The 2008 Chevy TrailBlazer SS is essentially a TrailBlazer with a vette motor in it. To support the 390 hp and 400 lb/ft of torque on hand the brakes are beefier, the suspension is stiffer, and the rubber and rims are bigger (20s come standard). This fast little SUV is a beaast that is capable of sub 13 second quarter mile times.
There are two drivetrain options available: rear wheel drive and all wheel drive. Both Blazer SS models come standard with stabilitrak to keep the sideways action to a minimum.

* allstate quick estimate

Insurance Coverage Quote Details:

• $500 Deductible
• Bodily Injury and Property Damage $100,000 / person
  300,000 / accident
  100,000 / property $100,000 / person
  300,000 / accident
  50,000 / property
• Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist $100,000 / person
  300,000 / accident $100,000 / person
  300,000 / accident
• Uninsured Motorist Property Damage $3,500 property
  (with $0 deductible) $3,500 property
  (with $0 deductible)
• Medical Payments: No coverage
• Comprehensive: $500 deductible
• Collision: $500 deductible
• Rental: No coverage
• Roadside Assistance: No coverage

The 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK55 AMG Coupe has a big 5.4 liter V8 shoved in to the small 2 door CLK chassis. The AMG line of autos features hand built motors outputting 362 horsepower and 376 pound feet of torque. There are only 1500 2003 CLK55AMG cars in the United States. The 5 speed speedshift AMG automatic transmission is standard.

Car insurance rates are computed based on many variables. These quotes are based on:

• male, 35 years old
• no accidents or tickets for the past 5 years:auto insurance quotes used to be based on the past 3 years of accident history however to date most car insurance providers are basing their premiums on the last 5 years of each driver’s history
• basic coverage chosen was 250/500/100
• 15/30 uninsured motorist
• 1000 deductible on collision and comprehensive
• no medical payments, towing, or rental
• 8000 miles of annual usage (pleasure, not business or commute)

The best insurance website was allstate since they showed the change in premium in the drop down boxes when making changes:

Too bad their insurance premiums were too high by comparison. Their website made it easy to see how changes in your policy affect the insurance premium cost.

CLK55 Warranty
There is a variety of companies that offer used car warranties. Authorized warranty sellers (such as used car dealers) are typically able to offer a warranty that covers either the power train or full bumper to bumper protection. The CLK55 AMG was not eligible for a third party pre owned car warranty at this time. Mercedes Benz does offer an extended warranty for their certified pre owned vehicles.

The 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is one fast SUV. The 6.1 liter V8 Hemi makes 420 horsepower and 420 torque so the SRT-8 Grand Cherokee has plenty of raw power. Standard features include 4×4 drivetrain mated to a 5 speed automatic transmission. No manual transmission is available for this quick sport utility vehicle.

If fuel economy is of any concern to you then forget about this GC. Many people have reported as low as 11mpg city and a measly 15 miles per gallon on the highway. You gotta pay to play-this is Dodge Viper city MPG territory but at least the Viper still gets up to 22mpg on the freeway. Expect repeated trips to the gas station if you have a lead foot.

A fully loaded 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee includes all the features you would expect when paying about 44k for a new vehicle including DVD Navigation and HID headlights (with the proper package selected). Current purchase incentives include the cash for clunkers used car trade in program, the sales tax credit for new cars purchased in 2009, $500 cash bonus allowance, and an amazing 0.0 % financing for up to 72 months!

Car insurance rates were based on a 33 year old male in SF California with no accidents, tickets, or auto insurance claims for 3 years and no DUI or DWI in the past 10 years. No driver license suspensions or revocations within the last 3 years. The jeep will be used for commuting about 30 miles per day.

No auto insurance discounts were included in these quotes. Collision and Comprehensive insurance coverage deductibles were raised to $1,000 to reduce insurance premium costs. Rental car reimbursement was also declined along with loan lease payoff coverage. The liability coverage requested was $500,000 combined single limit.

