By: Louie Liu

When is it more exciting to drive your car, by day or by night? If we were to take a poll the answers would be mixed but it can be said that driving in day time on a scenic road is more about joy and less about fun and excitement. Fun and excitement are more associated with night time. That is the time when the car’s headlights play an important role.

Honda Prelude is an exciting car because though it is a powerful car it doesn’t look like a muscle car at all. In fact it looks sleek and feminine. But then if a car has great performance it doesn’t have to look that way. Being able to deliver high performance is good enough to build a faithful following. When combined with Honda’s ability to deliver quality that runs deep, this great performance makes Prelude a very popular car.

What you do need for great performance though are components that help make the high performance drive safer and less stressful. Otherwise you will have an edge of your seat experience which is not fun outside an amusement park. Therefore when you drive at night you need to have great Prelude headlights that will illuminate the road ahead very well and give you ample time to react to emerging situations. Headlights like some other car components have a long but limited life and need to replaced at some time. They are also prone to getting damaged since they are delicate as compared to the rest of the car and located at a place where damage can easily occur. Therefore you will need to find replacement Honda Prelude headlights.

The good news is you can now get great Prelude headlights at a reasonable cost. These headlights are high tech with a great light source and advanced reflectors. The housing looks classy as well. The new headlights will enhance the looks and performance of your car. Therefore you will be able to keep up the excitement you have always felt with your Honda Prelude.

These lights are easy to install and can be bought conveniently online. You can find the latest Prelude headlights at http://www.ilovebodykits.com

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/auto_and_trucks/article_3119.shtml

]]> http://www.cars4blog.com/Prelude-Headlights-For-A-More-Exciting-Performance/feed/ 0 http://www.cars4blog.com/Prelude-Headlights-For-A-More-Exciting-Performance/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Cars4blog/~3/xBshc5aM8TU/ http://www.cars4blog.com/The-History-of-AC-Cars/#comments Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:58:51 +0000 admin The History of AC Cars

By: Dawn Martin

AC Cars was established in 1907 and is the oldest British car manufacturer that is still producing vehicles today.

The AC name came from the name of their first commercial three wheeler – the autocarrier, which was designed and manufactured by John Weller.

In 1908, a new passenger version called the “AC Sociable” was introduced. The name came about because the passenger and driver’s seat were side by side and not in tandem as many other three wheelers were at the time. It was also the first time that the initials AC had been used.

During World War 1, AC continued to produce vehicles as well as shells and fuses. By 1919, they were back in full car production with 10hp and 12hp engines. These were later replaced by a six cylinder 16hp model.

For the next few years, AC turned to producing four wheeled vehicles and did not produce another three wheeler until 1953 with the AC Petite. The petite was powered by a 346cc single cylinder two stroke Villiers engine and had an aluminium body fastened to a light steel frame.

The all new Ace arrived in 1953, designed by John Tojerio. The Ace used the old 1991cc AC engine.

The distinctive body was produced in aluminium and looked similar to contemporary Ferrari models and it would also form the basis for the lengedary Cobra.

The AC Cobra was produced during the 1960s and is perhaps one of the most iconic cars of all time.

The first 75 ‘Cobra Mark I’ (including the prototype) were fitted with the 260 engine (4.2L). The remaining 51 ‘Mark I’ models were fitted with a larger version of the Windsor Ford engine, the 289 in³ (4.7L) V8.

By 1963 the leaf-spring Cobra was losing its supremacy in racing. Shelby tried fitting a larger Ford FE engine of 390 in³. Ken Miles drove and raced the FE-powered ‘Mark II’ and pronounced the car was virtually undrivable, naming it ‘The Turd’. A new chassis was developed and designated ‘Mark III’.

Cobra Mark III production began on 1 January 1965; two prototypes had been sent to the United States in October 1964. Cars were sent to the US as unpainted rolling chassis, and they were finished in Shelby’s workshop.

