Your car’s tires are those rubber things that serve as the in-between between your car and you and the wide open road. In fact, these tires actually give you much comfort than you expect them to give you. You do not feel much of the bumps and potholes on the road because of these tires. With this in mind, it is important that you do take good care of your tires. In fact, you would not want to be driving a car that has worn out tires in it. You see, having a car with worn out tires could lead to having a car suffering from major problems. Aside from this, your chances of meeting a flat tire or having one of your tires blow up would be much greater. That is why it is important for you to maintain them. In fact, the more you take good care of them, the more and the longer they will live. At least once a month, you should check their pressure. All tires should be checked. To be sure that you have put in the right amount of pressure, check your car owner’s manual. You may also find the information regarding this stamped on the side of the tire. Make sure that you do not under inflate them or over inflate them. While driving, if you notice that your car is going to one direction even if you are driving on a straight road, then would be the time to have the wheels aligned. By doing such, you are driving much safely and you also are lessening the pressure on the tires thus making them last longer. You should also have the wheels checked and balanced if you do feel consistent vibrations while driving at certain speeds.
Buy or Lease? It’s the classic dilemma that faces every auto-consumer out there: Pay cash upfront or forego the ownership and pay monthly settlements instead? Buy or lease for a new set of wheels? As is the case with every other common dilemma, there is no slam-dunk answer. Each option has its own benefits and drawbacks, and it all depends on a set of financial and personal considerations. First, your finances. Affordability is clearly key, and you need to ask the question of how stable is your job and how healthy is your general financial situation. The short-term monthly-cost of leasing is significantly lower than the monthly payments when buying: you only pay for “the portion” of the vehicle’s cost that you use up during the time you drive it. If you have a lot of cash upfront, then you can opt to pay the down payment, sales taxes - in cash or rolled into a loan - and the interest rate determined by your loan company. Buying effectively gives you ownership of the car and that feeling of “free driving” that goes on providing transportation. If, say, you want to get into luxury models but can’t afford the upfront cash of purchasing the vehicle than you’re a good candidate for leasing. Unlike buying, it gives you the option of not having to fork out the down payment upfront, leaving you to pay a lower money factor that is generally similar to the interest rate on a financing loan. However, these benefits have a price: terminating a lease early or defaulting on your monthly lease payments will result in stiff financial penalties and can ruin your credit. You need to make sure you carve out the monthly lease payment in your budget for the foreseeable future, at least for the duration of the lease. Besides the financial aspect, making a buy or lease decision depends on your own particular lifestyle choices and preferences. Think about what the car means to you: are you the sort of person to bond with the car or would you rather have the excitement of something new? If you want to drive a car for more than fives years, negotiate carefully and buy the car you like. If, on the other hand, you don’t like the idea of ownership and prefer to drive a new car every two to three years then you should lease. Next, factor your transportation needs: How many miles do you drive a year? How properly do you maintain your cars? If you answer is: “I drive 40,000 miles a year and I don’t really care much about my cars as I don’t mind dealing with repair bills”, then you’re probably better off buying. Leasing is based on the assumption of limited-mileage, usually no more than 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year, and wear-and-tear considerations. Unless you can keep within the prescribed mileage limits and keep the car in a good condition at the end of your lease, you might incur hefty end-of-lease costs.
In the United States, this vehicle is known as the sedan. However, if you travel to those areas where British English is spoken, you would come to know that it is not known as the sedan there but as a saloon. The sedan is known as one of the most common body styles of an automobile. The most basic parts of a sedan comprise of a hood that covers the engine in the front, the passenger car itself, and a separate trunk for luggage which is typically found at the rear of the vehicle. If you are opting to purchase a sedan for yourself, the first thing to do would be to find out just how much are you willing to spend on this type of car. The price for full size sedans range from around $16,000 to $30,000. Also, it is very much recommended that you also try to think just what features do you want your vehicle to hold. You can decide which one is the most important among safety, performance, value, handling, comfort, reliability, dealer service, appearance, interior room and space, amount of cargo, and gas mileage. Take out a pen and a piece of paper and start listing down the makes and models of vehicles that you would want to consider. You can do some research on these sedans you have listed. To assist you, there are automobile magazines that provide reviews and vehicle specifications. Also, you can just log in to the Internet and there are plenty of pieces of information on vehicles. If you are concerned about safety, you can check out crash test data from various organizations who do them like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) which holds and publishes vehicle ratings at their website at hwysafety. org. You may also want to consider the resale value of your vehicle. You see, the value of full size sedans dwindle down for each year. So you may want to put that into perspective. Also try talking to insurance companies about your choices for your full size vehicle. Remember that any piece of information regarding costs and other vehicle specification would help you out a lot in deciding which full size sedan could fit your lifestyle, your needs, your wants, as well as your budget. In addition, Car Parts Rush makes sure it has a superior stock of Jeep parts and other vehicle parts to assist vehicle owners in preserving the quality, agility, and performance of their vehicles. The parts are made from high quality materials and are offered at low discount prices.
