May 2020

Blogs

Canadian teenager is having his first car

Type of Car For Every Stage of Life

in Tips  by slcollisionadm 0 comments

As an adult living in a large city like Vancouver, you will probably have to rely on a car to get you wherever you need to go. The type of car you own typically reflects the stage you’re at in life. For example, you rarely see a person in their 20s riding in a mini-van unless they already have a family. Similarly, it is rare to see an elderly person in an older model car, as seniors typically have the disposable income to buy or lease a newer car for themselves. If you are in the market for a new or used car, there are some vehicles that are better suited to your stage in life than others. Take a look at the examples of cars that are ideally suited to each stage of a driver’s adult life.

Types of Car For 4 Stages of Your Life

1. Teenagers/Students

Plenty of Canadian teenagers and students get their first car as soon as they are able to legally drive. At this point in life, most students and teens will want a car that is reliable and relatively inexpensive. This car is definitely not going to be your ‘forever car’, but the idea is to get something that can still take a few miles before requiring serious maintenance or repairs. A small car with four doors is often the choice for teens and young adults, such as a Mazda 3, Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Veloster or a Honda Fit. These cars have room for passengers, as well as some car-sharing like car2go, making them ideal for road trips with friends! In addition to their convenience and economy, these cars are among the safest on the road, making them ideal for new drivers.

 

Lower Income Earner

After working for a few years and earning a living on your own, you may find it is time to upgrade your vehicle situation. While your options may be somewhat limited due to the level of income you currently earn, there are lots of affordable vehicle options that can reflect your personal style while remaining fuel-efficient and practical for your lifestyle. Some of the following car options come with a few more bells and whistles that can be added on to enhance your driving experience. At this point in your life, you might consider something like a Honda Civic, VW Golf, or even a Mini Cooper S.

 

2. Single Adult, Comfortable Living

As you move into your thirties your tastes and interests may start to change. You may have started a more permanent job which is earning you a comfortable living. Although you live alone, there are likely some long term relationships in your life that will influence your vehicle decision. An upgrade in vehicle size, comfort and style will likely be high on your list of priorities, as your weekend may start to fill up with larger social gatherings such as weddings, birthdays and weekend trips with friends and/or family. A well-rounded SUV like a Jeep Cherokee, Mazda MX-5 or a VW Tiguan can be the perfect option at this stage in life.

 

3. Single-Family

After starting a family, you will probably find that the car you used to drive around in when you were in your 20s and 30s just isn’t cutting it anymore. With children and their car seats especially, it is always best to have plenty of space in a car. This makes it a lot easier to get around with a car full of passengers, and larger vehicles for these purposes typically have enhanced safety features. You can’t go wrong with a quality SUV or mini-van at this stage in life, such as the Dodge Caravan, Audi Q5, Volvo XC60, or a practical station wagon such as the Subaru Outback.

 

4. Senior Drivers

As the chicks fly from the nest, and you start diving less and less, downsizing your vehicle can make plenty of practical sense. In terms of fuel economy and safety, there are plenty of great options for senior drivers who can afford to spend a little extra on their cars. Since this will be one of the last cars you may ever buy, don’t be afraid to spend a little more to get exactly what you want in a vehicle. Just because you are driving less, doesn’t mean driving has to be less fun! Some great, fuel-efficient cars that have some luxury and performance to offer include the Mercedes E250, Tesla Model S and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

 

Hopefully you’ve gained a bit of insight into the type of vehicle that is ideal for your station in life. No matter what kind of car you end up with, be sure to give the friendly team at Spotlite Collision a call if you ever are in need of autobody repairs or maintenance.

Blogs

understand different types of car key fobs and avoid to get lock outside the car

How to Replace the Key Fob For Your Car

in key fob  by slcollisionadm 0 comments

If you’ve never been locked out of your car, consider yourself lucky, and pay attention to this article so you don’t run into a problem in the future! For the rest of us who have had the unfortunate experience of getting locked out of our own vehicle, it was likely due to an issue with the key fob or remote. In order to avoid getting locked out of your car due to an issue with your key fob, take a look at the tips below on how to replace your key fob.

Tips of How to Replace Your Key Fob

Types of Car Keys

Practically all newer cars come standard with some type of key fob or remote. This makes locking and unlocking easy with just a touch of a button. So what happens when the buttons on your fob stop working? Or worse, what happens if you lose your car keys and are in need of a completely new fob? There are a few common types of electronic key fobs, so let’s take a look at how to go about replacing each one in order to help you avoid future headaches and uncertainty.

 

Traditional

A basic key and fob set can be replaced at a cost of roughly $50 to $100, depending on the make and complexity of the system. These types of keys are typical for older cars, and they are among the easiest to replace. Once you have your key rob replacements, you will either have to get the dealership to program the remote or do it yourself using the code in your owner’s manual.

 

Transponder Keys

Newer model cars from the late 90s onward will have a transponder chip contained in the key set for extra security. When replacing this type of key, you will have to pay extra to get the fob remote and the transponder key together. Sometimes a locksmith will e able to offer you a better deal on aftermarket key sets compared to a dealership’s price.

 

Keyless Remotes

The newest cars on the road today feature keyless entry and ignition, making it easier to enter and start your car without having to fumble in your purse or pocket for your keys. Keyless entry does require the driver to have their remote fob on their person, otherwise, the proximity sensor won’t open the doors or let the ignition work. Losing these keys is an expensive proposition, as they can cost between $250 and $500, and can usually only be replaced by the dealership.

 

Lower Cost Key Fob Options

If you have the time and you’re aware of the exact type of key fob replacement, you can save some money by shopping for your new fob online. Most online retailers keep a large number of different fobs in stock at all times, so they can afford to sell for less than a dealership, or even a locksmith. Keep in mind that taking this approach means you will need to program your key fob manually. If you are unable to do this on your own, a dealer should be able to help, but they’ll likely charge you an additional fee for this service.

 

When to Replace Your Key Fob?

Most cars come with at least one spare set of keys and an additional fob. When at least one of these sets stops working, or starts to perform poorly or sporadically, it is time to get a replacement. If you wait until your spare set stops working as well, it can be difficult to get a new set without spending a significant amount of money. For cars made in the last five years, your only option will be to get some expensive replacement keys from your dealer. In addition to the cost of the keys, you will have to pay for the dealership to program the fob as well.

 

Avoiding Unnecessary Key Fob Replacements

Once your first key stops working, you should get a replacement to avoid additional future expenses. You can also shop around with locksmiths to find a more competitive price for replacing and programming your new key fobs. Finally, if you purchase your own replacements online to save money, make sure you can program the keys yourself, otherwise, you will be stuck spending more money to have your dealer or mechanic do the programming for you.

 

To find out how the team at Spotlite Collision can help you avoid issues with purchasing and programming the right key fob replacement, be sure to contact us with any questions or bring your keys to our shop today!