Unfortunately, the Mark III missed homologation for the 1965 racing season and was not raced by the Shelby team. However, it was raced successfully by many privateers and went on to win races all the way into the 1970s.

Interestingly, 31 unsold competition cars were detuned and made road worthy and called S/C for semi competition. Today, these are the rarest and the most valuable models.

AC Cobras had an extensive racing career. Shelby wanted it to be a “Corvette Beater” and at nearly 500 lb less than the Chevrolet Corvette, the lightweight car did just that. The Cobra was perhaps too successful as a performance car and reputedly contributed to the implementation of national speed limits in the United Kingdom. An AC Cobra Coupe was calculated to have done 185 mph on the M1 motorway in 1964, driven by Jack Sears and Peter Bolton during shakedown tests prior to that year’s Le Mans 24h race. However, government officials have cited the increasing accident death rate in the early 1960s as the principal motivation, with the exploits of the AC Cars team merely highlighting the risk.

AC also produced the AC Frua until 1973. The AC Frua was built on a stretched Cobra 427 MK III coil spring chassis using a very angular handsome steel body designed and built by Pietro Frua. With the demise of the Frua, AC went on building lesser cars and eventually fell into bankruptcy in the late 1970s. The company’s tooling and eventually the right to use the name, were licensed by Autocraft, a Cobra parts reseller and replica car manufacturer owned by Brian Angliss.

In 2006 Carol Shelby’s own Shelby Cobra sold at an auction in Arizona for £2.8million.

A road-going Shelby Daytona Cobra replica is being manufactured by Superformance and Factory Five Racing, a well known kit car company. These cars use Peter Brock’s bodywork designs, scaled up to increase room inside, and a newly designed spaceframe chassis, they are powered by Roush-built Ford Windsor (Sportsman) engines. The Superformance Shelby Daytona Coupe is the only modern day vehicle recognized by Shelby as a successor to the original Coupes. Peter Brock’s Australian namesake, the race car driver, was killed while driving a GM-powered replica of a Shelby Daytona Coupe in competition in Australia in 2006.

To date most continuations are produced in fiberglass, with some very special customers custom ordering cars with aluminum or carbon fibre bodywork.

Shelby Motors built 22 ‘427’ competition roadsters. In 1965, one was selected and converted into a special model called the 427 “Cobra to End All Cobras”. The first one of these (number CSX 3015) was originally part of a European promotional tour before its conversion. This conversion called for making the original racing model street legal with mufflers, a windshield and bumpers amongst other modifications. However, some things were not modified, including the racing rear end, brakes and headers. The most notable modification is the addition of Twin Paxton Superchargers. This gave the car an alleged 800 bhp and 462 ft lbs of torque at an astounding low of 3000 rpm. Officially rated at 0-to-60 at 4.5 seconds, legend and lore have it as doing that in a little over 3 seconds as one must lay off the throttle heavily just to get traction off the line.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/auto_and_trucks/article_3072.shtml

]]> http://www.cars4blog.com/The-History-of-AC-Cars/feed/ 0 http://www.cars4blog.com/The-History-of-AC-Cars/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Cars4blog/~3/N3cyuhxlbu8/ http://www.cars4blog.com/Dakota-Headlights-Work-Harder-Than-Ever/#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:57:58 +0000 admin Dakota Headlights Work Harder Than Ever

By: Louie Liu

Cars may have started out as a means to carry passengers but they did not do only that. Much as human endeavors required people to move around they also required to move goods and things around. Therefore after the cars came trucks that could carry goods. But not every time was the quantity of goods to be moved large enough to require the use of a truck and often people had to be moved along with the goods. Therefore there was a class of consumers who needed to move both though not in large quantities and that need was met by the pickups.

