Buying a Car Online: Seven Tips

Okay, so you’ve decided it’s time for a new set of wheels. The old crocker has kicked the bucket and it’s time to move on up! Buying a car online can be a wonderful opportunity to get an awesome deal, that’s right, you need not fall victim to the seedy salesman with his automotive hell trap that bit your mate in the ass like a rabid dog…

Buying online can put you in the driver’s seat of the deal! But let’s get a few things straight with these helpful tips before you dive in and splurge on the dream ride.

Tip 1

Do you know what you are looking for? Make sure that you research the car you’ve been dreaming of. Take a moment to ask yourself what your needs are, how many people will you be driving around, what can you afford –including running costs. Don’t let insurance and licensing costs pop up as ghosts in the night at a later stage. Know your enemy and you will conquer!


Tip 2

So you’ve locked onto your target model and you’re ready for the next step. Enter the cyber showroom of your chosen manufacturer and check out the model’s details. Familiarise yourself with the specifications and price. Now go read reviews, online, in car magazines, in newspapers… anywhere and everywhere you can. What’s good about your chosen model, and what’s not so good? Reconnaissance missions set you up for success.

Tip 3

You still want it? You’re probably onto a keeper, so now go get some quotes. Shopping around for a deal is vital if you don’t want to be taken for a fool. Check out your chosen model on the websites of a couple of dealers and see what they’ve got on offer. How do the prices sit with you after your extensive research? Looking good?


Tip 4

Now, time to take out the calculator. How much is this baby going to cost you in total? Insurance, taxes, tires, fuel, licence, services, etc. Add it up. Can you stomach it? Unless you have a nice chunk of cash in your pocket you may need to opt for car financing, and if so you need to see what the best plan for repayments is. You can check out your credit score online if you are unsure about your standing.

Tip 5

Get out a bright light and a pair of pliers. Interrogate the dealer. The most important info you need is about warranties, delivery costs, insurance details, whether the tank will be filled, are there any discount opportunities, maybe some free accessories and do they supply an onsite inspection report?

Tip 6

Insurance can be bought from the dealer or from an independent insurance company. Go ahead and compare the deals offered by insurance companies. You want the best for the lowest price, so it will take some comparative analysis to find the optimum insurance for your new car.

Tip 7

Before you actually buy the car, be sure to read the agreement. If you have questions then ask. Use the customer service provided. Be assertive and sure of each step. When you are happy with everything you can go ahead with the purchase. Soon you will be tearing up the tarmac in your shiny new ride…

New Events From Ford: The Escape Hybrid Technology Clinic

Hybrid vehicles are considered as the best cars nowadays. It combines the technical advantages of conventional vehicles and the economical features of electric vehicles. The electric motor of a hybrid vehicle assists the car's engine for a much better performance and reliability. As a result, hybrid vehicles come up with a bunch of benefits such as low emission, less air pollution, fuel efficiency, advanced aerodynamics, as well as cheaper running costs. Yet, these are just a few of the advantages that hybrid vehicles have. But not all of us are aware of these benefits produced by hybrid vehicles.

Most places around the world especially here in our country have the so called ?clean air program? that has been implemented to save the environment from air pollution. In accordance with this, hybrid engineers of the Ford Motor Company along with some representatives from Portland, Oregon will conduct a technology clinic for the Ford Escape Hybrid and for Ford Escape Hybrid parts. The said technology clinic will present the environmental and economical features and benefits of the Ford Escape Hybrid.


Other events include the consumer clinic, which will carry out forums to answer questions about the hybrid technology, and the Ford Escape Hybrid owner clinic that will discuss the consumer benefits of the Escape Hybrid. Some of these consumer benefits have been successfully accomplished in some areas in the country such as in New York and San Francisco that utilizes the Ford Escape Hybrid as a passenger taxi. It offers more fuel efficiency than conventional vehicles, spacious passenger and cargo capacity, clean emission, and extended gas mileage.

The Ford Technology Clinic will be on Wednesday, July 26 at the Oregon Convention Center, Oregon Ballroom Lobby, 777 Northeast Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd, Portland, Oregon and will start at 10:00 AM. This event from Ford Motor Company will surely help us to be more aware and fully understand the benefits and advanced features of Ford Escape Hybrid and other Ford hybrid vehicles.

Jaguar XJ220 "A Mean Machine"

The Jaguar XJ220 is a mid-engined sports car produced by Jaguar in collaboration with Tom Walkinshaw Racing as Jaguar Sport between 1992 and 1994. It held the record for the highest top speed of a production car (350 km/h, 217 mph) until the arrival of the McLaren F1 in 1994.

A racing version called the XJ220C was also made. The XJ220C, driven by Win Percy won its first race, a round of the BRDC National Sports GT Challenge at Silverstone. Three works XJ220C's were entered in the 1993 Le Mans 24 Hour race, in the newly created Grand Touring Class. Two of the cars retired but one XJ220, driven by John Nielsen, David Brabham and David Coulthard took the checkered flag to take a class win. This, however, was revoked two weeks later, when the XJ220C was disqualified for a technical infringement.