1. - Gas Savings - Hybrid cars can get up to 60 mpg (miles per gallon), due to their advanced aerodynamics, engine efficiency, tire technology (which is so different to the standard cars) just to mention some of its characteristics. 2. - Environmental Issues - Reduced gas emissions equals less air pollution because a hybrid car has an electric motor and batteries to rely on when the gasoline engine is not in use. They can reduce smog up to 90%. 3. - Better engine efficiency - Reducing the overall weight of the hybrid car is a way to increase its efficiency, smaller engines equals better efficiency. Another way is how the hybrid cars recharge they batteries, the hybrids battery pack never needs to be charged from an external source, every time you hit the brake, the brake system stores some of the energy to the batteries (this is known as regenerative braking). Also the batteries get recharged by the gasoline engine when necessary. 4. - Low Maintenance costs - The electrical motor and the batteries dont require any maintenance; they have the same life span as the car itself. The gas engine doesnt require any more maintenance than any other normal car. 5. - Government Incentives - Theres a federal tax deduction for hybrid cars; the new hybrid car tax credit is divided into two parts with tax credits ranging from $400 to $3400. The great news is that a credit is much better than a deduction since the credit does reduce the taxes that are owed. The deduction simply reduces the amount of taxable income.
One of the biggest moments in many people’s lives is driving off in their brand-spanking-new automobile. It’s an exhilarating feeling. It’s also a big moment because in that very instant, that brand-spanking-new car loses a big chunk of its value—the difference between the retail price you paid and the car’s wholesale value. That’s typically thousands gone in an instant. That’s why some car buyers choose to shop around for a used car. You save yourself that steep initial drop-off in value. More importantly, you get a car that runs just as well, is just as dependable, and looks and feels as good as that new car—that is, if you play your cards right. For if there is one pitfall of buying a used car, it’s the risk of buying a lemon, a junker—call it what you want, you get the point: the wrong car. Used car dealers, after all, have nearly as bad a reputation, if not worse, than lawyers do. This holds true for individual people selling their cars through newspapers, Web auctions and classified sites, or with the old-fashioned signs in their car windows. The saying, “Buyer Beware,” no where has more meaning than with cars. The opposite to that, of course, is that there are some real steals out there in used cars. We’re talking about quality vehicles that will perform beyond your expectations at a low price. Here’s how to find these perfect used vehicles, and avoid the top 10 scams that used car dealers everywhere try to pull on you. 1. Get a second opinion for the hype. Used car dealers will bombard you with every adjective under the book to sell you on a car—sporty, thrifty, fast, and etc. Don’t take their word for it. Instead, find someone you know, whether a neighbor, a colleague, a family member, or a friend, who owns the same make and model of the vehicle, and ask them for their opinion. 2. Do a background check. One of the most unethical, but legal, things someone can do to you is sell you a used car that’s been in a flood (and sort of repaired), or one that’s had 10 previous owners (none of whom repaired it). To be sure you don’t fall victim to this, track down a history report, including a clearance check on the vehicle title. You can even get some of this information from the seller, simply by asking why they are selling it. You’d be surprised what beans people may spill. 3. Examine for past damage. Used car dealers may also try to peddle a vehicle that was wrecked in a major accident. It’s amazing what autobody experts can do to repair a car’s exterior. So don’t go by the outer appearances of a vehicle. Before you buy it, make sure that it does not have serious damage to its frame, which it would have if it was involved in a crash. 4. Call up your trusted mechanic. Used car dealers, especially the big lots, will say they put their used cars through a “100 point inspection,” or something like that. Once again, a second opinion is in order. Get this one from your own mechanic. He’ll be able to tell how good a shape the car actually is in. Also be sure to ask him or her how often the car had been serviced. A good mechanic can even gauge that. 5. Research for recalls. Needless to say, a used car dealer may sell you a car that’s actually under recall in his mad rush to get the car off his lot. So be sure to call the car manufacturer, or visit their Web site, to see if the vehicle has any active recalls. 