Monday, June 23, 2008

Shelby GT500 Mustang Custom Fit Luggage Set

Being a Vintage Race Car Driver and a Director of a high performance driving program (www.arosc.org), I get to test a variety of automotive accessory items. This seems to be my Carroll Shelby product test month and the new product being tested is a 3 piece luggage set that has been customized to fit the trunk of the Shelby Mustang GT500 -AFTER INSTALATION OF THE TRUNK MOUNTED SHAKER 1000 SPEAKER SYSTEM. In fact this luggage will fit all body styles of Mustangs from 2005 through 2009.

Before discussing the quality and utiitarian details, I'd like to write a few words about the clever, subtle design features that enables 3 substantial luggage pieces to fit in, what appears to be, severly limited space. The deepest part of the trunk, just behind the rear seats is slightly over 9 inches high with a slight down slope. The wheeled overnight bag -22" X 14" X 9" - with a Shelby signature extendable handle, is a rigid, molded frame bag that not only qualifies as an airline carry on, but maintains its shape in the small area allocated. The large capacity - 26" X 15" X 15"- soft sided wheeled duffle not only has Mag Style Wheels, a Shelby signature extendable metal handle, but also a separate lower framed section for suits, dresses, etc. The third piece is a large capacity - 24" X 15" X 14" - hand carry duffle that fits on it side facing the trunk locking unit. When all 3 pieces are in place, there is still room in the drivers side wheel well for a computer bag or briefcase.

Over the past month, this luggage has been put through the wringer. The hand carry duffle, being used to carry my driving suit, shoes, helmet and a variety of track necessities, spent a weekend being pushed, pulled and tossed around our small garage at the track. The other two pieces shared the truck bed with tools, tires and back up engine parts. It was not a pretty sight, but this 'Ballistic Nylon' luggage had virtually no scuffs and cleaned up with a damp cloth. The luggage also made 300 (plus) mile road trip up the Pacific Coast followed a week later to another 300 (plus) miles to Joshua Tree National park. I'm still looking for significant signs of wear.

The utilitarian features of the luggage includes a soft but tough Polyester Broadcloth lining, multiple cosmetic and accessory pockets with rugged zippers and a built in laundry pocket in the large wheeled duffle. The extendable metal handle on the rolling pieces has a well fitted grip and the (Mag Style) wheel assemblies ran smoothly and, imagination being a wonderful thing, they appeared to corner as if they were cambered and toed out.

The attention to detail- metal Carroll Shelby Badge, signature replications and correct logo designs embroidered strategically on the luggage, correct signature on the extendable handle, rubber molded logo in the carry handles of the rolling pieces - all add to the overall quality appearance and feel. The luggage is available through selected Ford Dealerships, www.shelbyperformance parts and the licensed manufacturer www.a2zracergear.com

Thursday, June 19, 2008

2008 Lamborghini Gallardo Looses Weight for Better Aerodynamics

The Lamborghini Gallardo is a sports car built by Lamborghini. It was introduced in 2004 as a new entry in Lamborghini lineup of racers. It was intended to rival the Ferrari F430. The name was derived from the Spanish breed of fighting bull named Gallardo. This means gallant in Spanish and striking in from an Italian language.

Most Lamborghini models are sold in a limited number. The Gallardo is the most produced model as of this moment with 5,000 units built in the first three years. It is a cheaper version of the famous and more powerful Lamborghini Murcielago

It's been made in five variants. The Spyder model of the Gallardo was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006. In late 2005, the Gallardo SE (Special Edition) was introduced. The Gallardo Nera (Special Edition) was introduced at Paris Motor Show. Only 185 units of the Gallardo Nera will be produced and 60 are for the American market. A special version of the Gallardo, dubbed the Superleggera was launched at the 2007 Geneva Auto Show. And the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 which was revealed at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show.

As of March 2008, the Gallardo is the only model to use the Lamborghini V10 engine. It uses 520 horsepower, 5.0 liter V-10 engine. The V-10 is linked to a 6 speed manual gearbox, or optional 6-speed automatic, and permanent 4 wheel drive with viscous traction. According to Lamborghini, its acceleration can reach up to 100 kilometers per hour in only 3.95 seconds and it has a top speed of 196 mph.

The Gallardo leaves the impression of being one of the sexiest sports cars on the market. The car certainly looks fantastic with its auto parts and can turn heads almost off their necks. This two-seater car measures 4.34 meters in length, 1.90 meters in width and a mere 1.16 meters in height. It weighs in dry at 1410 kilograms. Its lightweight is due to the extensive use of Superman-hard but lightweight carbon fiber. Most exterior components have been replaced with lighter-weight polycarbonate which then reduces the original with 126 pounds.

Modern car-building techniques have made the car surprisingly comfortable and luxurious. This car carries a warm welcome with its handsome interior furnished in rich leather. The position of the seats is very low but it provides head and leg room enough for a mid-six-footer.

Standard features include automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, power-adjustable leather seating, a CD player with two auxiliary audio inputs, an adjustable leather-wrapped steering wheel, and electrically folding outside mirrors.

Overall, reviewers describe the 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo as a truly a world-class sports car with a very attractive image and a mind-blowing speed.

2008 Land Rover LR2: A Better Version "Freelander"

The Land Rover Freelander is a compact crossover SUV made by Land Rover, a subsidiary of the Tata Motors. It is now on its second generation known as the LR2 in areas such as the North America and Middle East. The first generation Freelander was launched in 1997 but it suffered from minor unreliability issues. So a stylish new Land Rover LR2 debuts for 2007 as the second generation Freelander. It was released in 2008, also to comply with the market which is in need of a compact SUV.

The 2008 LR2 is a 4-door, 5 passenger luxury sport-utility, available in two trims, the SE and the HSE. Both trims are equipped with a standard 3.2 liter, I6, 230 horsepower engine that achieves 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. A 6 speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. Reviewers describe its performance as a dynamic SUV, with a very smooth handling, and great power which makes it very capable on and off road.

It terms of its auto parts and exterior looks it comes with an impressive ancestry but looks better than the model it replaces. It is similar to the boxy appearance of the company's more expensive models with softer and more rounded edges. The LR2 looks remarkably muscular, and there is some fine detailing including the fish-gill side vents, kaleidoscopic headlight glass, and square and upright stance. Underneath the unibody LR2 is a fully independent strut-type suspension with larger disc brakes at each corner.

The LR2 has seats for five in two rows. Its interior is very nicely done that it comes near to the point when we can say that it is luxurious. It comes standard with leather upholstery, a massive twin-element sunroof, Alpine nine-speaker audio system with six discs CD changer, six-way power driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, and a push-button starter. Also standard is a unique electrically controlled Terrain Response which allows you to choose ride height, throttle response, transmission setting, and traction control.

LR2 has an exceptional safety package. It includes is a unique electrically controlled Terrain Response which allows you to choose ride height, throttle response, transmission setting, and traction control. In crash protection features, it comes with seven airbags, including side curtain airbags for all outboard passengers and head airbags all around. There are also expanded front crumple zones and a safety cage of high strength steel around the passengers.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

How to Save Gas with Internal Combustion Engines

When it comes to internal combustion engines, especially with the rise of oil prices in the market year on year, the subject of fuel efficiency ever becomes more important.

Whether the engine is new or old does not matter. On the part of the consumer, he or she would only be willing to maintain an engine as long as there is a perceived added-value in its maintenance, like saving gas.

Fuel efficiency is defined as "the efficiency of a process that converts chemical potential energy contained in a carrier fuel into kinetic energy or work." In vehicle terms the measurements we use to save gas is usually in miles per gallon (MPG) or kilometers per liter (KPL) in other countries.

A rarely known fact in present-day internal combustion engines is that not all of the petrol in engines are efficiently utilized. It is surprising but in even the best-performing unmodified engines only about 20% of the energy is used to move the car. The rest is considered waste like exhaust, noise, etc.

So how to save gas and increase your engine's MPG? Here's a few tips.

- Drive gently. Yes! Your driving style accounts for up to 30% of the savings in fuel economy. How you step on the accelerator makes the difference. When approaching traffic lights or stops, take your foot off the pedal and coast to a stop from a distance. When you move from a still position, push the pedal gently and drive forward slowly to gain momentum. Gentle saves gas. Sudden starts waste petrol. Never turn off the engine unless you intend to stop for some time.

- Coast downhill. Take advantage of the terrain like Sun Tzu's and gravity like Newton. Only for long downhill roads, set the gear shift to neutral and coast again. Keep an eye out for anything. Take your foot off the gas. Never turn off the engine.

- Maintain and record regular checkups. Never miss a chance to have your car checked every three months to tighten the bolts or to fix that rattle. More importantly, have your mechanic drain and change the engine oil, fill the brake fluids, check the sparks, etc. The whole shebang.

- Check the tires regularly. Other then having a routine checkup every quarter, make sure you have the tires checked weekly. Tire inflation significantly contributes to the the wastage of petrol due to the effort the engine has to make to roll against the resistance. Make sure the tire pressure is within acceptable parameters as advised by the manufacturer to save gas. If the tires are bare, replace as soon as possible.

- Unload unnecessities. Take out of the car items which are not going to be used or useful. Extra baggage can eat up lots of petrol. It's like loading a backpack full of books and you were too busy to get them out to read because you're traveling.

- Record petrol usage. Diligently record and file your receipts and you'll be able to accurately track your petrol usage. This practice can help you maximize the savings of a tank of gas on a given period.

- Research. Join the forums and communities. They have lots more innovative suggestions on how to improve your MPG limits. Look into the viability of alternative fuels. Follow the news on the oil issue. Be informed and prepared.

