Depending on where you go to college, a car may be essential. Students at commuter schools, schools with insufficient public transportation, or faraway off campus housing find life is much easier when they have their own car and don’t need to rely on friends for rides. Some cars are ideal for college students because of their low cost of ownership, modern features, good crash ratings, and versatile cargo areas. Buying used allows for greater cost savings – and many older models of cars have fared particularly well:

• Mazda 3 (2004-2009) – The Mazda 3 was a top rated compact car with sharp driving dynamics, high cabin quality, and attractive body. It is also rated well in reliability. These 2004-2009 models run from $4,000 to $10,000 and are a great bang for your buck.
• Honda CR-V (2002-2006) – The Honda CR-V is reliable, efficient, and holds its value extremely well. One fun aspect of these models of CR-V’s is that the cargo floor turns into a picnic table, and the bin underneath is watertight and drainable – perfect for a cooler. This car was almost made for tailgates. It can range from $4,900-$13,000 depending on year and features.
• Scion tC (2005-2010) – Many college students love the sporty, cute look of this coupe. But even with two doors, the Scion tC offers nice backseat legroom and spacious cargo area. Ranging from $5,000-$15,000, this is a great deal for someone who needs to get around town without too many passengers.
• Acura TSX (2004-2008) – The Acura TSX offers luxury features at an affordable price. Heated leather seats, touchscreen controls, aux jacks come on this entry-level luxury sedan in addition to great crash ratings and mileage. Ranging from $6,500-$15,500, it is a nice option for someone who wants more than just the basics.
• Toyota Prius (2006-2009) – With fantastic gas mileage at 46 mpg, the Prius is an eco-minded choice. They aren’t as small as they look, though, and should be able to move you into your dorm room. These models start around $7,000-$15,000.

These five cars aged well and are a great pick for college students looking to buy a reliable used car. Some honorable mentions with a slightly higher price tag include:

• Ford Mustang (2005-2009)
• Kia Soul (2010-2013)
• Honda Fit (2009-2013)
• Hyundai Tuscon (2010-2015)
• Toyota FJ Cruiser (2007-2011)
• Subaru Impreza (2012-2015)

No matter what model you choose, it’s important to pick a car that fits your lifestyle. Some college students opt for small SUVs to lug around skiing and snowboarding equipment and others know that they’ll need to fit their car into tight parking spaces. The added benefit of buying used is that there are tons of options for a lower price point. Having a car with you at school gives you a larger sense of freedom, allowing you to get that far away part time job or visit home on the weekends.

Everyone looks forward to their 16^th birthday so they can take their license test and hit the open road. But with great freedom comes great responsibility – many of which kids don’t often consider when buying a car.

According to recent surveys, 41 percent of parents said they bought their child’s first car, with just 17 percent saying their child purchased their first car for themselves. While the number of kids footing the bill for the car may be down, there are still important lessons for kids buying their first car:

• Establish a budget. Knowing how much you can afford monthly will determine what cars you can choose from. And don’t forget gas, insurance, maintenance, and taxes! Because cars depreciate quickly, the best way to save money on a first car is to buy used.
• Create a list of vehicles that fit within your budget. Typically, small sedans and hatchbacks are the best bang for your buck with lower costs for maintenance, fuel, and insurance.
• Test drive. Now comes the fun part! Particularly with used cars, it’s important to inspect and test drive. All cars have been treated differently, and it’s important to ensure the car is in the condition the seller is claiming. It’s useful to bring an experienced adult along to help you with this process. No matter what type of car you buy, it’s important to look for several features including antilock brakes, electronic stability control, and head-protecting side airbags.
• Again, it’s a good idea to bring an adult to this stage. It’s important to get a good deal on your first car, but the seller still has to make a profit. Negotiating can be intimidating, but knowing how high you are willing to go and if you are willing to walk away makes it much easier.

If you’re not old enough yet to purchase your first car, it’s never too early to start thinking about it! Saving money years before you turn 16 will make the car buying process much easier and will give you more options when looking to buy.

Keeping your cool in your car during the summer months is crucial, as we face record heat more and more often, and making sure your car’s AC is running efficiently is increasingly important. The danger of a hot car that’s been sitting in the sun for hours in the middle of July or August can be significant, especially for those who are most vulnerable, the very young or elderly, or even small pets.

The key to your car’s ability to stay cool in the summer is your AC. And making sure that your AC is well maintained and running at full efficiency is at the heart of your summer car cooling challenge.

The number one component of keeping your AC running efficiently is regular car air conditioning service, to help ensure optimal passenger comfort and vehicle performance, especially on the hottest days of the year when you need it the most.

While most people believe that your air conditioner just pumps cold air into the car, in reality, your air conditioner also pulls hot air out of your car, in addition to blowing cold air into the vehicle interior.

