Better Performance
Many people often wonder what exactly they are paying for with a higher price tag. While it is true that some manufacturers simply increase prices to make more profit, there can be good reasons to pay a higher price if you want more performance and features. SUVs, in particular, can benefit from more powerful engines and all-wheel drivetrains which tend to be more expensive due to the extra mechanics and parts involved.
Sometimes, it can be extremely difficult to see the actual differences in performance between two SUV options. On paper, the Enclave and Explorer are fairly evenly matched when you compare their 3.6L and 3.5L V-6 engines. It is not until you start to look at the different metrics like torque and horsepower that you will begin to notice significant differences. In both categories, the Enclave manages to offer more performance, which can translate into better acceleration, higher speeds, and more off-road capability.
Fuel efficiency is another common area to address when comparing different SUV models. Crossover SUVs, even ones with a full three row setup, have the potential for better fuel efficiency than other full-size counterparts. Here again, the Enclave demonstrates this the best by offering 17 city/25 highway miles per gallon versus the Explorer’s 16 city/22 highway MPG. When you need to keep your costs low, better fuel efficiency can help you out at the gas station even when fuel prices start to skyrocket during the summer months or challenging economic times.
Since many people count on their SUVs in challenging weather and terrain, it is important to make sure any option you look at will give you the best possible traction. Quite often, many SUV models will provide you with different options between two, four, and all-wheel drive. Both the Enclave and Explorer come standard with a rear-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive in upper trims. All-wheel drive allows the vehicle to apply power to each wheel to maximize grip in loose terrain or wet conditions.
 
Features
When you do not need the most in terms of performance and capability, many SUV models may look similar to each other right off the bat. Even the look and design of many modern SUVs are similar enough to be confusing. That is why it can be helpful to look on the inside of an SUV when trying to make the final choice between two options. The interior of an SUV is where you will spend all your time, meaning the features, safety systems, and overall feel of the inside can be extremely important.
One of the best areas to compare and assess is safety. SUVs at one time have a bad reputation for safety, being known to roll over or catch fire. Modern SUVs, on the other hand, often come with a suite of front and side airbags for passengers, active safety systems like forward collision and blind spot monitoring, and automated features such as automatic braking and stability control. The real difference between many SUV models is whether these features come standard or optional.
When you look at the Enclave safety systems, for example, you will see many of these advanced systems coming as standard on several of the trims. Even the base model trim has several built-in safety features that get an overall better safety rating than the Explorer. Since many large families use a crossover SUV to transport everyone around, it is important to keep everyone inside safe during a worst-case scenario.
Features are the final area to check out when finding a good SUV model to buy. Little touches in the interior like heated seats, dual climate zone control, and turn-by-turn navigation increase the convenience of driving the SUV overall. For family-oriented vehicles, DVD players throughout the interior or separate controls allow individual families to personalize their comfort and experience without compromise.
From a practical point of view, you should also take a look at cargo space. Folding rear seats can increase the overall square footage you have to work with, essentially turning your SUV into a well-protected truck bed. The Enclave excels in this area, offering up to 98 square feet of interior space compared to the Explorer’s 80 square feet. Combined with a larger suite of standard convenience features like independent climate zone control and a stellar infotainment system, the 2018 Buick Enclave is hard to beat.
The 2018 Buick Enclave versus 2018 Ford Explorer comparison is just one example of how different SUV models outperform one another. If you want the best vehicle in the long run, it’s important to set aside time to research, take some test drives, and think about what you need or want from an SUV. When you take these extra steps, you will have a greater sense of confidence in your final choice. Columbus Auto Mall tries to meet or exceed your 
 by Austin Fraccia on July 18, 2018 AutoInfluence

If you have bad credit, chances are you’ve looked into getting a co-signer to help boost that score of yours. But, did you know that a co-signer actually does more than just boost your credit score? While the primary reason to get a co-signer is obviously to ensure that you get a loan, even if it’s a bad credit car loan, a co-signer can also help you meet the income level required to get that loan, and provide a source of guaranteed income. This works just like boosting your credit score does. The co-signer’s information will be taken into account and merged with your information. Combined, it will be enough to get a car loan. We at Columbus Auto Mall are committed to helping you get into a reliable, affordable vehicle in Columbus Ohio.

