Auto Advisor

Are All Synthetic Oils Created Equally?

2010-03-11T10:50:00.002-05:00

Cutting expenses on your choice of motor oil could end up costing you more in the long run. You don't need to be a mechanic to determine some of the best oils on the market, just simple research and few simple test will point you in the right direction.

Do you agree with this statement; "oil is cheap insurance so change it often." I love that phrase "oil is cheap" because it illustrates people's attitude towards their oil. Since oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle it only makes sense to look at higher quality full synthetic oils on the market?

Why do people not bat an eyelash when they spend $25,000, $30,000 or as much $35,000+ for a new vehicle then head to a discount retailer to buy the cheapest oil they can find on sale. Don't fall for these old wives tales, technology has changed over the last 30 years and there are some excellent synthetic oils out there.

It's easy to determine what the best oils are once you understand the different classifications of oils. For the sake of this article we are only going to talk about synthetic oils. The time is nearly here that even some of the better petroleum oils on the market will eventually be obsolete soon because their limits have been reached.

If you want to separate the different synthetics on the market there are really 3 classes. Semi--synthetics, Group III synthetics and Group IV synthetics. Without getting into the chemical makeup of these oils we will attempt to explain the difference.

Semi--Synthetics are simply that, part petroleum part synthetic. The problem with these oils is there are no guidelines in place that says how much synthetic oil has to be in the formula. Some reports state that as little as 5% of the product can contain synthetic oil and be labeled a semi--synthetic oil. When we think of semi--synthetic we naturally think it will be a 50/50 mix, nothing could be further from the truth.

Group III synthetics are actually petroleum based products, but because of a ruling in the late '90's manufacturer's are permitted to label them as synthetic oils. The bottom line is Group III synthetics are actually petroleum oil that have gone through an extra refining process known as hydrocracking. This is a process where petroleum oil has undergone an extra process to eliminate more of the impurities in crude oil. Group III synthetics are the most popular on the market today, but do not offer the best protection.

Group IV synthetics are clearly true synthetics. If you find an oil that recommends a drain interval such as 25,000 miles then you can be fairly certain that this oil is made from a Group IV basestock. As of this writing there are 3 synthetic oils on the market that are independently recommending specific drain intervals outside the traditional recommendations made by car manufacturer's and the national quick lubes.

Two of these manufacturer's recommend 15,000 mile oil change intervals and one manufacturer recommends 25,000 mile change intervals. These oil change intervals do not void any car manufacturer's warranty and at least for one of these companies they have been practicing 25,000 miles intervals since 1972 without any interference from auto manufacturer's.

The price of a high quality synthetic oil should be the last thing you consider. A good synthetic oil will give you longer drain intervals and better fuel mileage. Additional facts can be found on the internet about these oils and we highly encourage you to investigate this further. Extended drain intervals have been around since 1972 and have been in routine practice in Europe for over two decades.

Steve Tarini has spent the last 14 years testing and evaluating hundreds of different types of motor oils on the market. Other than 2 synthetic oils on the European market nothing in the U.S. compares to Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants. Compare for yourself and see the difference. >> http://www.bestsyntheticoilandfilters.com/BestSyntheticOil.aspx

Automotive Marketing Survival Secrets Learned From The Toyota Recall

2010-02-24T13:53:00.000-05:00

With thousands of Toyota dealerships already struggling amidst decreased consumer spending and a national credit crunch, Toyota's massive 2.3 million vehicle recall has store owners nationwide bracing for financial loss and long-term backlash in the first quarter of fiscal year 2010.

The recall, which included many of Toyota's top selling models such as Camry and Corolla, has also prompted the manufacturer to halt production until the potentially fatal issue of sticking gas pedals is resolved.

While Toyota dealers are understandably panicked and bracing for a big hit following the recall, dealers still have a limited window of opportunity to mitigate financial loss in their local stores.

Here are five immediate steps dealerships can take to ride out Toyota's PR nightmare and financial storm this year:

1. Keep Marketing: It's a natural reaction to halt marketing when things look bad. However, this can open the door for more financial problems. When dealers suddenly stop marketing it creates doubt in the mind of the consumer and they get scared off. Instead, it's important to appear active and busy--especially as Ford and GM prepare to step up their advertising campaigns in the near future.

2. Become the "go to" expert for Toyota customers by writing, speaking and keeping people up to date on the latest developments: Dealers can calm fears in the marketplace by directly addressing consumer fears and concerns regarding Toyota's vehicle lineup. Providing information in the form of special reports, telephone call-in lines and informational videos posted to their blog will be a extremely useful tool. Fear is a major problem in situations like these. It will be a crucial time for the brand and making people feel more comfortable and confident with their decisions will be critical. This additional confidence will translate into sales and service business.

3. Be available for the local press. Positioning yourself as a resource and advisor for the local media outlets and the local community so everyone can fully understand the situation. This will help take some heat off Toyota and give you the spotlight.

4. Dealers can use their influence to hold local informational seminars for the local residents to get their questions answered: Open and honest communication will be the key to helping customers and prospects feel comfortable with Toyota. After they clean up the recall mess that is.

5. Use social media platforms to communicate and educate your community: Facebook, Twitter, blogs and video are a great way to open dialogue and engage consumers on their own turf. Social media is the cheapest, easiest and fastest way for dealers to stay on top of questions from the community and become a trusted resource in the face of Toyota's current storm."

Jimmy Vee and Travis Miller are the preeminent marketing consultants to the automotive industry and the authors of the best selling book Gravitational Marketing: The Science of Attracting Customers. They are the founders of the Rich Dealers Institute a Done-For-The-Dealer marketing company that helps car dealers attract customers, increase sales & boost net profit. http://www.AutoMarketingAdvice.com

2010 Toyota 4Runner: Model Lineup Review

2010-02-11T13:03:00.002-05:00

Now on the large side of midsize, this new 4Runner is taller, wider and longer than its predecessor. It's offered in three models: "well-equipped" SR5, top-of-the-line Limited, and Trail grade for maximum off-road capability, all offering up to seven-person capacity with optional third-row seats. Available drivetrains include rear wheel 4x2, part-time 4x4, and full-time "multi-mode" 4x4 with a locking center differential.

All models have wider shoulders and new-design head and taillights. The SR5 also wears overfenders, mudguards and a standard roof rack, and the outside mirrors on V6 models now incorporate turn signals and puddle lamps. The Trail grade has a better approach and departure angles, a higher ground clearance and a wide selection of functional upgrades to optimize its off-road performance, plus front and rear bumper guards, specific wheels, black outside mirrors, a unique hood scoop, and a dark smoke treatment on the front and rear lamps. The Limited and SR5 sport chrome trim on their grille inserts, fog lamp bezels, roof rack, bumper and side moldings, and color-keyed side skirts and overfenders for a more premium appearance.

Rear-drive 2010 4Runners offer a choice of a 157-hp 2.7-liter four with a 4-speed automatic or a 270-hp 4.0-liter V6 coupled to a 5-speed automatic, while all 4x4 models get the V6/five-speed combo. With advanced engine management that includes Toyota's dual independent Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), this new V6 pumps out 34 more horses than the previous V6 and 10 more than the previously available V8. Yet (partly thanks to the new body's somewhat slipperier shape) its EPA fuel economy improves from 16 mpg city/21 highway to 17/23 for 4x2s and from 16/20 to 17/22 for 4x4 models. And both achieve 19-mpg EPA combined ratings, about a five percent better than last year. The standard VVT-i 4-cylinder in the SR5 4x2 is EPA rated at 18 mpg city/23 highway.

SR5 and Trail 4x4 models have a two-speed part-time system with a manual lever, while the Limited packs full-time four-wheel drive with a locking center differential. Toyota's A-TRAC system, standard on all 4x4 models, can distribute driving force to any one wheel in contact with the ground, and the Trail grade has an electronic-locking rear differential. An automatic LSD (Limited Slip Differential) provides improved slick-road traction on 4x2 models.

The Trail grade also offers: 1) standard Crawl Control (CRAWL), which can be tuned to match the terrain by choosing one of five speed levels; 2) a Multi-Terrain Select system that allows the driver to dial in wheel slip control to match the terrain; and 3) optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which improves terrain-following ability by disconnecting the stabilizer bars for better suspension articulation and more axle travel in slow, difficult terrain. All 4x4 4Runners have Downhill Assist Control (DAC) for steep descents and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) to keep the vehicle stationary while starting on a steep incline.

For improved on-road handling, the Limited features an X-REAS suspension system that automatically adjusts shock-damping force in corners and on rough surfaces. It also uses a center control damper to cross-link shocks on opposite corners to substantially reduce pitch and yaw. As a result, the Limited corners and handles choppy pavement surprisingly well. The 2010 4Runner's Star Safety System includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with traction control (TRAC), an Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. In addition go active headrests for the driver and front passenger, its eight standard airbags includes front, side-mounted and knee bags and side curtain bags for the second and third rows.

The instrument cluster houses speedometer, tachometer, voltage, fuel and temperature gauges and a multi-function meter. Major controls are large and industrial looking, suitable for a working truck that will be driven while wearing gloves. Off-road control switches are easily organized on an overhead console. Water-resistant fabric seats are standard on Trail models, while leather is standard on Limited and optional on SR5. The Limited also has Smart Key keyless entry with push-button start and automatic dual-zone climate control.

The front seats have a greater range of adjustment than before, and the sculpted front seatbacks increase second-row knee room. The second-row seats recline up to 16 degrees, and (available) third-row access is improved with a one-touch walk-in function. The 40/20/40 second-row and 50/50 third-row seats fold flat, the former without removing their headrests, the latter using convenient one-touch mechanisms on their sides, or at the rear. Another great convenience feature is an available slide-out cargo deck that doubles as sheltered outside seating (for up to 440 pounds) and comes with a 6.4-liter storage box behind the rear seat.

The base SR5 8-speaker AM/FM/CD audio gets upgraded on the Trail grade with MP3 capability, integrated XM Satellite Radio (with a 90-day trial subscription), a USB port with iPod connectivity steering wheel controls and Bluetooth hands-free phone and music streaming capability. An optional 15-speaker JBL premium system has a six-disk CD changer and a way cool Party Mode setting that raises the bass and transfers equalization to the rear for tailgating.

Although the full-frame, truck-based SUV market has dramatically shrunk due to fuel economy concerns, this versatile and relatively fuel efficient new 4Runner may be an excellent choice for those who still want or need one, especially for serious off-road usage.

autoMedia.com, provides automotive information designed to inform, enlighten and entertain the most discriminating car enthusiast. Serving consumers automotive advice they can trust, learn more about the 2010 Toyota 4Runner, including detail specifications, safety features and warranty information, along with details on all Toyota models, go to http://www.automedia.com

So You Bought a Lemon: What Do You Do Now?

2010-01-27T19:44:00.000-05:00

By: Ryan Frank

Even some new cars roll off assembly lines loaded with defects.
While some can be easily fixed, others become consistent
problems. If you bought a lemon, you should be aware that most
U.S. jurisdictions have a lemon law of some type. The process
may not be fast or easy, and most require extensive
documentation for everything related to your vehicle. The ordeal
may prove frustrating, but nothing compared to being stranded
with a new car.

You'll probably cry lemon before your vehicle really qualifies
for a manufacturer buyout, though. A balky heater, strange
rattling or a malfunctioning CD player don't put you in the
lemon category.

Brakes that don't work, malfunctioning gears, not enough drive
to hit highway speeds, or a car that doesn't start in cold
weather could mean a real lemon. If the car can't be fixed, you
just may have yourself a case.

What Qualifies as a Lemon?

Any persistent defect that substantially impairs the use, value
or safety of a vehicle can make a lemon. If your substantial
defect can't be fixed in 4 attempts, you've got a lemon. If your
car is at the dealer for 30 days and still can't be fixed, you
better be prepared to stand in the lemon-aid line.

Attempt to Fix the Problem

Before you can qualify for most state lemon laws, the
manufacturer must first be given an opportunity to repair the
vehicle and it must still be under warranty. If you bought a
vehicle from a private party and the vehicle is under warranty,
you are still covered by lemon laws.

Check the Lemon Laws of Your State

The lemon laws in each state work differently. Find out more
about California lemon law rules. Note how many times you've
attempted to fix the problem, as each state has different
requirements. Document every detail of the problem.

Most Cases are Successful

Some companies may make the process a hassle, but most will give
you a new vehicle if necessary. Few lemon cases require an
attorney. A car maker wants your next business, so in most cases
they are willing to negotiate for your satisfaction. Make your
case and be persistent.

About the author:
Ryan Frank is an avid writer and blogger living in San Diego,
CA.

Ford Takes Top Honors At Detroit Auto Show

2010-01-12T21:50:00.000-05:00

Say Goodbye To Saturn

2009-09-30T23:12:00.001-04:00

No more Saturn automobiles. The deal with Roger Penske has fallen through.

This from AP:

GM to shut down Saturn after Penske walks away

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors Co. said Wednesday it would shut down its Saturn brand after an agreement with Penske Automotive Group Inc. to acquire it fell apart.

Penske, citing concerns of whether it could continue to supply vehicles after a manufacturing contract with GM ran out, ended talks with GM Wednesday to acquire the brand.

GM CEO Fritz Henderson said in statement that Saturn and its dealership network will be phased out.

In a statement, the Bloomfield Hills, Michigan-based auto retailer says an agreement with another manufacturer to continue producing Saturn vehicles after GM stopped making them fell through, leading Penske to terminate talks with GM.

Cash for Clunkers Stimulus - Good or Bad, You Decide

2009-07-28T00:48:00.000-04:00

By: Billy Blake

Cash for Clunkers Stimulus is the latest shot at getting
rid of the old gas blowing clunkers that are on the streets. Do
you have a clunker that you think you'd like to get rid of?

Well if you do, then you can get between $3,500 - $5,000 off the
sticker price of a brand new car!

Cash
for Clunkers

However there are certain boxes you, or rather your car, has to
tick to make qualify for the Cash for Clunkers Stimulus.

1) Your car must be more than 8 years old, but less than 25
years old.

2) Your car has to be scrapped once you trade it in - no trading
in and then getting your clunker back!

3) Your car must get an average MPG of 18 to the gallon!

4) Only one discount per person - so you can't bring along two
cars and try and get up to $10,000 on the Cash for Clunkers
Stimulus.

Also worth point out is that it is the Dealer's duty to claim
back the discount from the Government, it is not your job to
fill in paperwork and try and recoup the discount you receive.
Leave that to the dealer.

The Cash for Clunkers Stimulus is set to run until November 1st
or until the set aside cash runs out.

So if you have always wanted a new car, then if you have a
qualifying vehichle then now is the best time to get down to
your local dealer and make the deal!

About the author:
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GM Bankruptcy -- How Safe Is Your Factory GM Warranty?

2009-05-04T13:00:00.000-04:00

By: Justin Reynold

As a GM bankruptcy begins to become a very real, near term
possibility, I'm asked by many of my customers how this may
potentially affect their factory GM warranty. Will their
coverage be good tomorrow or will it be wiped out by the
bankruptcy?

When I was first asked these questions, I would have to admit
that I was a little tongued tied and unsure of an appropriate
response. Now, having given it much thought and after doing some
research, I have come to the conclusion that there are three key
factors to consider regarding the future coverage of a customers
GM warranty.

1) GM Would Never Recover

If GM were to hang hundreds, thousands and/or millions of
consumers out to dry, by not honoring their new car warranty,
then they would quite simply, Never Recover!

If that many consumers were to be "burned," GM would have the
near impossible task of rebuilding trust and credibility with
millions of consumers. With the already floundering sales of GM
products, a loss of even 20% of their loyal customer base would
be financially crippling.

2) Politicians and The Egg On Their Face

Our beloved politicians in Washington and their "To Big To Fail"
motto would not and could not let a GM bankruptcy negate the
coverage provided by the factory GM warranty.

They have simply invested too much tax payers money into GM at
this point and it would be a multi-billion dollar blunder that
would, more than likely, cost them their prized re-election next
term.

3) Treasury Departments Warranty Commitment Program

Source: WhiteHouse.gov 03/30/2009

For any new GM vehicles purchased during the GM bankruptcy
and/or restructuring period all factory GM warranty coverages
will be honored.

A reserve account will be established, and run by a third party
program administrator, in which 125% of expected warranty
service costs will be held. 15% of those funds will be provided
by the manufacturer and 110% will be provided by the US Treasury.

In the event that GM were to go out of business, then the US
Government would identify a qualified third party warranty
service provider to assume responsibility for all of General
Motors warranties covered by the program, in exchange for the
assets of the program.

Summary

I'm not a betting man, okay maybe a little, but I'd be willing
to bet that a GM bankruptcy will have absolutely no adverse
affects on existing factory GM warranty coverage and/or any
future sales of new GM cars, trucks and SUV's.

The GM new car warranty coverage is one of the best coverages
available and if you are currently covered, or will be with a
new purchase, then I think it's safe for you sleep well at
night, because your coverage will be good tomorrow.

About the author:
Justin has nearly twelve years experience in the car business
and is currently employed as a Finance Manager. For the best car
buying, selling and general automotive advice visit:=>
http://www.insider-car-buying-tips.com

GM CEO Gone

2009-03-30T12:24:00.001-04:00

From the Wall Street Journal:

The Obama administration used the threat of withholding more bailout money to force out General Motors Corp. Chief Executive Rick Wagoner and administer harsh medicine to Chrysler LLC, marking one of the most dramatic government interventions in private industry since the economic crisis began last year.

The administration's auto team announced the departure of Mr. Wagoner on Sunday. In a summary of its findings, the task force added that it doesn't believe Chrysler is viable as a stand-alone company, and suggested that the best chance for success for both GM and Chrysler "may well require utilizing the bankruptcy code in a quick and surgical way."

The move also indicates that the Treasury Department intends to wade more deeply than most observers expected into the affairs of the country's largest and oldest car company.

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Tesla Model S

2009-03-26T19:49:00.004-04:00

Tesla Motors announced details of the Tesla Model S electric vehicle today.
Here's the specs:

seven-seater
0 to 60 MPH in 5.6 seconds
top speed of 120 MPH
dashboard display and a 17-inch main touchscreen monitor
sports HD and satellite radio
LED and neon exterior lights
push button gear selector
160 miles per charge
$49,900 base price

2010 Chevrolet Camaro Introduction

2009-03-22T21:26:00.000-04:00

Environmentally Friendly Cars

2008-10-06T16:54:00.000-04:00

Environmentally Friendly Cars - Hybrid Cars the Road Warriors of
Tomorrow

By: Joey Lee

You are an environmentally friendly person and have all the
correct reasons to want to buy a Hybrid car. But buying hybrid
cars can be a little more complicated than that. The
complication is not whether to buy Hybrid cars but more on which
to choose from, given the maze of hybrid cars currently in the
market.

But just like in any purchasing process, there are certain
considerations to be made before you could narrow down with your
choices.

The Hybrid Car - A More Intelligent Vehicle. The nature
of hybrid cars, or hybrid electric vehicle, HEV has two energy
sources for its engines, namely electric and combustion. In an
ordinary scenario, like cruising along the highway, the Hybrid
car generally runs on one or the other of the sources, until the
driver needs more power such as greater acceleration. When this
happened, the two engines will operate in unison. Hybrid HEV
cars are low emission, fuel efficient, and this is one of the
key considerations when buying hybrid cars.

Another beauty of hybrid cars are is that they recharge their
batteries while being driven. This literally removes the
necessity of plugging the car for electricity. Unlike pure
electric cars, which need to be plugged into wall sockets to be
recharged.

Speak The Lingo. Prospective buyers should attempt to
achieve some level of understanding with terms related in buying
hybrid cars. For instance, according to the California Air
Resources Board, Ultra Low-Emission Vehicle is a car with 50
percent cleaner emission and a Super Ultra Low-Emission Vehicle
emits 90 % cleaner. There are zero-emission cars however, are
purely electric vehicles, not hybrid cars. But pure electric
cars are currently still rather cost ineffective and impractical
for full scale production.

Your Lifestyle and Travel Needs. When buying hybrid
cars, you should consider your work and home locations. Most
Hybrid cars are made for urban or suburban travel. Short trips
are most suitable for fuel savings, when hybrid cars are using
electric engines at low RPMs. Conversely, driving on a highway
or interstate travel wonâ?Tt see much of the expected fuel
reduction.

When is the Price Right. The other consideration for
consumer before finally buying hybrid cars is the cost. Hybrid
cars, are priced higher than gas-powered counterparts due to the
fact that production of hybrid cars are still in low numbers and
has more mechanically complex to build. But bear in mind that
the upfront higher cost of your hybrid will be eventually offset
over the long term by fuel saving due to higher fuel efficiency.

Tax Incentives Helps. Buying hybrid cars at present is
encouraged by the Federal State, due to the long term benefits
of limiting fuel usage. There several tax deduction for new
buyers of hybrid cars. Several cities are offering free parking
as an additional incentive for low-emissions vehicles.

This list of considerations above is by no mean exhaustive. We
have examined the factors from broad perspectives. There is
however, one key criterion you need to seriously consider when
making your buying decision, namely how a Hybrid car fit into
your lifestyle and travelling habits, whether you as an urbanite
or a trans-state person is critical in buying that hybrid car..

While it is a fact that Environmentally friendly hybrid cars
will be the new future vehicles of today's roads, the greater
question is, are you game for it yet?

5 Steps To Buying A New Vehicle

2008-05-21T14:47:00.000-04:00

By: Hunter Taylor

People come up to me all the time as ask me if there really is a
secret to buying a new vehicle and getting the best price. My
answer is always a resounding "YES"! You must first do a few
things that will help you in this quest for a new vehicle. 1. Do
your homework. There are several websites now that will give you
what the dealer's invoice is on that vehicle. Remember that
these costs sometimes do not include freight and other options.
2. Test drive, test drive, test drive. Once you have found the
vehicle that you may be interested in, take it for a test drive.
A test drive should be more than 5 minutes long. One can not
possibly know how the vehicle will effect their backs, legs, and
shoulders on a five minute test drive. Let the salesperson know
that you would like to take it on a extended test drive. Some
dealerships will even let you take the car overnight. 3. Once
you have decided on the vehicle that you want, be prepared with
what you want to pay and what you can afford. Most people get
themselves in trouble by getting a payment far more than they
can afford because they are keeping up with the neighbors.
Decide on a payment and stick to it. Maybe you really do not
need that sunroof. 4. If you have a trade in, make sure you know
what that car is worth. There are also several websites that
will give you an estimate to what your vehicle is worth. Be
honest with your evaluation. Do not expect to pay wholesale for
the dealer's vehicle and get retail for yours. 5. Profit is not
a bad word. The dealers have on average a $20,000 investment
that they are paying interest on. Would you want to make $400 on
a $20,000 investment that you have had for an average of 45
days? And then pay a commission on top of that? Probably not. If
dealers let you walk out the door in today's economy, you know
that they are not making any money.

Other ideas: Try to buy as close to the end of the month as
possible. Dealers are more likely to take a smaller deal to get
another vehicle sold. They may have objectives they need to
reach.

Rebates do go away and they are not always better.

Do not go into a dealership with a chip on your shoulder. You
will ALWAYS get a better deal if you do not treat the
salesperson has if they have no idea what is going on.

I hope this helps you in your quest to buying a new vehicle. It
really is an easy process once you have determined the vehicle
you want, the fair price you will pay, and the fair value of
your trade.

About the author:
Mr. Taylor has been in the retail car business for over 20
years. He is currently the General Manager of a major new
vehicle franchise.

Eight Gas-Saving Tips

2008-05-21T14:32:00.000-04:00

By:Tom Simmons

It is no secret that gas prices have been shooting higher and
higher with no visible end in sight. Here are a few pointers on
how to save the amount of gas you use daily without resorting to
taking a bicycle onto the expressway.

1. Engine Warm-Up : 30-45 Seconds, Max You don't need incredibly
extensive amounts of time to warm up your engine when 45 seconds
will do. Any longer, and you are doing nothing more than wasting
gas.

2. Buy Gasoline When It Is Coldest Outside By purchasing
gasoline at the coolest point of the day, you are getting the
most gas for your buck. Cold air causes fuel to become denser
than it is at warmer points of the day. Gas pumps only measure
the volume of liquid gasoline you put into your car. They don't
measure the concentration.

3. Drive the Speed Limit Not only does the speed limit help
ensure your safety, but by exceeding it you waste more gas. And,
if you are worried about getting somewhere on time, traffic
lights are programmed based on the amount of time it would take
to reach one if you were driving the speed limit. That means you
are more likely to hit all greens if you keep your pace
consistent and at the limit.

4. Avoid Rough Roads Driving on gravel or dirt can slow down
your vehicle and therefore require more gas to get over. Keep on
paved roads whenever possible.

5. The Shortest Distance If you have to travel far every day,
find the best route to get you there using the least gas. Turns
and corners all require more gas, so the straightest route you
can find is probably the best one.

6. Drive Steadily Slowing down or speeding up wastes fuel. Keep
your speed consistent.

7. Use Your Environment to Your Advantage Don't use gas if you
can get a little help from Mother Nature. When approaching a
hill, accelerate before you reach it, that way you can let the
slope glide you down without having to put your foot on the
pedal.

8. Keep Your Car Light Extra weight causes your car to do more
work and use up more gasoline. Keep your car empty of any
superfluous objects to ensure the best mileage. In the winter,
clear out any icicles that form at the bottom of your car, since
they can create up to 100 pounds of extra weight.

About the author:
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designed for both ease of use and high-quality repairs.

The Year Of The PT Cruiser

2008-01-28T14:10:00.000-05:00

By: Jim Harris

The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a typically American "retro"-styled
station wagon or hatchback built by Chrysler, launched in 2000
as the entry-level Chrysler. Still a hot seller in its second
season, the PT Cruiser got newly optional flame accent decals
for the hood and front fenders. Famous for its retro looks,
Chrysler's PT Cruiser combines this unmistakably classic look
with modern performance, efficiency, and features. PT Cruiser's
throwback design helps it stand out from the crowd while its
ambitious engine helps you get away from one. During it's
conception, PT stood for Personal Transportation, and the
four-door Cruiser provided precisely that--plus a lot of
enthusiastic responses from other motorists on the road. The PT
Cruiser was on Car and Driver's Ten Best list for 2001 and won
the North American Car of the Year award that year.

The PT Cruiser was originally meant to be a Plymouth, before
Chrysler's merger with Daimler-Benz. The look was refined, and
in 1998, another Plymouth concept called the Chrysler Pronto
Cruizer directly previewed the styling of the PT Cruiser. The PT
Cruiser also bears a resemblance in size and shape to the 1997
Chrysler CCV prototype.

Indeed, Chrysler specifically designed the PT Cruiser to fit the
NHTSA criteria for a light truck in order to bring the average
fuel efficiency of the company's light truck fleet into
compliance with CAFE standards. Inside the PT Cruiser you'll
find a spacious and versatile cabin with a retro-themed dash.
While the body style remains remarkably consistent from year to
year, there are actually multiple models of the PT Cruiser,
designated by unique badges in the lower left hand corner of the
rear lift-gate. The Chrysler PT Cruiser has good handling, fits
in a small parking space, and holds full-sized adults and their
luggage in comfort. The automatic transmission in Chrysler's PT
Cruiser can only be used with Type 7176 transmission fluid.

For those who were shopping for a low-priced wagon or
convertible that offers extra style and can handle a steady
stream of passengers and cargo, the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser was
definitely worth a look. The PT Cruiser convertible doesn't
offer quite the utility as the wagon, but there is a
pass-through from the trunk and the backseat is still plenty
roomy for a pair of adults. The convertible version of
Chrysler's 2008 PT Cruiser comes standard with a 5-speed manual
transmission but can be upgraded to a 4-speed automatic. The PT
Cruiser Convertible was later discontinued on December 21, 2007
as part of Chrysler's owner, Cerberus Capital Management' plan
to cut costs by discontinuing several Dodge and Chrysler models.
Early Cruisers were recalled to add child seat information to
the manuals.

