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Top Ten Stolen Cars For 2010

2010-09-02T05:06:00.000-07:00

By Glenn Nutsey
It appears that car thieves have changed their habits. Gone are the days when only high-end prestige vehicles like Audi, BMW and Mercedes were stolen to order, now the thieves have their eyes on your average family car!

A recent survey by Tracker has revealed that car theft by keys has risen to a massive 80% for the first quarter of 2010, that's up by 6% compared to 2009. The study has also revealed that car thieves are now targeting lower value vehicles in order to meet the demands of the competitive car market. Stephen Doran, managing director of Tracker Vehicle Recovery Services explains.

"The recession is taking its toll on thieves too and we have seen them adjust their targets to suit buyers, making lower value vehicles just as valuable to them as the fancy sports cars."

Tracker's recent results show that the highest value stolen vehicle for 2010 was the Mercedes CL63 AMG worth a whopping £120,000, whilst the lower value vehicle recovered was a Ford Sierra worth just £1,000.

So, what are the top ten most commonly stolen and recovered cars? Well, it appears some things never change with the luxury BMW X5 crossover remaining in the top spot, followed closely by the Land Rover Range Rover and BMW M3. Its good news if you own an Audi TT though, the roadster has slipped down the popularity ladder to be overtaken by the Land Rover Defender.

Don't breathe a sign of relief too quickly though. Tracker warns that your standard average family car is now high on the list of desirable targets.

"While the top ten results features prestige brands, this doesn't tell the whole story, as thieves will target vehicles across a range of values, especially as today's market means car buyers are looking for bargains" comments Doran.

So how can you protect yourself and your beloved vehicle? Many car owners are now investing in a car security system such as a GPS vehicle tracking system. A car tracker works by using GPS technology to pinpoint your vehicles exact position and detects any unauthorised movements with its inbuilt movement sensor. Some car security systems even send out a security guard to wait with your stolen car until your vehicle is recovered. These car trackers can be quickly and easily installed by an approved fitter.

Has your car made it onto the top ten list? Check it out...

Top Ten Stolen & Recovered Cars for 2010:

1. BMW X5
2. Land Rover Range Rover
3. BMW M3
4. Land Rover Defender
5. Mercedes Benz MI
6. Audi RS4
7. Mercedes Benz SLK
8. Mercedes Benz CLK
9. Audi TT
10. Audi Q7 / Porsche 911 / Porsche Boxster / Subaru Impreza

Glenn Nutsey is a keen motorist and a regular writer for CarPress and Nationwide Vehicle Contracts. Check out Nationwide's new Car Accessories shop to view the full range of Car Security Systems available at incredibly low prices. http://www.nationwidevehiclecontracts.co.uk/car-security.htm

BMW Maintenance and Repair

2010-08-29T20:45:00.000-07:00

By Ileana Limon

The Bavarian Motor Works a.k.a. BMW is one of the best performing and luxury cars in the world. Owning one is definitely a big thing! This is because these vehicles have contributed in offering anyone a high status in the society and added to anyone's personality and lifestyle.

However, a BMW car owner should be prepared to face with various instances wherein his or her car will require some heavy repairs and maintenance most especially when met with an accident or any other mechanical problem. As a responsible BMW car owner, you should take your car to a dependable car repair shop and get the best possible car repair service at a most reasonable rate.

Looking for the best and affordable BMW car repair shop can be an involved process but it actually just takes a simple research to find out whether or not you are dealing with a dependable auto shop. Asking your friends, family members, and other people whom you trust to give you recommendations or calling up your local consumer protection agency to get the facts about any given auto repair business can be a few of your options to fulfill this undertaking.

However, you might have a better time looking at local car repair shops that specialize in repairing just about any car models. For example, if you're in Riverside, BMW car repair service shops like GT Imports Automotive and Repair is a good place to go.

Your BMW car may need one or two of these common car repair services that a dependable car repair shop can offer:

BMW Tune-ups. In tuning up your BMW car, checking and replacement of its ignition parts consisting of the spark plugs, distributor caps and rotors, spark plug wires, filters among others are to be carried out.

BMW Brake System Repair. A good brake repair job should cover every aspect of the system from the brake master cylinder to the calipers and wheel cylinders.

BMW Cooling System Service & Repair. Your BMWs cooling system is made up of several different parts, including the water pump, radiator and thermostat. There may come a time that your BMWs cooling system becomes problematic and may require a professional repair.

Suspension & Steering Repair. The power steering system fluid should be checked at every service interval. Fluid leaks are a common problem on power steering systems. On the other hand, the suspension system of your BMW car is an intricate network of cooperating components. Since the suspension is ground zero when it comes to road abuse, the parts wear out, eventually break and needs immediate replacement.

BMW Fuel System Repairs. The electric fuel pump is the heart of every electronic fuel injection system. A fuel pump that does not meet the OE minimum fuel flow or pressure requirements for your BMW may result to drivability and emission problems.

Now, in order to assist you in your car repair endeavor, look no further than the best and affordable BMW repair service in your area.

Ileana Limon has been writing online for almost two years. She is not only a specialist in the Business and Technology sector, but she also has many fun websites. See her latest website about BMW Repair in Riverside, CA where you can find insider deals and information. This site is located at Riverside BMW Repair.

Anti-Theft Devices For Vehicles

2010-04-11T06:08:00.000-07:00

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.

Here's another great article for more great tips:
An introduction to collecting car brochures – Part 3 – What to look for when buying

An introduction to collecting car brochures – Part 3 – What to look for when buying

2010-04-03T04:25:00.000-07:00

If you have read the previous articles in this series you should now have a clear idea of what brochures you are trying to obtain for your collection.

Now for the fun bit! Starting, maintaining and increasing your collection.

As you are collecting second-hand items, the condition of an item you are after can vary dramatically. Also, it does not help that sellers regularly either omit or misdescribe items.

Therefore, it is paramount that you ask the right questions and look for what the seller hasn’t said as much as what he has in his advert description.

Having been disappointed on more than a few occasions when a “pristine” item has arrived through my letterbox, I have a checklist that I consult before committing to buying. The list is as follows:

1) What is the size of the item in centimetres? Pictures can be deceptive and what looks like a 21cm x 29cm item, may be much smaller in size.
2) How many pages long is it? Beware that on smaller brochures, there can be confusion between seller and buyer with what represents a page. My firm only uses the term “pages” for items that are 6 pages long or more. Otherwise, we use the term number of “sides”. As a reputable seller, this avoids any confusion and disappointment.
3) What is the reference number of the brochure? Most manufacturers have a code system for their brochures that you will become familiar with very quickly. By keeping a note of the references, you will avoid duplicates in your collection.
4) What is the condition of the brochure? Amazingly, very few sellers have a condition scale attached to the advert (we do). One person’s “pristine” may be fit only for the bin in other collectors eyes! I therefore ignore vague words like the above and ask direct questions – Has it any creases or tears and if so how many and how bad? Any fading? Any foxing (A term used to describe stains, specks, spots and blotches in paper)? Any water or damp damage?
5) How will the item be delivered to you? On auction sites especially, it is natural to go for the cheapest posting method. However, if the item is being sent for the cost of the stamp, can you really expect anything more than for it to be delivered in a flimsy envelope? Probably not. The only way that a collectable paper item should be sent is in a card-backed envelope preferably marked “do not bend” with the item wrapped in plastic to prevent water damage and a return address inside, just in case the postal system loses it. I also insist on a proof of posting, again just in case the item goes missing. For any item over a preset limit, in my case £30/$60, I offer to pay extra for recorded delivery. Better safe than sorry.

If you get a satisfactory answer to the questions above, you will be as certain as you can be that you will get the item and that it will be of a standard reflecting the price you have paid. The list sounds a bit daunting, but essentially it boils down to ensuring you know what you are getting and making sure it arrives in the same condition with which it left the seller.

Many is the time that I have received a sodden envelope that contains a perfectly preserved item because I have insisted on it being wrapped in plastic. If the seller says, he does not normally do this, offer to pay extra for the service or if practical, collect the item. If your seller cannot or will not take this care, may I suggest that you walk away and wait for another to turn up.

Please remember that for older brochures especially, a bit of fading and foxing and the odd crease or small tear is perfectly acceptable. In fact, I prefer an item with a patina to an “as new” item as it seems to have more character.

Finally, unless it is extremely rare, I would avoid buying any incomplete, falling apart or badly damaged brochures. On the whole, they have little or no value and it is best to wait for a better one to be offered for sale.

Next week, I will be discussing the correct way to store your collection.

For more great car info and auto repair tips go to auto repair manual

An introduction to collecting car brochures

2010-04-02T05:25:00.000-07:00

Ever since the first car was made manufacturers and tuners have been producing literature to promote their products.

One of the most interesting aspects of collecting auto brochures is that they provide a unique social history of the time they were produced.

For example if you have a brochure for a Volkswagen Beetle from the 1960's you will find information about the time in which it was produced like hairstyles, clothing and popular decor of the time.

Add to this, the fact that most brochures can be bought inexpensively and take up little space to store (unless you get obsessed!) you have the basis for a popular and rewarding hobby.

However, as with all collecting there are many ways (especially as a beginner) that you can come "unstuck" and end up spending your hard earned money on inferior, fake or incomplete brochures.

Over the coming weeks, amongst other things I will cover the purchase, safe-keeping and suggested themes for brochure collections and provide an analysis of a number of my favourite brochures both expensive and in one case commonly available for less than £4 or $8!

Hopefully you will find my articles both a valuable resource and one that improves your knowledge of this area of collecting.

For more great car info and tips on car auctions go to automobile and car auctions

An Inside Look At The Nissan Skyline

2010-03-25T06:24:00.000-07:00

Not commonly found in the United States, the Nissan Skyline is a Japanese sports car with a lot of history. Dating back 45 years, the Nissan Skyline has received many awards and has earned the nickname "Godzilla." While it's far from being the monster machine that it's nickname implies, this Japanese original is larger than life.

After an absence in production for 10 years, Nissan announced that it would release a new GT-R Skyline model in 1989. It was set to compete in the Japan Touring Car Group A racing series and lead the field in an undefeated first season. For the next four years, the GT-R Nissan Skyline was awarded the Japan Touring Car Group A championship. In 1994, in honor of it's spectacular achievements, the Nissan Skyline was given it's own series, which was called the Japan GT Car series. For the years ahead, the Nissan Skyline proved to be a dominating force in Japanese racing. Ultimately, there was never a Skyline GT-R made to comply with standards set forth by the United States. However, Motorex imports and modifies the Nissan Skyline GT-R in order to meet requirements so that the cars may be sold in America.

The Nissan Skyline automobiles are popular among youngsters, as well. Ok, so maybe they don't have a license to drive, but they can certainly burn some rubber on video games and that's exactly what they are doing. Throughout the years, racing video games have become very popular among kids of all ages - both young and old. The Nissan Skyline has appeared in numerous video games after being recognized for it's speed and sleek sporty design. Along those same lines, the Nissan Skyline has been recognized in many of the biggest motion pictures to feature a racing theme. Clearly, the motto for these cars are outlined in their sleek design and sports car appearance.

The Nissan Skyline is an intermediate-size automobile, which is originally manufactured in Japan before being exported to other countries. It is sold as either a coupe or sedan style automobile and has been produced, in various models, since the 1950s. In 2008, the next generation of Nissan Skyline GT-R automobiles may be sold in the United States. Until that time, these luxury style sports cars can be converted to local standards by various manufacturers who agree to sale the automobiles. Only time will tell what the Nissan Skyline has in store but, with its rich racing history, you can bet they will race out of stock.

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American Muscle: Ford, Dodge, and Chevy

2010-03-19T11:23:00.000-07:00

Back during the 1950s through the mid 1970s, Detroit automakers produced several cars that were out and out “muscle” cars. These types of vehicles shared the same characteristics: they were two door coupes with souped up engines, responsive transmissions, an aggressive exterior design, and a sporty interior. High fuel prices and changing tastes eventually limited sales to the point where only a few models were produced beyond that period of time. Today, muscle car mania is back, despite even higher gas prices. Thanks to the Ford Mustang and to a lesser extent to sedan and wagon models from Dodge, there is new interest in a category long given up. The future is bright for the muscle car segment as one more manufacturer, Chevrolet, considers bringing back one of its darlings of yesteryear, the Camaro.

Besides the Ford Mustang there were a whole host of vehicles produced that at one time or another might have been considered a muscle car. In addition to the Mustang, the Ford Fairlane 500 and Ford Torino did duty; the Mercury Montego was another model; Chevrolet produced the Camaro and Corvette; Pontiac the GTO, Firebird, and Tempest; Olds the 442; American Motors’ had its Javelin; Plymouth had the ‘Cuda, and Dodge produced the Challenger and the Charger. Today, only the Mustang and Corvette survives although the Dodge Charger has returned as a four door muscle car along with its sibling, the hot Dodge Magnum wagon.

Interestedly, it took Ford’s redoing of the Mustang for the 2005 model year to stir the current muscle car era craze. Styled after Mustangs built in the 1960s, the current Mustang embraces a retro look while incorporating contemporary technology. The result has been that the Mustang currently sells its entire 150,000 model capacity without incentives.

The Mustang has been inspiring DaimlerChrysler to go ahead with a retro cruiser of its own. The Dodge Challenger concept car, appearing at auto shows across the USA, has been a huge hit and Chrysler plans on bringing the V8 hemi powered model back in 2009. In addition, General Motors is considering giving its blessing on the Camaro, another car also making the rounds of the USA auto show circuit.

So, isn’t it silly to bring back such gas hogs? Back during the early 1970s, the then current crop of muscle cars averaged only 10-12 miles to the gallon around town and 15 or 16 miles per gallon on the highway. Thanks to computer technology and efficiency, even the Corvette returns a highly respectable 28 miles to the gallon the highway. So, although fuel mileage will certainly be lower than many other models, the new group of muscle cars will still better the previous generation cars with fuel mileage 80% or more above the cars from the 1970s.

Fortunately, we still live in a fairly free country and what the consumer wants, the consumer gets. So, V8 powered muscle cars mated to 6 speed manu-matic transmissions, with sport handling, bucket seats, and better fuel economy will likely appeal to many. No, they won’t be exact duplicates of yesterday’s muscle cars, but they will provide the nostalgia and power that motorists seek. I can’t wait!

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American Automaker Needs New Concepts

2010-03-11T05:22:00.000-08:00

Concept cars are starting to make their way away from the car show showrooms and into the sales dealership departments across America.

American carmakers are finding themselves having to eck out ways to be their biggest competitor the Japanese auto industry.

Honda, Toyota and other automakers abroad have made more efficient well-made cars than the American automaker. Not only have the Japanese automaker's been able to do this but they have done it cheaper than what the Americans have to sell. The economy in Japan gives these automakers a definite edge.

To counteract that the American automaker can no longer rely on the same old designs and ideas to keep up. So what does he do? Innovate!

A real issue facing Americans is at the gas pump. Efficient running vehicles that drink less fuel are grabbing the attention of the American public. The most popular solution is the hybrid car. However this market has been created by the Japanese automaker. In fact Japan has actually lent their hybrid technology to Motown. That's how far behind the American carmaker finds himself.

However GM owned Saturn plans to release a hybrid version of their popular brand that is only $1500 over the cost of their standard non-hybrid model. This is a great idea. It will definitely draw customers into their dealerships and attract attention.

It is cost-cutting ideas like these that the American car manufacturer needs to manufacture himself.

New stylish designs can have a significant impact on sales for car manufacturers. For instance when Chrysler released their PT Cruiser manufacturing could not keep up with sales. Ford took advantage of the press their new vintage Mustang design created years before its release. And now Chevrolet is in the same position with their soon-to-be released Camaro sports car.

The American carmaker cannot allow these new designs to become stale. In order to beat the Japanese ideas must remain fresh ever flowing and not just stay in preview car showrooms.

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AMAZING UWB enabled Vehicular Safety System Revealed !!

2010-03-08T07:21:00.000-08:00

Imagine a world with real time vehicle speed monitoring with vehicles “talking” to each other, and reducing the collision rate highly. It is now possible with UWB Technology !!

With Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology, vehicles can have real time monitoring of vehicle speed, and enhances safety by triggering safety mechanisms automatically during imminent danger. The target users are the road users, the car companies and the government. The

system can be integrated seamlessly into the existing system, and no additional user intervention is necessary. It works by having both the transmitter and receiver on the

particular vehicle, and through reflection from front objects, analyze the speed and determine if there is a need to trigger the safety mechanisms. Through this system, car users can be assured of the safety of the vehicle, and hence increase their confidence in

their vehicles and the car companies. Currently, there are substitute products available such as that from Volvo which is equipped with a radar sensor, and through monitoring the speed, decide if automatic braking is necessary. However, UWB is also a force to reckon with

and the advantages of the UWB technology are as follows:

Firstly, an advantage will be in terms of performance. Given UWB’s minimum speed of 100Mbps and up to a potential of 500Mbps, there can be better instantaneous monitoring, and hence a better triggering of safety mechanisms which will be the deciding factor between life and death. The current products are not capable of getting total collision avoidance, which might be possible with UWB due to a faster processing rate of data with UWB technology.

Secondly, the current collision avoidance products mostly utilize wave radar, laser, or infrared spectroscopy, which is highly dependent on the weather conditions, the road surface conditions and the amount of interference present in the surrounding. Ultra-Wideband(UWB) gets a clear advantage as it has been found that UWB actually works better in the presence of multipart interference, and is independent of the weather conditions.

Thirdly, UWB technology can blend in with the existing technologies, and given the low power consumption, it also need less system complexity and low costs to set up. Hence UWB create value by low investment costs.

Fourthly, UWB create value by giving the customers assurance of the safety of their vehicle every time they use it. The road users who have used UWB will have more confident in their vehicles and the car companies, and creates more demand.

However, challenges are present, and one of them is the need to ensure that it does not interfere or disrupt existing radio-communication services. As such, a set of technical

specifications and operating conditions for UWB devices has been defined, to be aligned with international standards such as those set by Europe's Electronic Communications Committee.

To conclude, although there are some challenges ahead for UWB technology, it is nonetheless a very promising technology, which is already set to revolutionize our lives in the near future.

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All About Audi

2010-03-07T03:50:00.000-08:00

German sport luxury brand Audi has played a strong role in helping to shape consumer tastes and influence the entire European touring market. For nearly 100 years, the Audi brand has been synonymous with producing high quality, reliable, and well engineered vehicles. An odd start almost scuttled the company’s plans, yet today Audi has risen above adversity and is producing cars that are world renowned in quality and engineering.

August Horch founded Horch Automotive in Cologne, Germany in 1899, and began manufacturing cars in 1901 which featured a horizontal engine producing upwards of 5 horsepower. Demand for these models propelled Horch to expand production and move to a larger manufacturing facility where a newer, more powerful model cranking out a then-amazing 10 horsepower was released.

By 1910, Horch himself was booted out of the company that sported his name so he set up shop elsewhere and began to sell cars under the Audi moniker. Originally, Horch tried to use his family name, but German courts ruled against him thus the Audi name was selected instead. In German, Horch means “hark” and the word “audi” is the Latin translation of horch/hark. So, although he could legally no longer use his family name, the Latinized version of the same won out. Guess which name is known today?

In between a pair of devastating world wars, the modern Audi company began to take shape. Indeed, the “four rings” logo of the company represents the union of four distinct German automotive manufacturers under the auspices of Audi. Yes, you guessed it: the Horch company that originally booted Mr. Horch was absorbed by Audi and makes up one of the four rings. August Horch lived to see that big day, but he also witnessed the dismantling of the company following the end of the second world war.

Reparations was the rallying cry when World War II ended, thus the Soviet Union who was occupying the eastern portion of Germany during the postwar era, appropriated the company, took all of its assets, and by August 1948 the company no longer existed. One year later thanks to state loans and Marshall plan assistance, a resurrected Audi was back on the scene producing a delivery van and a motorcycle. Continuous growth throughout the 1950s highlighted by Daimler’s acquisition of the company in 1958 fueled further expansion. In 1964, the Volkswagen group purchased Audi from Daimler and to this day Audi remains a significant part of the Volkswagen establishment.

By the late 1960s, Audi began what many consider to be its historic run to the top of automotive excellence. New models were developed several of which were also marketed as Volkswagen models for that era. In 1980, Audi shook the automotive world to its foundation when it released its Quattro sports car, a vehicle with full time all wheel drive and a turbocharged engine. Instantly, the Quattro propelled the Audi name to the top of the race car world when the vehicle began to win race upon race. Undeniably, the Quattro was such a runaway hit that the model was banned from some races for having an “unfair” technological advantage.

Throughout the 1980s and the 1990s, Audi began to produce additional models including its first premium model, the Audi V8 in 1988. Sporting a 3.6L 32-valve V8 engine, the Audi V8 featured full time all wheel drive and a four speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. This particular model was a huge departure from earlier Audis and set the brand on a collision course with Mercedes and BMW, Germany’s two other luxury brands in a bid for automotive supremacy.

Today, Audi continues to expand and compete against all of the top luxury brands in the world. New technology including its Audi Space Frame all-aluminum body – known for its rigidity and improved crash worthiness – are among the highlights of a brand that doesn’t settle for second best. From sedans to sport coupes to an all new SUV, Audi has a model that competes against the likes of Lexus, Mercedes, Cadillac, Infiniti, and BMW its chief competitors.

That “hark” sound you hear is both the name of a company and the attention the brand deserves in a sea of capable premium models produced by Germany’s esteemed Volkswagen Group. Yes, Audi has weathered several storms and the company appears poised to continue its thrust forward thanks to its many innovations and continued high quality.

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Air Intake Systems allow for more engine power: quick tips for performance

2010-03-06T11:12:00.001-08:00

Want to squeeze every bit of power out of your vehicle's engine? Grabbing a high-performance air intake is the quick and easy route to several benefits, including:

• An instant increase in horsepower

• A noticeable boost to your throttle response

• Improved fuel economy

• A long-life, washable performance air filter

• Specialized engineering that's fine-tuned to your specific vehicle

• Straightforward, simple installation virtually anyone can complete

Horsepower increase from a performance air intake

As your new performance intake draws in a higher volume of air which may be much cooler, your engine can breathe easier than with a limiting stock system. With your combustion chamber filled by cooler, oxygen-rich air, fuel burns at a more efficient mixture. You get more power out of every drop of fuel when it's combined with the right amount of air.

With more air in the chamber, you can also burn more fuel than before. That's how a performance intake puts power at the pedal for you: reducing air temperatures, balancing fuel mixtures and providing more air for combustion.

Performance air intakes and boosted throttle response

With more air and cooler air ready and waiting for combustion, your engine's response at stoplights and freeway onramps quickens. Stock intakes often deliver warmer, fuel-rich combustion mixtures that cause your engine to lose power and responsiveness while running hotter and more sluggishly.

The difference in responsiveness isn't just noticeable; you can literally feel it in the seat of your pants. With a free-breathing intake system attached to your throttle body, your engine is literally inviting you to punch it.

Fuel economy with a performance air intake

You're probably guessing that extra power, cooler temperatures and improved gas mileage can't all come from the same product. Guess again! Performance air intakes can help your fuel economy in this wallet-gouging, price-per-gallon era by helping your air to fuel ratio get in line. Because you're getting more power from every drop by burning more efficiently, your engine uses less fuel at all times - city or highway. On average, drivers will see a 1-2mpg improvement.

There's a catch, though. Many drivers trade their limiting air intake for a performance air intake and can't resist using every bit of the horsepower and throttle gains. They'll drive like mad to the grocery store. They might peel-out at stoplights. Or even race the cops. It's called hard driving, and it's the fastest way to burn-up the gas mileage improvements provided by a performance air intake. Your best bet is to keep your driving habits relatively unchanged, enjoy the extra power at the pedal, and collect on the gas mileage savings.

Expert engineering of an air intake system

This isn't a piece of drainage pipe with a filter on the end. Air intake systems employ specially-shaped intake tubes designed to straighten airflow as much as possible while looking great in your engine compartment. These pipes are typically mandrel-bent, a process that doesn't crimp the pipe diameter at the bend.

Special care is given to locating the intake tube, air box and filter in the position that best fosters maximum performance. The materials used are also selected with optimum engine conditions in mind.

The fundamentals of installing a performance air intake on your vehicle
Not only is a performance air intake one of the most essential upgrades to your vehicle, it happens to be one of the easiest additions to install. With little more than a common socket set, a couple of screwdrivers and half an hour's time, you can have your new air intake in place and ready to roar.

Detailed instructions are included with every intake kit. These instructions go through the simple process of removing your stock intake system (including the tube and air box), and installing the new air intake in just a few minutes to stock mounting positions. No cutting, drilling or other modifications are required. What you do with your limiting stock intake next is, well, up to you.

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Air Deflectors: Practical and Pleasing

2010-03-02T03:01:00.000-08:00

The addition of a particular car part to our vehicle is usually designed to improve its performance, but much as we might try to deny it, appearances matter, and we also want our car to look good. For this reason, many car parts are designed with attractiveness in mind as much as functionality, and sometimes, just sometimes, we can lose the run of ourselves entirely and opt for appearance-enhancing car parts just for the heck of it. Fortunately, car part manufacturers have cottoned on to our love of display, and designed a range of car parts and accessories than combine functionality with looking good. A great example of this trend is development of the air or wind deflector.

Originally designed with a practical purpose in mind, car air deflectors have stepped up a notch and now look as good – if not better – than they work practically. With a distinctive look, air deflectors are increasingly added to vehicles to alter their appearance, by adding a sense of flair and style. But with a genuinely practical raison d’etre, an air deflector is the fancy car accessory that does as good as it looks.

An air, or wind, deflector’s job is as simple as it sounds. Fitted at various points on your vehicle, including the hood or roof, this simple device redirects the flow of air so that it travels away from the vehicle itself. This prevents the wind that attacks you as you drive at high speeds from damaging your windshield, and helps stop road debris, including pieces of gravel and small insects, from hitting your screen as you drive, and perhaps obscuring your vision.

Air deflectors may also be used on side windows, preventing the same debris from landing inside the car when the window is open, and also protecting the driver and passengers from rain. Wind deflectors may also be used with a sunroof, helping to reduce the noise generated by the wind and the effects of turbulence upon people in the car. This type of deflector also helps protect passengers from annoying dust and debris entering the car through the sunroof and spoiling a perfectly good road trip!

Air deflectors are available in a range of colors and materials, allowing you to customize this car part’s impact on your vehicle. Choose from a wide range of styles including transparent plastic and matte black, or choose a deflector to match the color of your car. Whatever style you choose, you can be sure that this car part will enhance your driving experience, while also adding style and interest to your vehicle.

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After market parts explained

2010-02-20T09:43:00.001-08:00

For a passive buyer, these things are but ordinary terms used in the automotive market but for someone meticulous and who wants the best for his auto, these things matter considerably. Deciding which among these to purchase is just like deciding what car to buy.

O.E.M. stands for Original Equipment Manufactured. This means that OEM Ford parts are manufactured by Ford itself, Chevrolet parts are manufactured by Chevrolet, Toyota parts by Toyota, BMW parts by BMW and so on. The terms O.E.S. and OE are also used; these mean Original Equipment Supplied and Original Equipment, respectively. While in many cases, OEM and OES mean the same, OE is more general referring to any part that came as original equipment on the car. Some of OE car parts and components are not actually made by the car manufacturer but are purchased and assembled by the automakers to create a vehicle.

Those referred to as “aftermarket auto parts” are not made by the original car manufacturer; furthermore, they are bought and added to the vehicle only at the dealership or after the vehicle left the dealership. In terms of design and function, aftermarket products are almost the same as the stock auto parts since they are primarily used to replace a damaged original part so that the vehicle can continue to run. If you need replacement parts for your car, however, you can either buy O.E.M. or aftermarket auto parts. There are numerous sources of aftermarket auto parts. Stores like Auto Parts Discount give you a great variety of parts for almost all makes and models.

Some cars, especially the base models are not completely equipped so users just add aftermarket parts later on. For example if you have purchased an old Toyota Corolla, you can add aftermarket Toyota fog lights, Toyota spoiler, Toyota turn signal light or Toyota mirrors. Aftermarket products can also help you give your car a fresh new look. Even if your original parts are not yet damaged or worn out, you can replace them with or add specially designed aftermarket auto parts like Honda taillights, Ford center cap, Chevrolet chrome bumper, and Mercedes Benz Front Cover Towing Eye found at Auto Parts Discount.

Enthusiasts, on the other hand would opt for custom parts and specialty equipments. Compared to a universal fit auto part, which can be installed to any vehicle make, year and model, custom aftermarket products are designed to fit only a particular application. Examples of custom parts are your Ford hood, Ford fender and Ford doors. Specialty equipments on the other hand, are intended to make the vehicle more stylish, comfortable, convenient and more up-to-date.

