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The used car market is one of the few that have seen a boost with this credit crunch. At a time when people are looking to save money and only buying the necessities of life, and cars come under that category, many industries are feeling the pinch of people withholding finances and directing them towards absolute essentials. Those feeling this withdrawal of disposable income are new car dealers.

Cars have become one of life’s necessities and are no longer a luxury. But when is there ever a good time to buy a new car?

Unless you are a fully paid up member of that elite club of the uber rich, then a new car that doesn’t belong to a company fleet is always going to be one of those one off, probably spur of the moment buys.

However, given the economics of the day, even spur of the moment purchases are being sharply reigned in and car dealers are feeling it with the empty show rooms and depleted bank accounts.

Not so for the used car dealers. Everybody needs a reliable form of transport and cars are certainly something that needs keeping on top if they are to stay reliable. Cars are not built like they used to be. Everything is meant to be a disposable commodity these days and there will come a time when that car simply gives up on you. Replacing it can be difficult and costly.

So, you have three options. Buy brand new, buy second hand from a private seller or buy from a used car dealer.

As already discussed, the brand new option is for those who have more money than they need. These people, today, are few and far between and would have no need of this article. Buying second hand from a private seller is an option and it is usually the cheapest one.
However, it is also the riskiest. Scams are set up all around the country for so-called ‘private’ sellers to pass on cars that have been stolen or ‘cut and shut’ vehicles which are extremely dangerous.

False documents are used to pass the car on immediately and before you know it, you’re pulled over by the boys in blue for driving a stolen vehicle, you find your documents are false and you lose your car and your money. Try to go back to the people you purchased the car from and you find that they have disappeared. Of course, this is not always the case and you can bag yourself a bargain from a private seller if you know what you are looking for. Just remember, the moment you drive that car away you have no recompense whatsoever for any problems you find with it after that date.

Buying from a used car dealer is a little more expensive but you get more security for your money. Certain checks have to be made on the car before it can be legitimately sold and a guarantee covering the basics will be made available as well as having the added luxury of a thorough clean!

If anything should go wrong with your car in the first three to six months, you can return it and get it sorted out quite promptly. Checks can be made, by the used car dealer and by yourself, to ensure you are getting a legitimate used car with genuine paperwork. So, it would appear that this is the safest option when replacing your car, particularly during times of hardship.

Expert buyer Catherine Harvey looks at the best option between new car, used car from a garage or private used car.

One of the most important tools in an automotive repair shop is the auto lift. Providing access to the under belly of a car or truck, automotive lifts make the job of car repair much easier for the home garage or auto shop. Choosing a lift that meets your needs is the key to profitability in time and money. There is a large variety of lift types available to meet the needs of anyone who is looking to purchase one. Keep the following in mind when choosing the best automotive lift for you.

Auto Lifts For The Home User

Consumers with a garage at home can now easily perform maintenance and repairs on the undercarriage of their automobiles. The convenience of owning a home auto lift not only increases the productivity of repairs, but also increases the amount of storage space available. Home automotive lifts usually involve a group of four posts, pneumatically controlled to lift an automobile safely.

These lifts provide a safe means to raise one’s vehicle for access to the car’s undercarriage for transmission and oil work. Automotive lifts also provide increased storage space, by allowing the consumer to lift their car out of the way and to open up the garage floor space. Lesser used vehicles and box storage can be placed on the lift and raised out of the way. Then, you can park your own vehicle underneath the lifted platform.

Automotive lifts are great for people who collect cars. A typical garage can only house two cars, but with use of a lift, four cars can be efficiently parked.

Auto Shop Automotive Lifts - Features To Consider

For more serious garages and commercial operations, there are heavy-duty automotive lifts available. Standard equipment usually involves one, two, or four post lifts. The final choice involves the balance of lift capability, lift stability, and available additional space for the lift equipment. These heavier lifts usually require additional maintenance. The industrial nature of these auto lifts means that their maintenance is better left to professionals if the user has any doubt about being able to work the equipment while maintaining the designed safety features.