Monday, June 9, 2008

A Sketch on a Cigarette Pack Led to the Classic Jaguar XK Auto Car Series

The legendary Jaguar XE series of fine motor cars was directly developed from the inspiration of Jaguar engineers on a rooftop watching their city of Birmingham England being bombed from the sky during the darkest days of World War II.

These engineers sketched the plans for what became the legendary Jaguar engine amazingly and simply on cigarette box carton. . This new engine was so good it became the standard that went on to become the stock Jaguar powerplant for the next 30 years. The best words that best describe this classic engine are - efficient, smooth and powerful. Indeed it was one a mechanical genius, Harry Weslake, who provided the key to the design - a light weight alloy cylinder head with dual cams and angled valves in a hemispherical combustion chamber. The final marvelous touch of genius were the two SU carburetors fed the 3.5 liter straight six, producing a 160 horse power

The new Jaguar was so good that it deserved a whole new car to be designed and built around it. The engineering felt that the motor was so exceptional it needed its own automobile - one worthy of such a powerplant. Otherwise it was if their work had been wasted. 1948 became the release date of this project. What emerged and created a storm from automobile enthusiasts was a low slung car body mounted at was then a fairly standard box-frame chassis. Independent front suspension was by torsion bars and the solid rear axle was by torsion springs. With all the power and effect the final finishing touches that were almost essential were 12 inch diameter drum brakes. Indeed the Jaguar XK120 was timed at a top test speed of 132 miles per hour

Of course the Jaguar XK proved to be a major hit - especially in the lucrative American export market. At a $ 4,000 sticker price 90 % of factory output was exported outside Britain - most of it to the American automobile market. It did not hurt the reputation and sales of the Jaguar .XK series that the car proved to be a killer on the Le Mans auto racing circuits. It was the Jaguars that were to become the inspiration for the classic "sports cars" that were to come - especially the venerable Chevrolet Corvette and Stingray.

The Jaguar line grew and evolved further with each racing win. In 1954 the next step occurred -The classic 1948 era Jaguar XE120 was replaced by what was to become a short lived production run model - the XK140. Disc brakes had made a great impression on the Jaguar racing team crews - including car design team as well as the actual drivers. Along with this went "unitary construction" a major upgrade and update from the former hefty chassis being applied from Jaguar cars from 1955 onwards.

Still the venerable motor based on the cigarette pack sketches lived on with the introduction of the next phase - the XKE Jaguar. Along with that 3.8 liter what then was a major innovation then - electric fans, which were added after exceptional results on the racing circuits with Jaguar as well as other racing cars. The XKE was considered at the time to be the sleekest automobile body shape seen anywhere and at anytime on the globe. Performance was considered mind numbing - 150 miles per hour top speed with 0 to 100 miles per hour in an extraordinary 16 seconds. A driver could accelerate from 0 to 130 miles per hour in less than 30 seconds.

It is no accident that the Jaguar XK series has gone on to be an automobile classic - both in terms of innovative styling, performance and handling.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Unique New Discovery Helps You Increase Your Gas Mileage Up To 50%

With the ever more importance's of alternative fuel, the costly hybrid cars are coming to hit the market hard. But going out and buying a brand new car like a hybrid will that save you money on the rising gas prices. Everyone wants to find ways to improve gas mileage without spending money on a whole new car. When buying a Hybrid car, the price often cost more and many don’t get that much more in improved gas mileage. Instead of buying a new car, is there a better way to improve gas mileage. There is a new technology that actuality converts your car to run on a water/gas mixture. So, instead of buying a hybrid, why not just convert your current car into a hybrid car.

Did you say Water/Gas Mixture…?

What this dose is converts the gas with water and turns it into a combustible gas called HHO. This is also known as brown gas. Works just like gas but your car will need a lot less of it to run. So you’re using less gas, saving you thousands at the pump. By running a water/gas mixture in your engine will improve your gas mileage and help reduce the global warming effect. This is a win, win for you and the environment.

There have been a few, not many news peaces on the water for gas. Fox News has done a peace on it, but it didn’t get much air time. So, how dose this brown gas or HHO actually works and convert my car to run on water to improve your gas mileage. Well it is a simple system that most of us learned in middle school.

How Do I Get This to Work in My Car?

After installation of the hydrogen conversion kit is supplemented with a vacuum hoses and an electrolysis. That’s how this simple process on the water and baking soda as catalyst can produces the HHO gas or water/gas mixture. Most cars will only need one hydrogen conversion kit, but if you drive a vehicles with 8 or more cylinders you mite want to think about getting two kits. This will ensure you improve your gas mileage.

How Much Will It Cost to Convert My Car to Run On Water?

All the materials can be found at your local store. But the if you don’t want to go shopping for them, the hydrogen conversion kit cost less the $100, and will improve your gas mileage by at least double of what your car is already getting. Before making a decision, I would search the internet for information to understand the process better.

By Converting your car to run on a water/gas mixture you will improve your gas mileage, help the environment and boost horse power and your saving money on your fuel consumption.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Pimp your ride: Audi Interiors

Audi have enjoyed a great relationship with the British driving public.
Regular buyers claim the cars have superior exteriors and have
excellent interiors. However, one of the most common complaints Audi
customers have is that some models often do not come as standard with
leather interior. Audi has recently launched their own personalisation
program called 'exclusive'


Audi's exclusive program allows buyers to choose to make bespoke themes
for any Audi model. For example, you may choose to have a pink colour
for your car and your interior could be an orange shade!! This is a
major drawback of the exclusive scheme as it is going to produce some
truly horrible cars. The 1st Audi TT exclusive model to come off the
production line was pink!!


The exclusive scheme has over 30,000 different options therefore
'exclusive' customers may well have a unique car rather than the
mundane cars such as Fords, Vauxhalls and Citroens. The scheme includes
the option to change carpets, mats, the headliners and seatbelts. It is
thought the Audi exclusive scheme evolved out of the famous MTV series,
Pimp My Ride.


It is expected the exclusive scheme will be commonly used on the Audi
A3 model. The A3 range comprises of five petrol engines and 3 turbo
diesel engines with the top turbo diesel engine producing 168 BHP. The
Audi A3 has a higher premium rather the similar Volkswagen Golf and
this raises for changes made under the exclusive scheme. Audi A3 owners
benefit from very good resale values and A3's usually give years of
reliable service and trouble free driving.


Another of the popular options under the exclusive scheme is the Audi
TT. There are just two engines available for the Audi TT these are the
2.0 litre turbocharged and the 3.2 litre V6 engine. There is very high
demand for the Audi TT and this can usually cause the price to remain
high. Also the TT buyers benefit from very high resale values.


All in all it is worthwhile to consider Audi's exclusive scheme and also to consider Audi leather interiors to give your prized possession the class feel it deserves. Audi interiors are the best in the business but to make it totally unique you may choose the exclusive service.

author

Darrell Freeman writing on behalf of Trim technik the specialist in Audi leather interiors


Monday, April 28, 2008

Tips to Selling New and Used Luxury Cars Online

People buy items online everyday. Oftentimes, collector car traders begin their searches with online shopping sites, even before they visit the classic car dealers in their home state. It’s the connectivity that makes the Internet so appealing for car enthusiasts; it gives them the ability to find those rare, exotic sports cars for sale right now.

The largest difference between buying from an online car dealer and from a traditional lot is in the delivery of the sale. Traditional lots rely on sensate techniques to sell the vehicle. Consumers grip the steering wheel and smell the interior of a new vehicle. They touch this and pull that, take a quick test drive, and by the time they're pulling back into the lot, a decision has been made.

Online car dealers don't have these tools to work with, and so their success is garnered by a different set of rules. In no particular order, here are the top five tips that have propelled everyday sellers into successful online car dealers.

How to Sell Classic Collectible Cars, Exotic Sports Cars and New Luxury Cars Online

1. Take Photographs

When selling online, use more photographs than those available from the manufacturing company. If possible, consumers like to see the exact car that they are purchasing or bidding on, and not an advertisement.

This point is especially true when it comes to selling used luxury cars online. A car is more likely to sell if every contour has been photographed. Make sure to catalog every nick, and capture every angle of the interior & exterior. Have close-ups of any minor or major damages even if they have been repaired.

2. List the Vehicle on an Appropriate Website

Some classic car dealers prefer to list their vehicles on their own site. For most people, the added cost of maintaining a website is unnecessary, especially considering that Internet stores such as ebay and ebay alternatives offer the same features at a increment of the cost, and include a much larger consumer base.

When choosing a website, be sure that the listing has all the features needed to make a great presentation to your buyers. Selling on eBay may seem like the simplest choice, but savvy buyers of luxury cars and antique cars may avoid it, as their listings are closer to a flea market than a high-end auction. Ebay alternative websites such as www.emart4cars.com and www.caroffer.com include a devoted pool of automotive buyers as well as specialized features for automotive listings. If there are other luxury items you want to sell in addition to cars, such as boats or antiques, then www.highendcrazy.com may be the best fit of all. Regardless of the website that you choose, be sure to research the cost of the listings beforehand. Take note of the commission or subscription rates of each website, as these costs vary.

3. Include as many Details on the Vehicle as Possible

The listing should include all of the specifics on the vehicle such as: engine & transmission details, average miles per gallon, seat capacity, size & weight, etc. If there are any special features, such as a car stereo system or a vintage stereo in an antique car, note these in the text. Buyers are more likely to trust a listing with detailed information.

If the vehicle is used, then even more details are required. Used cars should include details on the condition of the tires, the number of miles on the car, and the service record of the vehicle. Certain special features can be listed for classic collectible cars. Be sure to include an email address or contact information for any questions. If possible, luxury auto buyers, exotic sports car buyers & classic car aficionados prefer to speak with savvy sellers who are collectors themselves when making a purchase online.