Proper maintenance of your car air conditioning involves making sure that the entire system is working, which means that hot air is being removed efficiently from the interior of the car’s cabin and dispelling it into the atmosphere outside, in addition to pumping cool air back into the vehicle interior.

That’s why regular maintenance of your auto AC is so necessary because a variety of different components need to work together effectively for your car to function at full capacity in delivering total comfort to you.

During your AC maintenance check-ups, make sure that your compressor, condenser, and evaporator are functioning properly because these mechanical parts need to be properly maintained to prevent a breakdown.

At Dallas European Auto, our highly trained mechanics are known for being cool under pressure, and we can help you make sure that your car keeps you in the chill zone all summer long.  Living in the Dallas area means that having a properly functioning AC is an absolute necessity, which is why so many customers rely on us for regular maintenance and repair of their vehicle’s air conditioning.

In particular with your car air conditioner, the more quickly a problem issue is identified and repaired, the less costly the situation is likely to become. When you bring your car into Dallas European Auto for an air conditioner check-up, we’ll do an overall system diagnosis, replace any refrigerant as needed, evaluate and replace any blower motor components that are worn or in need of repair, and thoroughly examine and clean or repair or replace your condenser and evaporator.

Other than regular maintenance from the auto AC experts at Dallas European Auto, it’s also essential that if you have a vehicle that’s not used regularly, to run the system for a few minutes at least once a week which helps to ensure that the different hoses, valves, and pumps throughout your vehicle’s air conditioning system are kept well lubricated.

So make sure your AC is serviced on a regular basis, be certain to run the system at least once a week especially during the hottest days of summer, and you should be able to keep cool and comfortable all year round, no matter how hot it is outside.

Mercedes-Benz is testing the waters with a new concept – literally. A 46-foot, 960-horsepower yacht, which seats up to 10 people is Mercedes’ newest project, just launched in the South of France. The “Silver Arrow of the Seas” is a luxurious silver, sleek yacht with a separate bathroom, air conditioning, wine cellar, tinted windows, and eucalyptus wood. It combines the performance and luxury of Mercedes-Benz sports cars with unique innovations from the boat industry.

Combining the advantages of an open boat with those of a cabin, it offers unique variability for day and overnight trips. The large side windows retract, and passengers can sit comfortably in the interior while enjoying the views and the feeling of sitting in the open.

“In developing the new motor yacht, we have transferred our expertise to the marine industry, creating something never seen before in the process. The ‘Silver Arrow of the Seas’ stands for modern luxury, avant-garde style, and comfortable elegance. The yacht embodies the Mercedes-Benz’s progressive, dynamic design philosophy of sensual purity on the water,” said Gorden Wagener, Vice President Design Daimler AG.

Check out photos of the new Arrow460-Granturismo designed by Mercedes-Benz Style.

Many people who belong to AAA or drive a newer car feel as though they’ll be protected if a breakdown happens. In reality, when a breakdown happens, AAA may be far away or unreachable and you may be in a dark, desolate place with poor cell reception (or a dead cell phone). Each year, 1 in 3 motorists encounter a breakdown, dead car battery, or mechanical problems. Car emergency kits are important, even for newer cars, and even for those with roadside assistance – they can help you survive until help arrives.  There are a few essentials for a roadside emergency kit – they come prepackaged or you could assemble your own:

1. Charged cell phone. Though you’ll probably carry this around, make sure your cell phone is charged when you get in the car and keep a car charger for long trips.
2. First aid kit. Band-Aids, adhesive tape, gauze pads, and antiseptics can help with an injury.
3. Fire Extinguisher.
4. Reflective warning triangles. Warning triangles warn oncoming traffic that you are stopped on the road and can prevent another accident.
5. Tire gauge. This can help with low or flat tires in driving tires and the spare. Many people go to change their tire and find that the spare is flat too.
6. Foam tire sealant. This can help you repair a flat without having to change the tire.
7. Jumper cables.
8. Flashlight and extra batteries.
9. Gloves and rags.
10. Duct tape.
11. Tow straps.
12. Swiss army knife or other tools.
13. Rain poncho.
14. Drinking water and nonperishable snacks.
15. When traveling in the snow and cold: a warm blanket, snow shovel, cat litter, and a windshield

Prepackaged roadside kits range from $18 to $70. And while preventative measures are never fun to spend money on, they can definitely come in handy in a tough situation. Most people don’t think about a roadside emergency kit until it’s too late.

Many electric vehicles are small and compact, with short driving ranges. This can prove difficult for anyone with children as cargo capacity is precious and families often take long trips. Though still under development, BMW i product chief has confirmed that the new electric vehicle will be larger in size and will be attractive to families. The new model will also offer an optional range extender – reducing the anxiety of where and when drivers will need to recharge. Though the vehicle isn’t anticipated until 2017 at the earliest, families can look forward to an environmentally friendly alternative coming soon. Stay tuned for more updates about electric vehicles hitting the market!