Tag Archives: automotive

How To Buy A Car Online And Save Money

If you haven’t bought a car in a few years you may be pleasantly surprised at how easy the internet makes the whole buying process now. In the past, you pretty much had to visit the dealership to find out what cars were available and go through the whole process of agreeing on the deal and so forth. But most of the disagreeable portions of the car buying process has been eliminated in large part due to the wealth of information available on the internet.

For instance, most dealers now try to keep a listing of their new and used car inventory online so instead of having to physically visit each dealer and walk the lot searching for the vehicle you want, you can now just search it in the comfort of your home instead. Some dealers are still resisting putting their data on the internet for searching as they feel that this puts too much control in the hands of the buyer, but believe me, it’s a huge time saver and advantage to the car consumer, and those old school dealers will be forced to change sooner or later.

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The Top 5 New Car Buying Mistakes To Avoid

Buying a new car is exciting to be sure, but it can also be much more expensive than it really should be for most people. If you aren’t careful you can wind up spending thousands more than someone else for the same kind of deal. Let’s review the top 5 new car buying mistakes that many people make and see how to avoid them.

1. Probably the first thing that costs most car buyers money is not doing enough advance research about new cars before they start the shopping process. You may think that you will learn a lot by just visiting the dealership and asking the salespeople about new vehicles, but you will only learn what they want you to know that way. If you want unbiased information that you can trust, you need to do some online research or read Consumer Reports instead. You can find out which vehicles are rated highest for reliability and other factors, as well as get specific pricing information that will help guide you in price negotiations. By doing this advance research you will know what you want and how much you are willing to pay for it.

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Get Your Speciality License Plate

Specialty license plates are one of the hottest items at the present in countless areas around the nation, and it is not so difficult to perceive why. Think about it. Whatever model your vehicle is, any other driver on the highway has, in all probability, seen hundreds if not thousands of the same car in his or her lifetime. But with custom license plates, it does not matter because you can be recognized in any case. If you have a only one of its kind and ingenious license plate, then you will be at the very least the individual one in your state to exhibit that individual message. That gets you noticed, and who does not desire to be noticed? I sure know that I do.

Some of my preferred license plates are the ones where the lettering form remarkable patterns. I saw one that went something similar to “wvwvwvw” on one occasion. Know, looking back on this vanity license plate, I believe that whoever got it did so just to bamboozle the cops, but nevertheless, it was pretty cool. What is even cooler, though, is the custom front plates that you can use in some states. In California where I reside, you are required by law to have the same state issued license plates on both the front and the back of your vehicle or truck, but in numerous places this is not the case. You can in point of fact have anything you desire as your front license plate, and that is where you can allow your imagination run wild and have a lot of fun.

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Validating A Used Cars Price

When shopping for a used car, it can be difficult to gauge whether a used cars price is reasonable. However, consumers are fortunate in the fact that it is not impossible. With a little research, some detailed notes and an eye for detail, buyers will be able to get an accurate value determination on a used cars price.

Kelley Blue Book, found online at kbb.com, is a very popular website for anyone interested in buying or selling an automobile. By entering the model, make, year, overall condition, styling and additional features into the appropriate form, Kelley Blue Book provides an instant look at a used cars price. While the site also offers values on new automobiles, many consumers are more concerned with used cars price and how to know if they are getting a fair deal.

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Chrysler Crossfire – Brakes and Brake Assist System

The power-assisted braking system provided in the Chrysler Crossfire is befitting to the performance level of the Chrysler. Undoubtedly, brakes and brake assistant system are important factor of a racing car like Crossfire. The brakes and brake assist system in the Chrysler Crossfire is appropriate for a racing car and also has set yardstick for others in the motor industry.

Following are some of the salient features of brake assist system used in the Chrysler Crossfire. The brake system of the crossfire has large diameter ventilated front discs and solid rear discs. The system is backed up by the highly sophisticated electronic wizards of Brake Assist System and ANS anti-lock.

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Whatever Happened to Simplicity?

Those of us who are in classic car clubs, regardless of model or make, decide to become members for any given number of reasons. Perhaps we owned a particular car in our youth that brings back fond memories of cruising the streets on Friday nights. Maybe we remember going to Drive-in movies with our date’s head resting on our shoulder. Perhaps it was simply the sound of our particular car’s engine, which could range from anything to a soft purr or a horsepower-laden monsterous growl as we rolled down the highway. Perhaps some of us are too young to have experienced the era in which these cars roamed the earth, but we have nevertheless been influenced by our elders and appreciate what once was. Whatever the reasons may be, there is nothing quite like finding others who share these feelings and enjoy the cameraderie and rewarding experiences that are all part of being in such a group.

My particular love is old Volkswagen Beetles. I have been a member of the Chippewa Valley Volkswagen Club, based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, for over three years. We go on many cruises, other outings, and hold our own show annually. During the original Beetle’s lifespan, which ran from it’s infancy in 1938 Nazi Germany up until 2003, when the very last “Bug,” as it was lovingly called, rolled off the assembly line in Puebla, Mexico, over 21.5 million were produced. As a result, there are still thousands of them on roads today, and clubs such as mine are dedicated to the preservation of these unique cars. We also support other clubs throughout the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota.

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Automotive Tip: Before You Replace The Brakes, Check Your Tires

For months, I had gone from one mechanic to another, seeking to understand why my car was making a scraping sound when I applied pressure to my brakes. The mechanics assured me that the problem was not the brakes. Yet, the problem grew worse.

The scraping sound was like a phantom. It was elusive at best. One moment it was so loud that other drivers would stare as my car moved past them. The next moment, there was no sound at all.

