Thursday, March 29, 2012

Best deals on used small cars

This article is brought to you by Welborne Motor Company in Statesville. To read the full Consumer Reports article, click here.

Best deals on used small cars

Mar 29, 2012 10:00 AM

If you're looking for a gas sipper to help save money at the pump, there are many used cars that make excellent choices. And if you do your research, you can buy one that is not only efficient, but safe and reliable, as well. To make it easier to find what you're looking for, we have identified some of the best used deals on fuel-efficient small cars.
Buying a used car has many benefits. Most importantly is that the original owner takes the initial depreciation hit, as new cars lose much more value in the first and second years than those that follow. Also, some used models may have the latest safety equipment (such as curtain air bags and stability control) and are still affordable.
When shopping, look for cars that scored well in Consumer Reports' tests when new, have proven to be reliable, and performed well in government and insurance industry crash tests. Before handing over the cash, have the vehicle inspected by a trusted mechanic to make sure there are no hidden problems.
Check out our top deals for recommended vehicles from the 2007-2008 model years. We placed the vehicles in order of the cheapest price you might be able to get when buying from the dealer. The models listed below are available for 13- and 40-percent less than the retail price when the vehicle was new. Plus, all of the models have at least average reliability, according to our latest subscriber survey.

Make & model	MSRP (new)	Selling to dealer avg price	Buying from dealer avg price	Drop in private sale vs. MSRP	Drop in retail value vs. MSRP
2008 Suzuki SX4	15,870	8,175	10,025	48%	37%
2007 Toyota Corolla LE	16,315	8,960	11,075	45%	32%
2007 Honda Fit Sport	15,970	9,330	11,350	42%	29%
2007 Volkswagen Rabbit	16,065	9,500	11,600	41%	28%
2008 Toyota Corolla LE	16,415	9,810	12,025	40%	27%
2007 Mazda3 i	14,795	10,010	12,100	32%	18%
2008 Honda Fit Sport	16,070	10,875	13,075	32%	19%
2007 Honda Civic EX	19,510	11,330	13,675	42%	30%
2008 Scion xD	17,349	11,950	14,150	31%	18%
2008 Volkswagen Rabbit	18,650	11,960	14,300	36%	23%
2008 Scion xB	16,600	12,185	14,400	27%	13%
2007 Toyota Prius	22,175	13,220	15,475	40%	30%
2008 Mazdaspeed3	22,440	14,800	17,175	34%	23%
2008 Toyota Prius	22,475	15,175	17,450	32%	22%
2008 Honda Civic Si	29,500	15,150	17,700	49%	40%
2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STi	33,495	22,070	25,225	34%	25%

Full used car pricing information is available to Cars Best Deals Plus subscribers on the model overview pages. Consumer Reports also offers individual Used Car Price Reports on vehicles from the 2002 - 2011 model years. Pricing information can be adjusted for vehicle condition, mileage and optional equipment.
See our complete list of used-car deals across a variety of vehicle categories.

—Liza Barth

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

New Used Car Store in Statesville NC but Owner not new to area

New used car and full service facility in Statesville NC

In November 2011, a new used car facility and full service center opened in Statesville NC at 615 Gaither Road. It is next door to the long time Chevy dealer Bell and Howard. It used to be the home of Dixie Chrysler Jeep but was opened as Welborne Motor Company in November.

It is a very nice facility that looks brand new and is very welcoming to its customers. The full service center offers all types of maintenance to any make/model vehicle at the most affordable pricing in town.

Chris Welborne, the owner, was the GM of Nissan of Statesville for many years and is from the area originally. He loves this area and is very happy to be back serving the people he has grown accustomed to. He also owned Chris Welborne Chrysler Dodge in Taylorsville for 8 years.

Chris currently owns University Nissan in Boone, NC and Welborne Motor Company in Statesville, along with his wife, Jane. They have 3 children aged 20, 13 and 11.

Chris would like to welcome all customers, new and old, to visit him and his great team of employees at Welborne Motor Company.

Please feel free to call us at 704-500-2349 or visit us at www.welbornemotorcompany.com

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Auto Industry Still Rebuilding in Japan after Last Year's Earthquake / Tsunami

Tsunami: The Aftermath The industry struggles to avoid another paralyzing disaster Editor's note: The March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan hammered the auto industry. Asia Editor Hans Greimel, who covered the disaster extensively, reports on the industry response -- and the struggle of a dealer who was in harm's way. This article is brought to you by Welborne Motor Company in Statesville, NC. To read the full article, please follow this link: http://www.autonews.com/article/20120312/OEM01/303129960#ixzz1p1Wf77xu All shook up
The quake's toll from March 11, 2011, through March 31, 2012
	Peak unites lost output	Net units lost output	Quake costs*
Toyota	980,000	370,000	$3.26 billion
Honda	446,000	100,000	$889.3 million
Nissan	At least 55,000**	Recouped	$732.5 million
Mazda	80,000	80,000	$433.2 million
Subaru	109,000	40,000	$177.4 million
Suzuki	At least 59,000***	Undisclosed	$60.3 million
Mitsubishi	35,000	Recouped	$45.9 million

Note: Results translated at an exchange rate of $1=¥82.87, the rate on March 11, 2011, the day of the disaster.
* Combines charges for fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, and the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012.
** Nissan provides lost production only for March 2011, no figures for lost output since April 2011. But full, unrestricted production was restored only in September 2011. Nissan says it has recovered all lost output.
*** Suzuki does not disclose lost production figures. But it had reported losing 59,000 units through April 9. Global output rose 13 percent in the year ended March 2011. But Suzuki expects a drop of 2 percent in current fiscal year.
Source: Companies

Welborne Motor Company