Greetings from the Hemet Car Guy, Last Sunday my wife Bambi and I set out to do battle; armed with masks, gloves disinfectant and hand sanitizer; actually, we went grocery shopping for our home and her mother who lives alone. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything and now personal hygiene is more important than ever. Ok, let’s relate this to our cars since I’m the Hemet Car Guy It is now more than ever more important keeping our vehicles clean and helping prevent the spread of disease.

VIP Autos is taking every precaution while we keep our business running, and we want you to be safe, too. In past articles and on our web page hemetcarguy.info, we showed how to clean your car and even change the cabin filter, however, now we have taken it to the next level because we know it’s not just cleaning our cars but also protecting ourselves from infection, and protecting others.

The general guidelines for preventing the spread of any disease are the same around cars as anywhere else. Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds after touching any unknown surface that someone else might touch, whether you’re picking up a car from a repair shop or doing some socially-distant car shopping. You can get the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). If you don’t have access to soap and water, hand sanitizer works as a backup. Also, keep your distance. Don’t get in a car with someone from outside your household; at VIP Autos, we have made it a new policy to have our clients test-drive vehicles alone.

We are told Coronavirus isn’t classified as airborne, which is confusing because it definitely can be spread through sneezing and coughing, so wear that mask!! We know Coronavirus can spread through people who aren’t showing any symptoms, and we don’t want to risk exposure in the confined space of an automobile interior. With that said, we have taken additional safety measures in our Detail Department. VIP Auto’s detailer Kevin always wears a mask, eye protection, because as a professional detailer, he comes into contact with car-related germs on a daily basis.

Kevin had always focused on the six areas in the car most likely to host viruses, bacteria, and other infectious material: the steering wheel, cup holders, and seat belt, inside the door, handles, gearshift knob, and radio buttons, but now he needs to do more before because he knows there is a difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting. Cleaning is the act of physically removing dirt and other substances from a surface, usually with a detergent. Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on a surface while disinfecting uses chemicals to kill germs actively.

(car awareness)

This is very important to do without using bleach products inside the vehicle. Because of the additional steps with disinfectants, it takes twice as long to get a vehicle ready. Kevin deep cleans the whole interior with high-pH products that need to sit on the soft material for some time to work, and besides disinfecting the whole interior in addition to those six high touch areas, and sanitizing Kevin changes the cabin filter and then finishes off with an ozone generator. Ozone is a gas that has proven to be a powerful sterilant and weapon against bad smells and bacteria.

Because it is gas, it can permeate just about every crevice of your car, reaching those hard to locate and hard to reach odors. If there’s a foul smell in your car, chances are there is also bacteria floating around. Ozone will kill both, leaving your car smelling good and the interior climate healthy. The ozone generator uses UV light to generate ozone. And, once ozone comes into contact with other molecules, it will destroy them instantly through the process of oxidation. Yes, it’s all terribly scientific, but all you need to know is that ozone will destroy bacteria and odors on contact, removing them permanently from your car. Ok, we are not making claims, of ozone sterilization being used to kill the current strain of Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 (technical name of the Coronavirus which causes the COVID-19 disease).

However, there are reasons to believe it would be effective: For example, during the SARS epidemic of 2003, ozone sterilization was successfully used to purify environments infected with the deadly Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-1, the virus, which causes the SARS disease. As SARS-Cov-1 is also a member of the Coronavirus family, it is highly likely that ozone sterilization would be effective at killing SARS-CoV-2, the Coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 disease. Kevin does use cleaning, sanitizing and disinfectant products. Still, Kevin and I don’t pretend to be a disinfecting disease expert – we are doing our best to figuring this out as we go. And don’t forget to clean your keys.

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Greetings from the Hemet Car Guy,

Like so many of you, we have spent the last several days and weeks learning about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and how it is impacting our world. For VIP Autos, our focus is to ensure we meet customer needs while doing our part to keep our customers, employees, and our community safe.

We are going above and beyond when it comes to taking additional precautionary measures and offering heightened sanitization standards to help keep our patrons and employees healthy and safe

We have enhanced the techniques used to clean customer vehicles for delivery with anti-bacterial cleaners and disinfectants and yes we replace the cabin filters too

You can also do this at home for your own cars.

