We all dream about that special car. It might be a sports car, but it could even be a new family sedan with all the extras. Whatever your dream car is, someday that car will be within your reach!

Shopping around and window shopping for that perfect car, is perhaps the most fun part of the process. The possibilities seem endless. What should you consider when you shop for this special vehicle?

#1 Is the car eco-friendly?

Is the car you are shopping for hybrid or electric, or at least extremely fuel efficient? You should keep this in mind. Buy a car that is better for the environment. Don’t get a gas guzzler!

#2 How much will the car cost?

Budget is always an issue. Sure, there is financing if you have good credit, but perhaps you should at least save up a good amount for the down payment. Imagine having interest through the roof and huge payments for a long period of time. It’s not as fun as having that car might be!

Be realistic about your budget on any major purchase, and don’t be afraid to “price around” before you commit. Buy pre-owned. Many pre-owned vehicles are in like-new condition.

#3 Is this car practical?

If you’re going through a mid-life crisis or just trying to fulfill your dreams of having a sports car, for example, you may be thinking of simple things like: it needs to look awesome and go fast!

Now, sit back and think about whether this will be practical for your family or anyone you commute with. Think about trips you might take during vacation. Will your car allow you to carry everyone and everything you need for those trips?

Always think a major purchase through completely, before you go forward. Regrets are not good and can be avoided with some simply pre-planning and thinking ahead. Research the car and consider safety ratings.

Now get out there and get that dream car! You deserve it!

For all of your North Carolina automobile rental needs, visit Triangle Rent-A-Car today!

Please visit our main site while you're here.

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to sign up for our RSS Feed! Got an RSS Reader? Grab this: http://trianglerentacar.com/blog/feed You can also share this post using the “share this” button below.

Share This

Tags: General Auto, auto rental by Adam - 1 Comment »

It should be obvious that you should never drink and drive. I don’t think that anyone “plans” to do so; they think it just “happens.” Think about it, the bars are open late serving drinks the entire time, not considering how everyone got there or how they will get home. It is up to you as an adult to make the right decisions.

Here are some of the reasons not to drink and drive. You’re probably already aware of them, but we as adults all need to keep these fresh in our minds.

#1 You put your life in danger!

If you lost control of a vehicle, you can get into an accident where you will get hurt or killed.

#2 You put the lives of others in danger!

Think about the lives of others! If you drink and drive, not only can an accident be fatal for you, but for another person (or several people). Could you live with that?

#3 You could get a DUI, a ticket, fine, or lose your license!

You may take for granted having the privilege to drive, but you will miss it when it is gone! Imagine life without being able to drive!

#4 You could go to jail!

If someone gets hurt or killed in an accident as a result of your drinking and driving, you could be imprisoned for years or even for life.

#5 You could ruin the lives of families!

Think of your own family and the families of those who are sharing the road with us. Picture the heartache that happens when a loved one dies, and now picture you being the cause of that family’s loss.

There are a million more reasons. For the sake of your own life and well-being, and that of others, you should never drink and drive. The solution is easy: Just give your keys to a friend and pick up your vehicle the next day. It’s not worth it to take a chance!

For more information on renting a car in North Carolina, visit Triangle Rent-A-Car today!

Please visit our main site while you're here.

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to sign up for our RSS Feed! Got an RSS Reader? Grab this: http://trianglerentacar.com/blog/feed You can also share this post using the “share this” button below.

Share This

Tags: General Auto, auto rental by Adam - 1 Comment »

Have you ever driven down the street behind someone whose car looked like it had just been in an accident? How about someone who, every time they put their foot on the gas to accelerate, had a muffler that wasn’t “muffling” quite as well as it probably should have been?  These are just a couple of examples as to why we have mandatory vehicle inspections every year.  While the requirements may vary, most, if not all, states have required annual vehicle inspections. 

