Explore All Blog Categories

Coolest new cars under $20K – KBB

Kia Soul -KBB’s coolest car
    There may be no rule for what makes a car cool, but feel-good factors like being fun to drive, stylish, versatile and equipped with the right tech provide some common ground. Coupled with an affordable price tag, these are the criteria that Kelley Blue Book has used for its 2019 list of coolest new cars under $20,000. The top 10 contains a mix of the latest sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs to put a spring in your step, including a number of sporty models and some that score highly for practicality, too. Kia’s Soul compact takes the number one… Read More
Written by: on
Category: RoadLoans News

Car terms to know when trading in

Car terms to know when trading in
  Trading in may be a convenient way to sell your current car and put that money toward the cost of a new one. Knowing the following terms may help you walk into the dealership with the confidence to negotiate a better deal.   Trade-in value The trade-in value of your car is the amount that your dealer is willing to offer you to buy your vehicle. This amount can be influenced by a number of factors including the vehicle’s age, mileage and condition, demand for such a model, and your location.   Trade-in allowance Once you have agreed on… Read More
Written by: on
Category: Financing

How to keep your summer road trip rolling

How to keep your summer road trip rolling
  7 ways to prepare your vehicle for a smooth journey The arrival of Memorial Day marks the (unofficial) start of summer and with it, road trip season. A time to load up the trunk, set off for a well-earned vacation and have some fun along the way. Memorable sights, stops and finds courtesy of your car can add something special to any summer holiday – but an unreliable vehicle can easily take the shine off things. Here are seven easy steps to prepare your car for a trouble-free trip.   1. Get an oil change If you’re embarking on… Read More
Written by: on
Category: Car and Driver Tips

Car-shopping steps after visiting an auto show

Car dealer and car buyer sitting in car
    An auto show is a valuable place to get first impressions, compare vehicles side by side and, ultimately, get a better picture of what you next car purchase might be. To make the most of the information gathered, here are some tips for your next car-shopping steps.   Read ratings and reviews Check out expert and consumer reviews of the vehicles you’re most interested in. Use sources such as Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book to find out their strengths and weaknesses and how they compare to the competition.   Look up pricing and model options See what model options… Read More
Written by: on
Category: Car and Driver Tips

What I learned about getting a good car-buying experience

What I learned about getting a good car-buying experience
  Everyone has a story about buying a car. Whether it was the first or 15th, it’s probably an experience that will never be forgotten. When my father was looking to replace his car, I tagged along and watched the process he went through, and learned a lot.   The dealership experience We really relied on the dealership staff to steer us toward the right product – one that truly met our needs. Just because we had a personal relationship with the particular dealer we visited did not mean we didn’t go through a process. Things such as new versus… Read More
Written by: on
Category: Car and Driver Tips

Should I refinance my car?

Man driving car with dog
  Many things can change over the course of an auto loan to make refinancing worth considering. A lot of times, borrowers want to save on their financing costs or find a more affordable payment, but they may also want to get cash out against the value of their vehicle, or change their loan for other reasons. Take a look at these common situations in which it can be worth replacing an auto loan with another that has new terms.   4 common situations for refinancing a car loan Your credit score has improved In most cases, credit score has… Read More
Written by: on
Category: Refinancing

8 Ways to safely share the road with cyclists

Safety tips for sharing the road with cyclists
  Throughout the month of May, Americans are celebrating cyclists with National Bike Month. According to the League of American Bicyclists, “from 2000 to 2013, the number of bicycle commuters in the U.S. grew by more than 62 percent.” Seeing as bicycle transportation has become more common, hopefully we can stay aware and be considerate of bikers all year in order to keep our roads both active and safe. Drivers may find it confusing or challenging to share the road, however, so here are some tips on how to effectively and safely share the highways with bicycle riders.   1.… Read More
Written by: on
Category: Car and Driver Tips

When should you trade in your car?

Man holding car keys on a vehicle trade-in
  Most buyers will, at some point down the track, come to the question of when they should trade in for another vehicle. To a large degree, what makes most sense is determined by a vehicle’s reliability and its depreciation in value. Let’s take depreciation first.   Understand your car’s depreciating value New cars lose 20 percent of their value after just one year, increasing to 50 percent after three. On that basis, you may not want to trade in your car during its early years, just after you’ve suffered the biggest part of the depreciation loss. Rather, you might… Read More
Written by: on
Category: Financing

Car shoppers reveal favorite auto brands of 2019

Honda Pilot SUV
  Reliability, value, performance, style – these are just some of the qualities that can shape an auto brand and play into your next car-buying decision. And while you will have your own perceptions of brand ahead of a new purchase, the wisdom of 12,000 shoppers might also help. Enter the Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards. Including 13 winners across seven categories, they recognize the carmakers that generate most enthusiasm among new-vehicle shoppers who do their research at KBB.com. Take a look at their top brands for 2019, and the comments of Kelley Blue Book, below.   Best overall… Read More
Written by: on
Category: Car and Driver Tips, RoadLoans News

Earth Day: Celebrating eco-friendly cars and driving habits

Open road through forest
    Whether it be recycling, conservation, or limiting air pollution, Earth Day, April 22, celebrates our planet and reminds us to treat it with care. Although this celebration only comes once a year, we can contribute to the betterment of our climate in our everyday lives. Emissions created by the burning of gasoline in your car contribute to the global climate issues we are experiencing today. In order to contribute to the Earth Day cause, here are some tips on how to “drive green,” followed by some options for choosing an eco-friendly car.   Vehicle maintenance Routine vehicle maintenance… Read More
Written by: on
Category: Car and Driver Tips, RoadLoans News