The Ford Edge, Best in Fuel Economy and Power

Published: July 28, 2010
Posted in Used Truck Sales

Ford has done it again!  Designed a car with great fuel economy, that doesn’t feel like having squirrels running on a wheel powering the engine!  The  2011 Ford Edge SEL and Limited (front-wheel drive) offer an estimated 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.  Best in its class for fuel economy as well as power, the standard engine is a 3.5-liter V6 with 285 hp, more power than most V6 contenders.

The 2011 model Edge is now 1 mpg better city and 2 mpg better highway with even more power than its predecessor; 20 more hp than the 2010 Edge.

According to Ford’s website, the chief engineer of the Edge was quoted as saying; “Providing class-leading fuel economy and power are two of many examples of the improved attributes customers will find in the 2011 Edge, the new Edge demonstrates how a refresh at Ford is much more than just a few tweaks. It’s reworking all the elements, adding more content and improving the look and feel of the vehicle.”

In a comparison of fuel economy with other vehicles in its class, the 2011 Edge wins hands down.

City    Hwy.   Combined

2011 Ford Edge      19      27      22

Honda Crosstour     18      27      21

Nissan Murano        18      23      20

Chevrolet Equinox   17      25      20

The technology that lends to suburb fuel economy includes a revolutionary camshaft timing-TIVCT which allows for adjustment in the airflow efficiency of the engine, lower idle speed to conserve on fuel consumption, and an improved intake manifold and cylinder head. Jets spray oil under the pistons and enable faster oil warm-up and a “higher compression ratio.” Polished valvetrain buckets lower friction, which improves  fuel economy.  The improved intake manifold and cylinder head optimizes engine airflow, and of course the latest in aerodynamics.  There is also a cutting edge mechanism that cuts off fuel supply when engine torque is not needed, such as decelerating, and the new Ford Edge also has a battery charging system that converts the cars motion into electrical energy to cut down on the alternator’s job of continuously keeping the system charged.

To test drive a used or certifed pre-owned Ford Edge, see your local GMT Auto, used truck sales dealer in St. Louis today.

Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Purchase a New Truck Top for Your Used Truck

Published: July 28, 2010
Posted in Used Truck Dealer

The truck bed in your used truck purchased from GMT Auto Sales, in St. Louis because is the most exposed part of the truck and requires the most protection. There are different types of bed protection that may be employed for your trucks such as the placement of truck tops which are often referred to as camper shells, caps, cab extenders, cabs, lids, toppers, half cabs, or boots.

The truck tops are simply attached to a truck’s bed to produce a cargo space that is protected from the weather and from theft. Aside from protection, truck tops also help in improving fuel efficiency by enhancing the aerodynamics of the truck.

Truck tops are made from two types of materials–fiberglass or aluminum. These truck tops are made from custom molds that are designed specifically to suit a particular truck make, model, and year. The contour around the cab is also being taken into consideration when fitting truck tops to obtain a nice custom fit and a sleek look. The price of the truck tops would depend on the particular truck make, model, and year. You may also match the truck top’s color with the paint job of your truck by simply telling the truck top manufacturer of the color that you want, or by ordering a custom top directly from the dealership, talk to your local GMT Auto Used Truck Dealer for more information.

Truck tops are considerably heavy and are many times difficult to remove and replace on a frequent basis. It usually requires for at least 2 people to remove them however there are some truck tops that come with a lift system making it easier to move them.

Determine the features that you would like to add as an option to the standard truck top. You may choose from: third brake lights, gas-assisted shocks, interior dome lights, tempered safety glass, paint finish, side and/or rear window packages, clothes rod, carpeted interior, style of trim, power locks, windshield wiper & washer, defrost system, spoilers, air deflectors, side access doors, utility racks, and roof mounted racks.

Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Selecting the Right Lift Kit for Your Truck

Published: July 28, 2010
Posted in Used Truck Sales

There is quite a lot to know before deciding to customize your new or used truck, just ask a sales professional at your local St. Louis GMT Auto Sales used truck sales department.   There are many reasons why people want to customize their trucks. If you are new to adding aftermarket items such as lift kits, here are some tips;
First of all, fitting a suspension lift to your ride goes beyond buying just any attractive lift kit and dropping it off for a mechanic to install.   Equipping a car with a suspension lift kit involves a lot of hard work, technical know-how and constant maintenance and care for your vehicle’s components.
Decide what purpose it will serve. Are you going after style?  Style is the most common reason that people customize their cars. A truck lift kit is the best way of making an impression because everyone notices a ride with a lifted rig, massive tires and big exhaust system. You should choose the right lift that will give the maximum safety, reliability, comfort and one that comes at the right price for you.
Consider what you will be using the ride for, is it mud racing, rock crawling, long distance country treks and so on. If you are able to narrow down your needs to be very specific, getting the right fit for your ride becomes easier.
Whatever your needs are, customizing your car with a suspension lift is can be expensive therefore, getting all the information you need is important. Many resources are available for you. Your local mechanic should be able to provide you with the basics with an estimate of how much it will cost you. Other resources are automobile magazines and of course the internet.

Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best Cars For Teen Drivers

Published: July 20, 2010
Posted in Guaranteed Credit

If you’re in the market for a safe and affordable car for your teenage son or daughter you should stop in at a reputable used car dealer to see what choices are available to you.

GMT Auto Sales of St. Charles, MO has experienced sales staff ready to assist you in your search for the perfect vehicle for your teen an we offer guaranteed credit as well.

Both Honda and Toyota make a number of models that have proven to be good choices for teenage drivers.  The Honda Civic EX, as well as the Accord and CR-V EX models have fared well with young, inexperienced drivers.  Your teen may want the power of a larger pickup truck or SUV, but neither of these are recommended, since they are both prone to rolling over in the hands of a young driver who craves experimenting with the speed that an open highway has to offer.

Toyota scores well also on this list, with such models as the Corolla, Camry, and Prius all being sensible choices for  the teen driver. If buying an American made vehicle is important to you, Ford’s Focus sedan (2003 model and later)and the Fusion are both wise possibilities.  Pontiac’s Vibe (models 2006 and later) is also a sound option.

Whether your teen is paying for a used car him/herself or if you are assisting them financially, a vehicle’s safety and reliability are the two most important things to consider once you’ve established affordability.  If the time has come for them to own their own vehicle you may as well make the visit to the used car dealer an enjoyable experience.

Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Chevy Caprice Police Car

Published: July 20, 2010
Posted in Used Car Dealer

The new Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) has been announced recently at the International Association of Police Chiefs in Colorado.  The new 2011 Caprice is a revised version of the Australian Holden Caprice and Statesman models, which offer a bit more comfort and luxury as well as a longer wheelbase version of the Holden commodore and its U.S. model-the Pontiac G8 which is slotted to be discontinued.

The Chevrolet Caprice PPV is based on GM’s Zeta RWD platform just as the Commodore and Chevy Camaro are. It uses a long wheelbase that measures 118.5 inches in length with a four-wheel independent suspension

The Chevy Caprice PPV will be offered with a GM 6.0-liter V8 engine with fuel-saving Active Fuel Management technology and E85 capability, but next years’ model will offer a V6 as well.

As far as power goes, the Caprice PPV’s V8 puts out an estimated 355 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. Power is distributed through the six-speed automatic transmission which has been specially adjusted for police functions. GM reports that the Caprice V8 can travel from 0 to 60mph in under 6 seconds.

Other police duty specific features include; 18-inch steel wheels with bolt-on center caps, larger four-wheel disc brakes, heavy-duty suspension components, police-calibrated stability control system and driver information center in the instrument cluster with selectable speed tracking feature.

The Caprice PPV can also be ordered with special packages such as; spotlights, lockouts for the power windows and locks, and a concealed street-appearance package.

If you are in the market for a used Chevy Caprice, see your local GMT Auto Sales, used car dealer in St. Louis today.

Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What is a Good Haggler?

Published: July 20, 2010
Posted in Used Cars

If you just secured yourself an auto loan you will want to shop around to get the most for the money you have to spend.  Thefreedictionary.com defines the word “haggle” as a verb meaning 1.To bargain, as over the price of something; dicker; 2.To argue in an attempt to come to terms.

The first thing to keep in mind is that the dealer already has the sticker price marked up to make as much profit on a vehicle as  possible.  Do your homework ahead of time and know exactly what you should be paying for the features and accessories you want in a car or truck.

Shop, if you can, at the end of the month or closer to year’s end when dealers are more anxious to make a sale and move vehicles out.  Be patient and don’t ever look overly excited or set on one particular vehicle.  If anything, step back; just walk away. Let them come after you to make a deal on YOUR terms.  Don’t be afraid to speak up.  You can buy your own floor mats or wash your own car if that is all the salesperson is willing to budge.

Remember, cars depreciate 10-15% the minute you’ve closed the deal and driven off the lot.  Keep your mental “bargaining chip” of what you intend to pay with your auto loan until you’ve signed off on your purchase and you’ll have done well.

Be sure to visit GMT Auto used cars of West County Missouri.  Their reputable sales staff will work with you to find exactly what you are looking for in a vehicle and get the most for your money with your auto loan.

Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Why Buy a Used Car?

Published: July 20, 2010
Posted in Used Car Sales

During today’s tough economic times a question worth answering may be “Why should I buy a used car instead of a new one?”  Even if you’ve always purchased your vehicle fresh off the showroom floor, with everything costing more across the board these days those days may be in the past.