2010 mustang gt

these car insurance quotes were based on the following:

• 27 year old unmarried male born in 1982, licensed in california at 16
• car is financed for 60 months (5 years)
• clean motor vehicle record (no at fault accidents, tickets, or suspensions within the past 10 yrs)
• ford mustang is located in la, california, 90005 and parked in the street
• 1 yr with current car insurance co
• car used for driving to work 5 days a week, 40 miles round trip
• est miles driven anually: 12,000
• 100/300/50 coverage: 100,000/300,000 bodily injury insurance limit and 50,000 property damage insurance limit
• 500 dollar deductible for collision and comprehensive coverages
• 100,000/300,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance
• coverages waived: medical payments, rental car, roadside assistance unless included
• no auto insurance discount included

the e39 m5 is bmw’s 4 door ultimate sleeper. there are subtle exterior differences between the regular bmw 5 series and the m5. the e46 m3 by comparison is flashier than the standard 3 series with the addition of front fender grilles.

both of these cars easily run mid to low 13 second quarter miles so bring a helmet if you plan to take it to the drag strip.

bmw e39 m5 specs

bmw e46 m3 specs

these two supercars also carried super price tags when sold brand new however the used car market allows many people to enjoy these german musclecars at a fraction of their new price. there are several factors to weigh when considering the purchase of either the m3 or m5.

• car maintenance: german car maintenance is more expensive than japanese car maintenance. this is generally true and these two bimmers are no exception. replacement parts for the bwm m5 will be more expensive than the bmw m3. for example brake rotors: powerslot front brake rotors for a 2003 m3 are only about $112 bucks each from tirerack.com ($103 for rear rotors) and the same powerslot front rotors for a 2002 bmw m5 cost about $130 dollars each (only $65 each for rear rotors) from brakeperformance.com.
• used car warranty: a used car warranty can be sold by dealers and independent car brokers. a good warranty can be invaluable in the event of a major breakdown. an aftermarket warranty can cost anywhere from 1000 to over 4000 dollars depending on the type of coverage (power train: engine, transmission and drive train only) or bumper to bumper (full coverage) and the length of coverage (from months to years).
• premium gas: these luxury sport high performance vehicles need premium gasoline. constant use of low quality gas can lead to pinging (potential engine damage) and lost performance.
• resale value: most german cars don’t hold value as well as japanese cars. the bmw m series is a great value as a used car right now and it will probably hold it’s value better than non m bmws.
• car insurance: last but certainly not least check how much it will cost to insure one of these monsters. liberty mutual auto insurance rates for a 2003 m3 was $497 per year. the liberty mutual car insurance quote for a 2001 bmw m5 was $478 per year.*

*car insurance rates based on a 33 year old driver with a clean driving history and the vehicle garaged in san jose, california. annual reported miles driven was 7500 (pleasure). liability insurance coverage was low: $50000/$100000 bodily injury, $50000 property damage, $15000/$30000 uninsured motorist insurance. comprehensive insurance carried a deductible of $1000. collision insurance was not included. 20% multi car discount was also included in this car insurance quote.

I’m not a car dealer but I am an automotive enthusiast. I’ve had my share of cars:

1. 1989 Honda CRX Si
2. 1990 Honda CRX HF
3. 1987 Honda CRX Si
4. 1992 Honda Civic Hatchback Dx
5. 1995 Toyota MR2 Turbo
6. 1989 Nissan 240sx
7. 1993 Lexus SC300
8. 1989 Honda Civic Wagon EX
9. 2003 Nissan 350z Track
10. 1990 Honda CRX
11. 1999 Honda CRV EX
12. 2003 Volkswagen 20th Anniversary GTI

all bought used. Second hand cars are much cheaper than brand new cars but buyers must beware since some states (such as California) don’t offer any protection for buyers of “lemons.” Most people have a list of things to go over before buying a used car. Here’s mine:

• Take the car in to every gear. Even though this may require a trip on the freeway this must be done to ensure that the transmission is good. If the seller is not willing to let you drive the car then WALK AWAY. You have to drive a car before you buy it!
• Listen for strange sounds. Leave the radio off during the test drive since having a fewer distractions helps.
• Check remaining tread on tires. Tires have wear bars
  

