Cars Auto World

How to Get the Right Mindset for Passing Your Driving Test

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 05:35:00 +0000

If you are planning to take your driving test soon, you are probably feeling nervous and stressful. You might even be sick to your stomach. Letting your worries get the best of you will NOT help you pass at all. In fact, focusing on your worries will increase your chances of FAILING.
What you need to do is develop a positive mindset. People who think positive and have confidence in themselves will pass with flying colors.
Here are some tips for developing the right mindset:
• Try mental strategy techniques. Visualize yourself as a driver. Just close your eyes and imagine yourself driving with confidence during the test. Imagine how happy you will be when you are told that you've passed. Do this mental strategy at least three or four times a day. Imagine yourself being a good driver - do NOT visualize yourself making any mistakes.
• Whenever you start to feel nervous, try breathing exercises. Just concentrate on nothing but your breathing for a few minutes. Sit up straight while you're doing this. Focused breathing is a highly-effective method of dealing with anxiety.
• Keep repeating a positive mantra over and over again. "I can drive. I will do great on my test. I will pass the test effortlessly." Even if you don't believe these statements at first, keep repeating them anyway. In time, you will.
• Don't think of the examiner as a scary person. They were just as nervous as you once. They had to take their test once too. Despite what you might think, they actually WANT you to pass. They don't want to be mean. They just take their job seriously since it requires putting safe drivers on the road. Don't mistake their seriousness for meanness. Try thinking of the examiner in a more positive light, and you will have a better frame of mind during the test.
• Many people underestimate self-hypnosis. It can actually be effective. Every day, for about 15 - 20 minutes, relax in a chair and listen to a self-hypnosis CD or MP3 for success. It might take a few days for the information to start getting in your brain, but it will. You can also listen to a self-hypnosis CD for motivation so that you will feel motivated to practice more.
• One of the best things you can do is not fear your weaknesses. So you're not good at parallel parking. Instead of worrying about it, keep practicing it until you get better! Don't worry about your weaknesses. View them simply as something that you need to work. Believe that you will be able to improve, and you will improve.
You can get all of help you need by taking an online driving course. You can find driving test secrets, tools, resources, and videos online. If you haven't taken your test yet, you will find everything you'll need to pass on the first try. If you've taken the test and failed, you won't have to worry about your next try - you WILL pass!

About the Author

Nadav Snir is an experienced driver, driving since the age of 15.5. He passed his first driving test in California at the age of 16. You can see more information about the driving test in his guide: http://www.gripbuy.com/Driving/index.html
Getting your driver's license is not that hard. If you would like to pass your driving test without trying so hard, you should get yourself this amazing driving test guide.

Automatic Driving Vs Manual Transmission Driving

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 06:32:00 +0000

What's so special about a stick shift car? It just seems like more work and a big headache by inexperienced drivers and people who never drove a manual vehicle before. Truthfully speaking, the only hard part is not even hard. Driving manual has a bit of a learning curve. A little experience will surely get someone comfortable with it. Now making it second nature may take a little a little more time. Adding a more stressful learning environment may aid in a quicker pick up. Driving lessons in NYC will make you a champ in no time!
Here are some differences of automatic and stick shift/manual transmission:
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Vehicles with manual transmission will naturally feel rougher than their automatic counterpart. Without a torque converter, power is distributed directly from the engine to the wheels with no interruption.
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Contrary to popular belief, manual driving in big cities like NYC or in high traffic areas is not difficult to an experienced driver. For a lesson however, heavy traffic areas are more difficult to learn in, but same goes for someone who is first learning how to drive period, right?
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Driving stick shift can give you more control of the car and improve gas mileage when effectively shifting.
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Automatic driving is boring! Learn stick shift/manual transmission and make driving fun again.
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99% of the world drives stick shift/manual transmission. Learn and join the rest of the world's driving experience.
Once you make manual driving second nature. There wont be any reason to choose automatic over manual. In fact, you'll end up feeling more comfortable with the manual car and appreciate its responsive nature!
In the United States, many find it hard to learn to drive manual. There is a lack of availability when it comes to manual vehicle and not many schools offer driving lessons for manual. I'm probably the only person in NYC that teaches stick shift exclusively. You can check out my website: http://www.nycdrivinglessons.com to get a better idea. I started this service to help friends and relatives around me who needed to learn in order to travel, for employment purposes and some even for personal interest.
My experience in teaching this lost art has made me appreciate everyone who puts effort in trying to drive stick shift. Everyone learns in their own ways and everyone eventually gets it. I hope to see more encouragement from fellow Americans to pursue this lost art!
Happy driving everyone!

About the Author

I am the only person in NYC who teaches manual/stick shift driving! I'm extremely enthusiastic about manual driving and I have a website: http://www.nycdrivinglessons.com

Useful Tips To avoid road accidents

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:30:00 +0000

Car accident, otherwise known as car crash, auto accidents, road accidents, or car wrecks, is a condition in which one vehicle collides with another vehicle or some object in the road, thereby resulting either in injury of a person or the damage of a property. Sometimes, road as well as bad weather or environmental conditions also lead to car accidents. It is estimated that about two million people die of car accidents across the world per year.
All though, in recent years, several innovative campaigns have been arranged to avoid car accidents, still car crashes occur frequently. Mostly, car accidents occur due to rash and careless driving. Road accidents also happen sometimes due to disorderliness and lack of patience. Further, car accidents are common during bad weather and winter season. Discussed further in this article are some of the effective tips that help you prevent car accidents to a large extent.
First step in order to avoid car accidents is to follow traffic rules and regulations. Another important thing that should be considered is to put on seat belt while driving. Wearing seat belt would be annoying for many people. But, this is highly vital, as wearing seat belt would reduce the chances of road accidents. Not only drivers, passengers including adults and kids are also recommended to put on seat belt. In some nations, it has been even made mandatory to wear seat belt.
Further, one of the best ways to avoid car accidents is to be a defensive driver. You may be a cautious driver, but it is not necessary that you would be able to overcome a reckless driving. But, being a defensive driver, you could foresee probable road crashes. Also, a great way to avoid road accidents is via being courteous. Being courteous makes you more cautious and intends you to not race against other vehicles.
According of records, one of the prime causes for car crashes is because of drunk driving, which in turn is a condition in which a driver operate a car or vehicle while being under the influence of drugs or alcohol that may lead to mental as well as motor skills imparity. Many of the fatal accidents are because of drunk driving. But, drunk driving is completely preventable.
All you have to do in order to avoid road crashes as a result of drunk driving is to refrain from taking any kind of harmful drugs or alcohol. You can also minimize car accidents via maintaining a constant speed as well as through leaving a safe distance between your vehicle and other vehicles. Also, a useful tip to avoid road accidents is by adjusting mirrors properly and via checking the side as well as rear mirrors at least in every 15 seconds.
Intersections are considered a prime cause for many road accidents. Hence, special care must be taken when proceeding through intersections by looking left, then right, and then again left side in order to ensure that the area is absolutely clear. Apart from these, have a clear idea on the road conditions. This would be highly beneficial when you drive during rainy or winter season. Also, keep your car's lights on when driving at dusk and dawn and during rainy seasons. Other useful tips that help you avoid road accidents are:
- Avoid cell phone when driving
- Check your car in regular intervals, ie constantly monitor its tires, brakes, lights, and mirrors
- Have a clear idea regarding the limitations of your car
- Keep your vehicle in good working condition
- Always keep your vehicle neat and tidy
- As far as possible, avoid driving during night
- In addition to avoiding alcohol and other dangerous drinks, it would be better to avoid taking some food items while driving such as coffee, hot soups, barbequed dishes, soft drinks, and chocolates
Above all, driving a quality car could help minimize road accidents to an extent!.http://www.darshandrivingschool.com.au/driving-class/eastern-melbourne/ashburton.html

