All You Need to know about Used Cars | New Cars

Las Vegas Car Rental Discounts

2009-10-19T01:59:00.000-07:00

Las Vegas. The Jewel of the Desert. Sin City. No matter what you call it, Las Vegas is worth seeing. It’s a fascinating city full of gaming, spectacle, and a variety of outdoor activities. Renting a car in Las Vegas is a great way to see the city. Parking is easy and mostly free. Las Vegas is easy to navigate since it is laid out in a north/south and east/west grid, with the Strip serving as the main north/south artery.
If you just plan on visiting Las Vegas to gamble and drink while staying on the Strip, don’t bother with a car rental. If you want to see more of the Strip (which is long), get away from the Strip (which is a good idea), or take trips to see things like Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam (which is spectacular), then it is a good idea to get a rental car.
Getting a car rental discount in Las Vegas is not difficult. It is important to do your research up-front, before you leave for your trip. Shopping around will give you an idea of the discounts that are available. There are so many variables, though, it pays to do thorough research.
Prices can vary depending on when you go, how long you say, if you stay over a weekend or not, where you are staying, what airline you are flying, where you pick up your car, where you return your car, how far you are going, and more.
All the big car rental companies have offices in Las Vegas, some in the airport, and some near the airport. Allstate, Dollar, Hertz, National and Sav-Mor all have desks in the terminal. Nearby, on Paradise Road, between Flamingo Road and the airport, you will find locations for Airport Rent-a-Car, Alamo, Budget, Enterprise, Thrifty Car Rental, and U.S. Rent a Car. Choosing a company not at the airport itself will save you the eight percent airport fee, and may give you additional discounts on the base price.
The number one rule of getting a car rental discount is compare, compare, compare. Often, different companies will offer the same car for very different rates. This will depend on what they have available, the season you are renting your car in, and more. There are so many different companies vying for your business, you can often play one against the other to get matching prices… or better.
If you belong to any groups or associations like AAA, AARP, NAACP, and more, ask the car rental company about any discounts the provide to groups, companies and associations. That can often save you several dollars per day.
Whatever car rental company you get your discount from, drive safe, get the car back on time, fill the tank before you return the car, and have a great time in Las Vegas.

Why Hire a Car in Thailand

2009-04-03T02:09:00.000-07:00

For most people, a trip to Thailand is a once in a lifetime experience. Many tourists arrive into the main airport and travel onward via plane to either Phuket in the south or Koh Samui. Why not make the most of this once in a lifetime trip and plan a fly drive holiday?
Spend your fist few nights in downtown Bangkok getting accustomed to the language and culture. Don't let the busy traffic put you off. Once you leave Bangkok the roads are good and there are signs posted in English. Do buy a map before leaving Bangkok as it's difficult to find one outside the city of Bangkok.
Car Hire Thailand Tip: Most car rental companies in Bangkok and other Thailand tourist locations offer free delivery to and collection from your hotel.
Just a few hours drive from Bangkok in a southerly direction is the charming fishing village of Hua Hin , Hua Hin offers a host of spa resorts and golf courses. Don't be surprised to see a few famous people as some spa resorts are very exclusive.
Car Hire Thailand Tip: rental cars are strictly not allowed outside the borders of Thailand and if taken outside all insurance will be null and void.
Spend a few nights in Hua Hin and move further south and visit Koh Samui or Phuket or both. If your rental is over 3 days you can just ask to have your car collected from your final resort is the south of Thailand free of charge.
Car hire Thailand Tip: You may take your rental car on a Ferry to the Islands but this must be arranged with the ferry company and rental company in advance, the ferry company will ask for car registration so you need to book your car rental first.

Medical center apartments close to Hermann hospital Making good use of a classified site How to Choose the Best Beach Resorts Garden Tool And Garage Storage Solutions For Spring Cleaning Cure Acne with natural steps Try out Coffee house drinks How To Play Online Blackjack Network Security Management Services Local attractions to visit while on vacations at the Grupo Mayan resorts Yes i have seen GOD, Have you? Short Sale Help – Learn More about How to Stop Foreclosures It is time to recognize the significance of credit repair software I found some great deals on new wedding favors! Custom Floor Mats: The Floor Mats with Exciting Features Best Tips for Carpet Cleaning Intimate Beach Wedding at Nigi Nigi Too Boracay Beach Resort Role of Translators and Interpreters in Global Business How to lower down your Mobile bill How can we deal with opinion issues? Wildlife Resorts in India