6. Avoid the leftover lemon. Along with recalled vehicles, dealers may even perpetrate something much worse on you—sell you a lemon. (By definition, a lemon is a car that’s still under warranty, which has such major problems that, warranty or not, it still cannot be fixed in a reasonable way.) The best way to avoid this is to research in Consumer Reports or the various automobile magazines, which all have yearly reviews of every make and model on the market. They’ll tell you whether a kind of car is known for being a lemon and prone to breakdowns. 7. See through the old paint and bait. Along with performing their “100 point inspection,” car dealers may shine and wax a used car—even repaint it—to hide dents, dings, and rust spots. A keen eye, though, can see right through this. 8. Take the test drive. Once you’ve done all your research, homework, extra credit, and everything else called for in the first seven steps, then comes the fun—the test drive. Drive the car for as long as its owner or dealer will allow you. Then you’ll get a better feel for how the vehicle handles, accelerates, brakes, and otherwise suits your tastes (or doesn’t). 9. Be wary of the pushy seller. At any stage of the game—from the moment you first talk to the seller to the test drive—be careful if the seller gets pushy. Any dealer or seller who is in a rush to move a vehicle should set off bells and whistles. Why the rush? Are they hiding something? In some cases the seller may just be excited to sell you the car—and actually happy for you—but in many other cases, they may be up to something. Better be safe than sorry. Follow these 9 simple steps to avoid the scams and pitfalls of used car deals, and you could get the car of your dreams—for far less than you’d pay if it was brand-new. Plus, you get that same high when you drive your new used car home, without losing thousands of dollars.
Gas prices jumped right past $3 last year without warning and could do so again anytime. With so many great fuel-stingy cars out there, why take a chance? Below are the ten 2006 cars whose mileage numbers will best protect you from a pinch. Note that this is EPA’s estimated mileage, which comes with the fine print of “results may vary” thanks to its archaic testing procedures. Still, the tests are consistent from car to car, so the finishing order of the cars can be expected to hold up in the real world, even if the exact numbers don’t. City Freeway Average 1. Honda Insight 60 66 63 2. Toyota Prius automatic 60 51 55.5 3. Honda Civic Hybrid 49 51 50 4. Volkswagen Beetle TDI 37 44 40.5 5. Volkswagen Golf TDI 37 44 40.5 6. Volkswagen Jetta TDI 36 41 38.5 7. Toyota Corolla 32 41 36.5 8. Scion xA 32 37 34.5 9. Honda Civic automatic 30 40 35 10. Kia Rio / Hyundai Accent 32 35 33.5 (The Rio and Accent are the same car.) Except for the Prius and two Civics, all figures are for cars with manual transmissions, which by nature of their more efficient design tend to squeeze out 1-2 extra MPG. But even with an automatics-only rule, the same ten models still comprise the list in only a slightly altered order – no surprise there. Hybrids of course take the top three spots, largely thanks to the ability to turn off their engines. Other reasons include shrunken engines, improved aerodynamic tricks, and harder tires. Don’t think that mileage comes for free; hybrids cost a couple thousand more at the outset. Diesel-powered cars occupy the next three spots, though not everyone is comfortable with the technology (mostly due to outdated generalizations of 1980s diesels) or having to find gas stations that carry the fuel. For those who prefer to tread in familiar waters, let’s hack off the top six entries and redo the list. This time, just normal gas-powered cars: City Freeway Average 1. Toyota Corolla 32 41 36.5 2. Honda Civic automatic 30 40 35 3. Scion xA 32 37 34.5 4. Kia Rio / Hyundai Accent 32 35 33.5 5. Toyota Matrix / Pontiac Vibe 30 36 33 6. Scion xB 30 34 32 7. Mini Cooper 28 36 32 8. Nissan Sentra 1.8L (tie) 28 35 31.5 Mazda 3 2.0L (tie) 28 35 31.5 10. Mitsubishi Lancer (tie) 27 34 30.5 Hyundai Elantra (tie) 27 34 30.5 Chevrolet Aveo (tie) 26 35 30.5 Acura RSX (tie) 27 34 30.5 Yes, there are plenty of cars that get an [EPA estimated] 30 MPG on average, and it’s a pleasant surprise that perennial favorites Corolla and Civic lead the pack. Presence of the Mini Cooper and Acura RSX serve as proof that mileage need not come at the cost of fun or performance.