An XJ220 would also be used in the Italian GT Championship in the early 1990s, although this car had no factory support.




Specifications

Vehicle Type: - 2-door coupe, production car
Price: - $650,000
Configuration: - Mid Engine / RWD
Engine: - Twin-Turbo V6
Capacity: - 3494 cc
Torque: - 475 lb-ft at 4500 rpm
Horsepower: - 542 bhp at 7200 rpm
Transmission: - 5-Speed Manual
Weight: - 3241 lbs
0-60 mph: - 3.8 sec
Top speed: - 217 mph

Custom Car Covers For That Perfect Fit!

Bob Crowley and his wife, Teresa, were proud of their silver Honda Accord. Despite living in the city and parking their car right on the street, their ’98 Accord was nearly free of dings. The finish looked just as good as when they purchased the car. How could this be possible? With kids playing stick ball, tight parallel parking, air pollution, and pigeons that frequently splattered cars up and down the street, no car was immune from the regular insults of urban living. For the Crowley’s it was no mystery: a custom fitted car cover was placed over their Accord whenever it was parked to give it maximum protection. For an investment costing less than two hundred dollars you can protect your car too. Please read on to discover all the advantages of utilizing a high quality car cover.

Without exception, a custom fitted car cover offers the best protection for any vehicle. With side mirror pockets, a high quality car cover will fit your vehicle snuggly much in the way a well fitted dress graces a woman’s body or as a glove fits a hand. The benefit is a car cover that stays in place without flapping in the wind or sliding off.

Moreover, a custom fitted car cover will protect your car from the following:

Moisture – With four layers of protection a custom fitted car cover will resist moisture and protect your car’s finish from acid rain, road salt, hail, sleet, and snow.

Pollution – Air pollution, dirt, and flying debris can all wreak havoc on your car’s finish in no time. A high quality car cover will prevent your finish from looking old before its time.

Nature – In the city you have a burgeoning pigeon population to contend with, while in the suburbs you have squirrels, birds, and a host of other little critters who see your car as an invitation to leave their mark upon. Even if nature’s critters like your car cover, they won’t be able to do harm to your car.

Sunny Days -- You protect your skin with sunscreen, right? Don’t think for a moment that your car’s finish isn’t immune from harmful solar rays. Even the best finishes come under attack and need protection. Regular washes and waxing does help, but in between times your finish is under constant assault.

Small Impacts -- No, a car cover won’t protect your vehicle from another car slamming into it, but it can protect your car from someone who opens their door and bangs into your car as well as kids on skates who get a kick out using your hood as a seat for rest.

Intruders -- Why is it that strangers think nothing of peering into your unoccupied car when you are not around? Don’t think for a moment they are admiring the design of your interior! Likely, someone is casing your car for anything of value left out in full view or they are admiring your Bose sound system. Regardless, a car cover keeps the snooping folks away. What they can’t see they aren’t likely to go after.

High quality car covers such as those made by Covercraft can offer the best protection for your car. Each custom fitted car cover is developed for the specific make and model of your car no matter whether it is a Honda, BMW, Dodge, Kia, or any other vehicle. The more layers it consists of means better protection for your vehicle too. Select one with side pocket mirrors and your vehicle will receive maximum protection. Truly, for what amounts to a small investment a custom fitted car cover offers an excellent return on the money.

The Importance of a Healthy Car Exhaust System

Many people tend to disregard the exhaust system of an automobile. They may think that the exhaust system does nothing more than to discharge the waste products of the combustion process. Although this is exactly what the exhaust system does, the way these waste product is discharged out of the engine is essential to the performance of the engine. A gasoline engine involves three processes: combustion, mechanical drive and exhaust. If one of these processes is impeded, the condition of the engine will depreciate.

The exhaust system has three major functions, the first of which is to channel out the waste products of combustion out of the engine to allow it to continue to burn fuel unhindered thereby ensuring that the engine runs smoothly. An efficient exhaust system allows the waste gas and compound to escape quickly out of the system. If these waste products do not escape from the engine immediately, they may choke up the engine thus causing it to break down.

Another function of the exhaust system is to reduce the noise generated by the engine. Noise is one of the "wastes" produced by the engine. The exhaust gases leave the engine at extremely high pressure. If these gases escaped directly out of the engine, the noise generated would be tremendous. Thus, to minimize this noise, the exhaust system lets the exhaust gases pass through metal plates and tubes called the muffler. As the gas passes through the muffler, the noise is reduced.

The third function of the exhaust system is to clean up the emissions that are harmful to the environment. When the engine burns fuel, it produces gases that pollute the air such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. The exhaust system, through the Catalytic Converter, cleans up the exhaust gases by breaking down the harmful gas compounds. Chemicals in the catalytic converter act as catalysts, changing the highly hazardous gas compounds to less harmful ones.

