BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIESThe Alternative to Buying a New Car BETHESDA, MD (Dec. 12, 2006) - Smart shoppers make better decisions when they know all of the options. When a car or truck suffers major engine damage, often the owner's first reaction is to buy a new or used vehicle. However, many times that simply is not necessary or cost-effective. The Engine Repower Council (ERC) advises consumers to first discuss the various options with their repair provider. They may find that choosing to repower a current engine with a remanufactured or rebuilt engine is a more reliable and cost-effective choice over the long term. "Once you consider the 'hidden' costs of buying a new car or truck, such as interest financing, depreciation, higher insurance rates and taxes or the potential liabilities and hidden and additional repair costs of installing a used or junkyard engine, the economic and performance benefits of a remanufactured/rebuilt engine become very clear," says ERC Chairman Tom Schrader. Help your customers make informed decisions by discussing the pros and cons of the following options:
* Trading in the vehicle. The trade-in value of a vehicle will be reduced because of the damage to the engine. Also, by trading in a vehicle for a used one, the owner must consider hidden or unknown mechanical problems.
* "Patching" the problem. Depending on the type of damage to an engine, the owner could consider fixing the specific problem. However, this is usually expensive - and there are no guarantees that other engine-related failures won't occur.
* Installing a used engine. The downside of swapping a damaged engine with one from another vehicle is that the history and maintenance of the used engine is unknown. Although a "junkyard" engine may be warranted, the labor to replace a used engine with potential problems will likely escalate the repair bill, too.
* Installing a new engine. A brand-new engine, just like the one that originally was installed in the vehicle, have many benefits. However, they also come with a much higher
pricetag.
* Repowering your engine. With repowering, your engine - or an identical one from another like-vehicle - is completely remanufactured or rebuilt. Critically important internal parts get replaced with new ones that meet or exceed original equipment performance standards. Many times, remanufactured/rebuilt engines can be even better than the new engines installed at the factory. This is because the original factory engine problems have been redesigned or repaired with better quality parts. According to the ERC, a professionally remanufactured/rebuilt engine is typically covered for at least one year, or 12,000 miles, and may cover installation expenses; some remanufacturers offer warranties as long as 36 months or 36,000 miles. For more information about the ERC and where to find qualified rebuilt engines and installation providers, visit
www.enginerepower.org.
(Source: Engine Repower
Council) 