Choosing a Long-term Car Rental in Santorini

2009-03-27T22:53:00.000-07:00

If you are planning for visiting Santorini and want to know everything about this magical Island including sightseeing, a long-term car rental can provide you all the comfort and freedom for a very reasonable price. Hire a car for a long period can reduce the cost of car rental in comparison daily rent a car.
Reserving long-term car hire is really a good option for anyone who wishes the convenience of a personal transportation whilst you are in the beautiful Island of Santorini, Greece. By having a long term hire car, one can save time as well as effort without wandering with confusion in the island.
Santorini is one of the most beautiful and magical Islands throughout the world with awesome volcanic landscape, long history, breathtaking sunsets, deep blue sea, museums, the live volcano, Santorini night life, wineries are just some of the attractions that make Santorini the most spectacular vacation destination in Greece. Visitors from all over the world come to this vacation destination to take the real charm and keep the beauty of Santorini in the memory as a real-time experience. A long term car hire can help you a lot to view and know all about this magical island as per your suitability and easy time
A long-term hire car during your stay in Santorini can help you a lot in sightseeing. Leasing a car is perfect for anyone who wishes not to buy a car but wants the benefits of having a car for business or leisure travel. If you are planning for a long-term car rental, it is recommended to book your car earlier in advance of your vacation trip. This will help you to get your desire vehicle at cheapest price.
Usually the long-term rentals are charged for one month, which will be much less expensive than daily rates offered to leisure and holiday tourists. Before booking a car, never forget to see whether the company is having hidden extras or not. Sometimes it seems the price of rental is very reasonable, but after end of the visit you will find your bill is very high, which is more than double. Go through the terms and condition of the car rental company to see if there are any hidden extras.
In Santorini Most of the car rental firms are offering long- term rental and the best way to get competitive prices of rent cars online is to use a comparative search engine. Simply enter your requirement in the search engines and you will find the comparative prices of many car rental companies. This will help you to compare the prices to ensure which one is cheaper.

See Florida by Car

2009-03-17T01:39:00.000-07:00

Whether you are looking for a relaxing stay, a fun packed family holiday or even an action packed adventure; Florida is the place to go. The expansive state which has caused much controversy in the not so recent political past is a vast sprawling State which is home to some of the most breath taking sights in America.
Known as the 'Sunshine state' it has been a popular location for those from the more northern states. As they aim to escape the winter with a trip to the most South-Eastern State within America. Renowned for its beaches and Orange groves, this portrays the perfect setting for a leisurely drive down the coast. The sprawling coast line and wide open roads make driving the ideal way to see Florida in all its glory.
So what are the best routes to take?
When driving across Florida, Interstate 4 is a must. It crosses diagonally, taking in Tampa, Plant City and Lakeland.Then heads North East past Kissimmee (which is also home to the classic car show), followed by the most popular location within the state, Orlando which is also home to Walt Disney World. However, this route isn't for everyone, not only is it the longest road it is also the busiest so for those like to take the road less traveled there is State Road A1A.
State Road A1A runs parallel to US Highway 1 and Interstate 95. It runs all the way along the sprawling Atlantic Coast, never more than 20 miles from the beautiful beaches, lying east of the intercoastal waterway and leading to the barrier islands.
Alternatively there is US Highway 1; this is a historic highway which offers the most amazing scenery of all the routes, beginning in Key West and working your way east. This route is the most relaxing, although it offers less stop off points than Interstate 4 this defiantly suits the driver who just wants nothing but the open road.

Hiring a Car in Ireland

2009-03-13T08:46:00.000-07:00

Ireland is a rich country when it comes to sights and activities, from old to ancient, shrouded in myth, to the young and vibrant. There are also various activities for instance sports, beauty and music. If you are planning to spend your holiday in Ireland, then you will definitely encounter plenty to see and do. This will most likely be your dream holiday!
Whether you have been to the country of Ireland before or it is your first time, one of the best ways to get around when it comes to sightseeing is to hire a car to take you to various destinations. Although tours are perhaps more widely advertised as the best way for foreigners to get around to various destinations, there are quite a few limitations to taking a tour.
Make sure that you hire the kind of car that will be affordable and that will fit your budget as planned. However; here are the things to watch out for while on your holiday:
Experience Irish night life:
Make sure that you visit all the beautiful places but when visiting a large city for instance like Dublin or Limerick, the best thing for you to do is to experience the night life. Night life, in America basically refers to a crowd of people in their twenties or early thirties going to the clubs to dance. Ireland's night life seem to be different, for instance, as there might seem to be fewer in town during the day, they pour into the town at night hitting one pub after the other. At this time, they are eager to talk to new people and make new friends as well.
The tourist attractions at major cities are pretty interesting. Try to visit the famous Guinness factory, it is a bit over rated and at times seem to be more of an advert than a tour. However try get there as this is definitively a place to see.
See Ireland's natural beauty:
When you feel that you are exhausted and have probably visited every place in the city, drive out to the coast near Killarney, note the beaten up, tiny roads. The drive alone can be an adventure. The Cliffs of Mother is yet another must see, that is why it is important to hire a car.
Spending your holiday in Ireland will make you experience much more than you might expect. A car hire tour could be perfect if you are a first time traveler. You will experience an amazing holiday that you will come to love again and again!