Let’s look at each one of these in greater detail…

The Obvious: Credit Score

The most obvious way a co-singer helps out is by boosting your credit score. How is this done? Since your credit score is too low to get a (bad credit) car loan, a co-signer with a better score will be needed to help you sign those papers. Their credit score be added to your credit score, effectively boosting it enough to get you that car loan you need.

Here’s the thing though – if you get a co-signer to help out, he or she will also be financially responsible for the loan. Meaning if you decide to default on it, that unlucky co-signer will have to pick up the slack and pay off the rest of the loan.

Boosting your Income

There are other requirements when it comes to getting a bad credit car loan. One of the requirements subprime lenders look at is your income situation. Thankfully, a co-singer can help out with this as well.

No, a co-signer isn’t going to give you money or open up a direct line to his or her bank account for you. Instead, when your co-signer signs on with you, he or she will then be able to add his or her income to your own. The lender will then use both incomes in order to qualify you.

Keep in mind though, this only works if you’re married. In other words, the only person who would be able to help with this is your spouse.

Guaranteed Payment

Since you have bad credit, the subprime lender has to assume risk when it comes to helping you out with financing. Therefore, your co-signer needs to be sure that your loan will be repaid one way or another.

More importantly, lenders need to calculate your DTI (debt to income) and PTI (payment to income) ratios on the loan, and approve you for it. If the loan looks like it will take up too much of your income and pose a problem — or you can’t afford it — then the lender won’t approve you.

Therefore, a co-signer provides that guaranteed payment the lender is looking for. If you aren’t financially able handle the loan anymore (or default on it) then the co-signer will end up paying off the rest.

Buyers are flocking to the certified used car market, buying CPO cars left and right. A recent survey from Edmunds shows that out of more than 2,000 adults, 88% of those adults said they would pay more for a certified-pre owned car than one that wasn’t certified. As opposed to buying one of the non-certified used cars found on the side of the road or in other used car lots. The CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) market used to be reserved for mainly luxury vehicles; consumers would buy the expensive luxury cars for a cheaper price than getting them new, but those days are over. Now, there is a plethora of mainstream models swarming dealer lots as they come off lease. They are making up a big portion of the CPO traffic, and the CPO market is at an all-time high.

People have begun to recognize the benefit of spending the extra money on a CPO car.

Back in the 1990s, dealers were receiving an increasing number of returned lease cars. The manufacturer did not bother reselling them, until they realized the profit they were losing. They realized that most of the leased cars coming back were in great mechanical condition, the only “issue” being an expected increase in mileage. After realizing this, they needed to figure out a way to draw attention to these vehicles. They decided to take these cars and put them through a test, and if they passed they would be back on the lot marked as a CPO vehicle with an assurance of quality and warranties. Lexus was the first manufacturer to do this in 1993, and the concept remains the same today.

Not all the leased cars returned to the dealer are deemed to be CPO worthy, they need to pass a rigorous test first. This test varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but the core idea behind the test is the same. The test is a way for the manufacturer to check the quality of the returned vehicle, ensuring that it’s in good enough condition for resale.



When these leased vehicles are returned to a dealer, they consider if the car is a worthy candidate for becoming a CPO car. They start with the model year, which generally needs to be within the past five years. If it is, then they check the mileage. If it’s below a certain mileage (generally 70,000 – 80,000) it moves on to the inspection stage. At this stage, a thorough inspection is performed in which a mechanic goes through and checks the cars mechanical quality. If there is something wrong with it, the mechanic will repair it (if able) with the idea of restoring the car back to an almost new condition.

This is an assurance of quality inspection, and it varies between manufacturers. One manufacturer may want it to be below 80,000 miles, whereas another may not want it to exceed 75,000 miles.

The multi-point inspection differs from manufacturer to manufacture as well. One manufacturer may deem 112 points of the car need to be in good condition, while another may deem 182 points need to be in good condition.

The term varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. In a nutshell, CPO means that a car has gone through a rigorous multi-point inspection by a factory-trained mechanic and is in almost new condition. It may have some mileage on it, but that is the only “bad” point about the car. A CPO is a car that is backed by testing from the manufacturer to give you assurance of quality and peace of mind to aid in the sale of the vehicle.

Most of the manufacturers also roll in a limited warranty based on years/mileage for a price. If something happens to your car within that timeframe or mileage, they will fix it with no additional expense to you. This warranty also varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, as well as what they cover.