But don’t forget to change your cabin filter. The cabin air filter, a feature found on most late-model vehicles, cleans the air that comes into the interior through the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. It catches dust, pollen and other airborne material that can make riding in a car unpleasant, particularly if you have allergies or other respiratory problems like I do and did from the fires.

Recommendations on when it should be replaced vary by manufacturer — some say every 12,000 or 15,000 miles, others longer — and how often can depend on how much you drive and where. Check the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual. If you drive in heavy traffic in an urban area that has poor air quality, you could need to replace the filter annually or even more often. However, that also could be true in a desert climate where there is a lot of dust.

Some signs that you need a new cabin air filter are reduced airflow through your HVAC system, such as when you crank up the fan too high and you get more noise than results.

Another is persistent bad odors. Even if you don’t have these warnings, you should have the filter checked at least once a year, and you may be able to do that yourself.

Many cabin air filters are located behind the glove box and are easily accessible by freeing the glove box from its fasteners (instructions should be in the owner’s manual). Others are located under the dashboard and may not be easy to reach, or under the hood where fresh air enters the HVAC system. Some of these filters are expensive, as in $50 or more at dealerships, so you could save money by buying a replacement at a parts store and doing it yourself.

If a dealership service department or repair shop recommends you get a new cabin air filter, ask to see the current one. Depending on how long the filter has been in service, you might be shocked at what you see: leaves, twigs, insects, soot and grime that literally cover the entire surface that comes in contact with incoming air. You’ll know it’s time for a new cabin air filter.

So I hope this tip gives you a breath of fresh air.

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You may be surprised to learn that, when asked to consider the items they can’t live without, Americans rank toothpaste and their toothbrush almost as important as the internet and cell phones, according to a recent study.

A new survey on reliability from Cooper Tires is based on data from a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults. The survey drills down into what Americans rely on most in their daily lives, with some interesting findings. In order to smoothly navigate your day-to-day, it’s likely there are a few key items, whether you really think about them or not, that we all count on to work in order to get things done.

The reliability of these items – the fact that they consistently perform well – is critical to our day-to-day and impactful on our emotions (both positive and negative) and yet we don’t stop and think about, much less celebrate, the value these items bring to our everyday lives. Cooper is built on providing quality, reliable tires for drivers since 1914, and understands the value of being a reliable partner for everyday life, whether celebrated or not. And many of the items that Americans named as their top 10 aren’t lauded on a daily basis – but maybe they should be.

Items in the study were ranked according to rational and emotional responses, with these subscores combined to determine the overall reliability scores.

The survey found that Wi-Fi/the internet earned the top ranking for reliability followed by cell phones, but somewhat surprisingly, a toothbrush and toothpaste were third overall. Wi-Fi/the internet scored highest not only on regularity of use and quality, but also contributed highly to both happiness and anxiety – implying that this technological marvel causes a range of emotions, from giving users joy, while at times plummeting them into stress. This ranking also showcases how ubiquitous Wi-Fi/the internet and cell phones have become for people of all ages and backgrounds. The humble toothbrush actually scored higher on the happiness subscale than laptops, sunglasses or even makeup.

Also ranking high for rational responses are cars and their tires. Cars scored fourth overall, with tires sixth, but on the emotional subscore, personal vehicles were second highest, showing that Americans still love their cars, and value reliable tires to get where they need to go, as well as to keep them safe.

Even when the survey findings were divided into subgroups by age (Gen Z, millennials, Gen X, baby boomers and the Greatest Generation), personal vehicles beat out ridesharing.

“While high-tech products and advancements are exciting and buzzworthy, it’s much more routine items that we look to and rely on to get through our day,” notes Jessica Egerton, director of brand development at Cooper Tire & Rubber Company. “This shows a clear distinction between the things that are nice to have – such as fitness trackers and tablets – and things that are a critical necessity for most Americans in navigating their everyday – such as a personal vehicle.”

The remaining top 10 items are: shampoo, credit/debit cards, glasses or contacts, microwaves, and live TV.