Most auto users prefer aftermarket products because they are less expensive than OEM replacements. While it is true that there may be some aftermarket auto parts that do not meet high standards of original equipments, it is not right to say that aftermarket products are generally inferior in terms of quality and style. Replacement parts sold at Auto Parts Discount, for example are made by car parts manufacturers that are mandated by high international standards.

Which is better, OEM or aftermarket replacement part? It depends on the product. Some OEM parts are not durable enough while the aftermarket parts you use to replace them could last for many years. If you want to give your car a different look and also, if you want to save, aftermarket products are worth a try. However, make sure to get these replacement parts from trusted sources.

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Africa Meets Volvo S40 2.0

2010-02-13T08:06:00.001-08:00

The African automobile market has just met the newest Volvo entry level model – the Volvo S40 2.0. According to Volvo Cars, this new vehicle has been created just right so as to pique the interests of the young ones in the market who are out searching for the right kind of vehicle that they could own.

Priced at only R215,000 in the continent of Africa, it sure would be a good buy for most young buyers. And this price has actually gotten the Volvo S40 2.0 model quite a huge amount of recognition from the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists last year, 2005. And the value for money proved to be a huge factor for the organization that it gave the Car of the Year award for that year to the Volvo S40 2.0.

The Volvo newest model to hit the African auto market has subjected to changes so as to make it more interesting for the market. Although it does not come ready with a package of Volvo V90 parts that would also be great replacements for the parts of this vehicle, the features for this vehicle are quite remarkable. The Volvo S40 2.0 offers standard equipment like a rain sensor, fog lights, an electronic climate control system, and a trip computer. Those who need entertainment while traveling would surely enjoy the standard Performance sound system. One can also find the steering wheel dotted with control buttons for various functions. The rear view mirror which has an auto-dim feature has now been created to be much wider.

And with Volvo being known much for its vehicles that are very much inclined towards providing the right kind and the right amount of safety for its passengers and owners, the Volvo S40 2.0 holds the Whiplash Protection System, or WHIPS. It also offers some full-length curtain airbags which have been specially designed so as to protect the car’s passengers during side impacts.

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Affordable Cars Priced From Under $15K

2010-02-09T15:24:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for a new car? If you are, there are several models available to you for under $15,000. Twelve are mentioned here; thirteen if you include the Nissan Versa to be released later this summer. Increased competition has made this a great time to buy a new car so compare, shop, and save!

Chevrolet Cobalt – With an MSRP of under $13,000, this Chevrolet model is one of the lowest priced cars manufactured in the U.S. A competitive price when you realize that few new car models are priced so low. If the Cobalt price still isn’t low enough for you, then Chevrolet also markets the Aveo, a vehicle GM imports from its South Korean subsidiary Daewoo. The Aveo retails for just $9890!

Ford Focus – Retailing at $13,990 the Focus is the lowest priced vehicle sold by “blue oval” in the U.S. Not cheap enough for you? Special incentives on the ZX3 version of the Focus can lower the price by as much as $3000!

Honda Civic Coupe – It is getting increasingly difficult to find a Civic under $15,000. Why is that? Well, Honda has been gradually pushing the Civic up market in a bid to compete against the Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla. Don’t worry, Honda is about to release a car even smaller [and cheaper] than the Civic: the $12,000 Fit will be in Honda showrooms later this year!

Hyundai Accent and the Hyundai Elantra – Leave it to Hyundai to have two vehicles in its line up that sell for under $15,000. Starting at just $12,455 the Accent GLS is bargain basement, but not stripped. The car comes with four wheel disc brakes, 8 way adjustable driver’s seat, and ABS. The Elantra is slightly up market and retails for about $1300 more than the Accent.

Kia Rio and Kia Spectra – With an MSRP listed at $11, 110 the Kia Rio is the lowest priced four door car sold in the U.S. Recent upgrades for the model include several safety features: six airbags, impact-absorbing steering column, front and rear crumple zones and side-impact door beams. Select the Spectra for a car that is better appointed and larger than the Rio.

Saturn ION – Base models of the little car from Tennessee currently are retailing around $13,500, but that price may drop later in the year as GM seeks to move several slow selling cars including the ION

Toyota Corolla – Always competitive, the Corolla is priced at $14,105 and is considered by industry leaders to have the highest quality amongst all small cars on the market. A lower cost model, the Echo, has been discontinued but a new model, the Yaris, will appear later this year and retail for about $12,000.

Scion xA and Scion xB – Two of the three models sold by Toyota’s Generation “Y” division, Scion, are priced under $15,000. The xA starts around $13,500 and the xB sells for about $1000 more than that.

So, are the days of finding transportation under $15,000 soon to be behind us? On the contrary, with the 2007 importation of cars from China the under $10,000 category will soon have new life as cars from Chery and Geely hit U.S. showrooms pushing new prices down to as low as $6600! As a result, Ford, Dodge, and others are looking at ways to build and import cars overseas or in Mexico that will sell for much than current base models.

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Advice On Dealing With A Defective Car Seat And Getting Help

2010-02-07T17:18:00.000-08:00

The automobile market can be intimidating, and if you are just starting out in the wonderful world of wheels you may need advice on buying your first car. There are so many options for car buyers: new or used, red or blue, sports car or SUV, two or four doors…and that is just for starters! Also, as a new car buyer you need to be wary of advice on buying your first car, because there are still quite a few snake-oil salesmen out there in the automotive market looking to sell you a lemon. Following you will find some solid advice on buying your first car.

The first consideration for anyone who wants to buy his or her first car is usually whether to buy new or used. Many first car buyers are young people who are just starting out, so the necessity of buying used is often present. Advice on buying your first car new from a showroom is fairly straightforward: buy from a reputable dealer, research the best type of vehicle for you, and seek out the best deals including free extras, low interest and rebates. However, if you plan to buy a used vehicle, where should you look to avoid getting taken advantage of? Most car dealerships also sell “gently used” cars, usually those that have been previously leased. When these are out of your price range, there are also many used car lots with lower-priced second-hand vehicles. Look for a car dealer who is willing to do all the necessary repair work to get your first car in top running condition, and who also has all the necessary certifications to be in business. Ask whether you can talk to other people who have bought cars from the dealer and find out if they have had major problems with the vehicle. Always test-drive a car before you buy!

When it comes to the car itself, there are a number of things you should check out on your first car. You can examine the tires, the body and the interior on sight and look for possible problems. When considering the tires, be alert for rips and gouges and demand replacements for poor tires or ask for a lower purchase price. Also, uneven wear on tires indicates an alignment or suspension problem, in which case you should tell the dealer to perform the repairs before you will consider buying. On the body of the car, a few dents and scratches won’t affect the performance - but several of them could indicate the car has been in an accident. Also, rust along the bottom of doors or on the frame can attack the structure of the vehicle. Excessive rust is a bad sign. Check the interior of the car thoroughly for missing mirrors, frayed seatbelts, loose knobs and switches that don’t work. Test the audio system as well. Any of these points can be used as a bargaining tool to lower the asking price!

With any used vehicle, you should always obtain a used car report such as those from CARFAX. This information will tell you whether there are any outstanding liens, holds, or fines associated with the vehicle, and whether it’s been involved in an accident.

What is the best advice on buying your first car? Take your time, and have fun. With some careful research and a bit of the right knowledge, you can soon say, “This is my car!”

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Advantages Of Buying A New Car At The Right Time

2010-02-06T07:24:00.000-08:00

Buying a new car requires intricate planning and sorting out of your choices, whatever they may be, the best time to purchase your treasured set of wheels are always a good advantage to most drivers.

Times to acquire your new vehicle

• Christmas Season

Most likely, the best time to purchase your car is around the holiday season. Since people do not have any money left to buy a car at that point of time, you can have the extra edge to score better deals anywhere.

Most people do not intend to buy one because of other things expenses like preparing for dinners, shopping for Christmas, entertaining friends and other parties.

The dealer is scouring for a sale, their would like to attain their yearly sales goal, this can always mean good things to you, take advantage of the season where dealers bend the tag price to get enough sales.

• Winter period

This is also true with winter periods. They are most likely beneficial in cold weather states, as the mercury drops further at the thermometer, the prices also follow. People do not like to take their vehicle and drive in the snow. These are the low points of the year for automobile sales.

This can always mean the same thing, low prices as they dealers will likely bend the prices to get sales, since their sales are low, and you can find the best deals around.

• Year-end Sales

Within August to October are the times which dealers fear losing their sales pitch, what do they do remedy these? Sales, they can always boost their figures up another notch.

This is the time when you come in; you can purchase the best deals off from this time alone. They tend to get rid of most cars in their inventory prior to as newer cars start to arrive, people lose the interest of purchasing the old lineup of cars.

As it can only mean these things... discounts, rebates, freebies, you name it. This is when you can feel that your money had been used for the best investment deals around.

Online resources

The online world offers the best deals where you can pick out your favorite ride. This is essentially helpful for comparing prices; look for the hottest deals, rebates and below invoice prices on cars.

Websites offering these deals are not always in your favor. You may likely to end up looking at numerous sites, they can sometimes be a hassle but the rewards let you enjoy the feeling of driving your chosen car bought at the best price according to your resources

What is really the best time to buy your car?

Do your researching. The best time to buy your car is when you find the best deals possible or when you simply have the resources.

You can care less of the rebates, discounts and anything that comes by with the vehicle, to put it simply, if you have the money, just purchase what car can accommodate your needs and be durable for long-term usage.

Prices really go down at certain times of the year but when you have enough savings, you can always get a bit of discount and would always be rewarding like those items bought within low-priced periods

Think of that as your own time of the year where you can simply purchase the car which suites your budget and invest them into it.

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Advance Auto Parts For Your Vehicles

2010-02-04T16:46:00.000-08:00

World can not be defined without automobile we all know it as automobiles are indispensable these days. Just head offs to those inventor and geniuses to automobile evolve what is it today.

The automobile gave a new look to the world and change the lifestyle across the world. We see automobile in various forms like cars, trucks, vans, bus and other commonplace. Now they are primarily means of transportations for our family conveyances, our business tools and our friends.

Many auto manufacturers have produced vehicles and automobile that the world has come to know and they has emerged and successfully established their names and reputation.

Its not always possible for us to buy new auto if there is nay problem with an particular part of an automobile. Keeping this thing in mind automobile manufacturer have produced auto parts which are guaranteed to be close to perfect condition, reliable, durable, and top-notch when it comes to the quality and other accessories are also available in the market for the purpose of innovation, enhancement and refinement of the vehicle.

Online stores are the major sources of auto parts and accessories have been of great advantage to busy shoppers. Before it was an great difficulty for us to go in automobile shop for replacing small parts, but now you don’t have to par a visit to a parts dealer, just a simple click on the internet is all you need to get one

Many auto parts corner serve your auto parts, replace parts and collision parts needs in the best and most efficient way. You can easily find array parts and accessories for all your major vehicle models by the best auto parts manufacturers.

From now you don’t have to think much about your automobile and for its maintenance, at anytime you can replace any part for your vehicle and of same model. Contact your nearest auto part store and enjoy your driving with safely.

For more great car info and auto repair tips go to auto repair manual

Adjusting The Headlights Of Your Car

2010-02-02T06:05:00.000-08:00

Those huge eyes shining in the dark.

Those are simply the headlights of your car. It is actually a lamp. And just by the name itself, it is located in the head or the front end of your vehicle. Of course, these have been mounted there not just for aesthetic purposes but also for functional purposes. These headlights help you out see the road ahead clearly by lighting up and illuminating the way. In fact, headlights are very essential during driving at night or even when driving during bad weather conditions like heavy rain or foggy days.

If you think that by simply putting on your headlights on your car, it would be able to light your way up to your destination. Well, think again. These headlights should be properly installed at the right angles. Or else, you might be driving with the headlights lighting the sides only of the road when they should be lighting up the road ahead. You can do the adjusting yourself through the screws you can find on the assembly for the headlights. It is just one screwdriver that you‘ll need to take on such a task.

To check if you do need to adjust your car’s headlights, park your car first somewhere where the ground is flat. Make sure that the front of your car is facing a flat surface – a wall, a fence, or a garage door, perhaps. And then, turn the headlights on. You would know that they are correctly mounted if they are straightly even.

If you find that they do need a little tinkering and adjusting, you can lower or raise the beams by loosening or tightening the adjustment screws of the headlights with your screwdriver. The adjustment screws can be found usually on the side and the bottom of the headlights.

For more great car info and auto repair tips go to auto repair manual

Adding In The Brake Fluid

2010-02-01T15:42:00.000-08:00

First off, what is brake fluid?

Brake fluid is actually a type of hydraulic fluid. It is commonly used in brake applications and brake systems found in automobiles as well as light trucks. What brake fluid does is it actually transfers force under pressure from where it is created. The fluid does this through the automobile’s brake system’s hydraulic lines. It transfers the force to the braking mechanism which is found near the wheels of the car.

Brake fluids work well in making a vehicle come to a halt. This is primarily because of the property of liquids and fluids that they are not basically compressible by nature. And since they do need enough force to actually put a running vehicle to a stop, these brake fluids are the best types to use for they do not wear down or get damaged and can work efficiently in providing the required amount of force.

If you would notice, cars that have manual transmission systems mounted in them use a clutch cable or a hydraulic system. For cars with a hydraulic clutch, it is important to check first the clutch master cylinder then add brake fluid. It is also essential that you do this regularly. If you are unsure as per what kind of brake fluid to use, you can refer to your car owner’s manual for such information.

To add brake fluid to your car’s clutch master cylinder’s reservoir, you should first know what it actually looks like. You would most likely locate this closer to the driver’s side fender and it looks smaller compared to the brake master cylinder’s reservoir. Make sure that before you remove the cap that it is clean. This is to ensure that there would not be any dirt, grime, or any type of debris that would fall into the reservoir itself. You would know if it is time to add in more brake fluid because the full level should reach the rim of the reservoir.

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Acura TL: Renewed Vigor

2010-01-31T11:22:00.001-08:00

Acura’s first stab at a small luxury sedan was the Vigor, a model introduced in 1991. Featuring an inline 5 cylinder engine, the car failed to compete against the BMW 3-series – its targeted market – and barely held its own against the similar size Lexus of the day. After three less than stellar model years, the Vigor was dropped from the Acura line up, but replaced by the TL, a car that truly has energized the Acura line up. Where the Vigor lagged, the TL has excelled: so much so the TL is the best selling Acura and a strong competitor against similar cars from Mercedes, Infiniti, Cadillac, Lexus, and BMW.

Sometimes failure is the strongest catalyst for change. Okay, the Vigor wasn’t a total flop, but it certainly wasn’t a car that could compete successful in the midsize luxury car category. As with so many products developed by Honda, the company is a quick learner and the evidence has been borne out in the TL, the most popular selling Acura on the market. The current TL is no slouch, neither will it bust your budget. Here is what you get for the princely sum of approximately $33,000:

Potent Engine -- A 24 valve V6 motor powers this baby to produce 258 horses and 233 lbs of torque. Featuring VTEC technology, the TL’s engine squeezes out every ounce of power while producing an ultra low amount of emissions.

Tranny Wonder -- A six speed manny tranny is standard and a 5 speed automatic shift gate transmission is optional. Both transmission choices work effortlessly and are precision tuned to provide maximum response.

Wheels and Brakes -- 17 inch tires and aluminum wheels help the TL navigate every curve and bring the sedan to a sure stop every time. 4 wheel drive disc brakes, ABS, brake assist, stability assist, and traction control round out the safety features found in every TL.

Suspend This – For ultimate driving satisfaction, every TL comes equipped with an independent double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension. Add in gas filled shocks and stabilizer bars and you have a vehicle that can conquer the toughest corners as well as do justice on the famed Nurburgring race track.

Luxury Abounds – Creature comforts abound for the TL driver and its passengers. An 8 speaker ELS surround system envelopes the cabin, a HandsFreeLink makes phone conversation while driving a breeze, and heated seats ward off the coldest chill that a dark winter’s morning has to offer you.

Safety, Safety Everywhere – Front and side airbags along with a seatbelt tightening system provide the ultimate level of safety for all cabin occupants.

Now in its third generation, the TL continues to be updated to compete with the BMW 3 Series, its chief rival. Although most critics still give the 3 Series the engineering lead, the TL is proving to be more reliable in the long run. Count on Honda to further close the overall gap when the fourth generation TL shows up in about three years time: maybe, just maybe, we’ll have a new leader in the midsize luxury car class. If the TL does wrest the lead from BMW, current owners will not be surprised as they continue to heap praises on a car that already leads many consumer satisfaction surveys.

For more great car info and auto repair tips go to auto repair manual

Acura RSX: Swan Song

2010-01-30T07:07:00.000-08:00

When Honda launched the Acura brand in 1986, two models powered the fleet: the Integra and the Legend. Since then many other models have been added to the Acura line up and the Integra was eventually renamed the RSX and the Legend was later given the RL designation. After two decades of service, the Integra/RSX is in its final year of production. Please read on for reasons why the Honda Motor Company will kill off this once popular seller.

Blowing Up Bridges –- When Honda created Acura, the company wanted one “bridge model” to be included in the mix to help Honda owners transition to Acura. The thought back then was that the price differential between the two brands would be too much for many one-time Honda owners to swallow. Thus, the Integra was created and priced only slightly higher than the most expensive Honda model, but well below the prevailing price of the Legend. With this pricing plan in place, Honda believed accurately that Integra/RSX owners would eventually opt for a more upscale Acura. Today, however, Honda is now actively separating the two brands with individual research and development departments in play. Furthermore, Acura is being repositioned to better compete against Infiniti and Lexus, two Japanese luxury brands without a bridge model.

Invest Elsewhere –- Related to the first point, the RSX was due for a change. The current model is old and the monies to bring about a new model would take away from the company’s bottom line. Acura has mentioned that a coupe version of its popular TL sedan is likely to be introduced to satisfy whatever consumer demand remains for a luxury coupe.

Changing Consumer Tastes –- While a sports coupe has its advantages, the market for this type of car is limited and dwindling. Chevrolet gave up the Camaro, Pontiac the Firebird, while the Mitsubishi Eclipse and Ford Mustang manage to hold their own. None of these cars are on the luxury level of the Acura and consumer interest has been steadily dwindling over the past five years.

A New NSX? –- Acura’s discontinued NSX, a two seat sports car, is rumored to be coming back. Although sales will likely be limited to less than 10,000 models annually the high priced NSX would be the “halo” model for the Acura fleet. USA Acura dealers want the car and it appears that the Honda Motor Company many oblige.

In its heyday the Integra was a popular seller and a frequently stolen car. Hard to find parts made the Integra a popular target of thieves; expect this problem to worsen as the RSX goes completely out of production. So, if you don’t have an alarm system installed on your Integra/RSX yet, do so today. The Integra/RSX you currently drive may be the last one you own; don’t let thieves make that determination for you!

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Acura RSX: Integra Again

2010-01-29T07:41:00.000-08:00

Back in 1986, when the Acura brand was introduced by the Honda Motor Company, two models started it all: the Legend and the Integra. Since that time several additional models have joined the Acura line up and the two original models were renamed: the Legend became the RL and the Integra was renamed the RSX. Today’s RSX – a three door hatchback -- continues to offer pretty much what the original Integra stood for: luxury, engineering, and value. Let’s take a closer look at this popular seller and what the car means to both the driver and to the company.

Honda’s introduction of Acura was prior to and done slightly different than Toyota’s introduction of Lexus and Nissan’s roll out of Infiniti. Unlike its Japanese cousins who were introducing pure luxury brands, Honda decided to include “near luxury” as well as luxury cars in the Acura mix. This marketing method was Kind of like selling Cadillacs and Oldsmobiles under one name, but without the creation of a third brand. Honda’s strategy has paid off as the Integra/RSX has been a popular seller and a nice bridge for Honda loyalists looking for something a bit more refined than the typical Honda, but without the Acura price. Truly, a star was born with the Integra and continues to shine with the RSX.

For driver’s, the RSX offers a gusto not found on the average Honda, giving it plenty of room to be “specially tuned” by the aftermarket crowd. With 17 inch tires, 6 speed transmission, and 7 speaker Bose sound system, the RSX has been designed to provide optimal driving fun at an affordable price. Featuring 2+2 seating, sport styling, and a 201horspower VTEC engine, the four banger RSX effectively combines performance with fuel efficiency.

For the Honda Motor Company, the RSX has helped to keep Acura sales strong. Recently, the company began to market the Acura brand well beyond its North American roots and the RSX [curiously still called the Integra elsewhere] has led the way. Recently, however, the company has decided to discontinue the RSX to concentrate on further separating the Honda and Acura divisions. Thus, the original intent of Honda for Acura has been changed and Acura will now be exclusively marketed as a luxury brand.

For Integra/RSX lovers all is not lost. Honda will likely sell a similarly equipped Accord while Acura will continue to sell the TSX, a four door upscale version of the RSX. Changing consumer tastes have shown that a near luxury coupe doesn’t have quite as strong as an appeal as a four door sedan, so the RSX will not be produced after 2006.

The Integra/RSX has served Acura and its drivers well; new models are certain to build upon its success as the Acura brand is spread worldwide. For more great car info and auto repair tips go to
auto repair manual

Acura Integra: The Car, The Legend

2010-01-28T06:40:00.000-08:00

Released as a 1987 model, the very first Acura Integra started what was to become a strong following of owners who were drawn in by the car’s sports appeal and reasonable prices. Based on the Honda Civic, the Integra successfully brought customers over to the Acura brand and has been widely credited with spurring Honda’s luxury division to its “legendary” success. In 2002, Acura renamed the car the “RSX” to bring the name in line with the alphabet soup designation of each of its models. Whatever you call the car, the Integra has lived up to all of the hype surrounding the model. Let’s take a closer look a vehicle that has an interesting, if not a bit strange, legacy.

From Civic to Acura

Honda’s decision to launch a luxury car division was based on two factors: luxury versions of Honda automobiles were already being sold in its home market, Japan, and the American automotive market was ripe for some competition. Honda felt that the US market would more readily accept an all-new Acura brand over an upscale Honda, thus the decision was made to proceed with Acura.

The brand’s first two models, the Integra and Legend, were based on existing Honda platforms, the Civic and Accord, respectively. As odd as this may seem today, the modified platforms made sense during the 1980s allowing Acura to concentrate on marketing and dealer network development while introducing variations of two highly successful Honda models.

True Entry Level Luxury

While most luxury brands use the $25,000 figure as the price point for their base models, Acura has held down the price of the Integra/RSX several thousand dollars less than that threshold. Truly, the Integra was never a luxury car, instead it was and is a well equipped, easy-to-tune, fun-to-drive, sports coupe. This pricing strategy opened the Acura door to many motorists who might have otherwise stayed away and kept owners in the fold once they were ready to upgrade to a pricier Acura model.

Highly Popular…With Thieves, That Is

One claim to fame that the Integra has is its appearance on every single “most stolen” vehicle list. Indeed, as many as seven different model year Integras have appeared on the list as a swiped Integra is most prized for its parts. As with many imports, all of the individual parts combined can retail for more than three times the vehicle’s price. In addition, the car’s powerful engine often finds its way underneath the hood of less powerful Honda models. Check your local chop shop for their selection of truly “hot” Acura Integra parts!

Curtain Call

Although the Integra name is synonymous with sportiness and value, as is the current RSX appellation, Acura is discontinuing the model as Honda seeks to further separate its two divisions. No longer will a thinly disguised, yet potent Honda wear an Acura nameplate. Indeed, Honda has now separated the research and development departments for the two brands in a bid to differentiate the lines. Apparently, Honda believes that Acura can now stand on its own and “bridge models” such as the RSX will not have a place in its model line up.

Beyond the RSX, Acura currently has no other sport coupe to entice owners. That all may change if a rumored two door version of its hot new TSX sedan is released. If it is, Acura owners will pay a premium over the Integra/RSX price, but receive a car that is even more opulent, more potent, and better engineered than the model that it will be replacing.

Acura: The Improved Luxury Lineup

2010-01-27T03:00:00.000-08:00

Honda originally launched their Acura sport and luxury division during 1986, and the company has continually improved their product line ever since. The days of Acura's driving and performing like their similar Honda counterparts are long gone. Numerous upgrades and enhancements have been made to the Acura vehicles to make them more luxurious and refined than ever before.

When the Acura product line first rolled off the assembly line they had a few top selling vehicles including the Integra, Legend, and Vigor that quickly became popular. Motor Trend even named the Legend coupe as the "Import Car of the Year" back in 1987. In addition they also named the Integra as one of the top 10 best cars to drive on the road. Considering this was a fairly new brand for Honda, the Acura series did exceptionally well in their first few years. This definitely raised the standards for Honda on all of its new models.

Up to this day, Honda's subsidiary brand still remains a leader in providing high quality, luxury sport coupes and vehicles. Many of the older models, however, have been retired and others replaced with newer models that are being marketed under a few new names such as:

- Acura RL: A midsize, luxury sedan that seats up to 5 passengers
- Acural TL: A midsize, 5 passenger sport luxury sedan
- Acura TSX: A midsize, 5 passenger lower priced alternative to the TL
- Acura RSX: A 4 passenger, sporty coupe priced at around $24,000
- Acura NSX: A fairly expensive 2 passenger exotice sports car
- Acura MSX: A larger 7 passenger luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV)

The new models have definitely changed drastically since the car manufacturer's line was first introduced in '86. Interior improvements, technological improvements, and additional standard and luxury features, have been added over the years and especially in the recently released models. Acura is definitely providing some stiff competition for two similar competing Japanese luxury brands (Infiniti and Lexus).

Acura has also created a very stong following for car enthusiasts and aftermarket "tuners" looking to spice up or "trick out" their sport compact. The Acura Integra (now the RSX), is still an ever popular choice among these enthusiasts. Although, this car is probably not quite as popular as Honda's Civic, it offers many of the same features at a slightly higher price point.

In summary, Honda has clearly brought out an excellent and constantly improving line up of vehicles for consumers both young and old. With everything from small sport compacts to large luxury SUVs, with high quality features and added extras, they are sure to appeal to just about everyone. Loyal Acura enthusiasts and car lovers alike will surely continue to follow the company's strong brand and well known quality line of vehicles for years to come!

Acura: 20 Years of Honda Luxury

2010-01-26T07:38:00.000-08:00

In March 2006, the Honda Motor Company celebrated an important milestone: the 20th anniversary of their luxury brand, Acura. Created to give Honda aficionados an opulent make that they could be proud of, Acura has successfully expanded the company’s reach far beyond more prosaic models such as the Civic and the Accord. Today, Acura is a very different brand than the company that was birthed in 1986. Let’s take a glimpse at Acura’s past, their present line up, and what the next 20 years may bring for this esteemed Japanese automaker.

Back in 1981, Honda saw an opportunity opening up for itself that no one in Honda’s headquarters wanted to miss out on: building and selling luxury cars to American consumers. Mercedes and BMW were both gaining traction in the U.S. as American luxury brands Cadillac and Lincoln sputtered and lost market share. Honda was already receiving widespread consumer acceptance and critical acclaim for the three models it was then selling in the U.S., so the decision to market more expensive and upscale cars was viewed as a strong possibility.

When Honda management decided to go with the upscale brand, they did this knowing that the cars would eventually have to stand apart from Honda in order to command the higher prices. Simply selling up market Hondas as Acuras would not work. Instead, each car was outfitted and retuned to compete directly against the leading luxury cars of that time.

The first two models to be sold as Acuras were the Legend, a V6 powered sedan and coupe, and the Integra, which was essentially a three door coupe based on a Honda Civic platform. Later, the NSX two seat roadster was brought out to battle Porsche and the Vigor sedan was introduced to fill the gap between the Integra and the Legend.

Over time, the various model names were dropped and replaced by vehicles with 2 or 3 letter designations. The Vigor became the TL, the Legend became the RL, and the Integra the RSX. Today, the MDX SUV, RSX sport compact, and TSX sedan, join the three other models to comprise the current Acura line up. A slightly smaller SUV, the RDX, will be joining Acura’s line up later in 2006.

The future of Acura looks bright despite strong worldwide competition. Although Honda jumped into the market a few years before Nissan rolled out it Infiniti division and Toyota its Lexus line, Acura has trailed its Japanese competitors for over a decade now. Some critics have contended that this misstep has hurt Acura, while others see it as a typical conservative Honda decision to expand the Honda brand instead.

Future changes for Acura are sketchy, but model changes will likely include the introduction of diesel powered vehicles and more hybrid offerings. Some auto critics have suggested that Honda has the capacity of outflanking BMW and Mercedes by producing super luxury sedans and sports cars. Renowned Honda quality combined with European styling, luxury, and engineering have fueled Acura’s success so far. An expansion of this theme to even larger and/or sportier models could vault Acura forward.