  wear bars

  that show when they should be replaced. (If the tire tread is down to the wear bars then the tires need to be replaced.) Tires are expensive to replace.
• Look for signs of smoking. Sometimes the old smoke smell will creep in after the windows have been rolled up for a little while. Many cars that have been smoked in have little signs of smoking-brown spots and little burns are giveaways.
• Check the gaps between all the body panels. They should be pretty even. Uneven gaps indicate possible panel repair or replacement-a sign of body work from a previous accident. Some really good body shops leave less evidence but a majority of bodyshops can’t get all the gaps as perfect as the factory gaps.
• Check for the spare tire and look for all the known accessories. All Honda CRVs come with a picnic table in the trunk. I’d be upset if I bought a used CRV and didn’t get my picnic table because I didn’t check for it. Some cars come with a first aid kit that the seller may or may not have.
• Make sure it passes smog if required by state law.
• Check the car title for salvage. Salvaged cars are worthless-they don’t have any stated value to Kelly Blue Book (KBB). The condition of a salvaged car can vary too much and can be downright unsafe in some instances. A vehicle gets a permanent salvaged title when the insurance company decides that the cost to completely repair a damaged vehicle to it’s “original state” from an accident or theft exceeds the value of the vehicle. The existence of a nice shiny new paint job doesn’t mean that the car has been repaired properly. Some people cut corners and go with inferior parts. In fact some cars are wrecked so badly that nothing can be done to make it drive straight anymore. Salvaged vehicles do have a value-it’s whatever it’s worth to the buyer considering the fact that the car could be unsafe for its occupants. Car dealers don’t EVER sell salvaged cars for a reason.
• Make sure EVERYTHING works: window wipers (front and rear if equipped), window washer squirters, head lights (low and high beam), interior lights, brake lights, reverse lights (helps if you have a friend with you-if you don’t have someone else available then back up toward a wall or glass where you can see the reflection of the brake and reverse lights), radio, CD player, Navigation, sunroof, rear window defroster, heat and air conditioning, and other buttons or knobs.

Car registration both (new and renewal) is going up by double or maybe even triple on May 19, 2009. This is one of the measures taken to end the California budget crisis. Saving money on car insurance is needed now more than ever to offset these costs.

The used car market is hot right now with many people looking for good deals on a used car. Check out the used car buying guide for helpful tips when purchasing a used vehicle.

wrx insurance

these online auto insurance quotes were based on the following:

• thirty two y.o. unmarried male, licensed in california at 18
• employee of a public high tech corporation (programming), with a 4 yr degree
• clean motor vehicle record (no at fault accidents, tickets, or suspensions within the past 10 yrs)
• subaru wrx is located in sf, california, 94118
• 1 yr with current car insurance co
• car used for driving to work 5 days a week, 30 miles round trip
• est miles driven anually: 12,000
• 100/300/50 coverage: 100,000/300,000 bodily injury insurance limit and 50,000 property damage insurance limit
• 500 dollar deductible for collision and comprehensive coverages
• coverages waived: uninsured/underinsured motorist, medi payments, rental car, roadside assistance unless included
• no auto insurance discount included except programmer if applicable

rsx type s insurance

the hartford insurance didn’t want me again

these online auto insurance quotes were based on the following inputs:

• thirty-two year old single male, licensed at 18 years of age
• employed full time at a corporation (technology, programming), with a college degree
• clean driving record (zero accidents, moving violations/traffic tickets, or driver license suspensions within the past 10 yrs)
• 2006 acura located in sf, california, 94118
• one year with current car insurance company
• vehicle used for commuting 30 miles round trip
• estimated annual miles driven: 12,000
• 100/300/50 coverage: 100,000/300,000 bi limit and 50,000 property damage limit
• five hundred dollar deductible for comprehensive and collision coverages
• coverages declined: uninsured/underinsured motorist, med payments, rental car, roadside assistance unless included
• no auto insurance discount included except computer programmer if offered

mini cooper s insurance

the hartford insurance didn’t want me

these car insurance quotes were based on the following variables:

• thirty-two years old single male, licensed since 18
• employed full time at a corporation (tech, software engineering), with a bachelor degree
• clean driver’s record (no accidents, moving violations/traffic tickets, or driver license suspensions in the past 10 years)
• vehicle located in san francisco, ca, 94118
• 1 year with current auto insurance provider
• vehidle used for commuting 15 miles each way to and from work
• reported annual miles driven: 12,000
• 100/300/50 coverage: 100,000/300,000 bodily injury limit and 50,000 property damage limit
• $500 deductible for comprehensive coverage
• coverages declined: uninsured/underinsured motorist, medical payments, rental reimbursement, roadside assistance unless included at no cost
• no car insurance discount included except computer professional if offered

370z auto insurance

these auto insurance quotes were based on the following factors:

