Honda Dealership in Baton Rouge | Richards Honda

Saw this post on yahoo this morning and though it would be perfect to share here. There are some really good tips in this post, check it out and let us know what you think!

Original Story

You’re planning on buying a house in a few months and want to do everything possible to raise your credit score before you apply for a mortgage. What are the three most important things you can do today for a higher credit score tomorrow?

That’s the question I asked Fair Isaac, the company that created the most popular credit score, the FICO score. And if you’re wondering if working toward a higher score is worth the hassle, here’s a cut-and-paste from the FICO home page:

A 100 point difference in your FICO score could mean over $40,000 extra in interest payments over the life of a 30 year mortgage on a $300,000 home loan.

So what did Fair Isaac spokesperson Craig Watts suggest? Before making any suggestions, he started with a caveat. There is nothing you can do to change your score overnight. At best, plan on two months, maybe three to see an actual increase — that’s why you want to start the polishing process far in advance of any borrowing you intend to do.

Here were his three best tips.

Read The Rest Of The Article Here

The term extended auto warranty (what most people call them) is actually a misnomer, it’s not a warranty at all but more of a service contract. Think of it as a way to protect your investment, that investment being your new car, truck, van or SUV. With the average new car costing somewhere in the ballpark of $25,000 we all wish for trouble free operation from our investments, but that’s not always the case.

Nobody wants to see their pride and joy turn into a money pit and that’s where service contracts come in. Extended service contracts could be seen as health insurance for your car, in fact it works in much the same way and can possibly save you a ton of money in the long run.

Before purchasing an extended service contract consider the following:

1. Do you really need it?

When deciding to buy a service contract take into consideration if the vehicle you’re purchasing is still under factory warranty and if so how long is it for.  For instance if the warranty is for 5 years and 60 thousand miles but you plan driving it for just two years and you only put on 15 thousand miles per year then an extended service contract probably isn’t for you.

On the other hand if you plan on driving your new vehicle for a long time them a service contract might be for you. There is one caveat to keep in mind though and that is an extended warranty costs less while the vehicle is still covered under the factory warranty.

If you think of an extended service contract as a security blanket then you may not mind paying a fee up front if it means you save money in the long run.

2. Who is behind the warranty?

Who is backing the warranty is an important, but mostly overlooked step, when decided to purchase a service contract. It could be backed by an independent warranty company or the auto manufacturer. While the auto manufacturer can be more expensive they receive high marks, and you almost never have to worry about them not paying your claim. You may opt for an extended warranty backed by an independent due to price but make sure that they are reputable and their financials are in order by checking their rating with Standard & Poor, if they have at least an A then you should be good to go.

3. What is the deductible?

Make sure that you investigate the policy’s deductible before you sign your name on the dotted line. While the amount is important you must also take into considerations if its paid per visit or per repair. The difference being that a per visit deductible is paid per visit no matter how many repairs are done while a per repair deductible is just that, per repair.

4. What exactly is covered?

Is it a power train warranty or bumper to bumper? Pay as close attention to what’s NOT covered as to what IS covered. Before deciding on a plan take into account all of its ins and outs.

5. Do you have to pay out of pocket, up front?

Some extended warranty providers require that you pay for the repair up front then get reimbursed for it, sometimes months later. Ideally you want a service contract company that pays the dealership directly.

While there are other things to consider, we at Richards Honda hope that this list helps you to get started. Keep in mind that you should explore all of your options, ask lots of questions and make sure  that you are fully  informed before you ever make a decision.

If you have any extended service contract questions please feel free to post any of your questions bellow.

As the Baton Rouge area is expecting icy road conditions tomorrow, we thought we would take the time to give our customers some tips on driving safely in wintery conditions. Please be safe in your travels over the next several days.

–Your Friends at Richards Honda

Driving safely on icy roads

1. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
2. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
3. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
4. Keep your lights and windshield clean.
5. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
6. Don’t use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
7. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
8. Don’t pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you’re likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
9. Don’t assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

If your rear wheels skid…

1. Take your foot off the accelerator.
2. Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they’re sliding right, steer right.
3. If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
4. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
5. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.

If your front wheels skid…

1. Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don’t try to steer immediately.
2. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in “drive” or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

Sources: National Safety Council, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Washington State Government Information & Services

Richards Honda is pleased to introduce you to the re-designed 2012 Honda Civic! This beautifully designed vehicle arrives at the showroom in Spring 2011! With improved fuel efficiency and styling, this new Civic is sure to impress! Take a look at the photos below and give us your opinion on our Facebook page!

Sedan Model:

Coupe Si Model:

For more information on the redesigned 2012 Honda Civic, call Richards Honda in Baton Rouge at 1-800-720-9466 today!

Honda is set to reveal the all-new redesigned 2012 Honda Civic to the world tomorrow, January 10, at the North American International Auto Show. For your first glimpse of the 2012 Honda Civic in Baton Rouge, stayed tuned as Richards Honda brings you the first images of this remarkable vehicle! It is sure to impress!!

Richards Honda is Louisiana’s oldest and most experienced Honda dealer! Visit us online today at www.richardshonda.com