How They Work

Vehicle inspection is a type of procedure that is mandated by many governments across the world to ensure that all vehicles are adhering to safety and emissions standards.  They are usually required once a year, but can also be required at various times.  For example, if you’re planning on buying or selling a car, the vehicle may have to be inspected before you will be allowed to transfer the title. Inspection can also be required before a vehicle license or license plate is issued or renewed.  If you’ve relocated to North Carolina and you purchased your vehicle in another state, you must first go to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and get new, North Carolina license plates issued to you by registering your vehicle.  Once you get your license plate, you have 10 days to have your vehicle inspected before you can be penalized. 

Once your vehicle is inspected, an inspection sticker is usually affixed to driver’s side of the windshield, or to the rear of the vehicle (ex: the license plate).  The part of the vehicle in which the sticker is placed varies from state to state as well as from vehicle to vehicle. 

For more information on renting a car in North Carolina, visit Triangle Rent A Car today.

Please visit our main site while you're here.

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to sign up for our RSS Feed! Got an RSS Reader? Grab this: http://trianglerentacar.com/blog/feed You can also share this post using the “share this” button below.

Share This

Tags: General Auto by Janelle - 1 Comment »

Do you know how to fix everything on your own car? Most people don’t even bother to read that little manual that comes with their cars, let alone know how to change a flat tire.  That’s why we have mechanics, and thank goodness for them!  Once, I had someone tell me that my rear left light was out, and I thought it was the end of the world as we knew it.  When I brought my car in to the “regular guy” I go to and, with a sense of exasperation, pointed out my problem, he laughed at me.  It was no big deal.  Well, to most of us who don’t know a thing about cars, things like that ARE a big deal.  That’s why it is so important to know who you can bring your vehicle to and then trust them to fix it the right way.

Searching for Mr. Goodwrench

There are lots of good suggestions out there for things to keep in mind when you begin to look for a mechanic.  Some of these include the following:

1. Phone a Friend- If any of your friends have vehicles, there’s a good chance that their car has broken down or needed repairs at some point.  See if they have any suggestions and then follow up.
2. New Vehicle?- If you bought a new car recently, check the warranty.  If the warranty is still good, then you will probably need to take it to the dealership to have them work on the repair.  Make sure the repair is covered though.  Some dealership warranties only cover certain repairs. If your vehicle is older and doesn’t have a warranty then make sure you get some sort of written guarantee from whichever shop you bring it to.  Make sure that this warranty covers all of the parts and labor.
3. Look for Accreditation- A more reputable automotive shop should have on clear display, some sort of up-to-date certification as well as accreditation from the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
4. Price Isn’t Everything- Never choose an automotive shop based on price alone.  Sometimes you do get what you pay for…
5. Test it Out- If you have the time and opportunity, bring your vehicle into the repair shop to have them perform something small, such as an oil change.  Pay close attention to the timeliness and manner in which they performed the task as well as how they treated you.  If they pass this test, you may consider going back.

If you are looking to rent a car in North Carolina, stop by and visit us at Triangle Rent A Car, where we’re driven to be #1 with you!

Please visit our main site while you're here.

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to sign up for our RSS Feed! Got an RSS Reader? Grab this: http://trianglerentacar.com/blog/feed You can also share this post using the “share this” button below.

Share This

Tags: General Auto by Janelle - 1 Comment »

Before you book that vacation to Europe, make sure sure you book a rental car too.  Depending on where your final travels take you, you may not necessarily need or want a rental car, but it is still a good option to have one should you need it. 

Do I Really Need a Rental Car?

You can travel around Europe by train, foot, bicycle, taxi or hitch hike, but if you are interested in venturing out on your own, renting a car affords you the freedom to go exploring.   While you are planning your trip, you need to research your destination and know what kind of mass transportation is available as well as what rental car offices are nearby.

Size Matters

In Dallas, TX, a “full-size” car is a Dodge Intrepid which seats five people.  On the other hand, in London, the equivalent of the same vehicle would be the “standard-size” Ford Mondeo, which seats four people.  When you rent vehicles in Europe (or any other country, for that matter),  the size of the vehicle is an important factor as it will determine what type of vehicle will best suit your needs.  This is why you also need to keep in mind how many people you will be travelling with as well as how much luggage you will have.  If you’re planning on going off-road and touring the pastures, you may want a vehicle that is more roomy. 