As a driver, you should be prepared for vehicle breakdowns or other unexpected situations. For safety, the service specialists at Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge recommend keeping the following items in your car. 1. Disposable camera. In case of an accident, it will help you document any damage. 2. First-aid kit. It will come in handy for treating minor cuts, bumps or bites. 3. Charged cell phone. You might need to make a call if you are involved in an accident, your vehicle breaks down or you need directions. 4. Earpiece for your cell phone. This allows you to keep both hands on the steering wheel. 5. Flares. They will alert passing drivers to your presence if you are stopped on the road. 6. Spare tire. Always have one available in case a tire needs to be replaced. 7. Toolbox. You might need tools for tasks such as changing a headlight lamp. 8. Map. Even if you know where you are going, you may run into a detour and need to find an alternate route. 9. Driver's manual. This reference contains information on everything from dashboard warning signals to the kind of gasoline your vehicle requires. 10. Water and snacks. They will be useful if you become stranded or are traveling with children or pets. Be sure to have regular service and maintenance checkups by certified automotive experts to ensure your vehicle operates at its optimum level. For more information, call or visit your local Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealership. - NU
Cadillac’s luxury sports sedan, the Cadillac CTS has been bringing fame to its brand as well as unforgettable experiences for its drivers and passengers. The Cadillac CTS actually stands for “Catera Touring Sedan”. It holds four doors and has the capacity to take in a maximum of five passengers in its spacious cabin. This vehicle has also been made available in two trims which comprise of the 2.8 L Sedan, and the 3.6 L Sedan. Upon its introduction, the Cadillac CTS 2.8 L Sedan comes equipped with the standard 2.8 liter V6 engine that is very much capable of providing some 210 units of horsepower. It also gives the Cadillac CTS the chance to achieve 17 mpg for city driving and 27 mpg on the highway. As per the Cadillac CTS 3.6 L Sedan, this vehicle comes with a standard 3.6 liter V6 engine capable of making 255 horsepower. It can give the Cadillac CTS a chance to roll along with 17 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Standard for both of these trim levels is a six speed manual transmission system with overdrive. Given as an option is a five speed automatic transmission system with overdrive. This vehicle rolled off the Cadillac manufacturing plants using the General Motors’ new Sigma rear wheel drive architecture. To give credit to its brand name, this vehicle was nominated in 2002 for the North American Car of the Year award. Trivia has it that the Cadillac CTS was seen extensively in one of the car chase sequences in the 2003 movie, The Matrix Reloaded. Because of that stint, the first photographs of this vehicle were from that movie. The Cadillac CTS comes in a package of features. For exterior colors, this luxury sports sedan could come in painted with light platinum, black raven, blackberry, blue chip, infrared, radiant bronze, sand storm, silver smoke, stealth gray, or white diamond. As per the interior, it could be ebony, light gray/ebony, or cashmere. Standard equipment for this includes driver and front passenger frontal air bags, head curtain side impact air bags, an AM/FM stereo with CD player, a digital clock, an auto tone control, an automatic volume, a Radio Data System, four wheel anti lock brakes, a dual-zone automatic climate controls, a cruise control system, power door locks, fog lamps, daytime running lamps, halogen headlamps, a wood trim for the interior, power adjustable and heated mirrors, the OnStar system, a remote keyless entry system, seat controls, and the XM Satellite Radio.