Despite a post-redesign drop in sales, the PT Cruiser is the
Chrysler brand's third best selling model, with 99,585 sales in
2007 and 138,650 sales in 2006. The 2008 PT Cruiser Convertible
is a 2-door, 4-passenger convertible, available in one trim
only, the Base. For hauling cargo, the wagon version of the PT
Cruiser excels. Turbo-equipped Touring and Limited Cruisers come
standard with the automatic, while the GT can take either a
manual or automatic. The Chrysler PT Cruiser itself will be
dropped after the 2009 model year, meaning that production will
most likely stop in 2008.

About the author:
Jim Harris is president of Elite Search Engine Marketing specializing in
SEO/SEM. Let us show you we can efficiently and affordably
administer a quality search engine marketing campaign for you as
we have for Autoserv Tilton.

Plug-In Prius: Work In Progress

2007-10-25T12:46:00.000-04:00

By: Anthony Fontanelle

The Toyota Motor Corp. is intensifying its commitment in the
production of hybrids and environment-friendly auto technology.
The Japanese automaker's latest venture is the plug-in version
of its iconic Prius.

Under high-load situations such as high-speed roads, Prius PHEV,
the petrol engine will operate alike, leaving the car with the
same aptitude to go faster and use freeways. Current converted
Prius also operate in a high speed blended mode which can reduce
but not eliminate petrol consumption on the freeway.

When driving in slower conditions or other light loads, the
batteries will be used first in a charge-depleting mode,
allowing moderate commutes at low speeds to be driven entirely
on electricity. Once the batteries have been sufficiently
discharged the car will automatically revert back to the
charge-sustaining mode of the present Prius. Safe lithium-based
batteries will be available, slashing all risk of run-away
thermal conditions as seen in some laptop computer batteries.

Hybrids such as the present Prius use a conventional gasoline
engine as their primary source of power. A tiny, battery-powered
electric motor powers the car for very short distances at low
speeds and offers extra power at higher speeds. Toyota Prius is
the highest miles-per-gallon rating of any mass-produced car in
the United States.

One of the lucky auto journalists invited by the manufacturer of
Toyota 4x4 parts to test drive the
plug-in Prius is Martin Zimmerman of the Los Angeles Times.

Zimmerman writes: I had to go to Japan to do it, but I finally
got my hands on a plug-in hybrid. So with the automotive media
in town this week for the Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota perhaps
decided it was opportune to demonstrate it has been spending
time and money finding ways to replace the environmental
disaster that is the internal combustion engine - and has the
sheet metal to prove it. Which is how I came to be at a Toyota
test track near the foot of Mt. Fuji, surrounded by engineers,
interpreters, PR types and about half a dozen plug-in Priuses -
cars that may have a lot to say about how we get around in the
future.

According to Zimmerman, the plug-in hybrids were equipped with
nickel-metal hydride battery packs about twice the size of the
ones in the current-generation Prius. The reason is to simulate
the extra power the automaker intends to get from lithium ion
batteries. At present, the latter are the leading choice among
automakers for providing the power needed to move plug-in
hybrids appreciable distances on electricity alone.

"A second test drive in a different test car resulted in the
kind of torque-y acceleration electric motors are known for,
speeding smoothly and quickly up to 50 mph or so, at which point
an extra dose of throttle caused the gas engine to kick in -- as
expected. And this time, almost as soon as the pressure was
eased on the gas pedal, the car went back into electric-only
operation as it was supposed to," Zimmerman narrated.

"Truth be told, I think I was a bit spoiled by the hydrogen
fuel-cell Toyota Highlander I tried out just before the Prius
test runs. The mid-size sport utility vehicle, powered solely by
an electric motor, displayed very un-SUV-like oomph as I pushed
it past 50 mph. It was smooth as silk and brimming with torque,"
he concluded.

About the author:
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up
in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive
magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Chrysler Introduces 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4

2007-10-11T16:39:00.000-04:00

Street and Racing Technology (SRT), Chrysler's high performance
tuning division is adding up a new item on their product lineup
with the release of the all new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 equipped
with a powertrain unit that is capable of pumping out 285
horsepower. This model will be the most powerful entry in the
segment, according to Chrysler LLC.

Kipp Owen, Director of SRT Engineering for Chrysler commented:
"The all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 achieves the SRT mission of
offering benchmark performance for the best price. With 285
horsepower under the hood, the Dodge Caliber SRT4 is a
world-class entry in the sport-compact market."

Under the hood of the all new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 comes a
2.4-liter DOHC I-4 Turbo World Engine that pumps out 285
horsepower and 265 lb. ft. of peak torque. This engine comes
with high-temperature Inconel exhaust valves, Dual VVT, and
high-flow pump feeding injectors. In addition, the engine is
mated with an electronically tuned Brake Lock Differential and
Getrag DMT-6 six-speed transmission to complete the powertrain
components.

"The all-new 2.4-liter turbocharged World Engine delivers a
level of power you'd expect from a V-8. With the engine in the
all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4, we were able to take advantage
of tried-and-true performance improvements, such as increased
cylinder-head flow and higher compression ratio, as well as
newer technologies such as Variable Valve Timing (VVT)." said
Pete Gladysz, Senior Manager - SRT Powertrain.

The all new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 also features a front
suspension lowered by 28 mm and independent MacPherson strut
setup with ZF Sachs twin-tube dampers tuned, along with 210
lbs./inch springs. Other technical features found on the 2008
Dodge Caliber SRT4 include unique rear 18 mm sway bar to reduces
understeer, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Dodge spark plug wire,
rack-and-pinion power steering tuned by SRT, 340 x 28mm vented
front rotors with 57mm twin-piston aluminum front calipers, 302
x 10mm rear rotors with 35mm piston calipers, and Anti-lock
Braking System (ABS).

Like all other tuned up models from SRT, the 2008 Dodge Caliber
SRT4 also embodies aggressive and sporty characteristics. Some
exterior design cues include functional brake cooling ducts,
larger grille opening, unique hood with functional air scoop,
large integrated spoiler above the rear glass, Dodge crosshair
grille, fog lamps set into the fascia, lower side-sill moldings,
single 4-inch exhaust tip, Center High-mounted Stop Light
(CHMSL), and SRT-unique 19-inch cast-aluminum wheels that
wrapped with 225/45 R 19 W-rated Goodyear four-season tires.
Customers can also choose the optional 19-inch polished
cast-aluminum wheels covered with 225/45 R 19 W-rated Goodyear
F1 Supercar three-season tires.

Moreover, Chrysler offers four exterior colors for the all new
2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 including Brilliant Black, Sunburst
Orange, Bright Silver and Inferno Red.

Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President for Design commented: "From
the very first sketches of the all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4,
we wanted an aggressive, SRT-signature look. For example,
because the intercooler is positioned so high behind the front
grille, we moved the fascia slightly forward and extended the
walls of the grille. The result is a much more aggressive look
than the standard Dodge Caliber. Exterior design that works as
well as it looks is a requirement for all SRT vehicles. The hood
design includes the functionality of bringing cool air in and
getting hot air out."

Inside, the all new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 is equipped with a
wide range of interior features inspired by Dodge's motor sports
division. These including unique SRT touches like sport seating
with aggressive bolstering and performance fabric inserts,
leather-wrapped steering wheel, unique "alloy silver" finish on
the instrument panel and shift bezel, bright aluminum pedal
pads, leather boot with a carbon-fiber pattern, leather-finished
shifter knob and cap with a bright chrome finish, standard AM-FM
radio with a multi-disc CD changer control, and an available
SRT-engineered Kicker high-performance audio system with 13
speakers and 322-watt amplifier and 200-watt subwoofer. Only
Dark Slate Gray interior color is available for the all-new 2008
Dodge Caliber SRT4.

Creed added: "The Dodge Caliber interior is unique with
sophisticated and contemporary appointments. When we enhanced it
with SRT cues, we followed design themes that had been
successful with the previous Dodge SRT4, including the graphic
design of the instruments, separate boost gauge, and silver
finish on the center stack and interior trim. Overall, our
strategy was to infuse the interior with performance-oriented
enhancements to complement the Dodge Caliber SRT4's aggressive
exterior."

And finally, the all-new 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 offers a bunch
of active and passive safety systems to give its occupants the
best protection during car troubles. Safety and security
features include advanced, all-speed traction control,
auto-reverse sun roof, BeltAlert, Crumple Zones,
energy-absorbing steering column, Enhanced Accident Response
System (EARS), height-adjustable seat-belts, HomeLink Universal
Home Security System Transceiver, Inflatable Knee Blocker, Knee
Bolsters, multi-stage air bags, Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren (LATCH), Remote Keyless Entry, seat-belt pretensioners,
sentry key engine immobilizer, supplemental side-curtain air
bags, and Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) system.

Chrysler LLC did not announce the manufacturer's suggested
retail price (MSRP) in their official press release.

About the author:
Evander Klum is a Business Administration graduate who hails
from Alabama. He enjoys extreme sports and he is also a car
racing fanatic. At present, he works as a marketing manager at
an advertising agency in Cleveland.

Car Audio

2007-10-08T00:15:00.001-04:00

When people are talking about car stereo systems – or any stereo systems for that matter – they tend to miss out on the big picture. People focus on one particular aspect of car audio. Usually, it is the speakers. Most people who are getting expensive car audio systems are young people. They want big, loud, and low. The bigger, the louder, and the lower, the better. Although it is possible to get some really tremendous booming sound with car subwoofer speakers, just having the speakers doesn't give you a good car stereo system. If you want really good sound, you can't neglect any aspect of it. The receiver, the speakers, the wiring, and even the car design play some role in it.

I would say that the audio receiver is at least as important as the car speakers. The receiver, you see, is what feeds the signal to the speakers. A good receiver gets you a good clean signal at the right power, impedance, and dynamic levels. This guarantees the sound that you need. The best way to do it this to pick out a combo system incorporating both the speaker and the receivers that you like. Different speakers and receivers have different impedance levels. If the impedance doesn't match between the receiver and speakers, you won't get as high quality sound.

Of course, where you are getting the sound from matters a great deal. Nowadays, the most high fidelity sound comes from MP3 players, iPods, and other similar digital sources. Be aware, however, that not all digital recordings are of the same quality. If you're playing MP3s that you downloaded online, they may have degraded signal quality. This can make them sound lousy no matter how good the rest of your car audio system is.

Finally, we get to the part you've all been waiting for: the car audio speakers. It is not just a matter of getting the right speakers, but getting the right speakers for your particular car. If they don't fit right, they won't sound right. Getting speakers that are too big for the available space is a great way to guarantee lousy sound. Putting them in an area where they will be muffled by your feet, by luggage, or by the car upholstery is another way. Take into account the car design and get speakers that are suitable for it. After all, the car stereo system should work as a whole. Every aspect of the car design should be in tune.

2007 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study

2007-08-16T12:07:00.000-04:00

By: Evander Klum

Every year, J.D. Power and Associates released their Vehicle
Dependability Study or VDS(SM) surveys that showcase problems
that owners of three-year-old vehicles experienced a year before
the survey. The 2007 VDS was based on the responses gathered
from 53,000 verified vehicle owners. The vehicles chosen were
awarded basing on the consumers' feedback in 19 vehicle segments.

The results of the 2007 Vehicle Dependability Study has been
quite amazing especially for the Buick brand the maker of href="http://www.ecatalyticconverter.com/buick-converter.html"
title="Buick catalytic converter">Buick catalytic converter
which has been able to tie with Toyota's Lexus as the most
dependable nameplate. The other winners were Cadillac, Mercury,
and Honda which round up the top five rank positions
respectively.

Comparing to last year's result this year's study has showed
Hummer as the most improved nameplate in the 2007 Vehicle
Dependability Study. The other brand that has shown significant
improvement includes Audi, Jeep, Volvo, Subaru, and Land Rover.
Unfortunately for Land Rover despite its improvement it is still
the lowest ranked brand in the study.

Sad news also for Ford's Japanese subsidiary Mazda, its
dependability performance this year has declined more than any
other brand attributed to the countless consumer-reported
problems with the RX-8 sports car and Mazda3 compact.

The Audi A6 of Volkswagen's luxury division is the most improved
model in this year's study.

With regards to new car sales, it is still the Japanese
carmakers that dominate this department. However in terms of
dependability, General Motors and Ford has obtained the highest
rankings in both midsize and large car segments where the Crown
Victoria and Buick Century have received awards. The study also
shows that Scion and Honda build the highest-ranked small cars.

Not all of the categories in the study were dominated by
Japanese automakers, it is interesting to note that the new
truck sales category was dominated by Detroit's Big 3 but in
terms of dependability more consumers say that its Toyota that
is better in building highest-ranked pickups and multi-activity
vehicles with the exception of the midsize MAV segment in which
the Oldsmobile Bravada is the top ranking.

Basing on the study consumer gives dependability in the areas of
engines, features and controls the highest consideration to
which they based their satisfaction. Also this year's study
shows that satisfaction with interiors has also declined.

According to J.D. Power and Associates the 2004 Initial Quality
Study is reflected three years later in the 2007 Vehicle
Dependability Study and has become an important gauge on how a
vehicle will perform in terms of long-term quality.

Category

Sub-Compact Car: Scion xA Compact Car: Honda Civic Compact
Sporty Car: Mazda Miata Midsize Sporty Car: Chevy SSR/Ford
Mustang (tie) Midsize Car: Buick Century Large Car: Ford Crown
Victoria Compact Premium Sporty Car: Honda S2000 Entry Premium
Car: Infiniti I35 Midsize Premium Car: Lexus LS 430 Premium
Sporty Car: Lexus SC 430 Compact SUV: Toyota RAV4 Midsize SUV:
Oldsmobile Bravada Large SUV: Toyota Sequoia Large Pickup:
Toyota Tundra Midsize Pickup: Toyota Tacoma Van: Oldsmobile
Silhouette Midsize Premium SUV: Lexus GX 470 Large Premium SUV:
Lexus LX 470

About the author:
Evander Klum is a Business Administration graduate who hails
from Alabama. He enjoys extreme sports and he is also a car
racing fanatic. At present, he works as a marketing manager at
an advertising agency in Cleveland.

How To Improve Gas Mileage

2007-07-18T16:43:00.000-04:00

It is impossible to pick up a news paper, turn on the radio or television, or to listen to office conversation without hearing about the high price of gasoline. Every where you turn people are talking about the impact that the high gas prices is having on their household budget. Many people have to find a way to adjust their budgets to accommodate for the rising costs.

Many people are asking the question of how to improve gas mileage on their vehicles and others are purchasing more economical cars. There are some practical things that can be done to decrease the number of trips that are made to the pump. One of the simplest answers to how to improve gas mileage is simply to drive less. Incorporate errands so you are not making as many trips car pool and ride share as often as possible. If there are short trips try walking or riding a bike. Young drivers are often hard on gas mileage because they do not drive at a consistent rate of speed. Talk to your young drivers about accelerating slowly and driving the speed limit. Another answer to how to improve gas mileage is to make sure that you have proper inflation in your tires. Check on your tires to make sure that they are filled to the manufactured suggested amount of pressure. Tires that are under inflated can reduce gas mileage by up to 20%.

My children have been complaining that they need to contribute more money to the family car than they have in the past. This reduces the amount of money that they have to spend. My husband and I had a conversation with them regarding how to improve gas mileage and also to reduce the number of miles they drive by ride sharing and using other modes of transportation. I also thought that it was good for them to realize the larger scope of the increase in the gas prices. I had them come to the grocery store with me and I explained how much fruits and vegetables have gone up because of the higher cost of shipping as well as running the farm equipment that is needed to produce the food. They were surprised at how much the price of gas affects all aspects of our economy. We talked about needing to make choices about which trips are essential and which ones can wait until they can be incorporated with other errands. I think they are learning a good lesson through the rise of gas prices. It is easier to get them to listen when they are feeling the affects in the amount of money that is in their wallets.

Best Used Cars - The Secrets Dealers Are Hiding Form You!

2007-07-16T17:44:00.001-04:00

By: Glen Crawford

Finding the best used cars is not as simple as looking for the
biggest and flashiest advertising, or the car yard that has the
most used cars for sale. There are quite a few issues that will
indicate whether you are dealing with a reputable firm.

Used cars dealers are governed by a standard which is set by the
Federal Trade Commission. This applies through all states of the
US except Maine and Wisconsin who have their own used cars laws.
You are deemed a used cars dealer if you sell more than five
vehicles over a 12 month period.

The used cars dealers have a responsibility to display a buyer's
guide on all of their vehicles for sale. This has to be in a
prominent position and ideally should be posted alongside the
'for sale' sign. This information is now required by law and
offers information aimed at protecting the buying from
unscrupulous dealers.

The guide will also provide the name and address of the used
cars dealer together with their full contact details. This is
essential should there be any problems that have to be dealt
with in the future. It also shows the buyer that the dealer is
fully accountable and trustworthy and is available to address
any customer concerns.

Used cars dealers must also indicate important information in
the buyer's guide in accordance with the National Automobile
Dealers Association used car guide such as the following:
Information that would tell if the vehicle comes with a warranty
or not; The different services that the car dealer could offer;
Other promises that must be put into writing; The various
mechanical and electrical systems; Which parts of the used car
should the buyer watch out for; A reminder for the buyer to look
for an independent mechanic to handle inspection of the used car
for sale before he makes the final decision.

A used car by definition is one that has been previously titled
before. This covers all vehicles whether commercial or for
private use, and also includes dealer's demonstrator cars and
program cars. The information about the car must be displayed on
the vehicle before it is advertised for sale.

More and more buyers are finding the best used cars dealer
online. This certainly is a more relaxed way of looking for used
cars, and you have the advantage of seeing what's available from
many different locations. There are some websites that work for
a group of used cars dealers so you have the advantage of being
able to see a broad range of vehicles all at once.

When searching the web all you are required to do is to provide
the details such as model, make and price and these are then
forwarded to the dealers who are a member of the group. Any of
the dealers who can match the requirements are then given the
contact details to the buyer. This is proving to be a very
efficient and easy way for both parties to negotiate.

There are many advantages when dealing with these networks of
dealers. For instance they will be legitimate and must have the
relevant used car dealer's license. This will also mean that
they will provide all the proper documents for the sale. Finding
the best used cars dealers may also mean that you will be able
to get the best possible deal.

After the initial online searches, the buyer will usually visit
the used cars dealers in person. This is also the time for more
haggling on price to get the best deal. It is also the time to
establish the warranty period, and to see all the relevant
paperwork relating to the vehicle.

About the author:
Best
used cars are easy to locate if you know where to search.
Glen Crawford's website UsedCars-Latest.com
demonstrates the newest dealers tricks.You can get a unique
content version of this article.

Top 5 Tips For Buying A Used Car

2007-07-02T21:21:00.001-04:00

By: Louis Rix

While you can get a great bargain by purchasing a second hand
car you can also get nothing more than an old banger if you
don't take care. When it comes to purchasing a second hand car
from a private dealer there are different rules than if you
bought from an established dealer. One of the biggest
differences are your consumer rights - or lack of them.

While there are many honest and trustworthy people out there
selling used cars there are also some "dodgy" characters and of
course sometimes it is hard to tell the difference. One of the
best tips when buying a car from a private dealer is to pay a
small fee to have a car data check carried out. This will check
such things as the previous owner of the car, mileage data
associated with the vehicle and if there are any problems
relating to finance or insurance.

When going to look at a second hand car sold by a private buyer
you should consider taking someone with you who knows about
cars. If you don't have someone who knows enough about cars and
what to look for when buying second hand then it could save you
money and heartache in the long run if you were to pay a
mechanic to go and look over the car with you before committing
yourself to purchasing it.

When buying privately make sure that you learn as much as you
can about the make and model of the particular car that you are
going to look over. Do an online search through used cars for
the model and make sure that you have a very good idea of what
that particular make and model is selling for.

When buying privately always make sure that you go and look over
the car in daylight. If the seller is wary of letting you do
this then it is very likely that they have something to hide.
The seller should be able to answer all your questions willingly
about the history of the car. If they tell you they don't know
or are unsure because they are selling the car for a friend or
relative then you should stay clear and look elsewhere. They
should also be able to provide you with all the necessary
documentation relating to the cars history.

If you are buying from a dealer then be aware of all the added
extras which they could try to entice you with and ask yourself
if you really need them. Also be careful when it comes to taking
any payment protection insurance associated with any car finance
through them as this can boost the price up drastically of the
car.

About the author:
MotorCarLoans offers a free to use and independent service for
car finance and car loans. We also provide car
insurance as well as other car-related products such as
breakdown cover, gap insurance, car warranty, as well as useful
articles.

Toyota Tundra Joining the List of America's Most Popular

2007-06-30T20:26:00.000-04:00

By: Kaye Leery

An automotive sales index online has identified the Toyota
Tundra as one of the best-selling vehicles built in America and
its partly attributed to the new Toyota Motor Manufacturing
Texas Inc. plant in San Antonio.

And for the first time, the Tundra which was built at the
facilities in Princeton, Ind., and San Antonio with parts made
like the Toyota control arm
bushing kits primarily in American factories has finally
made it into Cars.com's American Made Index.

Every year the American Made Index identifies the top 10 models
of vehicles that are in essence American and that pertains to
where parts are produced and also with regards to the vehicles
popularity among cars.com buyers.

So far the top produced "American" vehicle according to the
index is the Ford F-150 which is primarily assembled in
Claycomo, Mo., and Dearborn, Mich. The Toyota Camry on the other
hand which is assembled in Georgetown, Ky., and Lafayette, Ind.,
ranked second only.

The Fort Wayne Ind., and Pontiac, Mich.-built Chevrolet
Silverado 1500 ranked third while the Lordstown, Ohio-built
Chevrolet Cobalt ranked fourth and the Wayne, Mich.-built Ford
Focus ranked fifth.

Toyota's Tundra came in at 10th place on the list. The
Chicago-based cars.com works with more than 200 newspapers,
television stations and their Web sites to buy and sell new and
used vehicles.

Cars.com is a division of Classified Ventures LLC which is a
company owned by media conglomerates Belo Corp., Gannett Co.
Inc., The McClatchy Co., Tribune Co., and The Washington Post Co.

About Toyota

Toyota is a Japanese multinational corporation and the world's
largest automaker by sales revenue as of 2007 toppling General
Motors in the position. Together with its half-owned subsidiary
Daihatsu, the company was the second largest auto company by
revenue of $179 billion and total vehicle production, making it
as one of the most profitable automaker with net income of
around $11 billion. Toyota was also the world's eight largest
company by revenue last 2006.

Toyota owns and operates Toyota, Lexus, Scion, and parts of
Daihatsu brands, divisions, and companies. The company includes
522 subsidiaries.

About the author:
Kaye Leery is has a degree in Information Technology. She enjoys
her profession as an IT consultant. She is also passionate about
writing and plans to pursue a Creative Writing workshop in Iowa.

Greenest Automaker Title Goes To Honda

2007-04-05T19:02:00.000-04:00

By: Lauren Woods

The 2007 Greenest Automaker title has been given by the Union of
Concerned Scientists (UCS) to the Honda Motor Company and such a
title has been bestowed to the car maker for the fourth time.

The latter is currently considered to the car company in the US
which is fuel efficient. And the title is actually given out by
the UCS every two years and the UCS decides which company
rightfully deserves to take home the title after considering
which car makers has vehicles in their US fleet which has the
least number of overall production of emissions that forms smogs
as well as emissions that affect global warming.

Don MacKenzie is a UCS vehicle engineer and he backs up the
group's decision by saying, "Honda remains the greenest U.S.
automaker. The company installs clean technology across its
entire fleet of cars and trucks and that consistency makes it a
top environmental performer. Honda is one of only two automakers
to have better-than-average global warming scores in every class
of vehicles it sold in MY2005. In addition, Honda continues to
have the best smog score in four out of the five classes."

Of course, we all do know that Honda is one of the leaders when
it comes to looking deeper into new technologies that could help
alleviate the further destruction of our environment. And with
all the new technologies that they are able to create, they are
also able to create practical applications that would help out
improve a vehicle's fuel efficiency. Honda's vehicles are also
created so that it can be used with a Weapon R cold air intake
system that could even further enhance the performance of
Honda's green vehicles.

Honda is also one of the leaders when it comes to creating
vehicles that lessen greenhouse gas emissions which are quite
harmful to the environment. They are also one of the car
manufacturers working on alternative fuels that could replace
current gasoline fuel.

John Mendel is the company's executive vice president for its US
arm and he affirms, "We are proud to be recognized as a leader,
and will continue to challenge ourselves to improve the
environmental performance of our company and our products." He
does even further add, "We have entered a period in history
where society is more critically aware of how the actions we
take today determine the course of our environmental future for
generations to come. We accept this as our challenge."

About the author:
Given her background on cars as an auto insurance director,
Lauren Woods finds the world of cars to be constantly changing.

Top Ultimately Safe Cars Named

2007-04-05T15:46:00.000-04:00

By: Dwyane Thomas

The Insurance Institute for the Highway Safety and the National
Highway Traffic Administration has these cars as the "Top Safety
Picks" and top raters in all crash tests.

The Acura RDX with its price around $33,000 to $37,000 and a
fuel economy of 21 mpg garnered the pick due to its electronic
stability. This factor helps control the vehicle and prevents it
from flipping over during emergency maneuvers. The Acura RDX has
a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and an all-wheel handling
system which can continuously shift powers from side to side.

Also named was the Honda CR-V. This unit sells around $23,000 to
$28,000 and has 24 mpg fuel economy. Sharing much of its basic
engineering with the Acura RDX, the Honda CR-V is more
ordinary-feeling and has less expensive car suspension and
all-wheel-drive systems. This vehicle also has a more powerful
engine than the Acura RDX.

Another Honda made it to the list, the Honda Pilot. This is one
of the most popular crossover SUVs which has with it the
standard Honda electronic stability control. This car sells
around $27,000 to $35,500 and has a fuel economy of 19 mpg.

Next on the list is the Hyundai Entourage which the new minivan
from Hyundai. This vehicle with a selling price at around
$24,000 to $29,000 and an overall fuel economy at 20 mpg, is
very much like the Kia Sedona only that the Kia Sedona has a
smooth and quiet ride with comfortable interior and solid build
quality. This is quoted from the "Editors Top Recommended
Vehicle" by Edmunds.com.

Another car mentioned earlier, the Kia Sedona also managed to
snag a position on the list. Having a fuel economy of 20 mpg and
sold at $20,500 to $26,000, the Kia Sedona represents an
"excellent value", again, this is recommended by Edmunds. Com.

The Mercedes-Benz M-Class is also on the list. This crossover
vehicle handles very well considering its size. This $43,000 to
$85,000 class has a fuel economy of 19 for ML350 and 16 for the
ML500. This car has its featured top parts and the Mercedes repair manual.

Another on the list is the Subaru B9 Tribeca which sells at
around $30,000 to $37,000 with a fuel economy of 20 mpg. This
particular vehicle has some peculiar design and performs well in
crash tests. Another Subaru, the Forester, rank in the top. This
Subaru has 25mpg and price around $30,000 to $37,000. Still,
another Subaru, the Legacy which is an all-wheel-drive and can
perform strongly in the crash tests sells around $20,500 to
$34,000 and has a fuel economy of 25 mpg.

About the author:
Dwyane Thomas is a part time cook and full-time auto-enthusiast.
This 31-year old Civil and Environmental graduate is a
consultant at one of the engineering firms in Pennsylvania.

Know the Car you Buy

2007-03-25T00:11:00.000-04:00

By: Greg Chapman

With so many used car sellers on the market, buyers can be
convinced to purchase impulsively, enticed to take advantage of
a limited time offer or to prevent someone from beating them to
the vehicle they are eyeing. Buyers, seduced by the prospect of
driving home the glossy car of their dreams for a steal,
sometimes do not do the homework necessary to protect them from
future suffering. Some deceitful car dealers will sell faulty or
even totaled cars to unsuspecting buyers to make a profit,
regardless of the frustration and problems the buyer will face
in the long run. Cars that have fallen victim to flooding suffer
major mechanical problems, but too often flooded out cars are
still "fixed up" and sold as clean title used cars.

It is always a good idea to read product reviews and owners'
comments about the quality of the vehicle make and model you are
considering. Reviews can be tainted by personal opinion and
preconceived brand image, so try to rely on objective reports
based on facts. If owners across the board are saying that the
transmission in a particular vehicle fails around a certain
mileage, it is probably best to believe it.