4. Provide a Complete Car History

Online buyers want to have a complete record of a car before they make their purchase. This means that as a seller, you'll need to chronologically list any maintenance on the car (such as a rebuilt engine, transmission or alterations to the fuel system) as well as an accident report. One commonly overlooked detail is the amount of previous owners. If the car has one previous owner, buyers can expect it to have less wear and tear.

5. Seek Out Buyers and Meet Them

Classic car lovers and luxury car collectors can be found across the world. There are many online and offline groups for buyers who love luxury brands such as: Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and more. You can find websites for many of these groups online. When you do, drop them a line and let them know about your vehicles.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

GPS Automotive Systems

There are a number of different styles of GPS auto navigation systems available to suit the needs of the individual, from basic models through to expensive and highly accurate systems able to manage large amounts of data and provide information to the users in order to give feedback about where they have been.

The simplest kind of auto navigation GPS system is a removable gadget that stores the map data internally, and uses a satellite signal to pinpoint the position of the unit. By combining the map data and the satellite signal, routes can be planned, and the user can find their way, while seeing a graphical representation of their route on a small screen. These GPS auto navigation systems can be either removable, or fixed into the car. Many new models actually integrate the GPS into the dashboard, while non fixed systems can either be mounted on the dash, or attached to the windshield using a suction cup.

As well as dedicated auto GPS devices, it is also possible to buy a large number of other gadgets with GPS as a built in feature. Some GPS PDAs can have a GPS module plugged in to them, and used in cars, and an increasing number of cell phones have GPS as a standard feature. On the whole, although these devices have GPS built in, it is not of the same standard as a dedicated system, and wile it may help you know where you are, it will not provide such accurate data or be able to plan routes on the go as well as one of the custom systems from Garmin or Magellan.

GPS or Global Positioning System is a fully functional Global Navigation Satellite System. This system uses an artificial constellation of 24 medium Earth orbit satellites. These satellites transmit microwave signals, thus enabling a GPS receiver to determine its location, speed, direction and time not because you never know when there will be a detour, bad weather, a wreck, or anything .

So you want to narrow things down some more and look for a vendor that has a dedicated GPS store on an auction site. Yes, they exist, and some of them offer both new and refurbished systems from all of the major GPS manufacturers. They usually carry all the accessories as well, and since they use auctions to sell, you can get some terrific deals. Further, unlike even the best GPS websites, the inventory of auction sites constantly changes. So you not only have a shot at a terrific deal, but there is also an unusually large variety of products to choose from, both new and refurbished.

Automotive gps systems have the same features as many of the handheld portable gps receivers do, however, most of them are larger and stay in the car. But there are a few models that can be taken out of the car and carried around with you as you walk around the city or the woods; it depends on which model you want to purchase. Most of the automotive gps models have a larger LCD touchscreen and come with more maps than the handheld units. Street level maps and millions of POI's or points of interests such as restaurants, ATM's and banks, zoo's, schools and parks are already preprogrammed into the automotive gps systems. Although there are programs in which you can program your own POI's such as schools and speed cameras so you know to avoid them each time you pass by that way.

GPS technology is still new in terms of public use and access. A marine GPS can be the lifeline for your voyage if you find yourself out in the middle of the high seas without a clue as to where you are going. It was just a few years ago that GPS systems appeared in the marketplace and to this day, it's easier to find someone without GPS than with one.

http://www.gpsshopsite.com/GPS-Devices/Automotive-GPS-Devices

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Jeep Parts and a quality SUV

The sport utility vehicle brand Jeep, which was once part of the
American Motors Corporation, has been in the automobile industry since
1941. As the longest existing SUV marquee in the business, it is among
the top choices of off-road enthusiasts as it has attested to the
varying demands in this volatile world of automobiles. Today, Jeep
continues to evolve and to produce more vehicles that are equipped with
efficient Jeep Parts since it joined Chrysler Corporation more than two
decades ago.


Models of the company greatly rely on the standard Jeep Parts as these
contribute to the overall function of each vehicle. Since the products
of Jeep, like the compact SUV Liberty (or Cherokee outside the United
States), the medium size SUVs Grand Cherokee, and the pick-up truck
Comanche, among others, are all geared toward off-road adventures,
these SUVs are unified and equipped with sturdy auto parts that are
tasked to endure the literally tough demands brought about by
inconsistent terrains of off-road trails. A Jeep Grand Cherokee, for
example, will definitely need more muscle to easily traverse easily
these rocky off-road paths. For thatIn order to handle such obstacles,
the company powered this SUV with a 6.1-liter HEMI V8 engine that
allows this mid-size vehicle to muster enough energy needed for the
whole operation. With such a beefed up powertrain system, the American
automaker strategically installed an equally high-performing suspension
system. This is tasked to complement the engine's capabilities and at
the same time provide better ride control and stability for the
driver's and the passenger's convenience and comfort. With the
suspension parts like springs, control arms, anti-sway bars, and shock
absorbers, among others, the person behind the steering wheel can
maneuver the vehicle to sudden and sharp turns with much ease and
firmness. In addition to those Jeep Parts, the efficient brake system
further enables a Jeep SUV to be safely driven even on rough paths.


Like any other auto parts, Jeep parts
are also weakened by the everyday wear and tear. In order to
continuously enjoy the benefits of the Jeep SUV, it is only best for
owners to keep track of the shelf-life of these crucial auto components
as well as detect the defective ones. Once a Jeep Part or two is
damaged, it is best to get it fix or to replace the component
altogether than endure the unfortunate consequences later on.

author

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the
Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he
is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Green Ford Parts

Ford Motor Company, which debuted in the industry more than a century
ago, is one of the leading automobile companies worldwide. This
American automaker takes pride in its competent sales across the globe
that makes this brand a household name especially in the United States.
Aside from ensuring that its models can perform well, the company is
also keen in improving its Ford Parts to become efficient yet
environment-friendly.


Through the years, there are Ford Parts that came out that not only
improve the performance of the vehicle but at the same time keep it
"green". Ford Motors applied various automobile technologies to further
keep its vehicles 'sensitive' enough to care for the environment. The
catalytic converter, for example, is used by the American automaker in
its cars, sport utility vehicles, and trucks to keep the noxious
emissions on safe levels. With this auto part intact in the system,
system exhaust fumes produced by during the internal engine combustion
is treated before released into the air. In this way, harmful gases are
lessened because of the catalytic converter.


Another component installed in the company's vehicles is the oxygen
sensor. This diminutive part is strategically placed along the exhaust
manifold and near the catalytic converter as it examines exhaust fumes
for the availability of air. Once it detects a low oxygen presence in
the engine's mixture, it relays the information immediately to the
engine control unit. From there, necessary adjustments are done for the
engine to have a good mixture of cool air and fuel. Once the vehicle's
power plant is efficient enough, it will no longer emit too much
exhaust fumes that are harmful to the atmosphere. These are just some
of the many Ford Parts that make the vehicles of the company gentler to
the environment.


Ford invests a lot in improving its Ford Parts
to become gentler to the environment. This only shows how dedicated the
American company is in providing its users with greener options.



AUTHOR


Anthony
Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy
City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not
busy customizing cars in his shop.



Sunday, April 13, 2008

Hybrid Cars Go Stylish

Hybrid cars are taking the world by storm - figuratively, literally.
And here are just two of the latest hybrid cars that avid car fans and
buyers are sure to love.



If you want an eco-friendly hybrid car that not only drives like a
dream but is a weight off your conscious too, then you must see the PGO
Cevennes Turbo-CNG. This nifty little hybrid car will run on bio gas
making it essential in today's fight against global warming.



You may be forgiven for thinking that hybrid cars are going to end
up looking, well, ugly. This is simply not the case where the PGO
Cevennes Turbo-CNG is concerned. Looking at the car's rounded edges and
the sleek design you may as well be looking at one of the top sports
cars in the world. With a soft top to boot, you can make sure your next
luxury car is a hybrid one.



The PGO Cevennes Turbo-CNG has been developed by BRA GmbH. This
company has been at the very forefront of the development of hybrid
cars for well over ten years now. They are based in Germany and they
have developed not only environmentally-friendly hybrid cars but cars
that have excellent style and design, as well.



The car itself isn't due to be released until March 2008, but you
can be sure it will open to a fanfare of utter amazement! The car is
only likely to cost around 48,000 Euros making it not only
environmentally-friendly but also friendly on your pockets, as well.




The Cadillac Provoq concept



America has realized that the gas-guzzling, environment-harming
vehicles are not going to save the world any time soon. The eco-drive
and style brought by hybrid cars have finally found their way to
America and they have managed to do it in amazing degree... Not that we
expected anything less of course.



As the flag bearer of hybrid cars, the Cadillac Provoq concept car
has two main points. On the one side, it clearly shows the style, class
and beauty that is renowned with Cadillac cars. It also has in its
favour the hybrid car technology that is actually making the car a sure
heart-stopper.



The Cadillac Provoq concept car is made to appeal to the luxury car
owners; it oozes class and style and is sure to stand up in its own
right against other luxury cars. If it is luxury next to hybrid car
technology that you are looking for then you need not look any further.



The Cadillac Provoq concept hybrid car has wheels that are powered
by the car's 94bhp motor, which of course is electric. The car's rear
wheels have the 54bhp motor each. These features enhance the Provoq's
mileage for every small amount of gas it consumes - saving the planet
and your pocket from hundreds of dollars spent on fuel. This is
something that Cadillac Provoq owners would be very much proud of.