For the past several months news reports have been focusing on the declining fortunes of the world’s largest automaker, General Motors, as well as on the rise of Toyota to pre-eminence. Many are predicting that this will be the year that Toyota overtakes General Motors in sales while others are expressing caution regarding this assessment. Does it really matter who is number one? In many ways it does. Let’s examine the fortunes of the Top Two to determine whether Toyota’s quest to overtake General Motors will happen this year. So, why does it matter who is the top selling automaker in the world? In one word: prestige. Being number one in any category tells consumers that you are at the top of your game. No, there isn’t anything wrong with being number two – just ask Avis – but saying that “we try harder” doesn’t equate into being number one no matter how cute your commercials may be. General Motors’ decline combined with Toyota’s ascension is remarkable. At one time, General Motors produced well over half of all vehicles sold in the U. S. Today, that number is down to about 25% and falling. Toyota, on the other hand, has gone from being the maker of poor quality cars to being a manufacturer that everyone points to when building their vehicles. A true “benchmark” in an industry overloaded with manufacturers. Originally, many thought that the Toyota ascension would not occur before 2010, if ever. Although General Motors is losing market share, it does have a strong presence elsewhere especially in China where it is the number one automaker and double digit sales growth from year to year is common. Thus, the overseas market has been what has kept GM strong. GM’s home market though may be what causes the capitulation. With planned layoffs and plant closings in progress, GM is dumping excess capacity in favor of anticipated need. Toyota, on the other hand, cannot keep up with capacity as demand for its three lines of vehicles –- Toyota, Lexus, and Scion –- continue to drive growth. Indeed, if there is factory space available, Toyota will use it to produce more vehicles. So, the prediction for Toyota overtaking GM is based largely on available capacity and demand. Toyota, however isn’t about to claim the #1 position so easily. In 2005, General Motors sold the most cars that it has since 1978, so things are not as gloomy as thought when looking at the company from a global perspective. Growth in China, capacity through its Korean subsidiary Daewoo, and renewed interest in several new or modified home grown models may stem the bleeding. Some are thinking that GM has cut back as far as it needs to go and with new models online including pick up trucks, SUVs, the Saturn SKY and Aura, and others GM may be poised for a surge in sales. None of us can predict the future, but it does show us one thing: the battle for automotive pre-eminence will only grow stronger and neither automaker can afford to take anything for granted. For consumers just like you, you stand to benefit as quality improvements and pricing strategies give you the best bang for the buck.
Toyota Celicas have been around for quite some time now. Not quite as old as the Ford Pinto, but you know what I mean. Celicas have always been known for being the affordable sports car made by Toyota. But, whats so special about this car? When in comparison to other similar priced cars, their quickness is no where near the performance that other cars can produce. Not only that, Honda's and Scion's have much more aftermarket parts availiable for tricking out your ride. So, once in a while you'll see a Black Toyota Celica in a street race, but if your a true racer, you're not afraid of the Celica. Modified Honda's or Scion's, even Chevy's will blow away the Toyota. But that doesn't stop Toyota lovers from their Celicas. Of course, they have their parts for modding, and they look pretty sweet, but when it comes down to racing, they just don't cut it. It's not very common to see a Toyota Celica For Sale nowadays, it seems like they have all disappeared off the market. Unforunately for the United States, we get the shaft as the imported Celica's can be quite beastly. But, for Americans, it seems that all of the import cars get dumbed down when they come to America to comply with our sorry standards for safety, when in reality it is just stupid drivers that cause all the havoc. Eighty-five year olds that can't see 15 feet in front of them should not be driving anymore, and this society allows for practically every elder to own a license, and then there are those that are too stubborn to quit, even when they know they shouldn't be driving. The United States is full of ignorance, if you were to take that all away, along with a harsher drivers license requirements, all of the really cool import cars that can pick up speed like no other might actually be legal. But, of course, it just doesn't work that way. But, lets get back to Toyota Celicas. If your really interested in a Celica, it's not like they are bad cars in anyways, but when compared to other sports and racing cars these days, they just can't compete. Toyota makes great cars, you can almost always rely on them that you are going to get a quality car that will last you a long time, and they've proven that over the years. If you like the car, by all means go for it. You can find a Toyota Celica For Sale quite easy, although they don't come in the numbers that say a Honda Civic might. They have decent performance for the gas milage they get, and they have a unique style to them. You definitely won't find any other car that looks like the Celica, they are quite easy to point out, even in the older years. Although, there are way too many Red Celicas in the world right now, it would be a lot nicer if they were black, because if you've seen a nice black one, then you've seen a nice Celica. The red ones are too flashy for their own good, they are nice cars, but not that nice. All in all, I think Toyota Celicas are quality cars, driveable, and reliable, but if you plan on racing one of these babies, you should prepare yourself to lose quite a bit, or be willing to put a lot of time and effort into modifications to compete with the big boys.