Dodge Dakota is a pickup that is large sized. Therefore it has a lot of room for the passengers and also a lot of room for the goods that need to be carried from one place to another. In general the design philosophy of the Dakota has been to provide a sumptuous amount of all that the car provides. Therefore the Dakota headlights are large and powerful and really flood the road ahead so that the driver has excellent visibility.

Of course in time you will need to replace the Dodge Dakota headlights. And at the time you will need to decide on which new ones to buy. It is not a simple decision because there is a wide range of Dakota headlights available in the market. But you should enjoy making the choice because over the years the technology has improved and you get great value for your money.

The latest headlights use the latest light sources that deliver a strong beam of quality light. This beam emerges from the light source and strikes the reflectors which have an innovative contoured surface which throws the beam to the right places on the road ahead. These components are housed in great looking housings that serve to add style to the front of your car.

A further comfort you can have while choosing the headlights is the internet. Here you can quickly browse through many options and look for one that best meets your needs in terms of performance, looks and price. On the net you should be able to find some great deals. You can see the latest Dakota headlights at http://www.ilovebodykits.com.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/auto_and_trucks/article_3104.shtml

]]> http://www.cars4blog.com/Dakota-Headlights-Work-Harder-Than-Ever/feed/ 0 http://www.cars4blog.com/Dakota-Headlights-Work-Harder-Than-Ever/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Cars4blog/~3/dEYdRgfzKBY/ http://www.cars4blog.com/Quick-Tips-For-Buying-Used-Fire-Trucks-From-A-Dealer/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:57:57 +0000 admin Quick Tips For Buying Used Fire Trucks From A Dealer

By: Corey Matthews

The world of used fire truck sales is not all that different from used car sales. There are many hard working, honest companies out there trying to provide quality apparatus for fire departments nationwide, but the bad business practices of a few unethical dealers can greatly damage the reputation of every dealer in the industry.

When fire departments are in the market for an updated fleet of fire trucks, the two most common choices departments have is choosing whether to buy from a broker or a dealer. Both types of apparatus sellers can provide different levels of service. This article will examine the pros and cons of both types of seller, and provide a quick list of things to consider when choosing between working with a broker or dealer.

Both types of sellers are interested in finding a unit for their buyer. Listing services often have the appearance of having hundreds of units in their inventory. However, in most cases, listers don’t actually “have” a single truck in inventory. As opposed to dealers, listing providers list the apparatus other used fire truck dealers (http://www.commandfireapparatus.com) own and charge a commission to the dealer for providing access to a sale. While brokers are interested in selling units, they don’t care which unit you buy.

Another option to working with a listing service is shop for your used fire truck directly from a dealer.

Dealers buy their units directly from fire departments, cutting out the middleman and avoiding an increase in costs. Most used fire truck dealers try to find late model vehicles in their best condition and focus less on having the most units. Instead, they are more focused on having the best units for the right customers.

When you work with a dealer, ask them what they go over when they do a full service inspection of your vehicle. Do they change the filters and fluids? Check lighting systems and warning devices? Verify pump, aerial certification, and other vehicle safety systems? Even simple checks like brakes, tires, steering and more?

While listing services do appear to have the most variety in their inventory, all listing services do is take your information, pass it along to a dealer, and then collect a check for passing along your information. In order to save costs for yourself – take out the middleman cost and work with a dealer.

Below are a few questions you should answer for yourself about any type of company you are considering purchasing a used fire truck from:

1. Does your dealer personally search for and buy its entire inventory? Dealers don’t simply list a truck or engine for another department – they sell the units they own themselves.

2. Do they offer any competitive warranties on the engine and transmission of their apparatus?

3. Who takes care of the lettering on the vehicle? Do you have to take the vehicle to another location to have this complete, or can the dealer do it?

