Tips and Advice

Helping you make informed automotive decisions


When it comes to finding cars with the best insurance rates, fuel efficiency, or even whether hybrid or diesel is best for you, you’ll be able to find that information right here at the Tips and Advice page. We also aim to explain the latest car-tech and trends, so that you can be well informed for your next car purchase.


Should You Buy a Certified Pre-Owned Car?

Should You Buy a Certified Pre-Owned Car?

Certified Pre-Owned or CPO cars might look expensive compared to other used cars, but there’s a reason for that; they’re inspected and checked to ensure that it’s a quality car. But if you’re looking to buy a new car, a CPO car will look like a bargain.

Are German Cars Reliable? The Myth of “German Engineering”

Are German Cars Reliable? The Myth of “German Engineering”

There are a lot of car stereotypes out there, like that Toyota builds dull appliances. While true on many fronts, the Japanese automaker does also make exciting sporty cars like the Scion FR-S, and Lexus LFA, both praised for their exhilarating rides, edgy styling and pulse-raising performance. But there’s another stereotype that needs to be…

Latest Tips and Advice

What is a Certified Pre-Owned Car and What Types of CPO Cars are there?

What is a Certified Pre-Owned Car and What Types of CPO Cars are there?

A Certified Pre Owned car might sound like the smart buy for you, but be careful, that term has several meanings. Some cars are only dealer certified, while others are covered by the manufacturer. There are advantages and disadvantages to each kind of CPO offer, so let’s break it down to help you buy your…

Should You Buy a Certified Pre-Owned Car?

Should You Buy a Certified Pre-Owned Car?

Certified Pre-Owned or CPO cars might look expensive compared to other used cars, but there’s a reason for that; they’re inspected and checked to ensure that it’s a quality car. But if you’re looking to buy a new car, a CPO car will look like a bargain.

Should You Buy a Car With a Salvage Title?

Should You Buy a Car With a Salvage Title?

You’ve finally found your perfect car online: low mileage, perfect price and it looks great. But there’s a catch, it’s sold with a salvage title. Should you still go for it?

Top 10 Reasons to Get a Sports Car

Top 10 Reasons to Get a Sports Car

Your grip on the steering wheel tightens. Your eyes fixate on the yellow line. Your brain screams about the trees just beyond the shoulder. Wait for it… wait for it… ok, NOW! You pounce on the clutch as your right foot stabs the accelerator. A wrist-flick completes the downshift. Feather the brake, turn into the…

Should You Buy a Car with 200,000 Miles?

Should You Buy a Car with 200,000 Miles?

When the need for transportation far outstrips your bank account, you end up looking at the dark-side of the classifieds: the super-cheap, almost 200,000 mile used cars. Is it ever worth it to buy one of these clunkers?

Future Hybrid Cars: the 2013 Edition

Future Hybrid Cars: the 2013 Edition

Hybrid technology is improving at an impressive rate and is continuing to find its way into more and more vehicles. A significant number of new and exciting hybrids are coming to market this year and early next. No, these aren’t all Prius wannabes. There are some interesting cars on the way, like the ultra efficient…

Ask AutoGuide – What Kind of Oil Should I Use?

Ask AutoGuide – What Kind of Oil Should I Use?

Every week Ask AutoGuide provides iron-clad vehicle-shopping advice to distressed, confused or otherwise bewildered consumers. Whether they’re in the market for a family-friendly crossover or something that’s good in winter weather, the Oracles of all things automotive have been there to lend some helping hands. But this week they’re taking a slightly different approach.

Should You Buy a Car With a Manual Transmission?

Should You Buy a Car With a Manual Transmission?

Is the manual transmission dead? Die-hard auto enthusiasts may shout out: “No way” but is anyone listening? If you’re in the market for a new car, a manual transmission might be a good idea, for a few key reasons.

Cooper Tires Weather-Master S/T 2 Winter Tire Review

Cooper Tires Weather-Master S/T 2 Winter Tire Review

A five minute test drive isn’t going to tell you much about a car. Likewise, a quick spin through a snow-covered slalom course isn’t going to reveal all the advantages (or disadvantages) of a winter tire.

Top 10 Most Fuel Efficient Luxury Cars

Top 10 Most Fuel Efficient Luxury Cars

Who is to say that luxury car buyers aren’t affected by high gas prices? If you want to drive in comfort, style, and have the latest high tech goodies in a car, you shouldn’t have to pay more at the pump for it. Here are our picks for the top 10 most fuel friendly luxury…

Do You Need an International Driver’s Permit?

Do You Need an International Driver’s Permit?

The need for an international driver’s permit made headlines recently when 18 automotive journalists and six $100,000 Mercedes E63 AMGs were detained by Spanish officials for failing to have the required documents.

Nitto Goes Mainstream With a Performance All-Season Tire That Can Handle Winter

Nitto Goes Mainstream With a Performance All-Season Tire That Can Handle Winter

Nitto Tires makes its presence known in the enthusiast community, interacting with motorsport fans and weekend warriors. However, the company now feels it’s time to break ground with consumers by offering more mainstream products. Working closely with its enthusiast base, Nitto has managed to deliver a pair of new tires, the first designed to be…

Top 20 Used Cars to Avoid: Consumer Reports

Top 20 Used Cars to Avoid: Consumer Reports

In the market and shopping for a used car? Consumer Reports has released a list of 20 used vehicles to stay away from as they have a reputation for causing trouble. Listed is a top 20 list of used cars from 2003 to 2012 model year to avoid in alphabetical order. These vehicles had multiple years…

Under the Hood – What Does the Writing On My Tires Mean?

Under the Hood – What Does the Writing On My Tires Mean?

The average motorist doesn’t give them a second thought, but tires are mission-critical components. They’re as important to cars and trucks as spacesuits are to astronauts. Without them you literally couldn’t drive anywhere.

What Does the Smoke from My Exhaust Mean?

What Does the Smoke from My Exhaust Mean?

If you see different colored exhaust fumes it’s time to pay attention to your car. Even if your vehicle isn’t flashing any warning lights, the smoke coming from your exhaust is a signal that something might not be working properly.

Should You Use Synthetic Oil in Your Vehicle?

Should You Use Synthetic Oil in Your Vehicle?

Last week we explained the basics of motor oil, from viscosity to additives and everything in between. Now it’s time to tackle a much more contentious issue: synthetic versus conventional. Which lubricant should you use in your vehicle? Is the extra protection afforded by man-made oil worth the added expense?

What’s the Best All-Wheel-Drive System for You?

What’s the Best All-Wheel-Drive System for You?

More and more automakers are offering all-wheel-drive than in the past. This extra choice is great news for consumers but it can lead to confusion; the number of technologies on the market is practically vertigo-inducing. Each manufacturer’s system is unique, and a lot of times the underlying hardware is different. Not every all-wheel-drive setup was…

Should You Buy a Car With Direct Injection?

Should You Buy a Car With Direct Injection?

Despite advancements in hybrid power-trains and electrification technology, gasoline engines remain the predominant choice in passenger cars because of continued efficiency improvements, most recently through the increased use of direct injection technology. But are you gambling when buying a car with DI, which still has its fair share of concerns and problems?