Recent media attention on the number of highway fatalities caused by semi-trucks has many people asking whether our roads are indeed 'safe.' A fully loaded truck, like the one that slammed into the back of another truck on California's I-5 last month can do an intense amount of damage. In that particular accident, three people were killed and at least ten more injured when the truck entering the 550-foot underpass crashed into the truck in front, causing a massive pile-up and ultimately, an explosion. This isn't the first time the safety of sharing our roads with oversized semi-trailer trucks has been questioned. Trucking industry practices are continuously being reformed to address the number of fatalities these vehicles cause, including reducing the amount of time a truck driver is allowed to drive without a break, instituting new methods of driver payment that do not include "paid-by-the-mile" incentives, and adding more highway patrol officers designated to specifically crack down on truck drivers that don't keep proper log books or break traffic laws. But is it enough? In theory, the enhanced safety measures are beneficial, but the process has been slow and for many families, too slow. The year 2000 marked the inception of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), an organization dedicated to reduce the number of fatality accidents caused by large trucks. By 2005, not much had improved. Estimated numbers of annual fatalities caused by large trucks is still over 5,200. In other words, 100 families in the U. S. lose a loved one due to a large truck fatality every week. So what can you do to protect yourself and your families? The trucking industry isn't going anywhere any time soon, and while we can hope that some of these measures begin to drastically reduce the number of highway deaths, now is the time to make sure you're driving the safest vehicles you possibly can. Even the safest vehicles may not be able to stand up to a collision with a semi, but there are certain vehicles that tend to fare better than others. First, SUVs and pickup trucks generally keep their occupants safer than passenger cars when in collisions. While other factors obviously dictate how well passengers will be protected in a crash, such as the type of crash, the rate of speed the vehicles were moving, and the passive safety features installed on the vehicles, SUVs and pickups tend to be heavier and therefore sustain less damage. Other key factors to examine are the active and passive safety features of your vehicle. For example, while most SUVS offer dual stage airbags (the type that protect occupants from rear-end and head-on collisions by preventing contact with the dash and steering column), the Isuzu Ascender 5-Passenger also sports head-curtain side-impact airbags that protect the body from injuries caused by rolling or side-impacts. Taking the time to compare the safety features of your vehicle to the available safety features in models offered by car companies that are known for safety (like Isuzu and Volvo) will give an indication of deficits in your vehicles safety system.