• 32 year old single male, ca driver license issued at 18
• employed at a publicly held corporation (high-tech, software engineering), with a 4 year degree
• clean driving history (no accidents, no moving violations/traffic tickets, no drivers license suspension in the past ten years)
• 2009 370z located in san francisco, ca, 94118
• one year with current auto insurance provider
• car used for commuting 15 miles each way to work
• annual usage: 12,000 miles
• 100/300/50 coverage: 100,000/300,000 bodily injury limit and 50,000 property damage limit
• $500 deductible for comprehensive coverage
• coverages declined: uninsured/underinsured motorist, medical payments, rental reimbursement, roadside assistance unless included at no cost
• no car insurance discount included except computer professional if offered

2005 g35 insurance

these auto insurance quotes were based on the following factors:

• 32 year old single male, cadl licensed since 18
• employed full time for a corporation (high-technology, software engineering), with a bachelor degree
• clean driver’s record (no accidents, moving violations/traffic tickets, or driver license suspensions in the past 10 years)
• vehicle located in san francisco, ca, 94118
• 1 year with current auto insurance provider
• vehidle used for commuting 15 miles each way to and from work
• reported annual miles driven: 12,000
• 100/300/50 coverage: 100,000/300,000 bodily injury limit and 50,000 property damage limit
• $500 deductible for comprehensive coverage
• coverages declined: uninsured/underinsured motorist, medical payments, rental reimbursement, roadside assistance unless included at no cost
• no car insurance discount included except computer professional if offered

2007 prius insurance

these auto insurance quotes were based on the following factors:

• 32 year old single male, licensed since 18
• employed full time at a corporation (technology sector, computer engineering), with a bachelor’s degree
• clean driving record (no accidents, traffic tickets, or suspensions in the past 7 years)
• vehicle located in san francisco, california, 94118
• 1 year with current car insurance company
• car is used for commuting to and from work, 15 miles each way
• estimated annual mileage: 12,000
• 100/300/50 coverage: 100,000/300,000 bodily injury limit and 50,000 property damage limit
• $500 deductible for comprehensive coverage
• coverages declined: uninsured/underinsured motorist, medical payments, rental reimbursement, roadside assistance unless included at no additional cost
• no other auto insurance discounts included except computer professional if offered

2006 honda civic insurance

these auto insurance quotes were based on the following factors:

• 32 year old single male, california licensed since 18
• employed at a corporation (technology, computer engineering), with a bachelors degree
• clean driving record (no accidents, moving violations, or license suspensions in the past 10 years)
• vehicle located in sf, ca, 94118
• 1 year with current car ins co
• car is used to commute, 15 miles each way
• est annual mileage: 12,000
• 100/300/50 coverage: 100,000/300,000 bi limit and 50,000 prop damage limit
• $500 deductible for comp coverage
• coverages declined: uninsured motorist, medi payments, rental car coverage, roadside assistance unless included for free
• no other car insurance discounts included except computer professional

2007 toyota camry insurance

these auto insurance quotes were based on the following factors:

• 32 year old single male, licensed since 18
• employed full time at a corporation (technology sector, computer engineering), with a bachelor’s degree
• clean driving record (no accidents, traffic tickets, or suspensions in the past 7 years)
• vehicle located in san francisco, california, 94118
• 1 year with current car insurance company
• car is used for commuting to and from work, 15 miles each way
• estimated annual mileage: 12,000
• 100/300/50 coverage: 100,000/300,000 bodily injury limit and 50,000 property damage limit
• $500 deductible for comprehensive coverage
• coverages declined: uninsured/underinsured motorist, medical payments, rental reimbursement, roadside assistance unless included at no additional cost
• no other auto insurance discounts included except computer professional if offered

car accidents can happen which is why auto insurance companies are in business. being prepared for an auto accident can help make the experience more bearable. here are a few items that should always be in your car:

• paper and pen or pencil
• your insurance information
• flashlight
• camera (disposable or otherwise)

in the event of an accident make sure you take note of the following information:

• license plate number of the vehicle
• color, make, model, body style (2 door coupe, 4 dr sedan, hatchback, station wagon, pickup truck, etc.), and approximate year of the vehicle
• driver’s license number and full address information of the other driver (check to see if the driver is wearing glasses and if he or she has a corrective lenses requirement on the drivers license)
• all information from the other driver’s insurance card such as:
  • insurance company name and phone number
  • insurance policy number
  • policy holder’s name and address
  • vehicle listed on the proof of insurance
• date and time of the accident
• location of the incident along with the direction each vehicle was going and the final position of the cars
• road and weather conditions (dry or wet, cloudy or sunny, etc.)