Travel Tips For Driving in Ireland

2009-03-12T03:15:00.000-07:00

Drivers should plan on taking some time to get used to the new driving environment. Remember that most likely, you have never driven on the left hand side, and it may take a little while to get used to it. Practice, even just around the block if you need to, it will be worth it. This goes double for people who are renting manual transmission cars. You are going to want to be familiar with the road signs, so a great idea is to bring a driving guide to read on the flight over.
Most people choose to rent a vehicle with the CDW and theft included. This is because most credit cards do not offer insurance in Ireland, due to the high rate of accidents. If you purchase the CDW, ask about the deductible amounts. It may be worth buying extra insurance to cover that amount if it is too high. In the event that you have one of the cards that will cover you, there are a couple things you should do. Call your credit card company, tell them exactly what you intend on doing. Tell them who will be driving, where you are going, how many passengers, the type of car you are renting, etc. Print out a copy of the credit card's offered coverage where it clearly states that the coverage is offered in Ireland. You will need to have this with you when you pick up the car.
If you are picking up a car rental in Dublin, or any major airport, be sure to check if there are any additional fees for the pick up location.
Make sure to have a valid driver's license and the vehicle rental contract with you when driving.
Seatbelts are mandatory for all persons in the vehicle.
Do not drink and drive. Aside from being incredibly stupid, it's also dangerous to yourself and others. Ireland has strict drinking and driving laws that will not be bent for anyone. If you are caught driving over the legal limit (.08) your car will be towed and you will be booked and charged a hefty fine. If you are involved in an accident while drinking, all your insurance becomes null and void, and you are financially responsible for all damaged caused. This is a no brainer. Ireland has plenty of taxis and public transportation if you need to get home, so take advantage of them.
Cell phones are not permitted while driving anywhere in Ireland. If a phone is in your pocket and turned on, it's illegal to drive with it. This rule also applies to any other radio devices, such as a CB or two-way radio system. Passengers are allowed to use these devices while the car is in motion, just not the driver.

About Driving in Australia

2009-03-11T01:29:00.000-07:00

A valid driver's license is required to drive in Australia. The license from your home country will work. If you are an international visitor you must have on your person your license and an English translation if it is in another language. If you are going to rent a car, planning ahead can save time and money. It is possible to book car rentals on the internet with some companies. Also check your travel insurance before buying insurance for the rental car to make sure you do not pay to insure the car twice.
1. Drive on the left Australia is a nation that drives on the left side of the road. If you are from a country that drives on the right side of the road, you may want to study how to turn in a left side of the road society with your rental car. Right side of the road drivers have to pay more attention to turning because this is when you are most likely to end up on the right side of the road with your rental car.
2. Watch out for speed limits Drive safely and obey the speed limit signs in your rental car. Australian police do enforce the speed limits by patrolling and hidden radar cameras. If you get a ticket the fines can be heavy and payable before you can leave. The police can confiscate you driver's license on site. The rental car company can also charge you for any fines you incur in the rental car. Safety belts and child restraint devices are required nationwide.
3. Be aware of limitations on where you can go Most of the rental car companies have restrictions on where you are allowed to take their rental car. The restrictions are determined by the type of rental car you get. Most rental cars are not allowed off surfaced or sealed streets. Check the policy for your rental car.
4. Plan your trips where fuel is available Fuel is something you need to plan in advance if you are traveling between cities or in rural areas with your rental car. Most fuel stops will be closed at night on the weekends and holidays. The distance from one fuel stop to the next can be quite great in Australia. You must consider the fuel mileage and capacity of your rental car when you plan fuel stops to make sure you do not get stranded.
Australia is a beautiful country to see. It is a different driving experience if your home country is a right side of the road society. It takes a little pre-planning to do safely, but driving around Australia in a rental car is one of the best ways to experience this wonderful country.

Where in Australia Can a Person Under 21 Rent a Car?

2009-03-07T00:03:00.000-08:00

All over the world, there are car rental companies that require an individual to be 21 years of age or older to rent a car. There are even companies that require you to be 25 years of age or older. It simply depends on the company. But what if you are under 21 and you must travel, but you don't have your own car to do it? There are plenty of business situations, emergency situations, and personal situations in which an individual under 21 must rent a car.
If you're wondering what car rental companies will allow you to rent if you are under 21, the following can help you out:
- Gold Coast Car Hire will rent to individuals under 21. If you don't have full coverage insurance already, you can acquire insurance through them in case an accident does occur.
- Australian Rent a Car, which was just acquired by Red Spot, will also rent to individuals under 21.
- Aussie Camper Vans will allow someone under the age of 21 to rent campervans if you're interested in going on a camping trip.
These are just a few of them, but they are easily found on the Internet so that you can find information about them. And there are many others that list whether or not they will rent to people 21 years of age or younger.
If someone tells you that you cannot rent a car from any car rental company in Australia because you are under 21, that is indeed false. There are many question and answer forums on the Internet regarding this issue, but there are so many telling young people that they need to have someone 21 or over rent the car on their behalf.
The best way to find out if a car rental company will rent to you if you're under the age of 21 is if you go to their website and see for yourself. They will most likely specify whether or not they will rent to an under 21 individual or not. This can also help you to narrow down your prospects when finding the best car rental rate.
But why do car companies not want to rent to people under 21?
Much of this has to do with the fact that young people are a higher risk behind the wheel. They do not have as much experience and they are more likely to engage in risky behavior. If by some chance you find that you don't have a car rental company in your area that will allow you to rent from them, then you will have to ask someone 21 or over to rent on your behalf. If you are traveling for business, the wise thing to do is talk to your employer about renting the car under their name. When it is for business use, this is, perhaps, the ideal thing to do because the company is probably paying for it anyway.
So there are ways to get around it if you are in an area that does not have car rental companies that will rent to you if you're under 21. Just make sure you do your research and not listen to those who say, 'Not a single car rental company in Australia will rent to you because you're under 21.' Although this fact makes finding a car rental company a little more difficult, it is not at all impossible. So yes, at 18, 19, 20 years old, you can rent a car to take care of your emergency, personal, or business situation whenever you need to.

