take a maximum of 10 minutes to complete.

There are a few drivers out there who want the extra power, but are apprehensive of using this sort of tuning method. Their concern is that how can so much power be gain so fast, when the guys on tube spend hours and only add a few horsepower. But the skeptics can rest easy. Modern automakers simply down-tune their cars for the general population.

Engines are setup to work the same for performance enthusiasts as they do for octogenarians who believe going over 40 mph is breakneck speed. You don’t fall into the later, nor are you a soccer mom unconcerned about performance, you demand it. Performance programmers aren’t average settings and that makes them a perfect match for you.

And, you don’t have to worry about warranties. The companies that make programmers take safety into account with their settings and further they often give you ways to return to stock settings for service visits at the dealership. What’s more, as with all performance mods, you’ll be protected by federal law – the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. It basically states that your vehicle’s warranty cannot be voided by performance parts unless they can be proven as the source of the breakdown. So, there’s no good reason to wait if you’re look to easily tap into the true potential sitting under your hood.

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Recently, GMAC Insurance launched SmartInspect, a post-repairs inspection service designed to promote consumer confidence by ensuring the quality and value of repairs after an accident.

Nearly six million people report auto accidents each year, and traditionally, drivers are faced with managing the repairs process on their own. However, industry data suggest that some are not fully satisfied with the resulting repairs. The GMAC Insurance SmartInspect service addresses this concern, working with customers throughout the entire repairs process to ensure complete satisfaction.

“Many insurers remove themselves from the claims process once the check has been issued for repairs, leaving drivers on their own to procure quality service,” said George Hall, vice president of claims at GMAC Insurance Personal Lines. “With SmartInspect, we follow through on our guarantee of proper repairs, because we really care about any customer concerns -; we’re not just in the business of processing a check.”

After an accident, customers can choose a repair shop within GMAC Insurance’s premier direct repair network (if available in their area) to ensure the highest-quality repairs with a lifetime guarantee. However, they can specify the body shop of their choice. Once repairs are complete, the SmartInspect service offers customers the opportunity for a qualified GMAC Insurance representative to re-inspect their vehicle. If representatives identify situations where repairs were not completed as estimated on the front end, they will address the situation with the repair facility on behalf of the customer and resolve it accordingly.

While spring is here, it’s time to put the snow boots away and fill up the propane or charcoal, because summer is around the corner. It’s also time to get your car serviced because of the temperate climate.

When it comes to auto care, spring is the best of all seasons. Maintenance and service now will undo winter’s wear and tear and prepare your vehicle for warm-weather driving ahead. The experts at the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) offer the following advice:

Read the owner’s manual, and follow the recommended service schedules.

If you are not a do-it-yourselfer, look for an orderly repair shop with modern equipment in the service bays and qualified automotive technicians as evidenced by trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course and ASE certifications.

If you are having engine performance problems such as hard starts, rough idling or stalling, correct them now, before demanding stop-and-go vacation traffic.

For comfort in hot weather, now’s the time to have a marginally working air conditioning system serviced.

Flush and refill the cooling system according to the service manual’s recommendations. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically. (Make sure the engine has cooled down before removing the radiator cap.)

A qualified auto technician should check the tightness and condition of belts, clamps, and hoses, but you can look for signs of wear, cracking, or fraying.

Replace other filters (e.g., air, fuel and PCV) as recommended in the service manual.

Check the condition of tires, including the spare. Let the tires “cool down” before checking their pressure. Uneven wear, “cupping,” vibrations or “pulling” to one side indicate problems with your tires or suspension system.

Change the oil and oil filter as specified in owner’s manual. Often neglected, this simple service is one of the easiest ways to extend the life of your vehicle.

Let’s face it, some folks derive immense pleasure from getting down on their knees and scrubbing away at their wheels with a toothbrush. What’s more, there are people who actually get into changing their own oil, swapping out air filters and even think it’s cool to add fluids to those enigmatic holes positioned all over their engines. And then, there are others who don’t give a rodent’s posterior about car care and can’t even manage to spray a hose on their vehicle once a month.

If you’re part of the former crowd, stop reading, this article isn’t for you. Go on and get back to your pristine machine and have at it with your dental instruments and filter wrenches. However, if you’re in the later group of grimy, clunking vehicle owners, this article is written to scare you clean and tune you up.

To get your motivation running, let’s hit you where you’ll feel it the most. No, not there – get your head out of the gutter. We’re talking about your wallet.