About the Author

I am the webmaster of darshandrivingschool.com.au and article writer. Darshan driving School in melbourne is one of the best driving Instructors in melbourne.Our driving school serves for all suburbs in Melbourne.driving school melbourne,driving lessons,driving instructor,driving schools,driving test melbourne,driving instructors melbourne. http://www.darshandrivingschool.com.au

Choosing the right car

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 14:26:00 +0000

We all dream about the car we’d like, Maybe we see one in the street and think “that’s the one for me” then, being fickle, will see another a little further along the street and say “No, that’s the car I want!”.

Don’t worry, this is quite normal, very few people know exactly what they want.

Here, we give you some considerations on choosing the right car for you so you don’t end up saddled with a car that, frankly, disappoints you! Remember that you are likely to spend a lot of your time sitting in it and the model you choose will say a lot about you to other people.

What will be your new car’s main purpose?
Your lifestyle and what your new car will be used for is the very first thing you need to think about. Basically, your dream car may be TT Roadster (a two-seater) bit if the car is to be used to drop the kids off to school, then it really won’t be suitable!

Consider this ….
• Is the car going to be used for family trips?
• commuting to work in? (then choose a diesel to get the most from your fuel)
• will it be a sporty second car for week-ends?
• Does it need to used for off-roading?
• Will it be needed for business?
• Are you married or single? Do you have children? etc etc

This will then help you build a picture in mind of the car that is realistically right for you

The costs
Another important consideration is running costs:

• What insurance group is the car? The higher the group, the more your insurance premium will be
• If your car is going to do a lot of mileage (over 12,000 miles a year), then think about choosing a car with a diesel engine – these are better on fuel consumption
• More expensive cars will have higher servicing and maintenance bills

Comfort
Depending on what purpose your car is used for, comfort is a consideration.

For commuting or high mileage vehicles, the car should be of the optimum comfort and, ideally, have air conditioning.

If it is a fun car, say a sporty number for weekends, then be prepared that the ride will be slightly harder (but a lot of fun!)

Featured Merchant
By now you should have a good idea of the type of car you want and what it needs to be like to suit your circumstances!

Now, think about how much you can comfortably afford and start doing your research!

The internet is a good place to start looking, you can research prices, specifications and, if you are after a new car, for a bit of fun, you can even visit a manufacturers site and build a car to your own specifications!

Also, scour the motor section of your local newspaper to see what finance deals and offers are on at local dealerships. You could pick up a good deal!

Happy Motoring!

About the Author
Jason Hulott is a Director of
Motor">http://www.motorcarloans.com">Motor Car Loans an automotive resource guide for those looking to buy, insure , sell or in fact do all most anything with a car. Sign up to our free car insurance course, send an email to motorcarloans@getresponse.com

Written by: Jason Hulott

Car Rentals for young people

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:24:00 +0000

Renting a car is a great way to see a new place, but car rental companies are leery of hiring cars to younger people. Many rental firms will simply not provide cars at all for drivers under twenty-five, while the price rates of others are simply prohibitive. Unfortunately, there is sound logic underlying this sense of caution displayed by car rental companies, as younger people have been shown time and again to be the most likely group of drivers to be involved in car accidents – this is also reflected in the high insurance rates that are offered to younger drivers. There are however some companies that offer reasonable rental deals to drivers under twenty-one, so if you are lucky enough to get a good rental deal, then pay it forward to your peers – drive your rental car as responsibly as you can to ensure the continuation of the great price for the next young driver who comes along.

Ensure your safety by always wearing your seatbelt. This is a simple thing to do that can literally save lives. It only takes a second, but can make a huge difference in an accident.

Always keep to the speed limit. Speed has been repeatedly shown to be the single greatest cause of road accidents, so stay safe and stick to the designated speed limit for the area you are in. Most places you visit will have signage to indicate the speed limit, but err on the side of caution if you are unsure. At the very least, you don’t want to have to pay a speeding fine.

Always be vigilant when driving in an unfamiliar area – keep your eyes peeled for any road signs and always follow them! There is often construction work going on in large cities, so keep an eye out for this too. Following road signs can prevent accidents.

As you probably heard countless times when first getting into a car, drive defensively! Even if you are a careful driver, you cannot always account for others, so watch out for other drivers – let others speed and cut across you if they want, your priority is simply to stay safe.

When driving in an unfamiliar place it is extremely important to concentrate on the road. While the road might seem to be distracting you from joining in the fun, your passengers will thank you for staying safe. Keep music to a minimum and ask your friends to keep rowdy games for later – once you get to where you’re going the fun can begin with abandon! Be careful and stay safe, and do your bit to help keep rental car prices for young people as low as you can.
This article was written by Carl Spanier an avid traveler and rental car expert. You can visit his website at Car Rental Resources

Written by: Jeff Lakie

Bad Credit Car Loans Are Possible

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:22:00 +0000

Bad credit car loans carry a higher risk to the lender, so the borrower must pay a higher than usual interest rate. You probably will need to apply to more than one lender and give more documentation. Still, a bad credit loan is worth the trouble because it not only lets you get the car you need and want, but can also help improve your overall credit rating.