How to Make Car Reservations

2009-03-06T02:51:00.000-08:00

Car reservations is one of the factors you should consider when traveling. To avoid the hassle in making car reservations you should already have a checklist beforehand on what questions to inquire when making a reservation. This will clear out your expectations and liabilities and the company's assurance on the service that they will provide. Car reservations are often done personally or over a telephone. But with the onset of the internet, a car reservation is also made available online. Before reserving a car, think very well what do you need and what are the things that you need to secure. Here are some points in reserving a car.
Decide on the exact date and time that you will need to get the car. Moreover, you should also decide when you will be returning the car. This will indicate the duration that you will be using the car services. Also ask if you can make extension on the duration of car rental in case of emergencies and the lead time needed to inform the agency for the extension. Value for you money. As we all value our hard earned money, inquire if they accept certain affiliation privileges that you might have to avail discounts or coupons.
Decide what car to rent for the car reservations. You will need to quantify your luggage and how many passengers that might be possible to ride with you. Check out the car facilities like air conditioning, the availability of air bags and so forth.
When making car reservations, inquire if they accept credit cards. It is best to secure your financial transactions so you can bring extra money in case you have to pay in cash. You also need to learn about extra charges like drop off charges, extension charges and other overhead costs.
Check the availability of insurance policy. Will the car reservation company have their own insurance policy for the rental or you will need to use your own insurance policy. Ask what are the coverage of the insurance. You should also check if the car that you will be renting is properly insured by the car reservations company.
Check currency policy. If you are reserving a car to another country, ask which currency you will use for the payment. Moreover, ask where is the specific location of the booking agency in another country in case of emergencies. Also inquire about telephone numbers and other contact details.
Car reservations can easily be done especially online with a single click. Nonetheless, you should secure your transactions online. Make sure that you are on a credible car reservations company site. This can be made through car reservations referral from your friends and other travel agencies. Know how to make a good deal. Do not settle for one car reservations site but spend time to do some canvassing of the prices online.
Make sure that you get the best possible deal in car reservations. Secure not only your travel but also your security by making proper car reservations online.

Cruise Ship Travel - 5 Tips For Cruise Travelers

2009-03-04T23:33:00.000-08:00

Preparing for cruises can be an easier job, if you plan ahead of time. It helps in assuring you that your cruise vacation will be a memorable one. Let us have a look at the 5 tips for cruise travelers that can help your holiday to be wonderful:
Acquire knowledge on travel cruises
There are numerous domains on world travel cruises from where you can acquire every detail, which you might require for making a decision on your cruise. Information, which includes things to bring on the journey and departure time & location of the cruise, are only a click on the mouse away. You'll have fun while exploring various cruise lines. Educating yourself on the cruise, which you might take, leaves you with an assurance that you've made the right decision.
Take your time before making a decision
Planning, selecting and preparing for cruise ship travel can be intimidating for you, as it has all those confusing options when it comes to cruise lines and their prices. Pre-cruise decisions are pain-free, if you consider these imperative factors:
Ask Yourself: You should ask yourself the reason behind choosing a cruise for your vacation Planning the vacations: You should know what you'll be doing while you're on board during the vacation
If you take time and think over your preferences, you are sure to match them for getting the right cruise even if you're surrounded with a host of options.
Get tips from seasoned traveler
If you've been around someone, who's a seasoned traveler and prefer cruises as a mean of transport, you should get tips from them on what to do for finding a reputed cruise company and what are the ways for making your cruise vacation memorable. Even if you don't know anyone with such experiences, you can find their presence on several online message boards, which has traveling as a topic of discussion.
Explore Specials & Promotions available in different seasons
Similar to tourist industries, companies providing cruise vacations also require marketing their services for attracting new passengers. They generally opt for seasonal promotions for their passengers. Most of these specials & promotions can help you in saving thousands without detracting benefits and amenities from your cruise experience. You should always consider changing the schedule of your travel, if substantial discounts are available and you've got a flexible itinerary for taking advantage of those promotions.
Plan for Relaxation & Enjoyment
2 key components of cruise vacations are relaxation and enjoyment. However, some folks require making concerted efforts for remaining stress-free during the cruise journey. You can free yourself from enormous stress by planning an excursion in a manner that doesn't allow you be as busy as you are at your home. Planning of a Cruise Ship Travel should accommodate both relaxation and fun.
Follow these 5 tips, take deep breaths, put your feet up & relax and let your captain steer the cruise to your desired location!

