Jun

5

America’s First Muscle Car, the Pontiac GTO

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The original Pontiac GTO was one of the first muscle cars created by Pontiac engineer Russell Gee, an engine specialist, and Pontiac chief engineer John De Lorean.  In early 1963, General Motors management barred divisions from participation in auto racing. At the time, Pontiac’s advertising and marketing approach was heavily based on performance, and racing was an important part of that tactic.

Jim Wangers planned a way to retain the performance image that the division had cultivated with a new focus on fast cars and street performance. It involved transforming the upcoming redesigned Tempest into a Super Tempest  with a larger 389 Pontiac V8 engine from the full-sized Pontiac Catalina and Bonneville in place of the standard 326 Tempest V8. By promoting the larger engine Tempest as a special high-performance model, they could produce muscle cars for sale to appeal to the speed-minded youth market who seemed to gravitate towards drag racing.

The GTO was officially a violation of GM policy limiting the A-body intermediate line to a maximum engine displacement of 5.4 L. Since the GTO was an option package and not standard equipment, it could be considered to fall into a loophole in the guidelines. Pontiac General Manager Elliot Estes approved the new model, although sales manager Frank Bridge, who did not believe it would find a market, insisted on limiting initial production to no more than 5,000 vehicles. If this new muscle car been a failure, Estes likely would have been reprimanded. As it turned out, it was a great success and the Pontiac GTO is often called the first true muscle car.

May

15

Auto Loans and Finance Tips

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If you are considering the purchase of a new car in the near future, you probably will be visiting the local dealerships to check out the latest models and find out what the selling prices are. Maybe you have already taken one you are especially interested in for a test drive. Now the next thought to enter your mind is going to be how to pay for your dream car. For most of us the answer is to obtain financing.

There are some important questions that have to be answered before you seek out any auto loans. You will need to know how much money is needed for the purchase and you will need to know what financing options are available to you. You should be sure you are getting a good deal on the price that the auto dealership is asking for the car. You should also be aware of the reasonable interest rates that are available to you.

Auto financing can usually be obtained directly through the auto dealership by way of a partnering credit agency. Some people can obtain auto financing through their credit union or their own bank. Other financial institutions and independent lenders can offer another option to financing an auto loan. When you have several alternatives available you can take your time in choosing the best option for your circumstances.

It is extremely necessary to do your research on the various sources of auto financing. The internet can be of great help in this research because it has so much information available and you can even apply for bad credit car loan quotes from several online lending agencies.

The large amount of options available can make it easy to make some big mistakes when choosing a car loan. You should avoid going with the first offer that sounds reasonable to you. Do not fail to become informed of all the different terms and conditions of the loans that each lender offers. Familiarize yourself with some common insurance terms and conditions. Remember to keep in mind the down payment, loan terms, interest rates, and the payment schedule.

Mistakes can be quite costly and leave you to pay more for a car loan than you would have if you had been more through in your research. You have to be cool and levelheaded when making a decision on a car purchase. It is easy to get caught up in the heat of the moment and the sales pitch and put yourself deeply into debt.

You must keep in mind exactly what your spending range is and choose the financing option that will be of greater advantage to you. Don’t select a car unless you are sure you have all the pertinent information at hand. It will only set the stage for a great deal of disappointment if you take a different route to car ownership. Nothing can take the place of through research when a decision must be made on the purchase of an expensive item like an automobile.

May

15

What Kind Of Auto Insurance Coverage Do You Want?

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In most states, auto insurance is not an option. Some sort of coverage is mandatory in order to operation a motor vehicle lawfully. That being said, you may be wondering what sort of auto insurance coverage to purchase. There are two approaches taken by most motorists. On the one hand, you have those who want the minimal amount of coverage, meaning they want liability coverage. Yet, others want full coverage so they have wider range of protection.

The question you will probably ask is whether one form of auto insurance coverage is better or worse than another. As noted above, the minimal amount that you will need is liability. This based upon the guidelines of most state laws. Clearly, if you wish to drive legally you will at least have to purchase some sort of liability insurance policy. This type of insurance is meant to protect you from legal repercussions in the event that you cause a injury to another motorist or property damage.

Liability coverage is arranged by different numerical components. There are three numbers used to describe coverage levels. For example, if you have 30/50/10, the 30 defines the amount ($30,000) that the insurance company will pay to cover any bodily injuries sustained by a single person, with each accident. The second number, 50, equals $50,000 and is the maximum amount that the provider will pay for every injury that is a result of a particular accident. Finally, the third number 10 equals $10,000. This last value is used to cover property damage.

Now, full coverage affords the motorist far more area and levels of protection than basic liability coverage. This does not mean that it is absolute coverage. Rather, the term “full” means that it includes additional coverage beyond foundational liability. Two major components—other than liability—include comprehensive and collision. Full coverage has some flexibility attached to in that you can choose to add comprehensive without adding collision, but if you want to collision you are required to have comprehensive.

Briefly, comprehensive auto insurance guarantees protection against damage caused by theft, vandalism, fires, and natural disasters like hail. Collision affords protection to the motorist in the event they are injured in a collision and proves options for getting repairs made or for the purchase of a replacement vehicle.

You can understand now what the essential difference between full coverage and basic liability coverage is now. Still, you will have to make a decision about how much coverage you will need or must have. Factors like vehicle type, year, and whether you are currently under financing to purchase a vehicle can determine what sort of auto insurance you will need. Costs for full coverage insurance plans will typically be more than simple liability. Anything you add will cost you extra. So bear that in mind. Also, you will probably have to look at different providers to get the perfect protections for your individual needs.

Auto insurance should not be taken lightly. You know that you will need it drive responsibly, so you should take the time to make wise choices about how much coverage you want and how much you wish to pay.