Getting a Car Loan with Bad Credit: 4 Steps

1. Contact Equifax, Consumerinfo, or TrueCredit online for your credit score or to make sure there are no errors on your credit report. You can usually dispute the incorrect information online or over the telephone. If you have correct unfavorable information, you can write a letter to the company that reported the unfavorable information, asking them to remove that information or make a note that your accounts are now in good standing. Usually they won't do this, but it doesn't hurt to try.

2. Determine your credit score (also called a FICO score). There are simple online guidelines for estimating your credit score yourself. Still, to get a truly accurate score, you need to purchase it from the credit bureaus.

a. Note that each bureau may have a slightly different score (and possibly a very different score if they have information the others do not). There are online credit-monitoring services that will provide you a single report with all three reports and credit scores.

b. A score of over 680 out of 850 will get you a low-rate auto loan. Under 680 will mean a higher rate but a loan is still quite likely. Bad credit begins around 650 and lower. You will be charged high interest no matter where you go, and may not qualify for as large a loan. But it will still be a loan nonetheless.

3. Look on the Internet for names of lenders that specialize in bad credit car financing. They can be private lenders, car dealers or any website offering this type of loan help. Compare the rates and terms with what your own bank offers. Make a short list of lenders with good rates and terms.

4. Call up the lenders and ask them about their credit guidelines. They will often be reluctant to state a single FICO score, but you can sometimes get them to tell you a range. It’s important to make sure you have a fighting chance at approval before applying. A bunch of rejected loan applications will look bad on your credit report--creating a vicious cycle that makes it even harder to get a loan.

Bad Credit Car Loans: A Typical Story

Stephen got a credit monitoring service to provide him with his reports from the three credit bureaus, as well as their three FICO scores. He was shocked to find his credit score was 560. He was reported as having defaulted on one of his students loans, which was incorrect. He was able to get that removed quickly. But his credit rating was still well below 650.

What should Stephen do now? Of course, Steven should work to repair his credit rating:

Pay all bills on time.
Stay at the same address for a few years if at all possible.
Contact the lenders who reported negative information to the credit bureaus to see if they will remove it or amend it to emphasize that his accounts were eventually returned to good standing.

But in the meantime, Steve needs a car loan. His job isn’t a on a bus route and he can’t pay cash. After careful research on the internet, Steve finds he could get a high-interest bad-credit auto loan. The loan will also give Steve another chance to restore his credit.

To take a bite out of the interest, Steve gets a friend of his who’s a mechanic to help him find an inexpensive but reliable used car—which means a smaller loan and therefore smaller interest payments. He also dips into his savings and 401(k) to pay as much up front as he can, since the interest on the car loan will outpace the interest he could earn on these accounts.

Five years later, Steve’s credit rating is as good as gold and he trades his used car in for the car he always wanted.

What will you be driving in five years? If you plan well and get the best deal possible on your bad credit car loan, you’ll go far whatever you’re driving.

Start your research by getting your credit report and FICO scores from these credit monitoring services: Equifax, Consumerinfo, or TrueCredit Then look into apply at these
bad credit car loan lenders:

Joel Walsh, a regular contributor, has written more tips on how to get a car loan with bad credit Bad Credit Car Loans:http://www.cars-auto-loans.com

Written by: Joel Walsh

7 Things to Know when Renting a Car

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:21:00 +0000

In today's society, there are a number of reasons why people rent a car. Some of the top reasons are vacations, a car they own is in the shop and renting a nicer car for a special occasion. Whatever the reason that you are considering renting a car; there are some things that you should know first.

1- It is wise to shop around when looking for to rent a car. Always find at least three rental car companies to compare, although more will be better. Be sure to ask all the companies the same questions to get the most accurate answers. Most rental car companies will have websites online to find basic information, but it is best to call as local branches may have deals that are not advertised online.

2- When you call, be sure to ask about price, vehicle availability, as well as any specials that the branch has to offer. It is worth noting here, that many of these companies will have special arrangements with hotels, airlines or even warehouse stores.

3- You will want to ask about any special instructions that are required of you while renting the car, for example, filling up the gas tank or pick up and drop off times. Not adhering to these policies can result in fees.

4- Many companies that will rent a car to you will also be willing to either deliver the car to you or pick you up and take you to your rental. This service may require a fee, but can be worth asking about if you are flying to your destination.

5- The rental company may offer you insurance to purchase, however, your personal auto insurance may be all you need in the event of an accident with a rental car. Call your auto insurance agent and ask before paying extra at the rental counter.

6- There are a number of choices that are open to you when renting a car. Each class of car will vary in price and gas mileage; consider this when making your decision. While many companies may be willing to upgrade you, this is not always the case. It is wise to choose the car you want and hope for an upgrade than to reserve less of a car and be disappointed when an upgrade is not offered.

7- Have a credit or debit card handy to reserve the rental car with, most companies will only guarantee a car with this assurance.

About the author:

John Mancini writes about rental cars online and offline. You can read more about cheap car rentals and rental cars on his websites.

Written by: John Mancini

Audi Car Part

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:20:00 +0000

Audi car parts are supplied by the company for its thousands of valuable customers all over the nation and the world. Customers can purchase Audi car parts through out the nation from the authorized dealers and franchise for replacing their vehicle's aging components. The company encourages its dealers to provide Audi car parts to its customers at the original value.

Most of the people consider owning an Audi luxury car as a prestige symbol. And when you purchase a brand new Audi car, you need not have to worry for several years as everything will be checked and cleared by the manufacturing company. Your vehicle will perform well for many years as your car and its mechanics will surely go fine without any problem. Hence there is no question of Audi car parts.

But when you use your car for a long time your car parts comes to breaks down and you will be forced to replace your old car part with new Audi car part. This is applicable with any vehicle as no car parts possible survive during the entire life time of a car. Also is the case when you have a rough ride on the highway or a small crash which will result in a broken bumper or a damage of your vehicle axle. In any of the case you have to replace your damaged Audi car part with a new Audi car part. Mostly in the situation you will be searching for an Audi car part dealer to buy the necessary Audi car part.