Do you realize that your lack of car care is going to cost cash money? Those Blue Book values that you drool over at trade - in or selling time are based on vehicles that have not been neglected. Not giving your car a bath on a regular basis is neglect. Not changing your oil according to a schedule is neglect. And, “neglect” translates to less money when it time to move on to a new ride.

The good news is, with a few minor tweaks to your regular car care routine, you can whip your vehicle into re-sale shape in no time. Warning: the following outline of suggestions isn’t the best practice, it’s what works for those of us that just can’t seem to find any sort of satisfaction in vehicle maintenance.

First, we’ll start with a little cleaning. Take your vehicle to a car wash. Touchless is best, but considering how you’ve maintained your vehicle in the past, even the scratchy gas station washes will do. You just want to get the bulk of the filth off.

Then, find yourself one of those parking lot detailers. For $10-$40, you get your vehicle looking pretty sharp. Plus, if there is a real problem with your exterior, such as paint oxidation, swirling, or fading, the detailer may have a solution like clay bars, rubbing compounds and even touch-up paint. Keep in mind, those extra services will cost a bit more. And, don’t skip the interior, your friends and family will thank you. By the time the work is done, you’ll be amazed at what your car is capable of looking like.

So far, you haven’t lifted a finger, other than pressing the car wash button and pulling a few bucks out of your wallet.

Next, the big step in the car care conundrum - going under the hood. Of course, you’re not going there, and here’s why - it’s cheaper and easier to pay the guy at the quick change oil place to do your dirty work. If you find a reputable place, they’ll get you fixed up in a jiffy (no pun intended). They can perform many services at a reasonable cost. And, you can bet they’ve seen some pretty ugly stuff, so you don’t have to be embarrassed when they point out that your battery terminals have corroded into nothing more than flaky, white gunk. They’ll probably swap out your air filter, which, depending on how long it’s been, will improve your gas mileage. They may start with the “flush your cooling system” or “change the transmission fluid” routine and, honestly, you may need it. But be careful, because if they recognize you as a sucker, they’ll keep working it until you walk out with a $300 bill, spoken from experience.

Now, thanks to a little car care your vehicle is looking and running better than ever. Your father-in-law isn’t scowling at you like you’re some sort of dirt bag any more. You’re no longer embarrassed about offering rides to co-workers. Heck, you can even take a date in your vehicle. Do you like that? Would you like to keep it that way? It’s really quite simple, just follow the steps mentioned earlier – wash it and get the oil changed every-once-in-a-while.

Once car care becomes a regular practice and then a habit, it’s not so bad. You might even start venturing out by adding custom aftermarket accessories such as an air intake, seat covers or even an exhaust system. Whatever the outcome, just remember that a little car care goes a long way.

[from the team at ]

The following tips, from the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), will help save more of your money for fun times at the beach or mountains as you head out on your summer vacation.

Before setting out

Check your tires. Under-inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder. Out-of-line wheels, as evidenced by uneven tread wear, should be aligned by a professional.

Follow the service schedules listed in your owner’s manual. Replace filters and fluids as recommended, and have engine performance problems (e.g., rough idling, poor acceleration) corrected at a repair facility. Given today’s high-tech engines, it’s wise to have this type of work done by auto technicians who are ASE certified in engine performance.

On your trip

Break the speeding habit. Speeding to your destination can decrease your miles per gallon by 15 percent or more.

Sudden accelerations guzzle gas, too. Anticipate traffic patterns ahead, and adjust your speed gradually. Use cruise control where feasible.

Use windows and air conditioning wisely. Your mileage should improve if you keep the windows closed at highway speeds, since air drag is reduced. This is true even with the air conditioning on -; assuming that the system is in good working order. But try to avoid using your air conditioner in heavy, stop-and-go traffic.

When you get back

Make sure you remove all vacation items and clutter right away to reduce the weight your vehicle’s engine must push.

And take off that rooftop cargo carrier. Like closed windows, this will reduce air drag and increase your mileage.

The new Subaru Forester will soon be available at Subaru dealerships across the country starting this April. The automaker announced that the new Subaru Forester will have a starting price of $19,995.

The said crossover vehicle will be available with either a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated or a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine. The naturally aspirated powerplant is available with either a manual or automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine on the other hand is only available with an automatic transmission.

