The idea behind Mazda Skyactiv 2 technology is to increase the vehicle’s output, while also improving its fuel efficiency and offering drivers the best of both worlds. While it might have seemed like a sales gimmick at first, Skyactiv technology has been a very serious investment by Mazda in creating quality vehicles that more drivers will want to get their hands on. In several way this investment has really paid off, making Mazda a more highly regarded manufacturer by customers and by the automotive industry as a whole.

Specific Skyactiv Technologies

Skyactiv technologies are located in several parts of Mazda vehicles. The main place that much of the attention is focused is on a Mazda’s engine, where it creates a highly compressed reaction in order to create more power with less required fuel input. The idea is simple, even if the technology is complex. The internal combustion engine is driven by explosions that force movement. If there is more pressure created, but less fuel is required, then there is more force to drive the engine even though there’s less fuel consumed. That is, in essence, the first step Mazda used to create a car that gives drivers more while taking in less.

In addition to an engine that offers driver’s a great deal more, these vehicles also have highly efficient transmissions combined with the proper frame and platform. In any vehicle the transmission is a primary source of wasted power, since shifting gears inefficiently can cause all kinds of problems. The Skyactiv 2 transmission is extremely efficient, making sure there’s as little waste as possible when it comes time to shift from one gear to the next. In addition to the transmission, these Mazda vehicles are built with a chassis that is lightweight, strong, and exceeds all safety regulations. When combined with the previous two parts of the Skyactiv 2 technology platform, the chassis results in extra efficiency, as there’s less power required to drive a car that weighs less and is aerodynamically designed.

Skyactiv 2 Vehicles Leap Ahead

All of this energy efficiency has been noticed by drivers. Once Skyactiv technology was introduced into Mazda vehicles their sales shot up to the highest levels since 2008. While some models do sell more quickly than others, such as the all new Mazda6 which was released in 2014, all models that use Skyactiv technology have made impressive numbers of sales in North America.

On the one hand, Mazda’s success means that it is still considered to be one of the major car companies in America. On the other hand, it’s entirely possible that Mazda will claim a higher spot than it has in the past due to the success and acceptance of its Skyactiv 2 technology and all of the advantages it brings to its customers. Their future is uncertain, but based on the current data Skyactiv 2 technology is definitely here to stay.

When you want to buy a car and are trying to figure out how to pay for it your options can seem confusing. Financing a car is something that most of us will do in our lifetime, so let’s look at the two most popular options: obtaining financing from a private lender, and obtaining financing from the dealership.

Financing Through a Private Lender

When you are going to get a loan, be sure to get a copy of your credit score and credit report before you go so that you’re armed with that information ahead of time. This information helps lenders determine whether or not to approve you for a loan and what interest rate to offer you if you are approved. This is an important first step because your credit score can actually take a bit of a hit when you are comparing lenders if they are all making requests for your credit history. Once you have that information start contacting banks and credit unions to determine who has the best rates and terms for the loan.

Rates for used cars will be a bit higher than new cars, so be ready for that if you are trying to buy a used car. If you are buying a used car, these are some important things you should know before you go to get financing:

• • Make and model
• • VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
• • Age of the car
• • Mileage on the car
• • Sometimes lenders will have restrictions on whether or not they can even issue loans based on when the car was initially purchased, how many miles are on it, and what the standing is of the title.

Once you have found the best rate bring a pre-qualification letter, which states the terms and conditions of the loan, to the dealership so that you can prove that you have secured financing. This will also give you bargaining power if the car dealership offers you financing at a higher rate. Also be sure to bring that same credit report and credit score that you brought to the bank. This will provide you with as much leverage as possible to get a good rate from the dealership to compete with what you have already locked in with your bank.

Financing Through a Dealership

Interest rates from car dealerships tend to be higher than rates from private lenders so if you can get a lower rate from a bank or credit union that is usually the best route to take. The advantage of getting financing from the dealership is that they can work more with people who may have difficulty getting bank financing due to their credit. Dealerships have to offer financing on the vehicles that they sell and if you cannot get financing elsewhere, having financing at a higher rate is better than having no financing at all. Dealerships are also able to offer incentives that banks cannot offer. For instance, dealerships can offer things like a trade-in on your current vehicle and rate reductions or better terms if you supply a down payment.

Some Lessons to Remember:

1. Not all credit scores will be the same. It may be worth checking using multiple credit score services to ensure that you are getting the credit score that is going to give you the best chance of securing financing and getting the best interest rate.
2. Check multiple sources! If you just go with whatever financing is presented to you from the dealership you may be missing out on a better rate. Over the lifetime of the car this can add up to a large sum!
3. If you get turned down for financing that can be difficult to hear, but it might actually be for the best. Getting rejected when applying for a loan means that the lender does not have certainty that you will be able to pay back that loan. So take that information and know that you will likely have to look for a less expensive car.