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Continue reading Best Large SUVs of 2024
Best Large SUVs of 2024 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Dec 2023 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Using your smartphone while driving isn’t a great idea, and we’ve seen historically that telling people not to do it and even threatening them with big tickets hasn’t stopped them. Since people won’t stop interacting with their phones in the car, in 2014 Apple came up with a way to connect an iPhone (Android users can use Google’s Android Auto in a similar manner) to a car to keep your eyes on the road while still staying connected, and it’s a method that’s both safer and more convenient due to its hands-free driving usability. It’s called Apple CarPlay and it will do everything from read your texts for you to help you get where you’re going. Here’s a simple beginners guide to Apple CarPlay with all the information you need to stay hands-free while driving.
Apple CarPlay was announced to the public at the Geneva Motor Show in 2014 with Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo signed on as the first manufacturers to adopt the standard. The first vehicle to hit the market with a full implementation of CarPlay was the 2014 Ferrari FF. From there, it spread to more affordable models from a whole host of manufacturers such as Hyundai, VW, Chevrolet, Honda and Ford.
As of November 2023, all car brands sold in the U.S. offer CarPlay except for two: Rivian and Tesla.
General Motors, meanwhile, announced plans to phase out CarPlay in its EVs, which we’re seeing first in the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV. General Motors claims that vehicles which shipped with CarPlay from new won’t have it disabled by future vehicle updates.
As to what older cars use CarPlay, Apple has a handy list that will tell you definitively if your specific model of vehicle came with Apple CarPlay integration.
To get a little technical, Apple CarPlay is a standard created by Apple that allows a vehicle’s infotainment system to mirror your phone. This means that many apps that you know and use every day like Maps, Podcasts, Spotify, Messages can be used without needing to touch your actual phone and it also means you’re not at the mercy of factory systems which can vary considerably in ease of use and general responsiveness.
As of 2023, CarPlay comes in two flavors: wired and wireless. The difference between these is fairly self-explanatory, but both have advantages and disadvantages. Wired CarPlay allows you to charge your phone while driving and also provides a higher standard of audio, if that’s something you’re into.
Wireless CarPlay uses Bluetooth, so once you do the initial pairing and activation of wireless CarPlay by following the prompts on your phone, you shouldn’t have to touch it again. Anyone with an iPhone 5 or later running iOS 9 or later can use either wired or wireless Carplay. CarPlay does not work with iPods or iPads, so don’t even try.
Many native Apple apps have built-in CarPlay equivalents, but third-party apps like Spotify or Google Maps, for example, require direct permission from Apple to add CarPlay functionality. Examples of popular third party apps include IHeartRadio, Waze, Overcast, Zoom and WhatsApp.
Aside from the safety factor and the familiarity of using apps you already know and trust, one big benefit of CarPlay is that it’s always the same, regardless of what car you get into. For example, if you get out of your 2022 Honda Civic daily driver and want to load up your 2019 Ford F-150 for a weekend of camping, you’ll have the same seamless infotainment experience in both vehicles. It’s also extremely handy if you and a significant other share a car.
So, now you’re convinced that Apple CarPlay is a good thing and you’ve got an iPhone that works with it, but your older car sadly doesn’t. What can you do to remedy this? Thankfully, this doesn’t mean that you necessarily need to go car shopping. Many aftermarket car stereos now come with Apple CarPlay integration that works as seamlessly as it would on a factory system.
Many of these systems are what’s known as “double DIN” which refers to the size of the opening needed in the dash to fit them, but most cars have this already. Depending on how handy you are, you can typically install one of these aftermarket stereos yourself, though it’s usually best to have a professional do the install for you. Prices for these start at around $170 before installation.
If adding CarPlay to an older car seems like too much trouble, or if you’re already in the market for a new car, this list of the cheapest vehicle models that you can buy in 2023 that have Apple CarPlay should be a big help. None of these vehicles will cost you much more than $23,000, and that’s not bad.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration announced this week that its “Advanced Impaired Driving Prevention Technology” proposal has entered the public comment phase, meaning now is your chance to voice your feelings about new tech designed to passively monitor the blood alcohol content of drivers. If the new rules are adopted, the tech could become mandatory in all cars sold in the United States, Reuters reported Tuesday.
