In tough economic times people cut back on things they consider to not be essential. Those expenses that we consider splurging. Think about the long term, though. Saving money on the care and maintenance of your car could be doing harm that will cost you more in the end. So you have decided to cut out that weekly visit to the car wash. After all you can do just as good a job at home, in your driveway, for a fraction of the cost.

So you pick up the things you need to wash your car at the local Wal Mart or auto parts store. Or perhaps you already have the cloths, sponges, a bucket, some soap and a hose at home. It can’t be that difficult, can it? And you’re saving money, which is always good, right?

Actually, you may be harming that beautiful factory finish more than you realize in the long run. Even with good care and thorough cleaning, those sponges and towels that you use can eventually get contaminated with dirt and particles. These will scratch the paint and the clear coat, causing your car to be less shiny and allowing water and dirt in. You may not be able to remove all of the detergent that you’re using with your garden hose, because it’s not powerful enough. Soap reside that stays on your car can get baked into the finish.

Mercedes -Benz and the Technological Institute of Munich performed a study that showed that a wash at the local auto wash is by far the best way to protect the shine and luster of your cars factory finish. Two identical sedans were covered with a variety of dirt and road grime for the test. Then individuals were asked to clean the cars using whatever means they normally employed. These individuals were not informed beforehand of the purpose of this study.

Electron microscopes were used to determine the thickness of the factory finishes and after the washings noticeable scratches were visible on the surface, some of them went as deep as 10% into the finish. The dirt and particles trapped in the cleaning materials, like sponges and cloths, were deemed responsible for the scratches.

Next they took the same cars to commercial car washes for a cleaning. There were no appreciable scratches or degradation of the paints surface.

If you take good care of the exterior surface of your car, it will continue to look new for years. One caution, though. Some commercial hand car washes use dirty sponges and rags. This will have the same effect as washing it at home with dirty materials. Some of the automatic car washes use plastic brushes that can also damage the paint. Sponge brushes are softer, so look for an automatic car wash that uses those. Better still, use a touchless car wash, which cleans cars with water pressures and no brushes or rags at all.

You also need to remember to keep your car waxed. Each time your car is washed, some of the wax will be removed. From time to time you need to replace this wax in order to protect the paint and keep your car looking its best. You may save money by washing yourself but protecting your cars finish can help you obtain more money when and if you sell or trade in your vehicle.

When you’re ready to get a brand new car to wash, to to Ford Orange County for a shiny new F150 or Mustang!

2011 Nissan Leaf

We’d all like to reduce or eliminate our reliance on gasoline for a variety of reasons. In spite of great strides in emissions reductions, gasoline engines are still a major factor in air pollution. America’s appetite for oil from distant countries plays a large role in our economic and foreign relations policies. Switching to a form of energy that could be created in the United States could only improve the situation. These are laudable goals, and it’s good to see Americans thinking of long-term goals that will be good for the country as a whole. Many people are even willing to pay a little more than necessary to help achieve these goals, but there is a limit. Alternative forms of energy won’t really gather long-lasting momentum until they become cost effective for the majority of consumers.

We’ve seen the number of hybrids on the road increase, partially due to government incentives and spikes in gasoline prices. But the price of hybrids remains stubbornly higher than the price of comparable gasoline-only cars. For example the new 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid starts at $23,800, while the regular Honda Civic sedan starts at $15,655. The majority of consumers are only going to spend the extra $8,000 if they think they can recoup that cost. Is the better gas mileage going to help you save $8,000 over the life of your car?

The regular Civic gets about 29 mpg, which is pretty good. Compare that to 42 mpg for the Civic Hybrid. Using an average of 15,000 miles per year and a price of $3 per gallon, we see that the owner of a regular Honda Civic would pay about $1,551 in a year, compared to $1071 for the owner of the hybrid. That’s a savings of only $480 a year. It would take more than 16 years to break even. Most people don’t keep their cars nearly that long.

The culprit is the price of the batteries. Like most other car manufacturers, Honda uses a nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) battery in its hybrids. Price is not the only drawback to these batteries. They tend to lose capacity over time if they are not fully depleted before being recharged. As their capacity decreases, so does your gas mileage.