While no food items made the top 10, coffee was the top consumable item, in 12th place, followed closely by chocolate in 14th place (laptops took the 13th spot). Interestingly, although both coffee and chocolate scored higher on the rational subscale than the emotional, chocolate not only scored significantly higher among women and Gen X, but chocolate had the largest gap of any item between anxiety and happiness on the emotional subscale. It would appear that chocolate brings consumers joy, but does not cause them stress. Enough said.

Visit cooperreliabilitystudy.com for the full survey results.

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Greetings from the Hemet Car Guy,

As some of you know I’m the current Chair of the Hemet San Jacinto Chamber of commerce, and last week I attended the ribbon cutting for City of the Heart Psychological Services. You may ask what does that have to do with cars?

Well I got to thinking about how many times in my automotive career people are at time very particular about their color choice.

What’s the meaning of your car color? Perhaps the color of your car says more about you and your personality than you think.

Looks into the possible reasons why you or someone else selected a particular car color.

Are you looking to be noticed, or are you more of a private person that’s just looking to blend in with the crowd? Are you an outgoing person, creative, conventional thinker? Perhaps the color of someones car can tell us this and more.

Black

It’s difficult to go wrong with a black car. It looks good, so a focus and pride on appearances is important. Despite appearances being important, it could suggest a reserved and private personality, perhaps introverted, often seeking their own company.

However it could also imply a strong desire to be respected and to gain social status. People who prioritize social status and respect from peers are usually more extroverted people that live in the moment.

Owning a black car may suggest strong primal survival instincts are motivating them. They wish to be unseen, to remain under the radar because they feel like they need to protect themselves. It may also suggest a motivation to feel powerful and strong as black is associated with these meanings.

Black is also a very respectable, sophisticated and professional color for a car. Being seen in this way could be important to them.

Silver

Silver is probably the most popular color choice for a car. It’s a very practical color choice for a couple of reasons. It’s one of the safest colors due to its high visibility. Due to their popularity they also tend to hold their value better than other colors. Silver is definitely a wise and practical choice.

Choosing a silver car also suggests a desire for the conventional, they don’t want to stand out, they want to fit in, they have a strong priority to be normal.

So we have a conventional practical thinking person with a strong focus on fitting into society. They probably have a strong fear of being alienated which can cause them much anxiety.

Choosing a silver car for practical reasons could perhaps suggests that a car for that person is simply a tool or mode of transport. They perhaps have little pride or interest in cars, it could suggest a lack of interest in materialistic items.

Gray

Gray is similar to silver however it probably suggests very different reasons for choosing a gray car. It’s a darker color so the focus on safety/visibility is less likely to be a selection factor. The motivation for choosing a gray car could be a desire to be a little bit different and unique without looking to stand out.

Metallic gray looks very modern and stylish without looking for attention. Gray is less common and conventional than silver which may suggest a desire for individuality. Individuality takes priority over fitting into the norms of society.

White

White is the choice of car color of the perfectionist, they perhaps have an obsession for cleanliness. It’s also the choice of someone that doesn’t mind attention and being noticed. They’re very likely to be an extroverted outgoing personality type that gets their energy from group and social situations.

White is associated with simplistic, modern or futuristic devices, so it could suggest a love for technology and perhaps simplicity.

Dark Blue/Green

Choosing a dark blue or green car suggests seriousness, reserved and not looking for attention. Probably introverted in personality that enjoys their alone time. It shows conventional thinking and probably a traditionalist. Perhaps not a great deal of effort going into their color choice, functional, just a car, not interested in materialistic possessions. People who are not interested in the materialistic tend to focus more of their energies on friends and family and generally the simply things in life.

Red

Choosing red can be a sign that someone is confident when dealing with attention, probably socially confident that either likes or seeks attention. Red is probably their favorite color with a desire to express their likes and emotions.

Red is perhaps a practical yet conventional choice. Red colored cars are among the safest on the road. This may suggest a very sensible and practically minded person.

Dark Reds Maroon & Burgundy are reserved colors, however they have character, and they’re associated with luxury and wealth. Dark red may suggest a need for expression of the love for the color. Perhaps red is their favorite color however they’re not looking for attention. Perhaps it’s a subtle way of seeking approval, social status and to be seen as sophisticated.