The company, as a part of their on road support for the sold Audi cars, sells Audi car parts through its numerous authorized Audi car part dealers and service stores. The list of the Audi car parts available in the stores is far long and exhaustive. You can replace any of your old Audi car parts with a brand new one. Some example of the Audi car parts available in the stores include axles, brakes, catalytic converters, transmissions, headlights, fuel pumps, radiator and wishbones. All these Audi car parts are tested by the company for quality and better performance.

When you are about to purchase Audi car parts make sure that you know the model of you Audi car. This is because each Ford car parts comes to suit a definite model, hence knowing the make and model of your vehicle is important while purchasing Audi car parts. Purchasing a correct Audi car part to your vehicle will ensure better performance and comfort.

Another important factor a customer has to keep in mind is that, nowadays there are lots of fraudulent Audi car parts available in the stores. So it is always better to make sure that you are purchasing the original Audi car parts. Though it is true that fraudulent Audi car parts will be available at a cheaper rate, it cannot provide you the same quality and performance an original Audi car part can provide. Hence make sure that you are purchasing an original Audi car part provided by the company. Try to purchase Audi car parts from any authorized dealers or franchises. Check the company site to know the list of authorized dealers in your town. After all, an authentic Audi car part will ensure your vehicle a much long life and quality performance.

About the author:

Saurya Ghosal for http://www.autopartsstoresonline.com Read more about Auto Parts http://www.autopartsstoresonline.com/Volvo-Car-Part.html Copyright 2005 http://www.autopartsstoresonline.com

Written by: Saurya Ghosal

Budget Performance-Car Value -- Honda CRX

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 05:18:00 +0000

Looking for sports-car kicks, but with the abundance of speed parts and vast modification potential of a Civic? Look no further than Honda's feisty little CRX.

These pocket-size coupes made their debut for 1984. Essentially a two-seat version of the redesigned Civic also introduced that year, the CRX was initially aimed at people who sought frugal commuting (base 1.3-liter versions had EPA fuel economy ratings of 51 mpg city, 67 highway).
But the real news for enthusiasts came the following year when Honda gave the CRX its sporty Si version, which included upgraded suspension, performance-oriented tires, and a hotter 91-hp version of its 1.5-liter engine -- good for sub-nine-second 0-60 mph times in the featherweight car.
For 1988, an all-new CRX bowed, based again on a new Civic platform. CRX's wheelbase increased, and this second-generation design was somewhat heavier and bigger overall. Fortunately, performance remained in the same league, with the Si's horsepower rating increasing to 105, then 108 the following year. For 1990, CRX got four-wheel-disc brakes.
As sweet of a car as it was, this generation of CRX was destined to be the last -- Honda discontinued the line after 1991, replacing it with the similar but open-roofed Del Sol several years later.
Today, used CRXs are pretty easy to find, but it can sometimes be hard to gauge their true value -- completely stock ones are showing up less and less since these cars became immensely popular with sport-compact fans. The price of a particular CRX can often depend on the various upgrades it's received.
Popular mods include body kits, custom paint, aftermarket wheels, and hotter VTEC engine swaps. As with any modified car, look closely at how well upgrades are executed. In most cases, the work will have been done by the car's owner, whose talent, budget, and experience are unknowns.
Most CRXs now sell for less than $5000, with many of them below $3000. Those sub-$3k CRXs tend to be unmodified. And unmodified CRXs also tend to be unrestored.
That can be an important point, because all CRXs are at least 14 years old -- a lot them are pretty tired. You aren't likely to find a CRX with less than 100,000 miles at this point. Therefore buyers who want a completely stock example to start with will need to carefully consider how much money and patience they're willing to devote to basic mechanical repairs.
First-generation CRXs are getting kind of scarce, but if you have your heart set on their lighter weight and trimmer dimensions, those cars can be found with a little patience. And one plus is that they tend to show up in the lower end of the price range.
Regardless of what generation or level of modification, Honda's little CRXs can offer big-time fun. They're good performers to start with, there's plenty of aftermarket stuff available, and prices are about as low as performance cars go. Check 'em out.
For more on affordable performance cars, along with drive-test articles on today's hottest sports cars, sport compacts, and muscle cars, go to http://www.autiv.com/
About the Author
David Bellm is a seasoned test driver and automotive writer. His work has been featured in a wide variety of online and print publications.

Written by: David Bellm

A muscle car revolution

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 17:15:00 +0000

he Ford Mustang was built to do battle against the Chevrolet Corvette and the Corvair Monza Spider, the Mustang came out in 1964, at first with a straight six, but by 1965 Ford decided that the car actually needed some kind of power.

A straight six could never make the kind power Ford needed, so in 1965 the 225 HP 289 CID V8 was introduced to the Mustang, and this was a brilliant idea for Ford that skyrocketed the Mustang's sales, it was the introduction of the pony car. Basically the idea was to use a smaller mid sized car with a larger engine, thereby producing a much better power to weight ratio, and making the car more exciting to drive.

This would make the car a lot more interesting to the babe boomers, the younger people from the 1960's time era, these were the kids that were in their late teens and early 20's, this would be so appealing to the younger people of that time era, that it would set sales records that it would hold for years to come.

It would sell 500,000 units it's very first year, and this was an unbelievable feat for any car during those times, and had never been done before, and this had thought Ford a lesson, they learned that they could produce cars at this rate.

Ford would keep generating interest in the Mustang by adding grundles of new higher performance models, they created a large stable of these pony cars, during 1965 Ford would release the Mustang GT, yet more power, to make the motorheads go nuts.

The Mustang had already become a desirable commodity. It's standard equipment included, bucket seats. It had the immediately popular long hood , short deck look. At first it came as a sports coupe (two door hardtop), and a sporty looking convert able.

In the fall of 1964 the model the 2+2 was added to the lineup. From the outset, the option list was important in the making of the Mustang. Buyers could add appearance and convenience extras, plus some bolt on high performance hardware. However being based on a compact low priced Falcon, there was some room for improvement in the go fast department.

Combining available mechanical features with new visual pieces made the GT package a fairly thorough upgrade. First the buyer had to order an optional V-8 engine, which at the time included the 225 HP Challenger Special 289 at $157, or the high performance 271 HP 289 CID engine for $430.

The Mustang never did come up against the likes of an L88 Corvette or a ZL1 Camaro or Corvette, it would lose horribly, as the ZL1 Camaro was running in the 10's for the 1/4 mile with a 0-60 of 3.8 seconds, and the ZL1 Vette was even faster, and the L88 wasn't far behind these cars at all.