4. Who takes care of delivery of the unit? Is there an additional cost?

5. If the dealer takes care of unit deliver, do they insure the until you receive it?

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/auto_and_trucks/article_3058.shtml

]]> http://www.cars4blog.com/Quick-Tips-For-Buying-Used-Fire-Trucks-From-A-Dealer/feed/ 0 http://www.cars4blog.com/Quick-Tips-For-Buying-Used-Fire-Trucks-From-A-Dealer/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Cars4blog/~3/2AEzs0IFC7I/ http://www.cars4blog.com/Camry-Headlights---The-Intelligent-Choice/#comments Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:54:31 +0000 admin Camry Headlights – The Intelligent Choice

By: Louie Liu

When beauty, style, performance and comfort are all part of the package, that is your car, then you will feel it is a very intelligently made car. The saying goes you are what you eat and one can extend it and even say you are what you drive. And if the car that you drive is considered an intelligently designed one then some of that perception will rub off on the car owner as well.

Therefore most successful people choose their car with care, giving a lot of consideration to how the car will go with their image. And this attention to how the car reflects on the car owner is paid for the duration of the ownership of the car.

Now while the car may continue to perform well it is possible over the years it loses some of the slickness and smartness it had when it was first bought. This may not be due to poor usage of the car. It is quite possible much smarter looking models have been launched later. And the older car pales in comparison.

Of course it is not possible to spend a lot of money just to keep up the looks of the car, not very intelligent either. But you don’t have to waste a cent in helping your Camry keep up with the times. You do have an intelligent option. That is to go in for new Camry headlights. You can expect to need to replace your Toyota Camry headlights after a while so the expense is not an additional expense. And you will be amazed how well the latest headlights look and perform.

The great new light sources, housed in designer class housings, which have reflectors that create the perfect beam, combine to give a high class technical performance. The styling is also exceptional and your car will get a great new look with the latest headlights. These headlights are not very expensive to buy and you can look for great deals online. They are also easy to install so you don’t have to spend much time and money for their installation. You can find a wide range of exciting Camry headlights at http://www.ilovebodykits.com

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/auto_and_trucks/article_3122.shtml

]]> http://www.cars4blog.com/Camry-Headlights---The-Intelligent-Choice/feed/ 0 http://www.cars4blog.com/Camry-Headlights---The-Intelligent-Choice/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Cars4blog/~3/whFq2760GUw/ http://www.cars4blog.com/Headlights---Looks-By-Day-Performance-By-Night/#comments Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:52:17 +0000 admin Headlights – Looks By Day Performance By Night

By: LouieLiu

A car is made up of hundreds of components. On top of that you may add a few more when you chose to do up your car with car aftermarket products such as body kits and projector headlights. Now all of these hundreds of products are not performing all the while. But the personality of your car is made by those products that are actually performing and also those that are dormant now but will perform at another time.

Depending when the car is being seen the different products will either be dormant or will be performing. For example a stationery car is admired even though the engine is not running. The look of the car will convey information about how the engine is likely to perform. Likewise when it is day time the headlights are not usually required to function. Yet if you have good looking headlights they will exude a confidence and give out the impression that when they work they work very well.

This ability of the car to announce its marvelous engineering abilities without actually putting up a performance is the appeal of the car. When car aftermarket product manufacturers design replacement car headlights they are very keen to make the headlights look appealing. And it is not an empty boast of an appeal, good quality replacement headlights will not just look that they perform well but when it is night they will in fact deliver a great performance.

This great performance will mean they light up the road very well at night. You will have that little extra time to react to emerging situations in the night because of the good quality headlights. You will be able to drive with a lower stress and possibly reach home a little earlier as well. And if a friend is with you then the friend will find your headlights look even better now that the technical promise of great performance has been delivered upon.