Buying Your New Car

2009-03-03T04:11:00.000-08:00

If you're buying a car based on the invoice price (for example, "at invoice, Worksheet for Buying a New Car. Buying & Maintaining a Car In this Foolish Car Buying area he lays out a as well as on our How to Buy a Car message board, getting more tips from Fools. Automotive classifieds with listings and buying guides. Features listings and other information on U.S. August 2, 2007- DETROIT- Detroit automakers lost control of the U.S. car buying and first-time drivers, buying a car can be an angst-filled Safe buying tips.

information from Connecticut's premiere news site & Certified pre-owned cars. used cars, trucks, and vans including car care, warranties, loans, and more. Only Internet Appraisal Service That Will Buy Your Car, Guarantee Your Trade or Terminate Your Lease! people by nature or philosophical bent simply don't believe in buying new cars. How to Make Money Buying and Selling used Cars i provide my customers more information to move them into buying cars possibly. Auto Trader UK- The UK's #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars online. You'll find lots here, plus links to car-buying guides, a loan calculator and more!

Buying a car can seem like a daunting task. Video: 2008 Infiniti G37 Car Buying Service. CARFAX used car buying guide: curbstoning. LoJack- The Only Stolen Vehicle Recovery System operated by police to track and recover stolen vehicles. Buy and sell autos, trucks, motorcycles, parts, accessories, boats, and other vehicles on Vintage Car & Truck Parts. Take the stress out of buying a car by calling on eHow's automotive experts.

research new car prices & values, compare cars and get car buying tips at.au Your complete car-buying guide. A new car is second only to a home as the most expensive purchase many consumers If you're buying a car based on the invoice price (for example, "at invoice. Links to sites that provide online car buying services. Learn about running a Vehicle History Report and find out where to buy used cars.

on March 24, 2008 in Car Buying, Hybrids Alternative Fuels, Site News February 29, 2008 in Accord, BMW, Car Buying, Elantra, G35, Honda, LS 460, Mazda. Learn to use the Internet to research a car's history and dramatically cut costs by. February 19, 2007- Byline: Yogima Seth Feb. How to buy or sell your car- A guide to help you make good decisions whether buying or selling- DMV.ORG Buying and selling a car does not have to be. If you buy an Enterprise car, and you change your mind, we will buy it back, no questions asked. for a great car buying experience with no. eBay Motors lets users buy or sell new and used cars, trucks, and SUV passenger vehicles online.

Cars- a comprehensive "people's guide" to cars and the automotive market, featuring test drives, new car family car that's economical to buy and. AAA members can take advantage of our years of experience and wealth of helpful information about buying used cars: Cars (Widescreen Edition): Owen Wilson,Paul Newman,Bonnie Hunt,Rodger Bumpass,George Carlin,Bob Costas, by buying this Blu Ray "Cars". The fact is that most people rank buying a car well below a trip to the dentist. Find out what to look for when you shop for a collector car on eBay. of the enticements of buying a 1 or 2 year old program car with less than 36,000 Before buying a used car, buyers should do library and or Internet research.

security system for protecting any car you buy. cars, buy or sell your car in auto classifieds, compare new and used car prices of the Four-Door Sports Car- complete details on Nissan's new. Includes a research center and car buyers services. in this section touch on car buying and financing, insurance, warranties, VINs. March 20, 2008- SACRAMENTO- By agreeing to carry a bill that would slightly raise a document fee that car buyers pay, Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, put. Buying guides for new and used cars with reviews, advice, and pricing comparisons. Used cars should undergo a thorough inspection by a mechanic before purchase. Auto Center provides an automotive guide and tools for new and used car needs.

Choosing Customer Motorcycle Jackets

2008-06-11T13:51:00.000-07:00

You may have seen them, with their unusual jackets and unusual fabrics on their jackets. These rebels that design their own looks and their own jackets may ride through your city. They may have custom patches that you've never seen before attached to these jackets. Maybe that inspired you to try it yourself, but you should know what you're doing or have someone that does do for you.
Creating that custom jacket
If you've seen those jackets that are one of a kind and special to that person, you may become inspired to do it yourself. This is a great idea for someone that wants to stand out on their motorcycle. Even if you're a new rider, you can still do this. All you have to do is have your design in front of you and the materials that you want to use. You may even modify a jacket that you already have. When you do this with your motorcycle gear, you still should keep the feel of it. That way it will match the things that you are we have.
Hiring someone to create your custom jacket
The other option is to hire someone to make your jacket. This is a good idea if you don't know anything about sewing or structuring the jacket that you want. There are some motorcycle shops that will do this kind of work for you. They may even modify a jacket that they already had with their motorcycle gear. The choice is really up to you as to how you would like it done. Most motorcycle gear shops will give you either option to choose from.
What if there are no motorcycle gear shops in my area?
There may be a possibility there are no motorcycle shops in the area that you live. If this is the case you can also talk to a seamstress. They will be able to at least give you advice on how to go about creating a custom Jacket; they may be able to even do it for you.
Custom jackets are great way to show we wore as a rider. Many famous motorcycle riders including Willie Nelson had had their own custom jackets. So when you're ready to join the elite group of custom jacket holders, you should know exactly what you want. That way you won't get lost in the crowd and you'll be able to make a statement with your jacket.

Off Topic: Motorcycles 101

2008-06-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

A motorcycle is a two-wheeled vehicle that moves with the help of an engine. The two wheels are situated in-line where the rider of the motorcycle sits on a seat with his hands placed on a set of handlebars. It is through these handlebars that the rider steers the motorcycle. The accelerator and brakes that are found on the handle bar control the speed of the motorcycle. The rider supports his feet on a set of foot pegs that project from the frame of the motorcycle.