Bright & Unconventional Colors

We are seeing some bright and unconventional colors hitting the roads in recent years. For example, bright or lime green, a few orange variants and brighter shades of blue.

Choosing one of these colors would almost certainly indicate a person that has strong desires for individuality, uniqueness and self expression. These desires will surpass the need to fit into the crowd. Probably very open minded, open to and often seeking new experiences.

Open minded people are also often intuitive, inward thinking and creative in some form with a need to express that creativity.

Personally, Even though I don’t feel that color choices don’t fully describe an individual I hope you found it interesting

This article is contributed from Matt Reacher colorpsychologymeaning.com

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Greetings from the Hemet Car Guy, in past article we discussed people buying cars for their Uber business. And the difficulty getting the loan approved if Uber or Lyft driving is your only means of income at car dealerships usually their lenders only do personal car loans not commercial/business loans.

Fortunately for us at VIP Autos we have lenders that do auto loans that can be put in the business name as long as the business is established with credit or the business owner or CEO or shareholder can cosign.

Purchasing a car for the business has many tax advantages for the owner, whether that owner is the business or an employee. But before you buy that car, consider the pros and cons of having the company or the employee owning the car.

Only actual business use of the car is deductible as a business expense. Commuting expenses between home and business are not deductible business expenses and personal travel is not deductible. Whoever drives the car must keep good records on business travel expenses in order to have those miles allowed as a deduction.

Many banks do have seasoning requirements for small business loans, which means you can only finance a car if your firm has been in business for at least two years. Provide your lender with at least two years of business tax returns and cash flow statements. You need a positive cash flow to get a loan. Depending on the size of the loan, your lender may also ask for a business plan that details the purpose for buying the car.

Buying a car can benefit the company or the employee who owns a business car with the cost savings from tax deductions. This deduction comes in two parts: the deduction for ownership of the car, and deductions for costs of driving the car for business purposes.

• The company can deduct depreciation expenses at the rate in effect at the time the asset is put into service (begins to be used)
• The company can also deduct general auto expenses for business use of the vehicle, like maintenance, gasoline, and tires.
• If the business owns the car, personal use of the car by the employee must be documented and the company must report personal use as taxable compensation on the employee’s W-2.
• Interest on a car loan is deductible to a business as an ordinary and necessary business expense.
• Insurance for a company-owned car may be cheaper than for an employee-owned vehicle since businesses can get leased-car and multiple-car rates and other discounts.
• If a company-owned car is involved in an accident, the driver’s personal insurance rates and liability are minimized.

My tax guy says “For the owner, the cost of the car as a business asset and the costs for business use of the car are both fully deductible from business taxes. For the employee, the cost of the car as an asset is not deductible (even for interest expenses on a car loan). The cost of business driving expenses is reported on Schedule A of Form 1040, but these costs are only deductible if they are greater than 2% of adjusted gross income

No doubt, having the business own the car allows more deductions, such as depreciation. Most of these deductions are not available to individual employees on their personal tax returns.

Here is another example our dealership decided to lease a car for business use. And then have the option to resell it at the end of the lease term. However when you think it through, for some businesses you may not have control over how much mileage the employee puts on that car. For example our car lease term has a 12,000 mileage restriction. If you (as the owner) drives a leased car, you may be able to control personal use and keep costs down. Every situation is different, but consider looking at the leasing option but also know it’s not for everyone.

Besides being the Hemet Car guy, I volunteer by serving on the Board of Directors for the Hemet San Jacinto Chamber of Commerce, I see business owners driving to the chamber events promoting their business and this comes to mind. Are you are using your car for business, it does have its advantages.

Disclaimer: I am not a Tax Guy nor do I play one on TV The information in this article is intended to be for general purposes, and is not intended to be used as tax or legal advice. Every business situation is different and federal and state laws are constantly changing. Please consult your tax or legal advisor before taking any action that could affect your business.

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Greetings from the Hemet Car Guy,

In past articles the topic was the cost of gas, that is, ways to save money at the pump. We even shared the idea of going electric.

When I spoke with my son Benjamin Perry, at the Ramona Tire store he tells me there is another way to go.  He said, “Do you really need to buy a new fuel-efficient car or hybrid to improve your miles per gallon?”