“Between 2011 and 2020, an average of almost 10,500 people died each year in alcohol-impaired driving crashes,” NHTSA’s report said. “The agency has seen record increases in overall traffic fatalities over the last few years of the COVID-19 pandemic, likely reflecting increases in alcohol- and drug-impaired driving.”
“Concerted efforts by NHTSA, states, and other partners to implement proven strategies generated significant reductions in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities since the 1970s when NHTSA records began; but progress has stalled. While the causes of the recent fatality increases require further study, and NHTSA continues to support strategies to change driver behavior, more must be done to reach our goal of zero traffic fatalities,” the report said.
NHTSA’s recent push to make the tech mandatory stems from a report released following a fatal two-car accident that occurred in California in 2021.
The tech at the center of this push is not new, strictly speaking. In fact, it has been in development for at least the better part of a decade. The preferred system utilizes two detection methods. The first is a device similar to a standard breathalyzer mounted on the steering wheel, which can passively monitor the driver’s breath; the second is a near-infrared light scanner installed in the ignition switch that can detect alcohol via the user’s skin.
NHTSA also acknowledged that the tests must not only be effective, but reliable. Acting NHTSA Administrator Ann Carlson told Reuters that there are close to 1 billion separate daily driving journeys in the United States.
“We are trying to see, can we get it done, does the technology exist in a way that is going to work every time,” Carlson said. “If it’s 99.9% accurate, you could have a million false positives,” Carlson said. “Those false positives could be somebody trying to get to the hospital for an emergency.”
Members of the public will be able to comment on the proposed rules via http://www.regulations.gov/ (Docket # NHTSA-2022-0079). NHTSA’s instructions for submitting comments are pasted below. They don’t make it easy:
How do I submit a comment on Regulations.gov?
The “Comment” button can be found on the following pages:
- Docket Details page when a document within the docket is open for comment,
- Document Details page when the document is open for comment, and
- Document Search Tab with all search results open for comment displaying a “Comment” button.
Clicking “Comment” on any of the above pages will display the comment form. You can enter your comment on the form, attach files (maximum of 20 files up to 10MB each), and choose whether to identify yourself as an individual, an organization, or anonymously. Be sure to complete all required fields depending on which identity you have chosen. Please note that information entered on the web form may be viewable publicly. Once you have completed all required fields and chosen an identity, the “Submit Comment” button is enabled.
Upon completion, you will receive a Comment Tracking Number for your comment.
Some agencies also accept comments by mail, fax, or email. To find out if you can use one of these alternate methods, visit the document’s section labelled “Addresses.”
Users cannot submit comments on documents published by Non-Participating Agencies.
For step by step instructions, please see the Submit a Comment article.
Note: The comment due date on Regulations.gov is based on Eastern Time. For example, if the comment due date is 02/05/2019, then you have until 02/05/2019 11:59PM ET to complete your comment on Regulations.gov.
Related video:
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Freeman Grapevine understands that less than perfect credit these days has become a fact of life. With the current state of the economy, there are many who have been hit hard and had their good credit rating nearly obliterated. For those looking to buy a new car, having bad credit is a virtual “The Scarlet Letter”.
I’m here to let you know that it might not be as bad as you think. There is a lot of misplaced anxiety when it comes to trying to get a new or used car. First, you shouldn’t feel bad, or self-conscious if you don’t qualify for a standard or good credit car loan. The bottom line is that it’s been a tough several years and there are many more people with a bad credit score looking for loans than you’d think. In fact, almost a quarter of Americans have bad or poor credit. The “bad credit” bus has a lot of passengers. Thanks to this fact, there are actually several companies that could provide you with an auto loan regardless of how bad your credit is.
What should you do first? How about a little research on your credit ranking. Check your credit history annually for reports which are not yours or are certainly not accurate. Since those false reports would decrease your credit score and increase your loan percentage rate, it is worth your time to look at your credit report. You can get a free credit report once a year thanks to the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act.
Now, how much can you really afford to cover? Remember, these are regular monthly payments. Make sure you have enough for a down payment. Try using this loan calculator to help figure out your monthly payments: car loan payment calculator.
To seek help from the right people to get your very own car with the best deals, swing by and talk to us. Our guys here at Freeman Grapevine are credit experts and can not only get you a car, but also be the first step in getting your credit back on the road too!
In this economy, Freeman Grapevine wants to make sure that you have insurance that is reliable yet affordable. And if you have a good driving record with no recent accidents, you should see some discounts on your car insurance.
