Practical Tips to Discover a Good Car Mechanic in Your Area

Finding a good mechanic is one of the most important tasks especially for first-time car owners. It is someone who has the skill to keep your car in good running condition coupled with an attitude of professionalism and courtesy. This type of skilled professional is becoming rare these days but if you are diligent enough to conduct a search, you can still find a few.

A good mechanic can help to keep your car running longer and save you money on repairs. Here are some practical tips you can use to find one:

Ask Around

The shortest way to find information about any subject is to simply ask the right questions. Similarly, if you want to know of some reliable mechanics in your area is to ask friends, relatives and office mates about it. With 88% of Americans driving vehicles, for sure someone will tell you where they take their cars for repairs or maintenance checks.

Look for Manufacturer or ASE-Certified Shops

Some car manufacturers train and certify mechanics and shops they choose and authorize to repair their vehicles. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) also does the same without being particular about brand names. But being certified like Subaru Clinic can certainly guarantee one thing: the mechanics in that shop really know their stuff.

Get Information from the Better Business Bureau

A quick search on the website of the Better Business Bureau can bring out names and reviews of some shops you have in mind.  

Ask Your Prospective Mechanic Relevant Questions

To make sure that the initial information you get during the first few steps is true, you should have it confirmed by your prospect mechanic. By asking the right questions to each of them, you will be able to find answers which will be your basis for an informed decision. These questions should revolve around:

• Experience in number of years
• Any offer of warranties
• ASE certification
• Automotive training
• Replacement parts
• Do they supply it?
• Do they provide new, used or OEM?
• Their specialty (type of vehicle or work)
• Schedule of fees (including inspection, estimation, etc.)
•  Payment policies

 

These are some of the most practical ways to find a skilled mechanic for your car. You should be able to find one before your car encounters any major issue. One way to know your prospect’s skills and potentials is to let him do some maintenance tasks like oil change and tune-ups while your car is still running smoothly. You should make sure that those minor jobs you gave can give you the feeling that the mechanic is trustworthy in terms of skills and attitude. Remember, even if you are the customer, it is always good to feel at ease and confident with your service provider.

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Credit Score - What You Might Want to Know

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Let's pause for a while from our car care topics. Let us instead take up one of the most important elements for owning a car - credit score.

The credit score is the most popular number of the present generation. It has become the framework of so many aspects of our lives. Modern business and economy has in fact made it a basis for granting a person the opportunity to own certain possessions through credit. Credit cards, mortgages and car loan applications are among these.

If you want to purchase a car with financing in mind, you’ll probably be concerned about your credit score. But how can you determine if your credit score qualifies you to make a smooth sailing car loan application? Please read on to know more.

What Number Makes a Good Credit Score?

You may not know it, but a majority of businesses want to see a particular “magic number” that they consider as the minimum for making you qualify for purchasing anything on credit. That magic number, which is your credit score actually, happens to be 630. This is the absolute minimum. If your credit score is equal or greater than that number, you have a good chance of getting an approval for a loan. Here are the other credit ratings and their meanings:

Excellent – 760 or Higher

A credit score of 760 or more is the credit sweet spot. It denotes that you are highly responsible with your finances. This credit rating makes you attractive to lenders and creditors. Your score also makes you qualify for the lowest interest rates possible.

Very Good (725 – 759)

A “very good” credit rating is still attractive to creditors – it should not give you much of a problem as far as a loan application is concerned.

Good (660 – 724)

This credit score is still okay with creditors and securing approval for a loan wouldn’t be much of a problem to you. However, not all lenders are willing to offer lower interest rates with it. You should however expect a possible resistance when you ask for lower interest especially if you are at the lower end of this range.

Fair (560 – 659)

Although considered “fair,” this credit rating doesn’t really guarantee sure loan application approval, and if your loan is approved, chances are the interest rates could be a bit higher than average.

Poor (300 – 559)

A “poor” credit score is the least credit-worthy rating. It has the least chances of getting approved and if some lenders would be willing to take the risk, the interest rates would be high. A “poor” credit rating is the least any person would want to have because it is considered “high risk.” If your credit score happens to be in this range, you must strive to get out of it by making regular, timely payments on your existing loans.

If you are looking forward to making a loan in the near future, you must take good care of your credit score. Doing so can make you appealing to lenders and creditors. Not to mention you will also need to find a car shop as your choice of maintenance care for your car once you've already owned it. When you do, look for Subaru auto mechanic who would be too willing to offer their services as much as you getting a goods score on credit deserves a good credit company's trust.

Practical Tips for Keeping Your Car in Top Shape

There you go. You don't really have to be an auto expert to keep your car mint and shiny. The most important thing you must do is to follow manufacturer's instructions and recommendations. You should always remember that no matter how superb the quality of your vehicle may be , it will always deteriorate prematurely if you don't give it proper care. But to be sure that the vehicle you want is of guaranteed quality, you should get your maintenance service from Subaru car shop. They are trustworthy sources most car owners recommend.