Articles Index
Definition of franchised dealership
Franchised dealership: This is a definition of an auto seller that sells new and used cars for auto manufacturers such as Ford, General Motors, Honda, and other major brands. The manufacturer is often listed in the dealership’s name.
Definition of IIHS - Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
IIHS: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (www.iihs.org) is an independent, nonprofit, scientific, and educational organization dedicated to reducing the losses — deaths, injuries, and property damage — from crashes on the nation's highways. It offers safety ratings on practically every passenger vehicle in the U.S. Ratings in some cases can go back 12 years or more.
Definition of Hard Top Convertibles
Hard Top Convertible: A vehicle where the top is made of a metal material and folds away for storage at the push of a button. In the upright position it’s difficult to discern that the vehicle is a convertible. A couple of advantages of hardtop convertibles are durability of the roof and security. One huge downside is hardtop convertibles usually have small, almost unusable trunks.
Definition of Full-width Frontal Impact Crash Test
Full-width frontal impact crash test: National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) currently uses this procedure for their full-width frontal impact collisions. It’s a test that simulates two vehicles colliding head on. (You’ve probably seen the footage on TV.) Some question its accuracy because vehicles rarely collide 100% head on.
Definition of Frontal Offset Crash Test
Frontal offset crash test: In the frontal offset impact test (used by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), a vehicle is aligned with a rigid barrier so that 40% of the vehicle strikes it. This is considered a more accurate real-world test of how cars collide head on.
Definition of Escrow
ESCROW: As explained by SoveriegnBank.com, it is money, property, a deed, or a bond put into the custody of a third party for delivery to a grantee only after the fulfillment of the conditions specified. In plain English, a buyer would pay a third party to hold onto money to make sure the seller delivers the car. Using escrow also avoids checks that don’t clear and other financial difficulties.
Definition of Emission/Safety Inspections
EMISSION/SAFETY INSPECTION: Many states have programs that require an annual or bi-annual review of a car’s exhaust (or emission) systems to see if unacceptable levels of pollutants are being released. Safety inspections (which vary by state) might look at brakes, seat belts, tires, windshield, lights, suspension, etc.
Definition of Edmunds
EDMUNDS: Edmunds Inc. publishes four Web sites for automotive consumers, enthusiasts and insiders. They consist of Edmunds.com (launched in 1995 as the first automotive information Web site), Inside Line (launched in 2005), CarSpace (launched in 2006 as an automotive social networking site) and AutoObserver.com (launched in 2007 to provide automotive industry commentary and analysis).
Definition of eBay Motors
EBAY MOTORS: It’s the automotive used car sales site [http://www.motors.ebay.com/] of the crazily popular eBay where it’s possible, for a small fee, to sell items either directly or via auction. eBay claims 3 million vehicles have been sold here. Just remember, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Definition of Crossover Utility Vehicle
CROSSOVER UTILITY VEHICLE: This is a tricky term to pinpoint because it has its origins in marketing. Basically, it’s a sports utility vehicle that is built on a car frame with little if any off-road capability. Some manufacturers, though, to avoid calling their vehicles station wagons (like Subaru) will call their vehicles crossovers and others, not wanting their vehicles to be called SUVs, like Honda with its four-wheel drive 8-passenger Pilot, will call their vehicles crossovers.
Definition of Craigslist
CRAIGSLIST: The free online classified (http://craigslist.com) where one can find just about anything. Not all people advertising on craigslist are dishonest but enough are to advise: caveat emptor, or buyer beware. This nationwide classified advertising portal is conveniently broken down into city and regional sites.
Definition of Coupe
COUPE: A car with a fixed roof and two doors. It may or may not have a backseat.
Definition of CarMax
The nation's largest retailer of used cars, CarMax is a Fortune 500 company. It offers a 5-Day Money-Back Guarantee and a Limited 30-Day Warranty (60-Day in Connecticut) on every used car on the lot. As always, see the dealer for explicit information.
Definition of Certified Pre-Owned
CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED: Previously owned vehicles that have been inspected and guaranteed to be better than other used cars. Typically, they are less than three years old with less than 50,000 miles and are the cream of the crop. The best are certified by the manufacturer and are sold by new car dealerships. Be leery of certified pre-owned vehicles from independent used car dealerships.
Used Car Glossary Definition of CarFax
The language of used cars can be confusing at times, especially if, like most folks, you’re not well-informed about cars and their nature in general. We’ll explain everything from CarFax to escrow to vehicle identification numbers to help illuminate the used car buying and selling process.