Truly, Acura has helped reshape the original perception that many motorists had about the Japanese brands, by delivering vehicles that are high in luxury, tops in engineering, and strong in refinement. If the last 20 years have proved anything it is that enthusiasts can expect much more from Acura over the next two decades. Kudos to the Honda Motor Company for developing a brand that has been so well received.

Accidents? What Do You Do?

2010-01-25T05:37:00.000-08:00

Accidents could happen anytime. In fact, even if you are the careful driver or even if you are the reckless driver, you could actually meet accidents on the road. Sometimes, it even happens right on your street just as you are pulling away from your garage.

What do you do when you get involved and be part of a traffic accident?

According to the Consumer Protection Association of America, they are continually developing a list of suggestions to help drivers anticipate what they actually need to know when they have to deal with a traffic accident. This organization is also continuously increasing public awareness on traffic safety. The president of the association, Dr. Ray Bruce, state, “These tips (on dealing with accidents) can make a big difference in everything from protecting yourself and your passengers to ensuring that you won’t be without a car while yours is in the shop.”

Always have an emergency kit in your glove compartment. This should include a cellular phone, a pen, a paper, and a disposable camera. These would be to take important information about the scene. There should also be a card carrying information about your medical allergies or conditions that may require special attention. In the trunk, there should also be cones, warning triangles and emergency flares.

If you are involved in minor accidents and there are no serious injuries, move your cars to the side. Do not stay on the road and bother oncoming traffic. If you do such a thing, chances are that there might be more traffic accidents headed your way because of your vehicles obstructing the road. On the other hand, if the car cannot be moved, make sure that you warn other motorists by setting out your hazard lights, cones, flares, or warning triangles.

Exchange information with the other parties involved. Exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance companies, policy numbers, drivers license numbers, and license plate numbers. Also, take down the description of each car, the year, make, model, and color. The location of the collision and how it happened should also be recorded.

Accessories that Protect your Vehicle

2010-01-24T05:36:00.000-08:00

There are many accessories you can purchase to protect your vehicle. Those mentioned here are just some of the most often chosen. Whether you are looking to protect the interior or exterior, measures taken to keep your vehicle looking its best and at the same time insuring retention of the vehicle’s top value will be highly beneficial when it comes time to trade it in or sell. Even if you are not looking at future values for sale, using accessories like new seat covers, floor mats or a car bra will make you proud to be seen in your vehicle as well as the protection these accessories will provide.

The front-end car bra is an accessory that will provide protection for your vehicle’s front end. Specially ordered for your vehicle, the car bra is made to fit snugly and perfectly for maximum protection. Its value is in its ability to act as a guard from road hazards such as bugs, chemicals such as tar and gravel on roadways and from pitting damage on your automobile’s grill and paint surfaces. The bra, while having an important protective feature, also gives your vehicle a classier appearance. Usually constructed of heavy vinyl and a firm padding underneath, the car bra will stand the test of time. Most vehicle bras are easy to install and remove. The benefits in adding value, protection and a sleek look to your vehicle are well worth the small investment of a car front-end bra.

Bug shields are yet another valuable protective piece you can add to your vehicle. Modern bug shields are designed aerodynamically to not only compliment the look of your car’s front end, but they also maximize fuel usage. By not allowing a pushing type of air force against the vehicle, aerodynamically made shields create an ease in air flow so that your car doesn’t have to use extra fuel to compensate for the additional pressure or work. Bug shields are great for protecting your car from road debris, excessive bug collection and chipping from stones or other road hazards.

A car cover is an essential accessory if you must leave your vehicle outside in the harsh elements of the sun, rain or snow. It will protect your car from wear and tear and the hazards of extreme weather conditions when garaging or cover protection is not available. It should fit snugly around the normally exposed portions of the vehicle. Car covers are usually made of heavy duty protecting materials that will keep the damaging weather elements away from the automobile’s painted surfaces and will protect from the above mentioned weather hazards. Car covers are especially valuable if you use them while shopping or when the vehicle is parked anywhere someone or something can bump into the vehicle and create paint or body damage.

Floor Mats are the perfect accessory to not only give your interior a new or more finished look, they are indispensable in the protection they provide against wear and tear on the floor carpet. You can purchase floor mats in most any variety of colors, styles, and designs. They are available in materials such as rubber and clear plastic to name a few. Floor mats can be made specific to your vehicle or purchased at auto parts stores. The benefits to having floor mats cannot be overstated. They can aid in comfort when driving on long road trips, they protect from shoe damage in the acceleration area of the floor and they keep everyday dirt and grime from attaching to your vehicle’s original carpet. A purchase of floor mats at nominal prices can give your vehicle protection from years of floor or carpet damage in the vehicle.

No matter what part of the world you live in, tinting your vehicle’s windows can offer protection in many ways. Window tinting has long been known to reduce the heat coming into your vehicle. Anyone that owns an automobile in the southwest will tell you that the sun’s heat (and damaging ultraviolet rays) is not only destructive, it is downright uncomfortable. So in these two ways, tinting can increase your comfort while driving and decrease fading or discoloration of the interior’s vinyl or fabric work. If you choose a safety film, you will get even more protection.

A safety film on your vehicle’s windows has been known to reduce injuries to occupants from flying shattered glass in auto accidents. If you have a large object hit your windshield, safety film may deter the object from coming directly into your vehicle and hitting any passengers. If you live in tornado or earthquake zones, this type of film can prevent injury as well by acting as a buffer between you and the shattered glass.

Lastly, but certainly not less important, seat covers have numerous benefits. Seat covers protect the material that covers the original fabric of your car’s seats. This is very important for owners that live in sun drenched areas of the world, work in conditions where your clothing is contaminated with dirt, grease, or other destructive materials and for those owners that participate in activities such as biking, hiking, or swimming (the chlorine alone is severely damaging if you are not fully dried off). Seat covers are not just about protecting, they can also provide a tailored and clean look to your vehicle’s interior.

Your vehicle will look well kept and well taken care of if you purchase seat covers before damage occurs. You can pull them off before selling or trading in your vehicle for that eye-appealing look that says you the owner took very good care of the car. Sometimes a nice and fresh looking interior will sell a vehicle even if the exterior is a bit worn.

While there are many other accessories out there for your vehicle, the ones mentioned here will go a long way in giving you peace of mind. You will know that you have done what you can to insure that your vehicle will look close to new even when it is ten years old. If you want to sell your vehicle someday, you have applied accessories that will most likely bring you maximum dollar at selling or trade-in time. You can never lose by adding protective accessories to you car.

A Walk Through the Volvo V40

2010-01-23T07:25:00.000-08:00

From the Ford Motor Company’s Volvo division, the Volvo V40 is a sedan that has been making heads turn. It has been crafted and manufactured since 1999 up until the present. When it was introduced, it actually filled in the spot and niche that the Volvo 450 had left. It is a compact car, holds four doors, and is a sedan. It has been said that its competition in the market include the Acura TSX, the Audi A3, the BMW 2-series, and the Infiniti G20. By looking at the history of the Volvo V40, one could say that indeed there have been two different models, or generations, under the same name. The first generation was launched in 1995, while the other one was just launched recently, in the year 2004.

If you are interested in acquiring a Volvo V40 as your own and you do have $25,700, you most possibly can own one. For sure, this vehicle is guaranteed to be a safe wagon, after all, it is a Volvo, and Volvos are known for providing more than enough safety to its passengers. It has the Whiplash Protection Seating System (WHIPS), the Side Impact Protection System (SIPS), and the Inflatable Curtains (IC) all made standard for the Volvo V40.

Aside from providing safety, the vehicle also provides a good performance, delivery, as well as functionality. It offers a twin scroll turbo charger with intercooler, and also an adaptive five speed microprocessor controlled automatic transmission. All these are made standard. The rear seats of the vehicle are split 70/30. They can even fold flat on the floor so as to provide extra space and extra storage for cargo. That way, the Volvo V40 gives its owners and its users the chance to stack in cargo in the 68.1 cubic feet of cargo space that it holds. The power of this vehicle comes from a dynamic turbocharged engine that holds four cylinders. This power machine could produce some 170 units of horsepower at 5500 rpm. And yes, for entertainment, it has a full concert hall sound with special thanks to the seven speaker stereo system found inside the Volvo V40.

For all technological wonders, safety features, and mechanical prowess that the Volvo vehicles have, Volvo Parts and Used Volvo Parts offers the most impressive line up of Volvo performance parts, replacement parts, OEM parts, and Volvo accessories. Their online collection of quality and durable Volvo parts like V40 parts, include air intake system parts, brakes, cooling system parts, electrical parts, electrical engine parts, mechanical engine parts, fuel injection parts, fuel system parts, service tools and transmission parts among many others. These are guaranteed to be the best in the industry. These heavy duty and highly reliable Volvo parts are available at Volvo Parts and Used Volvo Parts’ online collection and inventory.

A subjective insight of the future automobile

2010-01-22T13:52:00.001-08:00

A subjective insight of the future automobile by Jeff Darling

The future car, lets say a 2025 model will be a very different machine to its present day Grandfather. They will be packed with computers and safety devices ensuring that not even a stunt driver can crash, and they will run on carbon dioxide and emit strawberry scented oxygen. Well they might.

Predictions of future vehicles are usually wildly inaccurate, by now we should all have space programs to rival NASA based out of our backyard. However some of the automobile related cutting edge technology emerging now may well make it into production models of the future. But how much of this technology will be needed or even wanted? Car design of the present is already influenced by politicians, bureaucrats, health and safety regulations and emissions regulations and the stunning concept seen at the motorshow emerges into the world as a 1.0 litre shopping cart, but at least its legal.

Personally I like the idea of fuel efficient hybrid cars, and fuel cell cars emitting nothing but water. However, like most enthusiasts I also like powerful loud convertibles with with the ability to snap a vertabrae at 10 paces. A sensible mix therefore is required and this will be the job entrusted to car designers and engineers of the future, to make a politically correct car that is also desirable.

Another immenent problem facing designers of the future is coming up with styling ideas that are fresh and new. Some of the more recent concepts are certainly striking but not necessarily beautiful in the classic sense of the word. But if there is one thing the automobile industry is good at that is innovation, and I for one am confident that radical and extreme concepts never before imagined will continue to appear at motorshows around the world.

Computer technology has already taken a firm hold of the automobile and the modern driver is less and less responsible for the actions of their vehicle, soon crash victims will try to sue the electronics companies for accidents they caused because their computer system failed to brake the car even though they were fast asleep at the wheel on a three lane highway. Until you have automation of every single vehicle on every single road computer driven cars are just not feasible, in my mind there are just far too many on-the-road variables, with all the logic in the world you cannot beat a brain. Now computer assisted driving is already available in certain Mercedes models which brake for you if your not looking where your going and your too close to the car in front, but there is still a driver in control of the car, or is there. What if for some reason you wanted to get closer to the car in front, you needed to get closer to the car, if you didn't get closer to the car something terrible would happen to civilization. Where do you draw the line with vehicle automation?

In advanced cities of the future CCTV will be so prevalent that visible crimes such as car theft are all but wiped out, but that still won't stop the determined thief. GPS (Global Positioning System) units fitted as standard to all new automobiles will be able to track any vehicle at anytime anywhere, this technology is already common but more widespread use is inevitable. In the UK the government is already talking about fitting GPS to charge motorists depending on what road they travel on and at what times to cut spiraling congestion. This technology coupled with an improved mobile phone and bluetooth network can be used to track and recover stolen vehicles. When the vehicle is found to be stolen a call can be made which shuts down the engine of the car. At the same time a call is sent out which alerts available nearby police, by using the GPS installed in both the stolen car and the police car officers can track the car even if they cannot see it. The police will also have much more insight into a vehicles record when out on patrol, using bluetooth technology a police car can tail a vehicle and receive information on the owner, the current driver and their driving history, and even find out recent top speed and acceleration figures. Of course who wants that, you think you've just had a fun little blast on your favorite bit of road you get pulled over five miles later and the officer gives you a speeding ticket for something he didn't see. But if this technology is mandatory then what choice do you have.

Access to future automobiles may be very different to the keys of today, push button code entry and keycard systems where the key doesn't even leave you pocket, already available, will become common place. You hear the term keyless entry but it still uses a remote control attached to a key which is then used to start the car. Biometrics which are available on some computer systems and use fingerprinting as a password could be an effective alternative to the key, you could even program it for members of your family deciding between access only for the children or access and drive functions for those with licenses. However I belive it will be some time before this is the only means of vehicle entry or start up, what if you are lending your car to a friend and you cannot be present to allow start up.

Multimedia systems will continue to develop in cars until the point where the "are we there yet" phrase develops into "can we stay here". Manufacturers are continuing to cram more and more video screens into increasingly ingenious places providing a rolling cinematic Dolby 7.0 surround sound experience. DVDs are going to go the way of the VCR with hard disk recording of video being the dominant power much as MP3s are killing off CDs. This MP4 technology will save space in the car and allow for far more footage to be kept on board. Improvements in wireless Internet connections could mean that the larger roads can support Internet capable vehicles and constantly inform the driver with up to date relevant road information. A screen in the dash can display live images to show traffic reports and also predict traffic jams by using the GPS systems in all vehicles to show areas where vehicles have been stopped or are congested, and then supply alternate routes. The sound systems of cars will also improve and become more personalised for the various passengers, with headphone sockets and multiple sound outlets, there might be four different radio stations that can be played at once through the different jacks, and a variety of MP3s that can be played at once.

Passenger safety is already a priority for modern day car manufacturers and this will only increase in importance into the future. The widespread use of airbags will increase, the side impact protection airbags featured in some models have proved to be extremely effective in saving lives, more research and better positioning will continue to improve their performance and reliability. Airbags at the moment can only be deployed once so in a multiple collision crash their effectiveness is voided after the first impact, future airbag systems however may take this into consideration and incorporate multiple single use airbags in one position or reusable airbags which can be inflated several times. Some manufacturers use a dynamic headrest in some high-spec models, these move forward during a collision to stop the head snapping back quite so far and reducing the chance of spinal injury (whiplash.

It has been found that a vehicles bumper and frame height is a very important factor when it comes to safety during a collision, if a vehicle has bumper which is too high it can override the bumper of the other vehicle and plough directly into the passenger compartment putting the occupants at severe risk. Accidents like this usually occur when a average size car collides with a truck or SUV, this mismatch can be avoided by having adjustable ride heights on the larger vehicles, when they are on a smooth road lowering the vehicle to a suitable height would reduce the dangers normally associated with these sorts of collision, as a by product this would also reduce the top heavy nature of trucks and SUVs and rollover accidents could be avoided.

Sensors will be increasingly responsible for predicting and safeguarding against avoidable accidents. Sensors will monitor the road surface scanning for black ice and hazardous conditions, this information will then be displayed to the driver and the vehicle may take appropriate steps to improve traction thus reducing the chance of an accident. The information gathered may also be relayed to a central road monitoring network which can inform other motorists of changing weather conditions, in effect every vehicle would become a roving weather station.

Sensors will also monitor the cars position on the road and if the vehicle is found to be straying from the road or traffic lane an alarm would sound this feature is already found on the Citroen C4 amongst others. Sensors could also monitor the drivers well-being, imaging sensors would track eye movement and if the eyes close for more than a few seconds an alarm would sound to alert the driver. Audi uses sensors on its new A6 which monitor for wet conditions, if found the BOSCH brakes are applied intermittently to wipe off the water and ensure good contact when they are needed, the pressure applied in this process is so slight the driver does not notice. Improved night vision and spatial awareness would help cut down on night time crashes which account for half the road related fatalities each year even though only a quarter of all driving occurs at night. Cadillac already includes infrared night vision as an option on some of its more desirable models, infrared vision does not see light it sees heat and the warmer an object is the more it stand out on the screen. The screen is a heads up display projected onto the windscreen infront of the drivers line of sight allowing the driver to see the real world and also the digital projection. Honda has a similar system with the added ability to identify objects and pick out pedestrians and digitally highlight those which are likely to step into the vehicles path and then emit an audible warning.

New materials are constantly brought into the automotive field, in 2005 Chrysler Daimler began using biological composite materials made from coconut, sisal, jute and other plants. This biological material is used mostly on the interior of the car and finds its way into seat cushions, seat backs, underfloor body panels and interior door panels. One of the benefits of using these biological compounds is that they can be recycled and reused and the manufacturing process involved is far more environmentally friendly than that of conventional synthetic compounds. Ceramics first used in braking by Porsche are becoming increasingly popular, although still very expensive limiting them to exclusive vehicles. The benefits of using ceramics is their high tolerance to intense heat making them suitable for high performance vehicles, and where the heavy use of the brakes is needed regularly. Their ability to perform under these extremes help reduce the brake fade associated with exessive use and high temperatures. Materials first such as carbon fibre and carbon kevlar first used on race cars and famed for their high strength and lightweight properties have now filtered down to the production car level, mainly in high-end vehicles but in due time these composites will begin to appear in the average car, cutting weight and increasing fuel economy whilst maintaining structural rigidity.

In the future car designers will have to explore new themes and find alternative influences for their designs. In an effort to catch peoples eye the designs will have to be increasingly bold and brash often sacrificing the aesthetic balance of the design in attempt to be different in an increasingly 'done before' market. This is not to say all designs are going to be hideous, just some. Another influence to exterior design will be made by law as stricter pedestrian protection laws are enforced requiring the front ends of cars to be 'softer', this thinking has already been introduced on some models, overall though it is difficult to project how this will ultimately affect the face of car design. With the increased use of alternative fuel sources such as the hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen combustion engine, vehicle bodies may begin reflect the green nature of their power. However I belive this to be a mistake. The Honda Insight Hybrid might have been more of a success had it not been utterly repulsive, people were already wary of its power source and to then make them vomit in disgust at its styling is just not intelligent. Why do all the eco-friendly cars look like a 60's psychedelic nightmare, why can't they just look like a decent concept car with an alternative engine. Things seem to be improving however and BMW's H2R is an undeniably stunning vehicle if somewhat impractical. And hybrid technology is finding its way into mainstream prodution vehicles as an optional power source.

The interior of vehicles will also change, becoming more user friendly and personalised. Ergonomically positioned controls and lumbar support seats with adjustable everything will come as standard to increase driver and passenger comfort and reduce chronic pain and discomfort. Customisable and personalised interior space will also become desirable features on the future automobile. Just as you swap mobile phone covers an entire dash could be swapped to match your mood, if your a little bigger than average why not fit an XXL seat in two easy steps, the possibilities will be endless in order to cater for an increasingly demanding consumer.

Alternative power sources for vehicles are becoming ever more popular. Government incentives will eventually force all but the super rich into environmentally friendly cars, no problem, by then fuel cell cars will be just as rapid as their fossil fuel counterparts but with none of the mess or stench. However it may take some convincing to get a 'petrol head' to put down his piston and pick up a proton exchange membrane cathode, its just not the same is it. Eventually common conventional fuel cars will become classics and extremely sought after by collectors, but not for a long long time.

Find out more about concept vehicles, designs, current vehicles, and strange vehicles at http://www.diseno-art.com/

A Stylish Crossover Vehicle For Kia

2010-01-21T17:10:00.000-08:00

Kia is planning to bring to the American market a new type of vehicle – a seven passenger crossover – that will compete against the likes of the Toyota Matrix and the Dodge Caliper. The Kia Carens will be sold later this year in Europe and will likely make it to the U.S. market as the Kia Rondo at about the same time. Demand for crossovers continues to rise as the market adjusts to this relatively new type of vehicle. Will the Rondo succeed? If early press reports are any indication then the answer is yes.

Kia’s aggressive surge on the world scene is being made evident through new or proposed factories in Europe and in Georgia, USA. As a subsidiary of the mighty Hyundai group, Kia has long stood for being the budget Korean brand while Hyundai is the company’s value brand. The proposed Rondo will continue Kia’s tradition of providing decent quality small vehicles for prices that are thousands of dollars less than the competition.

Importantly, the Rondo crossover will fit nicely into a category of vehicles that have yet to take the U.S. by storm: mini-minivans. Popular in Europe, these compact vans are much smaller than current American minivans, yet still able to hold as many as 7 adults. With three passenger row seating, the Rondo and others like it squeeze out every possible square inch of interior space to accommodate passengers. No, you won’t ride in luxury and the ride itself will be closer to a Corolla than to a Camry, but Kia is banking on consumers wanting a well appointed 7 passenger vehicle that will likely retail for under $20,000. No vehicle currently offered in the U.S. can claim to carry that many people for that small of a price. Clearly, Kia aims to be the first company to accomplish that feat.

Unlike most upcoming vehicles, Kia is holding information about the Rondo close to the vest. With China’s Chery also preparing to send a similar vehicle to the U.S., Kia’s reticence is certainly understandable. Why give the competition more information than what is necessarily needed at this point in the game?

Likely, a pair of gas powered four cylinder engines mated to various manual and automatic transmissions will power the Rondo. No diesel version has been discussed for the U.S. market, but one is possible for European motorists.

In addition, look for Kia to offer better standard equipment choices with the Rondo than previous models have offered including, standard side and head air bags, dual zone air conditioning, and possibly all wheel drive on a premium model.

Yes, Kia is no longer just a producer of cheap subcompacts. With the soon to arrive Rondo, Kia is attempting to expand its growing line by offering a vehicle like no other one on the market.

A Peep At The 2007 Nissan Quest

2010-01-20T18:20:00.000-08:00

Manufactured by Nissan, the 2007 Nissan Quest is another vehicle to look forward to. Since 1993, this vehicle has been in production. It actually replaced the Nissan Axxess. It has been designed and produced in one body style only which is a minivan. The choices only vary for customers could choose between a minivan with three doors or four doors.

The 2007 Nissan Quest is very much related to the Mercury Villager, Nissan Altima, Nissan Maxima, Nissan Murano, and Nissan Teana because it has built on the same platform as them. Now, in the automobile market, the 2007 Nissan Quest is a competitor for the Toyota Sienna, the Mazda Mazda5, the Honda Odyssey, and the Hyundai Entourage.

The 2007 Nissan Quest has already been on sale since May 19th this year all around the United States. And this time, this minivan has been redesigned. For this new style, the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) has increased around one per cent compared to its previous MSRP. And this increase is weighted between all the trim levels available. This increase is due to the major transformation that the minivan has gone through which includes a redesigned interior, a refined exterior, and some new features and packages.

Updates for the 2007 Nissan Quest are quite a combination. This minivan that could hold seven passengers inside its cabin offer a new instrument panel layout that has a redesigned center stack, an available front row center console, a new 3rd row fold-flat seat design with integrated auto-folding headrests and spring-assist for easy operations, an available MP3 player audio input, an available RearView Monitor as well as an available Bluetooth Hands Free Phone System.

A Luxurious Drive

2010-01-19T13:44:00.000-08:00

The 2006 Lincoln LS is only available in one trim only, and that is the V8 Sport. It is crafted under the Lincoln brand as a luxury sports sedan with four doors, and can accommodate a passenger capacity of five people maximum. It is equipped with the standard 3.9 liter V8 engine with 280 horsepower and this can achieve 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg while driving on the highway. Also standard is a 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. This vehicle is a freshened version for this year.

During its first production, this was introduced as a midsize, rear wheel drive luxury car at entry-level. It has the Ford DEW98 platform that is also used by the Jaguar S-Type and the Ford Thunderbird. Its main competitors in the market include the BMW 3 series, the Lexus ES, the Mercedes Benz C-Class, the Acura TL, and the Cadillac CTS. This vehicle was first introduced in the early part of 1999 and this was the first Lincoln vehicle that offered a manual transmission. It was a definite attractive alternative to European and Japanese sports sedans. However, come 2006, the Lincoln LS model for this year had been moved from the entry-level luxury segment to the bottom of the mid-level luxury segment, thus having a change in competitors. This time, it had the Mercedes Benz E-class, the Cadillac STS, the BMW 5-Series, and the Lexus GS as its main competitors.

Even if the Lincoln LS shares the very same platform that the Jaguar S-Type and the Ford Thunderbird is using, this vehicle still differs in its styling and equipment. This vehicle comes with a 280-hp V8 engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift capability, ABS, traction control, and 17-inch wheels. What is also made standard are the front side airbags. It also features and has options like head-protecting curtain side airbags, an antiskid system, power-adjustable pedals, a rear-obstacle detection system, a navigation system, a THX sound system, an AM/FM radio with in-dash 6-disc CD changer, an upgraded sound system, a power sunroof, heated/cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a tri-coat paint, metallic paint, chrome alloy wheels, and xenon head lamps. Rumors have it, though, that this year could be the last time that the Lincoln LS would be rolling off the manufacturing plants.

As per its fuel economy, the Lincoln LS has averaged 17.7 to 19.0 mpg. Lincoln, thus recommends regular-grade fuel in this vehicle model. Although it is less composed than its European rivals, the Lincoln LS has a ride quality that is comfortable enough. Its expansion joints are fairly well-masked and hidden. It is also capable and balanced in aggressive cornering. Its steering and handling provides a good grip and steering feel. The brakes also have a moderate body lean and are strong. It is not really hushed up, however it could be quite enough for the only noise one could hear would be the low wind and minor tire roar on coarse pavements.

Lincoln Parts and Car Parts online store contains a stock of high quality and well-crafted Lincoln LS parts and accessories.

A History Of Sports Cars

2010-01-18T11:22:00.000-08:00

What defines the term sports car and why are we so fascinated with them. Is it simply the flowing curves of the body design, the massive power output of the high revving engines or could it even be the distinctive throaty musical note of the exhaust pipes. Everyone will have a different opinion on what they think makes sports cars special and for the reasons why we love them so much. Even people who say they are impractical or unnecessary cannot help but to turn and look when one drives past displaying its beautiful contours hinting at the power hidden under the perfectly painted panels.

Since the development of motorised vehicles a small select group of individuals have always had the undying fascination of designing and building them bigger, more powerful and faster than they either needed to be or really should be with any regard to safety. This was no different with the motor car industry, from its relative simple and sluggish beginnings the car quickly developed into a very useful mode of transport and working tool. For some this new way to transport us around turned into an obsession of power and speed and welcomed the age of the racing cars and sports cars.

To begin with motor vehicles were built for more functional than aesthetically pleasing reasons and their ability to carry both people and heavy loads is what drove the designers and manufacturers forward. Humans though have an eye for beauty and a thirst for power and speed, combining these attributes the birth of the sports cars was inevitable.

As new developments occurred in the early motor industry a small number of designers, builders and drivers pushed the motor car to its limits on race tracks to test its abilities against other manufacturers vehicles. These races fuelled the next generation of cars and drivers. As engines became more powerful the ability to race these machines began to push the designs and needs to new levels this quite often was at the expense of someone's life. Big powerful engines were placed into fragile frames and pushed to the limit often with dire consequences to drivers and spectators. But humans have a need to go faster and faster and this drove these brave and quite often reckless early pioneers to design better and more powerful machines and this began the start of the new age of the modern motor car. Safety was usually an after thought if it came up at all, the main focus was pushing the machines and drivers to their limits and beyond if possible. The engines power output quickly out grew the motor cars ability to handle these increases and the designers had to rethink the chassis and suspensions limitations. As with in the aircraft industry the designs of planes and engines regularly changed along with the abilities and reliability of the aircraft, the motor cars began to evolve along the same lines with new ideas and breakthroughs in technologies incorporating aerodynamics to help reduce drag and stronger building materials for chassis and bodywork.

Developing test vehicles purely for racing was the beginning of what we now class as the sports car. After the Second World War a new breed of sports car began to emerge. The once very high-priced and hard to obtain race bred cars that only the most wealthy and enthusiastic owners could secure began to evolve into a more accessible vehicle with the additional comforts and road functionalities, and what was even more important, a more affordable price tag making them more accessible to the average owner and driver. The sports cars had taken their first steps from the exclusive domain to main stream availability. Over the next few years as advancements were made on and off the racing circuit designs began their slow transformation into the popular modern shapes of today's models. Many famous names have added their own distinctions to the sports car moulds and most can be easily identified by pure shape alone even today.

A Guide To Comparing Used Car Loan Rates

2010-01-17T03:19:00.000-08:00

If you want to get the perfect car loan that fits your budget, it is foolhardy to just sign-up when you have not determined all of your available options. Before doing so, you might to consider first the figures that you will be working with.

Once you have determined the model of the car that you want, where you will be getting the loan from, and your monthly allowance for the used car loan payment, you may proceed with signing up. Then you will be on your way to owning the vehicle that you want.

There are a lot of web sites online which offer auto loan rate calculators.

These rates vary by state and city. There are also online lenders who offer a cheaper rate, as compared to getting car loans via banks who - more often than not - deny your loan application, especially for used vehicles.

Research online and visit the used car dealers in your area. Collect the price quotes first to determine the current rates for the used cars available in the market.

You can also ask around for the rates. You are bound to get more results by word of mouth, especially if you know car enthusiasts.

Take the following as an example of the current used car rates:

In California, three lenders who offer used car loans are the Bank of America, Capital One Auto Finance and Wells Fargo Bank.