The combination of looks boosting performance expectations and performance boosting the appeal makes quality headlights a great value for money product. They are easy to buy and easy to install. You can find the latest headlights at http://www.ilovebodykits.com.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/auto_and_trucks/article_3042.shtml

]]> http://www.cars4blog.com/Headlights---Looks-By-Day-Performance-By-Night/feed/ 0 http://www.cars4blog.com/Headlights---Looks-By-Day-Performance-By-Night/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Cars4blog/~3/gtwLmeBvsaQ/ http://www.cars4blog.com/Defensive-Driving-Course-Online---Information-and-Tips/#comments Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:47:26 +0000 admin Defensive Driving Course Online – Information and Tips

By: Dave Treadstone

The biggest difference between an average driver and a first-rate one is instruction, so by taking an defensive driving course online you can continue to be up to date with the latest road laws and arm yourself with the ability and knowledge required to anticipate driving dangers and how to stay away from them.

Are you familiar what defensive driving is?

It is a method used to significantly reduce the danger associated with driving your car or motorcycle by predicting and learning to recognize a possible hazard and adjust your driving accordingly, to adapt to the situation well before it takes place.

Becoming a student of an accredited defensive driving course online and integrating the visual training into your driving behavior it might, in due course save your life although patience, instruction and good concentration are mandatory to effectively benefit from defensive driving.

Collecting the right information and undergoing professional defensive driver training will help to reduce the likelihood of a serious or fatal accident. It could save you some money by lowering your car insurance premium and will certainly help you in passing your drivers license test.

You can now remove a traffic ticket online.

If you have not taken a defensive driving course for quite a while and are not fully up to date with the latest road laws, then it is more than likely you will receive a traffic ticket or moving violation at some point. By completing an official defensive driving course online, many courts in the United States will nowadays dismiss your ticket and clear your driving record if you have been directed by a court to attend a driving safety course.

Defensive driving tips to help you drive safely.

Give yourself enough time to adjust your driving by looking 10 – 15 seconds down the road to predict any trouble, particularly when driving in traffic conditions.

Maintain a 2 – 3 second gap to allow adequate reaction time between your car and the one in front and as your speed rises, increase the gap.

Check your rear view mirrors every 5 – 10 seconds to be conscious of cars that are sitting to close to you and if you can, accelerate or move into another lane to increase the distance between. If you have to brake suddenly and a car is too close, their reaction time is reduced and could crash into the rear of you.

To anticipate a pedestrian, child or even a dog jumping out in front of you look under parked cars for feet and be aware of what is happening on both sides of the road.

Also glance down any side streets, making sure other vehicles have seen you and will stop and give way. People pulling out of parking spots or in parked cars opening their doors are to be watched.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/auto_and_trucks/article_3059.shtml

]]> http://www.cars4blog.com/Defensive-Driving-Course-Online---Information-and-Tips/feed/ 0 http://www.cars4blog.com/Defensive-Driving-Course-Online---Information-and-Tips/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Cars4blog/~3/T47stfgq2T0/ http://www.cars4blog.com/Review-of-KYMCOs-2008-ATV,-UTV-lineup/#comments Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:45:20 +0000 admin Review of KYMCO\’s 2008 ATV, UTV lineup

By: Tom Kaiser

Anyone doubting KYMCO’s committment to the off-road powersports market only needs to peruse the company’s fast-growing lineup.

KYMCO has steadily refined its all-terrain products and broadened its offerings with each model year. The Taiwanese company’s recent efforts included the so-so MXU 500 utility quad for 2007 and revamped 2008 Mongoose 250 and 300 sport quads.

This time around, KYMCO is getting even bolder, and has arrived at the table with the highly anticipated UXV 500 UTV and all-new MXU 375 utility ATV.

We recently traveled to the backyard of the company’s US division, scenic South Carolina, to ride KYMCO’s full line of 2008 products, and also spent some time behind the wheel of its first-ever UTV. At this point, one thing is for sure: KYMCO is taking notes and making serious strides to match its American and Japanese competitors in style, performance and product offerings.

Setting The Table

The setting was Carolina Adventure World, a still growing privately-owned off-road riding area with more than 100 miles of trails, a mud bog and three motocross tracks. We’ve ridden there before while visiting for Polaris and Kawasaki intros, and, just like KYMCO, the facility keeps getting better as it continues to mature.