Besides studying the reputation of a vehicle make and model,
knowing the history of the particular vehicle you are
considering is extremely important. If a car has been totaled,
it is supposed to have a salvage title, which would allow a
buyer to knowingly still purchase it. Regardless, there is no
standard among different states, and cars that have been totaled
are still being sold with clean titles.

Even the most reliable car's longevity is compromised if it is
victimized by a flood. Flood waters wreak havoc on a vehicle's
transmission, brakes, electrical system, and overall value. When
you are testing a car from a used car dealer, check inside and
out for signs of water damage. Cars that are flood victims may
have a lingering musty smell, regardless of the replaced
upholstery. Any abnormal discoloration or imperfectly fitted
carpeting is cause for concern. Inspect the car fully for signs
of damage, mold or sand, paying attention to the trunk, glove
compartment, engine, and beneath the seats. Also, test for
proper operation of all lights, signals, windshield wipers, heat
and air conditioner. Follow your instincts, if the deal seems
too good to be true, it probably is.

You can learn more about a car by submitting its Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) to a trustworthy company such as
CARFAX, which reports information about vehicles from its
nationwide database. Reputable used car dealers will likely take
this step for you, providing the CARFAX report on the vehicles
in their inventory at no cost to you.

Being conscientious in your car search will help ensure that the
car you are buying has not been flooded or otherwise totaled,
saving you the hassle of costly repairs or a too soon
replacement.

About the author:
About the Author: Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a
knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and
SUV's. Since 1959, Chapman motors has offered reliable used cars in Austin
TX and the surrounding area. For more information please
visit Greg Chapman
Motors.

Saving Money On Car Insurance With A Teenage Driver

2007-03-23T23:51:00.000-04:00

By: Barry Brenner

Are you paying a fortune to insure your teenage driver? You
really don't have to.

Some car insurance companies will charge you for your teenage
driver when they turn sixteen. Some won't. Call your carrier
ahead of time to find out what their policy is.

The most costly coverage on your auto insurance policy is the
collision coverage. Collision coverage covers damage to your
vehicle when it is involved in an at-fault accident. I.e. you
hit someone or something. New drivers, no matter what age, are
rated higher and cost more due to their lack of driving
experience.

To save on the cost of the collision coverage on a new driver,
consider purchasing a used vehicle that cost between one
thousand five hundred and three thousand five hundred dollars.
Make sure that it is mechanically sound for your driving needs.
If you want to cover this vehicle for theft and vandalism, you
can purchase comprehensive coverage. Instead of purchasing
collision coverage on this vehicle, purchase uninsured motorist
property damage coverage.

Uninsured motorist property damage coverage protects your
vehicle for up to a limited amount if an uninsured motorist hits
it and you can identify the driver and the vehicle. That way if
anyone hits you, even if they have no insurance, your vehicle
will be repaired or you will receive payment from your insurance
company for the fair market value of the vehicle. Some insurance
companies include a deductible with this coverage. Your savings
could be anywhere from five hundred to two thousand dollars per
year for your first three years of driving. How much does that
add up to after three years?

When my daughter turned sixteen this year, I was faced with this
dilemma. I own a 2002 Honda Accord and a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer.
My auto insurance carrier wanted to increase my premium by two
thousand dollars every six months to add her onto the policy.

I bought her a 1970 Plymouth, in good mechanical condition, and
found a different top insurance company that charged me $642.00
every six months for the Plymouth with her on the policy. This
policy came with permissive driving as a standard feature. This
means that any other car she drove, including my other cars,
were covered by this policy.

After I purchased the policy on the Plymouth, I was then able to
add her onto my current policy for my Honda and Mitsubishi as a
not rated driver without any additional cost. If she causes an
accident while driving my Honda or Mitsubishi, the policy on the
Plymouth would come first with its' coverage's. Then my current
policy would come second, if necessary.

My current carrier wanted $1,200.00 every six months if I added
the 1970 Plymouth and my daughter onto the policy. So I ended up
saving over $1,100.00 a year on my car insurance.

About the author:
Barry Brenner is a licensed auto insurance agent with extensive
experience selling car insurance. You can visit his popular
website at: http://www.cheapcarinsurancequotetips.com

Cadillac's Smaller SUV: The SRX

2007-03-18T23:01:00.000-04:00

By: Anthony Fontanelle

The American motoring public is slowly turning their backs on
gas guzzling sport utility vehicles. The skyrocket increase in
the price of gas for the past two years have affected the way
most car buyers choose new cars. But there are still those who
are looking for the versatility and the performance of large
vehicles like SUVs.

In response to this, car makers continue building better sport
utility vehicles. One car manufacturer who is still churning out
SUVs is the legendary Cadillac brand. The luxury brand has two
sport utility vehicles: the Escalade - known for its size and
popularity among NBA players and rappers, and the smaller SRX.

The SRX may lack the size that the Escalade boasts around but
this smaller SUV offers performance and luxury that surely makes
it at par with the Escalade if not for popularity. It shares the
same platform with the GMC Acadia, but since the SRX is a
Cadillac, it offers more luxury features. The vehicle is
configured as a rear-wheel drive vehicle but an all wheel drive
configuration is available.

Consumers also have a choice as to what engine to equip their
SRX with. The selection is composed of a 3.6 liter V6 engine and
a 4.6 liter Northstar V8. The immense amount of power from these
engines can be transferred to the wheels via two available
transmissions. For the V6, a five-speed automatic can be fitted
while for the V8, a six-speed automatic transmission is
available. Both engines are capable of producing much power that
brake components from EBC Active
Brakes Direct can handle efficiently and with ease.

The combination of the engine and their corresponding
transmissions gives drivers the convenience of gear shifting.
The SRX can handle hill climbs without sorting to manual
transmission due to the low end torque provided by the engine.
The Cadillac SRX is engineered to offer the optimum in
performance, thanks to its highly reliable drivetrain. And since
the SRX is a Cadillac, one can be sure to find good luxury
features.

Indeed, Cadillac took care of the luxury features of this car
just like it does with the Escalade. The seats are comfortable
with good back and side support. The seats offer comfort even on
long drives. They are also heated for those cold winter drives.
Aside from steering, the steering wheel is where drivers can
control the audio entertainment system in the vehicle. Cadillac
designed the audio controls to be integrated into the steering
wheel in a spot where drivers will not accidentally hit them.

Another luxury feature that the Cadillac SRX boasts of is a
sunroof which covers the first two rows of seats. For those who
like to sit back and relax on an SUV with great performance, the
SRX is the right vehicle. You also do get to enjoy the warmth of
the sun as you drive along with your sunroof open.

About the author:
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up
in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive
magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

GM Reports Profit For Fourth Quarter

2007-03-15T18:39:00.000-04:00

GM reported a fourth quarter(2006) profit of 950 million, today. It was the the first profit in some time for GM. Part of it was due to the sale of GMAC, their financing division. Cost cutting and increased sales accounted for the rest.

Things are looking a lot better than the billion dollar losses from last year.

Smart Car Shopping

2007-03-12T15:37:00.000-04:00

By: Greg Chapman

When most car buyers are asked what kind of car they would like
to buy, they often answer something like "a Volkswagen Passat,
or maybe one of those Chevy Trailblazers, but I really love
those Mazda Miatas." It seems funny, but many people have no
idea what they really want or need. Only one, if any, of those
cars will suite the person's real needs and wants. The most
common mistake of car shoppers is that they really don't know
what they want. Everyone knows what happens when you go to a
grocery store without a list of items. Either you end up buying
everything your stomach growls at and find out later you didn't
really need half the stuff you bought, or you will spend hours
wandering about the store without finding much of anything at
all. Both of these scenarios are the same with car shopping. It
is important to have a shopping list for car buying so that you
get exactly what you need and don't waste a large amount of time
browsing cars that do not fit your criteria. Here are some
things that should be laid out on your car-shopping list before
you even begin to look at used cars in Austin.

1. Determine the type of vehicle that fits your intended use.
What type of car will fit the needs of your family? Do you need
a vehicle with 7 seats or 5? Is storage space an issue? Do you
need to transport materials for work or some other purpose? 2.
Consider the mileage and features that are important. Do you
need a car that is still under warranty or do you need features
such as four wheel drive or side front airbags? 3. Think about
the different Makes and models of cars and consider the
reliability of different types of vehicles. 4. Look for Dealers
that provide CarFax reports. These reports give you the history
of used vehicles so you know what the car has been through, such
as major collisions or a replaced transmission. 5. The
affordability of the automobile is possibly the most important
item on your list. You need to figure out what your price range
is, what down payment requirements you have, and especially
monthly payment goals.

Going into a dealership with this shopping list in hand is
guaranteed to save you time and money, not to mention helping a
sales staff to quickly locate a vehicle that is right for you.
You will find so many used cars in Austin to choose from that it
is extremely helpful to know what you are looking for. The most
important part of shopping for a vehicle is knowing what you
need and want before you go looking.

About the Author: Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a
knowledgable and leading profider of used cars, trucks, and
SUV's. Since 1959, Chapman motors has offered reliable used cars in Austin
and the surrounding area. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmot
ors.com.

Ford Fusion: Challenges Competition

2007-03-08T15:35:00.000-05:00

By: Anthony Fontanelle

The Ford Motor Company has faced problem after problem in
recent memory. This shows and is reflected in their performance
in the market. While the Michigan based car maker has suffered
loss and other problems in the past months, the company is
trying to put itself as one of the serious competitors in the
market. They hope to attract American motorists to once again go
for American cars like their Ford Fusion vehicle.

In an effort to create a center of attention for the Fusion,
Ford is taking a step to challenge its competition, namely Honda
and Toyota. The approach that Ford is taking is a simple on but
very effective. The auto maker allows consumer to see how the
Ford Fusion perform against Toyota and Honda vehicles.

The contest started back in December last year when Car and
Driver magazine facilitated a test on how the Ford Fusion will
do against its class-mates. At the said event, consumers are
allowed to drive the three vehicles - the Ford Fusion, Toyota
Camry, and the Honda Accord. The aim of the test is to see which
car consumers will opt for in terms of attractiveness, the fun
it offers while driving, performance, and handling as well. The
result of the test shows the Ford Fusion besting both the Toyota
Camry and the Honda Accord.

Following the tests conducted in December, Ford launched an ad
campaign in January of this year based on the result of the
tests. The approach taken by Ford in marketing the Fusion is an
"overwhelming success" according to the company's leadership
team. What Ford shows as the proof for the success of the ad
campaign is the number of Ford Fusion units that they have sold
in February of this year. As a result of the ad campaign, Ford
sold more Fusion units in February this year compared to
February 2006's sales numbers.

After the successful result of the ad campaign for the Fusion,
Ford sees it fit that the same approach should be taken in the
marketing of their other vehicles. Last month, Ford took the
Fusion in California to be pitted against Asian vehicles where
400 consumers will gauge the performance of the Fusion against
Asia brands. This time, the event was facilitated by Road &
Track Magazine. Once again, the evaluation of the 400 consumers
shows that the Ford Fusion is ahead of its competition.

After the tests have proven the supremacy of the Fusion over its
Asian counterparts, Ford once again launched an ad campaign to
exploit the result of the tests. This time though, Ford added
the Ford Expedition and the Ford F150 truck in the ads. With
these ad campaigns, Ford hopes to stop the company's downward
slide as effective as EBC
Redstuff brake pads in stopping a car in its tracks.

About the author:
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive.buff who grew up
in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive
magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

GM after 70 years of being no.1: bowing down to Toyota?

2007-03-07T14:45:00.000-05:00

By: Noah Scott

Toyota Motors have been very open about their plan of grabbing
the number one spot from General Motors this year. And sadly,
with the present turn of events for General Motors it is not
impossible for it to lose its post to Toyota.

According to analysts for this year, Toyota Motors will succeed
in overtaking General Motors and will become the new largest
carmaker in the world. Looking back in the year 1931 when GM
became the world's numero uno, threats of toppling it down seems
to be impossibility.

General Motors has been the world's number one automaker for the
past 70 years and if ever Toyota really do surpass GM that would
have an intense psychological effect on the entirety of the US
industry which is sadly to say the last manufacturing sector
where Americans still lead.

One of the reasons cited for General Motors sudden plunged is
its failure to adapt its production methods to meet the changing
consumer tastes. General Motors have failed to realize that it
would not always have the same edge that it has like in the year
1955 when four out of five cars in the world were US made and
half of them were products of GM. This probably was one of the
reasons why GM is in its dismal state right now since it has
become too confident of its standing in the auto industry and
failed to see the imminent danger that would challenge its
position.

The edge of Toyota over General Motors is the fact that the
Japanese automaker was concentrating on changing its production
system to become more efficient and leaner. The complacency on
the part of GM was countered by Toyota with relentless pursuit
for excellence which resulted to the changing fortunes of the
two companies. Although, it is wrong also to construe that GM
products are deteriorating in quality but the main point is that
the automaker has been very lax lately which has given the
Japanese automaker the chance to grab most its market share.

Until the time comes that Toyota be officially proclaimed as the
new number 1 automaker in the world, General Motors will
continue to lead as the world's largest carmaker in terms of
vehicles produced and auto parts manufactured and that includes
products like GM grille guards. The only question now
is for how long?

About the author:
Noah Scott is a 30 year old native of New Jersey, writer, and
car fan - having grown up with both parents being auto
enthusiasts. He works for an automotive consultancy firm and
regularly contributes articles to car magazines.

Ford Challenges The Auto Competition

2007-03-06T14:30:00.000-05:00

By: Lauren Woods

The Ford Motor Co. shifts to a more rational approach by
replacing its "Bold Moves" theme in favor of its new "Challenge
the Competition." Ford claims that the recent theme is more
powerful and resonant hence it is expecting a warmer reception
from auto enthusiasts. The automaker says, "We challenge you to
find a better choice than Ford."

Along with the new theme is a new approach - the automaker will
be putting its customers into competitive vehicles to allow them
to gauge the competitions cars against Ford vehicles. The simple
yet rational approach is anticipated to make a difference to the
advantage of Ford. The automaker gives customers the opportunity
to weigh the plus factors of vehicles - whether they cover the
Apexi cold air intake, wheels,
amenities, luxuries or more.

The idea of the challenge started in Washington, DC last
December when consumers drove competitive vehicles - the Toyota
Camry and the Honda Accord - against Ford's Fusion in a test
conducted by the Car and Driver magazine so as to assure
objectivity. The challenge yielded positive results on the part
of Ford. To make it linger, the automaker created a new ad and
marketing campaign in January.

The new marketing campaign is called the Fusion Challenge.
Though the said campaign is barely two-months old, Ford
executives called it "an overwhelming success." Last month, Ford
Fusion's sales surged a double-digit increase compared with the
2006 report. This was triggered by an all-time high for conquest
sales of 47 percent.

The Fusion Challenge resulted to another head-to-head test,
which was conducted last month by Road & Track magazine. In the
said challenge, Fusion was evaluated by 400 consumers against
competitive models. Fortunately, the test reported similarly
favorable results. The Ford Fusion commercial features the
results of the LA tests with consumers' comments about handling.
It was shown for the first time on the hit show, American Idol.

To boost the campaign a little further, Ford added the
Expedition SUV and the Ford F150 truck in the challenge. The
campaign uses evaluations from leading consumers and auto
publications. This has resulted to a nostalgic retrospective
voyage through Ford's 103-year history of auto manufacturing
that paved way for iconic and state-of-the-art vehicles.

A set-up commercial features a resonant voiceover that says:
"They didn't buy the Model T just because it was priced right.
We had to prove ourselves then. And we're still proving
ourselves today." The commercial proceeds with other specific
products and features.

"Ford products offer some of the best quality, the most advanced
technology and sophisticated designs available today, and that's
the focus of the Ford Challenge," commented Cisco Codina, the
group vice president for the company's North American Marketing,
Sales and Service team.

The commercials are produced in both English and Hispanic
versions. For the Ford Expedition EL, a humorous physical
fitness concept was employed to evaluate Ford's seat-ing
package, flexibility, ease of use and comfort to other sport
utility vehicles. The F150 truck ads feature Mike Rowe of the
Dirty Jobs television show.

In connection with the challenge campaign, Ford will also
incorporate new retail and lease offers. Other elements of the
campaign include dealer ads, print ads and the might of Internet
connectivity.

About the author:
Given her background on cars as an auto insurance director,
Lauren Woods finds the world of cars to be constantly changing.

Honda Reports Good Sales Figure For February

2007-03-04T15:01:00.000-05:00

By: Glady Reign

The increase in the popularity of the Honda Accord and the Honda
CR-V pushed American Honda brand to post record sales figures
for the month of February. The subsidiary of the Japanese car
maker sold more than 110,000 units of vehicles from the Acura
and Honda brands last month. Last year, the American Honda Motor
Company, Inc. sold 106,644 units in the month of February and
this shows a 3.2 percent improvement for this year. Following a
good sales outing in January with equally good sales figure for
February, American Honda now has a total of 210,816 units of
Honda and Acura vehicles sold for the first two months of 2007.
This year's year-to-date sales figure is 0.7 percent higher than
last year for the same period.

The Honda division's best seller is still the Accord. American
Honda sold 30,370 units of Accord in the region. That is 20.1
percent higher than the number of Accord sold during the second
month of 2006. While the conventional engine powered Accord
enjoyed increased sales number, the hybrid version did not do so
well. From last year's 783 units sold for February, the number
plunged to only 312 for the same month this year. Another model
line from the Honda division that made good progress on terms of
the number of units sold is the compact SUV CR-V. Last month,
American Honda sold 31 percent more CR-V units compared to the
number of the said model sold in February of last year.

Although Honda managed to increase their sales figure for
February this year, there are Honda models which suffered
declining sales numbers. The Honda Civic, another popular sedan
from the Japanese brand, received less attention in February of
this year. This is true for the conventional Civic. American
Honda sold 20,041 units of the Civic during the past month. This
is 18.9 percent lower than the number of conventional Civic sold
in February of 2006. The hybrid version though of the Civic
received much interest from car buyers. There are 8.1 percent
more Civic Hybrid bought last month compared to February last
year.

In the 24 selling days in February, the Acura division of
American Honda sold 13,658 vehicles. That figure is 3.4 percent
lower than the number of vehicles that the division sold last
year during the same period. Meanwhile, the luxury division
failed to overshadow its performance last year for the first two
months of the year. Last year, Acura sold 28,127 vehicles for
January and February. This year, however, they sold 7.1 percent
less than that at 26,675 vehicles. The best seller for the
luxury brand is still the MDX.

The demand for the Honda Accord and the Honda CR-V that can be
likened to the demand of the braking system to a Volvo brake hose is what keeps
Honda as one of the more popular brands out in the market. With
the fuel efficiency and reliability that comes with the Honda
brand, sales records like those set in February will surely keep
on coming.

About the author:
Glady Reign is a 32 year old is a consultant for an automotive
firm based in Detroit, Mi. She is a native of the motor city and
grew up around cars hence her expertise in the automotive field.

Toyota Continues Success In The U.S. Market

2007-03-03T23:47:00.000-05:00

By: Glady Reign

Toyota is experiencing and enjoying much success on U.S. soil.
The Japanese car maker posted record breaking sales figures in
January of this year. And February is just as the same with the
Toyota Prius setting an all-time sales record. The increase
again in the sales of Toyota vehicles is consistent throughout
its lineup. From small cars to full size pick up trucks, Toyota
managed to sell more of them in February this year compared to
February 2006.

Once again, passenger cars have become the main reason for the
success of Toyota in the market. Total sales of these cars add
up to 106,429 units which is a 21.1 percent improvement over the
February 2006 sales figures for passenger cars. The Toyota Camry
is the best selling model in the lineup of the Toyota division.
The Asian car manufacturer and the second largest car
manufacturer in the world sold 32,148 units of the popular
Camry. That is a 17.5 percent improvement over last year for the
same period. The Camry hybrid also posted very good numbers with
3,332 units sold.

The Toyota Prius, the hybrid electric sedan, posted all-time
best-ever sales figure. Toyota sold 12,227 units of the Prius
for the month of February 2007. This is an 87 percent increase
over last year's sales output. This shows that more and more
American motorists are taking advantage of the technology while
helping the environment at the same time. It seems that even a
Vol
vo brake booster is not enough to put a stop to the momentum
being shown by Toyota.

Other Toyota models which showed good performance in the market
are the Yaris and the Corolla. The subcompact car that is the
Toyota Yaris posted a sales figure of 5,702 units sold. The
Toyota Corolla meanwhile posted a 12.9 percent increase over
last year's performance. Toyota sold 28,321 of the classic
Corolla for the month of February this year.

Light trucks sales are also showing good figures. Toyota sold
80,901 units of light trucks and this is the best ever February
performance for the Japanese brand. The best selling light truck
in the lineup of the Toyota division is the RAV4 compact SUV.
Toyota sold 11,643 units of the sports utility vehicle, which is
a 5.2 percent improvement over last year's sales figure for the
same period. The full-size pickup truck recently introduced by
Toyota in the market, the Tundra, is doing good. The Tundra
showed strong sale figure for the month of February with 9,669
units.

Another popular model from Toyota has shown good performance in
the market. The Highlander and the Highlander Hybrid combined to
post a sales figure of 9,368 units. This is a 3.7 percent
improvement over the February 2006 sales figure for both the
conventional Highlander and its hybrid version.

About the author:
Glady Reign is a 32 year old is a consultant for an automotive
firm based in Detroit, Mi. she is a native of the motor city and
grew up around cars hence her expertise in the automotive field.

A Few Words About Car Dealer Auctions

2007-02-22T14:41:00.000-05:00

By: Mark Lindsay

Car dealer auctions are becoming quite popular today. They are a
great venue for the average citizen to be able to find a good
car at a very reasonable price. Car dealer auctions are also a
very useful service for small used car sales operations as they
can keep a constantly replenished stock of used automobiles that
are often in very good quality or require a minimal amount of
repairs to make them an easy sale to the car shopping public.
Many dealerships will also make use car dealer auctions as a way
of rotating their stock by auctioning off the cars that have
been on their lot for an extended period of time and then buying
new cars from the incurred profits.

Where Does One Find Car dealer auctions?

Car dealer auctions are a very easy thing to locate with the
great wealth of information that surrounds us. Many times the
local newspaper will have several listings for various car
dealer auctions around the area. Just pick up the local paper
and give it a good looking over, especially in the classified
advertisements section and you will likely find a car dealer
auction near your hometown. Special times of year, such as the
holiday season or income tax return time, seem to bring car
dealer auctions out of the woodwork as they try to boost sales
for the year.

With the easy access to the Internet these days, why not take a
peek at your favorite search engines result for car dealer
auctions? With the popularity and ease of email, many car
dealerships even offer an online auction and thus, many times,
the search will lead to car dealer auctions that you can
participate in with never leaving your home. Imagine sitting at
your desk and buying a car while watching cartoons with your
kid. Can you imagine any more efficient version of multitasking?

If none of these options strike your fancy, you could always ask
around to find your local venue of car dealer auctions. The
local new car dealerships can usually tell you if they plan on
hosting any car dealer auctions in your area. After all, they
really don't want to lose your business to someone else and
every person attending car dealer auctions is a potential sale
and profit for the dealership.

In closing, get out do some checking and you will find car
dealer auctions near your home town. With just a small
investment of time and research looking for car dealer auctions,
you could save yourself a lot of money and find just the car you
are looking for.

About the author:
If you are looking for a car auction you
should stop by the best online car
auction site.

Subaru Vehicles Take Home Highest NHTSA Ratings

2007-02-21T20:57:00.000-05:00

By: James Russel

So as to assist customers learn about the abilities of vehicles
to keep passengers safe, the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, or the NHTSA, has done crash tests through its
New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). And the latest series of
crash tests done proved to be quite a victory for the Subaru
brand.

You see, two of the company's vehicles, the Subaru Legacy and
the Subaru Outback, both received the NHTSA's highest ratings
which are equal to five stars. The Legacy and the Outback
received such ratings for the frontal impact crash tests and for
the side impact crash tests.

Thomas J. Doll, the executive vice president of the Subaru of
America, Inc., is quite pleased to know of such results. He even
boasts, "Subaru customers have come to expect the highest level
of safety in their vehicles. Both the Legacy and Outback
continue to deliver the highest levels of active and passive
safety as evidenced by their recent five star performances in
the NHTSA NCAP tests."

According to Subaru, so as to make their vehicles quite safe for
passengers, there is more than just a blend of the right hypertech programmer parts and Subaru
crafted odds and ends. The company says that they have been
designing vehicles with the thought and idea that a vehicle that
is meant for active safety is that same vehicle that allows the
driver to gain a sense of control and stability over the
machine. And with that kind of thinking at hand while creating
their vehicles, the company has been able to come up with really
safe units.

The company has also made sure that they would have been able to
create the best types of safety systems and features that would
keep Subaru passengers in their seats and not out of them. There
are also passive safety systems like the engine which has been
specially designed so that it would not interfere with the
safety of the passengers in cases of crashes.

But there are just a few of the safety things found in the
vehicles. If you are interested in knowing more about them, you
can go at the car maker's official site and learn more about the
specifications.

About the author:
James Russel grew up in Los Angeles and is 35 years old. He
works as a marketing analyst for a supplier of automotive parts
in the United States. On his spare time, he loves to spruce up
his vehicle.

New Car Technology Advancements

2007-02-15T20:27:00.000-05:00

By: Dennis James

Car technology is advancing at amazing speed so its no surprise
that at least a couple cool things turn up each model year. Here
are some of the latest innovations that will be coming out
sometime in the near future that new car buyers can look forward
to seeing.

Economy Mode

While we consider that most of us drivers are set in their ways
and odds are we will never make the necessary changes to
conserve on fuel. One example of such would be, we know that by
simply not using our AC increases our fuel economy when we
drive, but rather than just rolling down our window when we
could to save fuel we opt to use the air conditioner to keep us
cool. We are simply set in our ways when it comes to running our
AC even when we could be just as comfortable at this time with a
window down. With the new idea and innovation of the Economy
Mode the car it will be able to determine what systems in your
car are non-essential at the time and turn them off to save on
fuel for the driver; examples could be the AC, Cruise Controls
and others. The car would begin making these adjustments for the
driver automatically. It's not just an idea in fact; some
Hybrids feature an economy mode that limits A/C use on several
models right now. Black Box Technology

Planes have them and cars will too, and why not the Black box on
planes have be literally invaluable for many years with its
ability to get detail records of trips and logs of what happens
to a plane in flight or when accidents occur. It's still being
debated like most things that come to personal privacy and many
people will no doubt object to the idea of the black box being
implemented into their personal vehicles. The fact is that both
Ford and General Motors already are using black Box technology
in around two-thirds of the models built, but they are referred
to as "recorders". Drivers can expect the advancement of these
"recorders" to be able to tell police officers and insurance
companies about car accidents, how fast you were driving, where
you had driven that day and much more. Cars That Park for You

Yes, a car that actually will do the parking is already in
production today. There is already one type of system where the
driver keeps his foot on the brake while the car amazingly
enough parallel parks it's self. Its future looks bright, as
this type of application could be very useful in the future not
just in parking but also use in other tight places like garages.
Let the Car do the Driving

It's no longer just a dream or something we have seen in the
movies, with the advancement of GPS and robotic technology
setting your car on Auto Pilot where the navigation system
guides the car to its destination while the driver sits back and
relaxes will become a reality sooner than many people could
imagine. Experimentation and planning is underway with the use
of magnets and GPS to make this dream become a reality.

Crash Detection

Is already a reality with the Acura RL and it's called the
Collision Mitigation System. Hopefully, one day all cars will
include this type of safety feature. Where the cars decides on
its own that a wreck is unavoidable and will warn the driver to
brace for impacts as it automatically takes action for the
driver by deploying the airbags hitting the brakes and tightens
up seatbelts etc. all own its own.

The near future is indeed an exciting time.

About the author:
Dennis runs Car Dealer Check which has reviews on Alabama
Car Dealers Including M
ontgomery Car Dealers.

Detroit's Big Three Try Harder To Win Over Customers

2007-02-11T23:21:00.000-05:00

Author: Anthony Fontanelle

Article:
Never before have consumers been courted by Detroit's automakers
the way the latter are doing now. The industry that has been
long dominated by Detroit's Big Three - General Motors Corp.,
Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group - is
threatened by the dominion of foreign automakers. This is the
reason why Detroit's automakers are doing their best to win over
customers being wooed by foreign rivals.