For a used car loan, the Bank of America offers 20% down payment and an 11.2% rate. You would add to this a $75 fee and a .25% discount with auto debit.

The second lender, which is Capital One Auto Finance, offers a 6.25 % rate and a 20% down payment. There are no application fees and prepayment penalties.

Wells Fargo Bank offers an 8.88% rate and a 20% down, a $50 application fee and a .25% discount with auto debit.

At the end of the day, just compare these three rates and determine which offer would fit your budget.

Also consider the distance, mileage and the final asking price.

One more thing that you should consider when comparing rates is the number of months for you to make the payments.

There are several options. Some lenders offer a 36 month used car loan. For higher asking prices, longer payment terms are available.

For a 36-month used car loan, for example, the rate offered is 8.31%. This rate increases as the number of months increase.

After researching and looking through all of your options, choose the lowest rate that you can get and remember not to overspend when you have already reached a certain target budget.

A Look At Your Car’s Dashboard

2010-01-16T11:22:00.002-08:00

Facia. This is what people in British English called your car’s dashboard.

Your car’s dashboard is actually that panel that you can find under your windscreen. If you are not so sure about what it is, then you would find your dashboard as that part of your vehicle where there are indicators and dials in it like the tachometer, speedometer, odometer, as well as the fuel gauge.

Since all the indicators and dials are found in your dashboard, it is important that you are familiar with it. You see, these indicators and dials tell you exactly about the measurements or other problems that your car might be experiencing. Just keep in mind that these indicators and dials tell you how fast you are going or if there might be engine trouble or battery trouble or any other aspect of your driving and your car’s status.

Now, if any of the lights on your dashboard are not working, it is important that you do check and look into it. You see, in cases when there might be a problem with your car, you would not be notified and alerted about it. This could mean you getting into trouble, getting stranded, or even getting your pocket emptied up until your very last cent.

To check, you should first look at your dashboard before you even put in your key into the ignition. Then, turn your key to the on position and not the start position. While you do this, do not take your eyes off the dashboard lights. You would know that they are working well because these should light up for around five seconds. Now, if you notice that any one of the lights on your dashboard is not working, then go have a mechanic or professional take a look at it.

You can shop for discount Volvo S40 parts, Volvo XC90 parts and accessories from Volvo Parts and Used Volvo Parts. They have in stock thousands of Volvo parts for all enthusiasts and Volvo owners.

A Guide To Car Alarm Systems

2010-01-16T11:17:00.001-08:00

In the United States alone, a car is either stolen or broken into every 20 seconds. It is therefore not surprising that car alarm system manufacturers are constantly finding ways to improve the theft deterrence abilities of their products. But while it’s amazing how car alarm systems have evolved form their simplest beginnings, it’s even more amazing how car thieves still manage to get around them. Are car alarm systems really too simple to provide any protection?

Basic car alarm systems work by using simple circuitry technology – if someone forces the car door open, the circuit is closed and a siren sounds off. More sophisticated car alarms have added more sensors to capture every possible threat by being more sensitive to light vibrations or pressures. Shock sensors cause the alarm to go off when someone or something hits or moves the vehicle. The alarm will go off in patterns dependent on how strong the shock is – the sounds go anywhere from a short beeping sound to a very loud, nonstop alarm. Because shock sensors are very sensitive to any movement in and around the car, it often goes off accidentally; when someone leans on your car while waiting for a cab, for example, or when a huge truck passes by and causes the ground on which your car is parked to vibrate.

Whether they effectively deter thieves or not is subject to debate. Some experts say that shock sensors make car alarms go off unduly, and that this has caused people to become immune to them. Studies show that car alarm sounds have become so ordinary that almost nobody notices them anymore.

Manufacturers of car alarm systems are going full speed on their development of new and more innovative alarms that are more proactive. These alarms have the power to stop a stolen vehicle or send signals by themselves so that the owner and the police can track its location.

A Forward Look At Rearview Mirrors

2010-01-16T11:15:00.000-08:00

A new, patented vehicle mirror that provides 260-degree peripheral vision without head movement is making driving easier, safer and less stressful for people with a variety of vision and other impairments-including its inventor.

Brad Sawyer, a 100 percent-disabled, Vietnam-era veteran, designed the mirror as a driving aid for himself. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has fused Sawyer's spine, neck and rib cage, leaving him unable to turn his neck. With his safety mirror, Sawyer says he can look straight ahead and work the left and right hinges to look in either direction, clearly seeing when it is safe to turn left or right.

Easily See If Cars Are Coming

"When I've angled the visor correctly, I no longer have to ask other people if cars are coming," Sawyer says.

His condition is just one of many disabilities that the MultiFlex Adjust-A-View Safety Mirror helps people overcome, Sawyer says. He describes a 33-year-old mother of two who has had her driver's license for 16 years. She drives herself and others, including her children, safely and securely even though she lost an eye to retinoblastoma, a form of eye cancer, when she was only 18 months old.

"I no longer have to turn my head as far to check blind spots," she says. "This tool increases peripheral vision on both sides, the left especially. Dangerous, four-corner intersections are no longer a safety concern for me."

No More Blind Spots

Drivers affected by arthritis and those who suffer from back pain, stiff neck or impaired vision all enjoy the added safety that comes from being able to see easily what had once remained hidden in traditional blind spots, Sawyer says. The MultiFlex Adjust-A-View Safety Mirror (U.S. Patent No. 6926416) provides for tool-free attachment to the driver-side sun visor for distortion-free image reflection in left-side and right-side blind spots, as well as a vehicle's rear seating compartment.

Measuring 123/4 inches wide by 33/4 inches high, and with left and right mirrors each measuring 51/2 inches wide by 3 inches high, the safety mirror attaches to a conventional driver-side window visor. The driver works hinges to adjust each mirror as needed and, in that way, views proximate left- and right-side traffic.

A Car Needs New Upholstery Too

2010-01-15T17:45:00.000-08:00

Upholstery refers to the work done so as to provide seats of your vehicle with padding, springs, webbing, fabric covers, or leather covers. It actually comes from the Middle English words of “up” and “holden”. When put together, these words mean “to hold up”.

When you purchased your vehicle, you surely have noticed that it already came with upholstery. There was nothing you can do with it but to drive around in it and relax. However, time really does bear its mark. Your car’s upholstery would have either started to crumble or you would have had to feel each bump and pothole your car runs over for the comfort and relaxing feel of your car seats have gone and said goodbye. When this happens, it simply means that it is the right time to do some reupholstering. And automobile experts say that reupholstering your car’s interior is one of the ways to make your machine look like you just bought it from the car dealer.

To have your vehicle reupholstered, start by finding the right shop to do that kind of service. You can ask your car dealer to recommend good upholstery shops. You can also ask car audio specialty shops. Or, you can ask around and ask car owners. Sometimes, the best way to find a good upholstery shop is to go to those that have been recommended by car owners.

When you have a list of upholstery shops in hand, call them and find out about what kind of upholstery they offer. That way, you can check out if they have the right kind of service that you would like your vehicle to receive. Also, ask around for prices and see if it fits your budget.

Once you have chosen your shop, visit it and see what materials they have in stock. That way, you would know your options and your choices. You would be also able to check which materials could work best for your car’s interior. With one of the upholstery shop’s personnel, discuss your budget. Ask his or her help regarding the amount you are willing to pay and the kind of work that your car could receive in exchange. The cost of materials for upholstery could actually range from $6 a yard to a whopping $75.

These shops also have some photographs of the work they have already done. You can request the shop’s personnel for them. That way, you can see what kind you would like your vehicle to have. You should also ask the personnel to explain to you the process of reupholstering your car.

While at it, you can also choose to spruce up your vehicle. Carpets, grilles, and fenders are available at Auto Parts Go at low prices. They specialize in Nissan parts and they also do offer auto parts for various vehicle models and makes as well.

A Forward Look At Rearview Mirrors

2010-01-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

A 30-Year Saga

2010-01-14T15:50:00.000-08:00

A full-size luxury car manufactured by Mazda, the Mazda 929 is also sold as the Efini MS-9. For thirty years, this vehicle was continuously manufactured and produced. At times, the Mazda 929 shared its chassis with the Mazda Luce, which it eventually replaced in 1973 – the very same year that the Mazda 929 was introduced to the public. What replaced this vehicle after its production was halted was the Mazda 9.

For Japan, where this vehicle was crafted, this vehicle was quite large as a coupe, sedan, or station wagon. This line held a 1.8 liter incline 4 Mazda 1800 engine. This engine was capable of an 83 hp output. The Mazda 929 held a 98.9 inch wheelbase, a front track that measure 54.3 inches, its rear track having 53.9 inches, a length of 173.4 inches, measuring 65.6 inches was its width, and had a total of 2414 pounds of weight. Upon its introduction the first generation Mazda 929s sported five different engines from 1973 up until 1981.

In 1981, the second generation of Mazda 929s emerged from its manufacturing plant. It was still the export version of the Mazda Luce. It was sold a large front-engine rear-wheel drive sedan that was using the new HB platform as its base and this was also shared with the Mazda Cosmo. Three engines were used in the life span of the second generation Mazda 929s. The third generation came into view after a couple of years. This time, the vehicle modeled a pillared four-door sedan along with a slightly larger Hardtop with four doors and no pillars. Its engine was upgraded to a Double Overhead Cam type that had 24 valves, thus slightly increasing its fuel economy, performance and reliability. It also used an anti-lock braking system, and an electric antenna, and a few changes were likewise done to its exterior.

As for the final generation of Mazda 929s, this remained as Mazda’s luxury flagship premium sedan. It held a redesigned and more-rounded flowing body that was 5 ½ inches longer in its wheelbase. Dual airbags had been also added. The engine gained five horsepower. A glass moonroof replaced the former metal unit and the Premium Package included a wood console trim and a rear-armrest storage compartment. It also held front shoulder belts that were adjustable to users’ height. Added up were leather upholstery, a remote keyless entry system, and a wood interior trim. This vehicle has become generally well-controlled. It held a tight and responsive steering and has a braking prowess that ranks highest among its class. Low interior noise levels could be heard and the slim roof pillars provide a good visibility. Large and clear analog gauges and controls are mounted on its attractive dashboard and are conveniently positioned for easy access.

Mazda Parts and Mazda Auto Parts’ high quality Mazda 929 parts can maintain all of the impressive qualities that Mazda vehicles offer. Years of delivering superior product lines have made Mazda Parts and Mazda Auto Parts a favorite among car enthusiasts.

In a nutshell, the Mazda 929 could suffer from a somewhat uncomfortable driving position, a cramped passenger and cargo room, and a weak weather traction during wet days. However, these are completely covered up by its strong anti-lock braking system, a perfect steering and handling, pure quietness, and a maximum braking ability.

A Brief History Of Porsche

2010-01-14T05:01:00.000-08:00

Ferdinand Porsche was an automobile engineer with more than a thousand patents to his name, and played an important role in the development of airplanes and the construction of tanks for the Wehrmacht as well. In the 1920s he was appointed chief engineer at Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart and later set up his own engineering workshop. There he designed, among other things, the Volkswagen. He acted as chief of operations at the plant where the Volkswagen was made, Wolfsburg, and at the end of the war he was interned by the Allies.

He was released a few years later and immediately went to work building his first car with his son, Ferry Porsche. This car was named the Porsche 356, after Ferry, and was a sports car with styling reminiscent of the Volkswagen. In fact it had the same four-cylinder boxer engine, and wore it rear-mounted, just as the VW did. This meant that it was far from being a powerful sports car, boasting a mere 40 bhp and a maximum speed of 87 mph (140 km/h). Distinguished by its elegant and innovative body, the Porsche 356 was first produced as a convertible and then as a hard top. Father and son developed it in the workshop of Erwin Komenda, a master of restrained streamlining who had been in charge of sheet metal and design techniques for Ferdinand Porsche since the VW Beetle. This new style of closed coupe designed by Komenda soon became the embodiment of the sports car, due in part to its "fastback".

Erwin Komenda and Ferdinand "Butzi" Porsche, the founder's grandson, continued this tradition with the 911.

The 911 became instantly recognizable: it had an attractive sloping bonnet reminiscent of the 356, what later became characterized as "frog eye" headlights, curves running from the top edge of the windscreen to the rear bumper, and a straight waistline. From a functional and technical point of view it shared more in common with a BMW 1500, but it retained the distinctive stylistic features of the original Porsche. The new 911 became the keystone of Porsche's identity, even though the design was not always fully appreciated. During the 1970's and 1980's, many Porsche designers attempted to distance Porsche from its legendary design and nearly brought the company to the edge of disaster. The more modern 924 model, "a people's Porsche", developed with Volkswagen, as well as the 928 fell short fulfilling expectations, and failed to allow the company to branch out in new directions and styles.

However, in the 1990's the company seemed to realize that what some perceived as a stylistic straitjacket was in fact a market advantage. During this period Porsche embraced the timeless nature of classic styling to become highly profitable. Nearly forty people now worked in the design department solely dedicated to further improvement of the long running 911. Such developments included the 911 GTI, put forward by the in-house designer Anthony R. Hatter as a powerful combination of sports and racing car. In 1999, Porsche's chief designer proudly unveiled the new Boxster, enabling Porsche to establish a second independent range of successful models.

6 Steps To Making Your Own e85 Ethanol

2010-01-13T15:01:00.000-08:00

Step One: . . . The Conversion Process

We have to break down carbohydrate sugars, such as the starch from corn. Create it into "Mash". Grind or crush the feedstock (corn, soybeans, wheat, etc...). Then dilute and add an enzyme (alpha amylase) to turn the mixture into a liquid. Once liquified a second enzyme is added(glucoamylase) to convert the starch into sugar. (If the source is mainly sugar, i.e...rotten fruit, molasses, etc..., the conversion step can be skipped.

Step Two: . . . Fermentation

Add yeast and make it into a beer (wine) type solution.

Step Three: . . . Distillation

The beer (wine) type solution needs to be run through a still to extract the alcohol from the solution.

Step Four: . . . Filtration

The ethanol now needs to be filtered to get rid of excess organic volatiles.

Step Five: . . . Dehydration

The ethanol needs to be "dried". After the distillation process there will be a certain amount of water in the ethanol you have just created - this can be dried running the ethanol through Zeolite a readily available product for drying ethanol.

Step Six: . . . Ethanol Into e85

Now simply convert the pure ethanol into e85 by adding 15% unleaded gasoline to your ethanol. e85 is nothing more than 85% ethanol mixed with 15% gasoline.

Making your own ethanol will require some initial investment, but the rewards will be very, very beneficial. You can make your own e85 for right around a $1.00 a gallon if you buy the corn and for about $.60 a gallon if you grow your own corn.

e85 Flex Fuel Vehicles are becoming more and more popular as the gas prices continue to rise. e85 is defiantly going to be a major relief for the United States fuel problem.

You may even be driving a flex fuel vehicle now. Many newer models are equipped to handle both gasoline as well as e85 ethanol. The best way to check is to look in your owners manuel, check in the fuel door for the e85 sticker or contact your dealer and have them run your vin number to see if you vehicle is compatable. I suggest that you do all three, to be on the safe side.Now simply convert the pure ethanol into e85 by adding 15% unleaded gasoline to your ethanol. e85 is nothing more than 85% ethanol mixed with 15% gasoline.

Tune yourself’ with the best performance software

2010-01-13T05:02:00.000-08:00

Are you one of those passionate drivers, looking to extract maximum power from their engines without having to sacrifice the simplicity, safety and comfort that come with owning a European car? You now have but one choice – getting a big turbo software!

There are many available now on the market! The unitronic turbo software comes in a number of hardware configurations for most Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche and Volvo applications. There are also programs for all setups: from street/track monsters to quarter mile beasts. For certain setups that are not yet available, you can choose the dyno tuned custom software, tailored to your needs. There are many factors that determine how any software will react to your specific setup. This turbo software I’m telling you about is developed in house along with a network of enthusiasts constantly testing and data-logging to ensure the best drivability. In certain cases, there will be free software updates released, providing the best in drivability and performance.

The benefit of this special software over standalone engine management is that all the original manufacturers’ safety limits and functions are retained. By properly modifying the parameters which manage the engines power delivery and output, the original startup and driving characteristics will be maintained in all climates.

The performance software version introduces to you the smoothest and most reliable power gains available for your vehicle. All programs are precisely tuned for all driving conditions to bring you the most reliability. Professionals know that dynamometer test results are an over simplifications. They only tell part of the story since the engine is tested only at full throttle. You don't drive all day with your foot to the floor. That’s why you need a performance software, one that will maximize the power and torque you need in everyday driving conditions, where (we drivers know!) running smooth and brisk acceleration are equally as important. The unitronic performance software comes with an unconditional 30 day money back guarantee. The 30 day grace period will ensure that your expectations are met. If for any reason you are not satisfied, you may return it to your place of purchase for a full refund. Unitronics is all about your driving satisfaction. A risk-free satisfaction guarantee gives you total peace of mind.

And if you didn’t know, last year, in April, UNISetting was released. This useful application, developed by unitronic for the Bosch Motronic Me7 system, allows the user to manipulate and adjust the built-in ECM adaptation channels to enhance the enthusiast's particular setup - from stock to modified, oct specific tweaks and adjusting for larger Injectors to better suit performance and drivability. The application is, in fact, a USB based interface (the first of its kind!) to work with any Generic FTDI USB Communication interface. This device actually enables you to use your USB VAG-COM Cable Ver.A, B or C to make minor tweaks to your ECM! Be careful! If you need a VAG-Com Cable to use this amazing tool, be sure to get the Genuine Ross-Tech Vag-com Cable.

So, if the answer to my introductive question is yes, stop thinking and order your software today! Get and feel the power you always wanted! You will be amazed! There is no doubt that the products of one of today's leading innovative OEM ECM tuners are specially designed to offer you the best in performance and quality!

7 Reasons To Buy A Hybrid Car

2010-01-12T10:44:00.000-08:00

You’re probably hearing a lot about hybrid cars these days. They are definitely being discussed everywhere. Hardly a day goes by that a major newspaper or television network isn’t doing a feature story on hybrids. And everyday it seems like one car manufacturer or another is introducing a new hybrid vehicle.

So what’s all the buzz about?

Well, hybrids are a new type of vehicle that runs on electricity (from a battery) and gasoline. Now, that’s a novel idea isn’t it?

Hybrids are picking up steam (sounds like a pun doesn’t it?) everywhere, including the world’s most a car lovin’ city – Los Angeles – where many of the top stars are hybrid owners.

In the “City of the Angels” you’ll see environmentally forward thinking celebrities, like Bill Maher, Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford and “Seinfeld” co-creator and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” creator and star, Larry David behind the wheel of their hybrids.

You might also see the lovely Cameron Diaz cruisin’ the Hollywood Hills in her hybrid. And when Leonardo Di Caprio really wants to feel like “the king of the world,” guess what he’ll be driving? You did guess a hybrid, didn’t you?

What do the stars know that you don’t?

Well they know that driving a hybrid makes a lot of sense (and may save some cents too! :-) )

Want to know more about hybrids? Good. Now here are 7 reasons to buy a hybrid car.

1. The smaller hybrid compacts and sedans save considerable amounts of fuel compared to cars powered by gas turbine engines. If you’re interested in saving dollars on gas, this could be your solution.

2. The larger hybrid cars are not concerned with fuel efficiency. These cars are purchased because their owners want to boost power and performance. If you’re looking to get higher performance, consider a hybrid.

3. Hybrids can save you money in a multitude of ways. While the typical hybrid is about $3000 more than a typical car, this cost differential will narrow as auto manufacturers produce more hybrid cars in the future. The hybrid savings come in the form of state and federal incentives, reduced maintenance costs, and of course, lower fuel costs.

4. Your hybrid will even be financially advantageous to you when you decide it’s time to sell it. The resale value of hybrid cars is exceptional. Unlike most cars, hybrids hold their value at an astonishing level.

5. If you care about the planet and you’re concerned with the kind of environment you leave for future generations, driving a hybrid car is an important environmental statement. Hybrids generate less pollution than their standard counterparts.

6. Driving a hybrid saves gas. That’s a positive for our economy. The less we, as a society, spend on gas means we have more money to spend on other essentials and luxury products. We could even save the money we would have spent on gas and use it for our savings or investment plans.

7. Driving a hybrid could help America fight the war in Iraq. Here’s why. In addition to funding U.S. soldiers and the Iraqi efforts to create a democracy, many experts contend the U.S. is actually funding both sides of the Iraqi war. They believe Middle Eastern oil interests’ are using part of their profits to fund the insurgency. So, in effect, our excessive oil consumption makes it more difficult to bring peace to Iraq. Bottom line: the less we spend on gas and oil means less financial resources for our enemies overseas.

For all of these reasons, hybrid cars are “the next big thing in the automotive world.” So when it comes time for your next auto purchase, do yourself a favor and check out some hybrids cars. You might find that a hybrid is the perfect car for you.

8 GM Brands: 1 or 2 Too Many?

2010-01-12T05:26:00.000-08:00

Lots of folks are speculating about GM’s future. If you take all the press reports at heart, you would think that General Motors is on life support. Quite frankly, the opposite is true especially when you look at the global picture. In 2005, “the General” sold more than 9 million cars worldwide, the first time the automaker reached that figure since 1978. Yes, U.S. auto sales are down and some are calling for GM to reduce its many brands, currently numbering 8. Who should GM let go? Or, should General Motors stick with the game plan and maintain all 8 brands?

For the record, GM’s 8 brands are: Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, Chevrolet, Saturn, GMC, Hummer, and Saab. You could take Saab out of that pack as the Swedish automaker (although fully owned by GM) builds few cars in North America. Still, GM includes Saab in its marketing schema so we’ll keep them in for argument’s sake.

Clearly, Cadillac is GM’s luxury division; Chevrolet is it’s budget or “All American” division; while GMC is the truck division. Beyond that, there is much muddling of divisions, but Buick is a maker of “near luxury” vehicles (Cadillac lite) while Hummer is GM’s specialty truck division. The Saab line is a bit confusing as it once was a true European division. Now, the make is chiefly featuring rebadged GM and Subaru vehicles with little original models to show for it. Finally, Pontiac and Saturn duplicate much of what the other divisions do, although the Saturn mystique of “no haggle pricing” gives the make a certain aura to it. That leaves Pontiac.

Pontiac, like the recently killed off Oldsmobile name, is probably one of the most vulnerable of the true “American” makes. Saturn will survive because its dealer network is tops and consumer satisfaction ranks up there with Lexus.

Ultimately, the Saab name will likely die first. Outside of the U.S., particularly in Europe, Opel is a known name and an important GM make. Word has it that some of Saab’s production will shift to Germany and certain rebadged Opels will begin to sport the Saab name. Let’s just say once that happens, there is little reason to continue making Saabs. Let the Saab name die with dignity. Why spoil it by selling rebadged Opels as Saabs?

Personally, I think GM should leave well enough alone with its remaining American brands. I wasn’t in favor of Oldsmobile’s demise and I am not in favor of killing off trusted brands. GM is retooling its operation as old models are killed off and as new or revived models step in. Look for the Chevy Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, Saturn Sky, and the Buick Enclave to help spark their respective divisions to renewed glory. Am I living a pipe dream? Maybe, but at least my imagination is going in a positive direction.

7 Tips To Help You Select Your Custom Car Cover

2010-01-11T07:45:00.000-08:00

You lovingly wash and wax your vehicle on most sunny weekends, spending time detailing every single blotch, nick, scrape, or other damaging mark on your car's exterior. Part of the deal with owning any vehicle is making certain that it looks its best week in and week out. Still, you may not be doing all that you can to protect the finish. Other enemies including bird excrement, acid rain, and even harmful UV rays can thwart the best efforts of even the most diligent car owner. Fortunately, there is one automotive accessory that can help keep your car clean, provided you use it when your car is parked for an extended length of time. What am I talking about? Car covers! Read on for seven helpful tips to help you choose the right cover for your truck, van, SUV, or car.

When shopping for a custom car cover you must give consideration to what it does besides simply covering your car. Among some important points to know:

Will the car cover protect from damaging UV rays? If you live in an area of intense sunshine, such as Arizona, you need a car cover that offers the maximum protection from the sun.

Is the material durable? Does it breath? Will it tear if loaded down with snow or ice?

Will the car cover resist or completely repel rain?

Can the product survive weather extremes, i.e. intense heat or severe cold?

Will the car cover resist dust? Some car covers prevent even the finest dust from accumulating, dust that can mar your garaged car too.

Does the car cover come with multiple layers to protect from small insults? This is important feature to have if you leave your car in a public area. In addition, selecting a car cover that comes with side mirror pockets is a wise choice to ensure that your car receives the snuggest fit.

Finally, you will want to know if there is a lengthy guarantee offered, what colors are available, and what the return policies are, if any, of the cover that you select.

Most premium car covers allow you for them to be cleaned right in your washing machine. By selecting cold to warm water, regular bleach-free laundry detergent, and drying it on your dryer's permanent press cycle, you can make the dirtiest car cover clean in no time. Of course, make certain that you adhere to the manufacturer's specifications for the proper care of your car cover.

8 Signs That Your Car Has Pothole Damage

2010-01-11T05:29:00.001-08:00

A pothole can be your car's worst enemy. These holes or pits on a road's surface can seriously damage a vehicle's ride-control system.

If you do drive over a pothole, the Car Care Council recommends that you have your car's shocks or struts checked to make sure they aren't damaged.

Shocks and struts control how vehicles ride and handle. According to the Car Care Council, the shock absorbers, or struts as they are referred to on late-model vehicles, act as a cushion to dampen the bouncing action of a car's springs. The springs absorb the road bumps; without them, the vehicle would continually bounce and bound down the road, making driving extremely difficult.

Shocks and struts also control spring and suspension movement to keep the tires in contact with the road. This affects steering, stability and braking. A broken shock or strut could alter the steering and handling of a vehicle and create driving dangers.

It's important to be aware of the warning signs that your vehicle's shocks or struts may need to be replaced.

* The vehicle rolls or sways on turns.

* The vehicle's front-end dives when braking.

* The vehicle's rear end squats when accelerating.

* The vehicle bounces or slides sideways on a winding, rough road.

* The vehicle "bottoms out" or thumps on bumps.

* The vehicle sits lower in the front or rear.

* The vehicle is leaking or has signs of physical damage, such as rusting or dents.

* There's a loss of directional control during sudden stops of the vehicle.

Many components affect a vehicle's handling. Having your car inspected, if you experience any of the above signs, is good preventive maintenance and can help its parts wear less and last longer.

"If you think you may have a worn out or broken shock or strut, don't wait," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "Whether you replace it yourself or take your car to a professional service technician, this situation should be taken care of right away."

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the "Be Car Care Aware" campaign, educating consumers about the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair.

4 Ways To Increase Automotive Performance

2010-01-10T06:11:00.000-08:00

In these days of high gasoline prices, it may seem ridiculous to consider ways to increase your car's performance as they are almost always associated with increased fuel consumption. However, there are four ways to increase performance that do not have to negatively impact your gas mileage. Let's take a closer look at each one.

1. Reusable Air Filters. Landfills are stuffed with items we use once and then throw out. Auto air filters are one such item and through the life of a car you can go through 6-12 of them with no problem. For approximately three times the price, washable and reusable air filters are a great alternative. When you purchase one it likely will be the last air filter your car will ever need. Reusable air filters enable you to gain slight increases in horsepower and acceleration as well as to impact the environment in a positive way.

2. Performance Chips. All new cars are operated by a computer chip that tells how much torque and horsepower can be displaced. Performance chips or recalibrations of your current chip can produce significant increases in horsepower and torque for your vehicle.

3. Performance Exhaust Systems. Cat-back or "catalyst-back exhaust systems" are a great way to free up trapped torque and to unleash horsepower. Keeping all the important emissions parts in place, a cat-back system incorporates large width exhaust pipes and low restriction performance mufflers into your car thereby lowering exhaust back pressure. A side benefit is the really awesome sound emitting from the exhaust system.

4. Cold Air Intake. A cold air intake is an under the hood mod that helps to reduce the temperature of the air entering the car for the sole purpose of increasing the power of the engine. Side benefits include enhancements to the appearance of the engine bay as this part can be attractive and colorful; the sound the unit makes is also appealing.

Costs for each of these performance enhancements can vary greatly. Shopping online with a trusted wholesaler is one of the best ways to find top quality parts at the lowest possible prices. By doing the work yourself, you can save a bundle and enjoy the fruits of your labor in no time.