He said “One easier and less expensive way to maximize your current vehicle’s fuel efficiency is to change your tires. The some tire industry innovators like Goodyear “Fuel Max and Firestone Champion Fuel Fighter” are tires that can improve your mileage, and can offer well-rounded performance in a product for passenger cars, SUVs and CUVs. These tires are designed not only to maximize your fuel mileage, but also to offer excellent all-season traction and a long tread-life limited warranty.

So “how,” you say?  They use specialized Fuel Saving Tread Compounds that help reduce energy loss as the tire rolls. This lower rolling resistance means that it takes less energy to get the wheels moving, which in-turn makes your car more fuel-efficient in the process. That’s not to mention that these tires will potentially help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and the amount of fuel you’ll consume as part of your “carbon footprint.”

So how much fuel will you save over the life of four tires? According to Goodyear, with the Assurance Fuel Max tire, there is an average 4 percent improvement in fuel economy. That means that over the course of a 65,000-mile tire lifecycle, you can save about 2,600 miles worth of gas.* This adds up to quite a few trips back and forth to work, in our San Jacinto Valley.

Your own tire wear will differ of course, depending on how well you maintain your vehicle. When it comes to maintenance, Goodyear recommends rotating your tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, or according to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended intervals. Plus, it helps to watch out for potential road hazards, and pay close attention to your own driving habits.

You can save up to 2,600 miles based on a 4% fuel economy improvement, on 65,000 Mile Tread Life Limited Warranty, as compared to the standard Goodyear Assurance tire tested on P195/65R15 size-2008 Honda Civic. Actual results may vary based on when tires are replaced, driving habits, road conditions, and proper tire maintenance. Ok! Thanks Ben, that’s good advice.

Actually this is true: I have proof that tires do make a difference. I remember putting low-priced tires on your grandmother’s Toyota Prius. She complained that she lost the gas mileage that she was used to.

Actually I should have installed directional tires designed for hybrid vehicles! Oops, sorry Mom.

Good job son.

Tires do make a difference

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Hemet Car Guy

Greetings from the Hemet Car Guy.

At VIP Autos we offer a “Carfax” report on every car we sell, and that comes with a “Buyback Guarantee.” This guarantees that the vehicle is not a “branded” title with a major accident, true miles’ unknown or a Lemon Law Vehicle.”

Let’s talk about that “no –Lemon“ guarantee. It doesn’t mean your car is guaranteed not become a “lemon”  by constantly breaking down. It means that the title will not be branded as a lemon law vehicle from the previous owner who bought it new.

Even though we don’t typically sell these vehicles, in the last 6 years that VIP Autos has been open, I have had 2 clients request a good deal on a particular lemon law car because they had the inside information and knew the value of and misconceptions about manufacturer’s buybacks.

Here are some common questions and answers about lemon law cars.

Are all Lemon law cars defective vehicles?

I remember over 30 years ago, GM did a test market allowing customer to bring cars back for customer satisfaction: they were not lemons. This marketing idea cost the manufactures a lot of money. It was quickly stopped after they realized how it was being taken advantage of.  They were called “brass hats” and dealers quickly bought them up and resold them to make a lot of money.

Today, vehicles repurchased by a manufacturer may need repairs to correct problems, but that isn’t always the case. Vehicles are often re-purchased as a gesture of goodwill to maintain a valued relationship with a loyal customer. In other instances, parts may not have been available in a timely manner to fix a minor problem and the customer may ask the manufacturer buy back the vehicle. There are even cases where buyers will fabricate problems to get out of a vehicle if they know how to use the “Lemon Laws” to their advantage. And of course, there are times when a vehicle does have a legitimate mechanical problem that needs extra attention to correct. Regardless of the reason for a buyback, when a true problem does exist, the manufacturer not only wants to fix it, but the company is required by law to fully correct any issues before the vehicle is offered for sale.

What if the problem isn’t fixed and I end up with someone else’s problem?

