Buying a car is a big decision that most people make at least once in their lifetime, sometimes more. Mistakes made during this process can sometimes lead to an unpleasant aftertaste of an otherwise pleasant experience. Knowing what things to look out for and what to avoid can provide a lot of help. One of these big red flag items is the issue of interest rates.
So many individuals fail to do a proper comparison of interest rates when it comes to auto loans. The effects of this mistake may haunt you for the full duration of the loan period.
Understanding the potential pitfalls of shopping for a car
With the above in mind, a good rule of thumb would be to do proper research. Determine what lenders are available and what the terms and conditions are of the products that they have on offer. A small difference may save the potential car buyer a ton of money in the long run. On the topic of money, not taking note of the full cost of the vehicle can come back to bite you.
Taking the purchase price into consideration, remember to account for additional expenses such as maintenance, insurance, taxes, etc. Also note that some of the additional features that one may request on a car can also hold an extra price tag. With this in mind, the floor is usually open to negotiations. The specific needs of the buyer compared to the product offering available can be negotiated to suit everyone’s needs.
Potential flaws in an otherwise flawless system
When all the above is said and done, imperfections may still creep up. Vehicle defects are not a new issue, and the reality thereof is blatantly clear, as can be seen in a recent class action lawsuit that car manufacturer Mazda was embroiled in. This proposed settlement came about from allegations concerning malfunctions on the Mazda Connect Infotainment system. T
This was only detected on certain of the Mazda vehicles. Class members in this lawsuit are only individuals residing within the United States or one of its territories. It also applies specifically to those who currently own or lease a vehicle or have previously owned or leased one of these vehicles equipped with a Mazda Connect Infotainment system. Applicable vehicles are:
- 2016-2023 Mazda MX-5
- 2016-2020 Mazda CX-9
- 2016-2020 Mazda CX-5
- 2016-2021 Mazda CX-3
- 2016-2021 Mazda 6
- 2014-2018 Mazda 3
- 2016-2022 Mazda 2
The fine print of the lawsuit settlement
According to the settlement, a LWE or Limited Warranty Extension will be available to lessees or owners of the above vehicles. This LWE will allow for potential software updates, replacement, or repairs to the connectivity master unit (CMU). The LWE will run from 17 February 2025. Individuals may also be entitled to out-of-pocket expenses. This will cover reimbursement costs for software updates for the Mazda Connect system.
This will also cover replacement or repair costs incurred for the rear-view camera, CMU, SD Card, or display. Eligible individuals in this matter are requested to file a claim. This can be done either by mail or online. Claims submitted by mail should have the documents postmarked no later than 1 August 2025. Paper claim forms can be obtained from the website or requested telephonically.
Proof of expenses should accompany the claim documents. Individuals who prefer not to be legally bound by this settlement can exclude themselves by 2 July 2025. Objections against the settlement can be filed by 2 July 2025. The final approval hearing has been set down for 28 July 2025, during which the settlement will be considered as well as objections in the matter. There is an option for a remote hearing, but this will also be indicated on the settlement website. For more information about this settlement, you can visit Top Class Actions and get informed about how to file a claim.
