If you’re like me, you’ve heard about a number of used car auctions occurring in your area. Their promoters claimn that they have super deals on repossessions, confiscated cars and vehicles that the dealers simply don’t want anymore. But if you’ve never been to a used car auction, you might not know what to expect. Here are some common questions about auto auctions and answers to make the process less intimidating in case you decide to visit one someday.

How can I find auction listings in my area?
Before you go to an auction, it might be helpful to know where it is. Your local newspaper will likely list the auctions held in your area over the next couple of weeks. You can also look in the Yellow Pages under “Public Auto Auctions” or similar headings to find more information.

Who is allowed at auto auctions?
The majority of auctions are only open to car dealers. If you know a dealer, sometimes he or she can bring you as a guest, but the dealer still needs to be the one to pay for any purchases. Some auctions, however, are open to the public. When you find the listing, it should say if it’s a public or private auction.

Can I finance a vehicle I purchase at an auction?
Yes and no. You can’t make a bid on a vehicle and then try to finance it with the auction company. You can, however, get a pre-approved loan amount through a bank or financing company before the auction. This way, you have an idea of the amount you can bid for a car that you want.

What if I make a bid that I can’t pay?
For whatever reason, bidders sometimes make bids that are over their spending limits. When this happens, the next highest bidder receives the merchandise. The overzealous bidder, on the other hand, must pay a penalty fee.

Are there any hidden fees?
Yes. When you purchase a vehicle at a public auction, you typically need to pay the auction company a fee of about five to ten percent before driving away the vehicle. Be mindful of this when bidding.

If the process of an auto auction still seems like too much trouble, come to our local dealer and get a great certified Ford vehicle. You can’t beat the price, and the best part is that you know exactly what you’re getting before you purchase it.

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There’s been a lot of discussion in recent months about the new Knight Rider movie and the Ford Mustang that it will feature. But do you know about all the new gadgets this supercar is going to include? Here’s a brief list of some of the more interesting features to expect when the car hits the NBC airwaves later this year.

• Laser Weapons System
Who can fight crime today without it?

• Nanotech Cloaking
This basically means turning invisible. I wouldn’t mind turning invisible sometimes, but Michael Knight will probably use this ability for a better, nobler cause than I would.

• Laser-Guided Missile Defense
In a few years, this will probably be a popular option on all crime-fighting talking cars.

• Military-Grade GPS
If you’re going to be shooting off lasers, you probably want to make sure you’re at least in the right zip code first.

• Holographic Projection
Michael Knight can essentially be in two places at once. The bad guys will think they’re seeing two KITTs instead of one.

• Mini-KITT Reconnaissance Drone
Remember Mini Me from the Austin Powers Trilogy? This is the same idea. KITT has a small clone that can test areas before our hero actually goes into a battle.

Maybe in the future, we’ll find features similar to these on other Ford vehicles. If everybody had a laser weapons system, it would probably cut down on incidents of road rage. A holographic projection and the nanotech cloaking might be handy, too, if you’re trying to outrun somebody. It might just be a dream, but a guy is allowed to dream . . . isn’t he?

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The purpose of lemon laws is to protect consumers who purchase defective cars. With any vehicle, there’s a chance that something will go wrong, but a lemon is typically a vehicle in which the same thing goes wrong more often than it should. Although each state has its own unique guidelines concerning defective vehicles, there are things you ought to know in order to protect yourself from a bad investment.

The Definition of a Lemon
To be considered lemons, cars generally need to go in for repairs for the same problem at least three times. Of course, all repairs must be documented by licensed mechanics so the manufacturer can be sure it’s the same problem each time. The lemon label also refers to vehicles that have problems that could harm the drivers or passengers, such as the engine’s bursting into flames spontaneously. Most states cover cars and motor homes under the lemon law, but some also consider motorcycles as well.