For example, Chevy’s CPO guarantee includes a 12-month/12,000 mile bumper-bumper limited warranty. Coupled with a 5-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty. They have a 172 point inspection and reconditioning system, and a vehicle system report. For 12 months/12,000 miles, you get a warranty on everything that isn’t powertrain related. The powertrain warranty is good for 5-years or 100,000-miles after purchasing the CPO.



A lot of the manufacturers also offer a roadside assistance program for added peace of mind. Chevy’s is good for 5 years/100,000 miles if coupled with the powertrain warranty. If you break down, they will pick you up on the side of the road and get your car to a trusted mechanic.

A used car found on the side of the road doesn’t have this type of guarantee or peace of mind. It could break down for a number of reasons, and the price of the car is significantly cheaper only because it is an older model with no guarantee of how long it will last. The CPO is only a little more expensive than non-certified used cars at dealers, and certainly much cheaper than a newer model. For example, Edmunds tells us that a Certified 2013 Honda Accord EX costs only $1,000 dollars more than a non-CPO car sold at the retail price set by the dealer. This $1,000 dollar increase provides peace of mind and will certainly be cheaper than buying a 2015 model, even with warranties rolled in.

On average, the CPO price will only increase about $1,400 dollars more than non-certified vehicles, money well worth spending.

It’s easy to see why CPO sales have hit an all-time high. With the guarantee of the CPO benefits, the potential of low rate financing, and trusted warranties, consumers are flocking to the CPO cars for a cheaper “almost new” used car.

There are various certified degrees out there, and you need to know who certified the vehicle. If it was done by the manufacturer, that means it was inspected and certified by a factory-trained mechanic. This boasts more of a guarantee than a dealer who gets the car inspected and certified by their own in-house mechanic, or a third-party source. Make sure to ask for the certification information, and understand what CPO means for the dealer you are getting your car from. This includes understanding how the car was certified, the price of the warranty package, and if the peace of mind and quality are worth the price of this particular vehicle compared to a non-certified one.

While these CPO cars are a much cheaper and more reliable alternative than buying a new or non-certified used car (respectively), it may not be for you. The warranties are nice, and that combined with the price of the CPO certification will get you a newish used car cheaper than the current model year. Non-certified used cars can be just as reliable, so explore your options, do some research, and talk to the dealers in your area. However, you can’t ignore the fact that there is a big reason that the CPO sales have sky-rocketed and hit an all-time high.

While this relates more towards a dealership or online inventory, it’s still possible — albeit slightly rarer — to find warranties on a used car that’s sold privately.

If a vehicle is sold with the label “As Is,” you’re responsible for any repairs or damages that might happen to the vehicle. Even if the transmission giving out isn’t your fault, and the dealer knew about it, you bought it in “As Is” condition. Contractually, the dealership isn’t obligated to pay for a cent of repairs.

Same goes for a private seller. Find out if there is a transferable warranty on the used car you’re interested in, or if you’re buying it in “As Is” condition. Since most cars sold on Craigslist are much older, you won’t typically find warranties on them. However, if you are trying to buy a newer used car, make sure to look into this.

Know the History of the Car

Just like the true value of the vehicle, knowing the history of the model is of utmost importance. Why? Because, it will tell you about potential issues that the vehicle has had in the past (so you can see and ask if they’ve been properly repaired), any accidents the model has been in, how many owners the vehicle has had, and other vital information.

How does all this come into play? Let’s look at a mock (but very realistic) example. Say you find a car for a great deal, test drove it, had it professionally inspected, and checked out the history of the vehicle. It’s never been in an accident, you’ve seen the routine maintenance receipts, and know it’s only been owned by one person. That’s what I like to call the jackpot. Chances are, even if it has slightly higher mileage, it’s going to last for a long while.

On the other end, if a car has a price that’s too good to be true and you discover that it’s been in an accident and not had the proper repairs done, then it’s probably a good thing you took the time to check out the history of the vehicle before buying it. Right?

Fortunately, there’s an easy way to check out your used car’s history before closing the deal, it’s called CARFAX. Many readers are probably already familiar with CARFAX, you may have even been presented with CARFAX paperwork at your dealership when making a final decision to purchase a used vehicle in the past. If you aren’t familiar with CARFAX, however, it’s important to understand what a CARFAX vehicle history report checks for before signing on the dotted line. And if you aren’t presented with CARFAX report at your dealership, make sure you do your due diligence and ask for one!