Manufacturers don’t want to repurchase a vehicle. But when a repurchase is necessary, the manufacturer doesn’t want to risk its reputation by failing to address the problem responsible for the buyback in the first place. You can be sure that any re-purchased vehicle is thoroughly inspected to ensure that the original problem has been corrected and that the vehicle is in premium condition before it is cleared for resale. All re-purchased vehicles are offered for sale with the balance of the original manufacturer’s warranty in effect. In addition, most vehicles also have a 12 months/12,000 miles warranty coverage on the mechanical system/part that was repaired under the buyback. With this assurance – and the option to extend that warranty coverage further still – the buyer can be sure that his vehicle meets or exceeds all manufacturer requirements.

What if the auto manufacturer just wants to get rid of the car?

Every manufacturer values their reputation with their customers, JD Powers, Consumer reports and others. They want to protect their reputation so that people will keep buying their vehicles. In my experience the manufacturer is going to be very certain that the repurchased vehicle meets all requirements for performance before it is offered for sale.

Will I be able resell a manufacturer’s buyback vehicle with a branded Lemon Law title?

Not every state is required to note on the vehicle’s title if it was once re-purchased. However, California requires “branding” the vehicle’s title with this information.  The advantage for you is that you save a lot of money! As other states are not subject to these requirements, the bigger savings will be in states that shows the branding. Also note that, as the public becomes more educated about the true value a re-purchased vehicle offers, the buyback stigma will become less and less of an issue. Instead, most will come to agree – as some already do – that manufacturer buybacks offer knowledgeable car buyers a chance to get their vehicle much less that they expected.

Just remember, when the time comes to sell or trade-in your re-purchased vehicle, you should expect to receive less resale value, just as you did when you bought the vehicle.

My new car dealer won’t sell me a buyback and told me not to buy one.

Auto sales is a very competitive business and not all dealers are able to offer re-purchased vehicles for sale, or as a franchise agreement.  Still other dealers simply don’t want you to know the real value that a re-purchased vehicle can offer and only want to sell you a brand new vehicle that of course, costs more.

Verify and compare your auto insurance and make sure to get a full report as to what was repaired and when. When I spoke to a new dealer service adviser he said, “Sometimes when I see what was repaired, it gives me even more reason to buy the car”

Again our dealership doesn’t really sell or endorse these type of vehicles because of the stigma.

I myself have owned and driven a buyback with no real problems and I felt the satisfaction of the money saved.

Just sharing what I know. 

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YOU CAN EXTEND YOUR CAR’S LIFESPAN?

Greetings from The Hemet Car Guy,

Quite often I get asked how long a particular car will last. And I get it because a car is one of the biggest investments many people will make for years. That begs the obvious question, especially when money is tight and cost of living is ever increasing so then, you ask, “how long will this potential car I’m interested in buying will last?”

This depends on many factors; there are some tried-and-true tactics to figure out the average lifespan of your vehicle.

Here’s what you need to know.

According to Consumer Reports, the average lifespan of today’s cars is about eight years or 150,000 miles. however I’ve seen vehicles last over 200,000 miles that are properly maintained.

While there’s no real way to tell how long a car will stay trouble-free, as you don’t know how the vehicle was maintained before you got it. We don’t knowingly hand off a foreseen problem at the dealership we start off with a good inspection to determine what needs to be done, we fix them, service, smog, and safety the vehicle ready for sale. Though we can’t predict the future we do our best to give you a good start of trouble-free driving.

You’ve made an investment in that car that’s why we recommend a routine of ongoing maintenance to prevent major parts from failing.

No car can last forever; generally, cars that have exceeded 200,000 miles on the odometer are running on borrowed time and may begin requiring additional maintenance in the coming year.

I believe cars are better built than in the past with better build quality

Cars are lasting longer and longer these days. This is especially true when you compare the average lifespan of a car today to the average lifespan of a car built 20 or 30 years ago, as I remember our American cars have come a long way since the early 80’s I should know I sold them back then. (Remember Mike Reade Chevrolet/ Oldsmobile on the corner of Florida and Kirby that is now Applebee’s?)

Auto manufacturers are better designed and their mechanical parts have gotten more reliable, the lifespan of cars has increased, as a result. Today, major wear parts run longer and perform more efficiently than they have in the past. This, in turn, means fewer large repairs and less maintenance for car owners.

YOU CAN EXTEND YOUR CAR’S LIFESPAN?