The PGO Cevennes Turbo-CNG and the Cadillac Provoq concept will fit
right into any city or town and with their sporty look and sleek design
they are simply head turners.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Know-hows of Houston Texas Used Car Dealers

Used car dealing is a huge business in USA. And with increasing number of foreigners immigrating or coming for long and short term, it is increasing in mammoth ratio. In Texas too, used car business is flourishing at a high rate. The innumerable dealers of Chevrolet, Volkswagen, Kia, and Nissan gives an idea of how Houston Texas Used Car Dealers' market is flourishing.

If you want to purchase a used car, just sit before your computer and go through various websites. You think of a query and it will be solved within minutes. They provide the viewers every possible information regarding cost, mileage or accident history. Information about vehicle type, year of manufacturing and model, everything will be within your reach instantly. They let the viewers know about the loan facilities, online calculators, service providers and everything with just a click of the mouse.

When buying a used car, there are certain points buyer must keep in mind. Firstly, the dealer should be reliable. An experienced dealer is always recommendable because they honor their customer for their goodwill. Among Houston Texas used car dealers, many of them are in business for more than fifty years. With a strong foothold in market, such dealers always come handy when a problem crops up with the car. A used car would naturally give trouble to the owner every now and then and hence owner would rush to the dealer. An experienced dealer would ensure a cut in these visits.

Next to the car, second most important factor is the car insurance. Many of Houston, Texas used car dealers offer plans that extend the manufacturer warranty to cater the requirements of both the car and the driver. These plans start from 3 yrs/50,000 miles to 7 yrs/100.000 miles. Then there are other plans like Maximum Care Service, which protects the entire car, or there is Powertrain contract to insure its parts. There is complementary Towing Assistance and Rental Allowance along with these plans. These plans are available with any Chrysler dealer in Houston.

If you are buying a used car, you should be careful enough to choose a dealer who offers quality parts to maintain your vehicle. They should also have inventory of these certified parts. These are the key factor of a smooth running car.

So, if you are a new driver, running short of cash or have come to Texas temporarily and don't want to invest much, you know what are the dos and don'ts, where to go and what to keep in mind. Have a nice and safe driving!!!

Summary: This article explains what are the factors that should be kept in mind when you are purchasing a used car. Along with the car, reliability of the dealer, services, finance and insurance should also be kept in consideration. To know more about this topic, the Heidi recommends you to visit http://www.archersouthwest.com/



Volkswagen Dealers Are All Smiles

Blimey. Was I embarrassed or was I embarrassed. Nipped into my friendly neighbourhood Volkswagen dealer last week, put two and two together and came up with far more than four. The salesmen were all smiles, jovial and ever-so-friendly. Well, with the world in the state that it is, I figured there was only one explanation for this frivolity - drugs. I debated how many real salesmen were trapped in the back office and just how to escape these impostors and inform the police. Suddenly one of them pounced and asked if he could help me and after looking gormlessly at him, I decided that in fact these guys were happy because they were just, well happy.

Me being the idiot that I am, it turns out Volkswagen dealers only deal one form of drug, the very real, the very legal adrenaline. And small wonder Volkswagen dealers' are smiling ear to ear, with their current line-up of vehicles, Volkswagen are strongly positioned to become the market leader across their range - most notably the dopamine deliverer, the Golf GTi.

Ever since the MK I burst onto the scene in 1976, engulfed in a cloud of tyre smoke and snarling engine, the GTi name has always been synonymous with Volkswagen's 'hot hatch', in the same way that 'Stuck in the middle with you' by Steelers Wheel is no longer heard as a catchy pop song, but as the soundtrack to a policeman having un-consenting surgery in Reservoir Dogs - so mighty was its impact things would never be the same again. However as was the case with Elvis, as the king of the road began to gain more and more accolades and success, the waste-line began to expand and its performance became slower and more laboured.

Heritage however counts for a lot and whenever a Golf was bestowed the fabled 'GTi' badge, buyers clamoured to have one on their driveways. Besides, an overweight Golf GTi was still streets ahead of its rivals, as was the case with the Mk III and sales continued apace. However when the Mk IV was launched to lukewarm reviews in 1999, it seemed the Golf had eaten its last burger. In fact the Mk IV was only badged 'GTi' in Britain and was called the 'Trendline' (oh dear) elsewhere. Elvis Impersonator anyone?

To make things far worse, there was a new cat in town which simply blew the Golf away - the Honda Civic Type R. The Civic was cheaper than the Golf, faster than the Golf, had bullet-proof reliability and styling that screamed "speed!" The Type R devoured every performance car award going and continued onwards to head-butting the horizon.

However Volkswagen regrouped, put the Golf on a strict diet and training regime, gave it a new wardrobe and launched the Mk V GTi in 2005. To put the Elvis analogies to bed, the Mk V is the comeback special. Developing 200bhp from its 2.0 litre turbocharged engine, the GTi develops twice the torque of its great, great granddad the MK I, despite using no more fuel. A six speed gearbox is offered as is a sequential one to get your gear change time down to milliseconds. Plump for the sequential one however and not only can you achieve 0-60 in 6.9 seconds, but you'll feel like a Formula One driver with the flappy paddles behind the steering wheel. Pull up on the right to change up, up on the left to change down, lo and behold you're Lewis Hamilton. Even the steering wheel itself gets in on the act, with its flat bottom as useable as it is looking good.

Better still is the exterior styling. Whereas the Mk III and IV were a Golf with a different badge and no other discernable features, the latest offering again harks back to the golden years. A gaping black grill greets you at the front, whilst huge exhausts hang proudly out at the rear. Five spoke alloy wheels that converge into five half circles finish the aggressive look. Hot hatches are back in vogue and Volkswagen want to shout about it.

Bit of trivia for you, the word "Golf" doesn't appear anywhere on the car. It's a GTi and nothing else. "Yes, we had a little bit decaffeinated the GTI," were the words of Jörn Hinrichs, Volkswagen's marketing head upon the launch of this masterpiece. Having seen the enthusiasm of Volkswagen dealers now they have such a special car on their forecourts, it appears they've been re-caffeinated too.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Phoenix Auto Glass, Phoenix Windshield Replacement, And What You Should Know About Your Broken Windshield

Imagine driving in your car without it. Your windshield that is. The wind at your face, blowing through your hair while you fly down the road at high speeds. Sounds pretty neat huh. Fortunately the piece of Glass in front of you while you drive is one of the most important safety features of all cars today. Without it, stones, debris, weather, and other road hazards would do some serious damage to you and other passengers.

What is a windshield you may ask. Well it is 2 pieces of float glass with a plastic laminate sheet sandwiched between the glass. The reason for this is safety. Windshields which hold an asa-1 rating can and must withstand impact ratings. That means that if a stone the size of a pebble hits your window, it will not penetrate the glass, even if you are going at high speeds. The main reason for windshield breakage is due to the stone getting between the treads of tires and are flung in the air bouncing off the road and into the glass. The glass depending on the angle of the hit and how fast you are going can get damaged. These stone bruises are pretty ugly, and many people fear that because the glass is broken, the windshield will cave in on then. This is not exactly true except for another safety factor discussed later on. Remember a Windshield is 2 pieces of glass. The Plastic Lamination between them has protected the inner piece of glass. So all you are left with is an unsightly crack in the outside glass. Now you can live with the bruise or get it repaired or replaced.

The glass in the rest of the car is different. Around the 1950's the door glass and the backglass change to a tempered plate. It is just one piece of glass that is sent into an atmospheric oven that heats and quenches the glass which hardens it. PSI (pounds per square inch) can be in the 100's. Have you ever seen a door glass break. I'm sure if you take a hammer to it you would be surprise. You either must hit it many times or break it on the first shot. But when it does break it falls apart into hundreds of small glass beads. A good tempered door glass will not cut you. A poorly tempered glass will break in shards and can cut badly. One of the reasons for choosing and OEM glass product.

The reason for different types of glass in vehicles today is safety. We could not have tempered glass for Windshields on the roads in the United States. Although harder to break than a Windshield, tempered glass is can be very unstable. If the skin is broken, it could explode in your face while driving. The real reason for this product is incase of rollover. It is very difficult to cut through laminated glass. So if you are ever trapped in your car, its easier to get through tempered than laminate.

Many people are amazed that one cold winter day or hot summer day, they came out to the car and all of a sudden they noticed a long crack running through the windshield, or the back glass is broken in a million pieces on your back seat. It is not a happy experience. They wonder how this happened, and they are now concerned for their safety. Many people ask their Glass expert how it happened when they go to get it replaced. The answer is simple. The windshield at some point had a small crack or bruise. The tempered backglass might of had a defect. Glass is very susceptible to quick changes in temperature. For example, on one cold winter morning you get into your car to warm it up. When you turned on your vehicle, you hit the defrost button on to take the ice, snow or frost off the windshield. Due to the fast expansion of the glass, the defect in the window started to run into a crack. The other situation is the heat of the summer. You drove to the supermarket with the A/C on. You get out of the car and shop for an hour. The range of temperature went from say 70 degrees to almost 200 degrees. Yes, you literally can fry an egg on the dashboard in this situation. The quick change of temperatures with cars that have a stone bruise, or an improperly installed or defective windshield or tempered part can fail, an break.