Finding a meaningful gift is sometimes impossible during the holiday shopping season. Are you running out of gift ideas that the recipient will appreciate and won't have to worry about returning the gift? The answer is Truck Floor Mats or Auto Floor Mats make the perfect gift for anyone on your list with a luxury car, sports car, sedan, van, SUV, pickup truck, virtually for any type of vehicles. Today's interior auto floor mats or floor liners are superior aftermarket products that provide extra protection for your vehicle's floor against spills, crud, mud, slush, grime and daily foot friction. Floor mats are a great, thoughtful gift because the recipient will think you every time they get in and out of their vehicle, many times throughout the day. You may even get the extra appreciation when the kids spill their fast food fries followed by the spilled pop - all of which is no big deal because the gifted floor mats or floor liners you gave as a gift, protected their vehicle's interior and clean up was a breeze. You'll be amazed how easy is to give a meaningful gift this year, to even that most difficult 'hard to buy for' person on your list. To help you with a flawless purchase, before you buy floor mats be prepared to have the following information ready: # Vehicle's year # Make and model # Basic vehicle layout (bench seats versus buckets) Shopping online for custom, fitting floor mats, floor liners and cargo liners will also save you time and avoid the mad mall shopping scene. Easy search terms like "rubber floor mats", "truck floor mats", "car floor mats" "all weather floor mats" will aide in finding e-commerce sites selling quality floor protection products. Some of the top automotive manufacturers for floor protection with products that provide protection, function and style are: # WeatherTech All Weather Rubber Floor Mats # WeatherTech Extreme Duty Floor Liners and Cargo Liners # Husky Heavy Floor Mats, Floor Liners and Cargo Liners # Nifty Catch-All Premium Floor Mats and Cargo Mats # Nifty Catch All Extreme Floor Mats and Cargo Mats Mats and liners provide a custom fit to the vehicle's interior dimensions. Custom fit floor mats and liners are achieved by today's digital manufacturing capabilities that can match virtually every type of vehicle interiormon materials used are carpet, rubber, or a high-tech poly-based material, each with different application strengths. For example, carpet floor mats are generally more common in warmer, drier climates. While all rubber or the poly-based materials in floor mats, liners and cargo liners are for all weather climates where moisture is prevalent. This year forget about giving gift cards or booze! Give something you'll get a sincere thank you! Floor mats, floor liners or cargo liners make a great gift for anyone on your holiday list.
How often do you replace your car’s air filter? Every 10 thousand miles? 12K? 15K? During the life of your car – assuming you plan on keeping your vehicle for many years – you could easily go through 8, 10, even 15 or more air filters. Of course, that is if you choose to purchase disposable air filters every time your shop. However, did you know that you now have another choice, in a reusable air filter, which costs a bit more but will likely outlast your car? Read on for an informative comparison of the two types of air filters available for your vehicle. If you maintain your own vehicle, you probably make regular trips to your auto parts store for oil, filters, wipers, and the occasional air filter. Concerning your air filter, your choices include Fram, ACDelco, Bosch, and Purolator air filters, all very well known and trusted brands. You are not likely to pay a whole lot for one, perhaps between $6 and $15, depending on your vehicle make, model, model year, and engine. For many people purchasing an air filter once a year is a simple procedure: see which one is on sale, buy it, toss the old one, and insert the new one. Consumers are now discovering an additional option to disposable air filters, one that race car owners have known about for ages: reusable air filters. That’s right, instead of paper air filters that must be changed regularly and can contribute to overflowing landfills, drivers can now purchase reusable air filters made of cotton gauze and aluminum wire mesh. These higher air flow filters provide excellent filtration and are designed to increase horsepower and acceleration. K&N, for example, sells a line of air filters that are warranted to last one million miles, can be cleaned as little as once every 50 thousand miles, and are emissions legal in all fifty US states. Prices for reusable air filters range from as little as $30 to approximately $60 or more. Besides the obvious environmental and performance benefits, a reusable air filter will save you a lot of money in the long run. For the owner of a car who keeps his vehicle for 150 thousand miles – not uncommon these days – he could easily replace his filter twelve times during the life of the car. If he pays $12 per air filter – an average price – his expenditure is $144 for the life of the car. A $50 reusable air filter is a one shot charge and can be recouped within the first few years of owning the car. Today, you have real choices when it comes to selecting an air filter for your car. Purchasing a reusable air filter is an environmentally responsible, cost effective, and power enhancing decision that you will never regret.