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How To Find A Quality Auto Body Repair Shop

It’s unfortunate, but auto accidents occur every day all around the world. When they happen, most people aren’t prepared for the costly repairs that will ultimately follow. Whether you have recently been in an accident or if you know someone who has, selecting the right auto body repair shop will save you a lot of stress during this hectic time.

- First and foremost, take a glance around any auto body repair shop before you commit to hiring them for your repairs. Is it well lit and clean?

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Build a Better Body for Your Wheels

Do you love your car just the way it is, or are you looking to fix ‘er up the way you really want it to be? If you’re the creative type who wants to do things your way, why not take advantage of the great car body kits that are available from reputable parts dealers? You can stop in at the local neighborhood store to check out and select the parts that will bring your vehicle up to speed, so to speak. Or you can virtually browse online websites to find the parts you want to make your car everything you need.

A well-stocked auto supply kit knows your car better than you do. The associates can give you a quick rundown on what you can do to make your car better, faster, and more efficient in no time flat. They can give you detailed instructions and precise parts for any make, model, and year of vehicle, truck, or SUV you have in mind. For example, check out the wing spoiler and ground spoiler kits for your Mercury Cougar. Easy to install with solid, durable materials, you will love the way your car cruises after adding features like these.

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Understanding the Drive Layouts

The drive layout is the arrangement of the engine, transmission, and driven axles. The types of drive layouts are Front engine Front wheel drive (FF/ FWD), Front engine Rear wheel drive (FR/RWD), Mid engine Rear wheel drive(MR), Rear engine Rear wheel drive(RR), Four wheel drive (4WD or 4×4) and the All Wheel Drive(AWD). Each of these layouts has their own performance, advantages and disadvantages.

Front engine Front wheel drive (FF/FWD) – The Engine and the two driven axles are placed in front, where the power from the engine is transferred straight to the front wheels. This layout increases the interior space especially in small cars because there is no central tunnel needed for the driveshaft. FF layout has advantage when it comes on low grip surfaces, and its tendency to understeer reduces the risk of losing control. The disadvantage is the load placed on the front tires. The front tires must transfer all acceleration, steering, cornering, and braking forces to the road. This kind of tasks gives a lot of stress in front tires which may lead to wear and tear, while the rear tires have very little load on them.

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Is A Hybrid Car For You

You may have seen one zipping past you in the high occupancy lane, a lone driver at the wheel. It’s a gasoline-electric hybrid car and driving in the HOV lane is just one of the benefits of ownership in many states. But what is a hybrid? How does it work? Is it the right car for you and your family?

A hybrid car has a both a gasoline engine and a battery. The battery is recharged by energy from the gasoline engine that would normally be lost during braking or decelerating. The car uses either the battery or the gasoline engine depending on several factors including how fast the car is traveling. Sometimes, both will work together to provide an extra boost of power without using too much extra fuel.

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Why Ford Motor Company Is Losing Market Share Fast To Hyundai

Hyundai is fast taking over the American automotive landscape. They originally targeted GM and Ford, but now have Honda, Toyota and even luxury automotive names like Lexus and Acura in their sites. Ford has tried to keep up by purchasing Jaguar and reinventing the classic GT40, but it cannot keep up as these are small profit areas and Fords bread and butter was its Taurus in the 80s and early 90s. It lost this market share to Honda and Toyota in the 90s. Ford is trying to reinvent itself and find a new profitable niche, but it appears that the time for its demise is soon approaching.

Ford Motor Co. announced just this last week that it was going to cut another 30,000 or so workers, shut down several plants and cut production by over 20 percent. That is not a good sign. They even announced that they will be giving some dealers the boot. That is an even worse indicator. A cardinal rule of business according to the Harvard Business Review is that you never cut your sales force except to replace them with a more effective sales force. Else all you will do is reduce your sales. While Ford is closing down and circling its wagons, Hyundai is opening more dealers and rewarding and paying its sales staff better than ever.

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Tips to Avoid Auto Theft

I live in Detroit: one of the cities with the highest rates of auto theft in the nation. Here are some tips from an expert on how to avoid getting your car (or any of the contents of your car) stolen.

Be a Smart Parker

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1917 Woods Dual Power - the First Hybrid Car

The first hybrid gas electric car did not come out in 1983, but in 1917. The Woods Dual Power was built by the Woods Motor Vehicle Company of Chicago. Because the gas engine was so rough, but supplied more power and electric cars were smoother, but had limited range, the Woods Motor Vehicle Company wanted to supply a car that gave you the best of both worlds.

The best part is, it was a full hybrid (listen up GM) with regenerative braking. The engine was a parallel hybrid that included a 12-hp, 4-cylinder gasoline engine as an auxiliary drive system in addition to the electric drive train. The electric engine could propel the car up to 20 mph. Together with the gas engine, the dual wood power could get up to 35 mph.

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Car Shipping Options

If you are taking a vaction, or you want to go on a road trip, it is likely that you will need to have your car or truck shipped. Many people choose to test the quality of their vehicles by taking them on extended road trips. It should be noted that attempting to drive a vehicle across country that is older than 10 years can be risky. It is also important to make sure the car is checked. There are a number of ways your car can be shipped to you, and the prices may vary depending on the distance. When your car is shipped, it can be transported by a larger vehicle, or someone can drive it for you.

There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to both methods. If you look under the road section of your local newspaper, you will often find individuals or companies that can drive your vehicle across country. The driver will basically drive the car for you, and you will authorize them to use the vehicle, and in some cases, you may have to pay them for the cost of gasoline. Many people don’t like using this option, because they don’t like the idea of giving control of their vehicle to someone they don’t know. However, this option is the cheapest, but it should only be used by reputable companies that have a proven track record. If you decide to let someone drive your car, do a criminal background check and make sure they don’t have any driving violations.

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