A cracked windshield compromises your safety. Even though the windshield will not cave in on you, it is not exactly safe and can pose as a dangerous situation. As vehicle manufactures started to streamline cars using Uni-Body design's, which now the car has no main frame, windshields now perform a very important safety factor for the structural integrity of the car. All cars now must pass certain roll over tests, and as the car manufacture lighted the weight of the vehicle, they made the windshield an important factor in roll over safety. With a cracked, or stone bruised windshield you are now compromising the structure of that rollover safety. Let me give you an example that a science teacher might have taught us in grammar school. Take an egg. Place 2 fingers on the top and the bottom of the egg. Now squeeze with all your might. What happened. Nothing right. Yes, mother nature created the perfect non breakable structure, so that when mother hen sat on it the wrong way, it would not break. However now take a needle and poke it through the egg. Just like the stone in the windshield. You have now compromised its integrity. Now take your fingers to the egg, and squeeze again. Opss...you now have egg all over your hands. The same theory is now being used in windshield glass, and god forbid you get into an accident and roll. Your windshield better be free of bruises or cracks.

The adhessive which holds your windshield in place is another very important factor. The adhesive must be auto glass urethane which meets or exceeds government safety standards. That is it must be strong enough to keep the vehicles occupants in the car during an accident. Automotive urethanes are rated on a PSI(pounds per square inch) scale of 500 or more. So when you have your windshield replaced the technician must use automotive urethane.

The biggest concern people have about replacing their windshield is breaking the original seal at the factory. It is true that the glass installer must cut the old windshield out of the car, if properly installed the new seal is just as good as the one done at the factory. Again the auto glass installer must use auto adhessive Urethane, and primers that have met or surpassed governement safety standards.

Another concern of all Glass Dealers and Customers are cure times (how long does it take for the Urethane (glue) to dry and become safe for the customer to drive). At Rock Star Auto Glass we only use a true "quick cure urethane." This quick dry will allow you to be on the roida angain within the hour!

Of course, with any auto glass need, please call ROCK STAR AUTO GLASS! We are more than happy to cmoe to your home or office to replace or repair that broken piece of glass!

Sincerely,

Brian Burt President Rock*Star Auto Glass www.rockstarautoglass.com 480.232.5554



by

Brian Burt is a well recognized figure in the auto glass industry. His expertise has led Rock Star Auto Glass to become Arizona's number 1 auto glass company.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Hybrid Cars Go Stylish

Hybrid cars are taking the world by storm - figuratively, literally. And here are just two of the latest hybrid cars that avid car fans and buyers are sure to love.

If you want an eco-friendly hybrid car that not only drives like a dream but is a weight off your conscious too, then you must see the PGO Cevennes Turbo-CNG. This nifty little hybrid car will run on bio gas making it essential in today's fight against global warming.

You may be forgiven for thinking that hybrid cars are going to end up looking, well, ugly. This is simply not the case where the PGO Cevennes Turbo-CNG is concerned. Looking at the car's rounded edges and the sleek design you may as well be looking at one of the top sports cars in the world. With a soft top to boot, you can make sure your next luxury car is a hybrid one.

The PGO Cevennes Turbo-CNG has been developed by BRA GmbH. This company has been at the very forefront of the development of hybrid cars for well over ten years now. They are based in Germany and they have developed not only environmentally-friendly hybrid cars but cars that have excellent style and design, as well.

The car itself isn't due to be released until March 2008, but you can be sure it will open to a fanfare of utter amazement! The car is only likely to cost around 48,000 Euros making it not only environmentally-friendly but also friendly on your pockets, as well.

The Cadillac Provoq concept

America has realized that the gas-guzzling, environment-harming vehicles are not going to save the world any time soon. The eco-drive and style brought by hybrid cars have finally found their way to America and they have managed to do it in amazing degree... Not that we expected anything less of course.

As the flag bearer of hybrid cars, the Cadillac Provoq concept car has two main points. On the one side, it clearly shows the style, class and beauty that is renowned with Cadillac cars. It also has in its favour the hybrid car technology that is actually making the car a sure heart-stopper.

The Cadillac Provoq concept car is made to appeal to the luxury car owners; it oozes class and style and is sure to stand up in its own right against other luxury cars. If it is luxury next to hybrid car technology that you are looking for then you need not look any further.

The Cadillac Provoq concept hybrid car has wheels that are powered by the car's 94bhp motor, which of course is electric. The car's rear wheels have the 54bhp motor each. These features enhance the Provoq's mileage for every small amount of gas it consumes - saving the planet and your pocket from hundreds of dollars spent on fuel. This is something that Cadillac Provoq owners would be very much proud of.

The PGO Cevennes Turbo-CNG and the Cadillac Provoq concept will fit right into any city or town and with their sporty look and sleek design they are simply head turners.

Goodyear all season tires.

It is disaster to have a flat tire during bad weather. Suppose you are rushing somewhere and again you find a flat tire on a deserted road, this would be the most irritating situation ever. To avoid this it is better to make use of Goodyear all season tires. These tires are specially designed to endure all the tantrums of bad weather.

Goodyear is a very renowned name in tire business. The "Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company" was started in 1898. This company was purchased by Seiberling. Over the years with many breakthroughs, improvements, and innovations this company has emerged as global brand in this field. Today this company is the world's largest and most renowned tire company. This company operates in 6 continents and has an estimated sale of $15 billion annually. In addition to it this company also produces some other famous brands like Dunlop, Fulda, Kelly, Sava, Lee, and Debica.

Goodyear all season tires produce best of the tires that one can use through all the seasons. The famous brands that are suitable to use all the seasons are Eagle Vector+, Vector 5, Wrangler HP all weather, and Cargo Vector.

Eagle Vector+ is one of the most popular all season tires. This tire has special ability to adapt and change in weather conditions and changes in driving also. These tires are very cost effective and use the most innovative technology that is bound to deliver a high end performance in all weather conditions. This tire uses patented weather reactive technology. This tire also has an improved grip in snow and ice.

Vector 5 is also a famous brand in the series of all season tires. You need not have to change the tire according to seasons once you opt for the vector 5 or vector 5+. The latest technology enables these tires to adapt to any kind of weather. These highly cost effective tires are the best among all season tires. These tires are famous for their direct response to varying weather conditions. These tires give you a year-round performance and adaptive compound ensures an increased mileage.

Wrangle HP all weather is an intelligent self adapting 4 × 4 tire. This is a tire that won't let you down in any condition. This is a true all weather tire and is bound to deliver high performance. The all weather tread compound of this tire gives an effective traction in both winter and summer condition. You can expect a peak performance throughout the year from this tire.

The cargo vector is yet another of the Goodyear all season tires. This tire is very beneficial for vans and trucks. This tire makes bad weathers bearable and ensures a safe journey. In winter this tire provides a good traction in the snow and still delivers the best performance.

Goodyear all season tires are very useful and very cost effective. You can rest assured about high performance and these tire will never let you down. The best of innovative technology and years of experience of Goodyear has resulted in the best Goodyear all season tires.

Mustang Exhaust - From The Header To The Tailpipe

In terms of popularity, upgrading the exhaust of a Mustang is second only to replacing the wheels. It doesn't matter if you are changing out the mid-pipes or replacing the whole system --when you own a Mustang, you want the exhaust system to last and sound good. To get these results, you will need to improve and/or replace the components of your exhaust. What are the different components of the mustang exhaust?

There is more to the mustang exhaust system than just pieces of metal bolted together. Your mustang exhaust performs many functions, the most important ones are the following. They move the hot exhaust gases coming from your engine out of the car. They limit the noise output and reduce exhaust emissions. The faster you are able increase the air flow through the engine the better overall performance you will have and the exhaust is integral this.

How are these things done by the exhaust system? It is accomplished by the pushing of the gases, beginning in the engine and continuing through to the pipes and mufflers, and ending by going out of the car. The mustang exhaust system has three main parts. It doesn't matter what year your mustang was built, they all have the same set-up. It is strongly recommended that both of the headers be upgraded and a cat-back exhaust be used. Your performance will definitely improve. As a bonus, you may get better sound and fuel efficiency.

We begin with the manifolds. This piece is connected to the exhaust ports, and joins the waste gases from all of the cylinders into a single location. Some people will refer to this piece as the "mustang headers". Despite the fact the names are both used, they actually refer to two slightly different things. Manifolds force the gases into a single chamber at maximum speed and pressure. The headers consist of tubes which allow the gases to flow at their own pace, like water through a drain.

The next part is the mid-pipe, which is a component of every mustang exhaust system. This is the place where the gases arrive after they leave the manifold, with the main purpose being to equalize the exhaust pulses. These are the exhaust bursts from the engine to the pipe, which creates a more efficient working of the system, and allow the engine to produce greater power.

The third component is known as the mustang catback, which is bolted on to the back of the catalytic converters. The entire assembly is made up of the mufflers and the tailpipes, this is the final place that the vicious gases created by the engine come to. There are many products available aftermarket for performance upgrading of headers, exhaust and intake, the best source would be to click the links that you find in this article or resource box.

The Benefits of Car Auctions Online

How would you like the feeling of purchasing the vehicle you have always dreamed about in the privacy of your own home? No more getting up and driving around from lot to lot trying to find the vehicle you've always wanted or needed. Sounds pretty good, doesn't it? Well now with car auctions online websites that dream is now a reality. With these websites constantly popping up, you now have many different options and a higher chance of finding that vehicle you have always dreamed about.

These new car auctions website can be a blessing for many people. No more getting up and spending a day driving around from lot to lot trying to find a vehicle in your price range, or maybe you don't have away to get around but you are interested in purchasing a new vehicle, well guess what, either way you are totally in luck. There are different types of these websites available, you may find personal auction websites or you may find websites that offer vehicles that may have been bank repos, seized vehicles, police auctions or even government auctions. Generally in the government auction websites you will find a wide variety of vehicles that are up for sale at a great price. The reason the prices sound too good to be true is due to the fact that they just want to sell them so they do not have to keep them in storage which costs a lot of money.

