Have a job and need a car for transportation is a mantra of many today. Owning a vehicle is not luxury anymore. You may live out in suburbia or anther area where bus service is not practical – either by availability or scheduling. It may be your schedule to get to work, or the bus companies schedule may not be frequent enough or provide logistics to get you to work easily or on time. Worse yet many cities and municipalities in an effort to save you tax money are cutting back on vital transit services for its residents. Oh well you say – what of global warming and President Obamas’s moves to the green economy. You can bet that bet few of Obamas’s top staff and bureaucrats take the bus to the White House each and every morning and in the early afternoon after the work day ends.

Yet when it comes to choosing vehicle it’s not only a question of style and looks but one of everyday practicalities and fuel economy. Sure as a young male you may have always dreamed of that high powered sleek sports car but what of bring groceries and beer home for the weekend without even considering the high cost of fuel and gasoline economy , thriftiness and your monthly cash flow and budget. Small vehicles like the Mercedes “Smart Car” may be the most economical on gas, yet what happens in a major road accident or collision in terms of personal safety and that of your family and passengers. Small may be inexpensive to buy, run and insure but too small and if you have a chance meeting with a much larger vehicle – a truck or SUV and your personal liability costs as well as hospital and medical bills may prove that choosing a small car may be poor value – and yield you poor quality of life in the end game. At the end of the day most auto purchasers seem to like run of the mill popularly sized vehicles – be they American made cars or truck, or imports.

Every driver and auto owner has their own personal preferences often involving their own particular reasons and biases. However just like real estate when you purchase a vehicle think of resale. Its not only resale price involved but also demand for the automotive or transportation product at hand. A high end Porsche or BMW may fetch a good resale price and keep its value – yet in you neck of the woods there just many not be that many auto purchasers and those actively looking in the market who feel that they justify the expense of your particular vehicle. Sure you can expand you catchments area of sales with an online service such as eBay. Yet eBay involves extra costs and expertise. Many people, especially older more conservative types who while established in life having the cash to buy such a dream exotic vehicle shy away from eBay due to concerns from buyers of problems of theft, non payment, logistical issues, comebacks and a whole host of real and imagined issues. Sure they could go to an eBay broker or a person who has the expertise and positive feedback on eBay who certifies as an eBay ‘Trading Assistant”, yet in the end many wonder first if they feel comfortable in such a situation, there are extra fees involved and by the end of the sales process one wonders if it was worth all the bother.

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Posted by FrancesT. | No Comments »

The love for motorcycles is evident as you would witness different gatherings all over the world. As noticed, it is chosen by different individuals because it is very easy to maneuver and at the same time it is a convenient vehicle for traveling. You can sneak it in to any kind of traffic most especially that it is a smaller in size and uses two tires only unlike that of your cars. You can enjoy the beautiful weather as you breathe in the fresh air when driving one.

Kansas a state situated in the Midwestern region of America is one of the places where motorcycle enthusiasts gather. Throughout the year, there are certain events where people come together to do different activities as a sign of their passion for this all-time favorite vehicle. If you live within the areas of the state, you can join the following events. You can bring along your family and some of your friends. There are activities prepared for every one so that they will have a great time.

Thunder on the Plains Motorcycle Rally is one of the events that you can join. It is held at Wright Park in Dodge City. There are different activities that they set for this occasion. There is a live concert where you can listen to the music that they play. With a great number of people, it is best to have streetwise stun guns that will keep you safe. There are also poker games, bike shows and steak dinner. The proceeds of the event are intended for those affected by cancer and the family of the veterans.

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Posted by JosephPressley | No Comments »

While used or pre-owned vehicles have always been popular with savers, due to the current economic trend, automobile upgrades and discontinuation of many popular models suggest there will be more demand for used cars now and in the future than one has ever seen before. For, while new bio-diesel, diesel, electric, and hybrid vehicles offer great new features, many individuals prefer the traditional makes and models of times both past and present. As such, as more and more advances are made in the auto world, so too the increased demand for older makes and models.

So, even if one is looking for a newer model, or even a new one, one can often find such models at discounted prices. For, often dealers will offer vehicles with very low mileage which have only been used while at the dealership. As such, even those looking for a new car can often find great deals, while others can often find their favorite makes and models in pre-owned vehicles at a much lower price than when such vehicles were new.