One post lifts are the most economical in terms of space. The two varieties of one post lifts are centered lifts and offset lifts. Centered one post auto lifts have a lot more strength than offset one post auto lifts. Offset lifts provide space for a vehicle to be placed underneath a lifted object, providing space economy. Four post models also allow for the same space saving capabilities as a single post model, but they do require more space and power. The upside to a four post lift is a greatly increased power output (four times that of a single post). The two post model is a balance between the two versions.

Auto lifts give a home user full access to their vehicle from different sides. This allows you to perform maintenance and repairs on your vehicle from the comfort of home, saving you both time and money.

Christine O’Kelly is an author for SVI International, an automotive lift company specializing in home and commercial auto lifts.

Once I knew I was going to visit Las Vegas, I decided to do it in style and started searching for a classic car rental agency in vegas. What I found was more exotic rental car companies in vegas than I could dream of. They had everything; classic cars, exotic sports cars, even custom choppers! Believe me, this is the classic car lover’s dream car rental company in Las Vegas.

It took me a while, but I finally settled on a classic 1954 corvette. This is the ultimate vette so far as I am concerned and taking that elegant sports classic down the Las Vegas strip was very exciting. Passing all those high end casinos and restaurants, knowing I was turning heads in my sleek, classic sports rental car, had me feeling like I belonged there.

From one Classic Car Rental Rental Shop to another I drove East on Flamingo to Las Vegas Blvd where I visited the Auto Collections at the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino. Arriving in my classic rental car set the mood for me. I was really looking forward to viewing some rare classic vehicles and I wasn’t disappointed!

This place had the ultimate classic car showroom!

There were at least a couple hundred cars there. Some of the most exotic and famous classics, like Johnny Carson’s 1939 Chrysler, were on public view. In the grand salon I saw classic Ferraris, Cadillacs and even a sports classic Bently that would accelerate the heart rate of any classic sports car fan.

If you love exotic classic cars and ever visit Las Vegas I suggest you make a point of touring the Auto Collections. The companies are open daily and the general tour only takes about a half hour.

Of course that didn’t compare to driving a classic through the strip in Las Vegas. After feasting my eyes on all those classic cars, I drove my own sports car rental to the Koi Vegas restaurant located on the center strip. It was a real pleasure to see the eyes of the valet when he realized he had a couple minutes behind the wheel of my classic car rental. The meal was a pleasure too.

Then I was back on the strip in my sporty vette, headed into a night of entertainment and games at the Las Vegas Hilton.

When I finally fell into bed that first night I was looking forward to continuing my tour in my sleek, sporty, classic rental car.

Las Vegas Exotic Car Rentals: From 1928 to 2008 we have the LARGEST selection of Exotic, Classic and Luxury Rental Cars on the Strip! From Auburns to Packards, Voyager Classics Car Rentals has the largest selection of classics available for rent anywhere in Las Vegas.

Cars pollute, kill the planet and generally are not that green are they not? Here is the latest news from the world of the eco-friendly electric cars trying to prove the car hater wrong. The limited edition Micro-Vett electric 500 is an electric, eco version of the famous Fiat 500. This little green-mobile has a maximum speed of 60mph, a range of 70 miles, and takes 6-8 hours to charge.

Transmission is manual 5-speed but there is an automatic option. It weighs around 1050kg, has four seats, and standard kit includes a radio, CD, MP2 player, Bluetooth and USB, air con, remote central locking, ABS with EBD, 15-inch alloy wheels, drivers airbag, drivers knee airbag, passenger and window airbags. You can also pay extra if you want auto climate control, an electric sunroof, reverse parking sensors, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a metallic paint finish to your motor. As with many electric cars price unfortunately is on application. But if you have to ask, you clearly cannot afford.

Lotus introduces an electric car that ROARS! The wonders of modern technology, a car that glides seamlessly along with hardly any noise at all. Well that is great if you are the driver or the passenger, but the quiet hybrid or electric cars of today are not so good for pedestrians as people simply do not hear them coming. Lotus has decided to create a technology to bring that oh so thrilling sound, the roar of a well tuned engine, to eco conscious drivers.

The car manufacturer explains that its safe and sound hybrid technology simulates the growl of a combustion engine, making it instantly recognisable that the vehicle is in motion. It has already put the system into a Toyota Prius, which is one of the most popular hybrid cars on the market. The system produces a pitch and frequency designed to help pedestrians identify the speed and distance of the car. Lotus claim their technology increases pedestrian safety, while retaining the environmental benefits of electric cars.