There are many types of motorcycles available. They mainly differ in their engine capacities and weight. It is always better to buy a heavier motorcycle, as it can withstand collisions with less damage to the bike and the rider. Those who can’t afford new motorcycles can always buy a used one. There are even motorcycles designed for children. They are called mini motorcycles. Those wanting a unique motorcycle can buy a custom made one that is designed according to specifications.

A motorcycle is an economical means of transportation, when compared to other engine powered vehicles. Because of the smaller engine, a motorcycle offers good mileage and is convenient to use for errands. It is easy to park and is great in traffic jams; one can easily maneuver between larger vehicles.

It is important to have motorcycle insurance. It may be more costly because the probability of having an accident on a motorcycle is higher than driving a car. However, there are companies who specialize in motorcycle insurance and offer fairly reasonable rates.

Get Best deal while buying a New Car | Avoid Scams

2008-05-03T08:43:00.001-07:00

As it is already challenging purchasing a new car, you really don't want the added pressure that some car dealers can put on you. It is normal to haggle with a dealer to lower their price, but don't get caught out by scams designed to con you out of your hard earned dollars. Below I have listed some of these scams for you watch out for next time you are in the market for a new vehicle.

1. The VIN# Scam involves the dealer trying to charge you for having the VIN# etched on the window, citing that it is required by the finance company. This is total rubbish. Lenders are only concerned with your ability to pay the installments.

2. Watch out for the phrase "subject to loan approval". All car loan proposals will have this phrase in it and there are a few unscrupulous dealerships out there that will try and con more money out of you by quoting this phrase as the reason why. If you have good credit this isn't something for you to worry about. This scam is usually pulled on consumers that may have bad credit, and can mean added finance fees of $1000 or more and an additional $50 a month added to your monthly payment. Getting your car loan from a bank or other financial institution can save you from being caught out.

3. One of the most common scams is the credit score scam. The car dealership will try to give you a higher finance rate by informing you that your credit score is lower than it actually is. Dealerships will try this scam regardless of you credit score. The best way to deal with this greediness is to bring a copy of your credit report with you when you go looking to buy a new car. That way there is no dispute.

4. Next is the forced warranty scam where the auto dealership will insist that in order to qualify for the car loan you will need to purchase a $2000, 2 or 3 year warranty. This is total rubbish and the truth is you don't need the warranty.

5. This is the Dealer prep scam. A dealer will slap an additional $500 charge on the vehicle for work that is not required, because cars are ready to to be driven of the lot when they are received. Try to find a dealership that doesn't charge this ridiculous fee.

6. Another fake fee is the 'dealer mark-up'. This has no purpose other than to increase profits. You can usually see this fee on an orange sticker attached to the manufacturer's suggested retail price.

These are just 6 of the many scams that can surface from time to time when you are attempting to purchase a new car. Although these scams do go on, there are many trustworthy car dealerships with integrity that can and will sale you a car for the right amount of money and without trying to rip you off. The trick is to find that dealership.

Good luck!

Hydrogen Conversion Kit Scam or what?

2008-05-03T08:25:00.000-07:00

If you're like us, you've been getting more and more concerned and frustrated with the high price of gasoline at the pump. You've thought about buying a hybrid, but most drivers don't experience enough savings in gas to make the car worth it at all.

Unfortunately, Hybrid cars are some of the Worst Polluters!

How's that you ask? Ever read the label on a rechargeable battery? You can't throw them out. They're toxic and contain heavy metals that can pollute ground water. The battery in a hybrid car is also a rechargeable battery and they can weigh as much as 600 pounds. Think of what would happen if a hybrid car got into an accident right beside a city's water supply.

They would totally destroy it. Not to mention what do you do with that battery down the road. Think of 20 years from now, all the hybrid cars sitting in junk yards with their batteries leaking heavy metals into the soil!

A lot of proponents will tell you that the batteries will be recycled for new cars, but right now all Hybrids are using Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries, but in just a few years those will be obsolete as we move on to Lithium-Ion batteries. No, Hybrids are a fad, and unfortunately they are one that are just as likely to do more damage than good to our planet!

So what now? What other things are there that we can burn in our cars?

Because let's face it, our entire economy is now reliant on cheap, fast transportation. If there is a solution out there that can allow us to keep our cars and not destroy the world we live in, we need to explore it fully.

For years now there has been talk of burning hydrogen. It releases nothing more than steam into the air. The downside is that hydrogen is dangerous. Extremely dangerous. Driving cars that carry tanks of hydrogen would be concerning to say the least. There is a lot of money being poured into ways to make impenetrable tanks to transport hydrogen, when there is a much easier solution, a solution that you can create yourself.

If this is so easy to do, why aren't the car companies offering it?

Think back a hundred years when cars as we know them were first being created. Was it the big manufacturing companies of the day? Were the train companies branching out into cars? No, it was small inventors and machinists who took the important steps and created most of the major auto companies that are still around today. The Wright brothers were bicycle shop owners and they were mocked endlessly for their attempts to fly.