5 Benefits Of Car Covers – How Can They Protect Your Investment?

2010-01-10T05:13:00.000-08:00

Why Buy A Custom-Fit Car Cover? To help protect your investment and keep your vehicle looking show-room new. Keeping your vehicle covered with a car cover can:

• Prevent unsightly dents, dings and scratches

• Shield it against finish-destroying man-made and natural hazards

• Act as an excellent theft deterrent

• Put a barrier between your paint and damaging weather

• For the fifth car cover benefit visit AutoAnything.com for more details

Dents, Dings and Scratches Reference

There's a certain feeling you experience when you discover that first dent, ding or scratch on your new vehicle. Unfortunately, they're a fact of life and nothing short of covering your vehicle with reactive tank armor will truly prevent them. However, using a car cover adds a layer of protective padding to cushion against runaway shopping carts, absent-minded car doors or other blows.

Natural Hazards Guide

Birds, trees, dust. They certainly seem harmless enough, but without a car cover, they can inflict serious damage to your prized vehicle.

Our fine feathered friends seem to have impeccable aim when it comes to leaving their droppings on our vehicles. Outdoor car covers catch bird bombs before they splatter against your paintjob. Plus, the majority of outdoor car cover fabrics are not harmed by the droppings acidity outdoor car cover fabrics.

The shady spot under a tree may look like a welcome spot to park your vehicle. However, with nuts, berries, sap, pollen, not to mention the roosting birds, parking under a tree can wreak havoc on your vehicle. A car cover can help keep your vehicle cool, even in the sun. Or, if you do park under a tree, a car cover can safeguard your vehicle from the onslaught.

Your vehicle's paint is only about 0.006 inches thick. Whether indoors or out, when dust sits on your paint it turns abrasive and causes minute scratches. By the time you notice them, it's already too late. Both indoor car cover fabrics and outdoor car cover fabrics are designed to keep dust away from the surface of your vehicle.

Theft Deterrent Reference

Though it may only look like a thin layer of fabric, a Covercraft car cover can do an amazing job at keeping thieves away from your vehicle. Since time is crucial in not getting caught, thieves often pass by covered vehicles, which take longer to get into, and go after easier prey. And, if you add a lock and cable to your car cover, you will not only keep your cover secure, but your vehicle becomes even harder to steal.

Damaging Weather Guide

You don't have to be a meteorologist to know that harsh weather can do a number on your vehicle's finish. An occasional spring shower poses no real threat to your vehicle. However, seemingly harmless rain can find its way into tiny scratches or blemishes and start the corrosion process. And, acid rain - well, the name says it all. A water-resistant car cover will keep your vehicle high and dry.

Harsh UV (ultraviolet) rays and the intense radiant heat of the Sun can cook the color right out of your paint. A car cover is like sunscreen for your vehicle, blocking harmful UV light and preventing photo degradation. And, a lighter colored car cover will yield a reflective cooling effect.

It's not the cold that gets to your vehicle's finish - it's the moisture and salt. These two corrosive cohorts are in cahoots to ravage your paint. Fortunately, a car cover can keep both these culprits away from your vehicle.

The fundamental advantages of custom-fit car covers

A custom-fit car cover is specially tailored to the lines of your vehicle. No detail is left unturned. Custom-fit car covers hug every contour of your vehicle and feature sewn-in mirror pockets, plus grommet holes for antennas.

On the other hand, low-quality universal-fit car covers are baggy and can slip, slide and rub against your paint, destroying your finish. Additionally, the poor fit allows the harsh elements to creep in at every gap and defeat the purpose of the cover.

The specialized cut of a custom-fit car cover is far and away the best choice to wrap up and protect your vehicle.

When deciding which car cover is right for your vehicle, we advise that you consider:

• Where you park and how often you use your vehicle

• The weather in your area

• What color is right for your vehicle and storage needs

Where You Park and How Often You Use Your vehicle:

• When you park outside and cover up every day, you may want to choose a lightweight outdoor car cover that's simple to use and easy to fold.

• For those who park in crowded lots or on streets with children at play and heavy pedestrian traffic, a thicker heavyweight outdoor car cover that provides some dent and ding protection is best.

• If you garage your vehicle and frequently cover and uncover it, a lightweight indoor car cover is ideal.

• Choose a heavier indoor car cover to keep your classic safe for long-term storage.

• A super-soft indoor car cover lets you pamper your "baby" and keep it safe and secure.

The Weather in Your Area

The ideal car cover for your vehicle is greatly influenced by your local weather. Many materials have been developed to deal with specific inclement weather conditions. Rainy parts of the country like the Pacific Northwest and Deep South would demand an outdoor car cover with exceptional water resistance. The coastal areas along the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of Mexico need a car cover that will protect from and last in salty air. In the sunniest zones of the country like the desert Southwest, a Coverking car cover with extra UV and photo degradation protection and reflective properties makes the most sense.

Tips on What Color is Right for Your vehicle and Storage Needs

Car covers are offered in an array of colors, but picking the right hue isn't solely a matter of personal taste. Here are a few tips and points of reference to help you with your choice:

• If you live in a sunnier climate, you'll want a lighter colored fabric for outdoor storage.

• If you have a lighter colored vehicle, a lighter colored fabric is safer for your paint. Bright colors, although thoroughly, tested could bleed under certain conditions.

• If you're looking for style, a vibrant color can lend your vehicle character or compliment its finish.

50 Years of Power

2010-01-09T08:30:00.000-08:00

A carryover from 2004, the 2005 Ford Thunderbird was the last of its kind to be manufactured. The last time it rolled off the Ford Motor Company’s manufacturing plants was also the time of the vehicle’s fiftieth anniversary.

This 2005 Ford Thunderbird is a luxury convertible that has been available in three trims that ranges from the Deluxe package to the 50th anniversary package. It has the capacity to take in a maximum of two passengers, and sports two doors. Upon its introduction, this 2005 Ford Thunderbird model came equipped with a standard engine of 3.9 liters, V8, and 280 horsepower that could take in 18 mpg in the city, and 24 mpg on highway cruising. Also standard for this luxury convertible is a five-speed automatic transmission that has overdrive.

This last Thunderbird convertible to be produced still contains the cool and evocative styling that its descendants have bore. It also still holds its heritage of being a roadster with perennial style, loads of power, and great interior roominess and space. However, convertibles who have lived for fifty years also received changes so much so that the 2005 Ford Thunderbird sports an open-air driving, new colors for its interior and exterior, and a new aluminum trim for its doors and center stack.

As per the 2005 Ford Thunderbird’s interior, this vehicle comes with air conditioning with dual-zone automatic climate controls, a power tilt/telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel that has radio controls mounted on it, a cruise control, leather upholstery on 6-way power bucket seats, power mirrors, window locks, door locks, a remote keyless entry system, AM/FM/CD with an in-dash 6-disc changer, a power convertible top, a universal garage door opener, and automatic headlights. On the outside, this luxury convertible could be owned with a power-folding soft top with a heated rear window or with a removable hardtop with trademark porthole windows.

As per safety and security, this luxury convertible has made sure that these features are not overlooked. The vehicle has front airbags, side airbags, and a combination of head-and-chest side airbags, thus making the 2005 Ford Thunderbird the first convertible manufactured by Ford to come equipped with this. Aside from that, the vehicle also has an anti-theft system, the Ford’s Smart Locks system, the LATCH child seat system, a perimeter alarm that goes along with an LED indicator, and a glow-in-the-dark emergency trunk release handle.

All of Ford Thunderbird’s parts and Ford car parts needs could be easily located at Auto Parts Discount. Top of the line Ford Thunderbird parts and Ford auto parts could found here that are guaranteed to fit Ford vehicles. They also match the quality and performance of Ford vehicles.

In a nutshell, the 2005 Ford Thunderbird comes with new exterior colors that include bronze and medium steel blue that has replaced merlot, vintage mint green, and light ice blue metallic. Aside from that it also sports new partial interior color packages like medium steel blue and torch red. The convertible also has a new style using aluminum trim on its doors and center stack. And lastly, the 2005 Ford Thunderbird contains seatback map pockets for owner’s use.

3M Clear Bra - What an invention!

2010-01-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

The 3m clear bra is a wonderful invention for any car-lover who treats his prized possession like a true friend. A man’s best friend is not always the family dog. Sometimes a car can take the place of a great pet and nothing hurts more than seeing that first scratch or dent on your favorite automobile.

However, traditional protective bras are not the most attractive option for car owners who want to protect their investments.

The problem with the traditional protective covering is simply due to the fact that it covers the magnificent machine. No real car enthusiast wants to hide his prized automobile under a rubbery surface. He doesn’t want to spend a lot of money on the perfect finish to cover it up with a protective layer. Unfortunately, many car owners had to choose between chips and scrapes or hiding the finish.

Not anymore. A car enthusiast can opt for a 3m clear bra that protects the car by creating a colorless barrier between the car’s finish and the elements. The 3m clear bra is simply a protective film that is literally painted over the car’s exterior. This product is commonly used on trucks, cars and vans of vehicle owners who cringe at the thought of a pebble getting near their priceless object.

The 3m clear bra is also used to protect headlights as well. The protective layer is commonly applied to the front of the vehicle and on the lenses of the headlights. The beauty of this material is that it is virtually undetectable. The original design of the vehicle is not changed in any way. The owner has the peace of mind that comes with knowing that the car is protected while having the luxury of enjoying his vehicle in its original state.

Some may wonder if the product is really as effective as the traditional protective cover. The 3m clear bra will protect the vehicle from chipping. The material was originally designed to be used on aircraft propellers to protect them from chipping. Surely the material will be effective at preventing chipping on vehicles as well.

Another concern is the quality of the clarity of the 3m clear bra. How clear is it, really? The manufacturer of the product boasts that the material is virtually undetectable unless the vehicle is very white in color. The clear coat is slightly visible on a stark white car when very close but it is not detectable from a distance. You will see a faint line where the 3m clear bra stops but that is better than an ugly bug shield or paint chips.

3 American Performance Cars

2010-01-09T07:10:00.000-08:00

Bear with me as I step back in time to formulate what I believe are three terrific American built performance cars: the Ford Mustang, the Dodge Challenger, and the Chevrolet Camaro. Currently, only the Mustang is in production with the Challenger coming back by 2009. GM hasn’t committed to building the Camaro just yet, but the company is likely to make a decision in favor of the car and its sibling, the Pontiac Firebird, by this summer. So, what is it about American performance cars that set them apart from the rest? In one word: muscle. Read on as I compare and contrast these three vehicles and share with you my feeble attempts to explain the culture behind the cars.

So, you think I forgot the Chevy Corvette and Dodge Viper when talking about performance cars? No, I did not. Both models are performance cars as well as race cars. On the other hand the Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro are mass produced performance cars with muscle. There is a difference in the way a typical race car handles, rides, and performs vs. a muscle car.

Typically, a muscle car was a coupe version of some of the larger cars that were pervasive on U.S. highways in the 1960s and 1970s. The Mustang and Camaro, however, were designed separately [although they both heavily borrowed parts from other models] and these “pony” cars were a category all to themselves. For comparison’s sake, they join the Dodge Challenger, a performance version of Mopar cars of its time. All three were compared by critics of that time and all three will once again be compared in a few years when production has been ramped up.

Ford Mustang -– Step back in time with me to April 1964 to an era when America was heavily involved in the space race, Lyndon Johnson was president, and General Motors ruled autodom. Ford, for its part, had been nipping at GM’s heels for years, but the failed Edsels of the late 1950s had cost the company dearly. Still, it was the time of the New York World’s Fair and Ford used the fair and television technology to promote its newest offering, the Mustang. A 2+2 coupe borrowing parts from the Fairlane and Falcon, the 1964 ½ model was the first one sold and is widely credited with being the best introduction of a new vehicle ever. With a V6 engine standard and V8 optional, the all new Mustang quickly broke sales records and has been a hot seller ever since. Indeed, with the introduction of the “retro” look Mustang in 2005, the car once again has spawned interest in the muscle car segment as both DaimlerChrysler and General Motors craft competing models of their own.

Dodge Challenger -– After the success of earlier muscle cars including the Dodge Charger and Plymouth ‘Cuda, the Dodge Challenger was launched as a 1970 model. The car borrowed heavily from the ‘Cuda although the sheet metal was somewhat different and the wheelbase was stretched by a couple of inches. Because the muscle car era was in decline at the time of its introduction, the Challenger lasted only five model years before it was cancelled. The concept Challenger currently on display at many auto shows is based on the 1970 design and is the talk of message boards and blogs across the nation. Look for Hemi powered engines as being favored by many owners; the car is likely to share some technology with the current Magnum wagon and Charger sedan.

Chevrolet Camaro -- GM was asleep at the wheel when the Mustang came out. It took nearly three years before the company could respond and when it did the Camaro and Pontiac Firebird were the result. Although both cars sold well over the years, neither one could match the Mustang’s sales levels and by the time the last cars were sold in 2002, production dropped to a trickle. Still, the end of the Camaro after 35 years has stirred renewed interest in the name and thanks to the retro Mustang, the entire muscle car category is growing once again. Look for a 2010 Camaro to be the first Camaro since 2002; a ragtop version is also being considered.

So, just who can be expected to purchase a muscle car these days? People just like me: middle aged men who grew up with the original models. In addition, a whole new generation of younger drivers tired of the “me too” look of so many of the compact cars out there. Muscle cars of today are so much different from earlier era cars as they incorporate the look of the originals while harnessing today’s technology. Thus, fuel savings will be decent without sacrificing performance: a true win-win situation.

No, I cannot wait to see a Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro lined up at a traffic light waiting for the light to turn green. A new muscle car era is upon us and for that I am very excited.

6 Must Have Auto Accessories

2010-01-09T06:30:00.000-08:00

Buying a new car is an experience that few will ever forget: the smell, the pristine interior, and the flawless ride are some of the things enjoyed by new car owners. Yet, despite how well equipped even the most expensive cars can be, oftentimes they leave the showroom with several accessories missing. No, they weren’t stolen; instead, for some queer reason these “must have” accessories were not included with the sale. Let’s take a look at six accessories every vehicle should have.

Floor mats – You have got to be kidding…no floor mats?! Oddly, floor mats are the chief accessory typically not included with any sale. Instead, you get a throwaway paper sheet for the driver. Without floor mats in place you can bet that the interior will be soiled in short order. Worse, if you wait too long your carpeting could be damaged which is especially bad news for you if you lease your vehicle. Just wait ‘til you see the price of replacing damaged automotive carpeting!

Cargo liners – Like the interior, the car’s trunk area is subject to dirt, debris, mud, the elements, and more. Some automakers have wised up over the years and included cargo liners as standard equipment while others make a cargo liner an expensive add-on, after-the-sale accessory for buyers.

Bug shields – If you live in a humid climate, a bug shield is a must. No automaker offers one as standard equipment; if you want to protect your hood and windshield a bug shield is a must. Also marketed as bug deflectors.

Car bra – Sure, they are stylish, but a car bra is much more than that. Offering protection to your grille and to the front part of your hood, a car bra can help deflect debris kicked up from the road. Who hasn’t come across that sort of problem while traversing our interstates?

Brake dust shields – No, there isn’t a safety aspect with a dust shield, but there certainly are aesthetic reasons why they make sense. You spent a lot for your tires and wheels, so why go through the hassle of a weekly cleaning just to keep your car looking great? Dust shields limit the dust so that you can do what you really want to do: drive.

Car cover – Whether you keep your car garaged or whether you leave it outside, a car cover is essential toward protecting your vehicle’s finish. Indoor air pollution and dust can damage a garaged vehicle; solar rays, moisture, bird poop, wind, and small impacts can damage exposed vehicles. For less than $200 you can buy a four layer, breathable car cover that will offer the protection your car so desperately needs.

So, there you have it. Six essential auto accessories for every vehicle. You’ll pay a mint for each accessory if you let your dealer add them in after the sale, so why not shop online with Car Stuff to find everything you need for your car and for less?

6 Pocket Rockets!

2010-01-09T06:16:00.000-08:00

Just because your car is small, doesn’t mean that it has to be slow. In fact, some of the fastest cars on the road today are subcompacts. How so? Because their owners have modified them to the point where they can squeeze out additional horsepower and acceleration. Let’s take a look at six cars that qualify as genuine “pocket rockets.”

For the sake of argument, here are some ground rules for a pocket rocket:

The car must be a compact or smaller.

The engine must be normally aspirated; no turbo charged cars – four cylinders only.

New versions of the car must all retail for less than $20,000.

The following six cars all qualify as pocket rockets when each of the above stipulations has been met:

Dodge Neon; Ford Focus; Honda Civic; Scion tC; Subaru Impreza; and Volkswagen Golf.

Unfortunately, the Mitsubishi Eclipse retails for just above $20,000 so it does not qualify. Besides, it looks too much like a sports car; we are only examining those vehicles that are somewhat plain before being transformed by aftermarket parts.

Dodge Neon – Technically, the Neon is no longer in production as 2005 was its last model year. Still, with a 2.0L 132hp engine, the Neon remains an affordable favorite of the youth set who enjoy customizing their vehicles

Ford Focus – A lemon no more! Earlier models of the Focus were problem plagued, but the car has made significant strides in the past few years and has received Consumer Report’s recommended buy label too. The stubby ZX3 produces 136 horses with its 2.0L engine

Honda Civic – Redesigned for 2006, the Civic has been a fan favorite for over thirty years. Its teeny 1.8L engine pushes out an impressive 140 horses. The new Civic is a far cry from the “pregnant roller” skate look of the first Civics. Owners are grateful.

Scion tC- Unlike its two boxy brethren, the tC is sleek looking and has a rocket demeanor. With a 2.3L under its hood, the tC has the second largest engine of any car in this class. You net 160 horses with the Scion.

Subaru Impreza – The biggest car in this class has the most powerful engine, a 2.5L boxter engine producing 173 horses. Very competitive with larger and more powerful cars, but a favorite among “pocket rocket” fans nevertheless.

VW Golf – A 2.0L 115hp drives the Golf, but the car’s light weight allows for it to buzz down the highway at a fairly good clip.

Favorite ways of squeezing out additional power for pocket rocket owners include installing the following aftermarket parts:

Reusable air filters; top providers include: K&N and Green.

Cold air intake systems; favorites include: K&N, AEM, and Airaid.

Cat-back exhaust systems; leading manufacturers include: Magnaflow and Vibrant.

Performance chips; Hypertech and Jet Chips lead the way.

Performance level increases are measured in horsepower, thrust, and acceleration. Depending on the parts installed and model selected, improvements can range from slight to significant. Regardless, all six models have the potential of becoming true pocket rockets and that is part of the thrill in owning one.

30 Years And Still Strong

2010-01-09T05:08:00.000-08:00

The Mazda 929, also sold as the Efini MS-9, is a full size luxury car. The model Mazda 929 was first introduced back in 1973.

The vehicle was crafted in Japan; it was as big as a coupe, sedan, or station wagon. This line had a 1.8 liter incline four Mazda 1800 engine; the engine was capable of a whopping eighty three horse power output. Since its introduction the Mazda 929 has had five different engines between the years 1973 to 1981.

The second generation Mazda emerged in 1981. It had been sold as a large front engine rear wheel drive sedan. It also used the new HB platform as a base which was also shared with the Mazda Cosmo. The new Mazda has seen three different engines in its life time. The third generation came about a few years later.

This new version had a pillared four door sedan along with a larger hard top that has four doors and no pillars. The engine was even upgraded to a double overhead Cam that had twenty four valves. That would in turn increase its fuel economy, performance and reliability.

The last generation of Mazda 929s still has the same luxury and is considered a premium sedan. It has been redesigned and has a more rounded flowing body. There are many add ons as well. For instance, they added five more horsepower to the engine. They have added dual air bags; a glass moon roof has replaced the metal unit. The premium package includes a wood console trim and rear armrest storage compartment. Leather upholstery has been added, even a remote keyless system and wood interior trim. This vehicle has been ranked the highest among its class.

The Mazda 929 has changed quite a bit in these thirty years, but Mazda still gives us the safety and luxury that all customers want.

5 Tips for a Clean Garage Workshop

2010-01-08T17:15:00.000-08:00

You park your car in the driveway and you still have to work on your projects in the back yard. If you don't use your garage for its designed purpose, why not turn it into a tidy workshop? Here are five steps to turn your garage in a perfect small home workshop:

1) Create your own workbench from an old door, some sawhorses or scrap wood.

2) Mount a pegboard on the wall to store your tools. It would be a great idea to mount it above your workbench. Strategically place pegs according to the type of tools you will be placing on the board. After hanging your tools, trace around them with a marker so you will know where each one goes.

3) Use old jars for holding nails, nuts, bolts and screws.

4) Make a storage box for the rags because they tend to accumulate in the working area.

5) Use a small tackle box for transporting items such as screws and nails as you move around the shop.

3 Advantages Of Hybrid Cars Over Conventional Cars

2010-01-08T17:00:00.000-08:00

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 prices 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.

7 Guidelines For Used Car Prices

2010-01-08T16:18:00.000-08:00

1. Know a little about pricing before you buy a used car. Franchise dealers that sell used cars add a certain percentage on the original value of the used car in the market. Markup is also added to the price of the used car at dealerships, which will make the price higher.

2. Determine the many factors that affect the used car prices. Used car pricings are affected by installed optional equipments or the location where you are buying the used car. There are areas that have a high market demand for a certain car. If that is the case, you may get a better deal if you travel outside of the zone to shop around for your car.

3. Find the used car's true market value at NADA. National Automobile Dealer's Association releases a copy of used car price guides every year. You may also check their web site to check the current prices of the used cars you are looking for.

4. Cheaper used cars may be found at government auctions. Government auctions happen every year and you may want to check out a checklist of the auction program. It may also offer you guidelines on finding quality used cars at lower prices. You may visit Federal Citizen Information to find out the guidelines in buying used cars from government auctions.

5. Check out the Internet. There are a lot of web sites that provide pricing guides on used cars and also guidelines in finding the right used car for you. You may compare prices; check out the features of the used car and the location where you can buy cheaper prices.

6. Determine if you have a fair deal with the price that is offered to you. Factors that affect used car prices include the age, market demand, overall condition, mileage, interior and exterior blemishes or if the car was maintained well.

7. Beware of trade tricks. Many dealers strategize on the behavior of consumers when buying used cars. Dealers know that buyers will not purchase a used car unless they feel that they are offered a price lower than the original price. Dealers tend to make the price higher than the actual amount and make the buyer believe that they are offering a discount. What the buyer does not know is that the discounted price is actually the original price of the car.

2008 Saturn VUE: Inspired by Opel

2010-01-08T10:28:00.000-08:00

General Motors’ Saturn division is hard at work on building a replacement for its small SUV, the Saturn VUE. Currently based strictly on U.S. technology, the 2008 VUE is expected to be heavily based on Opel technology: Opel is General Motors’ principal European brand. This is good news for those who were concerned that GM would ditch the Saturn VUE. Instead, the SUV will get new life and additional support via its new relationship with Opel. While it is too early to know all the details about the upcoming Saturn VUE makeover, there are some things we do know about this revamped model.

Ever since Saturn released the first “S Series” models back in 1990, the company has struggled to maintain a unique identity. Neglected by parent GM, the upstart Saturn brand had to wait nearly a decade before additional vehicles were added to its line including the Saturn VUE SUV. Along with the “L Series” midsize cars, the three vehicle lines [ION having replace the S Series] fully comprised the Saturn line for several years. Unfortunately, none of the three models were stand out performers, so the brand suffered accordingly.

With the demise of Oldsmobile has come new life for Saturn. Now a fully integrated GM division, Saturn is getting additional vehicles to help beef up its line up. Drawing upon its highly regarded dealer network and high consumer satisfaction scores, Saturn is being quickly remade into a European style division. Saturn has Opel to thank for that.

Along with the coming Aura midsize sedan which is heavily based on an Opel design, the Saturn VUE will be based upon the Opel Antera GTC. An Antera concept has been making the rounds of auto shows across Europe and what we know about the Antera points to what we can expect to see with the VUE.

The Antera is slightly smaller in size than the current Saturn VUE; although the Antera reportedly will have only two doors, the Saturn VUE model will get four doors. Both vehicles are closer in size to the current Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V models, their chief competitors. This smaller size also permits Saturn to introduce a slightly larger 7 passenger SUV next year, the Outlook.

The 2008 Saturn VUE will feature both four and six cylinder gas powered engines. Expect both AWD and RWD to be offered. The Antera’s front end will be redone to mesh with the current Saturn look. Beyond that, the VUE will likely incorporate current GM technology with upgraded safety and performance features included. A base price of around $20,000 for the FWD model is likely with fully loaded AWD versions retailing for as high as $30K.

The 2008 Saturn VUE will be built in Spring Hill, TN home of the original Saturn plant. Along with the Outlook, the Aura, the SKY roadster, the RELAY crossover, and the ION compact, new life is being breathed into Saturn thanks to Opel. This is good news for Saturn fans that have loyally supported the automaker since its inception more than 15 years ago.

2008 Mercedes B Class: American Introduction Delayed?

2010-01-08T05:03:00.001-08:00

Mercedes has long looked at the entire U.S. auto market as fair game, meaning it is not just a place where it can sell luxury vehicles, but a place to market “low budget” vehicles too. Unknown to some American motorists, the Mercedes name is much broader than simply being a luxury make. Like its German rival, Volkswagen, Mercedes sells cars in Europe that compete directly against the Golf as well as against the luxurious VW Phaeton. Still, introducing a “budget Benz” to America is a psychological hurdle that parent DaimlerChrysler is delaying making a commitment to. Let’s take a look at the proposed B Class and the reasons why the model not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.

For starters, the proposed B Class is based upon Mercedes A Class line of cars. Okay, that tells you a lot! In short, the A Class is a true line of compact cars that are popular in Europe. If you were to give serious consideration to purchasing a Volkswagen Golf you would consider the A Class to be its logical competitor. A slightly larger model, the B Class, makes better use of engine placement and design to produce a car that isn’t much larger than the A Class on the outside, but is almost as roomy as the S Class is on the inside [when configured as a wagon].

Beyond all of that, the B Class will be built with Mercedes’ electronic stability program and come equipped with more standard features of any car in its class. Basically, the B Class would be about the size of a Rabbit with all the typical Mercedes gadgets and trim that Mercedes owners prefer. So, if the B Class were to sell in the U.S., most models would likely retail for around $25,000, which is well above the price of a fully loaded Golf.

Published reports via automotive sites and blogs are indicating that the car may not make it to the U.S. due to several concerns. These include:

Cost factor. Mercedes lost plenty of money in 2005 and the company is doing all it can to return to profitability as soon as possible. Preparing any car for the U.S. market takes time and costs money; DaimlerChrysler is loathe to expend money on a project that may not be profitable at the start.

Consumer perception. A very strong psychological aspect must be overcome first and that is consumer perception. While the Mercedes name adorns a variety of vehicle levels in Europe the name is perceived as “pure luxury” in the U.S. Mercedes remembers Cadillac’s attempt in the past to produce a budget Caddy [remember the Cimarron?] and how those attempts failed miserably.

BMW. BMW is also considering importing a budget model, the “1 Series.” Expect Mercedes to get serious about the B Class if BMW imports the 1 Series.

Presently, only the sedan and wagon would be imported to the U.S. and any hatch versions would stay in Europe. With available diesel power, the B Class might thrive as customers gravitate to a car capable of cracking 40 miles to the gallon. Introducing the B Class to the American market is a risky proposition, but what is there about selling cars that isn’t?

2008 Isuzu Ascender: Ranked High on Safety

2010-01-08T05:03:00.000-08:00

The newly-released, fuel-efficient 2008 Isuzu Ascender was recently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 25 "Midsize Affordable SUVs" in the U.S. In terms of safety features, the 2008 Ascender received the same rating as the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer and the 2008 GMC Envoy.

U.S. News & World Report noted that the 2008 Isuzu Ascender fared well in crash tests conducted by the federal government, particularly in side-impact crashes. According to the article in U.S. News, the Ascender received five out of five stars in government crash tests (if you'd like to see for yourself, check out the Ascender's page on the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration's website for the full report) for both front and rear-seat passenger safety. One of the many reasons the Isuzu Ascender earned such a favorable rating is that side-impact airbags now come standard in the 2008 model.

The Ascender comes standard with fog lights and daytime running lights, and also includes a specialized stability control system called Stabilitrak StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control. The system combines traction control with stability control systems, as well as anti-lock brakes. Together, the three are designed to help the driver maintain directional command of the vehicle.

In addition to its active safety features, the 2008 model also has upgraded passive safety features. The 2008 Ascender offers air bags for both the driver and the front passenger, as well as standard head-curtain side-impact air bags. These air bags were options on the 2007 model. The newer Ascender also features an automatic air bag suppression system designed to deactivate the front-passenger airbag and reduce airbag-related injuries.

The Isuzu Ascender also has a body style that allows for exceptional visibility from the driver's seat. In comparison, U.S. News & World Report noted that, with regards to the 2008 Mazda CX-7, "test drivers have expressed concern, however, about impaired front visibility due to the sharp design of the CX-7's windshield."