Shown off at the 2008 motor show, the Lighting car is designed to turn all the heads. Why because it is fast and it is electric. The company claimed the Lightning GTS, which is built in the UK, claims the Lightning can hit 60mph (97kmph) in under four seconds. Instead of one single motor, each wheel has its own giving the most effective power.

Special batteries are used to give the car the power when it needs it rather than a constant speed and you will be able to do a fast charge in around 10 minutes to get you back on the road. The CEO of the company said they are trying to change the perception of what people expect from electric cars. The car will cost around 120,000GBP when it goes on sale so it is up against some real supercar competition.

Shaun Parker is an expert on electric cars and provides eco-friendly advice on all aspects of the motor industry.

In Las Vegas, everything is larger than life. There are buildings that tower over you like incandescent giants, people dress like movie stars, and each and every pleasure is multiplied a hundred times. When visiting the city, you will notice that boring and old cars or even practical vehicles do not dominate the streets, compared to other cities in the country or even the world. Instead, what you will mostly see are exotic rental cars filling Las Vegas’ busy streets. This is because the population of Las Vegas mostly consists of tourists who visit the city all year round. If you plan to visit Las Vegas and you want to make sure that you are up to par with the city’s other inhabitants, temporary or otherwise, then getting the right ride is necessary. The question is, which among the exotic rental cars available in Las Vegas should you pick?

It is a fact that the things we choose for ourselves reflect who we are as people. Our clothes, accessories, shoes, and all the other items we pick reflect our attitude in life, our opinion about things, or even our state of mind. The same applies to the car we choose. Fortunately, there are probably hundreds of exotic rental cars companies in Las Vegas where you could choose a car from. But before you go ahead and choose one, it is important to consider which among the hundreds of exotic rental cars in Las Vegas fit your personality. May you be someone who values comfort, luxury, or safety, exotic carr entals companies in Las Vegas are sure to have the perfect car for you.

In picking from exotic carr entals available in Las Vegas, consider what you value most. If you are the kind of person who wants to be seen and noticed, then a convertible is perfect for you. Convertibles are available in many exotic carr entals companies in Las Vegas, with makes that range from Ferraris to Dodges. If you value comfort over style, a Cadillac Escalade or a Ford Expedition is your best bet. For those who are in love with the classics, exotic carr entals companies in Las Vegas have many options for you, too, such as the all American 1956 Chevy Blair or the sleek 1959 Cadillac Convertible. Those who are more into modern designs can pick a City Coupe to suit their taste.

It may sound frivolous and a waste of time, choosing one car from hundreds of exotic carr entals available in Las Vegas that would suit you. However, keep in mind that you will be using this car for the duration of your stay in the glittering city. Do you really want to drive around one of the world’s most fantastic cities in an ugly or uncomfortable vehicle? If your answer is no, what you need to do is go to one of the many exotic carr entals companies in Las Vegas, choose your dream car, and ride around the city in style and comfort. It’s not everyday that you can live like a king, which is what driving an exotic rental car will make you feel.

Las Vegas Exotic Car Rentals: From 1928 to 2008 we have the LARGEST selection of Exotic, Classic and Luxury Rental Cars on the Strip! From Auburns to Packards, Voyager Classics Car Rentals has the largest selection of classics available for rent anywhere in Las Vegas.

Petrol prices, car tax, insurance, repairs; motoring is not cheap and as more countries around the World hint at a recession it’s not getting any cheaper. As people look to get rid of their gas guzzlers quick to save money, here’s a few ways to keep motoring and to save money.

Many people with larger engined cars are suddenly flooding the market in an attempt to downshift to a smaller motor that will be more economical to run. Don’t be fooled into joining in. Yes a larger engine is likely to consume a bit more but fuel economy has a lot of factors other than engine size. The biggest factor is the way you drive. If you thrash an engine of any size it is bound to consume more, drive your car sensibly, accelerate gradually and don’t use motorways at 100mph, it’s also a lot safer and speed limits are there for a reason. Tearing away from traffic lights is only ever going to save you a matter of seconds and it’s really not worth it.