of course if there are any apparent injuries please call 911 first and notify authorities.

getting several auto insurance quotes from different car insurance providers will net the highest savings and auto insurance discounts since insurance discounts are calculated in to the rate quote.

switching to or staying with the cheapest auto insurance carrier that you trust will help drive auto insurance premiums down. auto insurance companies are forced to keep their insurance rates competitive since it’s so easy for anyone to get free auto insurance quotes online in just a matter of minutes. those that get complacent with their car insurance could lose hundreds of dollars because of inflated, high car insurance premiums.

liability auto insurance is the minimum car insurance required by law. in the event of an at fault accident, liability property damage will be paid up to the policy limit for the other party’s vehicle and material damages. liability personal injury coverage will cover the medical bills, pain and suffering, and other costs associated with the auto insurance claim or settlement. liability usually comes bundled in packages like:
bodily injury 50,000/100,000
property damage 50,000
this car insurance policy would cover up to $50,000 per person for a total of up to $100,000 per occurrence. Property damage will be paid up to $50,000. any charges in excess of these limits can become the responsibility of the policy holder. individuals with property will usually opt for higher limits on liability insurance since they have expensive assets to protect.

auto insurance minimums by state:

traffic tickets can raise insurance premiums. moving violations such as speeding, running a red light, running a stop sign, or carpool lane violations can increase the insurance points (the insurance company’s internal rating system) that affect auto insurance rates.

here are the options after receiving a moving violation traffic ticket:

• pay the full fine and receive the dmv point resulting in an increase in car insurance rates.
• pay the full fine and pay the additional fee to go to traffic school if you qualify. then attend traffic school (this can be done online). the result is that auto insurance premiums should not increase since the point is not reported to the DMV.
• fight the ticket in person and have the judge decide the outcome without the officer present
  • win: you may not pay a fine, or you may pay a small fine and get no points
  • lose: you should ask for traffic school. you may be able to pay more in fines to receive no points-if offered this then take it! increased insurance rates can be more than this one time fee.
• fight the ticket in person and have the officer come in person to testify against you
  • the officer doesn’t show up – you win! a small administrative fee or no fee, and no points since there is no conviction and no DMV points.
  • win: you may not pay a fine, or you may pay a small fine and get no points
  • lose: you should ask for traffic school. you may be able to pay more in fines to receive no points-if offered this then take it! increased insurance rates can be more than this one time fee.
• fight the ticket by mail
  • no response from the officer or the officer does not respond on time: you win! no fee and no DMV points.
  • win: you may not pay a fine, or you may pay a small fine and get no points
  • lose: you may pay a fine or a reduced fine and traffic school is usually offered if eligible. take traffic school to retain the cheapest auto insurance.
  • lose: you can request to have a trial with the officer present (see above).

the best odds of beating a traffic ticket start with the trial by mail first. the option still exists to call in the officer for a full traffic violation trial in front of a potentially different judge if the results from the trial by mail are not good enough. the trial by mail can result in a DMV traffic point conviction with a reduced fine which may be an acceptable outcome.

• why should i shop for auto insurance at every renewal?
• why can’t i just shop at geico.com or progressive.com since they show the insurance rates of their competitors?
• can i switch auto insurance providers anytime?
• how do i know if this is a good car insurance company?
• how can auto insurance rates be so different between providers?
• what about proof of insurance?
• why shop for auto insurance online?
• article summary: get free auto insurance quotes to save money

why should i shop for auto insurance at every renewal?
shopping around for auto insurance is imperative to saving the most money possible. spending some extra time on finding the cheapest car insurance can save hundreds of dollars. being complacent about car insurance rates can yield unnecessarily high auto insurance premiums. the smart, budget conscious consumer will search for online insurance quotes to save money.
back to top auto insurance questions

why can’t i just shop at geico.com or progressive.com since they show the insurance rates of their competitors?
auto insurance discounts are determined individually by each car insurance provider. car insurance discounts can change at any time and it’s possible that not all discounts are being taken into consideration when looking at these car insurance quotes of direct competitors online. the only way to get a very accurate and precise auto insurance quote is to do the work of going to each insurance company of interest and get an auto insurance quote from each one.
back to top auto insurance questions

can i switch auto insurance providers anytime?
yes however it is easier to switch over to a new insurance carrier on the same day that the old policy ends. Also a cancellation fee may be imposed on the policy holder if the insurance company has an early termination policy in place. it is easy to find out if an early termination penalty will apply by contacting the insurance company by phone or email.
back to top auto insurance questions

how do i know if this is a good car insurance company?
JD Power has an auto insurance ratings system that ranks auto insurance providers based on the following criteria:

1. overall experience
2. policy offerings
3. pricing
4. billing and payment
5. contacting the insurer

back to top auto insurance questions

how can auto insurance rates be so different between providers?
car insurance providers are free to determine discounts as they wish. discounts are not the same across all car insurance carriers.
back to top auto insurance questions

what about proof of insurance?
most auto insurance companies with any type of online presence offer the ability to instantly download proof of auto insurance cards for immediate printout.
back to top auto insurance questions

why shop for auto insurance online?
it’s so easy! explore different insurance providers and compare auto insurance quotes to find savings. simple. it is possible to complete the entire auto insurance policy online without the hassle of talking to a sales person that would likely offer additional insurance services that may be unnecessary and costly. satisfaction that money was saved on auto insurance.
back to top auto insurance questions

article summary: get free auto insurance quotes to save money
ultimately the car insurance provider chosen may simply come down to the lowest price for the appropriate amount of insurance coverage. the auto insurance provider should have a track record of providing great customer service to policy holders. the truth is that most people will not interact with their insurance company except when getting a new auto insurance quote and possibly at renewal times. car insurance is required by law is absolutely necessary in the unfortunate event of an automobile accident. auto insurance can be quite expensive but savvy consumers know that shopping around for auto insurance will save money. the advent of the internet and instant access to free online auto insurance quotes has made auto insurance rates more competitive so bargains can be had by those with patience.
back to top auto insurance questions

DUI tickets are very serious and should be treated as such. a DUI conviction can be a misdemeanor or even a felony depending on the circumstances of the situation and the local laws. the DUI arrest becomes public record even though a conviction has not occured. sounds like a case of GUILTY before proven INNOCENT. this arrest and subsequent potential punishment will be part of the suspect’s criminal record.

once the arrest is made the records are public and instantly available to local lawyers. the person that was suspected for driving under the influence is contacted by various attorneys and law firms, usually through the mail. time is of the essence since several things must be dealt with:

1. dmv hearing: there is a chance that the suspect can get his or her driver’s license back after the dmv hearing if the dmv decides that the suspect is innocent. this trial is completely separate from the criminal DUI trial at the courthouse. this hearing can be scheduled quite soon from the date of the arrest so deciding if a DUI lawyer’s services are needed and which DUI attorney to choose is important.
2. initial court hearing: the defendant will talk to the provided public defendant if their own attorney is not provided. based on the DUI case details, the public defendant will likely give the defendant his or her options and the potential outcomes. the public defendant may also let the defendant know that a certain outcome is highly likely since they have worked with the judge and district attorney for so long. a deal can be made with the DA. the defendant can request time to acquire their own attorney if they are not satisfied with what the public defender has to say.
3. enter plea: after meeting with the public defender or DUI lawyer the defendant will be asked to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. if a deal has been made with the prosecuting attorney then the outcome of the case will be stated here. the actual conviction (if any), any fines or fees, jail time, probation, and/or rehabilitation programs will be determined.
4. DUI trial: many DUI cases do not go to trial because it can get extremely costly to the defendant. depending on the circumstances a deal can be struck between the DA and the defendant’s lawyer that may be acceptable to both parties. if the case does go to trial then the jury must be selected and so on and so forth.

retaining a dui lawyer is not necessary beneficial in every case. all factors must be considered when determining if a DUI lawyer will be needed. some things that can happen if convicted with a DUI charge:

• auto insurance premiums increase by a high percentage
• inability to stay with the current auto insurance provider
• criminal record: jail time served will show up in background checks, even if time for the drunk tank is credited and the defendant does not go to jail
• inability to visit canada (driving under the influence is very serious in canada)
• first time offender program: the convicted may have to attend a program that takes one day per week or month for a long time (several months)

there are good DUI lawyers and there are bad DUI lawyers. be reasonable and understand that the public defender may net the same results as the DUI attorney does. the public defender will not represent someone at the DMV hearing. search online for reviews DUI lawyer reviews before committing many thousands of dollars toward an unknown outcome. ask the DUI lawyer to provide examples of how he or she can provide their worth in your case.