Keep Your Service Documentation
Any time you take your vehicle in for repairs, make sure to get detailed reports about what was done. Keep a special file with receipts, work orders, purchase contracts and anything else related to your vehicle. Also, keep a copy of the vehicle history report. If the car had previous problems, you might save yourself some time and trouble because you’ll have proof of the car’s defective past.

Keep Records of Your Conversations
When buying a car, try to have a record of all your conversations with the salesperson. Ask to record your discussions on tape in case the car turns out to be a lemon. If that doesn’t work, take as many notes as possible. Knowing exactly what was said can save a great deal of confusion in the future.

Contact an Attorney
The best way to deal with a possible lemon is to contact an attorney. Before you do anything else, a lawyer can help you understand your particular state’s laws. An attorney can also determine if you have a case before you proceed. Get at least two opinions before making a final decision about whether or not to sue.

When you purchase a certified Ford, you don’t need to worry about getting a lemon. With the rigorous inspection process and extensive warranty, these pre-owned vehicles are almost like new. Save yourself the time and uncertainty of buying something you’re not sure of. Visit our local dealer today and enjoy the peace of mind that only a quality used Ford can give.

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If you want to sit behind the wheel of a Ford GTX1, you’d better speak now or forever hold your peace. Before the end of 2008 (at the end of August, to be exact), the design group commissioned to build these one-of-a-kind models will stop making them.

Ford intended the GTX1 to be a limited production vehicle in the first place. In fact, the automaker planned on ordering only 600 of these roadsters within the span of two years. The first 100 were meant as special edition Ford vehicles while the other 500 would be made more available and affordable to the general public. But like the company’s original Ford GT Supercar line, the plans didn’t go through as planned.

If you don’t know anything about the GTX1, you can find a wide array of videos on YouTube.com and even more pictures at Google.com. Chances are that you’ve probably seen it on television or in one of the dozens of magazines where it is advertised, but you just didn’t know what it was called. In fact, the host of a popular BBC TV car program, Jeremy Clarkson, said the GTX1 was one of the best vehicles he had ever driven.

If this has piqued your interest, you can still order one for yourself until August 31, 2008. You can have a great collector’s item in your driveway if the company doesn’t meet its order quota of 600 GTX1s altogether. Luckily, the Genaddi Design Group will still make some of the supercar’s options available for your current GT model. Imagine getting your GT “tricked out” with butterfly doors, a new interior and exterior color, and several performance upgrades.

I wonder if I can get butterfly doors installed on my minivan. It’s just a thought.

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Nothing can ruin a night on the town quicker than a flat tire. And if you don’t know the first thing about changing a flat, your entire evening could be a complete bummer. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you know what you’re doing, changing a flat could be far less frustrating. Here are some steps to follow to avoid missing a night of fun because of a simple problem.

1. Keep a good car jack and four-way lug wrench in your trunk. I know this doesn’t help if you already have the flat tire and haven’t prepared yourself for it. But take care of this now so it won’t be an issue. Invest in a jack that is simple to use rather than depending on the one that came with the car. If you’re like me, those types of jacks are more trouble than they’re worth.

2. At the first sign of a flat tire, pull off to the side of the road to avoid the traffic. For your own safety, get over as far as possible without getting too close to an edge or drop-off.

3. Apply the parking brake. If you’re driving a stick, place it in first gear. This helps to prevent the car from rolling when you’re working on it.

4. Look for the spare tire and make sure it’s inflated. If you don’t have a spare tire, there’s no sense in taking the flat tire off because there’s nothing to replace it with. Spares are typically located in a “secret” compartment underneath the floorboard of the trunk or mounted underneath the vehicle.

5. If you have a usable spare, then loosen the lug nuts on the flattened tire before jacking it up. Loosen them just enough to make it simple to turn them later.

6. Place the jack under the chassis of the car. Make sure it lifts the car by the sturdy steel frame rather than the actual body of the car (I learned that one the hard way.)