If you do use motorways and highways a lot in your day to day driving then a smaller car will consume more on the longer stretches anyway so simply avoid those smaller journeys. Learn to walk again. Checking your tyre pressure weekly will also ensure better economy, running on tyres that are low on air will guzzle plenty of petrol as it puts greater strain on your engine. Most petrol stations allow you to top up your air for free and it takes a matter of minutes.

Correct car maintenance can also stand to save you a small fortune in the long run. Keep your coolant level and oil topped up and check them at regular intervals to avoid engine trouble. The cost of a bottle of oil every now and then is a lot cheaper than most repair bills. Regular - six monthly or once a year - basic services will also improve your cars life and performance. I’m not talking taking it to the garage or dealer, simply replacing the filters and spark plugs and cleaning the points will improve the cars efficiency and give you a nice sense of satisfaction.

If you notice a problem arising in the day to day running of your car, get it fixed before it becomes a bigger problem and a bigger bill. Do, however, shop around for both parts and garages, don’t go straight to the same place each time as you may be able to find a cheaper deal elsewhere.

Shopping around will also mean a better deal in that other motoring expense - insurance. It is very easy when that time of year comes around and your current provider sends you a letter saying how you need to do nothing in order to stay with them for another year at such and such a low price. The initial thought is very likely to be along the lines of “well, they gave me a good price last year so they’re sure to do the same this year” but we’ve all seen those adverts of various degrees of annoyance all of them touting lower prices than the other. Simply pick up the phone or turn on the computer and take a short while to have a look. It’s not that much hassle and I’d rather save 60 quid a year, say, than let the same provider assume I want them to rip me off for another year. Especially if my no-claims bonus has gained another year.

Like car insurance there are other cost that are unavoidable, the biggest of which being car tax. While the engine size and emissions of your car will make a lot of difference here and it is oh so tempting to pay the smaller amount for six months, it is cheaper to pay the annual fee. It may seem like a lot at the time but you can save a minimum of 40 pounds and removes the hassle of having to do it again in half a year, which always seems to come around so quick.

If you don’t want to pay car tax at all then you need to either buy a car that emits less than 100g/km of CO2 or one that was registered before January 1st 1974. Though, if you do go down the classic car road you won’t be enjoying power steering or creature comforts and are likely to need specialist insurance. If you’re buying a new car don’t buy one that is literally brand new and showroom fresh. The depreciation rate on new cars today is staggering, some losing 60 percent of their value within their first year.

The other unavoidable cost, no matter how economically you drive, is petrol. Be it unleaded, super-unleaded, diesel, or lpg, it is never free and, short of talking to a lawyer, is the quickest you’ll see money disappear before your eyes. There is still money to be saved though. Firstly, avoid filling up on the motorway, we all know service stations love our cash so don’t give it to them. Find your cheapest local petrol station instead, there’s a plethora of websites dedicated to finding them for you and don’t charge for the benefit. Fill up rather than half fill when petrol prices are unstable. Filling your car at 112.9p a litre is going to be cheaper than putting a tenner in and then having to put a tenner in when it jumps to 115.9p a litre and finding you get less.

It all makes a difference and while it may not be an immediate difference there are long term savings to be made which will make all the difference in this buoyant economical climate.

Patrick is an expert Research and Travel consultant. His current interest is in Glasgow Airport Parking and Glasgow Airport Hotels

Car speakers are what produce sound frequencies transmitted by a car stereo. They are essential if you would like to enhance the comfort of your car.

There are different types of car speakers produced by different brands such as Infinity, Kenwood and many others. On offer on the market to day are Subwoofers, coaxial speakers, component and Midirange speakers. These are various kinds that can be found in all the brands. For example, you can have a Kenwood midrange speaker and an Infinity coaxial speaker.

Sub woofers are the kind of speakers that reproduce very low frequencies. If one needs sound reproduced with excellent quality and with minimal reduction in audio signal, then this is the best option.

Coaxial speakers have the ability to reproduce both high pitched and low frequencies. If one wants a two in one function speaker then this would be a suitable option for them.

In order to mix and balance the sound that will be coming from your car stereo, one may need to buy more than one type of the above mentioned kind of speakers. However it will all depend on one’s taste. There are those people who love bass while there are others who love high pitched sounds. The choice remains personal.