Want to improve your car’s lifespan and enjoy more functionality for your vehicle?

Here are a few tips to do just that:

Develop and adhere to a service schedule. When it comes to your car’s lifespan, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. While nobody likes spending time at an auto repair shop, arranging to be there on a scheduled and pre-set basis is the best way to avoid surprise visits. In addition to keeping you away from major repairs, regular maintenance also boosts your car’s resale value and extends its engine life.

Fix small problems quickly. Instead of driving around for a few thousand miles with your “check engine” light on, fix small engine issues promptly. Even tiny engine problems can become major ones if you don’t address them in a timely fashion. With this in mind, contact your mechanic as soon as you notice a funny noise, strange light, or odd symptom during your driving experience.

Clean your engine annually. You should clean your car’s engine at least once a year. Because dirt and grime can cause your engine to run hot, this layer of yuck puts extra strain on your car’s system and can contribute to things like overheating and a shorter-than-average engine lifespan. Adding a fuel injector cleaner is a great way to beat dirt and grime buildup.

And while you are at it wash and wax your car, clean it inside and out. Although it doesn’t actually help it run better you will enjoy it more since its lasting longer.

Hope this helps

Good Driving

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Greetings from the Hemet Car Guy, recently our friends Bill and Aida Nowark came to us knowing that we buy vehicles they wanted us to buy their 1999 Dodge passenger van, needing paint and transmission work among other things. Bill and Aida have used the van for their home assisted living Business in Quail Valley, they knew they wouldn’t get much for it, but they needed the space. 

At the same time, I’ve been listening to the radio station 102.5 the Vine, and “Doc” on the radio has been talking about Pastor Hawkins from “Divine Appointment Worship Center” has been taking underprivileged kids to Stadium Pizza in San Jacinto for a Pizza Party and then to a Lake Elsinore Storm Baseball Game. A great collaboration of a church, Business, nonprofit Radio Station, and Baseball team all for a worthy cause.

In speaking with Pastor Hawkins, he was hoping to one day have a vehicle large enough to take all the kids in 1 vehicle as he and his wife (pastor) Nicole has been packing them in their two cars.

Prayers were answered! As the Nowarks decided to donate their 11 passenger van.

This was a win/win for everybody involved.

As with this and other nonprofits and Charities like “Cops 4 Kids and Communities,” I was fortunate to introduce and assist in completing the process in helping them.

DMV.org offers good advice on this relating to the Pros and Cons to Donating and Selling a Car.

For some, donating used cars is more appealing than slapping a “car for sale” sign in the window.

What are the pros and cons when you donate a car to charity? Would selling your car be a better move?

Donating a Used Car: Pros

•Car donation helps people in need. Donating your car to charity will help a cause you believe in, and also give you a sense of personal satisfaction. You’ll help make the world a better place to live.

•You’re getting rid of something you don’t want. A broken-down car might cost more to repair than it’s worth, or it may have little-to-no trade-in value. A more valuable vehicle might require too much time and money to keep. Also remember that, as long as you own the car, you’ll pay extra taxes on it and incur other expenses.

•Generally, donations are tax-deductible. You can deduct the fair market value of the car if the charity gives the vehicle away or uses it for charitable purposes. If the charity sells the car, you can deduct the amount and get a break on your taxes. Check with the IRS for more details.

Donating a Used Car: Cons

•Car donations bring no money. Auto sales put some cash in your pocket. Donating it won’t. You need to decide if that’s all right, particularly if you plan to buy another car to replace the old one.

•You can’t avoid paperwork. Donating your vehicle doesn’t mean you drop it off somewhere and never think about it again. It’s still your responsibility to transfer the title and provide accurate information about the car (like the odometer reading). You also need to know the fair market value of the vehicle and file the appropriate forms with the IRS come tax time.

•Some charities are scams. If you don’t carefully research the charity to which you’re giving the car, you might find yourself donating your vehicle to crooks. That will become a problem if you try to deduct the fair market value of the car on your tax returns, and it may result in your being flagged for an audit.

That’s why it’s best to get referrals before you go with your Heart.

Hope This Helps 

Richard Perry

The Hemet Car Guy”

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Greetings from the Hemet Car Guy,

Have you ever thought you purchased the wrong car or just had buyer’s remorse?