Details included in a CARFAX report give you a better understanding of things which you wouldn’t know just by taking the used car for a test drive. Often, a CARFAX report will turn up things even a qualified mechanic wouldn’t have spotted when they inspect the car. So, if you think having your trusted mechanic inspect the used car before you buy it is enough, think again. A CARFAX report lets you step back in time and get to know the used car a little better before committing.

These are some of the major things that a CARFAX report checks for in its vehicle history reports:

Before you decided to buy a used vehicle, you want to know whether it’s ever been in a major accident. If your CARFAX report turns up with a mention of “major damages,” you’ll want to dig a little deeper. Many reports will give details like “car was driven from the scene.” In cases like this, you can assume the accident left the car with little more than some bumps and bruises. If it was towed from the scene of the accident however, you should check it out before buying. The dealer or your mechanic will be able to tell you whether the paint job on your used car is original or not and check under panels that have new paint. You should also find out if the repair work was done by a “factory” body shop that’s associated with the car’s manufacturer, or whether a low-cost repair shop did the work. This can definitely have an impact on the car’s value and may make you less likely to purchase the used vehicle.
 
Multiple Owners

A used car that’s had multiple owners isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially if the car’s a little older, but might be a red flag. If the ownership turn-over seems to be higher than average, find out more details. More owners also means that the used car has more opportunities to have an owner that didn’t have routine maintenance performed. Different owners are likely to have had different driving styles as well, which can cause undue wear and tear on a car and impact its dependability. Used cars with only a single previous owner are considered the best, so keep that in mind when shopping for a used car.
 
Service History

A used vehicle’s service history will give you a good understanding of its current value. Just because the outside of the car doesn’t have a lot of scraps or dents doesn’t mean that the inner workings are performing well. Things you should be aware of include the used car’s last tire rotation, when the brakes were last services, and if the battery has required any work or replacement? Service records will show you exactly when maintenance was performed, and you’ll be able to check it against the car’s user manual to see if it was taken good care of. You can also see exactly who serviced the vehicle, which can be useful information as well.
 
Flood Damage

Flood damage is one of the most serious concerns a used car shopper should be aware of. You may assume that a car that has been in a severe flood was sent to the junkyard, but many of these flooded cars are rebuilt and put back onto the market. Often, these cars are sent far away from where the actual flood took place with the hope that prospective buyers won’t know the warning signs to look for. Shady right? If your CARFAX report shows that the used car has been in a flood, you should probably jump ship (no pun intended). Water can ruin electronics, lubricants, and the mechanical systems of cars. Even if it takes months or even years for the problem to manifest itself, flood damage can drastically reduce the life of your used vehicle and make it unsafe to drive, especially if it’s affected airbag controls, something you wouldn’t necessarily think to have a mechanic check.
 
Branded a Lemon

In the USA, a lemon is a car that is technically new, but has so many flaws and manufacturing defects that it can’t be sold on a regular market. If your CARFAX vehicle history report shows that the used car you’re interested in is a lemon, run! These cars may seem too good to be true because they are almost new and have few miles on them. The truth is that they are too good to be true. Manufacturing defects affect the used car’s safety, value, and usefulness. Do you really want to drive around in a car that had so many severe issues that it couldn’t be sold as a new car?
 
Mileage Rollback

This is a dangerous thing to see on your CARFAX report and can save you from spending a bunch of money on a car with poor value. Mileage rollback often referred to as “rolling back” or “spinning” an odometer, is when someone tampers with the odometer to make it look like the car has many thousand fewer miles on it. This is particularly common with leased vehicles with mileage limits when their drivers don’t want to pay the penalty for driving more than the allowed amount. Some sellers will also tamper with a car’s odometer to improve the selling value of the used car. If the car actually has 100,000 miles on it already but is showing a mere 30,000, buyers will be more likely to buy at a higher price. Don’t let yourself get scammed and make sure to check the CARFAX for mileage rollbacks before buying.

Here are some other facts that CARFAX vehicle history reports check for in used cars:

• Structural Damage
• Open Recalls
• Registration History
• State Owned
• Total Loss
• Rebuilt
• Warranty Information
• Airbag Deployment
• Mileage Rollover
• Not Actual Mileage
• Salvage Titles
• Hail Damage
• Junked
• Estimated Miles Driven Per Year
• Last Reported Mileage
• Length of Ownership
• Commercial or Personal Use