But safety isn't the only reason to get behind the wheel of an Ascender. U.S. News & World report, in the overall impression of the 2008 Isuzu Ascender, noted that the Ascender "delivers and an outstanding warranty and smooth ride…" and also pointed out the SUV's superior towing capabilities. The 2WD model can tow, when properly equipped, up to 5,800 pounds.

In general, reviewers were impressed with the Ascender's V6 engine power and the way the SUV handles. Kelley Blue Book noted that "the Ascender feels controlled and agile." Another reviewer from Auto Media pointed out that the Ascender runs "smoothly and quietly" and "accelerates vigorously from a standstill."

According to a review in the Orlando Sentinel, the Ascender beats the Ford Explorer when off-roading. Comparing the two, the reviewer praised, "… the solid rear axle of the Ascender is a better arrangement, giving the Isuzu more agility in severe off-road traction situations." U.S. News also noted that the 2008 Ford Explorer's "heavy steering detracts from overall performance."
Intellichoice has not yet rated the 2008 Isuzu Ascender, but did recognize Isuzu's entire 2006 line up as best in their class for low costs.

2008 Chery QQ: Sneak Peak!

2010-01-07T17:01:00.000-08:00

China’s Chery Automotive Group is getting set to import as many as five vehicles into the US starting in the summer of 2007. These 2008 models are reportedly going to be cheaper than competing models in their respective classes, undercutting some models by as much as $10,000 per car. I have been doing a little investigating and have learned more about the Chery QQ, the three door compact that will retail for just $6995. Hold onto your hats as I read off the long list of standard features for its incredible, low price.

Just when you think you have seen everything, along comes the QQ. Reportedly, QQ stands for Quality and Quick as the car is made from remnants of destroyed Soviet tanks that battled with China during a protracted border skirmish in 1970. In addition, the car zips from 0 to 48 before the engine craps out. Oh, well zero to sixty would have been nice, but alas...

Standard features for the QQ will include:

Seats, front and rear

Seatbelts with air bags

Glass, all around as needed

Steering Wheel with horn

Dashboard

Removable Ashtray

Window Regulators {4}

Rubber Gaskets

Plastic Molding

Polyester Tires {4}

Hubcaps with lug nuts

Door Handles with driver and front passenger keyholes

Antenna

Truck Key with Keyhole

Headlights

Tail lights

Turn signals

Brakes

Shocks

Bumpers

Doors, hood, trunk and roof are all standard; body side moldings will likely be extra. Engine, transmission, radiator, exhaust, and countless other parts will also be included once they are removed from junked Yugos and retrofitted for the QQ.

Optional equipment will likely include a radio, comfortable seats, air conditioning, and perhaps even a rear window defroster. Oh, by the way, General Motors has sued and won a judgment against Chery declaring that the “Chery” name sounds too close to their Chevy name. Chery has agreed and will likely adopt the Forg name for all cars imported to the US. Stay tuned!

2007 Volkswagen Polo: U.S. Debut Stalled?

2010-01-07T17:00:00.000-08:00

Volkswagens’ plans to deliver a sub-Golf sized car to the U.S. market has stalled as the German automaker considers allowing rival DaimlerChrysler [DCX] to import the car instead and sell it under the Dodge label. VW dealers are naturally unhappy about the move, but much more is at stake than what is evident. Will the Polo still show up? If not, why not?

The world of automobile marketing has changed drastically in the last generation. Gone are brands that are purely set behind national borders and localized brands. Instead, vehicles are being sold that wear one label but are actually built by another manufacturer. Globalism is here and automakers have openly embraced these changes.

Volkswagen’s Polo is a likely entry into the U.S. market as a model that would fit nicely below VW’s Golf in its American line up. Many manufacturers are changing their car lines to allow for smaller cars to become the new entry level vehicles in their fleets. Here are some examples of cars that recently were introduced or soon will find their way into car lines:

Chevrolet: Korean automaker Daewoo, a GM subsidiary, supplies the Aveo for Chevrolet. This bottom rung car is positioned directly below the Cobalt.

Honda: After 35 years, the Civic will no longer be the entry level model for Honda. An even smaller car, the Jazz, will be imported in about one year’s time.

Mercedes: Yes, even a luxury automaker such as Mercedes is contemplating bringing in one or two lines of cars smaller than its current “baby” Mercedes line, the C Class cars.

BMW: Ditto for the another German luxury make.

Dodge: With the Neon replacement Caliber soon to appear, Dodge is still looking at offering a car smaller than the Caliber for their fleet. With DCX’s Mitsubishi relationship scuttled, the Japanese automaker can no longer be relied upon to supply a steady stream of entry level cars for The Chrysler Group.

Enter Volkswagen.

Yes, an unlikely supplier for DCX is Volkswagen, a strong competitor for DCX’s Mercedes division in Europe. However, VW has its own needs – a minivan – and The Chrysler Group will allow VW to market a rebadged version of its minivan in the US. In exchange for the minivan, Dodge gets to market the Polo a tiny 1.2L powered four passenger car that should see city gas mileage of around 35 mpg and highway mileage of just over 50 mpg.

The current Polo is marketed in Europe as three or five door hatchbacks which is not a popular body style in the U.S. VW may ship a specially reconfigured four door sedan instead to ensure interest in the this model within the U.S. market.

Although VW appears committed to this special arrangement with DCX, the Polo could still be sold here as a Volkswagen too. By keeping the hatchback style for VW branded cars only, the Polo might still be available through VW dealers. Include the optional 1.9L turbo diesel and fuel mileage will soar well past sixty miles per gallon. No wonder VW dealers are aching to see the car imported!

2007 Nissan Sentra: Big Surprises Inside!

2010-01-07T12:23:00.001-08:00

Once again, Nissan is putting into practice with its all new Sentra model something that has succeeded for them in the past: push the model up market. As it first did with the Maxima and later with the Altima, Nissan has now promoted the Sentra to make room for the pending introduction of the subcompact Versa. With the all new model, Sentra fans will find a better equipped, more polished model then any other car that has ever worn the Sentra nameplate. Intrigued? You should be: the car simply goes where no Sentra has gone before: up market.

Over the years, plenty of automakers have taken a popular selling model and elevated it one notch. Why? For a few reasons: to capitalize on demand for the model – a more luxurious version typically carries more profits with it then the base model. Instead of losing customers to another model [or worse, another make] when they are ready to trade up, why not move up the model instead? Another reason: the introduction of a newer, but smaller model in the line up. For Nissan, the latter reason holds especially true as the subcompact Versa, a car built to compete against the likes of Scion enters the Nissan line up at about the same time.

The new Sentra is much more roomier than the previous model. In fact, it could be mistaken for a midsize car as it packs in an additional 10 cubic feet of interior space. Other surprises found with the 2007 Sentra include a center console/shifter and dual folding high back rear seats to maximize carrying potential. Importantly, front and side impact air bags are now standard and a whole host of options not previously available with the model can now be had. These options include: smart key accessibility, Bluetooth wireless, a sound system to die for.

Best of all, fuel mileage is exceptionally good. Mating a 2.0L I4 to a six speed manny tranny yields EPA estimated fuel results of 29 city/36 highway. These figures are likely to be at or near the top for any car in its category.

Yes, the Nissan Sentra is a pleasant surprise, one that the Nissan company hopes that you will notice. For people looking for a bargain basement model, the Sentra no longer qualifies. Instead, the tiny Versa takes over and it will deliver two things that Nissan knows you will love: exceptionally high gas mileage and an affordable price starting around $12,000. Look for well equipped Sentras to retail for around $18,000.

2007 Nissan Sentra: For an Active Lifestyle

2010-01-07T09:20:00.001-08:00

The automaker Nissan is who is quite responsible for the Nissan Sentra. A compact car manufactured by Nissan, it is generally a rebadged export version of the Japanese Nissan Sunny. Its name, Sentra, is ironically not used in Japan, yet it is known there as the Bluebird Sylphy. As per the Untied States, this vehicle serves the compact model of its auto manufacturer. It directly competes with other compact models like the Toyota Corolla. Comparing it to its competition, the Nissan Sentra tops the list when it comes to its price, thus it is considered generally to be the biggest and most expensive compact car in its range.

In 1982, this vehicle was introduced bearing the name Nissan Sentra, instead of its Japanese name Sunny, in the United States. Currently, other countries have also been having the name Sentra, instead of Sunny, and these countries include Mexico and Brazil. At present, this vehicle comes with either a 1.8 liter four-cylinder QG18DE engine that is capable of producing 126 horsepower, or the 175 horsepower 2.5 liter four-cylinder QR25DE engine that is also beign used by the Nissan Altima. One of the things that Nissan and the Nissan Sentra is proud of is that it was included for four years, from 1991 to 1994, on the Car and Driver magazine’s Ten Best list for those years.

The all-new 2007 Nissan Sentra is claimed to target the active lifestyle of the current generation. It makes it first world debut at the North American International Auto Show that will be held in Detroit. It offers all the expected features that the previous generations of the Nissan Sentra has which includes good fuel economy, high levels of durability, quality, reliability, safety, an affordable price, and low cost of ownership. However, it does not only bring these features for it could not be called all-new if there would not be any changes done to it. The 2007 Nissan Sentra adds a completely unexpected level of style, roominess, responsiveness, and versatility that is what the young, active, highly social targeted buyers live in and need. It is also nicely equipped with power door locks and windows, side-impact curtain air bags, and air conditioning. It has been crafted to be much larger than the previous models and is offering one of the largest interior volumes in the compact car class. It is built on the Nissan’s new “C” platform. It offers easier entrance as well as enhanced headroom.

As per the 2007 Nissan Sentra’s interior, it has a new roomy one that features an array of innovative comfort and convenience. The list includes a 60/40 split double-folding rear seat with a fold-flat seat back angle so as to guarantee better utilization of the wide trunk pass-through opening; a special trunk divider panel that creates a hidden truck storage compartment; and an integrated overhead compact disc holder.

2007 Saturn AURA: The Wait Is Over!

2010-01-07T05:03:00.001-08:00

When Saturn exited the midsize car market a few years ago they left with a promise: we’ll be back. After several years of lackluster sales, GM’s Saturn division dropped the unpopular L Series in 2004 with no immediate replacement waiting. Thanks in part to the company’s German division, Opel, Saturn has a new car to capture the imagination of sedan enthusiasts everywhere. The AURA, a five passenger Euro style sedan, is now on display at your local Saturn dealership. Please read on to see what the AURA has in store for buyers just like you.

The L Series wasn’t a bad car, it just got lost in a sea of competition dominated by popular Camrys, versatile Accords, and dependable Taurus’s. Bland styling didn’t help matters either as the car never approached General Motors’ expectations, therefore the automaker decided to drop the model from Saturn’s then spartan line up.

Unfortunately for Saturn dealers, a void in an already small line up was left wide open. True, the all-new RELAY crossover was brought in as the L Series made its exit, but it certainly wasn’t a sedan and it wasn’t meant to replace the L Series. Thankfully, GM did not fill the hole in Saturn’s line with yet another “me too” rebadged Chevy or Pontiac. Instead, the automaker promised to develop a fresh model based on a new GM platform and by incorporating Opel styling and technology. Thus, the seeds of the all new AURA were planted and the harvest has now hit a showroom near you.

So, exactly what do you get with the all new AURA? Well, one thing you won’t get is a four cylinder engine. Unlike the Toyota Camry, the AURA is only offering a pair of six cylinder engines. Likely, this won’t be a problem for most buyers as the two AURA engines are different enough to give customers a real choice: the 3.5L V6 comes equipped with a four speed automatic transmission while the optional 3.6L DOHC V6 is mated to a six speed automatic transmission. Some buyers may be disappointed by the lack of a manual transmission, so GM will have to watch this closely to see if additional sales could be realized by introducing a potent six speed manny tranny.

Beyond the powerplant, the AURA comes nicely equipped. Since its chief competitors will be the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, Saturn could ill afford to produce a car short on anything. Thus, the base AURA will be priced right – MSRP of $20,595 – and include the following standard equipment:

3.5L V6

Four speed automatic transmission

Four wheel disc brakes

ABS with Traction Control

Head curtain and side impact air bags

6 speaker sound system

OnStar

Power Everything

Optional equipment for the standard model includes aluminum wheels, leather interior, sunroof, premium sound system and more. The base model is known as the XE with the up market XR featuring the larger engine and a very long list of standard equipment. Add about $4000 to the price of the base XE to get an XR.

Saturn hopes that the bold styling of the AURA will cause shoppers to take a closer look. Now that the Camry has finally shed its bland image, Saturn can ill afford to go up against the automotive leader with a nondescript model. With a sporty grille, comely lines, and an attractive B pillar, the AURA goes well beyond the L Series and is sure to attract buyers to the Saturn fold.

The AURA also is a departure from Saturn’s Spring Hill, Tennessee roots as it is built in GM’s Kansas City facility alongside the Chevrolet Malibu. Based on GM’s Epsilon platform, the AURA effectively combines GM and Opel technology and styling in an all new model. This is a bold move on GM’s part one that the world’s number one automaker is pinning on reviving a brand that desperately needs this type of stylish model.

2007 Saturn SKY: The Wait Is Over

2010-01-06T16:02:00.001-08:00

After months of nonstop hype, the 2007 Saturn SKY is now entering dealer showrooms. This two seat roadster marks an important turning point for the Saturn brand long identified with building nondescript, but dependable vehicles. With an MSRP of $23,690, the SKY is certain to sell for several thousand dollars over the dealer's sticker price as demand is expected to far exceed capacity. Let’s examine the Saturn brand and the car behind the hype to see if the SKY was worth the wait.

Since Saturn’s first cars became available in 1990, the brand has attracted a loyal following of owners who liked the company’s simplicity and consumer friendly dealer network. Indeed, Saturn’s “no haggle” pricing revolutionized the relationship between dealer and customer changing the typical adversarial business transaction into a partnership benefiting buyer and seller alike.

Originally, Saturn was established as a separate company, but wholly owned by General Motors. The idea behind Saturn was that the company would build import fighting small cars to compete against the likes of Toyota and Honda. The S-Series, made with “ding proof” polymer side panels was an immediate hit and Saturn relied exclusively on this line of compact coupes, sedans, and wagons for nearly a decade before a second, larger model was introduced.

The dream of keeping Saturn separate from GM eventually died and the brand was brought into the GM fold to be managed much like Chevrolet, Buick, etc. are today. Indeed, the Spring Hill, Tennessee factory, which was exclusively designed to build Saturn vehicles remains in business, but many of the division’s cars are now being built elsewhere including the SKY.

So, the SKY has caught your attention, has it? Who could blame you? Pictures of the SKY have been circulating heavily online for months and it is certainly an attractive vehicle. Based on GM’s new Kappa platform, the SKY shares some components with the earlier released Pontiac Solstice, another two seat roadster. The SKY, however, has its own look with a very pronounced fender peak and sleek body style. Here are some of the attributes of the SKY:

- Front engine, rear drive, two seat roadster

- 50/50 front/rear weight distribution

- Manually operated cloth covered top folds down into the trunk

- Front pivoting hood

- 2.4L I4 engine producing 177 h.p. paired with a 5 speed manual or 5 speed automatic transmission

- 18 inch wheels; 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS

- Power galore: air conditioning, locks, windows, doors, AM/FM/CD, etc.

The SKY was priced and designed to compete against two other roadsters, the Honda S2000 and Mazda’s Miata. Although the SKY is technically a sister car to the Solstice, it appears that it is better suited to compete against the Japanese brands as the Saturn roadster comes fully equipped and incorporates a sleeker body design. Taking nothing away from the Pontiac, the SKY is definitely the more competitive of the two.

For Saturn, the SKY improves the brand’s image immeasurably. Much in the way that the Corvette is a “halo” car for Chevrolet the SKY will be the same for Saturn. Production will be limited to just 10-12,000 vehicles annually and purchasing a SKY will likely mean buyers paying well over sticker price for their car. Indeed, some reports are indicating dealer mark ups as high as $5000 in the face of stiff demand.

Beyond the SKY, Saturn will also be introducing a second new vehicle this year, the Aura. Replacing the L-Series, the Aura midsize sedan borrows heavily from GM’s European division, Opel, and incorporates the bold design of SKY in its front end.

Yes, the days of being known as a builder of compact plastic cars in Tennessee is over; a new Saturn is rising and if all the hoopla related to the SKY is any indication, Saturn’s future is certainly very promising.

2007 Toyota Camry: A Hybrid For A Leader

2010-01-06T10:25:00.001-08:00

Toyota has a couple of big things in store for the Camry when the 2007 model year version of the car rolls out this coming summer: a complete redesign and the availability of a hybrid engine. Already the best selling car in America, the Camry is destined to be overhauled and re-engineered. Let’s take a look at some of the changes scheduled for Toyota’s venerable model.

New Styling Cues – Nobody has ever said that the Camry is a knock out when it comes to style. Despite its pedestrian look, the Camry has managed to capitalize on Toyota quality, price, and engineering to present a car that is clearly a best seller. Still, critics have routinely yawned at the Camry’s looks, but that will soon all change and dramtically at that. Borrowing some styling cues from Toyota’s Lexus line up of luxury cars, the 2007 Camry is expected to delight motorists and critics alike. Witness the recently made over Toyota Avalon: what was once a bland, full sized car has now been transformed into a sleek, luxurious sedan.

Time For A Hybrid – Toyota is riding the hybrid crest and it will, therefore, introduce hybrid technology into the Camry line up. Like all other Camry models, the hybrid version will also be built in the US, making it the first Toyota hybrid to be built outside of Japan. However, the battery and inverter will be imported from Japan while the engine will be Kentucky built. The Camry will join the Prius and the Highlander as the third Toyota model to offer hybrid technology.

More Power – Expected to be in the same size range as the current model, the Camry will keep its current four and six cylinder engines, but both will be reworked enough to crank out additional horsepower without compromising on fuel economy.

The Camry’s chief competitor over the past decade has been the Honda Accord. With a hybrid offering available and an improved appearance in place, the Camry is likely to strengthen its hold on the “top seller” category when the new model is released.

No one knows for sure if the “hybrid phase” is simply a fad or something that will ultimately catch on. With government credits still available and high gas prices at the pump, Americans continue to look at hybrids as a viable alternative to thirsty internal combustion engines. Toyota, for its part, continues to capitalize on this trend and the Camry is the latest vehicle in Toyota’s expanding arsenal to successfully incorporate hybrid technology.

2006 Daewoo Lanos: Totally Pleasurable

2010-01-06T07:59:00.001-08:00

The 2006 Daewoo Lanos is a car filled with fun for it is great to drive and is very reliable as well. It comes either two doors or four doors. The fun fact behind its name is that “Lanos” literally means “pleasure”.

This vehicle has been greatly compared to the Toyota Corolla for most people would mistake the Daewoo Lanos with the Toyota Corolla. However, if one would look more closely, the difference would be that the Daewoo Lanos has a vertical chrome Infinity-like grille. That is the main difference actually. The 2006 Daewoo Lanos holds a 1.6 liter engine with four cylinders that has the capability to produce some 105 units of horsepower. However, this engine is much noisier than other vehicles who own engines with four cylinders.

There are some critics who find the Daewoo Lanos to be just a version of the Daewoo LeMans. And when they say this, they mean that it would be a no-frills type of transportation. However, Daewoo made it a point that the Daewoo Lanos would be a different vehicle from the Daewoo LeMans. The only similar characteristic or feature that the two vehicles have are the stiff seats with small side bolsters. The Daewoo Lanos is far more different than the LeMans in a lot of other ways. The former holds a much more attractive exterior with its thick body side moldings that offer good body and panel protection. The interior is very roomy as well. The rear seats provide sufficient and enough room for two adults.

This new vehicle has a very spacious trunk to store a large amount of packages and cargo. To add up to the space, the rear seat backs could actually fold down flat. The passengers and the driver in the front are also given ample seating room. For people who like the colored variety, the cloth seats of the 2006 Daewoo Lanos would be up your alley for they are actually multicolored coming in blue, red, yellow, and white.

The 2006 Daewoo Lanos uses a wheelbase measuring some 99 inches. The four-door Lanos is some 167 inches longer than the two-door version. This vehicle come with the standard features that include a power steering, dual air bags, a five speed manual transmission system, a four wheel independent suspension system, an AM/FM stereo with cassette, central locking doors, power windows, and power windows for the driver’s side as well as the passengers’ end. The optional features include a remote keyless entry system, a four speed automatic transmission system, a cruise control, air conditioning, and a power sunroof.

Daewoo Lanos owners and aficionados who want to maintain the superior performance of their Daewoo vehicles could go to Auto Parts Online. Auto Parts Online is the leading supplier of BMW discount-priced finest quality Daewoo auto parts. For performance demands, this online store offers condensers, bumpers, coolant tanks, exhaust, fenders, hubcaps, and a whole lot more. A tremendous line of discount Daewoo parts is guaranteed at the online site to be the best of its kind.

2006 Dodge Viper: Endangering the Competition

2010-01-06T04:55:00.001-08:00

Entering the automobile world in 1992, the Dodge Viper has had undergone many changes as well as many obstacles. This year, 2006, the Dodge Viper is already on its third generation of vehicles. This time around, the vehicle is introduced as an all-new coupe.

Dan Knott, the director of Street and Racing Technology (SRT) for the Chrysler Group states, “Demand for a Dodge Viper Coupe started the day we introduced the Dodge Viper SRT10 Convertible for 2003. The all-new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 coupe is a natural evolution of the heritage of the Dodge Viper, and gives enthusiasts exactly that they’re looking for in the ultimate American sports car.” He also adds, “Dodge Viper SRT10 customers want to go beyond the level of the regular enthusiast, to the level of outrageous performance. Our all-new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 coupe gives our customers that performance in a stunning new package.”

The most obvious change for this new vehicle is that it now holds the aerodynamic “double bubble” roof. This roof holds a unique shape that provides a smooth airflow over the vehicle as well as assists in accommodating a large amount of space inside. Other new things for this new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe include the door glass, the rear quarter panels, the integrated rear spoiler, and the wraparound tail lights. It is very much similar to the original Dodge Viper GTS coupe’s look but this new one owns up to a more contemporary flair. Also added in are a set of unique alloy wheels which measures 18 inches for the front end and some 19 inches on the back.

The 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 coupe holds an 8.3 liter all-aluminum motor that works with ten cylinders. This engine has the power to produce some 500 horsepower and around 525 pound feet of torque. To help it all up is a six speed manual transmission.

Backing up Knott’s statement regarding this new vehicle, Trevor Creed, Chrysler Group’s senior vice president for design exclaims, “It was important for us to sustain the emotion in the design. We wanted the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 coupe design to include a nod to the original Viper GTS coupe, but in a contemporary way. The Dodge Viper SRT10 coupe owner is often a racer, and the car has to scream that, even when it’s idling at the stoplight. The bottom line is that the new Dodge Viper SRT10 coupe’s design says a lot about its unique character, and the car’s performance is the payoff.”

To continue Dodge’s tradition of offering unique and excellent in performance vehicles that is outstanding in its value and class, auto parts companies like Car Parts Rush offers top of the line Dodge parts. The customer has a choice from a vast array of auto parts and accessories. It offers new and used Dodge body parts, body kits, performance parts, and Dodge accessories among many others.

2006 Ford Focus: Never Better!

2010-01-05T18:27:00.001-08:00

Back in 2000, the year that the Ford Focus was introduced, Ford Motor Company was hoping that the model would be well received and exceed the sales totals of its previous small car, the Escort. Unfortunately, the new Focus was plagued by various minor quality problems and the car soon became the joke of the industry. Step forward to 2006, and the current Focus is vastly improved on earlier models. Let’s explore what is helping the Focus become a proven challenger in the crowded small vehicle sector:

1. Aggressive Price. Yes, the number of cars available under US$15,000 continues to drop each year. However, the Focus takes it one step further as it retails just below $14,000. Comparably equipped Chevys, Kias and Hyundais sell for nearly the same amount, so the consumer has a good choice when buying the Ford Focus.

2. Sufficient Power. The 2.0L I4 engine paired to a five speed manual transmission gives the car enough power to get it moving and keep it moving at a nice clip on the freeway. Competing models offer smaller engines as small as 1.6L as found in the Kia Rio.

3. Spacious Interior. Up to five people can be carried in the Focus and the interior room is large for a car in its segment. Most small cars are intolerable for big rear seating passengers, but not so for the Focus. Compare the Focus’ seating to the Cobalt and the Focus is the clear winner.

4. An Assortment of Body Styles. Most cars built today come in only one or two body styles, however the Focus features four: a three-door ZX3 hatchback, a five-door ZX5 hatchback, a ZX4 sedan and the ZXW wagon. It is the ZX3 that retails for as low as US$13,990.

5. Respectable Fuel Economy. With EPA figures of 26 city / 34 highway, the Focus achieves a fuel mileage level that few small cars can boast of.

Competition in the small car group remains tight with the Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cobalt, Hyundai Elantra, and Saturn ION all competitively priced. The Corolla remains the favorite amongst industry specialists, but the Focus has certainly shed its “low quality” status with the current model. Check out special financing deals through Ford Credit to save even more money on your Focus.

In conclusion, the Focus has improved with age, but it is in need of updating now that it is in its seventh model year. With Ford fortunes sagging, the company cannot afford additional dips in sales.

2006 Ford Mustang: Retro Cruiser

2010-01-05T15:44:00.001-08:00

When Ford decided to redesign the Mustang, they opted to incorporate a retro look, much like what was done previously with the Thunderbird. Fortunately, Ford didn’t look at the ghastly Mustang II series from the 1970s for a template, instead the US automaker drew upon the second generation Mustangs of the late 1960s for their inspiration. Let’s just say that the redesigned Mustang has been nothing short of a sell out hit.

Introduced as a 2005 model, the retro Mustang for 2006 offers only one change: the introduction of a Pony package which is meant to give the car a GT look and feel. Borrowing from the fastback design of the late 1960s, the 2005 model was such a hit that Ford could not keep up with production.

Buyers have a choice between a 4.0L V6 and a 4.6L V8 engine to power the car. With 2+2 seating, 107 inch wheelbase, and a curb weight of just under 3500 pounds, the car cruises down the highway with 210 and 300 horses respectively.

Each engine is mated with a 5 speed manual transmission and a 5 speed automatic transmission is optional for both. 4 wheel disc brakes and optional traction control [standard with the V8] help keep the Mustang under control.

Clothe bucket seats are standard with leather seats optional. All models come with tilt steering wheel, cruise control, power locks and windows, power side mirrors, and air conditioning.

Ford gives buyers a choice between 5 coupe and 5 convertible models with base MSRP starting at $19,810 for the coupe and $24,635 for the convertible.

First year sales of the Mustang were so good that the car sold out by early Spring. In fact, the Mustang dethroned the Chrysler 300 as the hottest car on the market with more than 15,000 Mustangs sold per month. All of this production is from just one factory.

Production for 2006 is certain to be tight and with little incentives available – they certainly aren’t needed – the Mustang is likely to continue to have a long waiting list of customers desiring the sporty coupe. Considering that sales across the Ford division are flat, this is good news for an automaker desperately needing a hot seller.

2006 Ford Taurus: Swan Song

2010-01-05T12:06:00.001-08:00

The 2006 model year will end the heralded Taurus name and for this writer it is a bittersweet time as Ford retires what once the best selling car in all of America.

When Ford introduced the Taurus along with its cousin the Mercury Sable in the mid 1980s the car represented a radical departure from the standard American car of the day. Fairly large, front wheel drive, and very aerodynamic, the Taurus quickly rose to the pinnacle of the American car sales charts and was the best selling car for several years in a row. A much delayed “reskinning” did not occur until 1996, some ten years after the Taurus and Sable were first released. The new style, perceived by some to be ugly, quickly cost Ford sales as newer and more modern Toyota Camrys and Honda Accords out gained the line. Slight changes in style incorporated with the 2000 model year took some of the edge off, but by then the Taurus was considered to be too old and outmatched by the competition.

I purchased an all new 1994 Taurus and kept the car for seven years, racking up 117,000 miles before deciding it was time to trade in the car for something newer. I found the ride to be comfortable, the interior room to be expansive, and I enjoyed the overall style of the car. I was also one of the first people to purchase a Taurus in the then new Hunter Green color, an attractive deep green that was admired by many.

When 2001 rolled around, I elected to lease a Saturn L series instead of going with the Taurus. I needed something similar in size with the Taurus and at that time Saturn had a lease deal that could not be beat. In addition, I still wasn’t impressed with the Taurus which I felt had been out-engineered by other cars in its class. So, I took home the Saturn and donated my Taurus to the Kidney Foundation.

The 2005 model year represented the final year that Ford would offer the Taurus through dealers; for 2006 the Taurus is only available as a fleet car and it is unchanged from the previous year’s model. The slow selling Sable was mercifully put to rest one year earlier.