Used car sales have continued to show an increase while consumers worry that they need to make their hard earned dollars stretch even further than ever before.  If you find yourself in this situation GMT Auto Sales of St. Louis, Missouri can provide you with many options.

Unless your heart is set on a brand new car or truck leave your options open.  Buying a new car now is what buying a first home cost not all that many years ago. While both new and used car dealers have felt the pinch of consumers tightening the grasp on their wallet, there are more used vehicles to choose from than ever before. Improved reliability of pre-owned vehicles as well as the availability of warranties has made buying a used vehicle a sounder choice than ever before.It goes without saying that a brand new vehicle requires less immediate maintenance in the first several thousand miles other than a tune up and oil changes; but considering that a brand new car depreciates in value the minute you drive it off the lot, buying used may not be a bad alternative.  The website cars.com offers the pros and cons of both buying new and buying used so do your homework before deciding whether new or used personally suits you best. You may be surprised at what you decide.

Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Is Driving Barefoot Against the Law

Published: July 20, 2010
Posted in Used Cars

It’s summertime and the heat is on across America. Owners of used cars everywhere, including those purchased at GMT Auto Sales of Hazelwood are ready to hit the road to beat the heat. Be it just driving to a local lake, park, or barbeque or heading out on your summer vacation; should you drive there without shoes on?

Contrary to what is commonly believed that barefoot driving is illegal, it appears that it actually is not.  According to the website Answers.com, even law enforcement officers may need to be brought up to speed on whether you do or don’t need to be wearing shoes while operating a motor vehicle. They may try and ticket you if you are already being questioned for something else, but do they have a legal right to? If nothing else they may be able to cite you for reckless driving. However, website askdeb.com reports that only in the states Alabama, Ohio, and California is driving without shoes not illegal as of yet.

Check out the local driving laws for your state before you hop into your vehicle shoeless. It may not be illegal, but it is a good idea to wear a shoe or foot covering of some sort while operating your car or truck safely.  A form fitting shoe may not be your summer footwear of choice over those stylish sandals you just snatched up on midsummer clearance at the mall. But at least wearing something on your foot to provide a better grip on the pedals than just your exposed skin seems like a wise idea.

Stay cool but stay safe as well!

Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Keep Your Used Car Smelling Great for Less!

Published: July 20, 2010
Posted in Used Car Dealer

You have just purchased a vehicle from GMT Auto Sales your local St. Louis Missouri used car dealer, and are looking to spruce it up with all kinds of interior accessories. Did you ever wonder whether those pricey prepackaged cardboard air fresheners that you buy at your local auto supply or convenience store counter really work?  You know the ones that are shaped like any number of things from a yellow pine tree or an ice cream cone to Spongebob Squarepants or even a sweet smelling, bikini-clad likeness of Halle Berry? Did you know that you can make your own car air freshener for just cents a piece?

Here’s a secret to making your newly purchased used vehicle smell wonderful.  By merely buying a box of Bounce or a similar strongly scented dryer sheet, you can have your car or truck smelling good as new in no time.  Simply place a number of these sheets in hidden places inside your car’s interior. Under and between your seats, in the window visors, and along your back window ledge, are just a few ideas. Fully open the dryer sheet to get the most scent for your money. Be sure to keep these well hidden if young children or pets are frequent travelers in your vehicle.

You will be amazed at how quickly your car or truck will be enveloped with the fresh clean smell just by using this simple trick. And chances are very good that the results will last as long or even longer than that little cardboard pine tree!

Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Top Used Trucks for $10,000

Published: July 20, 2010
Posted in Used Trucks

GMT AUTO SALES      The Best Used Trucks that $10,000 Will Buy

Have you ever wondered what the best used trucks are that are available to you in the $10,000 price range? Well wonder no more because here is a list of the top eight trucks in this category.  The top of these were broken down by two models from each of four makers which included Toyota, Ford, Dodge and Chevrolet.

For Toyota the 2004 Tacoma and the 2004 Tundra both did well. The V-4 Tacoma holds up well with good reliability, while the V-6 Tundra , known for being not too big but not too small, also made the list.

The V-8 2004 Ford F-150 was a well received model due to its streamlined design and better visibility than earlier models. The V-6 2004 Ford Ranger is said to be a fun ride and does just what a smaller truck needs to do.

The 2003 Dodge Ram has a V-8 engine and long bed— a lot of truck for the money.  While the 2005 Dodge Dakota is not as big as the Ram, it is also a V-8 with a large bed and can perform many of the same tasks as the Ram.

The 4 cylinder 2003 Chevy S-10 fares well for the price and the 2004 Silverado is said to be favored for its simple design as well as its reliability.

If you are in the market for used trucks in the $10,000 price range, then stop by GMT Auto Sales of St. Louis, Missouri to see which of these models they may have to offer.  Their qualified sales team will help you to decide which of these used trucks work best for your needs.

Tagged , , , | Leave a comment