Many of these car auctions online may operate differently. You may come across a website that has it's vehicles in different categories, letting you know if the vehicle is in great condition, or it may need some minor work or if the vehicle is being sold as is. You may come across a website that has a video feed that will allow you to watch the auctioneer. Some websites may let you bid on a vehicle where some may just let you purchase it right out from the seller.

One of the best feelings in the world is purchasing that vehicle of your dreams at an amazing price. Well now's your chance to be able to do that, with car auctions websites popping up everywhere. Don't become frustrated if you do not find a vehicle right away, these websites are always updating their vehicle listings.

RUN YOUR CAR ON WATER AND GAS AND SAVE 40% PLUS ON FUEL COST

Convert Your Car TODAY to Run on Water and gas to save over 40% on fuel costs!

Would you like to find out how to run your vehicle on water and stop wasting money on gas?

This do-it-yourself conversion guide is very affordable (under $150) and EASY with step-by-step instructions.

The conversion WILL NOT void your warranty because it is 100% reversible! It's easy to install and remove.

Create your own water hybrid for under $150!

Did you know that you can convert your car to a water-burning car? You can run your car on water, supplemental to gasoline, to increase your car's fuel efficiency and reduce your fuel costs significantly.

Works on gas or diesel powered cars, vans, trucks, and SUVs. (Not tested on hybrids)

Your car will become at least 40% more fuel efficient and produce cleaner emissions.

Convert your car for the lowest price. Similar conversion kits cost up to $600 and up!

Works with plain tap water. No need for distilled water or special water additives!

We've simplified the process. The steps are easy, and the materials are affordable.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our easy conversion guide will show you how to use electricity from your car's battery to separate water into a gas called HHO (2 Hydrogen + 1 Oxygen). HHO, also called Brown's Gas or Hydroxy, burns smoothly and provides significant energy - while the end product is just H2O! HHO provides the atomic power of Hydrogen, while maintaining the stability of water.

Can Water Really Power a Car?

The answer is YES, ABSOLUTELY! We have made the technology to build a water-burning hybrid easy and affordable.

Water can be used to fuel a car when used as a supplement to gasoline. In fact, very little water is needed! only one quart of water provides over 1800 gallons of HHO gas which can literally last for months and significantly increase your vehicle's fuel efficiently, improve emissions quality, and save you money.

Thousands of successful water-conversions around the world are proof that this technology works and will soon catch on! Some industry insiders say its just a matter of time before this water-burning technology will be standard in new automobiles. One expert estimates most cars will be using this technology by 2012, but until the auto manufacturers catch up, you can use this technology for yourself today at a very reasonable set-up cost.

How Much Does it Cost?

The conversion guide is on sale today (check bottom of page for price) and all of the raw materials cost less than $60 and are easy to find at your local hardware and auto-parts stores. Once you get the conversion set-up, you can even start converting your friends' and family's cars and help them spend less money on gas.

The guide includes over 90 pages of detailed instructions that are very easy to follow and offer the best value and performance available anywhere.

In fact, we received a testimonial from a customer in Estes Park, Colorado who is advertising his conversion services on Craigslist after learning how to do the conversion using this easy-to-follow eBook. (John - you can consider this free advertising!)

We encourage you to help other people set-up their own conversions with our information! After all, The more cars we can get running on less fuel, the better for our environment.

How Safe is it?

The process is very safe because the combustible gas is extracted as needed and burned steadily from the water, unlike larger volumes of pure hydrogen which are highly flammable.

WHY COMPRESS HYDROGEN IN DANGEROUS HIGH-PRESSURE TANKS WHEN IT IS ALREADY "COMPRESSED" IN PLAIN WATER - AND CAN BE EASILY AND SAFELY RELEASED??!

Our set-up produces hydrogen as your car needs it, rather than using storage tanks. Thousands of cars have been safely converted without any issues or incidents.

Best of all, this conversion process is completely reversible so it will not void your auto manufacturers warranty. It simply acts as an add-on to significantly increase your fuel efficiency.

Experts Agree: Water is Viable Fuel Technology

Latest News from CES 2008

At the 2008 CES (Consumer Electronics show) in Las Vegas, there was a new water-powered device for charging laptops and other electronic devices! We are excited to see the power of water finally being used to its potential! The big oil companies have tried to stop the power of water from being used in the automotive industry, but they can't keep everyone's lips sealed! On Sale For a Limited Time!

A Regular $297 Value!

(click here to see our sale price)

This sale expires on April 6th, 2008!

You won't find a better price anywhere else for such a complete and quality conversion-kit manual with over 90 pages of detailed instructions and full illustrations easy enough for even a novice to follow. This technology is used successfully by thousands of satisfied customers.

We have never priced our guide this low, and won't for much longer!

Our cheapest competitor charges $97 which (we admit) is usually a lower price than ours, but with this limited-time sale, we are offering our guide for just half of their price, and our guide is easier to understand, costs less to set-up, and works more efficiently!

SMALLER SYSTEMS SELL ON THE INTERNET FOR $900-$1,500 AND THEY ARE WORTH EVERY PENNY. However, they take over a year to pay for themselves.

Our conversion system will easily pay for itself within a month or two.

Once installed, it will save you an average of $110 per month for many years into the future!

That's a savings of well over $1000 per year, every year, for a low one-time payment of just $297 (click here to see our sale price). The math is real, and so are your savings!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sale expires on April 6th, 2008.

http://www.runyourcarwithwater.com/?hop=harold1952

Friday, April 4, 2008

The Evolution of the Diesel Engine

The talk about finding new alternative energy sources for our cars is not new. In fact, scientists and car engineers had begun finding ways to either use energy sources, or to optimize existing engine solutions back in the 1970's.

People saw that big engines were very inefficient and they started looking for new solutions. The answer to the large gasoline engines were rather small, turbo powered diesel engines.

Until then diesel engines have been used mainly on heavy-duty machinery and large trucks, but scientists began to install them on small cars for their fuel efficiency and cost savings.

Diesels are still considered by some people as noisy, unreliable and expensive to maintain, but things have evolved greatly since the early days of the diesel engine. General Motors was among the first companies to fit diesel engines to cars like Chevrolet Caprice and the Oldsmobile, but these engines were shaky and very unreliable. GM soon admitted they had been doing things wrong and re-fitted those cars with normal gasoline engines. It was a large image hit and that is why consumers are still very reluctant to buying a diesel-powered car today.

Diesel engines also cause a bit more pollutant than comparative gasoline engines and with the taxes on polluting cars growing every year, no body wants to pay more taxes for their car if they can buy a gasoline engine car and pay less from the start.

Car companies also have looked at how they can optimize power output of modern diesels and how these engines can be made greener and they have came out with modern solutions.

European carmakers have been putting diesel engines in their cars for many years now and in Europe more then half of the cars sold are diesel powered. Manufacturers like Volkswagen, Mercedes or BMW are selling their large limousines mostly with diesel engines, for their power efficiency and cost savings when it comes to mileage. However, not only large cars have been fitted with diesel engines in Europe, but also sports cars. Audi, for example, is producing a 500-horse power sports car fitted with a V12 diesel engine. In addition, they claim this engine to be more powerful, greener and more efficient than its gasoline counterpart does.

Car manufacturers, especially in Europe and Japan, have been fitting large SUVs and 4x4 with diesel engines mostly for decades now. Fitting a gasoline engine on a large 4x4 would mean that its mileage would be extremely bad and its taxes would overcome its owner.

However, modern diesel engines are very powerful and a lot more reliable than they have been 20 or 30 years ago. Car manufacturers all over the world offer the same warranty for its diesel-powered cars like they do on their gasoline cars and this proves that modern diesel engines have the same reliability as gasoline engines have.

In most countries, the cost of the diesel fuel is lower than the price for gasoline and this combined with the better mileage of diesel-powered cars means significant money savings.

American car manufacturers are looking into installing diesel engines in their cars and it is only a matter of time until you will be able to buy your favorite car with a diesel engine.

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Car Storage at its best

How many cars does your family own? Does each person that has a drivers license have his or her own vehicle? This is the case in many American families. So, there could be upwards of 2, 3, or more vehicles in one household. This does not include that extra special car that dad has in the garage that he is working on to restore. He has only been trying to restore that same car for 10 years with no noticeable improvement. If you have a home with a two-car garage, you know that not much more will fit in the garage but two cars. Or, you can put one car in the garage and use the other side for storage or hobbies.

These are all perfectly good reasons to need car storage. Car storage is something that people have needed for a long time, but more so lately. As the price of land gets higher, the buildings and structures that are built in the more populated areas are getting smaller. This does not leave room for much storage in homes, apartments, condos and townhouses, let alone your vehicles. Some people find that they need car storage because they live in a large metropolitan city that does not accommodate much parking. A high rise might allow its residents to park a vehicle in their private parking lot, but what if you have more than one vehicle. Car storage might be the answer for you. Many large cities that offer self storage will offer some sort of car storage for its customers. Some housing in larger cities offer no parking and street parking for your personal vehicle is out of the question. This is where car storage can come to the rescue again. Because the larger cities have public transportation, many residents do not own cars or only get them out for special occasions.

Car storage is popular right now in the states of New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and some parts of California. All of these states have a high population density and people are looking for solutions to their small space problems. Self storage companies typically have some type of car storage available. But that does not mean that all car storage is created equally. Car storage can be just a parking space designated for a specific customer or it can be more elaborate. For a self storage facility to offer car storage they must have the available space for the vehicles to park. Some self storage facilities will offer storage units that cars can be parked in. These self storage units tend to be on the larger size and will have a garage type door that will allow for the vehicle clearance. Parking a vehicle inside will cost you more than just parking it outside.

