IW Auto Sales Blog

Everyone wants to get a good quality car at a good price.  The trick to good car buying is to balance the high cost of a new car purchase with the high repair costs of an older car. In this video the speaker explains this buying strategy perfectly . The car buying "sweet spot" as shown in this video matches the car buying strategy we recommend at IW Auto Sales. At IW Auto Sales we believe that the best time to buy a car is when it is less than 4 years old with less than 50,000 miles.  A vehicle this age is available on the market as a "lease return".  A typical car lease runs 2-3 years with a limit of 24,000 to 36,000 miles.  Car repairs are done by the manufacturer under warranty and some manufacturers offer car maintenance (oil, filters, wipers).  So when the lease vehicle is returned, the car is normally in very good condition. At IW Auto Sales, we avoid cars older than 4 years with more than 50,000 miles.  We find that cars past 4 years and/or 50,000 mil

Thanks in part to its upscale cabin, abundance of cargo space, and outstanding predicted reliability rating, the 2018 Kia Soul rates a #1 in the US News compact car rankings. The base model is a great value, and higher trims are playful and nicely equipped. The 2018 Kia Soul stands out from nearly all other compact cars for a number of reasons, including one of the longest warranties in the class. A few downsides include an underwhelming base engine and low fuel economy. Beyond that, it has a high-grade cabin, ample interior space, poised driving dynamics, and a perfect five-out-of-five predicted reliability score.  Whether you're looking for a compact car, a hatchback, or a small crossover, the Soul stacks up well against its rivals. It has the lowest price tag in the compact car class, and it’s cheaper than some subcompact SUVs like the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3. The Soul also offers more total cargo room than these crossovers, making it a good bang for your buck. The

It is smart to research the safety of a any vehicle you are considering for purchase.  A recent customer ask about the safety of the newer MINI Cooper models.   Some research on the Internet turned up two key reports that detail the safety of the MINI.   Here are the links: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ ratings/vehicle/v/mini/cooper- 2-door-hatchback/2019?print- view US News: https://cars.usnews.com/cars- trucks/mini/cooper/safety The Insurance Institute report is very detailed and I encourage you to take a look.  Overall the MINI was rated to have very good safety.  Here is a list of its key safety features: Driver Air Bag Passenger Air Bag Front Head Air Bag Rear Head Air Bag Front Side Air Bag 4-Wheel ABS 4-Wheel Disc Brakes Brake Assist Electronic Stability Control Daytime Running Lights Traction Control Auto-Leveling Headlights

The 2017 QX50 is a good SUV and a good buying decision. It has great overall performance, driven by a muscular V6 engine and engaging driving dynamics. Its safety and predicted reliability ratings are on par for the class, but this Infiniti really sticks out for its value. It has low average prices and should cost you less to own than many more luxurious class rivals. The QX50 went on hiatus for the 2018 model year and returned as the fully redesigned  2019 Infiniti QX50 . Highlights of this new generation include a larger cargo hold, more standard driver assistance features, and newly available active safety features like a head-up display and a semiautonomous driving mode. This SUV also boasts a modern, upscale interior, in contrast to the dated, drab design of the old model. The V6 engine found in 2017-and-earlier models is replaced by a turbocharged four-cylinder that's less powerful but more fuel-efficient. The new QX50 also lacks some of the playful handling of the prior gene

Mini is set to launch an electric Hardtop in 2019, and we've got the most revealing spy shots yet. The car was previewed by the Mini Electric concept at 2017's Frankfurt auto show and is only the first of 12 electric cars the BMW Group will roll out by 2025. As expected, Mini is using its signature...   read more

The basic factory warranty for the MINI Cooper is 4 years / 50,000 miles, which ever comes first. There is also complementary maintenance for original owners (non-transferable) for 3 years /36,000 miles. MINI Warranty Click Here .  What does this means for used MINI buyers?  Look for a 2015 MINI lease return. Many of these leased vehicles have low miles and a full year remaining on the warranty.  Save 40-50% over original new car price.

If you currently own a MINI Cooper or you are thinking about purchasing a MINI Cooper, you will enjoy this full length video that tells the amazing history of MINI Cooper.  Beginning in the early 1960's learn how its founder Sir Alec Issigonis was first inspired to design a compact, practical and fun new car for the masses. Click here and enjoy! 

If you are a car enthusiast, no doubt you enjoy the television show Wheeler Dealers on the Velocity channel.  For years, the hosts of Wheeler Dealers have entertained us with car stories and excellent tips on how to bring old classics back to life. In this episode, the hosts tackle a 2004 MINI Cooper.  And not just any MINI.  This is the very special "MC40" edition of the MINI Cooper S.  MC40 refers to the 40th anniversary of the famous win at Monte Carlo for MINI Cooper.  MINI Cooper has a long history of success in rallies and road races going back to the early 1960's. Besides learning about the history of MINI, you will learn important tips about servicing your MINI.  Keep in mind this model is a 2004 generation one model with a supercharger.  The later generation 2 models (launched in 2007) switched to a turbocharger. Click Here to enjoy the full episode.

The "Gen 2" MINI Cooper's are very popular and continue to provide great performance for their owners.  For trouble-free enjoyment it is very important to service your MINI Cooper.  In this article, the author explains potential problems and issues that can result when proper maintenance is ignored. To read the full article, click here .

The generation 3 MINI Coopers are a major improvement over the older generation 2 models that spanned from 2007 to 2013.  Among the many improvements are new BMW designed and built engines, replacing the "Prince" engines used in the MINI Gen 2 (2007 - 2013) models.  In the United States, two engines were used to power the MINI Cooper.   1.5 litre 3-cylinder turbo with 136 bhp, (BMW B38 engine) for the Cooper.   2.0 litre 4-cylinder turbo (BMW B48 engine) that produces 192 bhp for the Cooper S. The new engines are a major improvements over the Prince engines that were known for issues with turbo bearings, water pump, timing chain and thermostat.  Since the introduction in 2014, that has been a noticeable improvement in performance, gas efficiency and quality.   Read More about the new generation 3 MINI's in this Motor Trend review from 2015. https://www.motortrend.com/…/2015-mini-cooper-s-motors-see…/ IW Auto Sales has an excellent selection of 201