Temperatures could have been a bit more spring-like, but skies were clear, the grass was green and conditions were ripe for some mud-splattered off-roading.

UXV Is UTV

Yamaha, Polaris, Arctic Cat and Kawasaki have their big-selling recreational side-by-side players in place. Honda’s more work-minded Big Red is on the way soon, and Can-Am recently announced plans for what we expect to be a very athletic (RZR beating?) UTV. There had also been speculation KYMCO was readying its own entrant into the exploding category. Those rumors were confirmed after the company took the wraps off its new UXV 500 at the EICMA powersports show in Milan, Italy, last fall.

Then we got to see it for ourselves. Going off appearance alone, it seems the company had the Rhino, Teryx and Prowler firmly in its sights. Its traditional UTV design suggests a machine meant to split the difference between work and fun, just like the most successful players in the segment.

The spec sheet lists a 500cc four-stroke engine, independent suspension, locking front differential and a large tilting cargo bed capable of hauling 420 pounds — the main ingredients we call for when making a UTV.

Pricing had not been finalized at press time and a few minor specifications on the prototypes were still subject to change before final production.

Behind The Wheel

Time was limited, but we got the chance to experience KYMCO’s UTV from the driver and passenger seats, as well as through thick mud, over steep hills and fording it through deep water.

We didn’t get the chance to haul any cargo around, but our ride time gave us the much-appreciated chance to peek under the hood and rack up some miles with the UXV.

Lateral stability (i.e. rolling over) has been a thorn in the side of several UTVs. To this end, KYMCO decided to up the ante with a wide, stable platform that measures 59 inches wide. For comparison’s sake, the Prowler is 61.3 inches wide and the Rhino measures 54.5 inches across.

The extra girth translated to flat, predictable handling that’s more reassuring than some of the narrower competitors in high-speed corners. It made winding through the riding park’s tight woods trails somewhat more challenging, though, and will also make it tricky to shoehorn the UXV into the back of a pickup truck.

Like the new Teryx, EFI wasn’t included — obvious cost-cutting to help KYMCO compete on price and rush its model to the market. Without any need for the dash-mounted choke, our warmed-up UXV fired up quickly.

Stepping into the throttle, the liquid-cooled 500cc DOHC four-stroke felt moderately taxed by the 1,157-pound (dry) weight, but the power was enough to surmount steep hills and power the big guy through some impressive mud holes.

A little vibration was present, but engine refinement is in line with the bulk of the sport utility segment. The exhaust note sounds more agricultural than sporty, another common trait shared with nearly every other side-by-side.

It’s all business inside the cabin with frills kept to a minimum. A center-mounted gauge cluster displays all the usual information, and the shifter is mounted on the center console between the seats. Shift action was spotty, as reverse gear didn’t always engage when the lever was moved to “R.” Hopefully this can be cleared up before final production.

Seating accommodations are right on the money with enough side bolstering to keep the riders in place. Foot room and dash positioning is also on target — definitely better than a few of its competitors.

Top speed is estimated at 45 mph — ideal for a vehicle of this size and purpose.

Suspension is a dual A-arm design that provides 7.5 inches of travel at both ends and 12.2 inches of ground clearance. The transmission includes high and low ranges, and also includes a differential lock. Stopping action comes from two discs in the front and a single disc brake in the rear.

The tilting cargo bed is large enough to handle full-size loads up to 420 pounds, and the tailgate has a simple latching system just like the Rhino’s.

Our brief ride revealed a competent work vehicle that should have plenty of playtime capability. Pricing is still not finalized, but we expect it to undercut the competition by some measure. Time will tell. The UXV 500 4×4 will be available in red, green, gray and camo, with a 1-year factory warranty.

MXU 375

Our Carolina adventure also included time on prototypes for KYMCO’s newest utility quad — the MXU 375.