Sometimes you can find specialty car storage that involves a warehouse or large building that will house lots of vehicles. The floor of the building is like an indoor parking lot, with ample room and lanes to park and remove vehicles. Because this is the most expensive type of car storage it will typically be a climate controlled building. Many car enthusiasts insist on excellent security, climate control and ample access hours, and they are willing to pay top dollar for such services.

Car storage is out there if you find yourself needing more room in your garage or you live in a large city with no parking. Check with your local self storage about car storage. They will be able to give you all the details of what their car storage entails.

Monday, March 24, 2008

BMW Performance Center and the 2008 One Lap of America

May 7, 2008, the Tire Rack, 2008 One Lap of America will be at BMW Performance Center and from 4:30pm till 7:30pm there will be nearly 100 vehicles racing on the track. Come out to BMW Performance Center and watch the One Lap of America, formally known as the Cannonball Run.

There are the common racing events like NASCAR, F1 and WRC but one of the more notoriously famous races the Cannonball Run is something most never witness. That is now changing as the Cannonball Run has transformed into the One Lap of America and now does all its racing on official race tracks around the United States. While there is still nearly 4,000 miles of driving that happens between tracks the drivers are given enough time to get from track to track with the average speed of 51.8mph, but doesn’t leave much room for gas stops and any sightseeing along the way.

The 2008 One Lap of America will mark the 25th anniversary of this event and on May 7, 2008 the One Lap of America will be at BMW Performance Center. If you are nearby BMW Performance Center this is the perfect chance to come out and watch nearly 100 cars race the track and meet some of the amazing participants. One of the vehicles that will be at the track is the 2008 smart fortwo project car named forfiveone. The smart team has a website http://www.451s.com/oloa where you can find out more about this 2008 smart car. Stephen Noton the driver of the smart said “when people ask why enter a smart I tell them we are not out to win, we are out to show that the smart is not only an economical car to drive it also has some performance and style”.

BMW Performance Center will start its One Lap of America event at 4:30pm on May X7, 2008 and generally the gates open 30 minutes before the start of the event. BMW Performance Center is located at N Hwy 101, Greer, SC 29651 and their official website is http://www.relearntodrive.com/. Some more information is found here http://www.451s.com/May7BMWPerformanceCenter and http://www.onelapofamerica.com. The event at BMW Performance Center will end at 7:30pm, come early as the faster vehicles run first as to give them enough time to reach the next track event which is at Virginia International Raceway.

May 7, 2008, the Tire Rack, 2008 One Lap of America will be at BMW Performance Center and from 4:30pm till 7:30pm there will be nearly 100 vehicles racing on the track. Come out to BMW Performance Center and watch the One Lap of America, formally known as the Cannonball Run.



Thursday, March 13, 2008

How To Tune Your BMW On A Budget

For many bmw enthusiasts, once they buy a car, that is just the start of an extensive and sometimes costly project of modifying to get increased BMW performance. There are many hundreds of various decisions on how to go about this process. Where does one begin, what can be completed by the average home mechanic and what requires professional help? Also, where can you source the best parts at the best price? Sourcing parts is the area of modifying that you have considerable control over and where you can save the most time and expense, if you do your homework.

Now, there is more than one opinion on this subject. For BMWs, significant design and engineering was completed by BMW to make a premium car that is arguably a better overall performer than many of its peers. It is far too easy to whind up going backwards in your objective for speed by sourcing flawed parts, installing them incorrectly or not matching up the performance characteristics of various systems on your car. Also, BMW is selling a line of its own aftermarket parts so you can be assured of the quality and engineering in these parts as the rest of your car. The drawback is these parts are often more costly than their competition.

So, how can you find quality parts for your car? I am a huge fan of doing research online using a variety of tools. There are many good forums consisting of many thousands of BMW owners. With very little effort you can often find a member with your same BMW who has already done similar modifications to their BMW and can often provide some valuable insight into what works, who has the most competitive price, install instructions and more. Some of my favorites are E90Fanatics, e46fanatics and roadfly.org. Time spent here will save you signifiacnt money and frustration so you don't have to repeat the mistakes of others.

Another great source that is often overlooked is eBay. The choices is often overwhelming and there are a bunch of cheaply made, knock-off parts that you should try to stay away from. However, if you buy from a known supplier with great feedback and do your homework on the part you require and at what price, you can really maximize your modifying budget. You can source new parts, OEM BMW parts and used BMW parts quickly and easily to make your modding project a winner.

Customizing Your Mustang With Wheels

Ford Mustang owners are always trying to customize their car. The Mustang is a favorite amongst sports car owners. When you are a kid you either became a Mustang or Camaro person. Those were the two that could be compared on the same page together. The Mustang has been around for over 40 years now and has seen a lot of changes along the way. Engines have became larger, than smaller, and back to big again. The style has gone from boxy to round and now to a sleeker look.

With so many Mustangs on the road it is not uncommon to see two or even three of the same color, engine size, amongst other characteristics driving down the road at the same time. People that buy these cars buy them to be noticed. You do not think about things like miles per gallon or driving in the winter when you buy it. You want attention. How are you going to be noticed when your Mustang looks like every other Mustang on the road? Ford only makes so many. If you wanted to blend in like everybody else you would have bought a Focus.

You have two options at this point. Dump a bunch of money into the engine to make it tear up the streets or invest into some new custom mustang wheels. Everybody's budget is different but regardless of it you should look into customizing your wheels. It does not matter if you own a six cylinder or a GT. This change will make any car person turn their heads and think about what those wheels would look like on their car.

The best bet for an all around great wheel would to be and find a rim in the seventeen or eightteen inch size. You will get more bang for your buck with one of these wheels. They are by no means small wheels and with the right custom wheel it will make your Mustang stand out but not lose its stock performance. Going into bigger heavier wheels will weigh down the car making it slower. If performance is not your thing than you might as well put a set of twenty inch wheels on it. When you do that be expecting to buy parts for your suspension as the stock assembly just can't take that type of beating.

Chrome Mustang wheels are common and look nice. If you really want to get people thinking you should invest into a set of black Mustang wheels for two reasons. They look awesome and they don't need all the polishing and care that a chrome wheel needs. With summer right around the corner and with television bringing back the show Knight Rider with a Mustang as the car you will want to get your black mustang wheels before everybody else.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Keep Your Car Stable with the Honda Axle Assembly

Not all Honda motorists know the ins and outs of their cars. Many of them rely on their mechanics to get all the needed replacements done. One component that they can replace by themselves is the Honda axle assembly. Usually prone to wear and tear, this is where the Constant Velocity or CV joint can be found. Front-wheel drive vehicles and some rear-wheel drive automobiles are equipped with an axle assembly. It is used to shift the power from the transmission to the wheels.

Replacing the Honda axle assembly, rather than the CV joint alone is more practical and more cost-efficient. It also saves motorists the time and labor. Today’s Honda axle assembly is already complete. Unlike before, it comes with the CV joints and boots installed. You will no longer have to buy separate CV components. The boots are vital for the entire assembly to operate. The axle assembly and the CV boots usually get damaged by road debris and other contaminants. This is most likely to happen with off road vehicles that are usually exposed to various damaging road elements like mud. Mud can build up in the undercarriage of the vehicle and the debris can get inside the seals, letting oil seep though the CV joints. Honda axle assemblies need proper care so that such problems are avoided.

A car performs poorly when its axle assembly fails. Opting for a replacement is what professionals generally advise, but you must get it from a trusted source. Our site offers quality axle assemblies that cater to your need and budget. Our parts are exclusively made for Honda vehicles. That means all Honda specifications are fully covered. Our site also features an easy to navigate catalogue that offers variety and reasonable prices. We only have room for quality and economical Honda parts. Enjoy our free shipping feature and the prompt delivery of those Honda replacement parts.

Luxury and Speed - Ford Wheels Have Them

Wheels contributed greatly in many areas primarily in transportation. The use of wheels increases speed that would make transportation less hectic. Traveling is not an effortless task especially when going to distant or even extremely far destinations. Wheels do not simply serve in transporting you to places you want, these can also add to the appearance of vehicles.

The function and drivability of cars are purely affected by wheels from the time it is installed. Hence, wheels require the accurate dimensions and materials to provide safer travel. To every vehicle, the wheels play an important critical role, from the materials, style, function, durability, to maximum performance. The Ford wheels were intended to be engineered and carefully made by skilled people through Ford's automotive technology. These are examined thoroughly for a more satisfying outcome and are made to suit every Ford model that comes in quality with a wide range of styles available. The wheels are one of the parts that should be inspected carefully to provide a great ride for you. Ford attained a good remark in the automotive industry from producing such vehicles that signifies a sense of power on roads.

Certainly, General Motors Corporation is more known today for their powerful and trendy personal vehicles like the GMC Sierra, GMC Envoy, GMC Safari, amongst others. All of these can be an urban road warrior in a minute then rapidly transfer into a wildlife explorer. Powerful engines dwell under their hoods, making them very competent for all the tough and complex paths one may venture to. Space is huge even its aesthetics particulars are defined. A sense of sporty force is produced making a GMC truck transcends power and versatility.

Wheels act as force on a vehicle. However, there are many things that can cause damage to the wheels, especially when driving on road debris and curbs. Ford wheels are prepared of the highest quality materials and come with a full warranty from the manufacturer. When installing new wheels, it is a must to have the tires professionally mounted and fixed equally so as to ensure that the tires will hold in an even way. Mounting a tire can be a tough process, since the bead that closes the air into the tire must be seated accurately. A large volume of air must be put into the tire to inflate it quickly and the tire must be inflated to its maximum rating very quickly, or else the bead will come loose. Balancing the wheels requires expensive tools, and cannot be done at home. Care must be taken not to over-tighten the lug nuts when bolting the wheels on to the vehicle, because it may cause damage to the wheels. Additional wheel travel and speed produces heat in the shocks. Heat causes the shocks to withdraw and the vehicle happens to bounce and difficult to control. To distribute the load and drive away the heat, duals, triples, and more being are used.