7. Lift the car several inches from the ground with the jack.

8. Loosen the lug nuts the rest of the way and remove the tire. Replace it with the spare and replace the lug nuts.

9. Make the lug nuts fairly tight, but don’t put too much pressure on them as you could jar the car loose from the jack.

10. Let the car down slowly and tighten the lug nuts the rest of the way. Then go to the nearest garage and have your tire fixed.

If you invest in a certified Ford, you won’t have to worry about this. The warranty offers a 24/7 Roadside Assistance program that will take care of all of this for you. You simply can’t put a price on peace of mind like that.

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We haven’t heard too much about the Ford Explorer SUV lately. If I didn’t know better, I would’ve thought the company put it down like an old puppy. But it’s back and it’s better than ever with its redesigned body and new engine to increase its efficiency and friendliness to the planet.

The new model, dubbed the Ford Explorer America, still has the look and feel of a full-size SUV. But it’s built on a frame that’s similar to one for a smaller car. This makes it a crossover instead of a normal sport-utility vehicle. As a result, consumers can expect better handling, safety and fuel economy from one of the favorite vehicles to reach the market in recent years.

But Ford has even bigger plans for this model. According to Marisa Bradley, a spokesperson for Ford, the company intends for the new Explorer America to be a symbol of the new EcoBoost engine. With the turbo boosting and direct-injection technology involved, the Explorer that was once known as a gas guzzler will provide at least a 20-percent increase in efficiency. And who doesn’t want that?

Ford is hoping the new design and engine will bring the Explorer back to the forefront in the competitive SUV market. Sales have been steadily dropping for this model in the last seven years. And the number of lawsuits filed as a result of rollover accidents involving this model certainly didn’t help sales figures either.

Despite a few sacrifices, the Ford Explorer America has created a buzz since it was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show earlier this month. Consumers aren’t really concerned that the new efficient model can only haul 3,000 pounds instead of 7,500 pounds. How many Ford Explorer owners tested those limits in the first place?

It will be another year or two before you can find these particular models in the North American market. However, you can still get a great deal on other Ford vehicles every day of the year at our dealership. Come in today and see what we can do for you.

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We all know that the demand for used cars is growing stronger in North America for a variety of reasons. But did you know this trend is growing all over the world?

An article from a Pakistan newspaper, The Daily Times, reflected how more people in that country are turning to used cars as the loan terms for new cars are growing stricter. The article cited figures from the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturing Association that reported the sales figures for new cars as slowly falling. Fewer car buyers in the region are qualifying for the larger loans, and consumers must resort to the less expensive used car market.

This comes after a period in which new car loans were all the rage. The banks introduced auto financing only a few years ago, and Pakistan consumers flocked to the new car market. The conditions of the loans were simple and affordable only a few years ago. That affected the used car market because more consumers wanted used cars.

But as quickly as they introduced new car financing , the banks tightened the guidelines. As a result, the market is changing and a used car is the “thing to buy” now. But with a growing demand also comes growing prices. It’s generally a small increase, but dealers are looking to future increases and investing in secondhand cars now.

Here in North America, you can always get a great deal on a quality certified Ford. With the manufacturer’s CPO program, investing in one of these great vehicles is almost like buying a new car at a reduced price. Join the worldwide trend and get a reliable used car. Your checkbook will thank you for it.

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The North and the South had a good ol’ time at the North American International Auto Show earlier this month. Some “yee haws” and “y’alls” hit the air as country music superstar Toby Keith appeared–cowboy hat and all –to help unveil Ford’s new and impressive F150.

But this wasn’t the first time the two powerhouses in their respective industries met. In 2007, the Super Duty F350 truck for his “Big Dog Daddy Tour” inspired Toby Keith. Ford and Keith worked together and offered fans a chance to win a private concert by the country musician. That lucky winner could also drive to the private concert in a brand new 2008 Ford F450 that the automaker was giving away as part of the contest.

At the time, the Ford Truck marketing manager said of the concert tour and combination: “Toby Keith represents what our Ford F-Series trucks and customers are all about–they’re hard-working, genuine and get it done every day.”