The competition is so hard-hitting that the financial turmoil
engulfing Detroit's Big Three is made obvious to all. The bright
side of the quandary is that auto customers find themselves in a
situation where they are deluged with smart alternatives that
are tailored to satisfy their individual needs. The
consumer-minded strategy is announced at the Chicago Auto Show.
In said the show, automakers have announced the some strategies
like letting potential customers to test drive the car from
their home.

Fresh techniques are now being resorted by the automakers to
capture at once the desires of enthusiasts and make them stay
with the brand. Employing new technology, interesting features
and stunning designs are some of these tactics being tried these
days. Chrysler, for one, sends researchers out to watch how real
people use their vehicles to gain insight into how to make
improvements. "The standard that used to satisfy people 10 or 12
years ago is completely unacceptable today," GM product czar Bob
Lutz said during Chicago Auto Show's media preview. "And if
consumers aren't happy, there's plenty of places they can go."

Detroit's automakers, while facing the one of the greatest
challenges in their existence in the automotive realm, manage to
battle their standing problems. The executives of these
companies said that they cannot just match products that are
being churned out by Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor
Company. In fact, they are saying that they have to do better.

Part of the strategy to rise from gloom is to stride a chord
with potential customers. Appeal to customers is essential to
automakers. To keep the appeal, GM rolled out a fresh customer
service strategy at its Saturn brand. The strategy covers
delivery of vehicles by Saturn dealers directly to the
customer's house or office. Some dealers have since adopted the
practice however Saturn will be the first to do it en masse.

Saturn will also be offering 24 hours service online. Saturn
concerns like model problems and choices could now be addressed
any time of the day. Saturn auto parts problems involving Active
Brakes Direct, engine and suspension could be entertained by
the said service. "We really looked at what great brands are
doing to differentiate themselves in the marketplace," Saturn
General Manager Jill Lajdziak said, pointing to industry giants
such as Starbucks Coffee Co. and Apple Computer Inc. "Flawlessly
aligning their product with consumer demands is a strength of
both companies," she said.

Also, a shower of strategies is anticipated in the auto
industry. "More Saturn-like approaches are likely on the way
from Detroit carmakers," said Joseph Phillippi of AutoTrends
Consulting in Short Hills, N.J. "This is the classic case of the
oft-noted axiom, 'It takes one bad car to lose a customer but it
takes you massive amounts of money to win that customer back.'"

As competition increases, the chance of winning over customers
is getting slimmer. "This hypercompetitive environment, it's
going to make you do things you wouldn't have done before," said
Cisco Codina, head of marketing, sales and service for Ford in
North America. "When you have such a crowded marketplace, you
have to have a more articulated message. The problem is, how far
do you go?"

At Chrysler, the company is trying to be hyper-sensitive to
customers. Last year it began having people watch unwitting
drivers in their vehicles. "As there's more competitors and more
market segmentation, you've got to be more precise," said Frank
Klegon, Chrysler's vice president of product development. "It's
not just 'I think blue is the favorite color' anymore. You've
got to get objective data and apply that."

About the author:
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up
in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive
magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Buying A Used Car

2007-02-05T23:55:00.000-05:00

If you don’t want to invest in a new car for any reason, you of course have to go with something that has been owned by someone else. You can get a great car this way, but you have to be smart about buying a used car. There are a lot of great pre-owned vehicles out there, but there are plenty that you want to stay very far away from. Though most people are honest, there are some people who want to make money from a car that perhaps should be sitting in the junkyard instead of in your driveway.

If you are buying a used car from a car lot, you don’t have as much to worry about. However, you still want to have someone look over the car for you to make sure that you aren’t buying what they call a lemon. A lemon is a car that by all appearances seems to be a good car but ends up giving you a lot of problems after you buy it.There are laws out there called lemon laws to protect those who are buying a used car. Make sure you know what those laws are in your state.

If you are buying a used car from a private source, make sure you have a mechanic give the car a thorough inspection before you commit to buy or hand over any money whatsoever. You may have to pay to get someone to look over a car for you, but when you are buying a used car from a classified ad, you really need to know what you are getting into. If you know a mechanic who would do this for you for free, take them up on the offer. Don’t trust your eye if you don’t know much about cars. Some mechanics can tell if a car is good or not just by listening to the motor for a minute or two.

When you are buying a used car, make sure you have a receipt and perhaps a witness to the sale. If you are sold a lemon, you need to be able to show that you paid for the car, and that the car was misrepresented to you. This is not always easy. If you are buying a used car from someone who seems nice and you don’t want to insult him or her there is something you should remember. An honest seller will have no problem with you protecting yourself. If someone protests, you have to ask yourself why. Perhaps that is when you should look elsewhere for your new wheels.

Six Steps on How to Make the Most of Your Used Car Listings

2007-01-07T21:11:00.000-05:00

Selling your used car rather than trading it in gives you the chance of earning money. Car listings have become popular as a method for car sellers to advertise their vehicles to the public.

Rather than searching for car dealers to sell the used car for you, why don’t you sell it yourself?

Here are the steps for your successful used car listing:

1) Set the price – Determine a competitive market value of your used car. Second-hand car values could be found on your local classified ads for similar cars being sold and on certified used car dealership online.

Determine the minimum price you would accept for possible negotiations. Be aware that buyers do their research and having a lower price than others would generate more inquiries.

When your price has been set, consider the most attractive ad to publicize.

2) Groom the vehicle – For buyers, appearance is everything. Make sure that before you place an advertisement; inspect your used car inside and out. To make the most profit, take care of minor and major maintenance issues of the vehicle.

3) Prepare vehicle record – Presenting the buyers with complete maintenance logs and receipts is a powerful selling tool. Prepare paperwork of services done such as oil change, tire and battery replacement and warranties for each.

4) Obtain a car history report – To show that the used car has a clean record with the law and past accidents, purchase a car report from your local department of motor vehicles. The biggest fear of buyers is purchasing a used-car that has been in a wreck. The car history report would reveal if the vehicle has been in a major collision in the past.

5) The advertisement – Ad options include newspaper classifieds, magazines or online listings. However, the most cost-effective and useful tool for marketing is by placing an online ad.

* Photo: Although majority of car listings online do not require photos, eighty-five percent of used car buyers search for car listing with photos.

* Details: Provide a complete description of your car even if you have uploaded a photo. Use extra details and words that would grab the buyers’ attention. Do not forget to place a contact number to be reached.

6) Sell – Since you know your car’s worth, negotiate a fair price. To finalize the sale, you should have two copies of the bill of sale, a receipt that transfers ownership of the car, for you and the buyer.

Once you sold your used car, you’ll be glad you made the most out of your car listing since there was no car dealer involved and all the profit is yours.

How To Get An Auto Loan If You Have Bad Credit

2006-12-10T22:21:00.000-05:00

By: Chris Chandler

Are you in need of a new car, but are afraid it's impossible
because of your bad credit? Well, the fact is that, today,
consumers with bad credit have a wide variety of options
available to them in regards to bad credit auto loans. In fact,
it can be very easy to get the money you need, but it is
important for you to do your research before getting a loan.

If you have bad credit, the first thing that I would recommend
is to find out more about your own financial situation. What is
your exact credit score (FICO) with the three credit agencies
(Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax)? One place that you can find
this information is the free credit report service at
www.AnnualCreditReport.com. At this site, you can place an order
for a free yearly credit report. The credit report has
everything but the credit score. You have to pay extra to get
the scores, but it is worth it. It is valuable information to
have on hand in your search for the best auto loan deal. With
this information, you can do quite a few things to help
yourself. The first thing you need to do when you examine your
credit report is to look for errors. Correcting errors can help
bring up your credit score some. Another way to increase credit
score is to have a friend, or relative, with good credit add you
as an authorized user to their credit cards. This connects their
good credit history to yours. If you simply don't know what to
do, there are credit repair companies that can help clean up
your credit report. I have used a credit repair company in the
past and was very pleased with the results.

I definitely don't recommend getting a bad credit car loan from
the local car dealership where you buy your car. You will
definitely get charged a very high interest rate (APR), and will
most likely be fed a load of bull about the bank "requiring you"
to buy extras like the extended warranty, glass VIN etching,
credit life insurance, etc. etc. The list goes on. One trick
that they also do is to say that your credit score is lower than
it is just to justify higher interest rates. You just need to
know that information anyway. If you don't, it can really cost
you in the long run. Let's use an example. Lets say that you're
getting 12% APR (could be higher) bad interest loan from a
dealership instead of a normal 6.25% APR car loan you might find
elsewhere. True, the monthly payment is only about $40 higher
for the bad credit loan per month, but over the life of the loan
(generally 60 months), high interest really adds up. In the end
you pay an extra $2,500!

Keep in mind that bad credit auto loan lenders usually require
that you have steady employment and a favorable debt-to-income
ratio. Of course, if you cannot demonstrate employment, you are
dead in the water anyway. But what the bad credit borrower needs
to understand is the fact that this kind of loan can come at a
high price, and it pays to research several options before
buying.

One of the best places to find a bad credit lender is online.
There are hundreds of them there out there. Shop around. Simply
google "bad credit auto loan" and several will come up. I would
try to go with a well known, established auto loan company.
Check out its background with the Better Business Bureau. Be
sure to read the fine print and know what the exact terms of the
loan are.

Another place to look for automobile financing is your local
bank. Sometimes when it is hard to get a loan anywhere else, you
can get the money you need from this traditional source. If
nothing else, you can get someone else with good credit to
co-sign the loan with you. The co-signer assumes equal
responsibility for the loan, so it is best to have an open line
of communication with the co-signer about your credit situation.
On any loan, also be sure that there is no prepayment penalty in
the fine print so that you can pay it off early or refinance
easily.

When it is all said and done, a person with poor credit does
have many options available. It is just a matter of doing the
research and keeping an eye out for the best deal available.
Your dream car is within reach, and having bad credit shouldn't
hold you back.

About the author:
Chris Chandler is a successful entrepreneur, webmaster, speaker,
and internet marketing consultant. His website, Christian eBuy,
http://www.christianebuy.com"

Car Buying Critical Negotiating Tips

2006-12-07T12:34:00.000-05:00

By: Jeff Neilan

O.K. you're patting yourself on the back for all of the homework
you've done on your perspective car that you are going to buy...
so you're fired up and ready to go... right?

It's great that you've done much homework on the car that you've
got your eye on... good job. But, consider this - have you given
any thought at all as to what your negotiating game plan is
going to be? If you really want to maximize your car deal, it
only makes sense to give this area some additional consideration.

Negotiating is skill that can be learned and gets better with
practice. Throughout everyone's life - first as children then as
parents - negotiation occurs rather regularly. Now that you're
looking at stepping onto a car dealership, you shouldn't
suddenly feel as though you've never been involved in
negotiations... I'll bet that you have.

First and foremost, plan to succeed. Simple thought I know, but
it is part of the preparation. If you go into the process
thinking that you would really like to get the selling price
down to a certain figure, but at the same time you're telling
yourself that this probably won't happen... then guess what...
it won't. You won't have the confidence, and the sales person or
sales manager will get work on your shaky expectations and get
you off your target price.

Be mindful of the other hand though. If you go into the car
selling price negotiating process like the proverbial 'bull in a
china shop' you'll probably trip the sales person's and the
sales manager's hot button and they will push back just as
vigorously creating a negotiating chasm.

The key as a polished negotiator is to stay calm and pleasant
and present win-win scenarios.

Secondly - Be prepared. Don't go into any type of transaction
such as buying a car unprepared. Don't just know about the car
and what you want your car to come with - know what each of
these options cost... don't guess or assume... There is profit
to be negotiated upon across the board at any given dealership.
Knowledge is confidence, and sales people will pick up on the
fact that you know of which you talk and this will significantly
cut down on the sales b.s.

Next - Leave yourself wiggle room inside your cocoon of
happiness target. In other words never start with the price you
want to pay. Remember, by definition here we are negotiating
with another person... if you start with the price you want to
pay; you'll have no choice but to negotiate your way up and out
of it. So, if you're will to spend say $15,000 then start at
$14,000 and work to create a win-win somewhere in between. And,
oh by the way... no one in the dealership other than you has or
will have NO IDEA of what you're willing to pay.

Here's a bonus tip - if the sales person kicks off the
negotiations with the first offer, don't counter with a
number... that's right no counter number... instead counter back
with a pleasant ... "I'm afraid that's somewhat beyond my
budget" ... make them come back with another offer to get you in
the game. Now you just gotten a newer offer and you haven't even
jumped in yet. The first offer from the dealer is usually their
'home run' swing... they don't really expect you to serve
yourself up at this point (although some do... and hence the
home run in profit).

Keep in that this is not a one way street. You'll have to
participate and make some concessions in order for your deal to
be a winner. For instance, if you can't get to the selling price
you want then get more for your trade, get an extended warranty
at dealer cost, get some no cost service or oil changes, floor
mats, ... anything that keeps the deal moving forward and the
negotiations open... don't get hung up on 'beating you opponent'
over just one aspect of the deal.

This is where many people get frustrated and either walk away
after getting so close or just give in as a result of the
frustration. Negotiating a car deal is a package not just a
selling price. Sure the selling price is the focal point, but
you have to give the appearance that you are offering some
concession as well. In fact, as your target price get within
range, don't just agree on the price and then begin the delivery
process. If you do... you will be in a much weaker position to
negotiate any extras you may want such as that extended
warranty... you see... make sure all potential aspects of the
deal are in place before you shake hands on the price.

About the author:
Jeff Neilan's car dealer experience offers insightful car buying tips that
save you time and money. Be sure to visit
www.acarbuyersguide.com for car buying advice, pricing and more.

Ford, Still King of the Hill

2006-11-27T15:28:00.000-05:00

By: Jay Stevens

Ford Motor Co. is determined to keep its reign as the "King of
the Hill." So far, this is the third decade that said automaker
is holding the prestigious title in the pickup truck market.

Ford F-150 is the leading pickup truck for 30 years now. This
year along, it has 133,000-truck lead over the nearest
competitor. There are several attempts to dethrone the F-Series
nonetheless; the attempts did not appear strong enough to topple
the lingering success of the vehicles.

"Let's remember that F-Series is the benchmark when it comes to
trucks," said Cisco Codina, Ford's group vice president, North
America Marketing, Sales and Service. "The competition has done
some work to try to play catch up. We've been through
competitive product reviews, of course, and we see that they
have updated some things and have made strides. But we're not
sitting back. And we're certainly not playing catch up. They
are."

According to auto analysts, to put a dent to the sales and
reputation of F-150's, the automaker's competitors must
concentrate on an expanded truck-buying target market. Analysts
say that the success of Ford's trucks can be attributed to many
alliances with organizations like NASCAR, Cabela's, Professional
Bull Riders, the Professional Bull Riders, Home Depot, Monster
Jam and Harley Davidson.

"Our alliance partners allow us to observe truckers and better
understand how they live and work with their trucks," said Ben
Poore, Ford truck group marketing manager. "Many members of a
group like the American Quarter Horse Association of the
Professional Bull Riders drive our trucks. We know how our
trucks work in a real environment because we are constantly out
there getting feedback from our customers."

Car
parts discount Ford F-150 pickup 99-03 boast quality and
performance. Truck lovers want more torque hence; the automaker
gives it to them. Ford F-150 truck parts, is now equipped with a
V8 engine that can handle greater towing and payload
capabilities. Further, F-150's maximum tow rating is now up 600
pounds to a class-leading 10,500 lbs.

Ford admitted that the company is concentrating on marketing
needs to heighten leadership in the truck market. "We are
playing offense with Ford Trucks," said John Felice, Ford
general marketing manager, Marketing, Sales and Service. "We
created more Ford Truck ads targeted at more diverse audiences
than ever to continue increasing leadership by solidifying our
base and going after new customers."

Ford is also decreasing the suggested retail prices on the
series up to $1,400 lower than this year's prices. The new F-150
FX2 Sport comes in with a dazzling aura. It is equipped with power wheels
Ford-150 and dark billet grille. To boost its style, it uses
monochromatic paint scheme. Enhanced Ford
F-150 headlights with platinum bezels and the sporty front
valance add to the enigmatic charm of the truck.

About the author:
Jay Stevens works as a consultant for an established auto parts
store in the country. He has expertise in automotive technology
and has extensive knowledge on the auto parts industry.

When To Buy A Car?

2006-11-26T20:09:00.000-05:00

By: Nikola Govorko

Does it make any difference? Sure it does, it doesnt matter
whether you plan on buying a new or used car certain times of
week, month or year can get you a large discount, more equipment
and overall better deal.

For example, it is much better to buy a convertible in the fall
or winter, after the season for them is over (unless you live in
California or Florida). At those times people are looking to buy
family cars, SUVs and cars that are more practical. Also
convertible owners are planning on selling their pets after one
last season of cruising together. Also dealers are looking to
get rid of this season cars and make room for those coming up.

One small downside to this is that you will not have that much
choice at your disposal, most of the most wanted models and
colors will be sold out. But it can all be remedied with a
little persistence and willingness to compromise.

Most people wait for sales to begin and then go and shop for
deals, but you do not need to wait, with negotiation you can get
a better deal almost anytime. Most manufacturers offer
incentives at certain parts of a year, and even if you can get a
good deal at almost any time of a year you should prepare for
this and cease it.

Dealers car prices are available for negotiation at any time
during year. It often happens that people end up paying more
when waiting for a sale time. At that time lots of people are
shopping for cars and looking for deals so dealers can get away
with calculating to whom they should sell car.

In other words they'll look you up and down and judge just how
much youll pay for a car. Their judgment can be wrong but you
could also end up paying more.

However incentive periods should be used to get the best deal
possible.

So when is the best time to buy a car?

1) During weekdays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Middle of the week,
no rush, both you and a dealer will be more relaxed. Because
there was no rush and probably only a 1-2 sales have been made
the dealer might offer you a better price.

2) At the end of the month. Most dealerships keep track of their
monthly car sales, also at that time bonuses are paid to top
sellers so each of them will try to sell as much as possible.
Also if month or several months have not been very good, they
will fear being laid off and will try their best to sell
something.

Keep in mind that dealerships set sale targets based on how many
cars they sell not on the profits made per each car, but ;) the
car profits do influence commissions to the sellers.

3) When you have ample time for this. Do not rush, set aside a
day or two just for this. If you can take a day off from your
work for this.

And at the end the best time for car buying is naturally when
you need one. Youll be surprised how many people wait for the
last minute to buy a car and get ripped off. Also from the day
you buy one try and set some money aside each month so the next
time you go and buy a car youll have more opportunities before
you.

About the author:
www.Driver-To-Driver.com is website for car enthusiasts as well
for people that just need some car advice. Visit us and find out
when is the best time to buy a car.

Does Your Car Have A Security System?

2006-11-11T22:45:00.000-05:00

In today’s world, when car thefts and car jackings are becoming increasingly commonplace, automotive security systems are more than a necessary evil. They are a mandatory fitting in most cars. In fact, most insurance companies will insist on an effective automotive security system before they agree to insure your car. There is a clause in most insurance applications that specifies that a recognized automotive security system is required in order for the insurance to be applicable. Recognizing this need, most automobile manufacturers build in effective automotive security systems into their cars and trucks. All of the latest model cars in the market come with some or the other form of automotive security system in them.

Even if your car is an older model or came without an in-built automotive security system, you can do your bit to prevent theft by installing an effective one. While the initial cost may seem intimidating, it is well worth the money if it can help prevent theft. Not to mention the stress and the waste of time running around for insurance, police complaints etc. Studies reveal that a car is stolen every twenty five seconds in the United States. You surely don’t want to be a part of that statistic! A basic automotive security system consists of a sensor fitted with an alarm that goes off if someone tries to forcibly enter your car. This sort of an automotive security system also comes with an auto locking facility that allows you to lock and unlock your car doors from a distance. Ever seen those shoppers in front of supermarket parking lots frantically pressing on their hand held beeper to identify their car? Well, the automotive security system also has this sort of unadvertised use!

A slightly more advanced automotive security system comes with additional features like lockable wheels to ensure that even if the auto thief manages to enter the car, he will not be able to drive it away. An extension of this sort of a system also uses password protection and even digital fingerprinting to ensure that the rightful owner of the car is entering and driving the car. The digital fingerprinting automotive security system is becoming increasingly popular. In fact, the latest series of Mercedes Benz comes with a digital fingerprinting automotive security system that eliminates the need to carry keys around. Keys can be duplicated, but nobody can hope to duplicate your fingerprint!
But these sorts of automotive security systems are of no use if the auto thief manages to beat them and still drive away with your car. Which is why, high end automotive security systems come with even more enhanced features like a silent beeper which gets activated during or after a car jacking, enabling the police to track down your car even much later after the theft. Such automotive security systems cost a pretty packet though. But for the discerning user, who does not mind the expense, it is a sure shot way to ensure that your car remains in the hands of its rightful owner at all times. And woe betide the thief who tries to snatch it away!

Auto Repair: How Can They Screw Up An Oil Change?

2006-11-07T16:50:00.000-05:00

By: Theodore Olson

"It's all about beating the clock." This quote comes from a wise
old service manager, advising me on how to maximize my income as
a flat-rate technician. If you have ever wondered why your car
doesn't get fixed correctly, or all your concerns weren't
addressed, you can blame, in part, the flat-rate pay structure.

Flat-rate simply means that your mechanic is paid a flat fee for
a particular repair, regardless of how long the repair actually
takes. In other words, if your car needs a water pump, which
pays two hours of labor, and the mechanic completes the job in
one hour, he gets paid for two.

In theory, this can work to your advantage. If the job takes
longer, you still only pay the "predetermined" labor amount. In
THEORY, not reality!

The flat-rate pay structure is designed to drive productivity.
It's very effective. The flat-rate pay system encourages
technicians to work hard and fast, but it does not promote
quality.

In terms of getting your car fixed correctly, the flat-rate pay
structure has disastrous effects. Flat-rate technicians are
constantly looking for shortcuts to beat the clock in order to
maximize the number of hours they bill. Experienced flat-rate
technicians can bill anywhere from 16 to 50 hours in an 8 hour
day.

It's these shortcuts and the breakneck speed at which flat rate
technicians work that result in some of the most idiotic
mistakes. In the rapid-fire pace of a shop I've witnessed
technicians start engines with no oil. I've seen transmissions
dropped, smashing into little pieces onto the shop floor. And
I've seen cars driven right through bay doors--all in the name
of "beating the clock."

Flat-rate technicians can get quite elaborate with shortcuts. My
favorite was the implementation of an 6-foot-long 2-by-4, which
was placed under the engine for support while a motor mount was
removed. It made a job predetermined to take 1.5 hours
achievable in twenty minutes. A win-win, right? The technician
makes extra money; you get your car back faster.

Actually, in many cases the placement of this 2-by-4 damaged the
oil pan. Moreover, it caused the car, your car, to balance
precariously 6 feet in the air, while the technician manipulated
the car lift to access your engine mount.

This tactic was abruptly discontinued when a technician's 2-by-4
snapped causing the car to crash nose down onto the concrete
floor.

Sometimes the shortcuts create very subtle disturbances, which
create problems overtime. A quick example: a vehicle had its
transmission serviced with a new filter, gasket, and fluid.
During the procedure, the technician was able to save time by
bending the transmission dipstick tube slightly, in order to get
the transmission pan out faster. The vehicle was reassembled,
and the technician re-bent the tube back into place and off it
went--no worries....

Six months later, the vehicle returned with an intermittent
misfire. The engine wasn't running on all cylinders. After
extensive diagnostics, it was discovered that the transmission
dipstick tube had chaffed through the engine harness,
intermittently grounding out an injector. Hmm, that's strange.
Don't usually see that.

The high-speed environment and the subsequent shortcuts
illustrate the devastating effects of the flat-rate,
sales-driven pay structure on the quality of car repairs.

No wonder even an oil change gets screwed up!

The poor quality of work encouraged by the flat rate pay
structure is disconcerting enough. Unfortunately, it doesn't
stop here. The negative effects of flat-rate get exponentially
worse, as it opens "wide" the door to rip you off!

About the author:
-Ted Olson RepairTrust Making Sense of Car Repair Prices Ted
Olson holds extensive certifications from Mercedes-Benz, Toyota,
GM, and ASE. He is the author of eight books and numerous
articles on the automotive service industry.

Buying a Used Car: Assessing Your Needs

2006-10-28T22:09:00.000-04:00

By: Andrew Dillan

If you are buying a used car, you probably want to save some
money. This means that you need to prioritize what is most
important to you in a car. This article will help you assess
your needs and your wants, so that you can find a car that suits
you perfectly.

Cost

Look at the cost of a car. There is no point in window shopping
at fully-loaded $40,000 trucks if you will only be able to
afford a $4,000 truck in the first place. When you are
establishing your budget for your car, be sure to account for
how much the insurance will likely be, how much gas you will be
spending (although this figure does change, it is best to go in
having at least an idea), and regular maintenance. To budget for
maintenance, you will need estimate the costs of 4 oil changes a
year, plus some extra money just in case. Used cars are, well,
used: they aren't new are generally not under warranty. If you
want a warranty, consider buying a used car from the dealership,
who can often offer warranties even on used vehicles.

Suitability

What kind of driving do you do? You probably don't need a
four-wheel drive behemoth of an SUV if you do mostly city
driving. Conversely, if you live on a gravel road, you might
feel more comfortable driving in winter if you have something
larger than a neon. For most drivers, the way that you drive a
car will mean that you are open to many options. However, if
this is a limiting factor, it is important to take into
consideration.

If you are a commuter, then you will have to take other factors
into consideration. You might not want to buy a car with a very
high mileage, because you will be adding the miles to that
odometer. You might want to find a car that has very comfortable
seats to make your ride go better. Things that could be less
important, like the stereo, become much more important when you
spend a lot of time in your car each day.

Look

Some people would rather have a car that looks good or
prestigious. It's okay to admit that you are one of those
people. For instance, for $3,500 you might be able to buy a 6
year old Honda civic; this same money could also buy you a much
older BMW. If you value appearances, don't lie to yourself when
you are shopping. You want to get a car that you will love, and
there's no point looking at Ford Focuses if the only thing that
will spark your delight is a Ford Mustang.

Load

How many people do you normally travel with? What is the most
number of people that you have taken in your current car at
once? If you don't already have a car, estimate the number of
people you will have with you on a regular basis. If you only
drive around 7 people during the hockey tournament once a year,
you can probably skip buying a minivan. However, if you normally
drive three people around, it might be a pain to get a two door
vehicle. For truck drivers, you will want to consider the amount
of load that you generally put in the back of your truck to help
you judge your purchase.

Your Loan

Not only do you want to get the right car, you want to get the
right car loan. It is wiser to have your financing lined up
before you go to a dealership. You can set up used car loans at
any bank: but one often overlooked type of used car loan is to
go to a credit union, where you can generally get lower interest
than at a major bank. For more information on loans, (and we
won't even try to sell you a loan!) visit
www.theguideto-carloans.com.

In the End

You will be the one driving. Make the decisions based on your
needs and what you feel is right. Though it is great to get lots
of advice (and sometimes it helps to take someone savvy about
mechanics along with you to check out the car), considering
these facts will help make you capable of choosing the right car.

Andrew Dillan is the editor of The Guide
to Car Loans. He is an automotive enthusiast, who currently
drives a used car of his own. Find out about how to finance your
car, boat, motorcycle, or RV from his information-only site;
we're not going to sell you loans, just help you ask the right
questions when you go to get a loan.

About the author:
Andrew Dillan is the editor of The Guide
to Car Loans. He is an automotive enthusiast, who currently
drives a used car of his own. Find out about how to finance your
car, boat, motorcycle, or RV from his information-only site;
we're not going to sell you loans, just help you ask the right
questions when you go to get a loan.

Top five trucks for gas mileage

2006-10-27T21:42:00.000-04:00

By: Rich Marsiglia

A few years ago, people would scoff at you if you told them that
you were looking for trucks with the best gas mileage. But, as
truck sales began to slip downwards, manufacturers started
giving due importance to this factor. Today, there has been a
dramatic change in the scenario.