The 2008 Ultimate Aero TT is the latest version by Shelby Super Cars (SSC). When the Ultimate Aero TT first made its debut many industry insiders felt that this vehicle would break the world speed record for production cars of 253.2 mph, set by the Bugatti Veyron 16.4. It wasn't long before they were proven right. The Ultimate Aero TT reached an unprecedented speed of 256.15 mph, making this lightweight, aerodynamic vehicle officially the "World's Fastest Production Car." Achieving tremendous power via its twin turbo V-8 engine, it produces 1,183 horsepower and 1,094 ft.-lbs. of torque. The speedometer on the car goes up to 260, and in sixth gear at 7,200 rpm; the TT's performance stats state that it exceeds 286 mph. The Ultimate Aero TT does zero to 60 mph in 2.78 seconds and a quarter mile in less than 10 seconds. It has a 422-pound V-8 engine with an aluminum block and heads. The four-wheel rocket redlines at 7,200 rpm, and the vehicle's horsepower is an incredible 1,183 at 6,950 rpm. It is a rear-wheel drive with a mid-engine position. The lightweight body is made of carbon fiber, composites, and a steel space frame. It sets on Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires, 19 by 9.5 inches in the front and 20 by 13 inches in the rear. The ride is controlled by unequal length upper and lower A-arms coil-over springs in the front and rear. This politically incorrect beast vehicle - with a four-inch ground clearance - has a refined side too. The interior is both clean and chic. Even the roll bar enhances the lines of the cabin by matching the car's seats. There also is a high-end sound system and a DVD navigational system. It comes in 11 heavenly colors, including yellow, purple and plum. The Shelby name has been associated with classic, super-fast automobiles for decades. However, Carroll Shelby, the man who made the world think of cars instead of reptiles when referring to cobras or vipers, is not related whatsoever to Jarod Shelby, the owner of SSC and the designer of the Ultimate Aero TT. Maybe there is just something about that name?
North American motorists have gotten used to paying $20-$25,000 or more for their new vehicles. Long gone are the days when sub $10,000 cars ruled the highways, with few cars available for under $15,000 these days. All of that will be changing as the pending introduction of cheap cars from China as well as imports from Mexico and other third world nations will reshape the automotive landscape. Will you buy one of these bargain brands or will you stick with one of the trusted names? Let’s step forward a few years to look at a radically changed automotive market and just what it may have to offer to you, the value conscious consumer. If you follow automotive press reports then likely you have heard talk of cheaply priced cars from China being imported to the US and Canadian markets. At prices reported to be as low as US$ 6500, these cars have created a lot of buzz and have raised concern about the entire automotive industry, domestic and foreign. One big question asked includes this: how will domestic manufacturers be able to compete price wise? Well, prices won’t be quite as low as first reported once certain safety and anti-pollution measures are added in; instead the final starting price will likely be in the neighborhood of US$ 8500. Regardless of exactly where the final starting prices are set, an economic tsunami could hit in short order. Two of China’s top brands, Chery and Geely, are reportedly preparing to export cars to the US in 2008. Both manufacturers produce several lines of vehicles, but current manufacturing output is limited. Expect no more than 200,000 of these vehicles for the first few years, but maybe millions more once additional capacity has been brought online. In India, several manufacturers have been quietly expanding capacity to serve the burgeoning Indian market. One manufacturer, Tata Motors, even has pledged to build a car starting at US$ 2000. That’s no typo – two thousand dollars for a new car! The last car that sold at this price in the US was the VW Beetle. Of course, you have to go back to the late 1960s to find a new Beetle at that price. Will Tata and other Indian automakers export their cars to the U. S.? Given the current state of the Indian auto industry, likely this will not happen for some time. Capacity is expanding, but it is barely keeping up with domestic demand. Plus, each model would have to undergo extensive upgrades in order to conform to strict U. S. emissions, safety, and quality standards. Yet, the possibility of a car that will greatly undercut Chinese models in price is intriguing. Don’t think for a moment that leading world automakers will take these challenges lying down. Ford is proposing to build a sub-$10,000 vehicle in Mexico; GM is tapping its South Korean arm Daewoo for additional low cost models; and DaimlerChrysler is shopping around for a partner to help build it own super cheap people mover for around the same price. Toyota, Honda, and several other Asian manufacturers will be sure to respond. With factories scattered across the globe, each company can pull a model from one factory and ship it to the U. S. to compete. Already, Honda and Toyota are offering cars at around $12,000 or less and each of these models could retail for much less if they are built in countries where wage levels are very low. So, what does all of this mean for consumers? Well, you aren’t likely to see an across the board drop in automobile prices, but you probably will see the end to “sticker shock” the phenomenon that has stunned new car buyers for the past generation. What you may find is this: $60,000 Lexus’ and $6000 Scions being sold side by side. A huge difference in price, but something that the North American auto enthusiast may find to be commonplace.
