Cars and Auto Information Blog

Posted By kruz75 on February 23, 2010

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Car auctions are a good place to get good a bargain on cars. But buying cars from auctions can be very complicated. This is particularly true for the uninitiated. Of course the cars in auctions are generally cheaper. But they are cheap because they lack the guarantees that come with cars bought from dealers. The rules in auctions are simple, you bid an item, you pay for it, and you own it.

It is therefore not advisable for persons without much experience in motor vehicles to just go to an auction and buy a car.

What you’ll need if you’re planning to buy a car in an auction is a good eye, good observation skills and a willingness to learn the car auction process.

You can even make it a business by buying cars at auction and then selling them at a profit. There are several people who have made huge profits by buying and selling cars at auction.

There are basically two kinds of car auctions, local car auctions and online car auctions. Each of the auctions works differently. Each has a different set of rules so you must study them very carefully if you are planning to buy a car from either kind of auction.

If you want to buy a vehicle in a car auction you must first pre-register with the local auction you want to join. The pre-registration process won’t take much of your time and will provide you all the essential information that you will need in order to buy a car. An auction site will often have an auction staff who will explain to you the rules of their auction site and the procedures and instruction on how to participate and bid on the cars.

It is wise to inspect the cars before the actual bidding begins. Ask the auction organizer or staff if they can allow you to take a closer look at the cars before the start of the actual auction. Another wise decision is to set your payment limit before the actual sale. This way, you won’t fall victim to the trap of overbidding.

As in other auctions, it is very important that you signal your bids carefully to the car auctioneer to avoid confusion. Settle your transaction as soon as the auction ends. Look for the block clerk and settle your accounts with him. A car auction staff will usually be available to assist you when you are ready to pay for the vehicle you have won. He should also be able to guarantee you a good title for the vehicle.

You must also check the vehicle after you have won and settling your account. Take the vehicle for a test drive and make sure that it conforms to the guarantee and representation made during the auction.

Most auction sites would accept check or credit card if you cannot pay the car with cash. An auction staff will also usually give you a third party financing offer. It is advisable though to have your own finances ready before entering a car auction. Outside financing is usually cheaper than most in-house financing of auction sites.

Ask for an invoice copy from the auction staff. This will enable you to drive or ship your newly bought car to your location. Most car auction managers will give you good deals on shipping arrangements so inquire about this.

There really are no significant differences between a local auction and an online auction. Online car auctions work more or less the same way as local ones. The only disadvantage of online auction sites is that you won’t be able to inspect the car as you would in an actual car auction. In participating in online car auctions be sure that you will be provided with all the necessary information about the car upfront and that there is an actual photograph of the vehicle.

Cars bought from an online auction are usually shipped to the buyer for a minimal fee. Inspect the car immediately upon arrival at your location to minimize risks.

You are now ready for your first car auction. Happy bidding!

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Posted By kruz75 on February 12, 2010

Long lurking in the shadow of two German luxury auto giants, Audi has quietly been gaining ground as sales of Mercedes vehicles continue to lag. Within the next few years, Audi is likely to surpass Mercedes and sneak up right behind BMW. These are heady days for Audi, but they aren’t too many years removed from the time when critics called the cars “warmed over” Volkwagens. Times are a changing and auto fans know it. Let’s take a look at some of the best selling accessories for the Audi lover’s car!

1. Custom Tail Lights. Altezza [or Euro] tail lights continue to remain popular with the aftermarket crowd. On older model Audis, including the 90 and 200, these parts look the best as newer models reflect the latest design standards.

2. Car Covers. Ask any owner of a classic Audi how they maintain their car’s appearance and they will tell you: wash, wax, and cover. That’s right, washing and waxing alone are not enough. Keeping your car’s paint protected can only be fully accomplished by covering it with a custom fitted car cover. The more layers the better too for maximum protection.

3. Hood Protector. Some call them car bras, while others call them hood protectors. Regardless, you can protect your grille and give your vehicle a special look with a custom fitted car cover. Select only those that are durable and designed for the exact Audi model you own.