Look around and compare prices when you have decided which kind of speaker suits your taste and preference. You can look in magazines, newsletters, and even consult with other people before you settle down on one place. The internet is also a very suitable place to look in as there are numerous advertisements placed here.

People generally associate inexpensive things with poor quality, but this does not have to be true if one shops wisely. They can end up getting both cheap and quality speakers. With newer products coming onto the market, there are more to dispose of and these are not necessarily damaged.

Car speakers are an essential accessory in enhancing the comfort. It is therefore important that you choose the best. With a car speaker you are sure to stay entertained even when you are on the move away from home. You will also be kept informed because you will be able to listen to news updates every time. Once you are informed you will be able to stay safe, as you will know if the road you are taking is convenient and what the weather is like where you are going.

When you have finally decided on which type of car speaker to buy, they should find out about a mode of payment that is convenient for you, and the shipping details. Ensure that there are no hidden costs and that the company you are buying from is honest. Warranty is also something that one should keenly look into. The speaker one buys should have a warranty to ensure that they are covered from any defects occurring as a result of any omission or mistake from the company. With all of this taken into account, you are sure to get the best car speaker their money can afford them.

Hundreds of bargain wireless speakers systems are available for sale in the author’s website. Find brands such as RCA, Acoustic Research, JBL and others.

With gas prices as high as they are people are looking for ways to ease the pain at the pump. Until significant technological advances are made that are also economical, some inventive solution must be the answer to this problem. There have been many innovations made by creative people, and this article describes one of them.

How Does It Work?
Simple science is involved to run your car on water. The electricity from the car battery is used to split water into HHO(2 hydrogen and 1 oxygen). This is called Hydroxy.HHO offers the atomic power of hydrogen, while keeping the stability of water. One quart of water provides over 1800 gallons of this Brown’s gas to run your car on water.

What Are the Benefits?
Hydroxy provides good energy content and burns smoothly to an end product of water. Performing a do-it-yourself conversion to run your car on water can significantly improve the emissions quality of your car. To run your car on water only a small amount of water is actually needed to last you with burnable fuel for months. This drastically improves the fuel efficiency of your car, which saves you money. One more good thing is that the conversion is reversible so it will not void your car manufacturer’s warranty therefore, it simply acts as an accessory that noticeably increases your fuel efficiency. Run your car on water kits are easy to install and remove. This process works on gas or diesel engine cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs.

What are the Costs?
The costs associated with a kit to run your car on water are buying a conversion guide and raw materials. Conversion guides typically offer 90 pages of detailed instruction and are easy to follow. The raw materials can be found at hardware and auto parts stores and cost no more than $60.

Is it Safe?
The process to run your car on water is safe because combustible gas is taken out as needed and burned steadily from water. The safe set-up of the conversion kit makes hydrogen as your car needs it, rather than using large storage tanks of pure hydrogen (highly flammable). There have been thousands of safely converted cars without any incidents or issues. This is proof that the technology to run your car on water is out there and works. Industry gurus estimate that it’s only a matter of time before the technology of running your car on water is standard for future vehicles.

How Much Money Will You Save?
If you run your car on water, you can easily save $110 per month. Doing the math, that is well over $1000 per year.

Hello everyone. I am from South Carolina and there has recently been a news segment on this topic: NewsChannel4 Energy Special

One of the more fragile elements of a car is its intake system. To get the most out of your car the intake has to be solid. As part of the combustion engine, it pumps air to mix oxygen with gas and produce explosive energy to power your car.

The intake itself is a pump that increases the velocity of air into the engine bay. A proper intake is also designed to eliminate any restrictions in flow. On cars with turbochargers and superchargers it is not uncommon to find extensive reconstruction of cold air intakes to provide a smooth flowing pressurized intake system.

Many modern cars that consumers buy have three components to their intake, an air filter, mass throttle body, and mass flow sensor. Occasionally there are also silencers to decrease any unwelcomed noise. Unfortunately this silencer also restricts air flow, thus decreasing overall power.

Cold air intakes are designed at specific lengths to allow certain frequencies to flow better. This primarily assists the flow into the combustion engine. Many car enthusiast shops offer larger air intakes and throttle bodies to lower the restrictions on air flow. In terms of a Daihatsu, if you feel there is something wrong with the intake, it might be an issue with the sensor. It’s always best to check your manual.

