Before buying a new fuel efficient car

Re-consider what you know

You have decided it’s time to buy a new car. Yet, you don’t only want a new vehicle, you want a fuel-efficient car that won’t harm the environment. Maybe you are considering buying an EV.

Before you make the final decision and head to a dealership for your new environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient ride, research. Browse the web, ask your gearhead friend or your mechanic. Information is gold, people say. So you should roll up your sleeves and learn everything necessary before buying a new fuel-efficient car.

Cars that will save you money in the long term

• Mitsubishi I SE
• Ford Focus Electric
• Toyota Prius Plug-in Advanced
• Chevrolet Volt
• Toyota Prius Four
• Nissan Leaf SL
• Lexus CT 200h Premium
• Toyota Prius C Two
• Toyota Prius V Three
• Tesla Model S (base, 85kWh)

Hybrids usually top the charts when it comes to fuel efficiency. We all fall into the trap of thinking that hybrids are good for the environment. The truth is that no car is good for the environment. If you really want to make an impact on the environment then just use public transportation more, walk more, bike more, and recycle more!

Once you start researching, chances are you’ll find a new gasoline (or diesel) car with the same mileage per gallon as the hybrid. The hybrid is just more expensive, and if you drive a lot then you are not really making any environmental difference. If you are thinking in terms of money only, then you should consider the break-even time as well. Hybrids are still more expensive than most gasoline or diesel vehicles. This means that you will have to keep your vehicle for long enough in order to realize the savings.

Why don’t we consider diesel cars over hybrids?

Diesel engines are turbocharged and have boatloads of power to boost their performance and get more miles per gallon. More importantly, they pollute less than we think. The new clean diesel models have diesel particulate filter (DPF) that removes the particles from the exhaust.

Top diesel automobiles available on the US market:

Volkswagen Golf TDI

Volkswagen Passat TDI

2012 BMW X5 xDrive35d

2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 Blutec

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel

2014 Mazda6 SkyActiv-D

Diesel vehicles heyday is yet to come. As we see, there are fewer choices, but more are coming to the US market each year. Efficiency and dependability have made the diesel engine the choice in trucking, and now it’s gearing up for the automobile industry. If you have not driven a diesel, you will be surprised when you hop into one of these vehicles. The latest diesel technology is about to surprise you. Modern diesel vehicles are cleaner, quieter, fuel-efficient, and more powerful than ever.

Don’t believe the old clichés! Try a diesel car yourself.

German cars are good, American cars are bad … really?

A reasonable explanation of why German cars are good and American are bad is often difficult to hear. It is just a perception that people have adopted over the years and continue to chew on daily. I don’t mean to stress you out. Choosing a new vehicle is easy – you just need to have the right information. Moreover, go test drive a few vehicles, read about them and about the new technology, and then decide. You may even want to hold on for some time and stick with your old car until you find the best choice or until the new 2014 Volkswagen Golf GTD comes around!

Now, if you want to buy a new car because you are moving, (moreover if you are moving to Los Angeles, CA, I understand!) I will recommend one other option. Just keep your old ride for a while – we can ship your car to Los Angeles easily.

When you start thinking about a new car it is always a good idea to let it sit for a while. Take your time to find what’s best for you. Buying a car is always easy once you are really sure.

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