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Thursday, August 26, 2010 — THE MEDICINE HAT NEWS


BACK TO SCHOOL AUTOMOTIVE BEST BUYS FALL 2010


Tips for Buying a CLEAROUT Safe Vehicle


ips for Buying a Safe Vehicle


(METRO) - Safety is without a doubt one of the biggest and most press- ing issues to consider when pur- chasing a new or used vehicle. How do consumers know if the vehicles they are purchasing can stand up to the myriad dangers of the open road?


The bottom line is that there’s really no safety guarantee when it comes to cars. However, there are a lot of things to keep in mind and inves- tigate when shopping for a vehicle that will give prospective buyers peace of mind once they hit the road.


1. A good fi rst step -- even before consulting consumer reports on safe vehicles -- is to talk to friends and family about which cars on the market they feel are the safest based on their personal experi- ences. If no one can provide sound advice, check message boards online for information pertaining to automobile safety.


2. Next, begin combing consumer safety reports and newspaper articles for information on any automobiles of interest. Pay particular attention to crash data when doing this research.


3. After deciding on a particular vehicle, go and check out the car in person. Inspect the car closely and be sure the vehicle has front and side air bags, the most up-to- date seatbelt features, superior traction control and antilock brakes, to name a few important safety features.


4. The weight of the car is very important. Heavier vehicles tend to fare better in crash tests than lighter vehicles, as lighter vehicles tend to tip over more easily.


5. Take the car for a test drive. Focus on how the vehicle handles and how quickly and easily it acceler- ates and stops. Test the seatbelts to make sure they are working properly. If possible, bring some- one along for a second opinion. This could be a salesperson, spouse or friend. Many times people become intensely focused on buying a particular car based solely on its aesthetic appeal. Try to keep in mind that what mat- ters most is how safe the car is, not the look of it. Having some- one in the passenger seat when test driving a car should help the buyer keep this in mind.


METRO - While the dealership might be loaded with shiny new cars, a vehicle’s repu- tation for safety should be the real eye catcher.


Options in Family- Friendly Vehicles


Options in Family- Friendly Vehicles


METRO PHOTO


(METRO) - Buyers in the market for a new car -- who also have a family -- may be considering any number of options for their next vehicle. Thoughts of whether to purchase a sedan, minivan, crossover, or SUV may come to mind. Each type has its own advantages and disadvan- tages. Weigh the options before purchase.


If you’re considering a sedan ... How many people will you be carry- ing on a regular basis? Most sedans seat fi ve. However, the rear center position of the car is usually a tight fi t. There are a few wider sedans that may still feature a front bench seat for an added passenger, though children are not advised to ride in the front seat of the car. Sedans may get better mileage and use less gas than larger vehicles, which can be an advantage if money is an issue. They’re generally less expensive to buy or lease also. Check out trunk space, seeing as you’ll need to tote strollers and kids’ belongings as well. Also, four-door models are a must in any sedan for ease of exiting little ones from the car.


If you’re considering an SUV ... For drivers who didn’t want to face the stigma of the minivan, SUVs became a popular and viable option for families. SUVs defi nitely boast larger passenger room, with many models featuring a third-row seat that can fold down or be removed


depending upon need. While there have been many advancements made in the SUV- category, they still tend to use more gas than many other vehicles. Also, there is still the propensity for roll- over in larger, top-heavy vehicles. Compact SUVs may be a better bet if you’re looking for good gas mile- age and a little extra cargo room. Also, many feature all-wheel or 4-wheel drive, which can be good in inclement weather. Still, most are generally the size of sedan inside as they’re often built on a car frame.


If you’re considering a minivan ... Vans have long been considered a family-friendly vehicle. They have many advantages, which spur their popularity with the soccer mom set. Today’s vans have interiors that are roomy and can be reconfi gured in many ways with fold-down seats, etc. Most can also carry seven or more passengers, which makes them advantageous as kids grow and friends tag along for the ride. Added features include entertain- ment packages and the ability to store a lot of cargo. While vans have certainly come a long way in terms of design, aes- thetics is what drives many people to look elsewhere. Most minivans will have a visible tract that enables the rear door to slide open and closed. They’re also boxy and not very streamlined. Fully equipped minivans may be on par with the price of an SUV or more expensive


luxury car. Also, some adults just can’t get over the stigma of driving a minivan.