Wheels carry the most important function and Ford wheel works simultaneously to get the vehicle to places. It is certain that every Ford model holds wheels in its specifications.

Ford Auto Parts: Keeping the Vision of Quality and Technology

The Ford Motor Company began as a dream of one man to bridge people with advanced transport technology. It was an ambitious dream, but one that answered the needs of a society on the brink of high-gear industrialization.

It didn't come easy, however, as the company's first series of automobiles endured bouts of indifference from the market. Not losing faith, the company relentlessly continued on engineering various motor cars, until one unit, the Ford Model T, finally captured the full interest and esteem of the public. Fast track to 19 years and 15 million Model Ts later, and the Ford Motor Company has already catapulted itself into a giant enterprise in the automotive industry. And at present, after more than a hundred years of continuous hard work and pure determination in the industry, the visions of one Henry Ford are still paying off as his founding company has now become one of the most successful brands in the world.

To date, Ford Motor Company has now evolved into a family of superior automobile brands, which comprises of: Ford, Jaguar, Mazda, Mercury, Lincoln, Land Rover, and Volvo. Nevertheless, Ford has not lose sight of the vision to create top-quality and state-of-the-art vehicles. And relative to these are the corresponding top-quality and state-of-the-art components that function simultaneously. These Ford auto parts are uniquely engineered especially for Ford models to complement performance and sophisticated style that the brand is famous for. Such parts can be categorized as performance devices, exterior parts, and the interior line. Ford performance parts would include a multi-point injection fuel system, updated front and rear suspension systems that yield smoother and quieter rides, heavy-duty alternator and battery, quality four disk brakes with the equivalent ventilated discs, as well as the engine system in which case Ford is known to use powerful V6 or V8 engine concoctions. On the other hand, Ford interior and exterior parts may consist of but not limited to: chrome-finished bumpers, driver and passenger airbags, customized hubcaps, sturdy cargo liners, high-tech audio system, and power windows and locks.

As it is, all possible Ford Auto parts have been made available in the market. Said parts may be sold and provided in general terms or in a more specialized method that is relative to the Ford model, such as Ford F250 parts, Ford Focus parts, among others. The easy accessibility of these Ford Auto parts is to ensure the lifelong commitment and service that Ford provides its consumers.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

2009 Nissan Murano: Safety Incarnate

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducts tests on new vehicles so as to be able to find out which among the lot come with the best safety features which could really protect passengers. Results of crash tests would be announced by the IIHS so that consumers would be guided on their purchase of vehicles.

As per the recent tests done by the IIHS, the 2009 Nissan Murano took the top spot among nine other midsized SUVs with four doors. And with that performance, it was awarded the Top Safety Pick award. The vehicles had to go through front tests, side tests, and rear tests and they were aptly graded.

The worst 2008 models did show just what they could not do. For side tests, three 2008 models reflected how poor they could get during side crashes. The three were comprised of the Jeep Liberty, the Kia Sorento, and the four-door Jeep Wrangler. Among the three, the lowest grades went to the Kia Sorento.

They were not exceptional but good ratings are good ratings, especially if you have poor performers with you. For side tests and front crashes, the IIHS was able to find out that good ratings were what the Mazda CX7 and the Mazda CX9 deserved. The Mitsubishi Endeavor also earned good ratings. These three vehicles may have joined the 2009 Nissan Murano in the spotlight however they had low ratings during rear tests. The three were unable to protect passengers well against neck injury which often happens during crashes from the rear. For that, the Mazda CX7 and CX9 only earned marginal ratings while the Mitsubishi Endeavor took home a poor rating.

Joe Nolan is the IIHS' senior vice president on the results he disclosed, "Combined with test results released last year, consumers now have 9 midsize, moderately priced SUV models that earn our Top Safety Pick designation. More good news is that manufacturers have been moving quickly to add safety features like stability control and side airbags to their SUV models. All of the SUVs in this group have ESC, and all but the Wrangler have standard side airbags. Increasingly, consumers are getting the latest safety equipment without having to hunt through a list of options."

What took the 2009 Nissan Murano to the top? Well, Nissan sure did spruce up the vehicle so that it does not only look and perform well but so much so that it also protects well. This new version comes with the electronic stability control as a standard feature. It can be upgraded with nifty products cargo-logic series cargo liner to protect the floor but what is important are the seat belts and the air bags which protect the passengers best.

Jaguar, Land Rover Sold

Some months back, the automotive industry has been bombarded with various pieces of news as per the fate of the Ford Motor Company's Jaguar and Land Rover brands. These two are actually luxury brands that are part of Ford's Premium Automotive Group (PAG).

What has been the seed as per the rumors regarding the fate of the two brands, it actually started with how the brands' vehicles are doing in the market. For quite some time, Jaguar and Land Rover have been performing poorly in the market so much so that the Ford Motor Company has not been gaining much profit from the two brands. It is also not a secret that Ford has been under much financial stress lately because of declining profit and one of their solutions so as to help better their financial situation was to sell their two luxury brands.

When Jaguar and Land Rover was put up for sale, there were quite a number of parties and individuals who were interested in owning the two brands. However, Ford wanted to make sure that they were getting the best deal on the two brands. And what the Dearborn-based car maker did was to set up a system where interested purchasers could put in their bids for the luxury brands. This process took quite some time and experts were looking at the situation as a tactic from Ford so that they could properly study where they would be getting the best deal for Jaguar and Land Rover.

It seems like the end of the bidding for Jaguar and Land Rover has finally come to an end for a couple of days back, a newsletter from the American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) carried news that the Ford Motor Company has finally chosen the right party who would purchase the two brands from them. Tata Motors from India would be the new owner of the vehicle and that the purchase of the brands is set to be announced this March 5th of 6th.

The purchase has already been finalized and Tata has already been talking with trade union leaders since last week. The national officer for one of the largest unions in the UK auto industry, Roger Maddison, has announced, "Everything seems fine as far as we are concerned; it's just the lawyers working on it now."

One of the major outcomes of these talks include the fact that Tata would still be sourcing the brands' engines, NGK laser platinum spark plugs, stampings, and other auto systems from Ford.

Jeep Liberties - top of my list for gas guzzlers

Well, now that I sold my 06 Jeep Liberty Limited at auction, I'll be happy to tell you that when I drove it to St. Louis from Springfield Missouri it just about bankrupted me in gas fees. You would think a small SUV like that would not be any big deal on gas, but if you combine automatic, 4 wheel drive, V6 and heater blowing it adds up quick. I've taken that trip a hundred times (literally) and I never gave gas prices a second thought. I have the receipts but I must have spent $60 there and back.

I guess it was the fact that it was such a small vehicle that really set me off about it. I could understand if I was driving a Yukon or Navigator, you would at least expect it then. But what a surprise this was.

While I'm on the subject of Liberties, have you ever driven a 5 speed liberty? It kind of reminds me of driving a 3 wheeler for the first time. It has a very strange feel to it, just not natural. I'm mentioning this because a friend of mine just bought one to resell. It turned out to be a 5 speed with 2 wheel drive. I'll have to ask him about the gas mileage on it...

We did some work on it for him when he got it at the auto auction. So, I drove it to my shop and in the middle of the drive I had to call and warn him of the vehicles strange feel on the road. He said I was imagining things. He was at the sale the next week trying to dump the thing. "Nobody is ever gonna buy this heap after they drive it!" he says.

Well, I don't like slamming other peoples products, but in this case they are a frustrating little truck. Jeep has made some great ones over the years, but this one has missed its mark.

But, as I always say, "I couldn't have built it any better."

Unrealized value in Flipping Project Cars

A common misunderstanding about car pricing gives speculators the upper hand in realizing real value for their money. In analyzing the true nature of car pricing, you can see where the real benefits are won and lost.

New cars are priced based on a hard cost platform that varies slightly depending on the price of steel, plastics, glass, labor and the many other components that make up an automobile. This gives the new vehicles a fairly predictable price point.

Used cars have a more variable pricing structure depending on the owners situation; a leasing or lending institution that needs to liquidate to cover a loan gone bad or a matured lease, a rental company dumping vehicles that have reached a mileage or year plateau, auto dealers covering overheads and sales commissions or an individual that is looking to replace their current vehicle. Depending on their needs, they will be selling the vehicle at or around a reasonably small price range, banks and other lending institutions at the low end of the price spectrum and dealers struggling to get top dollar. Even though there is a range of value, it is still a reasonably tight and predictable market.

Then we have project vehicles, classic cars from the early 1900s to the previously new car that gets into an accident pulling out of the new car store lot. There are a million things that can happen to a vehicle in its lifetime to make it end up a project car; fires, floods, accidents, shootouts, bad transmissions, engines blown, and even a failed customizing attempt. It could have just been a very good car that has been around forever and wound up in a field or in a barn somewhere. When it comes to putting a real hard fast value on a project vehicle it gets a little cloudy. Some owners will have a low perception of its value for whatever reason, other owners will overprice the same car or truck for different reasons. Some buyers will think that a vehicle is worth nothing while another gives it more credit.

The wonderful thing about project cars is that there is a wide range of cost perception between buyers and sellers. This volatility gives speculators great opportunities in some instances and sellers great opportunities in others. I have put this concept to work for many years myself and it has paid great dividends.