In addition, those who enjoy working on such used vehicles are going to help push up the supply and demand of such vehicles in the future. For, whether one is taking auto shop, or simply wants a summer time project to work on at home, these individuals often help push up the demand for such vehicles on a regular basis. As such, with all the new and different types of makes and models now the market, the demand for such hobby or project automobiles is most likely also going to increase over time.

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Posted by TonyLu | No Comments »

Car maintenance is not as technical as it may sound. The maintenance usually consists of procedures that assure cleanliness, monitoring or mechanical performance, and conditioning car parts into their optimum performance in a scheduled basis. If you are a first time car owner, you can ask your sales representative about the maintenance cycle of their product lines so you can also put it into consideration upon its purchase. A car is a liability because of the initial investment it requires but it can become an asset when it turns out to last longer than the manufacturers indicated. Expensive vintage cars are examples of proper maintenance and keeping that enabled their owners to enjoy a more valuable price tag on them compared to when they bought it.

Many local auto shops have lay-away plans that can help those car owners who cannot afford money pay out every time their vehicle goes into the shop. While some car distributors have bundled car maintenance plan as a promotional campaign to attract car buyers. Some auto shops also happen to have special promos and payment plans that can save you from paying too much. There are many deals that you can look out for especially during low car sales months when companies and maintenance shops tend to have special discounts on car maintenance. Car maintenance procedures range from interior cleaning that can include but not limited to interior vacuuming, machine overhaul, filter and tank cleaning, recovery and recharge of aircon freon, cleaning or repair of mechanical parts, oiling and refill, and performance check up. Exterior cleaning can be pressurized car wash, surface waxing, paint resurfacing, and many others. Accredited auto mechanics and technicians should be the professionals handling the delicate parts of your car so you can be assured of quality and proper car servicing.

To be able to save considerable amount of money in maintaining your vehicle, you should be able to properly gauge the right time in doing its routine check up and maintenance. Having the right schedule means unnecessary trips to the auto shop that could cost you. So how do you manage to put a tab on your car maintenance routine?

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Posted by AlexSprington | No Comments »

With the holidays fast approaching it’s hard not to get caught up in all the merriment that is this time of year. Unfortunately, with the merriment comes stress; the stress of shopping and finding the perfect gift for that special someone. The perfect gift may be one that relates to a person’s hobbies, likes or even obsessions. Some people like cooking; get them a cookbook. Some people like video games; get them a new game. And some people like their cars; there are a lot of perfect gifts for car lovers.

1. Scrolling Message License Plate Cover. This gift is definitely the most fun; the cover features a lighted, scrolling message display built into the license plate frame. The frame allows you to create up to 5 messages at 3 different scrolling speeds. The plate cover is connected with 2 wires to your vehicle’s electrical system; you can wire it so it scrolls when the ignition is on or only when the brakes are applied. This gift is a great idea for any car owner and so much fun.

2. Remote Start. This great gadget allows the driver to start their car from a key fob while still inside the house. This is a great gift for anyone who endures blistering summers or freezing winters. The remote start also gives the added security of keeping your car locked while it is started; with this gift it will no longer be necessary to leave the car running in the driveway with the key in the ignition.

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Posted by AlWannestadt | No Comments »

Arriving at you new Chevrolet Dealer in November 2010 as a 2011 model year, the new Chevy Volt debuts in selected markets across the United States. Propelled by General Motor’s new VOLTEC (previously E-flex) electric automobile platform, the drivetrain in this model differs significantly from GM’s previous attempts. The new Chevy Volt is capable of traveling 25-50 miles (40-80km) solely powered by the electrical energy stored in the onboard battery pack. The 16kWh (10.4kWh usable) Lithium ion battery pack can be fully charged by plugging the car into a 120-240 VAC residential electrical outlet using the provided SAEJ1772 compliant connection. There is not an external charging station on the 2011 Chevy Volt.