Shifting Gears 

Do you know how to drive a stick shift?  Among the many differences between the United States and Europe, many European cars are smaller and do not use automatic shift.  And even if you do know how to drive stick shift, sometimes the interior of the cars are set up differently, forcing you to figure out how to put the car in reverse.  There are many car rental agencies in the United States that have offices in Europe, but if you’re unsure, contact your local travel agent and they will be able to assist you. 

License to Drive

Some countries require international travelers to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) when they rent a car.  IDPs function as temporary drivers licenses and are typically valid for one year.  Countries such as Italy require this of people who rent vehicles.  Don’t let any of this discourage you, however.  Make sure you do your research before traveling abroad; it will save you a headache in the end.

If your travels ever take you to Raleigh, NC, make sure to visit Triangle Rent-A-Car for all of your auto rental needs!

Please visit our main site while you're here.

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to sign up for our RSS Feed! Got an RSS Reader? Grab this: http://trianglerentacar.com/blog/feed You can also share this post using the “share this” button below.

Share This

Tags: auto rental, travel by Janelle - No Comments »

There are those of us who like to play it safe. However, there are those of us who like to take risks. Every time you get behind the wheel of a car that doesn’t have insurance, you are taking a risk. While the cost of vehicle insurance can sometimes be high, it is always better to play it safe and have it. The stories are people getting into accidents are not all that unusual: “Well, I was was about to renew my insurance, and I was just running up the street to get some groceries when this guy cut me off….”

Every state requires that motorists carry at least minimum levels of auto insurance coverage in order to ensure that its drivers can cover the cost of damages to people or property in the event of a car accident. However, not everyone can afford the same type of insurance coverage. For this reason, there are several different types of insurance coverage.

Liability Insurance

Liability insurance covers claims agains the policy holder and usually any other operator of the insured vehicles listed, do not live at the same address as the policy holder, and are not specifically excluded on the policy. If two or more people are living at the same address, they must be covered on the policy. Generally speaking, liability coverage will extend when you rent a car. It provides a fixed dollar amount of coverage for damages that an insured driver becomes legally responsible for due to an accident or some other form of driving negligence. For example, if you run over a stop sign, liability coverage would pay for the damage to the sign.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage is another type of insurance coverage that provides protection for an insured’s vehicle that is involved in an accident, subject to a deductible. This type of coverage was designed to provide payments to repair the damaged vehicle, or cash payment if the vehicle is beyond repair. Collision coverage is optional and is usually offered by most rental car companies.

Other Forms of Coverage

There are other forms of coverage which include: comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured, loss of use, loan/lease payoff (aka: GAP insurance), as well as car towing insurance. To determine which coverage is best for you, research the different types of coverage and speak to an insurance representative. Having insurance is important to protecting your life as well as the lives of the people around you.

At Triangle Rent-A-Car, we’re driven to be #1 with you!

Please visit our main site while you're here.

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to sign up for our RSS Feed! Got an RSS Reader? Grab this: http://trianglerentacar.com/blog/feed You can also share this post using the “share this” button below.

Share This

Tags: General Auto, auto rental by Janelle - 1 Comment »

When most of us think of “carpooling,” we think of being stuck in a vehicle with a bunch of noisy people. In most cases, we would rather spend the money to rent a car rather than carpool. Typically, most people have a negative outlook on the subject. However, with rising gas prices over the years, carpooling has never looked better. Carpooling, by definition, is the shared use of a car by the driver and one or more passengers, usually for commuting. It is also known as “car sharing,” “ride sharing,” and “lift sharing”.

Bring a Friend!

