In the coming weeks, more than one million young adults will graduate from college and step into the job world. While many students make it through college with a minimal cost clunker, it may be time for a change. Often times, when recent college grads get their first ‘real’ job, they may get their first new car. But young adults of today will not be going for what their parent’s first car probably was.

Right now, new car supplies are plentiful, carmakers are cranking up zero-percent financing and subsidized leases to boost lagging sales, and struggling dealers are making deeper concessions than ever before. There is a wide range of vehicles that the twenty-something crowd may consider.  Styles run the gamut from ultraconservative to trendy, and so do their auto preferences. While tastes are varied in this youthful demographic, two things are certain. First is that today’s best and brightest probably won’t buy the car, or even the brand, that mom and dad were loyal to. Thankfully, younger buyers have more choices than their parents did. Even budget cars offer reliability and come with warranties that the older generation couldn’t have dreamed of — so first-timers don’t have to settle. The second consistency among first-time buyers: When it comes to cars, they are less frivolous than their parents were back in the day. Younger buyers have a better understanding today of how to spend their money. Since the recession started, it’s more about rational choices, with less emphasis on frills and more on value.

Benefits of used cars

For many, the benefits of buying used, rather than brand new, are worth it. Every consumer knows there are risks involved, but if it is done right, purchasing a used car can be a satisfying experience. With the increase in used vehicles, there are many available models for sale at used car dealers PA. If you are looking for a specific model, even a specific trim, and with the aid of the internet, you will likely be able to find it.

The first step in the used car process is research. With the age of the internet, this is easier than ever. Researching online will give you a good idea of how much you should be paying for a particular car, which cars are known for their reliability, and how they have scored in safety tests. Make sure you take into account what condition the car is in, as this is a big factor. With improvements in the quality of automobiles over the years, a well-maintained car should remain reliable for at least 10 years and 100,000 miles. To buy one of Philly’s Best Used Cars still means making a major purchase and requires comparison shopping for price and value to find the best deal. Do you research and you will be happy with your next used car.

It used to be that all vehicles came with a standard transmission. The automatic transmission slowly started to infiltrate the market, and today, the vast majority of vehicles are automatics. They are now the norm, and with the exceptions of high performance cars and sports cars, the stick-shift is moving out of the picture. However, there are many benefits to driving a manual, some simply like it because it makes operating a vehicle more interesting; here are some other pros of the great standard:

More Control, More Focus

A manual transmission offers better control because it has a faster shift response, and allows the driver to access extra power by downshifting on inclines. In snowy and slippery conditions you can slow down by shifting down, rather than hit the brakes, which is a big reason for causing the car to slide.  Also, it is very easy to completely zone out while driving an automatic. Owners of manuals tend to be more attentive drivers as changing gears requires a driver to pay attention to the engine and shift frequently.

Lower Starting Price

Budget-conscious shoppers may want to consider a standard, because it costs an average of $800-$1,000 to upgrade to an automatic transmission. On the higher end, it can cost even more. The maintenance of a manual transmission is another source of savings. Ff a manual transmission ever breaks down, it’s usually because the clutch needs to be replaced, a $1,200-$1,500 repair. Compare this to the $3,000 it costs to replace an automatic transmission and the savings is apparent.

More Miles Per Gallon

A person’s method of shifting gears can significantly alter their fuel economy. The manual version is known to have the advantage on the highway. Putting the car in neutral and rolling to a stop and a stop light or sign, which drop rpm as early as possible — it’s kind of a watered-down version of hybrid stop/start. This freedom to choose how you drive is at the core of the reason why a manual transmission can get better gas mileage than an automatic. But because driving habits vary from one person to the next, not everyone will get the same results.

Standard transmissions are certainly not for everyone, in fact there are many adults today who do not even know how to drive one.  The truth is, though, it can be fun to drive a stick-shift and with the overall advantage of being in better control than the automatic counterpart, it is well worth the loss in ‘convenience’.

A Guide to Selecting Trucks

A pickup benefits range from more cargo-carrying flexibility than any other type of vehicle to having a large payload capacity and good towing ability.  When shopping for a truck, the number of configurations can be overwhelming. Trucks are available in many different variations, from bed size, to passenger capacity, to towing power, to different interiors.  Many truck owners are loyal to their brand, but for those who are considering some options here are some factors to consider.

Powertrain: The base engine for compact pickups is usually a four-cylinder engine, which is the most fuel-efficient. The base engine for a full-sized truck is typically a V6, which provides a good balance between power and fuel economy. For heavy hauling or towing the engine range should be V8, V10, or a diesel engine. By knowing what you will be using the truck for will help with this decision.

Bed lengths/cargo capacity: Trucks often come in short bed or long bed versions and range from a full-sized 8-foot version on down.  A truck with a longer bed is more difficult to maneuver in tight situations.  But if the truck is used for, say construction work purposes, you will likely need the longer bed.

Cabin Dimensions: Regular cabs may be  the least expensive, but have no rear seat and very little in-cabin storage room. Extended cabs provide extra room behind the front seats, as well as two small rear seats that are best suited for children on short drives.  Crew-cab trucks have four regular-sized doors and two full rows of seats, which can seat five people in relative comfort.

Towing: Before you select a truck, you must have a general idea of what, if any, type of towing you will be doing. Towing abilities range from 4,000 pounds on a compact pickup to 9,000 pounds on the largest versions.

Safety features
: All new trucks will have standard dual front air bags and three-point safety belts in the outboard seating positions. Some pickups offer side air bags and head-protection bags. Some offer electronic stability control (ESC), which helps keep the vehicle from rollover. Other safety features to look for include antilock brakes, traction control, rear back-up alert systems, and safety-belt pretensioners.

To get a high quality audio system, factory installed in a vehicle, often means a price tag of a luxury car.  Yet, there are a few makes that are both inexpensive and loaded with top of the line audio equipment.  Here are two options:

Jeep Compass

An option on the  Jeep Compass base Sport trim is a premium Boston Acoustics sound system. This setup comes with two articulating liftgate speakers.   This very unique feature allows the speakers to be adjusted so they face outward.  This will provide perfect sound for any occasion of open-air entertainment. You’ll also find six Boston Acoustics speakers with subwoofer, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Sirius Satellite Radio with a 1-year subscription provided by Sirius, and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.  This audio system is offered for $795 more to the price.  A stripped-down version,  featuring just the two articulating liftgate speakers and six Boston Acoustics speakers with subwoofer,  is offered for $495 on the more luxuriously outfitted Limited trim. The base-model Compass goes for $16,475.

Dodge Caliber

To get the best sound, skip the base model.  The Caliber SXT starts at $16,620, and offers an optional stereo upgrade for an additional $495. For this extra fee, you get six Boston Acoustics speakers with subwoofer and a Musicgate Power sound system. You also get two articulating rear liftgate speakers.  In this case, its all about the tailgate party, and with this vehicle, you would be all set for sound. The Caliber R/T starts at $18,395, and also offers this upgraded sound system as standard equipment.