As an automobile owner, you need to know a fair amount more about your intake system. The first step is to understand how the air and fuel combine to be lit in the cylinders. In an engine with a carburetor, air enters a space to be passed through the air filter before the carburetor. As the air passes the filter and enters the carburetor, the carburetor mixes the fuel and air together.

It proceeds to the intake manifold and then into your cylinders. Surprisingly the most advanced part of cold air intakes is the temperature sensor. It prevents your carburetor from icing over preventing your engine from dying.

It also obviously measures the air temperature. Even then, it can’t help you find the right temperature to mix with your fuel, this needs to be done with an emission analyzer. Air flow through the intake is controlled specifically by the chamber. The car enters idle mode when said chamber is closed. There is a bypass that allows air to bypass the chamber and proceed to the engine. The Cold Star Valve and the Throttle position sensor are additional parts of cold air intakes that are considered important.

This is the basic foundation for cold air intakes in cars. Hopefully this will help you with any problems concerning intakes you might face in the future. Never forget to also periodically check your owner’s manual.

Andy’s Auto Sport has the hottest and most stylish selections of Cold Air Intakes. Click here for all of the latest styles:

http://www.andysautosport.com/cold_air_intakes.html

The only difference between a right and left hand drive car is the location of the primary driving components such as the steering wheel and pedals. For this reason many car manufactures design and create cars for both sides. However, the available left hand drive cars usually don’t match the production amounts of the right hand models. This is because the majority of the world’s population drives on the right. Traveling abroad to any of the many nations that require a left hand car can cause tourist problems.

If you plan to rent a car when you are visiting any of these countries you should be aware of the fact that a right hand car probably won’t be available. In fact, in most places where they drive left hand it is illegal to drive using a right hand car. Places such as Poland for example may not allow drivers to register their right hand cars. Something else to consider is the insurance cost of a left hand car in a right hand area. Not only the cost but even finding a insurer can be nearly impossible.

Here is a partial list of countries where they drive on the left hand:

1. Anguilla
2. Antigua and Barbuda
3. Australia
4. Bahamas
5. Bangladesh
6. Barbados
7. Bermuda
8. Bhutan
9. Botswana
10. Brunei
11. Cayman Islands
12. Christmas Island
(Australia)
13. Cook Islands
14. Cyprus
15. Dominica
16. East Timor
17. Falkland
Islands
18. Fiji
19. Grenada
20. Guernsey (Channel Islands)
21. Guyana
22. Hong Kong
23. India
24. Indonesia
25. Ireland
26. Isle of Man
27. Jamaica
28. Japan

Learning to drive using a left drive car may be the best option for someone who will be placed in the position of having to drive on the left. Sure, the same driving rules are in effect no matter which side you are on but the feel is completely different. Think about which way you stick your head out of the window at the fast food place or when you pay a toll on a toll booth. No image the same scenario but this time view yourself from the passengers side. Since everything is on the other side in left hand drive sections, you can see how that would be awkward.

Volkswagen’s most successful model, the sixth-generation Golf is made for both left and right hand while the Ford Falcon is exclusively right hand. Other popular models for left hand drive include the Toyota Camry, Nissan Infiniti, Land Rover Discovery, BMW 525, BMW 316, KIA Carival, Renault CLIO 1.2, the Citroen Picasso 1.6 and the coveted BMW 340. The Cadillac CTS-V is also strictly designed for left hand and may be very difficult to find outside of certain countries.

Certain cars models can also be converted over to the other side by professional mechanics. Someone relocating over seas may find it less expensive to have their car converted instead of purchasing a new one. Conversion kits are on the market for anyone knowledgeable enough to make the necessary changes themselves but for safety purposes it is advised to take it to a professional.

The steering wheel, dashboard and pedals are the primary parts included in such kits. Another option would be to import the proper hand car to your area. Finding a mechanic who can make repairs on either hand car certainly isn’t difficult considering they both function the same way. However their may be additional cost added for importing specialty parts.

Oakleaf a European import car dealer supplies a full range of left hand drive cars also know as Lhd cars.