There’s a newer type of battery called the lithium-ion battery. It’s being used to power all-electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt. They have a longer range and they hold a charge better than NiMH batteries. Unfortunately they also cost more. A price tag of about $10,000 makes it expensive to go green. The other cost that no one seems to mention in regards to all-electric vehicles is the cost of the electricity itself. Unlike hybrids, where the engine recharges the battery when you drive, batteries on all-electric cars are recharged by plugging in to an electrical outlet in your garage. The power company is going to charge you for the electricity.

Rechargeable car batteries are relatively new. As consumer interest in cleaner cars with low operational costs increases, so will research and development of these batteries. Until they get significantly less expensive, hybrid and electric vehicles will not be economically viable choices.

There are several reasons that electric cars have not already replaced the gas engine, and they’re challenging to overcome, especially in the short run. The first is range. How far away from home can you get, and will there be a place to recharge along the way? How much does the car cost to buy and operate? Does it have guts?

The new Nissan Leaf can drive up to 100 miles on a full charge. That’s a lot further than most people drive in a day. Drivers would plug it in at home to charge overnight. It only takes 4 to 8 hours to fully charge the battery. You can even program the car to charge late at night when demand for electricity is low. For those occasions when you need to go further than 100 miles in a day, Nissan is working with various cities to install quick charge stations that can charge the battery 80% in about half an hour. You could find these quick charge stations with the Leaf’s navigation system and charge your battery while you stop for a meal.

Before you invest in one, check for quick charge stations in places you might travel. Over time they’ll become more available. If coverage is weak in the places you drive, you might not want your new Leaf to be your only car. Still, in a two car family, an electric car would be an ideal day-to-day commuter car.

Because of the expense of an electric battery, electric cars haven’t historically been able to compete with gas engine cars on price. The Nissan Leaf hasn’t yet announced its retail price, but some experts anticipate a price of around $25,000, including the $7,500 tax rebate. That puts it within reach of the average family. The battery lasts about 5 years, so you’d have to figure in the price of a battery every five years against the gas savings.

What about power? We’ve all driven electric golf carts. Is that how an electric car feels?  Not this one. The Nissan Leaf accelerates like a V-6 gas powered car. Nissan’s U.S. tour will show these electric cars in Los Angeles in November. Mass production will start in the U.S. in 2012. The new 2011 Nissan Leaf will be available on a limited basis in selected U.S. cities in 2010. You should be able to buy one at many Southern California locations, since this is one of the areas where Nissan is working to offer quick charge stations. Soon you’ll be able to test drive a Nissan Leaf in Redlands, San Diego, or Los Angeles. Only time will tell if electric cars will become the norm, but the Leaf seems to have a good chance at breaking through that barrier.

2009 Holden Cruze by GM

The car has stylish 2009 chassis and body structure that are equipped with sophisticated technical chassis system, standard to deliver tight, confidence handling, maximum responsiveness, enhanced accident avoidance capability, and wonderful control. Such features provide maximum handling to drivers and a level of comfort while driving. More than 65% of Cruze’s unique body structure is made of high strength steel that provides maximum protection if there is collision. The other features in the construction of the body include tailor welded blanks and materials bond at critical points for maximum yield strength and full-length frame rail that makes the car a safety cage.

Besides that the car has a comfortable and silent environment. The exceptionally quiet cabin provides a soothing ambiance with acoustic thermal fiber roof liner, triple layer cycling, and composite backed carpets. According to Managing Director of Holden Mark Russ, this is a world class small car that delivers excellent performance, style, safety and value for the money. He said, “We’re excited by the potential for Cruze in a key marketplace for Australian buyers. There are no excuses needed for this car. It has five-star safety, handles beautifully, looks great and provides high quality and low fuel usage.”

Exterior styling of the car too is superb and the long wheelbase of the Cruze makes it a perfect family sedan that delivers performance of upscale mid size sedan in small price bracket.

The Holden Cruze is equipped with two engines 1.8 liter petrol and 2.0 liter diesel Turbo engines that match the choice of five speed manual or six speed automatic transmission with Active Select. The 1.8 Liter ECOTEC petrol engine produces about 104 KW of power and 176Mn of torque that is available between 2200 to 6200rpm quality drive even at low engine speeds. The 2.0 liter common rail turbo charged engine is available as CD trim and it adds another model of energy diversity in Ecoline. It is capable of producing 110 KW and 320 Nm of Torque that is available with 1750 to 3500 rpm.