These discounts may not happen immediately, but over time you should see a reduction in your rates.
Several insurance companies are taking performance monitoring to the next level. With the installation of an opt-in diagnostics system that communicates with on-board sensors, insurance providers can monitor driving in real time, and offer lower rates to drivers with proven safety records. Specifically, the devices measure average speed, braking speed, and total time behind the wheel.
For drivers that are below average in these areas, a discount will be rewarded after a month. Discounts can range up to 30% from certain insurers, which can provide significant relief for fiscally challenged motorists. In most states, the devices can lead to never having higher insurance rates. Furthermore, the program is completely voluntary, with an option to cancel at any time. The devices do not include GPS, so a driver’s privacy is maintained while using the system. [Source: Motorology]
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHt4cSvphfM
I hope that you do have a good driving record. If you do then you should shop around for the best quotes. The lowest quote does not necessarily mean the best insurance for you. Make sure they have the coverage you will need.
If you are planning to buy a new car soon, now is a good time to call around for your best quotes on a Buicks, GMCs and Used, or you can just come and check out Freeman Grapevine.
In my previous two blogs, we covered two of the three components of what makes car buying difficult: price and trade in. The last piece of the puzzle is financing, which is the biggest variable in purchasing a vehicle and here’s why.
Every customer’s financing history is different. Maybe a customer has never bought a car before, has no credit history and needs a co-signer. Perhaps a customer had a very long, excellent credit history, then was laid off and forced to get a job at a significant salary reduction. Maybe a person has had steady employment for many years, recently got divorced and just doesn’t make a lot. The bottom line is that each person’s needs in regards to financing are different.
Whether you have a good financial history including paying off creditors on time & every month, your monthly income and how many outstanding balances you have, all affect your credit score. Make no mistake, a customer’s credit score is the biggest component of financing.
A car dealer’s relationship with its lenders is also important. If a Fort Worth dealer has been in business for many years, they probably have a good rapport with their financial lenders, often making it easier to get a customer approved. Dealers who work with several banks might be able to offer a wider variety of financial programs to accommodate the array of customers’ financial situations. This will benefit the the shopper immensely.
Want to know the foolproof way to get better financing? Make a larger down payment. The simple fact is the more money you can put down on a car or SUV, the less that will have to be financed. The less you have to finance, the easier it will be to get approved.
Here’s a good video to check out:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxTIUY2mlt0
But no matter what your situation, a good dealership treats every customer how they would like to be taken care of: with respect. Remember that the next time you’re car shopping.
Unless your are independently wealthy, a trust fund baby or unusually frugal, chances of you needing to finance your new car is probably a given. So, now that we know that you are going to have to rely on a lending institution to put that new GMC truck in your driveway, to out-do Jim down the street who just got one of course, you’ll want the whole financing process to be as easy as possible.
There’s no doubt that financing can be one of the most stressful and difficult parts of any new car purchase. Here are some tips you can use to find the financing for your perfect set of wheels.
“What can I do to lower the price of my car?” That is a question that many people ask. What many people may not realize, initially, is that financing plays a huge role in the final cost of your new car. The amount of money that was financed, the length of the loan, and the interest rate all impact the final cost of your new car.
All of these things might overwhelm someone who is new to car buying, and it is certainly difficult for even those who have purchased several cars before. Using these tips though, can help anyone get the best possible deal next time they are in the market.
- Make a Larger Down Payment. Large down payments can help immensely because the more money you put down at the time of signing means that the lender is going to be providing less. This results in lower financing costs. This also shows the lender that you are a fairly solvent or thrifty individual, and therefore a “safe” bet for a car loan
- Identify Your Needs. The potential buyer needs to understand exactly what they need in a car as opposed to what they want. While it is always nice to be able to get what you want, you only really need to get what you need. The wants are extras that can (and will) drive up the price of the car and therefore increase the amount of money that you need to finance.
- Know Your Price Range. Knowing your price range prior to new car shopping is going to help keep you from impulse buying something you later find you cannot afford. Impulse buying is one of the leading causes to higher financing costs.
- Do Your Homework. Check April issues of such magazines as Consumer Reports and Car and Driver. These popular publications issue reports about the new cars coming out that year, examining various categories such as repair rates and issues, depreciation rates, and so on. This information is all needed to be able to make sure you get the best value for the money that you are going to spend. Such information also plays a factor in how much money the lenders are willing to give you at financing time.