Now I know what you Mustang and Ford nuts are going to say, what about the GT350, what about the GT500, what about the Boss 429 mustang, and most of all what about the Cobra, well even the almighty Cobra never beat the ZL1 Corvette down, this is always what you Ford nuts fall back on.

The 289 and 302 Mustangs never beat down the 302 DZ Camaro's, and moreover I have driven them all, except the Cobra and I know the truth,

It;s true I am a Chevy lover, but I have owned or at least driven most of the Ford and Chevy model that were ever really considered to be the mean one's and I speak for knowledge, and not just as a Chevy or Ford lover.

And never did the Mustang or the Cobra even come close to doing battle with the L88 Corvette or the ZL1 Corvette, and still to this day hasn't done it.

In 1966 Chevrolet would begin to make plans to release it's secret weapon against the Mustang, this secret weapon would be called the Camaro, this car without a doubt would live up to Chevrolet's expectations of what it could do.

Just like the Mustang, the Camaro came from the factory with a modest straight six engine, and was not capable of any really impressive performance, but Chevy would not wait to add the performance to it's secret weapon, up on it's release in 1967, the Camaro would be a heavily optioned cars.

Camaro owners didn't have to wait for the next generation of cars to get what they wanted, the Chevrolet would offer the Camaro in a lot of different versions it's very first year, you could get a Z/28 Camaro which would come from the factory with a 290 HP 302 CID engine, a Muncy M-21 or M-22 Rock crusher transmission, bucket seats, front disc brakes, a heavy duty 12 bolt posi traction rear end, a center consol with a fuel gage, water temp gage, amp gage and oil pressure gage.

You could also order the SS option which came with two different engines, you could order the big block version with the 396 CID 375 HP engine, or you could order the L34 had 325 HP & the L78 had 375 HP. The SS was also available with the L48 V8 350 CID 295 HP package.

You also had the choice of rear end gearing ratios of 2.73:1, 3.07:1, 3.31:1, 3.55:1, 3.73:1, 4.10:1, 4.56:1 and 4.88:1. You could also get and RS version of the Camaro, or and RS/SS version, Chevrolet did go to extents to give the gearhead what they wanted, the RS version only came with a small block 350 CID, and an option for the 327 CID small block.

As you can imagine the RS/SS came with a 350 CID, 327 CID and a big block 396 CID, and had all the RS & SS suspension and steering upgrades.

Even that first year the Camaro was optioned heavily enough to make you lose your mind, and you wallet right behind that, but it was giving the gearhead's what they wanted, a lot of ways to set their cars up, with out buying it and tearing it down to build up the engine and suspension.

The Z/28 was first designed to go scca racing, and in it's first year in dominated the scca racing circuit, it was a tremendous success for Chevrolet and their de singers and high performance teams. By playing with high performance parts like a giant four barrel carburetor, an aluminum intake manifold and L79 Corvette heads, they got this motor to crank out about 350 HP @ 6200 RPM.. However to play it safe the advertised HP was 290@5800 R. P.M. The basic Z/28 package listed for $358.

Camaro lovers had a lot to look forward to for the next couple of years, that first generation of Camaro's was awesome, and that showed in how popular the Camaro got over the years. In 1968 the 4 bolt main block got introduced to the Z/28 it had the rpo code of MO, so you'd know if the rpo number had an MO in it then you more then likely had a 4 bolt main 302 CID 290 HP engine.

In 1968 there were 602 Z/28's built, and although it was a small number, it impressed the muscle car community, the Z/28 would leave a mark on motoring history forever, the Z/28 was crated primarily as a road race car, and it did very well in what it was intended for.

In 1969 the Z/28 would have a standard four bolt main 302 CID engine in it, and have the option of adding a 350 CID and 4 wheel disc brakes.

Now during those first three years, Don Yenko from Yenko Chevrolet, would have the idea to modify a standard Camaro, and add a 450 HP 427 CID engine, this car would be called the sYc or "super Yenko camaro" this car would hit the streets doing 11.30's in the 1/4 mile, and that is mean, to get the car you's order a copo "central office production order" copo 9561.

Now you could also take a step up to the Zl1 Camaro, in which case you'd order the copo 9560, with this option the big difference is the all aluminum 427 CID 450 HP engine, this made the big block weigh about the same as a small block, and of course you see the advantage there "right".

Both the Yenko and the ZL1 Camaro had a very modest Hp rating, when dynoed they were actually around 650 to 680 HP, these were not your basic Camaro's, these bad boys were only for a real man, a man that could handle having his neck snapped, and his back cracked.

About the author:

I'm a 41 year old man, who eats sleeps and breathes muscle cars, and the restoration of them, I own a restoration shop here in Salt Lake, and I build computers and web sites.

Written by: David C. Atkin

3 Secret Tips Before You Buy A Used Car

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 17:11:00 +0000

I have always purchased my cars used. And every single time, I got a great deal because of a few secrets that is easy to do.

These secrets will save you money. And the good news is there is no luck involved.

If you follow these steps you are guaranteed to save lots of money, so please pay attention.

BUYING A USED CAR Power Tip #1 - Check Consumer Reports on the safest cars out there. Looks are one thing, but never ignore safety.

Here's what you do: Go to a reputable car repair shop and ask if you can bring the vehicle by for a look-over.

There is a 99% chance they will say "yes".

While you're there, ask what cars they have to repair most often. Also, ask what the inspection includes, how long it takes, and the price. Always get this information in writing - just to be safe.

Once the vehicle has been inspected, ask the mechanic for a written report with a cost estimate for all necessary repairs.

Be sure the report includes the vehicle's make, model and VIN. If you decide to make an offer to the dealer after approving the inspection, you can use the estimated repair costs to negotiate the price of the vehicle.

Do you see how easy it is?

Are you going to purchase from an individual? If yes, then here is your next tip.

BUYING A USED CAR Power Tip #2

Remember, private sellers generally are not covered by the Used Car Rule and don't have to use the Buyers Guide. However, you can use the Guide's list of an auto's major systems as a shopping tool.

It's simple.

You can ask the seller if you can have the vehicle inspected by your mechanic. If he/she says no... beware. No matter how nice the car appears, something fishy is going on.

Now, a private sale likely will be on an "as is" basis, unless your purchase agreement with the seller specifically states otherwise. If you have a written contract, the seller has to live up to the contract.