The rising costs of gas, has propelled potential truck buyers to
go for trucks that can meet their gas mileage demands. Truck
makers have now taken firm steps to improve the fuel economy of
their makes at all levels.

Usually the ranking of the top five trucks based on gas mileage
is founded on a combination factors. The prime parameters are
the fuel economy rating given by EPA, the transmission of the
vehicle, and its inherent popularity amongst car buyers. The
formula for calculation for most gas mileage rankings is a
combination of the city mpg rating, which forms 55 percent of
criterion, and the highway mpg rating that completes the
remaining criteria.

It is really very difficult to bring forth a list that
enumerates the top 5 trucks on the basis of fuel efficiency. Not
one, not two, but three trucks hold the first rank. This spot is
shared by the 2006 Ford Ranger one of the premier trucks that
are out in the market today. Ford has made it a point to come
out with trucks that offer the best gas mileage. This is why
most of their newer models find a place on the best gas mileage
list year after year.

However, all the trucks, which feature in the list, have the
same engine; the 2006 Ford Ranger is a supremely refined version
of its older model that came out in 2005. It has the better
off-road capability then other trucks in the rankings and is one
of the best alternatives in your search for a truck giving you
the best gas mileage.

The completely redesigned 2006 Toyota Tacoma comes next in the
list. The Toyota Tacoma is one of the roomier trucks available
in the market and its looks are an epitome of sophistication.
The only disadvantage of the 2006 Toyota Tacoma is its price
tag. It is more expensive then the others.

If you are looking for something on the cheaper side then the
2006 Mazda B-series is the truck that you must go for. A
fuel-efficient truck delivers on its promise. It is called in
some circles as the bargain pickup truck. Don't expect styling
and comfort but you do get an unashamed practicality with this
vehicle.

The Toyota Tundra is the next in line of your picks. It comes
with 4.0 liter V6 engine that is geared to give you competitive
gas mileage. The truck gives you a mileage of 20 /mpg on the
highway and a 16/mpg when you drive in the city.

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 comes a close fifth in the
rankings. It comes with a mild hybrid engine that enables the
electric motor to keep the vehicles running when idle so the gas
engine can be shut off.

Description: When looking for trucks with great gas mileage, the
list can be pretty large. You will have a wide variety to choose
from. Select the one that best suits your requirement. This
article lists out the top five!

About the author:
Author Rich Marsiglia, ATM
Restyle Truck Accessories Tonneau Covers Nerf Bars.

Fuel Efficiency: Top Priority For Honda Civic

2006-10-26T20:25:00.000-04:00

By: Jennifer Dylan

The demand for more fuel efficient vehicles has surely gone up.
Compared to previous years, the demand is much higher these days
perhaps because of the high fuel prices. And it looks like the
Honda Motor Corporation is set out on providing the market with
the right vehicle that would fill in the void.

What Honda will be doing would be actually to make sure that
their factories, plants, and other facilities would be able to
fill up the demand. The company would be making sure that their
facilities would have an increase in production so much so that
the production of those plants in North America could now start
producing up to 60,000 units of Honda Civic models per year.
These Honda Civic units would be those that are fuel efficient
and would hold engines with four cylinders to better facilitate
fuel efficiency. However, it is also important to note that
these plants would still be producing other Honda vehicles and
other parts
Honda with that.

The key parts of this plan of Honda would include that by the
February 2007, the company's production facility in Canada that
produces the Honda Pilot would then be transferring its share of
load to the Alabama plant. Such a mode would actually make the
Alabama plant create more vehicles. Then come April next year,
the Honda Civic sedan models would then be produced in the plant
in Alliston, Ontario, Canada. Since 1998, the plant has only
been creating light truck vehicles. However, this time, the
company has decided that this plant would be the best facility
wherein they would be able to produce more units of the popular
vehicle.

As per these plans, the company's executive vice president for
their American arm, does say, "We have been challenged to keep
up with record customer demand for our lineup of fuel efficient
cars and trucks. Our flexible production system is a wonderful
tool that enables Honda to better meet the demand of our
customers and dealers in an efficient and timely way."

At present, the Honda Civic units are built in two plants in
North America. One is the East Liberty plant while the other one
is the Alliston Plant.

About the author:
Jennifer Dylan is a 35-year-old gal who hails from San
Francisco. She has a habit of updating herself on new car trends
and models. She spends most of her time reading up on cars and
hopes to test drive them. She works for one of the topnotch car
parts dealer in the U.S.

Will Toyota Dethrone GM?

2006-10-03T20:10:00.000-04:00

By: Mark Clarkson

Toyota Motor Corp. has dethroned Ford Motor Co. as the second
largest automaker around the globe. Now that it is already in
the top two positions, critics are saying that Toyota is eyeing
the top position and is planning ways to overthrow General
Motors Corp. In addition to this, the company has announced its
ambitious plan to produce 9.2 million vehicles worldwide in the
year 2008.

The soaring oil prices have been a blessing in disguise for the
corporation since more drivers turn to fuel-efficient cars. This
has made Toyota Camry, Corolla and Prius hybrid a success.
Further, due to high demands of said vehicles, Toy
ota Prius parts as well as that of Camry and Corolla, also
make good in the market. GM and Ford, on the other hand, have
relied on their sales for larger vehicles. Furthermore, the
shift of consumers to small cars made a devastating drop in
sales figures.

In the year 2005, Toyota has sold 8.13 million vehicles
worldwide. This year it is expected to sell a total of 8.85
million vehicles. According to Shotaro Noguchi, auto analyst
with Mitsubishi UFJ Securities Co. in Tokyo, "American
automakers are in trouble because their products aren't
selling." He added that the main challenge is to keep
profitability up. "It's a positive and aggressive plan," he said.

Katsuaki Watanabe, Toyota's president, declined to give any
statement on the vehicle production for 2008. However, the
president noted, ""We are aiming for steady growth through
strengthening all our operations."

With these growing sales figures in favor of Toyota, GM through
its spokesperson John McDonald said, "We respect our competition
around the world, and were realistic about our challenges and
opportunities. We know we have to earn the right to maintain our
global sales leadership, and were doing that day after day."

Toyota's profit has increased by 39 percent amounting to $3.1
billion in its first fiscal year. On the contrary, GM has lost
$3.4 billion in the April-June period.

About the author:
Toyota Parts Online

Toy
ota Prius parts

Mark Clarkson is a 35 year old marketing consultant for a
leading auto parts store. This native of Denver is also an
offroad enthusiast.

Toyota Corolla Stays Strong At 40

2006-09-14T22:02:00.000-04:00

By: Jennifer Dylan

Would you believe that it has already been forty years already?
Many trends and many fads have come and gone but it seems like
only the best and only the most reliable have come to stay.

So what vehicle has been in the industry for forty years
already? Well, the Toyota Corolla. And it could be pretty
surprising if there are some people who do not even know what
the Toyota Corolla is all about. This vehicle has certainly
stood through the various tests that the industry has presented
but it seems like a real and a true survivor. It has passed
various challenges like new vehicles coming that held features
very much just like the ones that it held. There were also times
when the Toyota Corolla was sent to low ranks for there were
really cool vehicles that were worth buying. Despite all these,
the Toyota Corolla still remains while all others have found
themselves headed out to junkyard heaven.

It is the Toyota Corolla's fortieth birthday in the industry but
it seems like there is no end yet to this vehicle's successes.
In fact, as the years go on, age seems to be a really good ally
for this Japanese designed and manufactured vehicle. It has come
with various designs and went through different upgrades. And
through its changes, the industry and the market has also made
sure that the products made for this vehicle like its
accessories and other Toyota car
parts would fit the changes and upgrades done.

The very first Toyota Corolla made was introduced to the
motoring public in October of the year 1966. And forty years
later, it is still one of the most recognized vehicles because
it offers its owners low fuel consumption. It has also proven
that it is a reliable vehicle.

At present, there are already sixteen different countries which
produce the Toyota Corolla. In fact, these countries span from
Asian countries like Taiwan and Japan to Western regions like
the United States and Canada.

About the author:
Auto Parts Go

http://www.autopart
sgo.com/Toyota.html

Jennifer Dylan is a 35-year-old gal who hails from San
Francisco. She has a habit of updating herself on new car trends
and models. She spends most of her time reading up on cars and
hopes to test drive them. She works for one of the topnotch car
parts dealer in the U.S.

Toyota Dominates The Automotive Market

2006-09-13T14:44:00.000-04:00

By: Tom Bailey

The fluctuating of figures continues to shake the automotive
industry. One moment the figures are up the next instant it is
on the contrary. Based on the recent statistics, car sales and
registrations were down on last year.

When asked to explain the fluctuation occurring in the
automotive world, Perry Kerr, Motor Industry Association chief
Perry explained, "The new-vehicle market is continuing to adjust
to the pressures experienced in other sectors of the economy,
but this downturn must also be taken in the context that
new-vehicle sales increased year-over from 2000 to 2005."

Regardless of the fluctuating sales, Toyota continues its
triumph in car production and sales. In fact, this year Toyota
celebrates its 18th year of continued excellence in sales. So
far, no other automaker has toppled it.

Toyota has sold 12,029 new vehicles to the end of July. In July,
the automaker sold 1746 cars. It was followed by Ford with 1212,
Holden with 798, Mitsubishi with 600, Nissan with 585, Honda
with 541 and Mazda with 469.

Toyota is expecting more sales since Camry was released to amaze
and satisfy the needs of car fanatics. Camry uses innovative
auto parts Toyota to boost performance, style and comfort. The
front-drive Camry, which has a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine,
is offered at $36,500.

According to the automaker, Camry's five-speed manual offers 8.9
litres/100km. On the other hand, the five-speed automatic offers
9.9 litres/100km. The dynamics of Camry are also improved. It
width was increased, height decreased and wheelbase extended.
Toyota is aiming the 117kW/218Nm 2.4-litre Camry to rule the
fleet market the same way that it dominates New Zealand's
private sales.

Toyota is preserving its earned victory so the industry can
expect more changes and innovations from this rising Japanese
brand. Toyota is also continuing its studies and tests to
further improve the quality and performance of its parts and
accessories.

About the author:
Tom Bailey is a consultant for one of the country's leading
auto parts stores. He is also an editor of a reputable
publishing company in his area. He is currently based in
Atlantic City, New Jersey with his wife and 3 children.

SUV Pros And Cons

2006-09-12T17:42:00.000-04:00

By: Jonathon Hardcastle

Your car is bursting at the seams with children, sports
equipment, groceries and pets. You think it may be time to trade
up to a larger car. But is an SUV the right choice to make for
your family?

First and foremost, as anyone who watches the evening news
knows, the price of gas has skyrocketed and SUVs are notorious
for poor gas mileage. Or are they? Depending on what make and
model of SUV you choose, some get as good or better gas mileage
than some large cars. For example, the 2004 Honda Element gets
22 miles to the gallon in the city, just 2 miles per gallon less
than the 2004 Honda Accord. At highway speeds, the Element gets
8 miles per gallon less than the Accord, a larger, but not huge,
difference Also, more and more auto manufacturers are designing
hybrid gas-electric SUVs that provide better gas mileage along
with the traditional extra space and power of SUVs.

Another major consideration when choosing between a car and an
SUV is safety. Most people assume that, because of their larger
size, that SUVs are safer than cars. However, crash tests
conducted in 2003 proved that large SUVs were only slightly
safer than mid-sized cars and were actually slightly more
dangerous than large cars. SUVs also can roll over when taking
turns at high speed, something that cars are far less likely to
do. Drivers who are switching to SUVs after many years of
driving cars may need some practice to learn to drive their SUV
safely.

Many people think that SUVs, due to their larger size are more
comfortable and have more cargo capacity than cars. To a certain
extent this is true, but it depends heavily on what make and
model of SUV you choose. Some SUVs actually have limited cargo
space, though almost all have the power to haul a trailer. As
far as comfort, many drivers prefer being higher up from the
road, but older drivers and those with disabilities may have a
hard time getting into the raised seats. Additionally, buckling
a child into a car seat installed in the recommended back seat
center position may be difficult for shorter moms and dads.

Finally, if you do a lot of city driving and, more importantly,
parking, SUVs are less maneuverable and harder to parallel park
than traditional cars. Even in the suburbs where most people
park in lots, the spaces may not be wide enough for certain
SUVs.

About the author:
Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Automotive, Real Estate, and Business

Shakeup At Ford

2006-09-06T23:59:00.000-04:00

DETROIT - Bill Ford, who struggled for five years to steer Ford Motor Co. toward financial stability, has stepped down as chief executive of the company founded by his great grandfather and is being replaced by top Boeing executive Alan Mulally.

Ford will remain as chairman, the company said Tuesday in a surprise announcement.

The change comes more than seven months into a restructuring, which is the second under Ford’s watch and has so far failed to revive the nation’s No. 2 automaker.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14686147/

Nitrogen For Your Tires!

2006-08-17T18:00:00.000-04:00

By: Steve Farber

A popular joke in the 1960s at full service gas stations was
"filler up with Ethel and change the air in my tires." Today
with the price of gasoline approaching $3.00 per gallon, why not
replace the air in your tires. Not with air but with nitrogen.
Filling your tires with nitrogen rather than air will improve
gas mileage, help maintain correct tire pressure, keep tires 25%
cooler, improve handling and performance and prolongs the life
of your tires. NASCAR drivers use nitrogen in their tires for
safety reasons, you can too.

Why should you stop putting air in your tires! Compressed air
you find at tire shops, gas stations and the compressor you use
at home have a high concentrations of water vapor. Compressing
air concentrates the water in it and unless really efficient air
dryers are used chances are there is water vapors in your tires.
Water vapor absorbs and holds heat. This wet air plus heat can
increase the pressure in your tires, causing highway blow outs,
and is one of the reason you should check your tire pressure
when they are cold.

This article is not about the nitrogen. It's really about
reducing oxygen and water vapor in your tires. The air in our
tires is composed of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and about 1% water
vapor and other gases. When pure dry nitrogen is used to replace
the air in your tires it improves fuel efficiency, handling and
it will extend the life of steel rims or custom wheels and
tires. By reducing oxygen and water vapor in your tires from 22%
to less than 7%, your tires will maintain pressure three to four
times longer. Plus it will keep you safer on the highway.

How does oxygen and water damage my rims and tires? Oxygen,
especially at high temperatures and pressures, corrodes
aluminum, steel wheels and rubber. This process is called
oxidation. When oxidation occurs small particles of rust and
aluminum oxidization in your steel or aluminum wheels can clog
valve stems, causing them to leak. The oxidation can cause the
surfaces of your wheel flange and tire beads not to seal
properly causing another leak point.

Oxygen can also age the thin layer of rubber called the inner
liner or radial ply. As the inner liner ages, more and more air
migrates through the rubber, causing additional pressure losses.
As oxygen migrates through rubber it can come in contact with
steel belts and the steel bead causing them to rust.

While both nitrogen and oxygen can migrate through rubber,
nitrogen does it much slower. It might take six months to lose a
couple of pounds of nitrogen, compared to less than a month with
wet compressed air. Dry nitrogen does not cause rust and
corrosion on steel rims or aluminum custom wheels, and it does
not degrade rubber like wet compressed air.

Where can I get nitrogen for my tires? Nitrogen is becoming very
popular with long haul trucking. Some truck stops have nitrogen
available for these big rigs either free or by paying a small
fee. They use the same type pay stations that you see at gas
stations except they are marked "Nitrogen". These nitrogen
stations are then connected to large nitrogen cylinders near by.

You can also buy your own small inexpensive Nitrogen Tanks and
have them filled at welding supply stores in your area. Another
source for small nitrogen tanks is Paint Ball supply stores
either local or on the internet. eBay is a good source. These
small nitrogen tanks can be filled at welding supply stores and
then easily plumbed to fill your tires. Use caution when
handling these small nitrogen tanks as they can be filled to as
much as 3000 psi. Also make sure the nitrogen tank you purchase
has a regulator attached and it is set for about 50 psi.

Filling your own new tires with nitrogen is a simple process.
Jack up one tire until it just clears the ground, remove the
tire valve stem and allow the air in your tires to escape. Once
all the air escapes install a new valve stem. Then simply fill
your tires with nitrogen from your small nitrogen tank. Repeat
the process with the other 3 tires. Do not forget your spare!
Your tires should now have about 95% dry nitrogen and you have
significantly reduced all the hazards and oxidation problems
mentioned above.

If you own a tire store and would like to provide nitrogen for
your customers buy a Ingersoll Rand Nitrogen Tire Inflation
System.

About the author:
Steve Farber is an author and web site publisher on custom
wheels including What You Should Know Before You Buy Tires. Read
articles and reviews on the top 60 custom wheel manufacturers in
the market today at http://www.custom-whee
ls-n-rims.com and http://www.just-spinner-r
ims.com.

Auto Dealer Survey Says Toyota Reigns Over All

2006-08-10T14:48:00.000-04:00

By: Sarah McBride

A survey was recently conducted and studied by the National
Automotive Dealers Association, which is more known as NADA. And
the results stated that the top three spots were reigned over by
Toyota Motor Corporation brands. Topping the list was the Lexus
luxury brand. It was followed then by the other Toyota handled
brand, Scion, and is followed then by the Toyota brand. This
study was done so as to see which brands in the United States
gave its customers the best in dealer satisfaction. And Lexus
took home a 96 point average score which is quite high.

The mentioned survey done by NADA was conducted earlier this
year, during the months of January and February. The survey
contained questions that asked the respondents and auto dealers
to give their ratings when it came to satisfaction from the auto
makers which they represented. It included questions about the
satisfaction about the products that they marketed from cars and
vehicles to auto parts
Toyota and everything else in between. The ratings ranged
from zero up to a complete 100 points.

Asian auto makers also came out to be good in the satisfaction
rating study. In fact, after Toyota, other brands from Asia
followed the list. Honda Motor Corporation's Acura brand took
the third spot. Hyundai Motor Corporation took the fourth place
while the Nissan Motor Corporation made its way to own up to the
fifth spot.

While this was so, American auto manufacturers found their
brands way low on the list. General Motors Corporation's Hummer
and Cadillac brands only received an average of 71.2 on
satisfaction. In fact, even Daimler Chrysler AG's brands even
got much lower scores. Jeep took 71.2 points. Chrysler got a
measly 70.8. Even Mercedes Benz was only able to find some 70.5
points to own. It is not even surprising to find Ford trailing
behind the brands with a rating of 63.7 points.

About the author:
As a manager of one of the largest auto store in
Springfield,Massachusetts, Sarah has extensive expertise on auto
parts and automotives in general. This 42 year old is a
certified car enthusiast.

A Look At Hybrid Cars

2006-08-04T22:23:00.000-04:00

By: Mike Eggert

Are hybrid cars, the cars of the future? Only time will tell. I
am sure most of you have by now heard about the new hybrid cars
in the marketplace today. I'm also sure many of you are saying,
"What the heck is a hybrid car anyway?" Well let us see if we as
laymen people from the old school of gasoline automobiles can
understand these new high tech automobiles.

Firstly we need to know what powers a hybrid. Well a hybrid has
a gasoline engine and also a battery powered generator. The
gasoline engine in the equation is much the same as the cars
most of us are driving today. In most cases it is a bit smaller
than the engines in our somewhat larger automobiles we currently
drive. The reason for this is because the generator helps power
the hybrid car. Both still operate the same as far as having a
transmission to drive the wheels. Albeit a much more
sophisticated version than what is in the typical gasoline
powered vehicle. The difference is when the car begins to slow
down, the gasoline engine stops and the generator motor takes
over, thus saving fuel you would be burning for instance at a
stoplight. Now, not only is this a saving for you as a consumer.
It is also making the air we breathe cleaner. Both are I'm sure
you will agree, a good thing. Now, both engines require a tank
for the fuel, a gas tank the same as most of us have now, but
also a tank for the generator, which is a set of batteries that
must be kept charged. You see, this is the purpose for the
generator.

It takes about 1000 pounds of batteries to equal the energy in a
gallon of gasoline. Sounds like a lot of extra weight, but with
the new designs this is not a problem. The newer designs are
even converting kinetic energy produced by the engine into
electric energy for the batteries. Confused yet? If not, you are
probably reading the wrong article. However, it really doesn't
matter if you understand the inner workings completely. By now
you should at least have a basic understanding of what makes
these little cars more efficient.

I'm sure you have seen some of the new hybrid cars on the street
and were maybe a bit taken back by their appearance at first.
Yes, the new hybrids do take some getting used to, especially
the early models. They are a little smaller in size and very
aerodynamic in design. And, with a driving force of about 60-90
horsepower, don't feel quite as powerful as your current
automobile, but on the horizon are several new models, including
SUV's that are much more traditional in their styling.

I think for now at least, the hybrid cars will take over a big
part of the auto industry and carry us along until the arrival
of the eco- friendly efficient cars of the future.

Take a ride in one of the new hybrid cars and decide for
yourself if they are worth all the hype.

About the author:
For in depth hybrid
car news and reviews visit http://www.hybrid-rides.com

Gas Cards - Great Way To Stick It To The Oil Companies

2006-07-31T18:24:00.000-04:00

Gas Cards - Great Way To Stick It To The Oil Companies - And Get
Cash Back Too!

By: Frederick Musser

If you're like most people you have a credit card or two and you
probably use it on a regular basis. Paying it off every month to
avoid the interest charges, right? ;-)

Do you purchase gas with a credit card? Most gas stations now
have the pay at the pump option making it quick and easy to
stop, pump and pay.

The Key To Gas Card Savings At The Pump . . . . .

Use a gas rewards card.

Use it on a gas saving days - Many gas stations offer a discount
on certain days with a fill up, this adds to even more savings
for you. One gas station where I live offers $.06 off per gallon
on tuesday's. Combine that with a 5% - 10% gas card savings -
Nice savings!

Find other items on sale at the gas station - Many gas stations
run good sales on various grocery type items, why not pick them
up while your there to save even more (if you use the item
anyway).

After you fill up, shut the pump down, pull the trigger and tip
the hose up -There is gas left in the hose. You are paying for
it -get it all.

Fill-up the gas tank in the morning. Some experts say a driver
will get a little more gasoline per gallon if the gas tank is
filled when temperatures are cooler. Over time, the extra fuel
adds up.

Choosing The Gas Card That Is Right For You . . . . .

There are many types of cards to choose from. A type of card
issued by Visa or Mastercard through major banks offers gas
rebates at any gas station along with other benefits. For
example, not only do they offer 5% cash back on purchase at gas
stations, supermarkets, and drug stores, but they also gives you
1% cash back on all other purchases.

Another type of gas reward card is specific to a particular
chain of gas stations. For example, some gas chain specific
cards let you earn a discount of 5% on all of their
participating location purchases and also can be used anywhere
Visa cards are accepted. Cards like this from the SpeedWay and
Marathon gas station chains are great ways for saving on your
gas purchases.

Closing Notes . . . . .

Many of you have read my other articles and are probably
wandering just why I am writing about gas savings when I am a
heavy supporter of e85 Flex Fuel Vehicles.

I understand that not everyone has access to e85 or can go out
and get a new Flex Fuel Vehicle, so the next best thing is to
inform people as to how to save gas and "Stick It To The Oil
Companies - While Getting Cash Back Too!"

For more information on gas cards and their benefits please
visit e85Tips.com/gas_cards.html

About the author:
Frederick Musser is the owner of e85 Tips. A site dedicated to
informing the world about e85 and it's benefits.

Ford On The Move Towards Bringing Up Pickup Truck Sales

2006-07-30T23:37:00.000-04:00

By: Jason Moore

Going back to the Ford Motor Company history, the line up of
pickup trucks from this company actually has been the flagship
among all vehicle line ups. And for Ford, losing a great deal in
sales for this line also means a huge amount of loss for their
entire sales. Due to the recent and continuous increase of gas
and fuel prices, auto consumers have been leaning towards more
fuel efficient cars and vehicles and heading away from pick up
trucks which have been known to be efficient transporters of
people and cargo but low on miles per gallon of gas.

And now, the company is out to make sure that the automotive
world does not forget about the Ford pickup trucks. As part of
this move, they have made sure that auto consumers would be
getting more perks if they do opt to buy a pickup truck. This
tactic has been used by many dealers who also offer used Ford F350 parts - more incentives to equate
to more sales. And the Ford F-Series pickup trucks can now be
purchased with more incentives.

According to Lydia Cisaruk, the spokesperson for the company,
this kind of incentive for the Ford F-series pickup trucks has
been selected to run as part of the company's 'Drive On Us'
campaign on boosting up sales. Since last Friday, anyone
interested in purchasing a new Ford F-series pickup truck could
avail of discounts which could range from $500 up to a $1000
which is, of course, a huge savings for anyone. However, the
whole promo would only be available up until the last day of
this month.

The Ford F-series pickup trucks have been in production since
1948. It has been built as a full size pickup truck. The
Chevrolet Silverado, Nissan Titan, Dodge Ram, and Toyota Tundra
have been those vehicles which the Ford F-series have considered
as competition in the market.

About the author:
Jason Moore, a 35 year old freelance writer from Austin, Texas.
He also works as a marketing analyst for an established auto
parts store in the country.

How to Spot a Good Car Lease

2006-07-23T21:53:00.000-04:00

Leasing has been lauded as your cheapest ticket to keep up with the
industry’s hottest vehicles and trends. The jury, however, is still out
on leasing: with the industry long on hype and short on detail, it is
difficult to distinguish between a genuinely good deal and a downright
up-selling exercise.

So how do you spot a good deal?

First, you need to find out if there are any down payments on the lease. A
down payment refers to the lump sum amount that you pay upfront, either in
cash, non-cash credit or trading allowance, to reduce your monthly payment.
You should think twice before putting money down on a lease: not only are
you getting a rough deal, as you’re essentially forfeiting the general rule
of leasing: not putting any cash upfront, but the money is not recoupable
at the end of your lease. There is another big disadvantage: in the event
of your car getting damaged or stolen, you insurance and the gap cost will
not cover the loss.

Mileage Limit

Most leasing companies allow you a limit of 45,000 free miles over the
length of a 3-year lease. This may seem like a good deal at first sight,
but when you consider it only comes to 15,000 miles over a 12 month period
it’s not difficult to foresee why it might be difficult to stay within this
limit. Even people working from home have little trouble putting 15,000
miles on their cars.
If you exceed the mileage limit, the penalty for each excess mile can be as
high as 20 cents. This can add up quickly over the length of your lease: an
additional 4,000 miles a year over the length of a 3-years lease contract,
will end up costing you an extra $2,400 in excess mileage charges!
Be realistic about your mileage needs, especially if you have to regularly
commute over long-distances, before you sign the contract. Consider padding
the miles that you expect to use since it is less expensive to contract for
the extra before you sign than it is to pay the extra charges at end of
your lease.

Sales Tax

Sales tax is usually capitalized and added to the monthly payments.
However, some dealers choose not to include it in their calculations to
drive the advertised lease payments even lower. What they do instead is
state in the small print that the monthly payment excludes “sales tax”.
Make sure you carefully read the fine print for any extra, hidden costs not
included in the advertised monthly payment. Unscrupulous fees that
typically slip through the cracks include sales tax, registration and title
fees.

Purchasing a Used Vehicle

2006-07-20T16:04:00.000-04:00

By: Ian Koch

If you are in the market for a new car or truck you may find
that the best financial move you can make is buying a used
vehicle. Not only do previously owned vehicles offer
significantly lower prices than new ones but with the advent of
certified pre-owned programs by auto manufacturers and services
like CARFAX the concerns many people have with buying a
previously owned vehicle have been alleviated. In short, you can
get a much better car at a greatly reduced price versus buying
new. There are several different sources of second hand
vehicles.

The classified section in most local newspapers is a good place
to start. So is the word of mouth. Then we have the used car
dealers not to mention all the vehicle auctions around where you
can do a real bargain. Last but not lease I must mention the
internet; this is probably the largest source of used vehicles.
From one window you have a view to every part of the nation:
Here you can search for any make and model, in any price class,
in any location all over the country.

While auto financing rates for used vehicles tend to be slightly
higher as compared to new vehicles when you look at overall
costs over the term of the loan you will quickly find that you
will still end up saving a significant amount. In addition, many
people find that by buying a used car or truck they can lower
the term of the loan which means less interest paid and more
money that can stay in your pocket.