If you have any questions about financing a new car or new truck, these guys can help.
Last month, GMC instituted their Military Appreciation Month and now that it’s June they’ve extended the special pricing until June 30! This offer is extended to ALL 22 million active duty, reserve duty, retired, veterans and spouses from each branch including the National Guard.
As we’ve discussed in previous blogs, GMC and the US Military have had a long and successful relationship. From the days before WWI when the Army was in Mexico cashing Pancho Villa, to WWII when the GMC DUCKW was bringing troops ashore in the Pacific and the GMC Deuce and a Half was chasing Hitler all over Europe, to the trucks chasing Saddam out of Kuwait back to Iraq.
The GMC models, including the Denali trim, which are eligible for the GM Military Discount:
And this deal extends to 2 vehicles purchased under this program. If you’re buying more than two vehicles this year, the special savings will only extend to two vehicles per veteran.
You’ll need to supply current military ID, or if you are former military, a copy of your DD 214. And to prevent folks from flipping these cars, you’ll have to agree to have possession of the vehicles purchased under this program for a minimum of 6 months. Unfortunately not every dealer is a participant, so if you can’t get a dealer to work with you within this program, you are more than welcome to find any participating dealer!
It’s true, the more tools you have on your side, the easier the negotiating process is.
Here are few easy ways to raise your credit score I found at myautoloan.com:
1. Pay your bills in full and on time. Your current bill payment accounts for about 35% of the FICO score. Missing credit card payments or submitting the minimum due each month will immediately lower scores, as will any debt collections or bankruptcy filings.
2. Build up an active and lengthy credit history. Don’t close out all of those old credit cards! Keeping them open builds your credit history. This makes up about 15% of the FICO score. Keep a few dormant accounts active.
3. Don’t open new accounts within 60 days of making a major purchase. This is 10% of your score. Taking out new credit lines raises red flags because it makes you look riskier.
4. Maxing or topping out your credit cards will drop your score like a rock. Even using 50% or more of your limit can cause problems because it increases the risk that you may not be able to repay. If you have five credit cards with a $10,000 credit line each, for example, it’s not wise to carry a balance of more than $5,000 per card. It’s better to carry smaller balances on several cards than to pile everything onto one card.
5. Get a copy of your credit report. This is very important. Since credit scores are based on credit reports, it’s very important to make sure the information in your reports are fee of errors and fraud. Federal law gives you the right to get a free report from each of the major credit bureaus once per year.
6. Hold a wide variety of credit experiences and loans, over time. This is diversification. You’ll get credit for having a variety of loans. It’s better to have an assortment, including installment plans like auto loans or mortgages rather than simply credit cards.
Here’s an informative video that will explain the importance of understanding how your credit score is calculated and what you can do to raise it.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntd9X1jPDGY&feature=related]
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask, or come by and see me.
Should you want to purchase a used car and wish to have it financed, but do not know where or how to go about it, then this info is for you. Where do you find financing for a used car loan? In most cases getting any used vehicles financed will involve paying higher interest rates than any new car loan. Also having any used car financed could involve a higher rate down payment, but that also varies depending upon your credit score.
First here’s a video differentiating between a loan and a lease just as a refresher;
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdgDV8JTYow
When you are ready to get a used (previously owned) car financed from a dealership then first you will want to choose a certified pre-owned auto that will be on site and available from the dealers car lot. Then begin with some negotiating for the price and purchase of this used automobile long before ever getting yourself involved with any arrangements for the financing. Check prices on line so you have all of your negotiating tools ready when it comes down to sitting with the salesman.
You can get yourself plenty of used car quotes, right over the internet, before you ever start making any deals towards the purchase of a used car. When you are online be sure to check the terms of the used car loan and also the rate of the interest at one of the many websites that will offer you this kind of information. Going online for financing will result in you getting some of the best rates available via direct to consumer financing and could help you get the best sales price for your used car. Start looking around for some alternative financing for a used car loan should you be planning on purchasing a used (previously owned) car. Many of the lenders will offer a lower interest rate for newer cars than used cars. Finally be sure to know just what your credit score is whenever you are ready to discuss any financing options.
Remember, the higher your credit score, the lower the rates. Should you have a score above 680, you should be able to get very fair terms in regard to any financing of a used vehicle, via your online source.
If you have any more questions about financing, don’t hesitate to give me a call and I can go over your options in greater detail.