The car also may be covered by a manufacturer's warranty or a separately purchased service contract. But that doesn't mean that the warranty and service contract are transferable.

Plus, other limits or costs may apply. Before you buy the car, ask if it's still under warranty or service contract, and review that baby carefully.

Some states will require vehicle sellers to pass a vehicle inspection before a sale is made. That's not always the case, though. To find out what your state requires, contact your state Attorney General's office or a local consumer protection agency.

Hey, it's just a phone call. And it will take less than 5 minutes.

Whether you end up buying a used car from a dealer, a co-worker, or a neighbor, follow these tips to learn as much as you can about the car:

BUYING A USED CAR Power Tip #3

Examine the car carefully yourself using an inspection checklist. You can find a checklist in many of the magazine articles, books and Internet sites that deal with buying a used car.

Once I bought a used car in August, and never thought to test the rear defroster. Guess what? Come November, I found out it didn't work. If you're shopping in the summer, don't forget to check the heater. And if it's cold as ice outside, still turn that air on full blast and make sure it works!

Test drive the car under varied road conditions--on hills, highways, and in stop-and-go traffic.

Ask for the car's maintenance record. If the owner doesn't have copies, contact the dealership or repair shop where most of the work was done. They may share their files with you.

Talk to the previous owner, especially if the present owner is unfamiliar with the car's history.

Have the car inspected by a mechanic you hire.

There you go.

Follow those three "used car buying" tips and you are guaranteed to save a ton of money buying a used car.

About the author:

Charlie E. Hendersen is the author and creator of the FREE website: GetAnotherCar.com">http://getanothercar.com">GetAnotherCar.com A site dedicated to providing useful tips for buying and maintaining your car.

Written by: Charlie E. Hendersen

2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata -- the Freewheeling Youth of the Sports-Car World Matures

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:09:00 +0000

Mazda has done it again. First, they reinvigorated the sports car market a decade and a half ago with the introduction of the Miata for 1990. Then the company followed that up with a redesigned version that was good enough to make Miata the biggest-selling sports car in history.

Now, for 2006, they've topped that with a third-generation Miata that's as sophisticated as far more expensive sports cars, despite keeping its reasonable low-20-thousand-dollar price tag.
Compared to the two previous versions, the 2006 MX-5 Miata is a little larger in most dimensions, and gains about 50 pounds. It continues with its four-cylinder engine but now it's a 170-hp 2.0-liter instead of a 142-hp 1.8.
Slipping into the interior, it's obvious that Mazda's junior sports car has grown a bit. Instead of the window sills having a sort of elbow-height feeling, you now feel as though you're sitting low in the car, instead of sitting on it. Along with the cabin's extra room comes a more upscale look to the interior. Although still not exactly plush feeling, the new Miata replaces its predecessors' retro spartan style with a somewhat more opulent look. The leather seats are both easy on the eyes and posterior. The convertible top has a cloth surface and a glass rear window, and it folds neatly into a smooth bunch that latches down to form a smooth profile without a separate cover.
Overall, the cabin pleases in both design and execution. There's a subtle, high-quality feel to it that speaks of cars costing far more than our tester's $25,000 sticker price.
Firing the engine up brings forth a sporty purr that's maybe a tad more subdued than Miatas past, but nonetheless satisfying. Once rolling, planting your foot into the gas yields one of the bigger delights of the new Miata. The engine feels somewhat stronger than its power rating might imply, providing gutsy acceleration at low speeds and very nice passing power without downshifting. It never feels high-strung or fussy.
Complementing that pleasure is the shifter. Traditionally a strong suit of Miatas past, the new version continues to be noteworthy. Although not quite as pleasingly mechanical feeling as before, the shifter is precise, with appropriate springing and well-defined gates. Tying it all together are pedals that are well spaced for easy heel-and-toe downshifts.
Once acclimated to the new Miata's basic control personality, it's time to tackle some twisty roads. And you'll quickly find that this aspect of the new car is where the new Miata differs the most from its predecessors.
While the generation-one and -two Miatas were well known for having low handling limits and almost toylike tossability, the new Miata feels heftier, more serious, and obviously more capable. In earlier Miatas the idea of slipping and sliding the rear end was as obvious and basic as putting the top down on a sunny day -- Miata practically begged for such exuberance behind the wheel.
The new Miata responds to such tail-happy shenanigans with all the control and communication of Mazda's earlier little sprites. But now the car just doesn't seem to ask for it with such a strong voice. This version's vastly higher grip and more potent engine instead make it happier with high corner-entry speeds and smooth, even steering-wheel inputs.
Those things said, this Miata is really happy in that environment. Whereas previous Miatas tended to have a wild, freewheeling personality on winding roads, the new version hauls through turns as if locked onto rails, with minimal body lean and very high limits that aren't as easy to upset.
It's still terrific fun. It's just a little different kind of fun.
It's clear that Mazda has once again crafted a true little gem of a sports car. There's not a squeak or rattle to be heard, the engine has a smooth, almost exotic personality, and the driving controls are precise and solid. You find yourself double checking the sticker to see if this is really a $25,000 sports car -- plenty of rivals costing $15k more than Miata don't get these things much (if any) better.
As for how this new Miata design overall compares to its predecessors, picture a guy that was loveable but slightly over-eager in college. Now he's been out in the real world for few years and maybe gotten a graduate degree.
He's not really the same guy anymore, but he commands more respect. And he's still a whole lot of fun to be around.
About the Author
For more articles on sports cars, muscle cars, and other high-performance automobiles go to http://www.autiv.com/
David Bellm is a seasoned test driver and automotive writer. His work has been featured in a wide variety of online and print publications.

Written by: David Bellm

18 Simple Ways To Save Money On Your Car

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 15:06:00 +0000

The upkeep of your vehicle can be quite an expense - from initial purchase to insurance to maintenance. And sometimes we get the sinking feeling that every time we need a car repair, we’re going to get taken for a ride. (pardon the pun!) Actually there are some ways to make sure you don’t get a raw deal when dealing with a local body shop.

After you get recommendations for honest mechanics, call around to check out the prices for certain jobs. It’s always smart to get a second opinion.

How about some preventative medicine? Keep your gas tank filled. This will help you avoid the gas line freezing up in cold weather. Also, driving on “fumes” allows little pieces of dirt at the bottom of your gas tank to run through the fuel lines with the last drops of gas. This debris clogs up the fuel filter and can cause carburetor damage as well.