For Ford, concentrating on trucks and SUVs meant neglecting much of their car line up, including the Taurus. Bigger and stronger SUVs, including the Expedition and Excursion, were introduced as America’s tastes continued to shift from passenger cars to SUVs. In addition, the ever popular F Series pick up trucks went through regular style and engineering changes every four years or so as did the Explorer, Ford’s midsized SUV.

Higher gas prices and changing tastes are once again impacting Fords’ line up. The beefy Excursion is gone and new cars including the Five Hundred and Fusion are now part of the line up. These two new models represent a fresh change for Ford and a promise that the attention once given to the Taurus would be given to the new models. For that, I am glad.

2006 Honda Accord: Still Topping Lists

2010-01-05T09:41:00.001-08:00

One of the best vehicles in the midsize category in the American automobile market, the 2006 Honda Accord has been redesigned and re-engineered. It is not only one of the best vehicles, it also is one of highest selling as well. It sports a good combination of high technology and quality. It is very much usable for everyday operations and functions. Its main competitor is the Toyota Camry. It is offered in both sedan and coupe styles. It has also been made available in three trim levels that comprise of the DX, the LX, and the EX. The vehicle has a maximum passenger capacity of five people.

Taking a look around the Honda Accord, the vehicle has a design that has angular headlamps as well as sharpened noses which is very much like that of the Acura RSX’s. It is very much muscular and very agile. The vehicle also has carefully sculpted combination of concave and convex surfaces in its corners and sides. If you try to go inside its cabin, the interior is very smooth, firm, and quiet. It holds wide seats that are very comfortable. This is due to the springs and urethane padding beneath is. This also reduces vibration much. These seats have the option of a manual height adjustment or power adjustments.

The entire trunk of the 2006 Honda Accord measures some 14 cubic feet. The power of the 2006 Honda Accord is due to its 2.4 liter i-VTEC engine with four cylinders that can produce some 166 horsepower, as well as another 3.0 liter VTEC V6 engine that could generate a maximum of 244 horsepower. Both these engines are great on fuel efficiency.

The 2006 Honda Accord has a huge range of color choices to choose from. The list comprise of carbon bronze pearl (black), carbon bronze pearl (ivory), desert mist metallic (ivory), graphite pearl (gray), nighthawk black pearl (ivory), Redondo red pearl (gray), royal blue pearl (gray), sapphire blue pearl (black), taffeta white (ivory), and alabaster silver metallic (black).

Featured accessories for the 2006 Honda Accord include in its list a deck lid spoiler, a rear wing spoiler, wheel locks, 15 inch alloy wheels, a removable roof rack, a ski attachment, a snowboard attachment, a bike attachment, a car cover, a half nose mask, a full nose mask, door edge guards, a gold emblem kit, a gold exhaust finisher, a Fenderwell trim, door visors, fog lights, a moonroof visor, front and rear all-season floor mats, a cargo net, a trunk tray, a metal trim kit, a leather steering wheel cover, an outside temperature gauge, a leather shift knob, the XM® satellite radio, a six disc in-dash changer, a DVD-based i-VES, a cassette player, and an MP3 player among many others.

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2006 Is the Last Year for the Isuzu Ascender

2010-01-05T08:14:00.001-08:00

The Isuzu Ascender is a vehicle that has been produced and manufactured by General Motors. Production for this vehicle started back in the year 2003. However, sad news for those who would like to purchase or own one of these Isuzu Ascenders is that this year, 2006, would be the last year of its production. Come next year, 2007, there will be no more Isuzu Ascenders to be produced.

In the line up of vehicles under General Motors’ Isuzu division, the Isuzu Ascender actually took the spot and niche that the Isuzu Trooper left vacant when the production for this vehicle, the Isuzu Trooper, was completely halted. As per the Isuzu Ascender, this vehicle has been designed and produced to be a mid size sport utility vehicle. It has been designed and mounted on the 4WD GMT 360 platform which makes it very much related to the GMC Envoy, the Chevrolet Trailblazer, the Buick Rainier, the Oldsmobile Bravada, and the Saab 9-7 X. The power for this vehicle comes from two engine choices. These engines comprise of the 4.2 liter Vortec I6 engine and the 5.3 liter Vortec V8 engine. Interested parties and customers can choose between the two engines which would serve as the power source for the vehicle. In the automobile market, the Isuzu Ascender has had and continually has a couple of competition vehicles. The list of these vehicles include the Toyota 4Runner, the Nissan Pathfinder, the Ford Explorer, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Chevrolet Tahoe, the Toyota Sequoia, the Chevrolet Trailblazer, the Ford Expedition, and the GMC Envoy.

Upon its introduction back in 2003, the Isuzu Ascender came as a sport utility vehicle that could hold a maximum of seven passengers in its interior. However, the following year, another version of this vehicle was introduced to the automobile market and this time around the vehicle could only take in a maximum of five passengers inside. Both of these vehicles have been made available and continually produced up until this year only.

2006 Jaguar X Type: Luxury for the Commoner

2010-01-05T07:20:00.001-08:00

Prices for top selling luxury cars can easily top $50,000 when taxes, destination charges, and dealer prep fees are factored in. Generally, this isn’t a problem as the customer who purchases a vehicle of this renown can afford the big price tag. However, automakers have learned that there is a market for “entry level” luxury cars for up and coming buyers who want the name without paying the steep price. The dilemma for automakers is not to water down the product line, rather to offer a car that upholds the marquee without diluting its value. One such car that has successfully filled that criterion is the Jaguar X Type, the focus of this review.

Admittedly, I am biased toward purchasing American cars even through the ups and downs of the U.S. car industry. Still, I am fascinated by changes that occur in vehicles throughout the world as I know that at some point those changes will be incorporated into cars traversing North American highways. One such feature that I have seen grow more commonplace is the use of all wheel drive to power automobiles. Subaru, for years, has offered all wheel drive across their model line, but few cars – foreign or domestic – have incorporated what has chiefly been the realm of sport utility vehicles.

In 2002 Jaguar introduced its first all wheel drive car, the X Type, a compact sedan. Fresh on the heels of the successful launch of the midsized S Type, the X Type’s base price began around $30,000 well within the range of other entry level luxury cars in its class including the Saab 9-3 and Audi A4. As a “bonus” all wheel drive was made standard supposedly giving the X Type an edge over most competitors. Unfortunately, it did not work out that way.

The original X Type performed poorly against the competition. Published reports stated that the car was too small, less dependable, and not as powerful as other cars in its class. Sales were sluggish for the first three years before Jaguar overhauled the car in time for the 2005 model year. For 2006, these changes were brought forward and include as many as one thousand component changes over the original model.

If you purchase an X Type, there is only one engine that comes with the car: a 24 valve 3.0L V6. Paired with a five speed automatic, the engine kicks out a respectable 227hp, not bad for a car weighing in at just over 3500 lbs.

The interior is atypical Jaguar: beautiful. Bronze Sapele wood, finished chrome, and leather appointments truly make the X Type a car lovely to behold on the inside as well as the outside. Standard interior features include an Alpine® 10-speaker, 320-watt sound system; 8 way power adjustable driver’s seat; tilt/cruise; power everything; are some of the stand outs of the X Type. Optional equipment allows for owners to select Bluetooth® hands-free voice connectivity and SIRIUS® Satellite Radio. For ultimate luxury the Vanden Plas edition, formerly available on only larger Jaguars, is now available on the X Type. Larger wheels and an assortment of trim packages are the hallmarks of a Vanden Plas equipped car.

For the exterior, traction control is mated with the all wheel drive system to give an optimum level of handling and braking performance. Rain sensing wipers, power/heated door mirrors, and automatic headlamps are all features found on the X Type. Of course, one of the most sought after features is its looks: distinctive Jaguar lines, the trademark split grille, and quad round headlamps.

Base price for the X Type starts at about $33,000 for the sedan and is three to four thousand dollars more for the Vanden Plas sedan and sport wagon models, respectively. Roughly half of all Jaguar sales come from the X Type and the entire company’s success in North America is dependent on how well the X Type is received. Judging by the changes put in place by Jaguar, the X Type should continue to carry the lion’s share of the market while keeping the Jaguar name front and center.

2006 Kia Rio: Use and Toss?

2010-01-05T05:00:00.001-08:00

Kia vehicles have managed to make significant strides in quality and durability since being introduced to the US market in 1994. Widely panned by critics as producing cheaply built and cheaply priced models, some Kia models are now performing at average or slightly above. The Kia Rio is not one of these cars, however. Only the extended warranty makes the Rio worth a look otherwise slightly more expensive cars from Toyota are preferable.

With a base MSRP of just $10,735, the Kia Rio is touted as “still the most affordable 4-door sedan in America.” Certainly, when it comes to price, the Rio is a winner. Add in standard features such as dual remote mirrors, driver lumbar support seats, and the extended warranty, and the car is a value leader. Of course, air conditioning will cost you extra and don’t expect to find any type of radio in the car either unless you pay extra for it. Remember, the emphasis is on value, not equipment.

The Kia is powered by a 1.6L DOHC 16 valve I4 engine paired with a five speed manual transmission. The five passenger sedan produces an anemic 104hp; a four speed automatic transmission is optional.

Various upgrade packages allow consumers to select additional “comfort and convenience” options as well as safety features including four wheel antilock brakes. One almost thinks that a customer would do better purchasing the basic model and then purchasing Kia accessories through a parts wholesaler to maximize the car’s value.

The best part of the Rio -- or any Kia car for that matter -- is the extended warranty, one of the best in the industry. Without it, the Rio would be truly forgettable. Kia’s warranty covers the following:

Limited Powertrain: 10 years or 100,000 miles

Limited Basic: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Limited Anti-Perforation: 5 years or 100,000 miles

Roadside Assistance: 5 years / unlimited miles

The Kia Rio serves the purpose of providing cheap, basic transportation. If you drive a lot and need an economical car, then the Rio is worth a look. Just don’t think that the car rises to the level of a Toyota, otherwise you will be sorely disappointed. You may get five or six good years out of the car before its value decreases to the point where it simply should be discarded.

2006 Mazda6 Does The Zoom-Zoom

2010-01-04T14:05:00.001-08:00

Sedan, hatchback or station wagon, you can own a 2006 Mazda6 for these are the body styles that are offered for this vehicle model. This vehicle offers a splendid performance hidden behind its spicy and hot style and design. Comfort is also something that this vehicle offers for its cabin and its seats can be arranged. A great amount of cargo could also be transported using the 2006 Mazda6 with its fifty eight cubic feet of space in the back as you fold down the rear seats.

Manufactured by the automaker, Mazda, the Mazda6 has actually been existing as a production vehicle since 2003 and up until the present, it continually proves that it will stay and it will prevail despite changing lifestyles and changing needs of the market. It took the spot that was previously occupied by the Mazda 626 and the Mazd Capella in the Mazda line up of vehicles. This midsize vehicle has been made available as a sedan with four doors, a station wagon with four, and a hatchback that holds five doors.

There are five engine choices for the Mazda6. The list includes a 1.8 liter MZR I4 engine, a 2.0 liter MZR I4, a 2.3 liter MZR I4, a 3.0 liter Duratec V6, and a 2.0 liter MZR-CD diesel engine. Considered as its competition are the Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Peugeot 407, Nissan Primera, Volkswagen Passat, and the Toyota Avensis. Ranging from $23,415 to $27,315, you can own one of these vehicles yourself. It has a mileage of 19 miles per gallon on streets and city roads, and 26 miles per gallon for highways.

Generosity is a trait that the 2006 Mazda6 has. You can find features like air conditioning, power windows, a cruise control system, radio controls that are mounted on its steering wheel, full power mirrors, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, as well as power door locks.

2006 Passat Debuts as Newest Family Car

2010-01-04T11:23:00.001-08:00

Today, as gas prices are surpassing $3 per gallon, SUVs and minivans are not as practical to own.

So what's a family to do?

Enter the 2006 Volkswagen Passat 3.6L, the midsize sedan that may forever change the attitude of owning a "grown-up" family car.

In its most powerful Passat to date, the 280-horsepower arrives soon to dealerships around the country. Although considered a family car, it does not sacrifice speed. The car continues to perform in the spirit of a true Autobahn-bred sedan by going from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds, aided by its narrow-angle, six-cylinder engine.

Buyers may not only fall in love with the way this car handles, but with its price tag as well.

At a time when most cars can't leave a lot for less than $25,000, this all-new sedan starts at less than $23,000 with the standard 2.0T four-cylinder turbo engine.

As expected in a modern Volkswagen, the new Passat continues its pursuit to provide the most advanced technology available, while still offering uncompromising safety design and features.

The 2006 Passat includes eight airbags, front- and rear-side head protection, active front head restraints, adjustable headrests for all five occupants, and foot pedals that descend upon serious impact.

While its clean lines, sporty look and functional overall design are definite selling points, it's what's inside that counts.

Specifically, the new Passat 3.6L includes dual-zone automatic climate control, a standard eight-speaker sound system that is MP3-format compatible, premium sound with an in-dash six-disk CD changer, an optional DVD navigation system and several other features.

The new 2006 Passat is the sixth all-new generation of

Volkswagen's midsize car line that traces its roots back to the Dasher and Quantum of the 1970s and 1980s.

2006 Pontiac Solstice Cruises Down The Road

2010-01-04T09:49:00.001-08:00

From the brand that produces cars that boast of exemplary performance, the 2006 Pontiac Solstice is indeed one of those vehicles that draw lots of attention. Indeed, as a sports car, this vehicle sure is nimble and also offers excellent handling. It also has finesse that most sports cars do not even know how to define. And for sports car lovers, the 2006 Pontiac Solstice is one of the most affordable sports vehicles in the market.

Produced by General Motors and marketed under the Pontiac brand, the Pontiac Solstice is new to the market. In fact, it has just been in production starting this year, 2006. It is a sports car that has been built in one body style which is the roadster with two doors. The FR Kappa platform was used in building this sports car and it also has been equipped with a 2.4 liter Ecotec I4 engine. Assisting in its performance is a five speed Aisin AR5 manual transmission system or a five speed 5L40-E automatic transmission. Designed by automobile stylist Wayne Cherry, the Pontiac Solstice is going to be considered as a competition by cars like the Nissan 350Z, Honda S2000, Mazda MX-5, as well as the Chrysler Crossfire.

The 2006 Pontiac Solstice certainly looks like the classic sports cars from the 1950s which is coupled up with its own share of uniqueness that the overall effect leads to an original design that is a blend of the past and the future. This sports car also offers the best kind of comfort that most sports cars do not offer. Because of its long wheelbase, passengers do not have to be cramped and uncomfortable once inside the cabin. Packed with features for entertainment and for comfort, a ride inside the 2006 Pontiac Solstice is going to be very interesting.

2006 Toyota Matrix: Value Meets Fun

2010-01-04T09:11:00.001-08:00

During the early part of this decade Toyota was examining its vehicle line up and the decision was made to build a car to entice young people who were looking for something that was small, fun to drive, and affordable. While the Corolla served faithfully in this capacity, Toyota needed something that spoke excitement. The Corolla just wasn’t that kind of a car and something radically different was needed. Enter the Matrix. Based on the Corolla platform, the Matrix does what no Corolla can do: turn heads. Let’s take a look at this sporty compact and see how the 2006 model stacks up.

In 2003, the Matrix was introduced to the North American market. Built in California as a joint venture with General Motors – the Pontiac Vibe is its twin – the Matrix is aimed toward budget conscious young people who want a car that makes a statement. To save money, the Corolla frame was used, but the Matrix stands some 3 inches taller and is 8 inches shorter than its Toyota sibling. The roof line on the Matrix is completely different too as it slopes from front to back and ends in a wedge, giving the car somewhat of a wagon look to it. This rakish appearance is what gives the Matrix its unique look as well as an extra bit of room for people and their stuff. Indeed, both driver and front passenger sit higher up, much like in a small SUV or as in a car like Chrysler’s PT Cruiser. With four doors and a rear lift gate, the Matrix acts more like a wagon, but its sleek exterior easily refutes that fact.

Motorists have a choice between front wheel drive and a four wheel drive versions of the car, something not offered on the Corolla. The standard motor for the Matrix is a 1.8-liter DOHC 16-valve VVT-I 4-cylinder engine. Mated to a five speed manual transmission, the engine turns out a respectable 126hp. For more power, there is also a higher tuned version of the same engine delivering 164hp. It gets paired with a six speed manual transmission. Four wheel drive versions of the Matrix come equipped with a 4-wheel anti-lock brake system [ABS] which is optional on 2WD models.

Gas mileage for the Matrix makes the car a motorist’s dream. At 30 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, the front wheel drive version of the car produces some of the best results of any non-hybrid car sold in North America. A 13 gallon fuel tank makes 400 mile trips a possibility on just one tank of gas; this is particularly good for the student who has to drive back and forth between college campus and home.

Unlike many cars of its size, the aftermarket crowd has produced a wide variety of products to help Matrix owners customize their vehicles. Hood protectors, tail light covers, polymer air dams, fog lights, hood scoops and vents, mud flaps, and paintable window covers are some of the Toyota parts and accessories pitched to youth, who are the primary owners of the Matrix.

MSRP starts at US$15,110 [CDN$17,200] with a top of the line Matrix topping out at just under US$20K to about CDN$25K.

For the entire North American market, Toyota sells nearly 100,000 Matrix’ per year. Not bad for a car whose origins are fairly simple but whose heart is truly sporty and youth minded.

2007 Chevrolet Tahoe: Leaning Towards Safety

2010-01-04T08:22:00.001-08:00

The 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe has been designed and crafted by Chevrolet the automobile manufacturer with family safety in mind. Just like any other vehicle from Chevrolet, the 2007 Tahoe has made it a point to be able to perform well as well as provide safety before a crash, during a crash, as well as after a crash. This vehicle comes in three trim levels that comprise of the LS, the LT, and the LTZ.

The 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe is one of the first creations of General Motors as per new full size sport utility vehicles. The interior layout of this vehicle is quite symmetrical and very engaging. It also incorporates a build quality that is vastly superior to any other previous vehicles crafted by the company. The vehicle had dropped off the hard plastic trim framing controls and put in its place modern and cohesive construction that provides and exudes a more European look. The new interior holds beautiful import materials thus providing a premium-touch surface and a tasteful element in styling. As per noise, this hubbub from the road and the wind is well hidden and kept away from its passengers. It holds the capacity to absorb persistent surface degradation. The whole vehicle is very rattle-free.

As per the company’s leaning towards safety, they have included several features so as to showcase their efforts in providing extreme safety during inevitable accidents, crashes, and collisions. Antilock brake systems, or also known as ABS, has been designed so as to assist in maintaining steering control. This system does this by reducing wheel lockup during hard braking on slippery surfaces. The StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System has been added in so as to improve vehicle stability especially on slick surfaces. When this feature senses that the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe is not responding to steering input, it automatically adjusts the engine torque and brake pressure at each wheel so as to assist the driver in getting the Tahoe back on track. Other safety features include Daytime Running Lamps, the OnStar system, the Lower Anchors and Top tethers for Children, or LATCH, system, frontal air bags, side-impact airbags, head-curtain side air bags, and front air bags with passenger sensing system.

Other features of the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe include bumpers, power doors, black door handles, halogen fog lamps, a luggage rack with center rails, heated mirrors, a rear parking assist, 17-inch aluminum wheels, cargo mats, cargo shades for the third row, a cruise control, climate controls, an electric defogger, a remote keyless entry, an adjusted and tilt wheel steering column, a sunroof, sun visors, temperature control and a theft-deterrent system among many others.

Whether having a journey on extreme conditions or on sleepy town roads, the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe deserves excellent maintenance so as to be able for this vehicle to continuously offer the best functionality and longevity. Maintenance involves taking care of its parts as well as involving replace worn out parts. Worn out parts could jeopardize the health of the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe and could pose to be a danger for its driver and passengers. Excellent and quality Chevrolet Tahoe and Chevrolet car parts could be found at Auto Parts Discount’s online store. Auto Parts Discount is one of the leading online stores where owners can get guaranteed high quality parts at low prices.

2007 Dodge Caliber: A Lean and Mean Machine

2010-01-04T07:31:00.001-08:00

The new 2007 Dodge Caliber has been set so as to be the very first car from Chrysler to offer a continuously variable transmission or CVT. This new vehicle will also hold the new World Engine family that has gasoline engines with four cylinders. Along with that, enter the 2007 Dodge Caliber with a new electronic all wheel drive system plus another new part – a 2.0 liter diesel engine. More power has been made to this vehicle, it seems.

This new vehicle from the Dodge brand is targeting the market that holds the 20-somethings who are also first time new car buyers. Their statistics show that mostly these consumers are those who have a median income of around $45,000. Although, of course, anybody who wants a Dodge Caliber can buy a Dodge Caliber.

This vehicle sports five doors. It has a profile that is very much like a combination of a sports car and a coupe. Yet, it also has the strength, stance, and great functionality of a sports utility vehicle. The 2007 Dodge Caliber has a very sheer surface treatment. This evokes attention and exudes just what a Dodge is – bold, powerful, capable, and very street smart. Unmistakably, the 2007 Dodge Caliber is totally a Dodge vehicle.

Aside from the change and improvement in power, the 2007 Dodge Caliber also boasts of new styling designs that is very much has a crossover feel. The design is very much a Dodge’s and it is very much predicted that it will make soaring sales internationally. It sports innovative features for its owners and users. The change in power now gives its driver the chance to do more things unlike previously.

The 2007 Dodge Caliber redefines the whole idea of an entry-level vehicle. It comes with high value as well as bold styling that is unmistakably a Dodge and a very flexible interior that is the delight of its passengers. This vehicle has been designed so as to target the fancy of people and consumers who are opting for a Dodge attitude as well as the capability and versatility that a sports car could only hold. However, despite these, the 2007 Dodge Caliber still retains the affordability and excellent fuel efficiency of an entry level vehicle. This vehicle gives its owners the flexibility to seat more friends and family as well as store in more packages and stuff in its rear storage area.

George Murphy, the senior vice president in Global Marketing of Daimler Chrysler, states, “Dodge Caliber is not your typical small car. The all new 2007 Dodge Caliber redefines the compact car by combining crossover styling with space-efficient packaging, interior flexibility, innovative features, and affordable performance. Caliber allows owners around the globe to be active, do more, and stand out – to live life to the fullest, and do so at a very competitive price.”

2007 Lincoln MKX Is The New Kid on the Block

2010-01-04T06:21:00.001-08:00

The 2007 Lincoln MKX is viewed as a luxury crossover, meaning that it combines the luxury found in high-end sedans with the functionality of an SUV. The MKX is a break out car for Lincoln, as Ford is reaching out to appeal to younger buyers. With the MKX being favorably compared to the Acura MDX, the Lexus RX, the Cadillac SRX, the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, and the BMW X3, the Lincoln Aviator's replacement is carving out a very nice niche. The "new kid" has the power to back up its hype with a 3.5-liter Duratec 35 V6, 265 horsepower and a six-speed, transverse automatic transmission. The transmission, which is known as 6F, was co-developed by Ford and GM at an R&D cost over $1 billion.

The MKX is available with all the bells and whistles, including heated-and-cooled front seats and cooled backseats; a rear-seats DVD entertainment system; a sunroof with powered shading; a DVD-based navigational system; a Soundmark THX II-certified audio system with 14 speakers; a Sirius satellite radio; an auxiliary MP3 outlet; a reverse-sensing system; adaptive front headlamps; and 18-inch, eight-spoke machined aluminum wheels. The vehicle has side-impact, seat-mounted airbags and side-impact airbag curtains, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Additionally, there is a special-latch system for children's safety, front-seat airbags, and auto-adjusting seatbelts for safety.

The 2007 Lincoln MKX comes in nine snazzy colors, with seven of the colors having a metallic edge. The price range of the MKX is approximately $35,000 to $45,000 per Lincoln's website. Of course, optional equipment and features are available.

It is safe. It performs well. It is flashy. The '07 Lincoln MKX is not your daddy's Lincoln. But it could be yours.

2007 Mazda CX-7: Mazda’s Entry To The Crossover Segment

2010-01-04T05:39:00.001-08:00

For Mazda Motor Corporation, the 2007 Mazda CX-7 is the very first vehicle for the company. Well, the very first entry of the company to the crossover sport utility vehicle segment and category which is rapidly gaining fame and name in the auto world. It certainly would not be surprising if one day, we are hit by the fact that the crossover SUV segment has already become the most sought after segment in the automotive industry and the 2007 Mazda CX-7 would surely be blazing along.

Destined for 2007, the Mazda CX-7 has been crafted as a midsize vehicle in the mentioned segment. Thinking about it, other entrants to the crossover SUV category like the Dodge Nitro, Mitsubishi Endeavor, Subaru B9 Tribeca, Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota Highlander, should be on the lookout for this new one. It has also been built in one body style which is the wagon that holds four doors. In North America, the Mazda CX-7 actually took the place that used to belong to the Mazda MPV. Sure enough, auto parts dealers that offer Mazda speed Protégé performance parts are also making sure that their collection of parts would now include replacement parts for this blazing new Mazda vehicle.

According to auto experts, when they first took a glance at the Mazda CX-7, they actually noticed that it looked more like a wagon rather than the SUV which it actually is. It is even stylish plus holds a lot in height. Under the hood of this breakthrough vehicle is an engine that could produce some 244 units of horsepower. And if you think that you can only take in your wife for a ride and would have to bring the kids next time, keep in mind that the Mazda CX-7 has the capacity to transport five passengers in its cabin plus a load of cargo in its back.

2007 New Car Extravaganza!

2010-01-03T17:05:00.001-08:00

Months ago, in a related article, I covered five new or revised car models set to be launched on the North American market. The Jaguar XK, Saturn Sky, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Land Rover Freelander, and Dodge Nitro are already in showrooms or soon to make their appearance there. Beyond these five there are quite a number of other models also being planned and some have already been released. Let’s take a look at five more models catching the attention of auto enthusiasts everywhere.

Nissan Versa – Yes, Nissan has its own Scion fighter planned and just in time too as two other cars, the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, will also be making their debut in the fast crowding Generation “Y” category. The Versa looks more like a Toyota Matrix as opposed to the bread box looking Scion xB. Available as a four door sedan or five door hatchback, the car will come equipped not stripped and include an AM/FM/CD sound system, air conditioning, 6 speed manny tranny, and power mirrors as standard equipment. Best of all, the roomy Versa will be priced at about $12,000, right in Scion territory.

Saturn Aura – Finally, General Motors is paying some serious attention to Saturn, its “sometime” division. Now that Oldsmobile is out of the way, GM appears ready to take a look at how best to position the Saturn brand. Thanks to GM’s European division, Opel, Saturn looks as if it will benefit from a few new models and the Aura sedan is one of them. Powered by a 3.6L V6, the Aura is shapely, stylish, and much more inviting than its “L Series” predecessor which was also Opel inspired.

Dodge Caliber – Dodge’s Neon replacement goes where no small Dodge has gone before it. The five door wagon/hatchback sits on beefy 19 inch wheels and incorporates the aggressive Dodge crosshairs grille so popular on all of its vehicles. Three engine choices including 1.8L, 2.0L, and 2.4L I4s set the vehicle apart from the crowd. Dodge will be marketing the car well beyond North America in DCX’s quest to spread the Dodge brand worldwide. With a base price around $14,000 the Caliber will be competitive. Still, a Mexican built Scion like “Hornet” will likely become the entry level car within a few years as DCX prepares to take on Scion and the coming cheaply priced Chinese cars.

Volkswagen Minivan – A yet to be named minivan will soon be marketed by Volkswagen. Not much has to be done by VW to prepare for the vehicle’s arrival as it will be a rebadged version of Chrysler’s successful minivans, the Caravan and Town & Country. Yes, VW is turning to its German competitor to fill a void in its line up. For its part, VW will be sharing technology with DCX in the form of the Scion like Dodge Hornet to be built in Mexico. The Hornet will be based on the VW Polo, another vehicle that may be imported to the US market.

Ford Edge – The crossover market heats up with the introduction of the Ford Edge. Marketed between the Escape and Explorer, the Edge will be powered by a 3.5L V6 and be available as front wheel drive people mover or in all wheel drive. Lincoln gets a gussied up version of the Edge called the Aviator.

Other vehicles being introduced include full size trucks and SUVs for General Motors, the Saturn Sky convertible, a revamped Toyota Camry, and new offerings from Kia, Hyundai, and Honda.

The choices for consumers continues to broaden and model year 2007 will be no exception.

2006 Chevy Impala SS: More Vroom!

2010-01-03T13:31:00.000-08:00

Chevy’s flagship car, the Impala, finally has the power to match its heralded name. Ever since the car was redesigned in the late 1990s, the Impala has been more of a pretender than a performer. Now with an optional small block 5.3L V8 added to the mix, the 2006 Chevrolet Impala can go toe to toe with the Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Charger. The changes for the Impala are not all under the hood, Chevy took the time to redo the entire car and they did it with care. Let’s look at some of the changes for 2006.