When deciding to buy a previously owned vehicle there is a few
things that you can do to protect you from buying a problem car.
First, you should always obtain a vehicle history report for the
car through services like CARFAX. These reports will list all
the owners of the vehicle, major accidents, service records and
the title history. Once you have verified the car is clean you
should have it checked out by a mechanic. Most automotive repair
shops offer pre-purchase inspections that cost around $75 and
will include a comprehensive report of the areas checked and any
problems that have been found.

After you have performed the above you are ready to get down to
business. Use resources like Kelley Blue Book and NADA to find
out the average price of the vehicle in your area. With
previously owned vehicles there is a lot more wiggle room in
terms of price than with a new vehicle. Don't be afraid to
lowball on the price - you may be pleasantly surprised!

About the author:
Ian Koch likes to publish Auto Info and Articles. Check out his
comprehensive and informative automotive website cheap-used-cars.w-ela
nd.com

Save Gas With A Hybrid: 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid

2006-07-18T15:16:00.000-04:00

By: Lyn Davis

Starting at $22,150, the 2006 Honda Civic hybrid is a great
choice for any car buyer who seeks a safe, attractive,
environmentally-friendly vehicle at an affordable price. Honda
retooled the Civic hybrid to make it even better than before.
Standard features include an 8-valve 4-cylinder gasoline engine,
anti-lock brakes, front and side cushion airbags, a sleek,
multi-tier panel and a top-notch audio system.

Like all hybrids, the 2006 Civic combines a gas engine, powerful
battery and electric motor to achieve maximum mileage and
reduced emissions. The 2006 Honda Civic hybrid can cruise using
only its electric motor in particular driving conditions. This
makes it a "full hybrid" vehicle. As far as gas mileage goes,
the Civic hybrid gets 49 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the
highway. This is a slight improvement from the gas mileage of
the 2005 model.

The 2006 Civic hybrid's electric motor produces 20 horsepower.
The battery pack used for storing energy is 158 volts, increased
from the previous year.

The 2006 Civic hybrid offers seating for five and is considered
a compact sedan. Sleeker and more attractive than the 2005 Civic
hybrid, the 2006 model is great for anyone seeking a sportier
hybrid car.

As far as power goes, the combined gas engine and electric motor
of the 2006 Civic hybrid produce 115 horsepower, an increase of
23 percent from the 2005 model.

If you think the 2006 Honda Civic hybrid might be the right car
for you, the next step is finding a reputable dealership. You
can search for dealerships in your area using the Yellow Pages
or the Internet. It's a good idea to visit more than one
dealership before deciding which one should have your business.
Make sure your salesperson is knowledgeable and friendly without
being overly aggressive. And always take a test drive to make
sure the vehicle you think you want to purchase feels right to
you.

About the author:
Lyn Davis is a freelance writer who specializes in consumer
information. For more information visit Hybrid Cars

Leasing a Car the Smart Way

2006-07-18T12:09:00.000-04:00

By: Charles Essmeier

Buying a car can be rather complicated, as the whole process
tends to be somewhat mysterious. It's often hard to know if
you're getting a good deal or not, even as the salesman claims
that he's selling you the car "at invoice." Leasing a car is
much the same way, except that the terminology is different and
you don't get to keep the car. You're still going to spend a lot
of money, though, so it makes sense to be as well informed about
leasing as possible.

For most consumers, leasing makes less sense than buying. When
you buy, you have a tangible product that you can resell later
or trade in for a new one. With a lease, the only thing you are
buying is the right to use the vehicle for a while. If you don't
drive a lot or if you just like having a new vehicle every
couple of years, leasing may be a good choice for you. Before
you get involved, here are some things you may wish to consider:

The money factor - This is the equivalent of an interest rate on
a car sale. The money factor, in order to remain mysterious,
will be presented as an odd number with a lot of decimal places.
To convert it to an approximate interest rate, multiply it by
24. The money factor, like just about everything else in a
lease, should be negotiable.

The amount due at signing - The size of the check that you have
to submit when you sign the lease can be sizable. You'll hear a
lot about low payments in the commercials, but little (except in
the fine print) about the amount you have to pay upfront. That
will include title fees, license fees, deposits and a reduction
in the capital cost that will reduce the size of your monthly
payments. Ask about this ahead of time; you don't want "sticker
shock" when you see the total.

Duration of the lease - Make sure you understand how long the
lease will last. If you want a car for three years, make sure
the lease isn't for 24 months.

What happens at lease end? You may have to pay, or you may get
to walk away, or you may have the opportunity to buy the
vehicle. The end of lease situation is spelled out in the
document; make sure you understand it before you sign.

Total mileage allowance - The lease will stipulate how many
miles you may drive over the course of the lease; you will have
to pay a per mile charge if you exceed that. The per mile fee
can be excessive, so make sure that the number of miles that you
are given matches your driving expectations. Keep in mind that
the mileage amount and the per mile fee is negotiable.

Each of these things can be an expensive nightmare if you
aren't prepared for them. Leasing a car is different from buying
one and you need to understand that long before you sign your
name on the contract. Otherwise, you could be in for an
expensive ride.

About the author:
©Copyright 2006 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the
owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational
Websites, including LemonLawHelp.net, a site devoted to
information regarding lemon laws for
automobiles and Car-Insurance-Help.net, a site about car insurance.

3 Advantages Of Hybrid Cars Over Conventional Cars

2006-07-17T13:47:00.000-04:00

By: KB Lim

Due to the rising cost of fuel and the environmental damage it
causes to our planet, many car owners or buyers are looking for
an alternative way to save money. Let's face it, fuel supply is
finite and the price of gas is only going to rise higher and
higher. That is where a hybrid car has its advantages

Hybrid cars have been gaining in popularity in recent years.
With lower cost of production and new hybrid car technology
being developed, owning a hybrid car is becoming affordable to
everyone.

Hybrid Cars Saves Gas

The obvious advantage of using hybrid cars is that it saves gas.
Combining the cleaner energy of an electric motor with the long
range capacity of a gasoline engine allows a hybrid car to save
as much as 30 miles a gallon. One feature of hybrid cars is that
the gasoline engine is shut off automatically when the car
stops. This also helps in saving fuel. That is also the reason
why hybrid cars are so quiet why it is stationary. The gasoline
engine is automatically turned on when you step on the
accelerator pedal.

Hybrid Cars Are Environment Friendly

Hybrid cars emit lower toxic emissions compared to conventional
gasoline-powered cars due to less gasoline being burned. It is
environmentally friendly, causes less pollution and releases
less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. If you do not know,
carbon dioxide is one of the primary reasons for rising global
warming. For example, the Toyota Prius can reduce tailpipe
emissions by up to ninety percent and the greenhouse gas
emissions by as much as fifty percent.

Tax Incentives For Hybrid Cars

Due to world political pressures around the world to reduce
greenhouse emissions, President Bush signed an agreement in 2005
to provide huge tax relief to hybrid car buyers. The tax
incentive varies by model and are based on two factors

1. How fuel efficient the hybrid car is compared to a
conventional car in 2002 with the same weight class.

2. How much gasoline the hybrid car can save in its lifetime
compared with an equivalent conventional car

For example, a Honda Accord hybrid car have reduced tax credits
of $600 while a Toyota Prius has a tax credit of $3150. Do note
that the tax credits do expire after 2010 for most hybrid cars.

Hybrid car manufacturers are continually researching for more
ways to reduce fuel consumption and better fuel efficiency. Also
as more hybrid cars are being adopted, the cost of hybrid cars
will reduce making it more affordable for everyone.

About the author:
Dan Lim is a hybrid
car owner who contributes hybrid car technology articles regularly to http://all-hybrid-cars.info.

The Honda Civic Hybrid - A New Breed Of Car

2006-07-15T22:16:00.000-04:00

By: Joe Bella

The Honda Civic Hybrid is one of those marvels of automotive
technology that combines the new world of electrical power with
the old world of fossil fuels. It may be a marvel of automotive
technology, but is it worth the higher price tag? After all, the
regular 2006 Honda Civic sedan has a pretty incredible MPG
rating, is the hybrid version that much better?

Well, the answer to that really depends. I'd say yes, no, and
maybe all at once. The Honda Civic Hybrid gets an amazing
50-MPG, which is about the same on both cities and highways.
This isn't the highest MPG rating out there amongst hybrid
vehicles, but it is very good and quite consistent. Owning one
will certainly save you money on gas right away. Also, as a
certified partial-zero emissions vehicle (AT-PZEV), you really
aren't hurting the environment at all by driving one of these
things.

If everyone in the United States had this type of vehicle, the
US would not only be completely self-sufficient with its own oil
reserves, but would be able to export large amounts of oil to
other countries.

So, if those are issues that are important to you, the new
models may be worth looking into just for their environmentally
friendly attitude. All hybrid vehicles are still in a somewhat
early stage of the technology, however, so they are slightly
more prone to technical difficulties. Maintenance costs on your
Honda Civic Hybrid may out weigh any money you save in gas. Yet
the reduced impact on the environment is of course the same
nevertheless.

The new 2006 model has also undergone some upgrades, making it
even more attractive. Like the other Honda Civics, it has gotten
of makeover, and looks a whole lot sharper than before. One of
the biggest draw backs on the first version for me was its odd
appearance. The new ones actually look like regular new cars,
and are much better looking than the competing cars of this
nature.

Personally, I'm opting to wait before diving into the hybrid
market. Since the sedan gets between 30 and 40 MPG, which in
itself is extremely good, I feel safer using the older yet more
proven and more reliable gas technology. However, the Honda
Civic Hybrid is certainly getting better each year, and I'm sure
I'll be reevaluating my thoughts on the idea of getting one
soon.

About the author:
Joe has enjoyed unique and muscle cars for over 2 decades and
knows which ones bring the best trade-in values as well as
horsepower. For his latest car articles, see: Car and Auto Articles

Auto Quote

2006-07-03T23:36:00.000-04:00

Right now the auto makers are offering tons of year end specials. Get your auto quote right now. It's easy and it's free with no obligation. Autos.com lets you search dealers inventories and find whatever you're looking for. You can even get auto loans online through them.

GM is offering 0% financing on most vehicles for a full 72 months. Chrysler's incentives are low percentage financing based on models and cash rebates of up to $3,500 on some truck models. Ford has 5-year 0% deals on just about every vehicle they make, including hybrids. If you're in the market for a new car now's the time.

Best Time to Buy a New Car

2006-06-13T21:22:00.000-04:00

If you're in the market to buy a new car now is the best time. The dealers want to clear out their lots for the new models. A lot of manufacturers are also offering rebates or special finance deals, too. You can get a quote right now online. check it out.

How to Find Cheap Auto Insurance

2006-06-10T17:33:00.000-04:00

Factoring in the cost of auto insurance is one thing most people overlook
when shopping for a new car. Check out this article for some good pointers.

By: Terry Bolton

Auto insurance is one of those items where the price can vary a
lot based on which insurer you go through. Sometimes your rates
can vary as much as 20-30% just because of different rating
factors the company may use. By utilizing the power of the
Internet you can be a savvy insurance shopper and find cheap
auto insurance that fits your needs while providing the customer
service and support you need.

When people are shopping for a new or used car they often don't
think about insurance until the last moment. Several consumers
fall into the trap of obtaining an instant car loan through the
dealership and inadvertently signing up for the auto insurance
through the finance company. This can be one of the worst
mistakes you can make. Often finance companies that roll
insurance into the finance agreement will charge premium prices
that have interest charges added in on top of the already high
rates. When obtaining financing make sure you state up front
that you will be getting insurance through a company of your
choosing and not the finance company.

The best bet to finding the best deal on vehicle coverage is to
do your research before you buy the car. By knowing up-front
what type of car you are looking for most insurance companies
can provide you with a basic quote that is in the ballpark of
the rates you can expect to pay. Remember, never drive off the
lot with any car until you have the insurance purchased and
finalized. Accidents can happen anywhere at any time. The last
thing you want to happen is to be in an accident without
insurance.

About the author:
Terry Bolton is a writer and internet publisher who
likes to publish Articles with Auto Information. Check out his
comprehensive and informative automotive website cheap-used-cars.w-e
land.com

Is Acura Missing the Alternate Fuels Boat?

2006-06-01T15:03:00.000-04:00

By: Matthew C. Keegan

The Honda division is getting "all the goods" when it comes to
alternate fuel technology, while Acura is missing out. All that
will radically change within the next few years.

While parent company Honda continues to bestow all of its hybrid
technology on its Honda division vehicles, Acura is doing
without any alternate engine sources to power their cars and
SUVs. Instead, the division is relying on newer gasoline engines
to promote fuel efficiency as well as to lower greenhouse gas
emissions. Is Acura doing enough or is Honda's luxury division
missing the boat? Big changes are headed Acura's way, changes
that could enormously overhaul the brand and bring to the market
vehicles powered by a variety of alternate fuel sources. Let's
examine exactly what might be Acura's alternate powerplant
offerings at the beginning of the next decade.

Diesel, Biodiesel - Honda got into the diesel market
late, but the company's first offerings are considered to be
exceptionally good. Four cylinder powered diesel engines are
being developed that will initially appear in select Honda model
cars within the next two years. These new engines meet current
EPA guidelines and raise the typical fuel mileage of each car by
about 30%. Importantly, each engine will be able to run on
biodiesel a renewable resource made of ingredients such as
soybeans. Acura may get its own diesel aspirated engine soon
after the launch of the first diesel powered Honda hits the
market.

Ethanol - Unlike American based automakers, Honda has no
plans to offer vehicles that can run on E85 technology. E85,
consisting of 85% ethanol [usually corn] and 15% straight
gasoline has been getting a lot of press attention lately.
However, the extreme lack of service stations offering the fuel
has kept demand low. Honda has decided to concentrate on next
generation hybrid technology instead of branching out to E85.

Hydrogen - Claiming that the first hydrogen powered car
will be ready for production within the next 3 or 4 years, some
are doubting that Honda will be prepared to make such a move
until well after then. Look for Acura to only get a hydrogen
powered car several years after the first Honda hydrogen vehicle
has been successfully tested in Japan.

Pluggable Hybrid - To extend hybrid fuel economy even
further, pluggable hybrid powered vehicles are currently being
developed. Acura's first hybrid may include this technology once
Honda readies it for the market. Toyota is readying a similar
model and Ford is doing likewise. 100 mpg may be a realistic
figure once these vehicles are rolled out.

Natural Gas - A natural gas powered Acura isn't likely to
be produced, simply because Honda is investing in hybrid,
diesel, and hydrogen technology above all else. Still, natural
gas could be used in future fuel cell vehicles to make hydrogen.
Thus, in an indirect way natural gas could power an Acura
vehicle of the not-too-distant future.

So, although it would appear that Acura isn't getting the same
alternate fuel technology as the Honda division is at the
moment, it would appear that all of that will change in the very
near future. This is good news for people who enjoy the Acura
brand, but want to see it expand to include options that are
environmentally friendly and promote fuel efficiency.

About the author:
Copyright 2006 - Matt Keegan is an article writer
covering a wide variety of automotive topics including all of
the luxury brands. Your Acura
TL is among the very best vehicles produced today; get high
quality Acura
Parts and Acura
Accessory .

Save Time With Auto Loans Online

2006-05-31T11:21:00.000-04:00

By: Connie Barker

Remember the last time you bought a car? Remember how you sat in
the dealership reading the same magazine over and over again
waiting for your auto loan to be approved? Those days are gone,
as are the pathetic wait times associated with conventional auto
loans. Today, the World Wide Web has opened up an entirely new
avenue by which to obtain an auto loan. Wouldn't it be great to
travel to the dealership, paperwork in hand, knowing that you
are already approved for an auto loan? Just think of all the
time you will save by not having to get an auto loan after you
pick out your new auto.

Thousands of people all over the world are taking advantage of
auto loans online, why shouldn't you? Instead of filling out all
of those boring application papers by hand, you can quickly type
the information in via your computer, and have your approval in
a matter of minutes instead of having to wait hours for your
auto loan to be approved.

As long as you have access to a computer with an Internet
connection, finding an online auto loan will not pose any
problems. By using any of the major search engines available,
you can search for auto loans online and compare what each
different one offers. Some auto loans will offer you a lower
rate, while other may offer you longer terms in which to pay the
auto loan off. Examine your particular needs before deciding
which auto loan will offer you the most benefit.

Auto loans found online are very much comparable in regards to
rates and terms as those auto loans made available by dealers,
credit unions and banks. In some instances, auto loans online
will offer you special incentives that you just won't find at a
brick and mortar bank.

Above all else, realize that when you are seeking an auto loan
online, there are many online vendors waiting to answer your
call. Save yourself a ton of time and log onto the World Wide
Web to see what is offered to you when you take advantage of an
auto loan online. You may just be surprised by what you find.

Auto loans online are becoming a popular way for people in
today's hectic society to secure funding in order to make a new
auto purchase, and save precious time while doing it.

About the author:
Connie Barker is the owner of several informational financial
websites including Auto
Loans Online

Leasing a Car Has Advantages and Disadvantages

2006-05-27T19:46:00.000-04:00

By: Charles Essmeier

Buying a car is expensive; there is no getting around that. It's
easy to pay as much for a new car today as one might have paid
for a house a generation ago. But they are more complicated than
they used to be and they are safer, too. Still, there is the
matter of the money, and if you don't have a lot to spend you
may be considering leasing instead of buying. The low monthly
payments offered with leases can be appealing, particularly if
you are on a budget.

But there is more to leasing a car than just the low payment
advertised in the commercial on TV. Anyone who is in the market
for a new automobile should consider the pros and cons of
leasing a car as opposed to buying one.

Here are some of the good points about leasing a car:

The payments are lower - Sure, the payments are lower; you are
only paying for the portion of the car's value that you are
actually using, and not the car itself. The lower payments could
help budget-minded shoppers, or they could allow the consumer to
make a deal on a more expensive car than he or she might have
otherwise purchased.

Less cash outlay - It's possible in many cases to lease a car
with less out of pocket cash than a purchase requires. This
could help some shoppers who don't have a lot of cash for a
large down payment.

The drawbacks to leasing include:

Excess mileage fees - The lease spells out how many miles you
may drive per year; if you exceed the total over the life of the
lease you will have to pay extra. That extra fee could be as
much as 25 cents per mile and some leases permit as few as
10,000 miles per year. If you drive a lot and you fail to
consider this, you could be paying a lot of extra cash at the
end of the contract.

Early termination fee - If you have to end the lease early, the
fee charged could be huge. How large? You might have to pay
everything owed on the remainder of the contract. Even if you
don't plan to end the contract early, it sometimes happens in
the form of auto theft or an accident.

You don't have a car - This one seems obvious, but with a lease,
you don't actually own a car. When the contract is up, you give
it back and you have nothing tangible to show for the money you
have paid. You may, of course, purchase the vehicle for an
agreed-upon price, but otherwise you will find yourself, once
again, without a car to drive.

For some people, the advantages of having a fairly new car all
the time makes leasing a good choice. For people who drive a lot
or who want to get the most car for their money, buying is
probably a better options. Consider the pros and cons carefully
in order to decide which method of acquiring transportation
works best for you.

©Copyright 2006 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the
owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational
Websites, including LemonLawHelp.net, a site devoted to
information regarding lemon laws for
automobiles.

Saving Big With Hybrid Cars

2006-05-24T14:38:00.000-04:00

By: Aurel Radulescu

In America, a standard automobile gets an average of 20.4 miles
per gallon. With the innovative hybrid technology, consumers can
expect to get a lot more mileage for their dollar. According to
researchers, the Honda Insight was designed specifically for the
purpose of getting the best gas mileage and is said to be the
current industry leader in this type of hybrid savings.

Just how much of a difference will consumers see with the Honda
Insight hybrid cars? Studies have shown that hybrid cars
featuring a manual transmission will get approximately 60 miles
per gallon in the city and 66 miles per gallon on the highway.
Hybrid cars with an automatic transmission generally provide
slightly less than 57 miles per gallon in the city and 56 miles
per gallon on the highway.

The brand new 2006 Honda Civic hybrid cars are only manufactured
with an automatic transmission and provide an approximate 50
miles per gallon on the highway and/or the city.

As expected, hybrid cars will get better mileage per gallon than
that of a hybrid SUVs. The Ford Escape, for example, provides 36
miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the
highway. Even with these numbers, the hybrid Escape is rated to
provide better gas mileage than the non-hybrid Escape, which is
only said to provide 22 miles per gallon in the city and 25
miles per gallon on the highway.

The most popular reason for consumers to purchase hybrid cars is
because they are economical. With the recent rise in gasoline
prices, consumers were left searching for an automobile that
could provide better gas mileage and found just that in hybrid
cars. In addition to their fuel friendly design, hybrid cars are
no longer confined to one or two cookie cutter designs. In fact,
today's hybrid cars are available in a variety of sizes, colors
and are manufactured by a several automobile makers.

With all of the aforementioned benefits, many wonder just how
much the convenience of saving money will cost. Surprisingly,
hybrid cars are not drastically priced above other non-hybrid
automobiles. In fact, hybrid cars & SUVs can be found in prices
ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for standard models, but may
cost more depending on chosen upgrades. The new hybrid cars are
available in the look of typical highway automobiles or those
designed with a unique flair. Either way, the manufacturers of
hybrid cars believe that while appearance is important, the most
important thing about these new technologically advanced autos
is the fact that they are both environmentally and wallet
friendly.

About the author:
Find more about auto buying
guides and how to find the

Hybrid Honda Civic

2006-05-18T10:25:00.000-04:00

Just a quick comparison of the hybrid Honda Civic to the non hybrid Civic.

hybrid: mileage 49/51
base price 22,150

Sedan: mileage 30/40
base price 14700

Now at gas prices around 3 dollars a gallon and tax breaks for purchasing it looks like it wouldn't take long to recoup your investment if you went with the hybrid Honda Civic. It's well worth looking into.

Know What You Need to Save Big On Auto Insurance

2006-05-15T10:27:00.000-04:00

By: Ray La Foy

Keeping up with an automobile can be an expensive venture. There
are monthly payments, maintenance, gas and repair bills to worry
about. And then, of course, there's insurance, which can really
put a drain on a wallet. But, there are lots of cheap insurance
policies available to help drivers even with not so perfect
records save some money.

There's no reason to pay an arm and a leg for insurance; even
when there's an accident or a ticket or two in a driver's
history. There are plenty of companies that offer reasonable and
even "cheap" rates without cutting corners on the coverage.These
companies can even be big-name insurers who are looking to boost
their client base and compete with others or they may be
relatively new carriers wanting to make a name for themselves.
Insurance is a number game and sometimes those numbers can pay
off in a driver's favor.

The Internet can be one of the best tools for finding a good
insurance carrier that doesn't charge an exorbitant amount for
auto coverage. By allowing a quick comparison from multiple
companies, this tool helps cut out the middle man and can really
garner a shopper some serious savings.

When shopping for insurance, there are some things to consider
to make certain the policy bought is quality even if the price
is cheap. They include:

* Be certain what ever is purchased matches at least a state's
minimum legal requirements. If it doesn't, it won't matter how
cheap the policy is, it won't be worth the money. The fines for
not having the right type of policy can be steep, so do be sure
to understand what they are in your location.

* Only get the kind of coverage you need. Even top name
insurance companies can provide decent rates for those with
tarnished records, but getting the decent rate might require
seriously considering every portion of coverage. Don't buy
things that aren't necessary. If, for example, you have an extra
car at your disposal, don't pay for rental coverage. Should you
have a great medical insurance policy, don't invest in huge
amounts of personal injury protection. Do, however, make certain
the parts of the policy you need cover your bases.

* Check into an insurance company's background. A cheap policy
isn't a great buy if the company that writes the policy isn't
solvent enough to pay claims. Make sure the company you go with
has a good record in the field. If it's a start up company, see
if they've handled other types of insurance in the past and
recently added auto coverage. Sometimes this will be the case.

* Ask about payout track records. Insurance companies that make
each and every claim a chore on their clients aren't worth
dealing with. While it's certainly true insurance companies
should investigate and protect themselves from fraud, giving
clients a difficult time unnecessarily is a sign to stay away.

* Review what your loan requirements may be. When buying a
policy, be certain that cheap rate actually meets the
requirements of your loan. If it doesn't, you might find
yourself with a second bill in the mail. Auto loan companies
don't take kindly to their investments not being covered
correctly.

No matter your insurance requirements, shop around. If possible,
compare multiple policies for your car and your personal
situation and pick the best fit.

About the author:
More resources

Cheap car
insurance.

http://www.cheapcarinsurance1.com

Defensive
driving courses.

http://www.defensivedrivingcoursesonline.com

Anti-Theft Devices For Vehicles

2006-05-11T15:35:00.000-04:00

By: Kenneth McKinley

Cars are expensive. That is why people do try to go out of their
way to keep their vehicle safe, secure, and free from thieves
and robbers. It is a good thing that some people have been able
to create and design anti-theft devices. For most people, these
devices are considered as blessings to those protecting their
vehicles.

If you are interested in purchasing an anti-theft device for
your vehicle, you should first take into consideration where you
park your car. You see, if you are parking it somewhere far from
where you are staying, even if the alarm goes off, you would not
be able to hear it. Also, you would have to consider if people
would be willing to rush towards your car or would they simply
be ignoring it.

You can try to give thieves the feeling that they could not take
your car. You can discourage them with the use of indicator
lights. You can also use window decals which costs around $2 to
$5. Or, for $80 to $200, you can purchase and use large and
heavy-gauge steel objects like steering wheel locks or tire
locks. Through this, you are telling thieves to stay off for
they would have to put up a hard and tiring fight before they
can get their hands on your car.

Look through various anti-theft devices. Remember that seasoned
thieves can actually go through complication devices in around a
minute or two only. Some anti-theft devices you can usually
purchase in the market include audible alarms, a concierge
system, cellular alarms that notify the police, locking steering
wheel covers, locking steering wheel column covers, locking
steering wheel bars, electronic immobilizers, engine system
locks, fuel-system locks, tracking devices, and delay devices.

While looking for anti-theft devices for your vehicle, you can
also try to locate good and quality auto parts for your
vehicles. You can try Volvo
Parts and Used Volvo Parts which includes Volvo 160
parts in their stock. Aside from that, the store also has
engine parts, brakes, and accessories in store for customers.

About the author:
Kenneth McKinley is a 35-year old marketing specialist of
voparts.com, a leading Volvo parts dealer in the country today.
Working in the car parts industry for a long time now and being
a car enthusiast himself gives him a wealth of knowledge on
anything automotive.

Avoiding Distractions While On The Road

2006-05-10T12:54:00.000-04:00

By: Joe Thompson

Driving is an activity that needs not only the proper skills but
it also needs the driver to have ultimate and great
concentration on the road. Being focused on the activity itself
gives the driver and its passengers greater chances of not
meeting any kind of mishap, collision, crash, or accident.

Even experienced drivers still meet accidents when they become
careless when driving. Try to take your eyes off the road for
just a couple of seconds. Doing such greatly increases your
chances of meeting a disaster. That is why automobile experts
and drivers suggest that the best thing to do would be to avoid
distractions at all costs. By avoiding them, you are also
keeping yourself safe along with your passengers, other
motorists, and pedestrians.

Try not to eat in the car. You see, when you are eating while
driving, you tend to fumble around for the food. You could drop
it or even try to drive using just one hand. Doing these things
actually could be the cause of a major problem.

Avoid fiddling around with your car's controls. It could be your
radio, your car's heaters, the air conditioner, or its mirrors.
Experts suggest that if you would like to change the status of
these controls, it would be better if you pulled over first and
do the adjustments once you are safe on the side of the road.
When everything has already been adjusted as per your
preference, then would be the time to go back on the road. You
may be wasting some minutes while doing so but remember that you
are keeping yourself alive by doing that.

Cellular phones should not be used while driving. If you want to
place a call, pull over first. That way, you can concentrate on
dialing the right numbers and listening well on the
conversation.

Weird noises from your car could also lead to distractions. If
the noises actually are caused by some parts asking to be
replaced, go ahead and change them. There are many parts
available on the Internet and one good source is Auto Parts Discount.
It has in stock various auto parts like F
ord parts.