The reason why the big companies of the day didn't do it then is the same reason why the big companies of the day aren't doing it now. Money. They've invested a ton of money into creating the current technologies and building all the infrastructure to support them. Their shareholders wouldn't take too kindly if they turned all of that on its ear.

It's up to us to take the necessary steps to save our world.

There is a simple solution. A Wright Brothers, or Dodge Brothers, or Mr Diesel type of solution: Water contains fuel. Think about it, water contains Hydrogen and Oxygen. 'Burning' is a chemical reaction of a fuel and oxygen, and if you can split the Hydrogen from the Oxygen in water, you have everything you need to create combustion and run your car's engine. We'll save you too much of the technical jargon, but there are several ways to create this separation. It isn't a direct split, but rather an alteration of the water into a gas that can burn. One of the gasses is called 'Brown Gas' and another is called 'HHO'. For the average person's needs they are effectively the same, but feel free to Google them if you want to know more.

Burning HHO or Brown Gas is even better for the environment than just burning Hydrogen!

Think about what I mentioned above. Nearly everything that burns, burns because of a reaction with oxygen. The output of burning Hydrogen is that you combine oxygen and hydrogen and make water. While this certainly isn't bad, it doesn't help areas of the world that are already low on oxygen.

The natural mix of our 'Air' contains 15% oxygen. Humans start to die when it dips below 5%. Some places like Tokyo, Japan are already as low as 6-7% at times. That is dangerously low. By starting with water and creating Brown Gas or HHO, one of the things that will come out of your tailpipe is oxygen. That's right, plain, simple O.

So can we help the environment and save money on gas?

That's the question I asked when I first really started looking into this technology. I found a lot of wild and outlandish claims. Claims that stated that you could use 0% gas and 100% water. I did a lot of research and found that yes, that is true, but you'll have to fill your entire trunk with water jugs to get enough HHO, or Brown Gas to run your car.

So I started looking at the hydrogen kits that enhance your car, but don't claim to pull it off of gas permanently. These seemed more reasonable and feasible. I have a fairly good understanding of how cars work and what emissions are. One of the things that a lot of people know about is a little thing in their car called the catalytic convertor. This device sits in your exhaust pipe and simply put, gets really, really hot. It does this because your car's engine doesn't really burn all the gas, and a lot of it is expelled in a toxic, half burnt stew. The catalytic convertor gets hot and finishes the burn on this gasý mostly.

Adding hydrogen to the air-fuel mixture in a car's engine will allow the engine to burn the gas more completely because the hydrogen is simply more flammable. This makes your engine vastly increase its efficiency and have a more complete burn. This is good for you, and for the environment!

Can our car do this?

Yes, nearly any gas burning car can do this! (Diesel owners can run their diesel engines on fuel made from vegetable oil, so they have alternatives too!). You can buy expensive kits to do this, or you can buy manuals that show you components you can pick up at any home improvement store and convert your car yourself!

Think about it, an ebook and materials that cost you under $200 that can save you as much as $10 each time you fill up! I don't know about you, but that's not even two months for me to make that up. And with vacation time around the corner I can recover an expense like that in a few weeks.

We've purchased a few of these kits and installed them, and have also spent extensive time on the Internet reviewing them, finding people who have installed them and seeing which work, and which don't.

The Mercedes SLR McLaren: Review

2008-05-03T08:10:00.000-07:00

Hot cars Mercedes SLRFor hot cars on video visit my exclusive fast cars video collection page. All videos play right on this website (no redirection). Don't forget to crank up the sound.

This page is all about the Benz.

The Mercedes SLR McLaren is now in mass production. As I read about 20 articles on this hot car I was overwhelmed by the term carbon fiber.

This car is loaded with it. The body is carbon fiber composition construction and the brakes are carbon fiber ceramic discs.

Without boring you to death carbon fiber is best described as a strong composite substance that is very much like reinforced Kevlar or fiberglass. Strands of the strongest materials on earth are molded together to make an even stronger material. This is the same technology used in manufacturing bulletproof vests.

The Mercedes SLR

This rich persons ride is one of the latest to join the GT category holding the Benz flag. This vehicle carries the historical SLR Mercedes name brought back from the 1955 300 SLR racecar.

Mercedes-Benz has teamed up with its Formula 1 partner McLaren, to build a luxury super car for the upscale markets. The hot cars price tag is an affordable $452,000 that will easily put this car in the driveway of the rich and famous.

Although the limited color choice of either black or silver will not please the celebrity’s that pride themselves on being different. As far as continuing on with the Mercedes SLR styling the original 1955 model had gull wing doors.

This new version has what is being called as sizzer doors. These doors are hinged at the front instead of the roofline. The hot cars engine is a hand-built 617-horsepower supercharged 5.5-liter V8, the first engine developed exclusively by Mercedes-AMG.

This engine is rated at max horsepower at a smooth 6500 rpm’s and develops its max torque of 575 ft pounds at a lazy 3250-rpm’s.

The engine is mounted behind the front wheels and is considered a mid engine design. This is why the nose of the car is so long

The center and low placement of the engine provides the main handling characteristics of the vehicles track tested performance.