Mar

16

The 2008 GMC Canyon: Review

Filed Under Cars & Reviews, Latest Ramblings | 1 Comment 

The 2008 GMC Canyon is largely the same as it was. Not too many changes compared to last year. The vehicle is styled attractively and is light duty pick up. Although this makes it appear competitive on paper but in the real world performance the vehicle lags behind against its rivals from Nissan, Dodge and Toyota.

The new 2008 version is composed on and off the road and is affordable. It also scores well on crash tests. However the engine lacks power when compared to the competition, has mediocre towing capacity and the shaping of the seats are awkward.

The biggest drawback is that is gives you the impression of being cheap. In a segment where competition from Nissan, Toyota and Dodge has moved beyond value and functionality, this becomes more apparent.

If you are a budget minded shopper with light duty application in mind, you could investigate and dig further. But if you are looking for a refined and thoroughly capable pick up truck, explore other options.

Feb

24

The myths about hybrid vehicles II

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In the second of the hybrid myth series we will dispel a couple of more myths today.

The batteries of the hybrids require frequent replacement

The hybrid technology is designed to keep the batteries charged in the range of 35% - 85%. This ensures that the battery sustains itself through the life time of the vehicle. Eventually the batteries, of course need to be replaced. Honda categorically states that their batteries are designed to last a decade! Even the Toyota Prius comes with a 8 year/ 100,000 miles warranty on all hybrid components including the battery. Industry observers and experts put the life of batteries in hybrid cars at 150,000 to 200,000 miles before the call for replacement has to be made. Well, that’s a long, long way to go.

Cold climates make the hybrids sweat

Hybrid cars can be driven at any point of time irrespective of the climatic conditions. The cars can safely be operated at 20 degrees below Fahrenheit. The batteries of the hybrid can sustain in 140 degrees Fahrenheit also. They don’t get too hot because of the internal air cooling system that they operate within.

In the long term the hybrids are not good because of the dead hazardous batteries

This is one of the most commonly held myths. As I said the batteries of the hybrid vehicles are designed to last a decade at the end of which they would need to be replaced. These are NiMH batteries which are 100% recyclable. And as a matter of fact some companies like Toyota shell out 200 USD if you bring a battery to them for recycling.

Feb

10

The myths about hybrid vehicles I

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As this relatively new technology of hybrid cars catches the public imagination, question are raised on the feasibility of the vehicle. Here are some of the common myths dispelled.

Hybrids are expensive than their conventional cousins

The pricing actually depends upon the model and the make. The LexusRX400h is about 6000 USD costlier than Lexus RX 350. That’s definitely a good difference. The difference between the Mercury Mariner Hybrid and the starting model of Mariner Luxury AWD is only around 3000 USD. This difference is easily offset by the cost of the fuel the owner would save over a period of time. Add to this the tax incentive that would reduce the cost of the hybrid. And with the spiraling prices of oil, the savings arising out of fuel would further narrow the gap.

They are less powerful than the convention cars

It again boils down to the model. The Civic hybrid is slower and less powerful than its conventional predecessor Civic sedan. Whereas, the Toyota Highlander is faster than the regular Highlander. And the Honda Accord hybrid is one of the most powerful Accord ever.

Hybrid vehicles need to be plugged in

This is not true to the best of my knowledge. The hybrids cars are completely self sufficient and do not require any external support source of power to keep its batteries from discharging. The batteries recharge themselves by capturing energy from the brakes. This is often known as regenerative braking.

Feb

2

Toyota: their new presentations

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As rumors have it, Toyota is likely to add 2 more small vehicles in its U.S. range of cars. This new thought has come about because of the pressures it faces in regards to new fuel economy standards. In order to not lose out to other automobile vendors, it’s necessary that they introduce new vehicles that meet standards. 

Though just a proposal, it is believed to be not far from the truth. Of the two proposals, one is the Urban Cruiser that was introduced as a concept entry-level crossover that entered the market in 2006. The other motor vehicle has been presented as a concept last month at the Detroit auto show and is an A-BAT compact pickup hybrid.

Jan

26

Toyota: the hybrid way

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As news has it, Toyotas hybrid battery partner has presented its proposal to augment output. So going by these standards, certainly Toyota is readying themselves for increased hybrid sales. Of course, it will be effective the following year because the plans just getting underway. Their battery partner, Panasonic EV Energy Co. has proposed to produce 800,000 hybrid-vehicle batteries in 2009. Post production, approximately 95 percent of the hybrid batteries will go to Toyota Motor Corp., as stated by Panasonic EV Energy. With such a proposal underway, we can only wait and watch Toyotas unprecedented growth in the automobile sector the following year.

Jan

15

Lotus Exige S 240

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The new Lotus Exige S 240 is taking the Lotus brand from the track to the streets. With an upgraded 240 horse power engine (hence the name), the Lotus Exige can reach 0-60 MPH in 4 seconds flat, and is able to reach 100 MPH in a little under 10 seconds. The restyled hood scoop extends all the way to the windshield, allowing for more air to reach the intercooler, and creating nearly 100 pounds of down force when driving at 100 MPH.

Starting at $65,815, the Lotus Exige is the perfect car for any enthusiast, and is a great contender on the track.

Related resource:  Volvo Speed and Design

Jan

7

Interiors alteration: the next big change

Filed Under Features, Latest Ramblings | Leave a Comment 

With the New Year, there have been few changes introduced by Nissan North America Inc. and Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. They have made a few inclusions in a few mid-priced vehicles. This includes the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry. The changes bought about are push-button starters. It does not end here as there are going to be new introductions in a few other brands. Considering that this expertise is soon becoming a mainstream features, it is only a matter of time till we begin to see modern day vehicles with visible changes in the vehicle interiors to better the push button starters feature.

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