After being underwhelmed by the company’s last utility entrant, the MXU 500, we were pleasantly surprised by a competent package this time around. However, just like the 500, the MXU 375’s sketchy front-end handling traits are a disappointment for aggressive trail riding.

Styling and build quality are solid, with competitive features and smart design that prove this company is fully in the running with its North American and Japanese competitors. Even with the chassis’ occasionally unsettled front end, it remains a no-excuses mid-displacement utility quad.

While company officials won’t confirm it, the new MXU’s engine is shared with Arctic Cat’s new 366 4×4 utility, and the base platform for the two models are eerily similar. We think the KYMCO version is the better looking twin. Its engine, a 366cc four-stroke, is adequately potent and smooth, a perfect match for its intended purpose.

As mentioned, handling was a mixed bag, and different machines on-hand had different configurations. The front-end handling is just as unstable as it is on the Arctic Cat variant over undulating ground — too much body roll, and steering that is easily thrown off-kilter.

The performance of the carbureted and fan-cooled engine is much better — smooth, with a refined exhaust note and torquey power delivery.

A few features on our test mules, like turn signals and hazard flashers, won’t be making it to the final U.S. version and company engineers are still tweaking the final braking setup.

The main stats will see production unchanged — dual A-arm front and rear suspension (7 inches of travel), a CVT with high and low gears, and disc braking in front and out back.

When it comes to work credentials, the little MXU can strap 225 pounds to its racks, and tow 1,050 pounds in its wake.

This new 375 will make a solid competitor in the entry-level class, with a great engine leading the way. Like a few other manufacturers whose products share similar handling traits, KYMCO needs to focus its efforts on building vehicles that keep their composure around corners and uneven terrain. Its competent engine and attractive styling suggest a utility quad that has some sporty genes in its DNA. That’s not really the case, but it’s not far off the mark.

A Fresh Goose

Our previous evaluation of the new-and-improved Mongoose 300 at last fall’s ATV Trials event showed a meaningful roster of changes that massaged the company’s entry-level CVT sport quad into something more desirable than the original.

KYMCO added a (much-needed) sturdier chain and a larger carburetor, stretched the wheelbase with a longer swingarm, widened the track by a whopping five inches and softened up the overly-stiff front end with progressive rate springs.

In our latest test, the ‘Goose tore through the tight trails of Carolina Adventure World with eagerness and balance. The CVT provided surprisingly snappy throttle response — more aggressive than expected. Listening to riders, taking notes and constantly evolving has served the company and its products well.

Power from the liquid-cooled 270cc engine could still be stronger, especially at the top end, but powertrain vibration wasn’t an issue, so it’s happy being pushed hard. Body roll is kept in check and the progressive rate springs produce a ride that’s much more comfortable than the ‘07 model. The changes are especially noticeable over harsh trails.

A CVT tranny in a sport quad is still fairly uncommon, but was well-suited to the tight, winding trails we rode. Spunky performance, solid handling and a affordable sub-$3,800 price make this entry-level quad a smart choice for sport riders looking for the ease of a CVT.

While we didn’t get the opportunity to ride it, the updates made to the ’08 Mongoose 300 were also applied to the 250.

This pair of Mongooses (Mongeese?) is now up there with the best machines in the class.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/auto_and_trucks/article_3048.shtml

]]> http://www.cars4blog.com/Review-of-KYMCOs-2008-ATV,-UTV-lineup/feed/ 0 http://www.cars4blog.com/Review-of-KYMCOs-2008-ATV,-UTV-lineup/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Cars4blog/~3/QKV5q87kWu8/ http://www.cars4blog.com/4-Tips-When-You-Are-in-the-Market-for-a-Used-ATV/#comments Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:45:09 +0000 admin 4 Tips When You Are in the Market for a Used ATV

By: Billy Whitmire

Buying a used ATV can be challenging, but if you take the right steps you can find a great deal. Here are some helpful tips when you are in the market for a used ATV:

-Know Who You Are Buying From

-Perform a Thorough Inspection

-Test Drive the Vehicle

-Get Everything in Writing

Know Who You Are Buying From

When you are in the market for a used ATV it is important to know that you are buying the vehicle from its owner. The easiest way to determine ownership is by the title. The owner should be listed on the title and/or the registration. You can verify the identity of the seller by checking their driver’s license or identification card. If you don’t take the precaution to verify who you are buying from, you could lose all of your money and possession of the vehicle too.