4. Wheel Protectors. There isn’t a whole lot that is worse than a set of dirty wheels on an otherwise immaculate looking car. It kind of reminds you of the handsome guy who wears an expensive Ralph Lauren button down shirt that has been yellowed by underarm stains! Wheel protectors can keep your tires looking great and keep your wheels looking shiny.

5. Performance Chips. Who says you have to be satisfied with your horsepower? A performance chip can help your engine run smoother and more efficiently without taking away from fuel economy. An increasingly popular aftermarket part sought by motorists everywhere.

6. Performance Exhaust. Borla and other brands have developed replacement exhaust systems that can help your car produce more power, achieve greater torque, and increase your fuel economy. These stainless steel parts are made of the same material that builds airliners, so you know that they have to be tough. A nice bonus is the one million mile warranty you get with the system!

Audi aficionados also customize their cars with custom sized floor mats, reusable air filters, performance rotors, heavy duty shocks, and mostly any other part imaginable.

Truly, this German make has made a name for itself as evidenced by the award winning Quattro, long a world leader in handling. If you own an Audi, you have a car that is certain to give you many years of driving enjoyment. Outfit your Audi the way you want with high quality performance and replacement parts sold through your favorite online wholesaler.

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Posted By kruz75 on January 18, 2010

A number of us eagerly await the arrival of early spring each year. However once the spring showers wash away what’s left of winter weather, frequently we are left dodging potholes on the roads.  

Potholes form as pavement ages and weathers. The pavement gradually begins to lose its capacity to resist water, and small cracks begin to appear. As water works its path down into the cracks and expands while it freezes, this pushes up on the pavement. The weight of autos and trucks can split this uneven pavement, creating a pothole.

Striking a pothole could easily destroy your wonderful spring day, not to mention your tires or wheels. The sharp impact attributable to hitting a pothole can cause instant tire or wheel failure. Or, internal damage could eventually lead to tire failure weeks or months later. Regardless of the dangers of potholes, one can find measures to take:

* Begin with correct tire inflation. Maintaining your tires properly inflated will help reduce damage from potholes and additional road hazards.

* Assess the tread on your tires, since uneven wear can be a sign of misalignment. Striking potholes may affect your vehicle’s alignment. Should you feel your car “pulling” to one side during driving, that is an indicator that you might have a issue. Have your Complete Auto Care service professional make sure your wheels and tires are adequately aligned and balanced.

* If you cannot avoid striking a pothole, do not brake during the impact. Instead, begin to apply brakes before hitting and release them just prior to impact. Braking during the impact sets up the tire and wheel assembly for a “solid hit” against the edge of the hole. Severe damage may be better avoided whenever a tire is rolling, as opposed to skidding, over a hole during braking.

Just as you undertake spring cleaning to get your house in order, take advantage of the warmer weather conditions to make sure your tires and vehicle are also in the greatest achievable condition. Properly maintaining your tires includes proper rotation, inflation, repair and replacement.

Make sure to check your tire pressure a minimum of once every thirty days and be sure to rotate your tires according to recommendations inside your owner’s manual. Following these easy maintenance tips can help you in avoiding the dangers of wet driving conditions or dreaded potholes.

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Posted By kruz75 on December 19, 2009

Did you know that motorhomes have been gaining swiftly in popularity over the last few years? It’s real. When you’ve driven on the freeways in recent times, you might have seen that there are an awful lot of consumers taking to the roads of America in their new households on wheels(motorhomes) . This nation is big and so are the number of attractions that you could observe in a motorhome. Motorhomes have always been well-liked amongst the more mobile of our populace, nevertheless recent types have shown that manufacturers have been making unbelievable automotive works of art. Here’s the 2 reasons why motorhomes might be the wave of the future.

1) Retirement. There is a significant amount of the US population that is considering retiring in the following few years. Baby boomers have worked all their lives as well as have been spending their funds like there is no tomorrow on all sorts of traveling accessories. Motorhomes are no exception. One of the main activities that most retirees want to do after they finish work is travel. Motorhomes provide future domestic travelers with lots of transportation opportunities. Seeing the country(or even the world) in style may be feasible with a motorhome.