On a full charge given normal driving conditions, the Volt has an expected range of 40 miles running solely on electric power. Though this may seem short at first, it is greater than the daily commute for 75% of America’s workforce. After the battery is depleted, a four-cylinder gas engine (premium only) and 55kW generator are utilized to provide electricity and extend the Volt’s range another 310 miles (499km). The power generated is controlled by the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) if the vehicle. This unit distributed the electricity primarily sent to the electric motor, with the excess serving to charge the batteries. When traveling at speeds in excess of 30 mph (48km/h); if the battery is depleted, the internal combustion engine will engage (via the clutch)to assist the traction motor and drive output to improve performance and boost high-speed efficiency up to 15%.

GM is introducing the Volt with a retail price of $41,000 (destination charges included) before any factory incentives, tax deductions, or other subsidies. The Chevy Volt is currently eligible for a $7500 US federal Tax credit and some local benefits. Chevy also offers the Volt through a lease program with a monthly payment of $350 for 36 months with $2500 due at signing. Chevrolet is initially targeting seven regions, and will release the Volt in California, Washington, D.C., Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Austin Texas in November 2010. The Volt will be available throughout the United States and Canada in the following months.

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Posted by JesseEllison | No Comments »

Ask most folks who drive a vehicle – be it car, truck, SUV or even a giant highway tractor rig a question about how to save gas and fuel costs and the conversation can go on for hours. Get ready for lots of terms thrown around like candy such as mpg or miles per gallon. It is as if everyone has some secret regimen or secret some bordering on the strange and even bizarre. For example the story keeps popping up of the fellows in California who had some secret carburetor that would let your car run on nothing but tap water. The story goes either the giant gas companies or the government forced or threatened them severely not to ever bring their product to market.

So goes the tale.

Yet what can the average motorist do to save fuel, use less gas or diesel fuel on their trips all to increase that elusive mpg rate and reduce time or miles between gas tank fill ups.

In most cases it is all very simple and straightforward to improve the efficiency of the use of fuel for your automobile and increase the amount of road that you will cover for a gallon or liter of gas. Basically they fall into two groups. First your driving habits and secondly basic automotive car and maintenance at your local garage or auto dealership service center.

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Posted by AdamI. | No Comments »

Throughout the years Ford has concentrated on building its luxury brands and placed Lincoln on the back burner with Land Rover, Jaguar, and Volvo all part of the Ford empire. With the economic times Ford has sold off many of these losing causes and now Lincoln is left to finally receive some much needed attention. The auto maker has finally infused some new life into its current lineup with additional power for the MKT, a complete redesign for the classic Taurus sedan and a new hybrid with excellent mileage; the Fusion. Let’s take a closer look at these cars and see what Ford has been up to.

Lincoln MKT

The Ford Flex platform is the base on which the MKT is built. However, the Lincoln MKT has an all original look that is accentuated by a massive front grille. The seats are crafted out of rich leather and accompanied by authentic walnut trim and the huge sunroof is a gorgeous sight to behold.

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Posted by JacquelineStar | No Comments »

Nissan has revamped three of its popular cars; the 370 Z Roadster, Cube and 370Z. As a result these vehicles have been significantly improved with more power than ever before. Let’s take a look at the autos which have received recent updates.

Nissan’s 370Z Roadster

There’s nothing better than cruising around in a convertible during the summer and the 370Z is one of the sleekest ones on the road. With the Z-platform used as a guideline, the roadster adds a convertible top for your driving pleasure. The engine that powers this vehicle is a capable 3.7 liter six cylinder engine that pumps out 332 hp and 270 lb-ft. of torque; a big improvement over the old 350Z Roadster model. The convertible top is made from cloth and can fully recline in 20 seconds. The starting cost for the Roadster starts at $37k.

Nissan Cube

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Posted by JacquelineStar | No Comments »

Often in trends especially either in the economy and finances or the automotive industry people like to look forward. Yet how many go and check predictions. In star gazing on the stock market or finance it can be said that the experts can be either “right or they can be wrong”. Yet in the auto & trucks field the experts often make specific forecasts and determinations. Let’s look back at one set of predictions and compare them to the present in 2010 / 2011 to judge accuracy and validity.

Here from a February 1981 financial & business

”Boardroom Reports”, which listed itself as the “Management’s Source of Useful Information” are the predictions in an article in the journal whose title was “What’s Down the Road in Truck Design”

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Posted by KirkW. | No Comments »