Kelley Blue Book recently named its 10 best used cars that have an average price of under $8,000. We’ll cut to the chase – the #1 used car is the 2004 Honda Civic, with an average price of $7,970. It just barely meets the under $8K criteria, but everything else about it is all you need in a used car.

Says Used Car News:

“In addition to famous quality and reliability, the Civic is more fun and more comfortable than most of its compact sedan contemporaries.

The same value and reliability that keep the Honda Civic near the top of the new car sales charts every year also qualify it as one of the all-time great used cars.”

Click here for the rest of the top 10 list.

Agent Summit 2012 is taking place in Las Vegas from March 12-14, a partnership between Agent Entrepreneur and F&I and Showroom. One of the speakers at this event geared exclusively for automotive general agents is Dan Lievrouw, Vice President of Operations and I.T. at American Guardian Warranty Services.

He has over sixteen years of industry experience including all aspects of operations and technology. Daniel’s responsibilities range from providing our agents and dealers industry leading software options to working with all departments at American Guardian Warranty to continuously streamline processes and procedures to enable the company to offer a best in class customer experience.

For more information on Agent Summit 2012, click here. We’d like to offer our hearty congratulations to Dan and wish him the best of luck!

We are pleased to announce that we have successfully completed integration to the PEN (Provider Exchange Network) Certified Interface allowing dealers to electronically rate, contract, and register contracts and other F&I products.

We are the first product provider on the F&I Administration Solutions, LLC platform to connect to the PEN Network. This connectivity allows F&I aftermarket product e-contracting directly from the dealer software, eliminating the need for the dealership user to access multiple applications. It also eliminates the need for dealers to re-enter important data in order to complete the transaction.

“We are pleased to take this step that provides our dealers with a tool to make their job easier,” said Jon Anderson, Sr. Vice President of Sales & Marketing at American Guardian Warranty.

For more information about American Guardian Warranty, click here. To learn some quick automotive tips, click here.

According to a poll taken by Consumer Reports, 40% of drivers postpone needed auto repairs, usually in an effort to save money. While seemingly thrifty, this delay can mean even more costly repairs down the road, and of course, a much higher safety risk. Read the rest of this entry »

On Thursdays, we run a feature on a few of the latest in automotive recalls to help keep you safer on the roads. As always, visit recalls.gov for complete listings of recalls, automotive and otherwise.

2004-2005 Ford Freestar, 2004-2005 Mercury Monterey

Potential autos affected: 200,000+
The summary: The torque converter output shaft may fail.
The consequence: Sudden loss of motive power with no warning, increasing the risk of crash.
More information: Click here.

Touchscreen infotainment is poised to replace suddenly outdated technologies in automobiles all over the world. What are some of the technologies available now, and what will be unveiled soon? Read the rest of this entry »

After four decades, the Dodge Dart makes a comeback in the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. The car once popular in the 60′s and 70′s returns as a new and improved compact car!

Read the rest of this entry »

The Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and has been an annual tradition for over 100 years. This year’s show opened to the public today, and it will run all the way until Sunday, February 19. We’ll be posting our impressions over the next week. First up: the five coolest-looking concept cars at the 2012 show (a concept car showcases new technology or features and is not yet available for public purchase). To learn more about each vehicle, just click the make and models below. Read the rest of this entry »

We recently received a kind message from Bob, an agent who has been working with AGW for a long time.

Hey Jon,

Most people usually never write about good things, only complaints.  Well, this is a good thing.  I just wanted to say that I can really see a difference in AGWS when it comes to customer service.  As you know, being an agent and dealing with car dealers can be frustrating and stressful.  So when I need some information to help the dealer, your staff has been there to help me get any questions answered. Customer service is what it is all about.  I just wanted to mention that Becky S., Lisa D., Debbie C., Cindy G., Andy W., John W. and others have really made a difference in customer service as compared to the last 10 years or so that I have been affiliated with AGWS, not that it was bad but now, this is much better!  Keep up the good work and I know 2012 and beyond will be successful.  Thanks Jon.

Best regards,

Bob

For more information about our reputation with the BBB click here. You can also find helpful info regarding your car in our Tips section.

Agent Entrepreneur recently interviewed our Senior VP of Marketing & Sales, Jon Anderson. Jon discusses the background of American Guardian Warranty, how AGW differs from other providers, the industry as a whole, the direction the company will head in the future, and even divulges a little bit about himself.

We decided to pull some snippets from the interview and showcase them here, or you can read the interview in its entirety here. Here’s what Jon had to say:

On AGW Products vs. Other Providers

“Simply put, we offer great value, great service, and great profitability to our customers. Our products help our dealerships provide great coverage and service to their customers. Customers keep coming back to the dealership, and buying another vehicle because of the service that they have received.”

On AGW Products That Will Drive Future Success

“I believe that there will continue to be an emphasis on simplicity of products. Not just offering more products, but offering products that innovate by combining benefits, are simpler and easier for the customer to use. We offer products that were once stand-alone products that now combine benefits of protecting the vehicle appearance, providing repair protection, and providing roadside assistance and other benefits to the customer.”

On How the Industry Has Changed

“Technology has taken a significantly greater role in the industry during prosperous and challenging economic times in allowing our company (as well as many others) to accomplish more with smaller cost structures. We can be more productive with less overhead, and give greater focus to our customers, programs, products, and the challenges of the business that are most important.”

For more information about American Guardian Warranty head over to the reputation section of our blog.