It boasts of one of the most comfortable interiors that are available in small car in the market. Fit and Finish is emphasized with contoured sport seats that has dual cockpit design and house advanced integrated center panel having graphic information display. The car has generous rear passenger leg room and offers head and shoulder room for space with five adult seats.

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Cost of Repairs

Most people don’t expect to pay much for maintenance on a new car. Fewer things should break during the first few years, and if they do, they’re typically covered by the warranty.  A used car is more likely to need repairs, especially as it gets older. When you’re looking at buying a used car, there’s a huge range. You can get a car that’s only a year or two old with low mileage. Many dealers will “certify” a used car that’s in good condition and offer a warranty with it. This, of course, will cost more than an older car.

Gasoline Expenses

How many miles to you drive on a regular basis? Gas hogs are no longer popular, and their prices show it. If you don’t drive a lot, getting a used SUV could be a cost effective plan. Compare the price difference between a gas guzzler and a more fuel-efficient car with the amount you expect to spend on gas.  If you drive a lot, a hybrid might be worth the extra upfront cost.  Check out the new 2009 Escalade Hybrid with its 20 mpg – not bad for a luxury SUV.

Financing

Dealers are offering great interest rates on new car loans – as low as 0% for 36 months on some models. Check out the offers on the 2009 Mazda 5! Used cars are typically financed at about 7% for a three year loan. The longer loan period on a new car combined with the low (or zero) interest rate will lower your monthly payments. But often the lowest rates are only available to those with stellar credit.

Insurance

Insurance is usually higher on a new car because the value is higher.  The model of car will make a difference too. For a new driver or a driver with a less than perfect record, insurance costs will play a bigger role.

Which is the most cost-effective decision – new or used?  It depends on your situation. But don’t discount the possibility of a new car without checking it out. You might be able to buy a brand new car and honest tell your spouse that it was too cheap to pass up!

Make Your Car Last

So what exactly should you do to take care of your car? First, don’t put off any maintenance or repairs that are needed.  If something is broken and you continue to drive, it will damage other components.  This will eventually lead to more expensive repairs and/or a reduced lifespan.  Listen to your car, watch for the warning lights and heed them. Many cars now have sensors that monitor the type of driving you’re doing, engine heat and other factors and then let you know when maintenance is needed.

Baby Your Car with Regular Maintenance

Second, stay on top of the maintenance recommendations.  No, I don’t mean that you need to do everything the mechanic or the dealership tell you to do.  They often try to sell you more than you really need.  Instead, read the car’s owner’s manual.  If you don’t have one, go to eBay and buy one.  There are usually a regular maintenance schedule and an extreme-use maintenance schedule.  What’s extreme use?  Well, if you live in a very hot or cold climate, or by the ocean, or drive in dusty conditions or make a lot of short trips or tow a trailer, you should follow the extreme use maintenance schedule.  Don’t skimp, even though it costs time and money.  It will more than come back to you in the long run.

Only use parts and fluids that meet manufacturer specifications. Using cheap no-name parts or fluids can cost you more in the long run.  The easy way to do this, of course is to get your car serviced at the dealership with genuine oem parts.  But independent mechanics can also use good parts.  Just be sure to ask.

Is  it Too Late to Start Now?

Absolutely not!  Even if you haven’t taken spectacular care of your car, you should start now. While it might not last as long as it would have if it had been well cared-for since day one, you can still extend its life with good care now, unless it’s on its very last leg already.

When it’s time to give it up

There is a point when it’s more cost effective to get a new (or used) car. If your car needs repairs that exceed its value, it’s time to say goodbye.  To get an idea of what your car is worth, check out Kelley Blue Book or Auto Trader.  Also, if it’s had major damage from an accident or flood it may be time to let it go.  Lastly, if you repair it and it’s still unreliable and leaves you stranded, it’s time to move on.

Buying a New or Used Car

This is a great time to buy a car.  Dealers are making unbelievable deals right now.  You might want to consider buying a used car. You can save the depreciation that happens as soon as a new car is driven off the lot.  And you can get a lot of information about the car’s history from Carfax. Some used car dealerships even offer Carfax reports for free. Research the model you’re looking at and get the best possible deal on a reliable car.  You’ll spend less time and money on repairs and hopefully this car will last 10 years or more!