About the author:
Joe Thompson is the owner of a successful auto body shop in
Ferndale, California. This 38 year old is also a prolific
writer, contributing automotive related articles to various
publications.

High Fuel Cost And What It Means To Our Everyday Lives

2006-05-08T16:22:00.000-04:00

By: Jerry Christopher

According to our recent poll, the rising cost of fuel has caused
many families and individuals to restrain from driving habits
that we've been so accustomed to. Before the fuel cost
skyrocketed we wouldn't think twice about hopping in our car for
a 50 or 60-mile trip, perhaps to a zoo or other recreational
area for a leisurely Sunday outing with our families.

But by the statements of those who responded to our poll, it
appears that these leisurely drives are being limited or in some
cases, families are simply staying home more.

In order to combat his high fuel expense, M. Cooper from Saint
Louis Mo, a consultant that drives 20,000 mile plus per year
recently traded in his Ford Taurus for a new Honda Civic that
gets 41mpg.

Another consumer stated the fuel prices have drastically changed
their life style, they've quit going out to dinner, going to the
movies and even cancelled their vacation plans. What once cost
him 42.00 to fill up his truck, now cost $110.00. We have a lot
less money than we did before this all started. We've
drastically reduced the amount of driving, only when necessary
and have attempted to combine trips, we do not do any extra
driving unless it is for school or work, so we stay home much
more and do not have extra money NOW!

Matt Downer from Downers Grove, Illinois seems to have at lease
somewhat of a positive spin on the situation. I've become a lot
more in shape because I walk everywhere or bike, I think it's a
blessing in disguise, America is the most obese country in the
world and maybe this will slim it down a bit, also a lot fewer
fuel emissions if people don't drive the earth won't die.

What ever your thoughts and opinions are for the recent climb in
prices, I think it's clear that until the prices come down, the
majority of the everyday working class people will be forced to
continue to deprive themselves of even the most basic luxuries.

While we can't control the price per gallon, we can at least
follow a few basic guidelines and reduce our cost, albeit a
minimum amount, but at $3.00 per gallon, even a minimum amount
will help our pocketbooks.

Listed below are UsedCarWise.Com's Top 10 tips for increasing
your fuel mileage.

1. Set the tire pressure to the recommend psi as per the tire
placard or label of your vehicle. (Always adjust tire pressure
with cold tires)

2. Avoid excessive idling times, such as warming your car up in
the mornings (It serves no purpose anyway)

3. Instead of going thru the drive thru at fast food chains, go
inside to order. This will of course avoid excess idling while
in line.

4. Remove any excessive weight from the trunk or bed of your
truck (This doesn't include over weight spouses either)

5. Remove luggage racks for aerodynamic reasons.

6. Make sure the steering and suspension system end is aligned
properly, a mis-aligned steering system will cause excessive
drag and reduce fuel mileage.

7. Use Cruise Control while driving at highway speeds.

8. Reduce your speed by 5mph, this may be the biggest saver of
all, and if you think about it, 5mph will not get you to your
destination much quicker. (Just be prepared for 1 finger hello's
and horn honkers)

9. Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained, especially the
air filter. If your check engine light is on, have it corrected
as soon as possible, it could be a defective sensor or other
mechanical fault that will severely impact fuel mileage. Always
use the proper grade of engine oil as well, the wrong grade can
impact fuel mileage by 1% or more.

10. Avoid jackrabbit starts and aggressive driving habits.

While the above tips may not be new, they certainly bear not
just repeating, but adhering to as well. And with the cost of
fuel at record highs, we need all the help we can muster.

About the author:
Jerry Christopher, owner http://www.usedcarwise.com offering a
unique and innovative approach to buying a used car the smart
way.

Tips on Selling Your Car

2006-05-05T15:39:00.000-04:00

By: John Mussi

When we decide to sell our car we always want to get the best
value for it. Even if it is worth only $500, we would still want
to sell it at $1000 if possible. Here are some tips that can
increase the car's value and make selling it easier too.

To learn more about the pricing of your car, try to look for the
same models in your specific zip code. The further the place is
the more likely the difference in their car prices, unless it is
a collector's item car.

The next thing you do is clean the engine. Everything that the
buyer sees under your hood will be detrimental to his decision.
So clean the engine, battery and radiator. Also tighten up the
belts that may provide weird sounds. Also check the fluids,
sparkplugs and add antifreeze to the radiator.

After fixing the things under the hood, also fix up the body of
the car. Clean the body very well and remove all the bugs and
dirt. If the windshield and the lights are broken replace it.
Also try to touch up the body with paint if it is rusting. After
you have cleaned your car, apply Armorall. To make the wheels
look good to, spray it with silver spray paint. Then fill the
tires up with the proper psi and make them shinier and blacker
with tire products.

Next, you would need to make the interior look good too. Clean
the interior plastic with Armorall or 409 spray cleaner. Let the
spray sit for a few minutes and then spray again and then wipe
it all off. Other things that you must clean with Armorall or
409 spray are the interior vinyl and the headliner. Vacuum the
interior very well. Spray and scrub the interior fabric with a
soft bristle plastic brush.

Make the dashboard look good by buying those preformed
dashboards. This is important to look good because a dashboard
is in the buyer's face. If the car is expensive, have the car
seat replaced by an upholsterer, if not, you can get some cheap
seat covers. Replace some missing parts like door lock knobs and
rear view mirrors with generic stuff. If the steering wheel is
also damaged, put some steering wheel cover.

After you've done all the stuff to make your car look beautiful
you are now ready to put it in the ads. Try to make it stand out
form the crowd and also get the extra 3 line boxes. Be
descriptive as possible and get a CARFAX history report.

You may freely reprint this article provided the following
author's biography (including the live URL link) remains intact:

About the author:
John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help
homeowners find the best available loans via the www.directonlineloans.
co.uk website.

Getting the Most Car for Your Buck - Car Auction Tips

2006-05-04T16:13:00.000-04:00

By: Tim Lee

Vehicles that are used in the commission of certain crimes,
particularly drug offenses, often become the property of the
arresting agency, depending on local laws. While these seized
vehicles are occasionally used by the agency, in the vast
majority of cases the vehicles are sold at auction.

Cars that have been repossessed for nonpayment are also commonly
sold at car auctions. This means that, under the right
circumstances, the savvy shopper can find some spectacular
deals.

Car auctions are competitive, however, so it is possible to come
away paying more than the vehicle is worth. This article
provides a few car auction tips that can be used to increase the
chances of finding real bargains.

It is important to do your homework before the car auction
begins. Most auctions will allow the automobiles to be inspected
by the public a few days before the event is held. This provides
a great opportunity to look under the hood, kick the tires,
check the shocks, and do all the other tests that can give the
shopper an idea of the state of the vehicle.

Be sure to record the vehicle identification number (VIN) of any
vehicle you are interested in buying. You can use this number to
get a report on issues that have been reported to insurance
agencies or law enforcement departments in the past.

It is important to know if the vehicle has been flooded, fire
damaged, rebuilt, or involved in a major accident. Armed with
this knowledge, you can return and inspect the vehicle and look
for defects that you might not otherwise know to look for.

This advice assumes that the purchaser is skilled enough with
automobiles to know how to inspect them properly. For most
auctions, a test drive is out of the question.

Therefore, if you are not confident in your ability to diagnose
the condition of the vehicle, consider asking a friend or
relative who is knowledgeable about the inner workings of
automobiles to help you out. Some professional mechanics will
also attend the auction to inspect the car for you (for a fee of
course).

It is important to have all of your homework complete by the
time the auction begins. Know beforehand the maximum amount you
are willing to pay and stick to it. It is very easy to get
caught up in the competitive nature of bidding and become so
engrossed in beating the "other guy" that you lose perspective
of the real reason you are there--to find the best deal
possible. It is not uncommon for people to leave auctions
bewildered why they paid as much as they did.

Car auctions can be a great source for excellent deals for those
who are serious about finding bargains and do their homework.
Those who attend the auction spontaneously or lose themselves in
the competitive nature of bidding are likely to come away paying
more than if they had bought the vehicle from a dealer.

About the author:
For listings of car auctions, please visit http://www.auto-car-
auctions.info/

Blue Book Used Car Prices

2006-05-03T14:51:00.000-04:00

By: Josh Riverside

Buying a car is a big decision. The price is a very important
aspect since it is a big investment that has to last for some
years. The car should also have a good value when resold after a
few years.

There are many sources for buying used cars: directly from the
owner, from dealers, from used car superstores, or from
auctions. Prices also vary depending on this factor. Car prices
depend upon the distance the car has traveled and other factors
such as the condition of the car, place of purchase, the model,
the make, and the year of manufacture.

The Blue Book is an information database containing exhaustive
information from the automobile industry. It is a very reliable
source of information for both buyers as well as sellers. Blue
Book prices are used for a variety of transactions: trading in
the automobile to a dealer, buying a used car from a dealer,
buying a used car from a private party, or selling a used car to
a private party. The information is unbiased and generally used
as a guideline for the entire automobile industry since it is
obtained from a gamut of sources comprised of wholesale
auctions, independent dealers, franchised dealers, original
equipment manufacturers, rental and fleet agencies, and
private-party transactions. All this data, along with other
factors like historical trends, current economic conditions,
industry developments, seasonality, and location are combined
and analyzed to arrive at the final figures. Trade- in-value,
suggested retail value, and private party values are determined
by the Blue Book.

Blue Book used car prices are set by considering several factors
such as the car's mileage, its condition, the equipment in the
car, the geographic area where the car was driven, and other
options on the car. The Blue Book also gives other services such
as a payment calculator, ability to compare the cars, free
CARFAX record check, free extended warranty quote, as well as
financing and insurance advice. Used car Blue Book prices can
also be accessed online via the Internet at some sites such as
the Kelly Blue Book. These sites contain several options to view
and select used cars, as well as apply for any of the other
services.

About the author:
Car Prices provides
detailed information on Car Prices, New Car Prices, Used Car
Prices, Blue Book Used Car Prices and more. Car Prices is
affliated with Ladder
Rack Vans.

Should I Be Leasing My Next New Car ?

2006-05-02T14:39:00.000-04:00

By: AutosBargain.com Team

Leasing is a very simple concept. You only pay for the portion
of the vehicle's worth that you are actually going to use, plus
lease charges to the leasing company. Leasing a vehicle means
that a person pays the amount by which a vehicle's value
depreciates during the time they are driving it. Depreciation is
the difference between a vehicle's original value and its value
at lease-end (residual value), and is the primary factor that
determines the cost of leasing.

What attracts
people to leasing? Affordability. With leasing, you can drive a
new vehicle with little down payment. Plus, leasing will enable
you to drive a new car or truck more often and without worrying
about unpredictable resale values. Leasing has become popular
because it offers people a way to drive the vehicles they want
-- often better vehicles than they could buy -- for less money
compared to purchase. Leasing has become increasingly popular
over the years because of two main factors. First, the cost of
new cars has spiraled upwards recently, often escalating prices
out of reach of average buyers. Second, tax law changes in the
late 1980's eliminated interest deductions on automobile loans,
further increasing the cost of ownership. The net effect is that
people have become increasingly eager to find ways to make their
personal vehicles more affordable.

Leasing is
simply a method of paying for the use of a car, truck, SUV, or
van over a specified period of time. Once the consumer and
dealer agree on a price (capitalized cost), and the lease
contract has been signed, the dealer then sells the car to the
leasing company at the agreed upon price. The leasing company
then leases the car to the consumer, based on that price. For
this reason, price becomes the most important factor in what a
person pays in monthly payments.

Before you decide
to lease a vehicle, take a moment to determine if leasing is
right for you, compared to buying. If you agree with any of the
statements below, then you're probably a good candidate for an
auto lease:

* I'm comfortable making regular monthly payments
* I
prefer to drive a car that's always under warranty
* I
don't drive more than 15,000 miles per year
* I don't want
to hassle with trade-ins
* When I trade a car in, I owe
more than it's worth
* My car will be used for business
purposes

The consumer has the option to shop for his/her own
leasing company, bank, or credit union to find better lease
terms compared to the leasing companies offered by the dealer.
Most online leasing programs
can arrange to secure a better lease due to fleet arrangements.
The tradeoff is that dealers make it very convenient to arrange
for both the vehicle and the lease all in a single meeting and
the dealer's specified leasing company can often offer special
lease terms and incentives to help the dealer move vehicles.

Signing a leasing contract means that the consumer
agrees to make regular monthly payments, keep appropriate
insurance, pay any vehicle taxes and licensing fees, and take
good care of the vehicle. Furthermore, the consumer agrees to
keep the car for a specified number of months -- typically 24,
36, or 48 months -- and is expected to hold onto the vehicle
through the end of the lease contract. Keep in mind, it can be
very costly to end a lease early.

One last thing to
remember, because you pay for the use of a vehicle during a
lease, you should put as little money down as possible, up
front. Although putting money down can lower your lease payments
(by reducing your capitalized cost) in most cases it cannot be
regained in the event of early termination due to a loss.

For example, a customer leased a Honda Accord and put
$4,000 down as a cap reduction. Three months later the vehicle
is totaled in an accident. Customer's insurance will pay its
portion of the lease payoff and Gap Insurance will pay the
balance. Customer will walk away with only paying his insurance
deductible but he will not get reimbursed for his initial down
payment of $4,000. It will be lost. The moral of this true story
is to put as little money down as possible, ideally no money
down.

*ref link:
http://autosbargain.com/index.php?option=com_weblinks&catid=116&I
temid=57

About the author:
Everyone tries to negotiate the best new car deal in town, but
we simply don't know what the lowest price is.

AutosBargain.com
is dedicated to find the lowest new car prices online.
We receive hundreds of "vehicle purchased price" and update the
best new car bargain daily. New car buyers will no longer have
to negotiate blindly and save thousands of dollars on any new
car.

Keeping Your Car in Tune

2006-05-01T20:57:00.000-04:00

By: Kimberly Meyer

Nobody looses from keeping a car taken cared of well. If you do
follow maintenance schedules and do repairs well, you would not
only be helping your pocket but you also would be helping the
environment be greener than ever. You see, if a vehicle is
well-maintained, chances are that it would be running better,
safer, and more efficiently.

The engine is a very important and essential part of the whole
car's system. By keeping it tuned rightly, your vehicle would be
running much smoother. In fact, if your engine has a misfiring
spark plug, your vehicle's fuel efficiency actually is cut down
to around thirty percent. Thirty percent is a great amount. If
there is a need to replace filters and fluids, do not hesitate
to do so. In fact, it would be best to follow service schedules.

Improperly inflated tires may not be a big deal for most people,
however, the sad truth behind this is that improperly inflated
tires bring down your vehicle's fuel efficiency. This could also
be the start of expensive damages on your vehicle. For sure,
these are some matters that you would like to avoid as much as
possible. Keep your tires properly maintained and properly
inflated so as not to waste those precious drops of fuel.

It is also important to keep your vehicle's air conditioner
working properly. If it needs any kind of servicing, have the
work done by only a technician who is certified to do such types
of duties. Make sure that you choose a qualified technician.

On the other hand, you can also do things yourself like dispose
of used motor oil, change anti-freeze and coolant, check tires,
and replace old batteries properly. However, do not simply dump
these anywhere. There are recycling sites that handle such
wastes so much so that it does not harm other people and harm
the environment as well.

With years of combined experience in selling premium quality
auto parts, Mazda
Parts and Mazda Auto Parts has been the trusted and most
reliable source of quality Mazda 323 parts. In fact, by providing quality
Mazda parts and accessories, this auto parts dealer has also
been consistently helping auto owners make the most of their
dream machines.

About the author:
Kimberly Meyer is an expert when it comes to automotive issues.
She is the manager of her own car parts manufacturing company.
This 33 year-old maiden is also a talented writer.

What Your Minivan Should Have

2006-04-30T17:36:00.000-04:00

By: Joe Ratzkin

When it comes to practicality, nothing comes quite close to
owning a minivan. A minivan is also known as a multi utility
vehicle, or MUV, and also known as a multi purpose vehicle, or
MPV. It is just like a van however, it has rear side doors and
windows and its interior can actually take in around seven
people or more. It also could take in various types of cargo.
Thus, the very reason why when it comes to practicality, people
often choose minivans.

Aside from your minivan holding a large amount of people and
cargo, a minivan should also have adjustable pedals and
telescoping steering wheel. This would be a good thing for
parents or drivers of minivans to be comfortable. Adjustable
pedals and telescoping steering wheels are of big help to people
who are not physically that long.

A center folding storage tray always helps a lot especially to
those with kids who would have to eat inside the minivan. Simply
described, a center folding storage tray is actually just a tray
with cup holders. They fit in between the front captain chairs.

The automobile world calls this mirror the overhead convex
mirror. However, to parents and to guardians, they call this a
conversation mirror. It works as a spyglass. Parents and adults
in the front could simply look in the mirror and they would be
able to see what is going on at the back without having to turn
their heads. This assists parents to keep the whole situation at
the back in control.

A low tire pressure warning system is another feature that your
minivan should have. This gives the drive the ample amount of
information regarding their wheels. Of course, it is important
to have the tires inflated just right. If they are over inflated
or under inflated, the chances of having a blow out or of
meeting potential accident situations are increased.

A reverse sensing system or a rearview camera would serve as
your eyes. They are extremely helpful especially when backing up
a driveway or a parking lot. The thing is, with a minivan, you
cannot see much at the back especially if you have a group of
children with you as passengers.

With all the amazing technological breakthroughs in the
automotive industry, Car
Parts Rush stands by its commitment of delivering
excellently engineered Ford parts
to go with Ford's efforts of sustained production of
environment-friendly vehicles.

About the author:
Joe Ratzkin is an avid fan of anything automotive. This 34-year
old bachelor wanted to be a mechanic when he was a kid but
changed his mind and became a freelance writer and researcher
instead. He is currently based in Chicago, Illinois.

Making Your Visit to the Mechanic a Short One

2006-04-29T23:17:00.000-04:00

By: Stacey Wilson

Sometimes, it really does take a long time for some auto repair
or maintenance shop personnel to assist you in your needs.
Standing in line may be one of the worst things that you would
have to do. However, there are actually ways on keeping your
trip to the mechanic shorter than usual.

The visit need not be that time consuming. All you would have to
do would be to actually plan ahead of time. That way, you would
know when to go to the garage and prepare all the needed
information that they would surely be asking about once you
bring your vehicle to the shop. Aside from that, take that extra
step and communicate with the shop. They would be able to
provide you with information when would be the best time you
could bring in your vehicle without you having to wait on
queues.

If you are bringing your vehicle to a maintenance shop, go
through your car owner's manual first. Check the maintenance
schedules. Be very aware of the limits and of the dates, the
deductibles, as well as the length of coverage of the whole
warranty of your vehicle. As you go over the manual, take note
of the scheduled maintenance. Make sure that you do complete the
recommended maintenance as outline in the manual. This is very
important. You would be actually just wasting time at the
maintenance shop arguing about service when it was a fault on
your end. You see, some shops and service centers deny any
further maintenance services if the scheduled maintenance is not
performed.

Major problems could occur even to the newest vehicles. If it
happens to your vehicle, bring your vehicle to the nearest
service department as soon as possible. This way, you actually
are reducing your vehicle's chances of suffering from further or
additional damage. Some major problems with vehicles could
actually result to greater and much more complicated problems if
not corrected immediately. The lesser the damage to your
vehicle, the shorter would be your trip to the shop.

Meanwhile, Auto Parts
Fast provides vehicle owners the best value for Eagle parts
online. It is actually one of the web's most powerful and
advanced auto parts shopping systems.

About the author:
As a former news correspondent for an auto-related website,
Stacey has gathered extensive knowledge and experience in the
automotive industry. This 34 year old mother of two from Memphis
is a genuine car lover.

Deceptive Car Dealer Ads and Activities - Pervasive As Ever

2006-04-27T23:04:00.000-04:00

By: David Maillie

You hear them on the radio and TV everyday. Some have outrageous
ads and sales gimmicks. "Push, pull or drag your trade in for
$4000 minimum trade", "Best price in the world!" "Best bumper to
bumper warranty ever - we cover everything." "Repo'd car sale
today." Bet you didn't know that these ads can be and usually
are very misleading and can be illegal.

According to Leslie Anderson, AAA, Misleading advertisements
and deceptive marketing from car dealers has been on the rise in
recent years. Car dealers, due to a struggling economy are
resorting to grey market sales tactics and ads. Many of these
ads are either borderline or even illegal in nature. With all
the publicity in recent years of scams and illegal business
activities by businesses from every state you would think most
states would have toughened up their laws and started to crack
down on bad car dealers. Only one state, New York, has really
done anything.

There are laws already on the books that make many of these
advertisements and such illegal, but few states will even look
into these activities. In New York, if you run a Push, Pull or
Drag sale the odds are you will get fined. The thinking behind
New Yorks laws is that if you promise someone a set figure for
their vehicle it should not be factored into the discount or
markup of the newer, replacement vehicle. This is deceptive
advertising. Yet I hear these same ads, with even higher amounts
promised on the radio and TV in North Carolina and South
Carolina all the time. Then there's the matter of expressed and
implied warranties.

Expressed and implied warranties are actually covered under
federal laws. Every car dealer must have a federally approved
warranty disclosure placed in the window. This is to show if a
warranty exists and what is actually covered. This was done as
there was too much discrepency in the past with car salesman
blurring the line of what is really covered and what isn't. On a
recent drive from North Carolina to South Carolina I saw 11 used
car dealerships that did not have these in the windows - at one
we found they were in the glove compartment. When we asked the
salesperson why it wasn't in the window he said it wasn't
necessary. In New York, every car dealer you drive by or visit
will have these prominently displayed.

Then you have the usual lies - car dealers advertising a
repossession sale, cream puffs, etc... They will lie about the
origination of cars just like in a recent Carfax ad. Oh that was
just a little fender scratch (complete repaint from a 50mph
accident) or new upholstery (due to a flood and complete
submersion). These repossession sales, like Repo Joe, do a media
Blitz and claim they have all repossessed vehicles for a great
buy. When in fact they probably don't even have one repossessed
car that is for sale. Most car dealers get their cars from
either trades or local auctions.

Regardless of what they claim they most likely do not know the
vehicles history. You can't even rely on Carfax 100% as many
vehicles are repaired without full salvage disclosure or even
any repair history. A carfax report is only as good as the
information that is actually entered into the system. Before you
rely on that Carfax or what the dealer says is the cars history
listen to this - Tennessee attorneys Frank Watson and David
McLaughlin charge that Carfax's ads promise more than it can
deliver. "Carfax fails to disclose the limitations of their
database," says Watson. "People think they have a little
insurance policy on their Carfax report, and it's just not
accurate," says McLaughlin. Carfax is an online company that
searches databases for a vehicle's history, claiming to be "your
best protection against buying a used car with costly, hidden
problems." But, critics say when it comes to many accidents,
online reporting companies fall short. A class-action lawsuit
against Carfax claims the company doesn't have access to police
accident data in 23 states.

This article should be a wake up call to car buyers to be more
on the alert to car dealer scams, lies and untruths. It should
also be an alert to states from Oregon to Florida that more
needs to be done to curb bad car sales tactics. Most car dealers
aren't small mom and pop organizations. They are large million
or billion dollar companies that will do anything to make a
dollar. Even crossing the line or blurring what is legal and
what isn't. And according to one big dealer in Charlotte, North
Carolina whom didn't want his name or dealership mentioned for
obvious reasons - "its all about that bottem line and if we get
caught, thats what our lawyers are for. Per another car dealer,
"it's a buyer beware market: Buyers must beware and be
detectives too."

About the author:
David Maillie holds numerous patents including his recently
awarded patent for headlight repair, cleaner and restorer. He is
always striving to create new products that save the consumer
money: MDwholesale.com

Hybrid Cars - The Cars Of The Times!

2006-04-24T18:21:00.000-04:00

By: David Maillie

Hybrid cars are a fusion of technologies. Unlike standard cars
moving on a single propulsion system, hybrid cars are driven by
the power of multiple propulsion systems. Most common among
these hybrid vehicles are those cars that use gasoline and
electrical energy as their source of power. Serious
experimentations with ethanol or plant based oils are also being
conducted.

History The history of hybrid cars runs back to the time when
inventors were strongly battling to switch over from
steam-powered automobiles to electrically driven carriages. At
best, these could be termed as trials and were limited to
working with just one, two or few models. Success on a
mass-scale came about the beginning of the twentieth century;
however, it was not until 1999 (on the verge of the 21st
century) that America saw the launching of the hybrid car on a
commercial-scale, to be bought and used by the mass.

Components

The hybrid car driving mechanism consists batteries, an electric
motor, a fuel tank, a gasoline engine, a generator and a mode of
transmission. Each part has its definitive role and keeps a
hybrid car running.

How Do They Work?

As said, the dual mechanisms employed in these hybrid vehicles
make use of both gasoline and electric energy to set the
vehicles into motion - while gas cause the internal combustion
engines (ICEs) to function, the electric batteries supply power
to the car's electric motors. The recent car models are even
converting kinetic energy (produced by the engine) into electric
energy to charge the batteries.

Conclusion Hybrid cars with their comparatively smaller gasoline
engines contribute to the pollution-free, greener environment
cause. Moreover, with their sleek, aerodynamic designing and
ultra light materials joining hands to give these vehicles
driving force of about 60-90 horsepower, you can be sure that
the hybrid cars will rule the automobile industry until the
arrival of new eco-friendly, efficient cars.

About the author:
David Maillie holds numerous patents including his recently
awarded patent for headlight repair, cleaner and restorer. He
can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: MDwholesale.com

Nine Secrets to Maintaining Your Car

2006-04-24T00:12:00.000-04:00

Robert Sikorsky’s little book Drive It Forever offers invaluable tips to keep your car going the extra mile. His stellar advice could save you a year’s worth of car payments or more!

The smoother you drive, the longer your car will run. Stopping and starting, fast lane changes, scratching off all lead to shorter life for your car.

Naturally, you can’t drive at all without stopping and starting. But your goal is to keep moving smoothly any time that you can. Does it look like a stoplight is about to turn green? Then slow down and if possible, gently keep moving until the light changes.

Less engine idle means less engine wear, says Sikorsky. If you have to idle longer than 30 seconds, you may as well turn the engine off and start it when you’re ready to roll. So turn off the car if you’re waiting in parking lots, waiting on others to ready themselves for travel, if you have to go back in the house for something, etc.

And never rev up the car while it’s not moving.

If you’re driving in “bumper to bumper” barely moving traffic, it’s wise to turn your air conditioner off. This saves a lot of wear on your car. The engine has to work overtime if the air is on and you’re stopping and starting frequently.

You’ve probably heard that it’s good to take your car out periodically for a good drive on the highway now and again, and that’s good advice. This allows your engine to get fully warmed up and helps get rid of some deposits built up by short trips.

If it’s below freezing, try not to take your car out on short trips of less than five miles. Sikorsky says this is one of the worst possible conditions for your car.

Don’t cruise around a parking lot forever, trying to find a spot. Go ahead and park further away and get in a little exercise.

Avoid accelerating suddenly unless there’s an emergency situation. Putting the pedal to the metal may get you someplace today, but tomorrow you may end up hitching a ride from a neighbor.

If possible, don’t park your car headed uphill. When you’re ready to start it later, the engine will have to use extra power to pull itself. It’s better to park headed downhill than uphill.

Driving on dusty roads cuts your gas mileage considerably as well as adds to engine wear.

I’ve found Drive It Forever a valuable read! It’s personal, and easy to read, even if you’re mechanically challenged.

A New Car Buying Guide

2006-04-21T20:34:00.000-04:00

By: Colin Ayres

If you're thinking about a purchase or just looking for a little
advice, this guide can help. The following information will help
you begin to research, compare, build, and price new cars
quickly and conveniently. In the end, you'll get better prices
on any of the models you are interested in. That means, for
example, obtaining multiple quotes, from multiple dealers,
before you ever step foot in a dealership. (Of course, you can
do it all via the Web.) Having at least three different quotes
during negotiations gives you a distinct advantage. Think of
these quotes as a reference point - the difference between a
good offer and a bad one.