Because air pollution is a major environmental problem that affects us all, catalytic converters are a necessity. In fact, it is illegal in most states not to have a catalytic converter. Replacing defective catalytic converters is not only an ethical necessity but also a legal requirement. If ever your car needs a new catalytic converter, you should purchase a new one and have it replaced as soon as possible. A catalytic converter is essential for the better performance of any exhaust system.

Mazda Catalytic Converters can be found at auto parts wholesalers and auto parts dealers all over the country. However, there is a much easier way to shop for Mazda Parts and other VW Parts. By far, the most convenient and fast way to shop for Mazda Parts is to visit a dependable and trustworthy online auto parts supplier with a good reputation as an excellent source of top-notch, low priced auto parts and accessories.

Look for an auto parts store that is renowned for its excellence. http://www.innerauto.com has already established itself as an excellent source of high quality, relevant automotive information. Its comprehensive index of articles, animations, definitions and other useful info have been recognized by many. Now, Inner Auto Parts now has an auto parts store offering millions of excellent quality and affordable Mazda parts, including Mazda catalytic converters. Aside from these, they offer every major product category of Mazda Parts - from Mazda Fuel Tanks, Mazda Hubcaps, Mazda Wheels, even Mazda Window Regulators.

The 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS

It was 1969. And what an amazing year it was! The Beatles’ world renowned hit Come Together was at the top of the music charts along with Johnny Cash’s A Boy Named Sue, Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, and the 1969 Chevy Chevelle SS, now a classic muscle car, was born. The Chevy Chevelle SS met the demands of muscle car enthusiasts for small cars with powerful motors. Its sporty fast-back body style which was first concocted in the redesign of the 1968 models gave it a touch of class as did the new design of the tail lights. Chevelles are mid-sized cars meeting the median between small sports cars and large family cars.

The 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle line was the first to have the SS 396 option available but it wasn’t perfect as it resulted the 396 became known for poor handling as it required stiffer springs and shocks than earlier models. Later in the year, the 396 option was replaced with a 402 cubic engine, supposedly due to emission standards. Even in light of the minor imperfections in its initial release, the Chevy Chevelle SS was an incredibly popular muscle car in its time and became one of the very best sellers of all times.

Limited edition Chevelles were a favorite amongst drag racers due to the powerful engine options, 427s, that could be special ordered. Limited edition Chevelles are few and far between in this day and age, but if you find one, they are worth a pretty penny. Classic car enthusiasts and speed demons alike admire these beauties.

Chevelles were first released in 1963 with a standard 327 cubic-inch V8, 300 horsepower engine. However, at that time the Pontiac GTO has a 389 that was unmatched. Chevrolet responded to the competition over the years by gradually increasing the power of their motors.

Chevy continued to produce Chevelles until 1973.

If you go to car shows where muscle cars are featured, you are sure to see 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS models because collectors absolutely love them. They are fast, high-performing cars as well as being practical size-wise which makes them pretty unique. The 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS is a car that is appealing to both classic car collectors and racers. Its got style, its got speed and its incredibly durable making it a muscle car classic that just about anyone would be honored to own.

Pimp Up Your Insurance When You Pimp Up Your Car

Are you a teenager or young adult who is thinking about buying a high performance or imported car, or modifying your car with aftermarket parts? Modifying your car to change the way it sounds, looks, or performs can make it costly to insure your car. Despite the possibility of higher rates, when you own a modified car, you need to make sure that your car has the appropriate automobile insurance.

There are several reasons why it is important to maintain proper insurance or advise your carrier about modifications. New modifications may add value to the car or raise the likelihood of vehicle theft. Since the parts of a modified car can exceed the vehicles value, your carrier must know what the parts are worth. Also, the increased speed from some modifications may increase the risk of accidents. Do not make the mistake of not informing your insurance company about modifications to your car. If you don’t advise your insurance company about modifications and they later learn about them, your policy will be terminated, intern leaving you un-covered and your insurer refusing to payout in the event of an accident.


Even though modified, imported and high performance vehicles may are more costly to insure, careful shopping can help you get a more competitive rate. Insurance companies consider the same factors for all types of automobile insurance when quoting a premium. They evaluate the value of the vehicle, the likelihood of theft, the safety features, and the risk of insuring the owner. If you are a younger driver, a clean driving record will help lower your rates. The intended use of the car also affects the premium. Modified show cars, which are kept inside and driven limited miles, will be less costly to insure than cars modified for racing. Car insurance rates may be cheaper for some cars which have special security protection and advanced safety features.


It is important to get multiple insurance quotes because companies categorize substantial modifications differently. Sometimes it is possible to get a better automobile insurance rate by joining an organization for specialty vehicle owners and obtaining the policy through the group.

Although obtaining modified car insurance coverage may seem overwhelming, having the right policy will offer more protection to you and your vehicle. Now that you have some background knowledge, you will be able to shop efficiently for the car insurance you need.