2) Low-priced Mobility. Let’s be honest here, gas prices are expensive. They’ve been high-priced and probably will stay so for a long time. Nonetheless, two or more people traveling in a motorhome can notice many features for relatively little cash. Imagine how much money it might cost you in airplane tickets to fly to each location individually? A lot more than the gas it costs to navigate from location to town. A tank of gas, financially, doesn’t go as far as it used to, but it certainly isn’t that awful bearing in mind all the area it may get you.

There is a lot more to motorhomes than just what’s been covered here. In reality, there is a vast amount of material available out there about motorhomes. Get informed before choosing to invest in a motorhome.

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Posted By kruz75 on November 15, 2009

So exactly what is the meaning of Camaro? Is it really a word in the French lexicon for “friend” or “companion”, or are the “shrimp-like creature” or “loose bowels” translations more accurate? Ask a product manager who worked for Chevrolet in the late sixties and they’d tell you it was a small, vicious animal that likes to eat Mustangs, a description that was more befitting of the “Panther” or “Wildcat” monikers that were early considerations for Chevy’s new F-body. Whatever its definition may be, the fact is the Camaro is one of the most respected American nameplates in automotive history with over 4.8 million copies sold in its 35 year existence from 1967 to 2002. One thing’s for certain, it definitely wasn’t “just another car”.

Introduced in September of 1966, the Camaro was GM’s inescapable answer to the phenomenal success of the Ford Mustang. Like its pony-car opponent, the Camaro was fashioned in the same long hood, short deck formula that made the Mustang so popular, but the Camaro’s design was considered by some to be easier on the eye. Surprisingly, the Camaro didn’t offer a true fastback model like the Mustang, but it was available from day one as a coupe or convertible with nearly 80 available factory options and 40 dealer accessories. From http://diecast-pub.com/publish/detour_dave/1800311.php

The Beretta had a relativly short lifespan of production; from 1987 to 1996. The Beretta was a 2-door coupe, which shared a platform with the Corsica 4-door sedan. There are a variety beliefs as to why Chevrolet discontinued the car, including the cost of maintaining the L-Body platform, the L-Body Sales conflicting with F-Body sales (Cameros/Firebirds), and the movement out of the “sports coupe” market by maintaining the Camero and introducing a more sedan-looking car…hence the new Chevrolet Malibu (the beretta/corsica replacement). I seriously doubt road saftey was a reason for it’s discontinuation, as the beretta is one of the safest cars out on the roads IMHO.

The Base model wasavailable from 1987 to 1996. This model was generally given the standard run down with optional packages which included a larger engine, automatic transmission, spoiler, and- or a other small things. The standard engine was the 4-cycl 2.0L MFI, which had 90hp@5600rpm. From 1990 to 1996, a 4-cycl 2.2L MFI was used. The 1990 version had 95hp@5200rpm; the 1991-1992 had 110hp@5200rpm; the 1993-1996 had 120hp@5200rpm. From http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/chevy/145/berettahis.html

With the return of the Chevrolet Camaro, a 40-year-old automotive rivalry is finally resurrected in full force. The battle between Ford, Chevy, and Dodge muscle cars is just as tight as it was in the 1960s, but many reviews read by TheCarConnection.com give the performance edge to the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.

The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro debuts with more than enough power to handle its closest competitors. Car and Driver reviewers proclaim that, “with a 304-hp, 3.6-liter V-6, the base Camaro is nearly as powerful as the Mustang GT,” which features a V-8 engine. Meanwhile, the V-8 version of the 2010 Chevy Camaro, distinguished by its SS badging, gets “400 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque” when paired with the automatic transmission, and a full “426 hp and 420 lb-ft” of torque when mated with the manual, according to Car and Driver. From http://www.thecarconnection.com/fullreview/chevrolet_camaro_2010_performance_2

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