In less than a decade, buying new cars has become a much easier
process via the Internet. There are two types of sites. The
first will sell you new cars directly. The second doesn't sell
directly, but will provide referrals to hundreds of the most
credible dealers. Both sites, however, are going to save you
money. They'll display invoice, MSRP, options, incentives and
rebates clearly. The most credible online resources will have no
hidden fees and virtually eliminate the inevitable haggle with
salesmen.

But there's more. The following is a step-by-step breakdown of
the entire buying process from beginning to end.

New Car Buying Guide Step One - Research prices online Search
for new cars to determine what average prices are, so you know
the difference between good and bad offers. Be sure to do
thorough research, so that you're paying a price near the
invoice and never over the average MSRP. Many sites offer
invoice pricing as well.

New Car Buying Guide Step Two - Request price quotes After
figuring out fair prices, request free quotes for your favorite
new cars from as many credible dealers as possible - you can do
this online. Afterwards, the most qualified companies will have
their dealer internet sales managers contact you, requesting
more details on the new cars you may be interested in
purchasing. Request prices with all applicable taxes and charges
included (not simply the MSRP).

New Car Buying Guide Step Three - Get your credit report Your
credit score is what is used to determine the APR you'll pay on
your loan. You should get a copy to ensure there are no errors,
and that you are receiving the rate you deserve.

New Car Buying Guide Step Four - Get rate quotes With your FICO
score in hand, you should apply to online lenders for the best
auto loan rates. Your bank, other banks, other lenders, the
dealership, and even your family. Shopping around for financing
can save you thousands over the life of your loan.

New Car Buying Guide Step Five - Research insurance companies
You should research insurance companies thoroughly as well. Some
specialize in offering plans to people with not-so-good driving
records and others (sometimes the same company) offer less
expensive plans for drivers with better-than-good driving
records.

New Car Buying Guide Step Six - Get insurance rate quotes
Insurance can be expensive, especially if you've been unlucky in
the past with accidents or citations, but it is necessary
precaution. Request quotes from the preferred companies you
found, and much like the search for the lowest car price and
loan rate quotes, pick the plan that offers the best protection
for the most reasonable price.

New Car Buying Guide Step Seven - Figure out your trade-in value
Use Kelly Blue Book to estimate the trade-in or private resale
value of your car. This will assist you when you are negotiating
the new car price, as the trade in value of your current car
will affect the new car price.

New Car Buying Guide Step Eight - Negotiating your new car
purchase Ready to negotiate? With the lowest quote on the make
and model you chose from your list of new cars, contact your
preferred dealers and see if they'll beat it - they tend to
compete with each other because they want your business.
Utilizing the Internet can provide you with hassle-free process
of creating a dialogue with dealers. For example, it is a lot
easier to stop emailing than it is to walk out of a dealership.

This guide will help speed the entire purchasing process up. And
probably, more importantly, save you money.

About the author:
Colin Ayres is a writer for Harbor Credit. He began his career
shortly after graduating from Yale University, where he soon
realized that Liberal Arts and copywriting have a lot in common.
To read more, visit www.HarborCredit.com.

Is There A Future For Performance Hybrids?

2006-04-19T15:40:00.000-04:00

By: Peter Johnson

Some products are too good to be true; an oven that can cook a
turkey in 3 hours but is the size of a microwave. A pill that
promises to burn weight faster than you can pack it on. Many of
these products fall victim to their own folly. Consumers are
savvy bunch. At least we like to think so. However sometimes a
product actually does deliver the goods.

Lexus plans to introduce several models over the next few years
that showcase hybrids as more than just fuel misers, but rather
as solid performance vehicles. An example of this is the 2007
Lexus LS 600h. With an all-new 5.0L V8 and a high output
electric motor, the All-Wheel-Drive LS 600h will produce 430hp
when it hits showrooms in the spring of 2007. It should also
qualify for a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) rating,
which means it'll be about 70% cleaner than the next closest
competitor. Are consumers ready to accept a hybrid as a viable
performance option?

The initial answer is absolutely. Upon further examination that
may not be the case...yet. Look at the Honda Accord Hybrid. With
253hp (SAE Net), it's capable of doing 0-60mph in 7 seconds.
It's the most powerful Accord ever but sales have been slow. In
fact, Honda may have to reduce production. At the same time,
4-cylinder hybrids such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Prius have
far less power but sales have increased. Sure this is not an
apples-to-apples comparison. The Civic and Accord are in
different segments, but it's surprising nonetheless. Perhaps
Honda should have produced the Accord hybrid with the 4-cylinder
engine instead of the V6. This would've reduced performance but
it would have increased fuel efficiency. It's a strategy that
Toyota is following with the 2007 Camry Hybrid.

Perhaps hybrid buyers are willing to shed some horsepower for
the absolute best fuel economy. Surely this is a small group but
it'll get larger as fuel prices increase. As long as a car has
respectable performance it seems that consumers want
technological advances to go into finding more ways to save fuel
than increase horsepower. Or perhaps customers are just
skeptical of anything that promises the best of both worlds. But
why wouldn't someone want great fuel efficiency and a lot of
power? Today, most hybrid owners aren't concerned with having
class leading horsepower. They want class leading fuel mileage.

Should Lexus be worried? I don't think so. Unlike the Accord
hybrid, Lexus won't have any immediate hybrid competitors.
Secondly, luxury car buyers put a lot emphasis on performance.
The new Lexus LS 600h may be looked upon as a performance sedan
that just happens to be a hybrid, instead of the other way
around.

As hybrids continue to evolve beyond a novelty, it's clear that
North American buyers continue to focus on the numbers. We just
don't know for sure what numbers they'll find more important.
Are North American car buyers ready to have it all?

About the author:
Peter Johnson is the chief writer for all-about-car-selection.com

Have you signed up for your free subscription to The Owners Manual yet?

What you should know before buying a used hybrid

2006-04-11T22:25:00.000-04:00

By: Peter Johnson

There was once a time when hybrids were restricted to the
Hollywood crowd and college professors. However, over the last 6
years hybrids have become widely popular and can now be found in
garages of everyday people. As the hybrid market continues to
grow so too will the used hybrid market. What should you know
about buying a used hybrid? Read on.

The basics

Buying a used hybrid is like buying any other used car. Well,
sort of. The biggest concern when buying a used hybrid is
finding out the condition of the battery pack. These battery
packs can easily cost in excess of $5000 to replace. To ease the
concern of new buyers, manufacturers put an extended warranty on
the battery pack, hybrid control module, battery control module
and other related components. The warranty on these components
is usually 8 years or 100,000 miles. You'll want to confirm that
the warranty is transferable if it has not already expired. Just
like a regular used car, it's not wise to buy a used vehicle
that is from the first year of production for that particular
model.

Where to buy a used hybrid

Just like buying a regular used car, there are three typical
channels where the average consumer will find a hybrid car.
First you have certified pre-owned programs at new car
dealerships. Secondly, there are used car lots that are not
affiliated with a manufacturer; finally there are private
sellers.

The best place to buy a hybrid is through a certified pre-owned
program offered through a new car dealership. Toyota, GM, Honda,
Ford and others have these programs. Although they typically
cost more, vehicles from these CPO programs must undergo an
extensive inspection in order to be sold through the dealership.
Cars that fail these inspections end up on independent used car
lots. CPO programs offer better warranties and often come with
an exchange option if you're not happy with your purchase.
Private sellers will offer the cheapest price but you have no
recourse if something goes wrong.

Maintenance and repairs

Beyond regular oil changes and maintenance, most repairs should
be done at the dealership. These technicians are factory trained
and certified to work on hybrids. Other garages won't have the
equipment or experience to accurately diagnose and fix a
mechanical problem on a hybrid. To avoid any hassles, make sure
you live in the area of the dealership. Nobody likes taking a
day off to get their car repaired. To achieve the best mileage,
hybrids come equipped with unique low rolling resistance tires.
As the second owner, you'll need to replace these tires at some
point if they haven't already been replaced.

So is buying a used hybrid right for you? Well, that's a
question only you can answer. Overall, it'll likely cost more to
buy than a typical used car but you'll save money on fuel. Get
out your solar powered calculator but always remember you get
what you paid for.

For more information on hybrid cars click here.

About the author:
Peter Johnson is chief writer for all-about-car-selection.com

What to Do When the "Check Engine" Light Goes On

2006-04-10T00:11:00.000-04:00

By: Joe Thompson

Sometimes, warning lights get people all frazzled and lose
control of the whole situation. Experts in the field of driving,
automobiles, and driving safety say that people should not panic
when this kind of thing happens to you.

If you notice that the "check engine" warning light suddenly
appears and alerts you, what do you exactly do? First, do not
panic and calm yourself down. It may become the very reason for
you to get into further trouble or accidents. The truth is,
these "check engine" warning lights could actually mean a couple
of things. So there is no need to panic. Remaining calm and
collected would keep you in control of the situation.

The "check engine" warning light is a part of the car's system
and onboard diagnostics. This is the computer part of the car
that monitors and controls the performance of your vehicle. It
also oversees the car's engine speed, ignition timing, fuel
mixture, and the like. The warning light comes on when this
computer detects something that is not correct.

What would be the best defense when the "check engine" warning
light comes on? It would be your owner's manual. Be sure that
you have read and understood important details of your owner's
manual. That way, you can check what the warning light is trying
to tell you.

Once the warning light comes on, try to pull over first. Then
try to look for signs of serious car problems that need your
immediate attention. Check the gauges. Your car may be just
overheating or there might be a low oil pressure.

It may be a very simple solution however it would help if you
try to tighten your gas cap. For most cars, if the gas cap is
not tightened enough, the "check engine" warning light goes on.

Try reducing your speed and the load of your vehicle. The loss
of power could actually trigger the "check engine" warning light
to go on. Or you can also try slowing down, or remove any
accessories that need the power of your engine.

If, however, despite your efforts at trying to check what could
be the problem and still you cannot find the source or the
problem itself, go to the nearest professional mechanic or
technician. By doing such, you are entrusting your vehicle to
people who have been trained and have the knowledge on such
situations.

If there are some parts that need changing, you can always go
online and find impressive parts and durable auto parts like
Scion parts from Auto Parts
Discount. They hold quality
Scion parts like Scion wheel covers, oxygen sensors and co
rner lights among many others.

About the author:
Joe Thompson is the owner of a successful auto body shop in
Ferndale, California. This 38 year old is also a prolific
writer, contributing automotive related articles to various
publications.

What's dealer's invoice cost?

2006-04-07T20:43:00.000-04:00

What's dealer's invoice cost? This article will save you money
with the most accurate invoice information to get the best new
car deal!

By: AutosBargain.com Team

The "dealer invoice cost" is theoretically what the car dealer
paid the manufacturer for the car. The dealer will actually have
a printed invoice that shows this price figure. In fact, over
the years, between 25 percent and 45 percent of customers have
purchased their new car below dealer invoice price. In some
cases, the final prices are several thousand dollars below
dealer invoice pricing.

Why would a car dealer to
sell a car below the factory invoice price? Simply because the
factory invoice price usually doesn't reflect the real true cost
to the dealer: dealers often get "holdbacks", end-of-year
carryover allowances, factory-to-dealer incentive cash, and
other allowances that reduce the cost below what the factory
invoice shows. Although the factory invoice price is not the
dealer's true cost, it is a useful figure because for identical
cars it is the same for all dealers. That's why Autobargain.com
use car dealer's invoice as a reference
point for new car prices & quotes.

Invoice Price is
the manufacturer's initial charge to the car dealer. This
usually is higher than the dealer's final cost because dealers
receive rebates, allowances, discounts, and incentive awards.
Generally, the invoice price should include freight (also known
as destination and delivery cost). If you're buying a car based
on the invoice price (for example, "at invoice," "$100 under
invoice," "two percent over invoice"), and if freight is already
included, make sure freight isn't added again to the sales
contract.

There are many automotive websites show
dealer's invoice online, we've pick some of the most accurate
ones to ease you new car research. Finally, always remember to
see the actual dealer's invoice at the time of your new car
purchase to confirm the deal.

*ref link:
http://www.autosbargain.com/index.php?option=com_weblinks&catid=1
08&Itemid=4

About the author:
Everyone tries to negotiate the best new car deal in town, but
we simply don't know what the lowest price is.

AutosBargain.com
is dedicated to find the lowest new car prices online.
We receive hundreds of "vehicle purchased price" and update the
best new car bargain daily. New car buyers will no longer have
to negotiate blindly and save thousands of dollars on any new
car.

Lowering Your Auto Insurance Costs

2006-04-02T21:32:00.000-04:00

By: Michael Silva

It is very important to understand that prices vary from company
to company, so it pays to shop around. Getting at least three
price quotes will serve you well. You can either call companies
directly or access information over the web. State insurance
departments are also a good source of prices and options
available.

The main reasons for buying insurance are to protect you and
your family financially and provide peace of mind. Finding a
company that is financially stable is very important. You can
check the financial well being of insurance companies using
rating companies such as A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. You
might also try some of the more popular consumer magazines.

You should also get quotes from different types of insurance
companies. Some sell through their own in house agents and
others through independent agents who offer policies from
several insurance companies. There are also insurance companies
that sell directly to consumers over the phone or via the
Internet.

Be careful that you don't shop price alone. Asking friends and
relatives for their recommendations is a smart thing to do.
Contact your state insurance department and find out whether
they provide information on consumer complaints by company. Make
sure and choose an agent or company representative that takes
the time to answer your questions and address your concerns.

Car insurance premiums are based in part on the car's sticker
price, the cost to repair it, its overall safety record, and the
likelihood of theft so make sure to check into insurance costs
before you buy a new or used car. Ask about discounts for
features that reduce the risk of injuries or theft. Things such
as daytime running lights and anti-theft devices for example.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety can provide you with
information that will help you decide what car to buy.

You might be able to lower your costs substantially by
requesting higher deductibles. Increasing your deductible from
$200 to $500 could reduce your collision and comprehensive
coverage cost by up to 30 percent. Before choosing a higher
deductible, be sure you have enough money set aside to pay it if
you have a claim.

Dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverage's on older
cars that are worth less than 10 times the premium is definitely
something to consider. You can research the value online at
Kelley's Blue Book.

Many insurers will give you a discount if you buy two or more
types of insurance from them or if you have more than one
vehicle insured with the same company.

Establishing and maintaining a solid credit rating can help cut
your insurance costs. Insurers are increasingly using credit
information to price auto insurance policies. Check your credit
record regularly and correct any errors promptly so that your
record remains accurate.

Some companies offer low mileage discounts to motorists who
drive a lower than average number of miles a year.

There are also companies that offer reduced rates to drivers
who get insurance through a group plan from their employers. You
may also qualify if you belong to a professional, business,
alumni or other groups and associations.

If you have not had any accidents or moving violations for a
number of years you may also qualify for a discount. Taking a
defensive driving or drivers education course may also qualify
you for a lower rate.

About the author:
Michael Silva has been conducting business on the Internet for
the past 9 years and has extensive knowledge in the areas of
marketing, promotion, training and affiliate programs. You can
find 1000's of articles on a wide range of topics by visiting
http://www.ahowtoguide.com

How To Deal With The So Called Automotive Finance Manager

2006-03-29T12:57:00.000-05:00

By: Gregg Hall

Every Dealership has their own finance department and they call
their finance people different things but usually give them the
title of Finance Manager even though many times they are simply
a good salesperson that they sent to Finance and Insurance
School to learn to sell the financial products and be licensed
to do so. These people are well trained to take your money so
you need to be on your guard, unfortunately many people think
the danger is over once they get through the sales process.
Nothing could be further from the truth.

The finance office is where they go after the back end add-ons
like warranties, paint protection, rust proofing, and other
virtually worthless items that just add profit to the dealer's
bottom line. This is in addition to ripping you off on the
finance rate.

Many dealers these days rely on the back end profits because the
front end profits are getting harder to maintain with increased
competition. They will take a "short deal" on the front and make
it up by making a killing on the back end.

This is another reason why you really need to know all you can
about the car you intend to purchase. One of the biggest scams
they will pull on you is to keep the rebate if you don't know
about it. Think about it, if the car you are looking at has a
$2,000 rebate and you don't know about it the dealer can just
have you sign a form and keep the rebate as profit in the deal.
Some cars these days have rebates as high as six thousand
dollars. Wouldn't it make you sick knowing you gave that away?

Another thing they will try to do is switch you to a lease.
Beware of this; there are even companies that will lease late
model used cars these days. If you aren't prepared and haven't
got all the knowledge you need in order to negotiate a good
lease deal don't even consider it.

Don't buy packages like rustproofing, undercoating, and paint
protection from the dealer. You can get it much cheaper if you
decide you want it from other sources, Dealers mark these up
astronomically and you don't want to pay the price.

Another thing they will try to push is the extended warranties
and service agreements. Don't buy these either. New cars come
with great warranties these days plus they are built well. These
extended warranties are a waste of money.

About the author:
Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online
and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16
year old son. Get quality car care products from
http://www.stopwaxing.com

How To Avoid The High Pressure Tactics Of Car Salesmen

2006-03-28T20:07:00.000-05:00

By: Gregg Hall

If you are an adult chances are you have had an experience at a
car dealer that wasn't among your best memories. If you take a
look at some of the guidelines below it can help to deal with
these tactics and keep your next experience from being a bad one.

First off, don't be unprepared. Have all your research done and
have everything written down before you go into a dealership.
Know the actual wholesale value of your car, how much cash you
have available, and what kind of financing you can obtain before
you start shopping. If you have all these things in order the
salesman won't be able to lead you around by the nose and you
will know exactly what you are looking for and can afford.

Do not commit to their "If I could would you" questions. They
may sound harmless but they are designed to get you committed to
buy. They know that most people will honor a commitment. An
example would be, "If I can sell you this $20,000 car for
$15,000 do we have a deal?" They can't really sell it for that
they are just trying to get you to commit to a figure, any
figure. Just say "I don't know"

Since you already have the information that will help you know
if they are being truthful insist that they be straight with
you. If you ask for the Actual Wholesale Value or ACV as they
will call it, don't let them give you the run around about trade
allowance or trade difference. Find out exactly what they
allowed. I personally would ask to see the appraisal. If they
won't show it to you get up and leave.

Don't let your self get worked by one the "selling systems" out
there. One of the most common is the Four Square. If you see the
salesman take out a form split into four sections or he draws
something out like that, just tell him outright that you aren't
going to play four square with him. Tell them what you will do
and that they have one chance to earn your business, you aren't
going to play the back and forth game so if they need to get
their manager get him now.

Keep things going in your sequence. Don't let them control you,
you control them. Make them appraise you car before you do a
buyers order. This will drive the salesman and the manager out
of their minds!

About the author:
Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online
and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16
year old son. Get quality car care products from
http://www.stopwaxing.com

The Latest in Hybrid Happenings

2006-03-27T13:13:00.000-05:00

By: Gregg Hall

Hybrids are one of the most popular options in transportation
today. Consumers are flocking to these vehicles for many
reasons. One of the most popular reasons consumers love hybrids
is because they save them hundreds of dollars a year in gasoline
purchases. Hybrids are not only easy on the pocketbook, but also
extremely easy on the environment. These environmental
advantages are getting the attention of government and
corporations as well. With more hybrid models coming out each
year, it is no shock that this innovative vehicle design is
moving to the top of the sales chain.

Some of the freshest news in hybrid happens involves
legislation. Many states and cities are becoming more aware of
the environmental advantages hybrids offer for their
communities. Just by driving a hybrid, the average citizen is
cutting their transportation pollution output by up to 90%. If
every citizen made the transition to the hybrid, there would be
much less air pollution in an area. Therefore, the government is
beginning to offer incentives for hybrid owners.

In some areas, hybrid car owners are enjoying perks for their
local government already. In large cities like Los Angeles,
hybrid owners can park at any city parking meter for free.
Various cities in New Mexico and Connecticut are also offering
free city parking for hybrid owners. Even cities that have not
offered free parking are offering parking discounts. Students,
professors, and staff at the University of Miami enjoy a 50%
reduction in their parking fees for driving a hybrid vehicle.
Many of these locations only authorize certain hybrids however,
based on their total emissions. If you drive a hybrid, you may
want to investigate your community's incentives.

By offering incentives, community governments can encourage
consumers to make wise environmental decisions. Although it is
unlikely these incentives will completely influence a car buyer
to get a hybrid, they will often help a car buyer who is "on the
fence" choose a hybrid for their purchase. Showing the citizens
of the community that the government is committed to rewarding
those who contribute is a great way to help the hybrid trend.

Corporations that care about their communities are also getting
in on the incentive deals. Many, especially in the state of
California, are offering cash toward the purchase of a hybrid
for all full time employees. Some corporations will only approve
specific hybrid models and others have a limit on how many
employees can take advantage of the cash each year. However, as
a whole, this incentive is working great. There are many reasons
a corporation can benefit from offering this type of incentive,
however at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is
that the incentive is helping the environment.

Since sales of hybrids are soaring, there will be many new
hybrid models coming to consumers in the next few years. Most of
the hybrids on the market thus far have been cars. For the 2006
model year however, there will be four new sport utility
vehicles offered. The Lexus RX 400h, the Mazda Tribute, the
Mercury Mariner, and the Toyota Highlander are all going to be
available. All of the models are only available with automatic
transmissions. The Ford Escape that was introduced for the 2005
model year is doing so well that manufacturers are optimistic
about these new designs. Obviously, these designs won't get as
many mpg as a hybrid car will, but they are still very
eco-friendly.

At least twelve more hybrid models are expected by the end of
2008. These models will include a Toyota Camry Hybrid, a Nissan
Altima Hybrid, a Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Tahoe, and a GMC
Yukon Hybrid. With something that appeals to everyone coming
out, there is an expected increase in the sales of hybrids.
Consumers are going to be choosing models that they already love
and getting the perks of driving a hybrid.

With the government, businesses, and manufacturers focusing on
hybrid models and incentives for hybrids, there should be a
continued trend involving hybrids. Consumers will take advantage
of these incentives and feel great about doing their part to
help the environment. With lifestyles that make driving cars
almost necessary, these hybrids are offering a peaceful
alternative for vehicle drivers everywhere.

About the author:
Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online
and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16
year old son. Get car care
products from http://www.stopwaxing.com

How To Shop For Cheap Car Insurance Rates

2006-03-26T15:42:00.000-05:00

By: Jim Johnson

Car insurance is one of those purchases whose price can vary
radically depending on which company you contact. Because of the
wide disparity in rates when you make an auto insurance
comparison, you need to know how to get the cheapest car
insurance rates that you can. After all, if all other
considerations are equal, the auto insurer with the best car
insurance quote is often your best bet.

The first thing to do is make sure that you shop around
thoroughly to get enough rate quotes that you can make a good
educated decision. Just don't get a car insurance quote and buy
the policy right there. As with so many other consumer
decisions, car insurance is something that must be shopped and
compared to get the best deal.

It's often suggested to get at least three car insurance quotes
before making a decision, but that is more like the minimum
actually. You can get insurance quotes both online and offline
as car insurance companies vary as to how they sell insurance.
There are still many who sell through a network of their own
agents exclusively. Other insurance companies will also sell
through independent agents who may represent several companies
at a time and can offer to make an auto insurance comparison
among all the companies that they represent to give you the best
deal.

But one of the fastest growing trends in selling car insurance
is the online, direct to consumer companies. The internet has
changed the face of many industries and auto insurance is
certainly one of those that have been permanently altered.
Today, you can simply find one of the major insurance quote
providers on the web, enter your information and get a quote
from several sources in very little time at all. And because
many of these companies have much less overhead than other more
traditional insurers, they are able to sell direct to the
consumer and save them money as they do.

However, there are some things that you should consider before
making any car insurance purchase. Be sure that the company you
buy from is financially stable. As more and more newer companies
get into the car insurance field, this becomes critical, so
check their financial stability on sites such as ambest.com and
standardandpoors.com before you buy, and see how the company is
rated. It's also a good idea to call your state insurance
commissioner's office and see how many customer complaints have
been received by a particular company that you are considering
too. This can help you find out if they not only sell insurance,
but also provide good customer service after the sale.

Finally, ask around among your family and friends about their
experiences with car insurance companies and see what
information you can get. This is often one of the best, most
unbiased ways of learning about almost any kind of product that
you want to buy, so factor what they have to say in making your
final decision as well.

If you take the steps mentioned above as you make an auto
insurance comparison, you should be able to get a good picture
of what will be the best choice for you and how you can get
cheap car insurance rates too.

About the author:
Find out more about how to get cheap car insurance rates and the best
car insurance quote by visiting our Auto Review website.

Auto Warranty - At Purchase And After The Sale

2006-03-25T22:26:00.000-05:00

By: Auto-Warranty-Zone.com

When you purchase a new automobile, odds are some kind of
warranty will be included. This is excellent, but you need to
make sure of several warranty specifics as well as deciding if
you want to jump on that extended warranty offer.

It is important when considering the extended warranty that they
are not actual warranties- rather, they are service contracts
(they cost extra and are sold separately). An extended warranty
may be purchased at the time you buy your vehicle; it's also
possible to purchase one much further along in your ownership
experience. If you're the type who likes to be prepared for all
eventualities, an extended auto warranty may be just what you're
looking for. Bearing in mind the ever-increasing cost of vehicle
repairs, these service contracts can make a lot of sense.

Knowing your intentions for your car is an essential part of
deciding whether or not to purchase a new warranty. Standard
parts warranties for a new car usually run fro three years or a
certain amount of kilometers. If you buy or plan to buy a new
car every few years and will most likely not go over the
kilometer limit, purchasing an extended warranty makes little
sense.

Make sure you do a lot of homework when you are looking for the
right car, and you will answer some of your questions about the
warranty. You should have an idea of what tends to go wrong in
the type of car you are planning to buy, and make sure that the
extended warranty includes coverage of those components. You
should also look into the warranty provider. Some are not
actually through the dealership, and you will want to check the
ratings given to the carrier of the extended warranty.

Check out the deductible information. Some warranties operate
with a per visit deductible, others with a per repair cost. The
per visit deductible is preferable, if you have the patience to
put up with a few glitches until it is worth your while to go in.

Finally, make sure what stipulations the warranty puts on
repairs. Some warranties stipulate that repairs can only be made
in the service department of the dealership where the warranty
was bought, and this can be a nasty surprise after the fact if
you take your transmission to the local shop.

About the author:
Copyright©2006 auto-warranty-zone.com Visit for more auto
warranty articles. You'll also find car warranty and extended vehicle
warranty resources.

Public Car Auctions And Online Car Auctions

2006-03-25T20:35:00.000-05:00

By: Marc Lindsay

If you've ever been to a public car auction then you'll know
that its very standard and simple. Upon arriving at a public
auction you'll be required to present some id and sign in.
You'll be given a number so you can start bidding on items
during the day. Usually at public car auctions you'll be allowed
to inspect the cars before they go on auction.

When inspecting cars make sure you know a little bit about cars
first. Each car will have an information tab that will tell you
what's wrong with it if there is a problem. These public car
auctions have to tell you if the car is in good condition or
not. But never fear if you buy a car from an auction and it
won't work even if it says its in good conditioning you're
covered under their terms and conditions.

Now if your serious about buying a car or cars from public
auctions you should know how much you want to pay for each car.
So do some research on cars and prices before you go to the
auction so you can get a better idea on how much you're saving.
You might not always win al your bids so write down all the cars
you want to buy and then decide which ones you want when you're
bidding for them.

Ok we now understand public car auctions but what about online
car auctions and what's the difference?

There's not much difference between how the work however the
biggest difference is that you won't be inspecting the cars
before you buy them so its like buying clothes on the internet
not know if it fits right. However and this is a big however,
you're allowed to send any cars you buy online back if it has
been misrepresented.

This means that if you're buying a car from an online car
auction and it says it comes in blue and you get the car in
pink, you can send it back and get a refund. If you're wondering
that the benefits are of buying from cars from an online auction
here it is:

- Search for cars without having to go to the auction sites -
Bid for them in your own time from anywhere around the world -
Your protected by the online car auction for misrepresentation -
There are 4 top websites that consistently have auctions going
every week

So if you're interested in buying cars from public auctions you
now have two ways to do so.

About the author:
Public Car
Auctions and Online Car Auctions
website reviews so you know how and where to find cheap cars
online.