The 1996 movie, Carpool (starring Tom Arnold and David Paymer), painted a fairly accurate picture of a carpool experience when it showed a father taking his children to school before going to work. Along the way, he picks up several of his children’s friends because he is part of community of parents involved in a carpool system. Many elementary schools have carpools that either the school or the parents have organized, in which parents will usually take turns picking up their children’s friends for school and/or drop them off home afterwards. This is a great idea because it increases parental involvement and responsibility, and it also teaches safety.

Carpools aren’t only used at schools, however. Many businesses have organized carpool groups as well. Some businesses will acutally rent vehicles for the sole purpose of using it for carpooling. By sharing the ride, carpoolers save money on fuel, insurance and car maintenance. In a lot of cases nowadays, carpooling can also reduce the amount of time spent on the road through the use of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, which can be seen on a lot of major highways.

Another great benefit of carpooling is that it reduces traffic congestion by reducing the number of people driving on the road. Think about that for a minute. Let’s say there are ten people in a carpool vehicle…Now, imagine if each of those people decided to drive themselves to wherever they were going. Taking it a step further, think about how much LESS traffic there would be if more people decided to carpool. Also, as a result of increased carpooling, there are less vehicles on the roadways which leads to less gas emissions, which translates to less air pollution. Knowing all of this, how can you go wrong?

If you’re ever visiting North Carolina and are in the Raleigh area, contact Triangle Rental Car for all of your rental car needs. 

Please visit our main site while you're here.

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to sign up for our RSS Feed! Got an RSS Reader? Grab this: http://trianglerentacar.com/blog/feed You can also share this post using the “share this” button below.

Share This

Tags: General Auto by Janelle - 1 Comment »

At some point in all of our lives, we have either been with someone who has purchased a vehicle or will become someone who purchases a vehicle.  Let’s face it; in this day and age, you need a car.   When you go to the airport, you’re either heading straight for the nearest rental car booth, calling a cab or getting a ride from a friend; but one thing remains the same: you need transportation.  So, when you make the decision to purchase a car, where do you start? 

Know Your Limits

Know what you can afford.  If you’re fresh out of college and have just started working, you may want to save your money.  This may mean you will want to look into buying a used car.  Despite all the myths surrounding used cars, it doesn’t have to be a bad experience as long as you keep yourself up to date and informed.  If you’re more settled into a career and have saved up enough money, then perhaps you will want to look into buying a new car.  Both experiences can be exciting as long as you know what your financial limits are ahead of time.

Tools for the Trade

If you’ve decided to buy a used car, there are several things you will need which include but are certainly not limited to: a Kelley Blue Book, a newspaper, and used car quotes.  Kelley Blue Book is actually the United States’ largest automotive valuation company headquartered in California.  The company’s website is a great resource for vehicle pricing, information and evaluation.  Regardless of whether you are looking to purchase a new or used car, you will also need to look into car loans (if applicable) as well as car insurance.  When you go to the dealership, make sure you always try to bring someone with you who has purchased a vehicle in the past.  Their experience can be an invaluable tool to you as they might be able to point out things that you may not know to look for as well as ask questions that you might have missed.

Location and Use

When purchasing a car, it is important to keep in mind what the vehicle will be use for.  Are you someone who does a lot of long distance driving (ex: if you have family in another state)?  Will you be putting more city or highway miles on the vehicle? How long is your commute to work?  These are just some of the questions you will need to consider.  For instance, if your commute to work means that you will be putting a lot of city miles on your vehicle, you may want to consider looking at vehicles that get better gas mileage.  However, if you plan to do a lot of long distance driving, you may want to look into getting a bigger vehicle to make the rides more comfortable.

While renting a car is usually easy and quick, purchasing a vehicle is a major decision that warrants much thought and should not be rushed. Whatever you decide, as long as you are thoroughly informed, you can’t go wrong.  If you are traveling to or live in North Carolina, contact Triangle Rent-A-Car for all of your automobile rental needs.

Please visit our main site while you're here.

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to sign up for our RSS Feed! Got an RSS Reader? Grab this: http://trianglerentacar.com/blog/feed You can also share this post using the “share this” button below.

Share This

Tags: General Auto by Janelle - 1 Comment »