Why is there such a connection between Toby Keith and the Ford Motor Company?

Keith is a proud owner of a Ford truck, just like his daddy and his daddy’s daddy before him. He’s actually been an official spokesperson for the company for more than five years. Both Ford and Keith are at the top of their industries, and few people, if any, match the Ford truck brand the way that Keith’s persona does. He’s also written two songs about the truck brand: “Ford Truck Man” and “I Am a Workin’ Man.” Both songs have also been used in Ford commercials.

The partnership works the other way as well. Ford has sponsored all of Keith’s concerts since he became the spokesperson in 2002. This too is a great fit, as studies have shown that more than 60 percent of those who buy Ford vehicles and trucks are big country music fans.

Sounds to me like a match made in heaven.

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Did you know most car accidents can be avoided? As a matter of fact, very few accidents would happen if drivers simply took a few extra precautions. As Ben Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” In this case, a few extra seconds could save a life. Here are some ways to reduce your risk of getting into an accident and avoid others who might cause accidents.

1. Patience
Most accidents occur because drivers are in a hurry to get somewhere. As such, they drive faster and they don’t pay close attention like they should. Look out for these cars and get out of their way as safely as possible.

2. Watch Other Drivers
Observation takes practice. But watching what other drivers are doing can help you avoid an accident. When you’re sitting at stop signs or red lights, look both ways before crossing the intersection. When backing out of parking spots, look around to make sure other drivers aren’t coming. Always be on the lookout for possible problems and find ways to avoid them.

3. Don’t Get Angry
Road rage is one of the leading causes of accidents. Don’t get mad at other drivers when you’re on the road. Most of the time when they cut you off or do something like that, it was an honest mistake. Getting mad and causing an accident simply isn’t worth the time or effort.

4. Stay off the Phone
Cell phones cause too many accidents for drivers of any age. Studies show that the brain reacts slower when you’re talking on the phone because it is trying to form words as you drive. Driving requires split-second decisions, and your brain should be concentrating on the road at all times.

5. Don’t Drink and Drive
This one should go without saying, yet hundreds of accidents involving alcohol occur each year. It’s so much easier to call a cab or a sober friend to drive you home if you’ve had anything to drink. Just ask the people who are in jail for killing somebody while driving drunk. I guarantee every one of them will tell you the same thing.

These tips are especially handy when you’re driving a certified Ford. As nice and reliable as these quality vehicles are, you want to be sure to keep yours looking good for years to come. Be safe on the roads and think about the consequences for making bad decisions.

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When I was growing up, I always wanted to be a cowboy. I never knew what they did for a living, but I remember watching the old westerns with my dad and thinking about how cool those guys were. I’m still a huge fan of those movies–The Wild Bunch, High Noon, Shane and all the classics. But I’d look pretty silly riding around town on a horse today.

But Ford has a solution. The company’s large super-duty trucks are the next best thing for those visions of rounding up cattle and driving through the barren desert roads. With some spectacular fanfare, the newest model debuted at the North American International Auto Show earlier this month.

The new F-Series Ford vehicles retain the toughness and masculine feel that have given it a reputation for ruggedness. That’s why it’s been the best-selling vehicle for nearly 30 years. The commercials for these heavy-duty trucks still tout their ability to plow through the mud and carry heavy loads. But despite its rough-and-tough reputation, it still has the conveniences that every driver appreciates.

On the new models, buyers can choose the option of a step that slides out underneath the tailgate for easier climbing into the bed of the truck. Hey, even cowboys get older and need some help mounting their horses sometimes. And besides, about 25 percent of F-Series truck owners simply use their powerful trucks for everyday purposes and transportation rather than the rugged “man’s work” for which they are typically known.

The best part about the new trucks is the price. The Ford F-Series starts at less than $18,000 and can cost up to $40,000 depending on the options and style you choose.

If you’re like me and you never want to give up the dream of riding through rough terrain and desert plains, consider a Ford F-Series Super Duty truck. You simply can’t get much closer to a horse than that.

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