More Power – A V6 is a great engine, especially in these times of high gas prices. Still, if you opt for a car of the Impala’s size, at least having the option of purchasing a V8 makes sense, doesn’t it? You better believe it. GM has sweetened the deal by plunking in a V8 that incorporates Corvette technology as the engine heads with “their pent–roof combustion chambers and flat–top pistons deliver high horsepower”, this according to Chevrolet’s promotional material. In addition, GM’s “displacement on demand” technology allows the V8 to squeeze out a miserly 28 mpg on the highway [18 mpg city] with computer equipment that shuts down unneeded cylinders at the appropriate time. Cadillac tried this in the early 1980s with its V8-6-4 engine that failed to live up to the job as computing technology then wasn’t what it is today. Fortunately, current GM technology makes this a reality for current models.

Better Looks – When it comes to “looks” beauty is subjective. Yet, previous Impala models had a bit of a pedestrian look to them. In the highly competitive large sedan category, this can easily mean lost sales as the choices for similarly priced, but more aggressive looking cars is strong. All new sheetmetal, a more assertive nose – similar to the Cobalt’s – and updated headlights and tail lights gives the Impala a fresh and assertive look.

More Models – 6 in fact. The return of the “SS” as the signature model should help sales. SS, or “Super Sport” is a term that was originally used for the 1961 Impala and by the mid 60s came to represent each of the performance models in the fleet. The Chevelle, Nova, and Camaro all had that designation then while the Impala, Cobalt, Malibu, and TrailBlazer wear it today.

Improved Interior – If you are going to change the skin and what is found under the hood, you might as well dress up the interior, right? The LTZ model – who the heck knows what that stands for – has heated front bucket seats trimmed in leather. Throw in 8 way power and lumbar support for the driver and you are talking top of the line comfort. On select models new “flip and fold” rear seating is available; side curtain air bags for the front seat is standard on all Impalas; and keyless entry, power windows, tilt wheel, OnStar, cruise control, and a host of other features all come standard on the Impala.

Prices start in the low 20s {US} and climb to nearly 30K {US} for fully loaded SS models. How the SS sells remains to be seen, but its bold, fresh look will certainly appeal to those who previously dismissed the Impala.

2006 Chevrolet Aveo: America’s Price Leader

2010-01-03T13:05:00.001-08:00

The only thing American about the compact Aveo automobile is it’s Chevrolet name. Built in Korea [or in China] by GM Daewoo, the Aveo is America’s price champion coming in at just under ten thousand dollars. That’s right; you can still purchase a new car in the USA for under ten thousand dollars excluding taxes, dealer prep, and destination charges. Let’s take a closer look at Chevy’s bargain basement people hauler.

Available as either a four door sedan or as a five door hatchback, the Chevrolet Aveo fills an important niche in the Chevy line up as an entry level econocar. Priced nearly five thousand dollars less than Chevy’s next most expensive model, the Cobalt, the Aveo allows for Chevrolet to contend for a piece of the youth market. The Aveo is expressly targeted to compete against similar models from Scion, Kia, Hyundai, and Toyota.

So, exactly what do consumers get for their money, particularly with a base model? For starters, the Aveo comes with tires, a steering wheel, bumpers, and safety glass. Seriously, standard equipment for the Aveo is a 1.6L I4 engine paired with a 5 speed manny tranny. Air conditioning will cost you extra, but the base equipment list does include an AM/FM radio, rear wiper, a cargo cover, and side impact air bags for the driver and front seat passenger. Option packages include better sound, air, an automatic transmission, and a host of other accessories.

With a 97 inch wheelbase and a curb weight of nearly 2350 pounds, the Aveo certainly is a contender in the lightweight category. Headroom of nearly 40 inches allows taller drivers easier access, but one can only wonder if anyone would find the Aveo all that comfortable to begin with based on the car’s size and the quality of the seating?

GM Daewoo [50.1% owned by General Motors] recently released a new version of the Aveo [called the Gentra in Korea] that currently is only available in Asia. The new Gentra/Aveo incorporates a rounder exterior departing from the dated wedged shape of the current Aveo. No official word as of this writing if and when the new model will make its American debut.

While the Aveo is certain not to win many awards, it does provide for consumers possessing limited means an affordable mode of transportation. For Chevrolet, who was lacking a basic home grown model, the Aveo brings in buyers who might have otherwise bypassed Chevy dealers and headed directly to Scion or Kia for their first car. Beyond that the Aveo is a truly forgettable car and first time buyers may want to consider a good used car instead.

2006 Chevy Corvette: Promises of Amazement

2010-01-03T12:16:00.001-08:00

The 2006 Chevy Corvette comes as a well balanced package in a vehicle. It has set refinement in its interior and stance as well as exuding the modern sports car feel. For the past years, the Chevy Corvette has consequently received and bagged the Car of the Year award. Starting out as rumors, the 2006 Chevy Corvette has certainly made sure that it would live and outlive the gossip running about. General Motors has made a statement that the 2006 Chevy Corvette is quickest and fastest car that the company has ever produced.

This vehicle comes with sophistication and is a high-performance machine. In many ways, the Chevy Corvette shows off its well-mannered and simply ride dynamics as well as an ultra-slick powertrain performance. Its interior is very much made from quality materials that provides a pleasant and comforting experience for those who would be riding in it. To increase down force, the Chevy Corvette will have a rear lip added to it and will also exhibit a more rounded trailing edge.

This new car has certainly benefited from its advanced hydro forming frame-rail process that was first introduced to the Chevy C5. The adding in and mounting of Magne Ride shock absorbers has proven to be an advantage for it has provided the 2006 Chevy Corvette an active handling as well as an innovative ride system. This vehicle also bears the Chevy C6 powertrain as well as other technologies that are top in its class. The vehicle’s engine has the capacity and capability to make 500 horsepower at around 6,200 rpm. Optional is the 7.0 liter LS7 V8 engine that is hand built.

This new vehicle would also sport several color schemes that would include white, red, and gold. As for the 2006 Chevy Corvette’s exterior, it will boast a more daring look that will reflect General Motor’s willingness to accept risks when it comes to style and design. The 2006 Chevy Corvette will combine soft curves with machined edges. It will also show off its bold aesthetic design as well as its muscular form and shape from its chiseled front, muscular fenders and flares to its street dominating attitude. The vehicle will hold a full aluminum chassis, large brakes, carbon fiber front fenders and a magnesium engine cradle as well as a removable roof panel.

As for the 2006 Chevy Corvette’s styling, the vehicle will show off great differences to its predecessors. The front end will receive a revised larger air inlet. Also added in would be a function hood scoop, new side vents, a rear lip spoiler and very unique wheels. The vehicle also lost its power passenger seat along with the electric seat bolsters. By eliminating these, the 2006 Chevy Corvette would be saving much on weight. However, what comes as standard are dual zone air conditioning, leather upholstery made in two tones, and a head up display system. Options for this vehicle include a Bose stereo, side impact airbags, a navigation system, and polished wheels.

For the original and best car on the market, nothing is befitting than the excellently crafted Chevy Corvette parts and Chevy parts at Car Parts Rush. This online store has in its stock the highest quality Chevy auto parts that will retain the Chevy’s driving dynamics coupled up with high technology and amazing design. Customers and visitors can simply browse at Car Parts Rush’s website and they can understand why customers and Chevy enthusiasts keep coming back to Car Parts Rush for their auto body parts. Aside from that, Car Parts Rush also takes care of a the task that it has given itself – providing loyalty to its customers along with providing excellent products and unequalled service.

2006 BMW Z4 Roadster: Meeting The Roadster Ethics

2010-01-03T07:07:00.000-08:00

It has a long bonnet, a much lower waistline, a rear wheel drive system, and two seats set close to the floor. And this is the 2006 BMW Z4 Roadster. And it has been said that this vehicle follows the unwritten rules of the roadster ethic because of its characteristics. It has a front axle aluminum spring strut configuration with a precise rank and pinion steering. Just made specifically for the 2006 BMW Z4 Roadster is the rear axle and this axle is very much able to withstand the forces that are applied by different things and factors that include the driver, the road, and the whole 368 pounds per foot of torque.

It is no surprise that the 2006 BMW Z4 Roadster still has the power and ability to set car lovers and aficionados’ hearts racing. Yes, the 2006 BMW Z4 Roadster is exceptionally great and filled with passion. This vehicle sports two seats that is a tradition with BMW vehicles. It also contains an interior that is finely sculpted just like its exterior. It has eye-catching new touches that include the center console and steering wheel. Some parts have also been done in with finishes that are in the same color as its seat trim. The controls are mounted so as to provide an aesthetic finish. And BMW has once again done it. It has created the ultimate driving machine that is the modern yet interpretation of roadsters and has combined this with a beautiful combination of appeal, power, and performance.

New features and specifications had been added to the 2006 BMW Z4 Roadster. The list includes new tail lights with integrated light conductors and horizontal lines, a new rear design that gives off a wider, lower and more muscular look, sophisticated and top quality materials, additional choice of colors, and a more refined interior. Also, this new vehicle comes with a new folding roof that is extremely compact. The front and rigid section of the new roof moves down on top of the fabric roof like a cover. This then locks in position with the body of the car. It is very much easy to open and close with just one hand. And the heated rear window is made from scratch-proof mineral glass to make it scratch-free. However, if you do not like this new roof, you have the option of having instead the fully automatic and electrically operated roof. This is opened and closed with the use of a remote control.

To know more about the 2006 BMW Z4 Roadster and other vehicles, you can simply visit Auto Parts Discount. The site holds tons of information regarding the vehicle makes and car brands. Visitors and interested parties may also purchase BMW parts and accessories at the Auto Parts Discount site. Auto Parts Discount is one of the leading suppliers of BMW parts and accessories like crash parts, bumpers and air deflectors to name a few. It holds a wide collection of parts that are made from quality and durable materials. These parts have also gone through the required standards so as to meet the manufacturer’s criterion.

2006 Buick Lucerne: Return of the V8

2010-01-03T06:34:00.001-08:00

The venerable Buick Park Avenue is no more, having been replaced by the all new Buick Lucerne, a down market version of the Cadillac DTS. With a 275-hp Northstar V8 engine, the Lucerne becomes the first Buick car in nearly ten years to arrive equipped with a V8. The entire Buick line up is in the process of being overhauled, so let’s take a look at this make’s newest flagship and see how it plays a part in GM’s overall strategy.

If you are a fan of the Buick brand you have witnessed your fair share of changes over the past five years. Gone are the Park Avenue, LeSabre, Century, and Regal, and in its place are the Rendezvous, the Rainier, LaCrosse, Terrazza, and the Lucerne. All the changes are the result of General Motors’ broad realignment strategy in the wake of retiring the Oldsmobile brand, lifting Saturn into the fold, and setting strategy to compete against the nonstop onslaught of foreign brands including Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, and Infiniti.

One look at the Buick and you will notice a strong resemblance to the Cadillac DTS. The Buick’s oval grille sets it apart from the Cadillac’s firm nose, but a cursory examination of the body lines tells you that these cars are in fact twins. In the past, Buicks were essentially “stripped down” versions of Cadillacs, while Oldsmobile and Pontiac were more luxurious or sportier versions of Chevrolet models. Clearly, GM is repositioning Buick to have a more distinct “near luxury” look without stepping on Cadillac’s toes, while giving the Buick division a much needed replacement for the aging Park Avenue.

For the car shopper, the Lucerne is value priced, arriving at in showrooms at just under 27K. With a standard 3.8 V6, the automaker can claim decent fuel mileage of 19 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. In these days of hyped up gas prices, favorable fuel economy is a keen marketing tool, but expect many buyers to opt for the ultra powerful Northstar V8 instead. Why? Because, if they want to purchase a Buick, they likely will want the power to go along with the luxury. It remains to be seen how well the V6 operates in a car that is 203 inches long and weighing in at nearly two tons.

Standard equipment for the Lucerne includes the following: power windows, door locks, and mirrors; side curtain air bags for the front seat; theft deterrent system; OnStar; keyless entry; and more.

The optional equipment list is expansive and can easily drive the starting price of the top of the line CSX to over 35K. For that price you receive heated power seats with lumbar support; a memory package that adjusts the seats, mirrors, radio, and climate control to each driver’s specifications; sport leather steering wheel with built in controls; and more.

A fully loaded Lucerne is still several thousand dollars less than the DTS, making the Lucerne a value leader in the luxury car category. Still, Buick has its work cut out for it as competition from foreign brands including Acura, BMW, and Lexus continue to hammer away at GM’s “near luxury” division. Fortunately, quality levels for all Buicks remain very high so combining that level of success with a strong price may help the Lucerne compete admirably.

2006 Audi A3: Heading Towards the American Market

2010-01-02T18:36:00.001-08:00

The 2006 Audi A3 has revolutionized the automobile industry. It has made its own set of standards as per its class. It provides appeal, personality, dynamism, ambition, and ambience. And that is all in one vehicle. When Audi was creating this vehicle, it was a crucial moment for them. The company had created the 2006 Audi A3 so as to seek the niche and claim equality with its rivals from Bavaria and Stuttgart. This time, the 2006 Audi A3 will make its way to the United States automobile market.

This new vehicle from Audi provides a responsive and adjustable ride that is very much like the BMW Compact. The 2006 Audi A3 has been specially crafted so as to provide tactile qualities for its major controls. Like its throttle pedal as an example. The Audi A3’s throttle pedal now pivots, just like a BMW, from the floor. The brake has also been ideally positioned so as to provide great heel and toe control. The long throw gearshift of the old Audi A3 has been replaced and discarded for a unit that is faster and is more positive. New for the vehicle is an electromechanical steering and it varies it assistance as per the vehicle’s speed.

The European predecessor of the Audi A3 had soft curves. This new one has been given a harder edge. It sports a stronger and a more boastful demeanor. It has high set shoulder lines that gives the Audi A3 a more hunched and determined stance. It is less elegant than its older sibling however it sports and exudes more power. In order to provide more cabin space, this vehicle has had its shape expanded. The wheelbase welcomed in an additional 2.5 inches. It also is 1.1 inches wider than before. Every passenger is given luxury and comfort inside its spacious and roomy interior. The chairs also are comfortable and provide utmost support. The atmosphere inside the cabin simply provides premium quality. This is given more emphasis as Audi had also given the Audi A3 round air vents and easy to use air conditioning controls.

The 2006 Audi A3 has been bequeathed and bestowed with features that include power outside mirrors with defoger, a power rear window wiper, side indicator lights mounted in its front fenders, the anti-lock brake system (ABS) with vacuum power assist, Sideguard™ head protection airbags for its front and rear passengers, power central locking system with safety unlock feature, the LATCH system, child safety rear door locks, manually adjustable driver and front passenger seats with active head restraints, power sport driver seat and manually adjustable sport front passenger seat, 60/40 split-fold rear seat, cloth seat upholstery, leather seating surfaces, a 4-spoke steering wheel, electronic cruise control with coast, resume and acceleration features, and illuminated glove box, rear cargo area, lighter and ashtray, power windows with power retention.

The new 2006 Audi A3’s total package of design and performance puts it at the head of its own class. Maintaining the Audi A3’s performance can be well taken cared of by superior Audi auto parts from Auto Accessories Giant. Auto Accessories Giant’s extensive array of maximum quality Audi accessories are available 24 hours a day.

2006 Acura CL: Traditional yet Modern

2010-01-02T13:59:00.001-08:00

2006 Acura RL: Offering Comfort

2010-01-02T12:44:00.000-08:00

Offering a 3.5 liter V6 engine with 24 valves is the 2006 Acura RL which is a luxury sedan. With this kind of engine installed in this vehicle, the 2006 Acura RL has the capacity to take up to 225 horsepower at 5200 rpm. The 2006 Acura RL has been made available in two trim levels which comprise of the sedan and the sedan with a navigation system. This vehicle also sports an interior that exudes that kind of luxury that only an Acura has the privilege of providing customers. Its interior also boasts seats with leather trimming, as well as a steering wheel wrapped with the same skin. All these add up to provide an easy kind of comfort making this vehicle something to consider greatly. The 2006 Acura RL could be very much compared to and compete with the Audi A6, the Jaguar S Type, and the Volvo S80.

The 2006 Acura RL also has a seating capacity that provides support and comfort at the same time. This vehicle offers a maximum seating capacity of five people, without the cramped kind of space. The driver’s seat has an eight way power seat with a two-position memory system. This driver’s seat also could be adjustable with its lumbar support giving this kind of option. The front passenger seat on the other hand has a four-way power seat that could be adjusted as per its passenger’s preferences and liking. More features for seating includes heated front seats, a Burled camphor wood trim, and a rear seat center armrest that contains a dual beverage holder. The interior of the 2006 Acura RL could very much compete with the Lexus LS 430 and the Mercedes Benz E-Class for it exudes luxury in every way. With front seats that are firm enough for good support that would never give its passengers a hard time on their back side, this vehicle also adds in seat springs that have been specially designed with computers so as to assist in dampening vibration.

This vehicle has been crafted and manufactured using high-tensile steel and aluminum materials, along with lightweight aluminum front and rear frames. This also has heated outside mirrors with driver recognition and an independent multi-link rear suspension. There are also LED backlit gauges so as to provide progressive illumination, and a flush junction between the side glass and B-pillars. The 2006 Acura RL also contains an electronically controlled, speed-sensing, variable power-assist rack and pinion steering, along with high quality aluminum-alloy wheels. Part of the whole system for this vehicle are four-wheel anti-lock braking system with Electronic Brake Distribution, Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control, and Xenon High-Intensity Discharge headlights with Active Front Lighting System.

The 2006 Acura RL provides a more power and fuel efficient engine that creates an innovative and distinct power for this vehicle. It also provides assistance systems and a wide range of safety features for its passengers. This kind of vehicle needs no less than superior Acura auto parts when the need arises. And this is where Auto Parts Discount comes in. This online store boasts a vast array of well crafted Acura replacement parts, performance parts, and accessories. Customers can choose Acura parts from Auto Parts Discount’s online store at Auto Parts Discount. This collection of Acura auto parts has been made available twenty-four hours a day to serve Acura parts needs.

18 Simple Ways To Save Money On Your Car

2010-01-02T12:02:00.001-08:00

After you get recommendations for honest mechanics, call around to check out the prices for certain jobs. It’s always smart to get a second opinion.

How about some preventative medicine? Keep your gas tank filled. This will help you avoid the gas line freezing up in cold weather. Also, driving on “fumes” allows little pieces of dirt at the bottom of your gas tank to run through the fuel lines with the last drops of gas. This debris clogs up the fuel filter and can cause carburettor damage as well.

Sometimes a problem with your car’s electrical system results from a simple blown fuse. Check to see if you have any blown fuses before investing in a tow truck! Keep track of how much oil your car uses. A sudden change in oil consumption means you need to see a technician. Save your brakes by having your brake fluid changed every 30,000 miles. Check your tire pressure once a month. This simple maintenance check can add up savings at the gas pump!

Stop and go traffic causes excess wear and tear on your vehicle. Go ahead and give your car a nice twenty minute ride at 55 mph on the highway every couple weeks if you “major” in short trips.

There are other ways to save money on car expenses. Let’s look at the insurance payments.

If you’ve budgeted for possible out-of-pocket expenses in case of a car accident, you might want to consider increasing your insurance deductible to $500. This will lower the cost of your insurance.

Talk to your insurance agent. If your car is as old as the hills, you might want to drop collision coverage to save money.

Car insurance companies offer a variety of discounts. Ask your agent if the company offers reductions for driver training courses, anti-lock brakes, car alarms, air bags, mature drivers, good students or maintaining a good driving record.

Before you purchase from a dealer, ask about the dealer's return policy, get it in writing and read it carefully. Dealers are not required by law to give used car buyers a three-day right to cancel.

Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.10 per gallon for gas.

In most cases, using cruise control on the highway will save gas.

Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. This isn’t going to cost you an arm or leg either.

Do your homework when buying a car from an auction. Many vehicles that have been damaged by floods and hurricanes are going on the market. These won’t last long – leaving you with a flood of bills. Be a little concerned if the carpet looks too new, and check carefully for signs of rust.

If you use your car for business, keep track of miles travelled so that you can use this for a tax deduction. Get more info at irs.gov.

When you consider all the ways you can save money on your current vehicle, you might be persuaded to put away the extra each month for a new car down the road!

10 Tips For Getting Your Car Ready For Warm Weather Driving

2010-01-02T11:10:00.001-08:00

The first warm weekend of the season traditionally triggers a symphony of cleaning products, vacuums and garden hoses. But while you might be in a hurry to put a shine on your vehicle, it's equally important to make sure it's ready for the warm weather on the inside as well as the outside.

"The most critical areas to check after the harsh winter months are engine fluids, radiator hoses, belts, tires and brakes," says Pat Goss, host of PBS' "MotorWeek" and Washington Post automotive columnist. "Adequately preparing these key areas of the car before the weather warms up will not only keep you safe while driving, they'll help prevent costly repairs."

After battling months of snow, sleet and icy roads, your vehicle is undoubtedly in need of some serious care. To make your spring trouble-free, follow this 10-point checklist for safety, dependability and fuel economy.

1. Remove your winter tires and rotate all-season radials-If you have winter tires, it's time to store them away. If you don't have winter tires, it's equally important to have all-season tires rotated or switched out for new ones.

2. Brake check-After a blistering winter, be sure to check your brakes. Warning signs include excessive grinding, squealing, screeching or chatter.

3. Wiper blades check-Wipers work hard over the winter months, wiping away dirt and debris on your windshield. Replace them in the spring before a shower makes it difficult to see.

4. Clean the underbody-In addition to washing the exterior, be sure to spray the underbody of your vehicle and underneath the rear and front bumpers to rinse away any salt build-up, which can lead to erosion and rusting. Use a high-pressure sprayer or garden hose for best results.

5. Apply a protectant-Any vinyl surface, such as the seats and the steering wheel, is susceptible to cracking, sun damage, and fading-so be sure to apply a protectant at the beginning of the season and touch-up regularly.

6. Change your oil-Give some thought to the kind of motor oil you have in your engine. Fully synthetic oils, such as Mobil 1, are specifically designed to protect your engine in hot weather, while optimizing your engine's efficiency and reducing oil consumption. (For more information about Mobil 1, go to www.mobiloil.com.)

7. Check all fluids-In the winter months, fluids are easily depleted as your engine works harder in the colder weather. Make sure to check, top off or replace all fluids, including brake, transmission, coolant, power steering and windshield washer fluid.

8. Pressure test-Assess the pressure of the cooling system, and examine belts and hoses for wear or deterioration.

9. Interior clean-up-Vacuum and be sure to throw away any unwanted garbage that has hibernated under your seats over the winter. Now is also the time to store your winter car mats in the garage.

10. Wash your car-All vehicles regardless of the finish (clear coat, acrylic, enamel, etc.) require regular washing throughout the year. To preserve your car's shine and protect the surface, wax your vehicle once it has dried completely.

"The warm weather is here-so be sure to follow these simple tips to ensure vehicle dependability in the warm months ahead," says Goss. "By taking care of your vehicle, it will more likely take care of you. And it will do it for a lot less money."

10 things every car buyer must know

2010-01-02T09:44:00.000-08:00

Buying a car needs not just investment but deep thought. The market is overflowing with choices and temptations. Buyers need to think, what kind of car and can I afford it?

Think, what do I need transportation for right now and what will I need two years from now? Do I want a car as a status symbol or as something that makes my life easier? Will the car be a commuter vehicle, or to transport children? Would a van with cargo space and high clearance be more suitable for a growing family? Should the car be a two-wheel or four-wheel drive? What kind of terrain will I be driving in most of the time? Go through auto magazines as well as consumer reports to get a clear picture of the world of cars.

1. Work on your finances and determine what you need to spend each month on transportation. A car should not cost more than 10% of your net pay per month. If it is more, then consider leasing a car instead of buying one.

2. Before you finalize anything, find out what the target price is. Four figure discounts are available with almost every make.

3. Never sign an arbitration clause or blank financial forms. Try and get finance from a separate source, a bank or financial institution.

4. Haggling will get you a good deal apart from shopping around for finance. The market is competitive be sure to check dealer fiancé, high street, internet lenders, as well as other options.

5. Try and ensure a large down payment thereby reducing the loan to be paid. Work out your finances and choice of car such that the term of loan is for the shortest period.

6. Find out what buying incentives are on offer. These vary from audio systems to cash back offers, and 0% financing. Ask what extras and add ons will cost in addition to the price of the car.

7. Be sure to evaluate your old car independently if you are considering a trade in. Pay attention to ‘cost to change’, the difference between what the new car costs and what the old one is worth.

8. Find out about warranties, taxes, and insurance. These can eat into your budget.

9. Vet the contract well. Read the fine print. Make sure that paying off the loan before time will not carry any penalty.

10. Check out at least 3-4 dealers to gauge what the best offer is.

Test drive the vehicle before you finalize the deal and go through the car booklet page by page to understand all that the manufacturer needs to tell you. Be clear what is under warranty and what is not.

Never choose vehicle based on a picture or dream. It is not how you look in the car that’s important but how well the car will fulfill your needs. Be practical and sensible; do not buy a model because the dealership is offering a holiday for two or a low interest scheme. Identify a vehicle that suits your needs before subjecting yourself to an onslaught of marketing.

10 Good Reasons for taking Driving Lessons

2010-01-02T07:11:00.000-08:00

In a driving context, most of the decisions that you take and the techniques that you employ, will have both an economic and a safety impact. The decision to take driving lessons is really a simple one but one that will have far reaching consequences well into the future. Most, if not all, poor or dangerous habits in today’s drivers stem from the lack of professional tuition at the outset. In this second in a series of articles designed to assist today’s learner drivers we will have a look at the benefits in taking Professional Tuition.
1. Taking lessons will greatly improve your chances of staying safe and accident free since providing you retain what you have been taught, you will be probably better than many motorists who have been driving for considerably longer. Lack of sufficient training, or even no training at all which is common in Ireland, will inevitably lead to accidents at a very early stage in the driving career. Accidents are to be avoided at all costs. After all isn’t the safety of the driver, the passengers and other road users the paramount priority?
2. A course of lessons at the start of your driving career and not one month from your Driving Test, will give you the confidence you need to continue the learning process, and will form the foundation for safe motoring.
3. Taking a course of lessons will give you the chance to be accepted by an insurance company for your first Insurance policy. In fact most companies will insist on a minimum number of lessons completed by a recognised school, before a son or daughter will be admitted onto a Parent’s policy.
4. On a very topical note, the Irish Insurer Hibernian, in conjunction with the Institute of Advanced Motorists, has extended its successful Ignition scheme to provisional license holders since January 2005.Learner drivers that pass the one hour driving assessment, will be offered a 21% reduction on their insurance. This is a substantial reduction for any new driver, particularly young males under 25 years of age, and well worth achieving. Just being in the possession of a provisional license will not suffice to pass this test. A course of lessons will be needed in order to achieve the required standard and the test should not be booked until quite a high level of both competence and confidence has been reached.
5. Passing the Department of Transport Driving Test, sooner rather than later, will result in further reductions in already high Insurance costs. Lessons taken just before the Driving Test will not cut it in today’s Test environment; there is just too much to learn if one wants to be successful first time out.
6. The long waiting list for the Irish Driving Test is a great inconvenience for many learner Drivers and also their Driving Instructors. The long wait is accentuated by the huge numbers of learners who do not prepare adequately with a professional school and then are forced to re sit their Test sometimes several times over. Career aspirations can easily be affected if the journey to a full License is overly prolonged.
7. Obtaining a full driving license promptly will speed up the reduction in your insurance premiums via your annual no claims bonus, providing of course you are not involved in any accidents.
8. As a fully licensed Driver you will have much greater opportunity to shop around for a competitive insurance quote, since there are only a very few companies who will insure provisional license holders and then only at a huge premium.
9. As an addition to item number 4 as a fully licensed Driver, you may apply for the more advanced Hibernian Ignition course, providing you are in your first five years of driving .This is a full day course, the cost of which can be recouped, if you pass the practical driving assessment at the end of the day. The reduction in insurance premium for the successful candidate can be upwards of 30%, so again very worthwhile .Drivers in this category should take a refresher course with a driving school to ensure that any bad habits or techniques are eradicated. Once again it is worth pointing out that the length of your driving experience is not a guarantee of success unless you started on the right foot to begin with!
10. If, in the early days of your working life you are unlucky enough to find yourself jobless through either, takeovers, cutbacks or closures, a full Driving License will enable you to pick up an interim job very quickly while you regroup and examine your future options. There is a shortage of drivers to fill current vacancies in Europe, particularly in the commercial sector so there are great opportunities for young qualified drivers who have been well trained.

Both career and promotional opportunities abound for the fully licensed driver in any organisation. Faced with two candidates of similar qualifications, an employer will naturally favour the person with the full license pretty much every time.

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