Hot cars transmision The Mercedes SLR comes with a five speed automatic transmission with three driver selectable modes: sport, comfort and manual. The sport mode is the most commonly used and is for everyday use.

The comfort mode starts the vehicle in second gear for bumpy or slippery roads. The manual mode allows the driver to shift gears with levers mounted on the steering wheel.

When in the manual mode, three additional modes sport, super sport, and race can be selected on the second dial. Each manual mode provides quicker shift times. This is the same transmission as used in other performance models such as the SL65 AMG.

So what is the performance like?

Well it is a solid member of the 200 mph club. The top speed is rated at 207 mph. The car has conflicting reports on its 0-60 times but average time is around 3.5 seconds to 60-mph.

The quarter-mile time of 11.6 seconds at 125 mph was recorded by car and driver along with a 50-70 mph acceleration time of 2.5 seconds in top gear.

This hot cars drivability was described as extremely fast, yet comfortable enough to be categorized as a grand touring car. With Standard amenities like cruise control, electric seats, air conditioner and 6 disc Cd auto changer. It is like most luxury cars, Except for the 207 mph part of this story.

Another one of my favorite gimmicks is the engine starting procedure.

You turn on the key to activate the starting sequence then you flip up the flap on the shifter handle and crank the starter using the hidden button.

This is like launching nuclear missiles or something of that nature. But the fun of starting it up comes at the cost of 452,000 thousand American dollars.

I bet you that Parris Hilton will have 2 SLR's. One in black and 1 in silver to match her purse.

"Update" A site visitor informed me she only bought the silver one!

Used Cars Trade

2008-04-30T15:18:00.000-07:00

One of the easiest ways to rid yourself of your old car is through a process known as “trading-in” your vehicle. In simple terms, this means using your car as collateral towards the lease or purchase of another vehicle. The money does not always have to be applied towards another vehicle—a used car can also be “sold” to a dealer for cash, in much the same process.
This overview of the trade-in process includes information on how to establish “trade-in values,” how to maximize the trade-in value, when to negotiate a trade-in, and it offers several good reasons to justify trading-in a used car.
Establishing “Trade-In Value”
The dealer will appraise, or estimate the value, of your vehicle for trade-in.

A popular misconception says that a consumer will get wholesale “Blue Book Value” (referring to the popular Kelley Blue Book, a company specializing in automotive pricing) for their trade-in. Unless you car is rare, or in high demand, this is never the case.
Dealerships will use several different third-party guides, auction prices, and current market prices (they often call other dealers for the “going rate” on trade-ins) to establish a trade-in value. They will always error on the conservative side, to ensure they are not buying a car for an amount of money that they cannot quickly recover in a sale or auction.
The trade-in value of your used car will be lower than you expect. It some cases, it will be several thousands less than what you can sell it for yourself. This means if you do your homework, and you think your Toyota Camry is worth $13,000 used, the dealer will most likely offer you $10,000. Be prepared for this.
Trade-in for Top Dollar
While we have established you will not get retail pricing on a trade-in, there are ways to increase the trade-in amount (or “trade-in allowance”) you do get from the dealer.
Understand that the dealer will accept nearly any car on trade. Even if it needs to be towed in on flatbed, the dealer can find someone (a parts dismantler maybe?) to buy it for $250. (Keep in mind, if that is the case the dealer will be offering you $100 for the trade!). The object is to maximize the amount you get from the dealer.
The key to maximizing value is presentation. Clean the car with soap and water, and do not forget to wash the windows, wheels, and tires. Remove all of the personal belongings, bumper and window stickers, and trash from the interior. Clean the seats and carpets. Two hours worth of work just earned you at least $500 more in trade-in value.
Negotiate the Trade Last
Trade-ins can muddy the deal. In simple terms, you do not want to find yourself in a position of negotiating the price on a new car, and simultaneously negotiating the trade-in value. Eventually, a transaction like this ends up “combined” by the dealer into a single-figure negotiation. At that point, it is nearly impossible to determine the actual discount on the new car, and the trade-in value.
Discuss the sales price of the vehicle. Then, discuss the trade-in.
A Few Good Reasons to Trade-in Your Car
As we have established, trading-in a used vehicle is rarely done for financial advantages. However, there are several other advantages to a trade-in. This is what makes them so popular.
Time - Selling a used car privately can take weeks, or months. In fact, you do not know you have sold it until just minutes before it is sold. Trading-in a used vehicle takes about 30 minutes, on your schedule.
Convenience – Private sales means dealing with the public. There will be strangers calling, e-mailing, visiting, and driving your car. You will have to keep the car clean, an work around their schedule. Assume it will take at least two weeks to sell your used car privately.
Condition – A dealer does not care about dents, dings, rips, or tears in the upholstery. If your car has seen better days, or it is not in a “saleable” condition, it is often time to trade-in.
The Bottom Line
While there is nothing outwardly bad about trading-in a vehicle, it does not pay nearly as well as a private party sale. There are those who point that the hassle of private party sales is not worth the extra money (often with a good foundation to their argument). Others argue that the monetary difference in question could be thousands of dollars…
Trade-in, or not. It all comes down to convenience, or cash.