If you’re considering a crossover ... Crossovers mean different things to different car manufacturers. Some are compact SUVs on a car frame. Others are glorifi ed station wagons that were given a beauty makeover. Others are a blend of car and truck features. It’s defi nitely a mixed bag and you’ll have to consider the op- tions available depending upon the vehicle’s make. Crossovers often have a lower roof line or step-in height compared to a traditional SUV, and in general get better gas mileage compared to most SUVs. But most are, in es- sence, a car. Therefore, if the price is higher for a crossover than a sedan, you may want to go the sedan route.


If you’re considering a compact car ... Individuals who know they only want to have one child and are in- terested in keeping costs down can get great value with a compact car for a number of years. Most have ample trunk space and backseat room to accommodate the needs of one child. If you’re planning on expanding the family down the line -- and keeping the car for a number of years -- it’s probably a safer bet to opt for a larger vehicle at the start. FC09A599


2007 PONTIAC


TORRENT Stock#: T110121A 6 Cyl. 2.4L, A/C, Am/FM Stereo, Cd, Cruise, Keyless Entry, Navigation


System $21,995 Contact Ryan Schlosser 403-529-2777


2000 GMC JIMMY Stock#: C110022A


6 Cyl., 4.3L, Auto, A/C, Anti-Lock Brakes, Fog Lights, Keyless Entry,


Tinted Glass $7,995 Contact Mike Lant 403-529-2777


2001 FORD F-150 XLT Stock#: T110025B


8 Cyl., 4.6L, A/C, AM/FM Stereo, CD Player, Fog


Lights, PW $8,997 Contact Leo Frey 403-529-2777


2007 FORD


F-150 LARIAT Stock#: T110066A 8 Cyl., 5.4L, A/C, Alloy Wheels, Fog Lights, Keyless Entry, Tilt Steering, Tinted Glass,


Tow Package $24,988 Contact Mike Lant 403-529-2777


2008 FORD


ESCAPE XLT Stock#: 49002A 4 Cyl., 2.5L, A/C, Anti-Lock Brakes, Fog Lights, Heated Seats, Keyless Entry, Leather Interior, Remote Start, Roof


Rack, Tinted Glass $19,988 Contact Mike Lant 403-529-2777


2008 FORD


ESCAPE XLT Stock#: C110024A 6 CYL., 3.0L, A/C, AM/FM Stereo, Intermittent Wipers, Keyless Entry, Navigation System, Roof


Rack, Side Impact Airbag. $19,998


Contact Mike Lant 403-529-2777


2005 DODGE RAM 1500 Stock#: T110110A


8 Cyl., 5.7L, A/C, Anti- Lock Brakes, Cruise, Tonneau Cover


$18,988 Contact Ryan Schlosser 403-529-2777


2008 VOLKSWAGEN


JETTA Stock#: T110131A 4 Cyl., 2.0L, A/C, Alloy Wheels, Cruise, Intermittent Wipers, Sunroof, Tilt


Steering $22,988 Contact Leo Frey 403-529-2777


2006 FORD FIVE


HUNDRED Stock#: TS11017A AM/FM CD stereo, A/C, alloy wheels, fog lights, keyless entry, P/seat, p/windows, P/


locks leather int. $9,999 Contact Leo Frey 403-529-2777


2004 GMC 2500 Stock#: T11024A


AM/FM, stereo, A/C, anti lock brakes, CD palyer, keyless entry, P/mirrors, P/windows, tilt steer- ing, cruise, heated mirrors, P/ locks, traction control, Telescopic


steering wheel $16,900 Contact Leo Frey 403-529-2777


2010 MAZDA 3 Stock#: TS11027C


AM/FM, stereo, A/C, alloys, anti lock brakes, CD palyer, P/mirrors, P/windows, tilt steering, P/locks, sunroof, cruise


control. $20,995 Contact Leo Frey 403-529-2777


2007 FORD TAURUS Stock#: C110027A


AM/FM Stereo, A/C, alloys, anti-lock brakes, anti-theft, CD Player, keyless entry, P/mirrors, P/seat, tilt steering, tinted glass, P/locks, cruise control,


heated mirrors $10,995 Contact Leo Frey 403-529-2777


2008 FORD MUSTANG Stock#: C410004A


AM/FM Stereo, A/C, anti-lock brakes, CD Player, P/mirrors, P/seat, P/win- dows, titl steering, tinted glass, P/ locks, spoiler, traction control, cloth


interior $16,995 Contact Leo Frey 403-529-2777


USED INVENTORY


Rodeo Ford Sales


403-529-2777 1788 SAAMIS DR. NW


41029371•08/26/=10


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