Sometimes a problem with your car’s electrical system results from a simple blown fuse. Check to see if you have any blown fuses before investing in a tow truck!

Keep track of how much oil your car uses. A sudden change in oil consumption means you need to see a technician.

Save your brakes by having your brake fluid changed every 30,000 miles.

Check your tire pressure once a month. This simple maintenance check can add up savings at the gas pump!

Stop and go traffic causes excess wear and tear on your vehicle. Go ahead and give your car a nice twenty minute ride at 55 mph on the highway every couple weeks if you “major” in short trips.

There are other ways to save money on car expenses. Let’s look at the insurance payments.

If you’ve budgeted for possible out-of-pocket expenses in case of a car accident, you might want to consider increasing your insurance deductible to $500. This will lower the cost of your insurance.

Talk to your insurance agent. If your car is as old as the hills, you might want to drop collision coverage to save money.

Car insurance companies offer a variety of discounts. Ask your agent if the company offers reductions for driver training courses, anti-lock brakes, car alarms, air bags, mature drivers, good students or maintaining a good driving record.

Before you purchase from a dealer, ask about the dealer's return policy, get it in writing and read it carefully. Dealers are not required by law to give used car buyers a three-day right to cancel.

Visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov>http://www.fueleconomy.gov to find cars that are fuel efficient.

Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.10 per gallon for gas.

In most cases, using cruise control on the highway will save gas.

Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. This isn’t going to cost you an arm or leg either.

Do your homework when buying a car from an auction. Many vehicles that have been damaged by floods and hurricanes are going on the market. These won’t last long – leaving you with a flood of bills. Be a little concerned if the carpet looks too new, and check carefully for signs of rust.

Carfax.com shares info on inspecting a used car to make sure you get the best deal.

If you use your car for business, keep track of miles traveled so that you can use this for a tax deduction. Get more info at irs.gov.

When you consider all the ways you can save money on your current vehicle, you might be persuaded to put away the extra each month for a new car down the road!

About the Author
This article provided courtesy of http://www.car-alarm-guide.net>http://www.car-alarm-guide.net

Written by: Jeff Slokum

5 Tips On Making Your Car More Fuel Efficient

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:04:00 +0000

With gas prices sky high most individuals who drive are interested in ways they can make their car more fuel efficient and save as much money as possible. While there are no fuel saving tips that will keep your car full of gas without filling up, there are some tips that really can help you save money on fuel over the long run. All of these tips focus on making your car more fuel efficient.

Fuel Efficiency Tip #1 Drive When You Crank Up This might seem obvious, but as soon as you crank up your car you should drive off. However, many people crank up and leave the car idling for a while. Instead of this, when you crank up drive off and only keep your car running when it is absolutely necessary.

Fuel Efficiency Tip #2 Don't Ride the Break Many drivers hit the break more often than is necessary. Additionally there are quite a few drivers that slow down for a braking car when they could easily switch lanes. Not riding the break can increase your fuel efficiency by up to 30%, so this is a great tip you should follow.

Fuel Efficiency Tip #3 Turn Off Your Car If you are going to be stopping for more than 10 minutes you should switch off your car to keep fuel efficiency at its peak and not burn more gas than is necessary.

Fuel Efficiency Tip #4 Don't Turn Off Your Car If you are only stopping for a brief moment or less than 5 minutes then don't turn off your car because the amount of gas used to crank up is more than you would burn in that short period of time.

Fuel Efficiency Tip #5 Inflate Tires Properly Too many drivers never think of their tires, unless one goes flat. However, having tires that are properly inflated can save fuel and make your car more fuel efficient, saving you money. Because of this, you should check your tire pressure on a regular basis.

While gas prices don't seem like they will be dipping considerably in the next few months every tip to help you make your car more fuel efficient is helpful. So, follow the above fuel tips and you will see that over time your car really is more fuel efficient.

About the author:

SearchArticles.Net offers articles, tips and information on a variety of subjects including cars and trucks. For more tips for your car visit http://www.SearchArticles.Net

Written by: Craig Rowe

How To Buying A Car Without Spending A Lot

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:11:00 +0000

Are you on a budget? Most people are cost conscious these days; gasoline prices are higher than ever before. Are you looking to buy a car without spending a small fortune? It is difficult to find a car for sale that is affordable yet still reliable but that doesn't mean that it is impossible. Here are a few tips to help you find a reasonably priced vehicle.

The easiest way to find a lower price on a car is to sacrifice a few things that you absolutely want but don't necessarily require. Sure you may want a black car or one that has a CD system but you can surely live without these specifics. Things such as color, style and amenities are flexible and may need to be compromised depending on your budget. Strip all of that away and you are left with a bare bones car that is very affordable. It's also important to do research online so that you don't get price gouged during the negotiation process.

Go online and use a site such as Kelly Bluebook in order to determine the actual value of cars that you are considering buying. Also type the year and make model into the Craigslist "For Sale" search engine in your locality. This will give you a good idea of how much a specific model and make is going for depending on whether the seller is a dealer or a private party. Use this knowledge in order to drive the price down. Simply tell the salesperson that his or her competitor in town is offering the same car but at a lower price. Most sales people are willing to negotiate if you show them a local dealer offering a better deal.

Auctions are another option to explore if you are short on money. Cars at auctions may be previously government owned while others may have been seized by law enforcement. The advantage of buying from a vehicle auction is that prices tend to be extremely low. However, these cars may not be in the best condition and have mechanical issues and the drawback is that they generally don't come with a guarantee. Auctions may be a good deal if you are handy with cars or are close friends with a mechanic.

Efficient cars are currently in very much demand; this means that you will have to pay a much higher price if you are looking for a hybrid or a traditional car with mpg. However, you will be able to offset this initial cost by fuel savings.

The Most Simple Used Car Buying Checklist

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 16:07:00 +0000

The efficiency of a checklist does not differ when buying a car, particularly a used car, as a checklist can be helpful to guide you through the process. Using a checklist when buying a used car may help avoid
overlooking an important step that may hinder the purchase in the end and save both time and money. Used Cars Group have provided this checklist for anyone who is looking to buy a used car, which is especially helpful to someone who has never bought a used car before and who may not know the first place to start. Below, in order of importance as I determined through my own experiences, but not necessarily chronological significance, is a used car buying checklist for your review.