It is important to make certain before any money changes hands that you are actually purchasing a vehicle from the owner of record.

Perform a Thorough Inspection

It is a good idea to take the ATV to a mechanic you can trust, and have them perform an inspection. This way if anything is defective they will be able to tell you up front. The owner of the ATV should have no problem allowing for an inspection if the deal is straight forward. Another approach is to buy the vehicle, but with a 30 money-back guarantee, pending a mechanic inspection. Most states already allow 30 days to change your mind if you buy an ATV from a private sale. Check your state for their rules.

Having a mechanic perform a thorough inspection of a used ATV can prevent you from spending a great deal of money, after you buy it.

Test Drive the Vehicle

A lot of promises can be made when looking over a used ATV for sale, so it is always a good idea to take it for a test drive. Nothing can reveal potential problems better then a good spin around the block. Whether it might be engine problems, suspension problems, or steering problems, a test drive will reveal them almost immediately. Unless you are willing to purchase a vehicle site-unseen, you should always take it for a test drive before laying out any money.

A test drive is the quickest method you can use for determining any potential defects that a used ATV may have.

Get Everything in Writing

Almost every state has strict guidelines when it comes to the transfer of vehicles. When you begin the negotiating process for a used ATV make sure to look over the paperwork, and verify that it is in order. Otherwise, if the paperwork is cloudy, you may find it difficult to secure the title, or registration in your state. If the seller makes warranty for the vehicle make sure to get it in writing, and have it initialed by a witness. This is necessary because some sellers have very faulty memories of a sale, after you cart off the ATV.

When buying a used ATV getting all the details of the sale in writing, including warranty or sale conditions is the best way to protect your interests.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/auto_and_trucks/article_3096.shtml

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By: Louie Liu

A hood originally meant a head covering either attached to a cloak or a coat or even sometimes made as a separate garment. In the earlier years of car manufacturing a car hood resembled in shape a garment hood. It no longer does so. Actually it has undergone many changes. Different materials have been used for making a car hood. These are steel, aluminum, glass fiber, or carbon fiber.

The function of the car hood remains the same. It protects the engine and its adjacent machinery of your Mustang car. It has to be opened and closed on some occasions for servicing of the engine. It has hinges and latches for this purpose. A car hood has to be strong. Carbon fiber has the advantage that despite being light it is quite strong. Being light is also advantageous. The overall weight of the car is reduced if you use a carbon fiber Mustang hood. As a consequence lesser power is required for driving a car. This results in economy of running expenses. The carbon fiber hood is, therefore, becoming more and more acceptable. Since a car hood is located just above the front wheels, the weight on front wheels is much less if a carbon fiber hood is used. It gives better balance to the car and driving becomes easier.

Secondly, a car owner can also make a style statement with a carbon fiber Mustang hood. Carbon fiber can be designed in a variety of shapes. The car can be given a look as per the owner’s choice, whether it is a racing car look or an aggressive look. Carbon fiber hood is available in a number of colors. If you do not like any of the colors, you can have it painted as per your choice. The hood can have vents to allow the outside air to cool the engine. A cooler engine is more efficient than a hot engine.

The quality of hood has to be good. It should also be fitted properly. You can conveniently view many options from the comfort of your home by going online. You can find latest Mustang hoods at www.ilovebodykits.com.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/auto_and_trucks/article_3087.shtml

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