Reviews-at-a-Glance
For those who want to personalize their Navigator, check our 2008 Lincoln Navigator SUV accessories retailers who offer everything from fuzzy dice to body kits.
3.2-liter, 24-valve, 6-cylinder inline engines are described in detail in our 2008 BMW M review, capturing the power of both the M3 Coupe and Convertible.
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Warranty Guide
Extended Warranties - Extended warranties are usually a good deal if you purchase vehicles that have various electronic-powered features such as digital tachometers, independent climate-control systems, computer-based circuitry for systems monitoring, etc. If you plan to keep your car well past its regular factory warranty, then extended warranties may prove to be beneficial especially for repairing the high-priced electrical problems. Extended warranties pay out far less than it costs and most people who purchase extended warranties fail to realize that most extended warranties go into effect the same time as the factory warranties. In some cases, car makers can make exceptions by offering extended warranties that go into swing after you have owned the car for 12 months or 12,000 miles so it is pertinent upon the consumer to seek details on specific coverage policies with the dealers. Buying an Extended Warranty
Rustproofing - avoid this ripoff. The process of rustproofing cars is imperfect and sometimes poor jobs may lead to more rust than having no protection. In addition, cars made today are made much more rust and corrosion-resistant and it's also likely that new cars have rustproofing covered by the factory warranty; ask your dealer if this is the case.
Finishing Touches - One of the areas covered in a warranty is the car's upholstery. Fabric protection is generally a waste of time since poor treatment will damage your car's interior rather than protect it. A good way to apply protection to your car's upholstery is to use Scotchgard; it's far cheaper and much more reliable. Paint sealant is also a feature car dealers will try and sell, claiming that your car's finish is far better off with it than without. Paint sealing can easily be substituted if you wax your car regularly. It's just as effective and won't burden your wallett.
Add-On Insurance - Try and avoid Gap and credit-life insurance as they are costly and redundant. Try and purchase all of your car's insurance from one establishment. Additionally, it's illegal for your dealer to even suggest that you have to buy Gap or Credit Life in order to purchase/lease or finance any vehicle.
Repairs Without Warranties - You should be aware of the fact that some repairs to your out-of-warranty cars may still be covered and repaired at no cost (see our free repairs section). Some of the more appropriately used labels to describe this practice are secret warranties, goodwill programs, policy adjustments and service campaigns. The fact remains that there are problems that may arise in various makes and models, which are a result of poor manufacturing rather than individual use. Car companies are well aware of this and will provide "goodwill" assistance to those who experience global problems after their warranties have expired. The trick is getting the information and knowing when out-of warranty repairs can be fixed for free by the dealer. This involves a little patience, research and some luck. The best way to know is keeping up-dated on which parts and problems are covered by these service policies. Ask your dealer on occasion whether a service bulletin has been released. You may also want to check out the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's web site to see if other consumers have reported similar problems. Because not all car dealers are eager to hand out free repairs, you have to do most of the research yourself although some states are now requiring by law that manufacturers disclose information when chronic problems are covered by these special warranties. If your car experiences an emissions-related problem, then you are automatically covered by a federal law that guarantees repairs for up to eight years and 100,000 miles, no matter how long your regular warranty lasts. Here are some numbers you can call to check for service bulletins:
Acura 800-382-2235
Mercedes 800-222-0100
Audi 800-822-2834
Nissan 800-647-7261
BMW 800-831-1117
Oldsmobile 800-442-6537
Buick 800-521-7300
Pontiac 800-762-2737
Chevrolet/Geo 800-222-1020
Saturn 800-553-6000
Chrysler 800-992-1997
Subaru 800-782-2783
Ford 800-392-3673
Toyota 800-331-4331
GMC 800-462-8782
Volkswagen 800-822-8987
Honda 800-783-3260
Volvo 800-458-1552
Infiniti 800-662-6200
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