You can buy a 2-day recession that cost $250 and then pay the $500 restocking fee or make sure you are purchasing the right car. 

People come to me every day asking for vehicle suggestions, but too often their requests have a very narrow focus – “I need a car with good gas mileage…I want something fast…I need four-wheel-drive.” These may be very legitimate, but it is important for car buyers to take a broader look at their vehicle needs.

For example, a client was quite clear in the beginning that he wanted a convertible they thought for sure he was going to pick the Mustang GT drop-top, but he didn’t. He went with the Challenger, which is coupe only. The reason he went with the Dodge is because of how the car sounded and felt tough.

This scenario is similar to many others that I have encountered when someone says they really want one thing, when in fact, there are other factors they may not have considered. More often than not, when buyers have a specific request, there is a bigger picture that should be addressed. If this larger issue is not taken into consideration, someone could end up with a vehicle they aren’t really happy with. 

The first thing is, you must determine how much car you can afford. You don’t want to get in over their head and risk having to roll negative equity into your next loan.

Once that budget is established, here are a few questions that can help you avoid buyer’s remorse.

How much do you drive? 

Even with fuel prices at reasonable levels, most buyers are concerned with their gas mileage. However, far too often, they get hung up on the difference of a few MPG and in their quest for maximum efficiency end up making unnecessary sacrifices. This is why it is important to examine how much you drive and do the math. 

You are probably going to be happier with a car that gets only 30 MPG but has a few more features than the smaller, more basic vehicle that gets 35MPG.

What do you need your car to do? 

If you are transporting several people around regularly, figure out which vehicle will serve this purpose best while balancing out the other factors. Others have argued that minivans are probably the best choice for a people mover, but you may have other requirements as well. For example, if you have to tow something or move a lot of gear, a truck or SUV may work better. On the flip side, if you pretty much drive solo with passengers occasionally, you can save money by getting a smaller vehicle.

Do you find yourself often driving to the river off-road? If so, and AWD/4WD vehicle may be necessary. If most of your driving is on paved roads, then a two-wheel-drive vehicle is probably fine. 

Knowing how this vehicle needs to function in your environment with your practical considerations is crucial. Do not sacrifice function for features or fuel economy.

(Hemet Car Guy)

What are your must-have features? 

The number of gadgets and gizmos available on modern cars is amazing but can also be overwhelming. You can get telematics systems that read your email to you and even give you traffic and weather alerts. Every ad touts the latest technology as “must-have.” This is especially true when it comes to some advanced safety features such as blind-spot monitoring and collision avoidance systems. While all these features are great, what do you really need? 

Again this comes back to how much and how far you drive. If the majority of your commute is from home to work and around town, chances are you don’t need an expensive navigation unit. If you consider yourself a vigilant driver, you can probably save money and pass on those expensive electronics that pay attention to you. 

What you should do is make a list of things you absolutely must-have. Personally, I could care less about heated seats, but a sunroof would be nice to have. Think about your day to day drive and what features would make that travel better.

What kind of driving/ownership experience do you want? 

This one is tricky because it is incredibly personal. But it is important that you be really honest with yourself. Do you really want a street-legal go-kart on your 50-mile commute or would do you really need something that is relatively comfortable yet can still devour and exit ramp? Are you prepared for the inevitable maintenance costs of that bargain luxury car you got for the price of a Corolla or are you the type that really can’t be bothered with issues beyond basic maintenance? Are you concerned about your status and/or the assumptions that others may or may not have of you based on what you drive? Does the vehicle match with your personality?

Remember, purchasing a car is not a logical process. We would like to think we bought something based on safety ratings, fuel economy, and practicality. But we want something that looks nice, something that makes us feel good when we drive it, and there is nothing wrong with that.

 Test drive the car!!!

I hear people say, “I don’t need to test drive it.”

I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t buy shoes without trying them on first

A great car on paper still can be the wrong car. A good test drive will allow you to nit-pick and find the little things that may hamper your enjoyment.

If you want to avoid buying the wrong car, you have to be honest about your practical needs, your usage, the psychological baggage you impose on your vehicle, and above all your budget.

Hope this helps

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