There are overall five variants of the new Subaru Forester. For the Forester with a naturally aspirated engine, there are three trim levels while for the turbocharged engine, there are two available trim packages.

Subaru Coupes/Sedans/Wagons 1985-96; Covers All U.S. and Canadian Models of Subaru Brat, Impreza, Justy, Legacy, Loyale, Outback, Sedan, Covers all U.S. and Canadian models of Brat, Impreza, Justy, Legacy, Loyale, Outback, Std., Sedan, SVX, Wagon, XT and XT-6

For the Forester with the naturally aspirated engine, the three variants are X, 2.5X Premium Package and the 2.5X L.L. Bean. The third variant comes only with an automatic transmission while the first two can either be coupled with either a manual or an automatic transmission.

The turbocharged Forester meanwhile can be bought in either the standard X trim or the 2.5XT Limited Model. This Limited Model will have a starting price of $26,195 and it will come equipped with a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine which produces 224 horsepower. The package will also include 17-inch alloy wheels.

The naturally aspirated 2.5X trim will have a starting price of $22,495. For that, the Forester will be equipped with a power moonroof, roof rails, rear seat center tray, steering wheel audio controls, and reclining rear seat backs. On the outside, the package will also include 17-inch alloy wheels. The naturally aspirated engine will be mated to a manual transmission.

Tim Colbeck, vice president of sales, Subaru of America, Inc. proudly ticked off the selling point of the new Subaru Forester saying: “For 11 years, the Subaru Forester has been an icon of functionality, dependability and durability. The 2009 Forester now adds greater interior room, improved comfort and more amenities than before, yet with a starting price that is significantly lower than the outgoing model.”

Drift Subaru T-Shirt Drifting is not a crime. Only if you crash.

General Motors Corp. announced today that its 3,900 dealers will have free access to post used car listings on Ebay.

Many of the used car listings on EBay are from dealers, as well as individuals. But this agreement marks the first time a major automaker will leverage the power of the Internet to help its dealers move their used car inventory, GM spokesman Jim Labadie said.

“Dealers understand consumers are migrating online to find their next vehicle,” said Rob Chesney, a vice president at eBay Motors, motors.ebay.com, said in a press release.

An estimated 11 million shoppers search eBay motors each month for vehicles, he added.

The deal means “GM Certified dealers will have millions more eyeballs looking at their inventory,” Mark Mathews, director, GM Used Vehicle Activities, said in the press release.

Nevertheless, this benefit of seemingly endless options when you shop through the internet can be a hassle as much as it is a plus. Too many choices can leave you, the consumer, confused and having a hard time deciding which product to buy and which seller to patronize. Take the case of buying performance auto parts online. More and more car parts sellers are emerging in the Net, each with their own vast array of auto parts all marketed to appeal to the customers. These sellers all have their own gimmicks or promos to make you believe that when you buy any auto part from them, you have the advantage. The question is, how can you be sure that you’re truly getting your money’s worth (or even more) when you buy a performance auto part online? Here are the three most basic but very valuable tips to make sure you don’t get crooked.

Know your seller. As the Net grows larger each day, more and more frauds that prey on the not-so-knowledgeable consumers inhabit it. Make sure you’re buying from a reputable company or private seller that has a tried and tested record. Ask friends or colleagues who may have bought already from the seller you’re eyeing and know if they had any problems with their car parts purchases. Search online for testimonials about the company and/or the parts they sell. Always look for detailed product information (preferably third party reports) on the performance auto parts.

Compare prices and promos. Avoid getting immediately hooked on a deal that seems too good to pass up. Take the time to browse through several sites of performance auto parts sellers and list down what each offers for the particular auto part you seek. Sometimes what seem like the best promo at first glance turns out to be not, as there are other fees (i.e. shipping charges and tax) or even hidden charges that come with the deal. Be cautious of deceiving marketing and don’t purchase and pay until you’re sure you got the best deal.

Pay attention to details. Little details often not considered are important to ensure a trustworthy transaction. For instance, see if the “product checkout” page of the website you’re viewing displays a padlock icon in the lower right-hand border of the browser window. This indicates that the site is using secure encryption to protect your credit card information. When buying second-hand performance auto parts, check out all the specs needed and be aware of the risk that comes with buying a used part.

These are very basic tips, but when overlooked, will truly take you to Internet shopping hell. Indeed, many things need to be considered before you buy your desired performance auto parts online, but just take these three most important keys to heart and you’re good to go.