Step 1: Determine what type of used car you are in the market for. At first glance the list seems endless, but if we stop and break it down we will be able to get a clear idea of at least what we don't want in a vehicle, consider your model options: car, truck, SUV, crossover, or maybe even a fast exotic sports car. Then take into consideration the size and purpose of the vehicle by asking yourself a series of questions: Will I benefit from a coupe or sedan? Is it for the family or for the off-road adventurer in you? Will you need four-wheel drive, a convertible or hardtop, or a convertible hardtop, or perhaps ask yourself if a sunroof will satisfy your desire to be free and feel the wind in your hair.

Step 2: The next step is to further evaluate the purpose of your next vehicle and why you are making the new purchase in the first place. One way to do this evaluation is to question its priority in your lifestyle: Is the car going to be your primary vehicle or a second, weekend car. This is important because if you will be relying on the car to get you to work on time everyday, then you want to make sure it is a reliable make and model. If you need the car just for nice weather cruising days, then a less reliable recreational vehicle could be an option.

Step 3: Once you have decided on the specifics you want in a car (size, shape, make, model, purpose, etc.) get an insurance quote on it to see if you can afford the insurance. It is easy to think, sure we can afford the car of our dreams by cutting back here and tweaking things there, but don't forget there is more to a car's cost than just the price. For instance, consider if the car is a gas-guzzler or a type of vehicle that saves gas and is more energy efficient, such as a hybrid or a complete electronic vehicle, which may also have their own expenses that need to be taken into consideration.

Additionally, the particular car you choose may need to be repaired far more often than others and that will be an additional cost to you every time something goes wrong and the car breaks down, not to mention you will be without a car while it is being fixed. On a similar note, to replace a car's parts and pay for maintenance on the vehicle when something does go wrong is costly no matter what, but it is important to note that not all cars are created equal and the price to repair some cars are far greater than others. Generally speaking, what I have found to be true is that the more expensive the car, the more expensive the car's parts that may need to be replaced, and consequently the more costly the repair itself will be as well. So before making your used car purchase realize that you may be able to afford a corvette but the insurance (and repairs) on a car of that nature may be too high for your pocket book to handle and a simple insurance quote will give you peace of mind.

Step 4: Perhaps next it would be best to determine what type of vehicles, based on the criteria you are searching, are the best used car buys. The reason for this is because some cars age better than others, so depending on how old and used the car that you have in mind is may determine the shape and condition of the car. Just be aware that an eight-year-old car of one make and model may be in great condition, whereas another make or model of the same age may just be more prone to deterioration or wear and tear and not hold up to your expectations as well.

Step 5: Once you decide on the type of car you want based on your personal requirements, the next step is to check your local listings to find the best deal in your area. This can be done by simply comparing what used cars are available to you at this time, either as listed in the newspaper, in a used car lot, online including Edmunds, Nada, local news paper site, Craigslist and used cars websites.

Step 6: Once you find a car one of the only things left to do is to check it out in person to see if the chosen vehicle meets your expectations both visually and performance wise. Plan to go test drive the car at a time of day when the traffic is low so that you are not struck in traffic, but rather have the "open road" to bring it up to full speed. Weekends are usually best.

Step 7: When going to look at the vehicle in person remember there are a couple things you can do to ensure the best results. Firstly, use the buddy system - don't go it alone because it is always best to have a second unbiased opinion of someone you trust. Secondly, don't bring your checkbook in order to avoid making an impulse buy. Things can get carried away and our emotions begin to take over our mind's logical decision making once the adrenalin kicks in from the overload of excitement, which don't fool yourself, will surely come with buying a new vehicle. Third and lastly, do be sure to bring your license with you when looking at the used car in person, that way you will actually be able to test-drive the vehicle without any legal restrictions or complications, along with anything else you may need to drive, such as prescription driving or sunglasses.

Step 8: Simulate the conditions of your normal driving patterns. Go on the highway and take the car up to 65 mph. Turn off the radio before you begin driving. Also make sure to inspect for all dents, dings and scratches before taking final delivery.

What is The Best Car for Your New Teenage Driver

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Those last few years of preparing your teenager prior to sending them off on their own can be stressful. Even with all the training in the world, your teenage child will still want to learn things on their own. The biggest strain on a parent of a kid 16-18, is when they start learning to drive. It's their first step into the real world and can be hazardous at times. In order to pick the right vehicle for an inexperienced driver, you need to consider a number of things. Having the right car will reduce your anxiety as a parent, significantly.

Safety first. Safety should be your biggest concern. Finding a secure car is rather easy these days as all cars are given a safety rating. The inexperienced driver has a higher risk while on the road and will need better protection. Look for a vehicle that has received a Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Pick Safety Award such as the new Kia Forte.

Stability is important. Vehicles these days are more computer-controlled than ever. A lot of new cars have electronic stability control and anti-lock braking systems. ESC is an aid that helps the driver maintain control of the vehicle. It prevents such things as wheel spin from hard acceleration. ABS prevents the wheels from completely locking up when braking in intense situations. Heavy, but controlled braking is far more effective than skidding to a stop. The Subaru Impreza 2.5i offers both these features, along with an all-wheel drive system for optimum stability.

Seeing is believing. It's important for your teenage driver to have as much visibility as possible when driving. Better visibility will increase their confidence on the road and lower the number of surprises. The Toyota Corolla is a good example of a high visibility car.

Hands free is the way to be. There are already enough distractions on the road - young drivers don't need all their gadgets adding to this. Look for vehicles that offer blue tooth hands-free systems. Better yet, cars like the new Ford Fiesta have a hands-free system called SYNC that uses voice-activation to control cell phone, Ipod and stereo use. These systems will keep your child's attention on the road.

Price matters. This is going to be the car that they beat up and abuse. There will be incidents of scraping curbs parallel parking along with other bumps and scrapes. Regardless of who is paying for the vehicle, it will be a lot less stressful on the wallet, especially when it comes to paying insurance. The Kia Soul is a great example of an inexpensive new car.

There are a number of other safety features packed into cars nowadays to protect your new driver. The key is to shield them with enhanced safety features, improved stability, maximum visibility and anything else that keeps their attention on the road.

About.com's Ten Best Cars for Teens list

2012 Ford Fiesta
2012 Honda Insight
2012 Kia Forte
2012 Kia Soul
2012 Mazda 2
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer (ex. Ralliart and Evolution models)
2012 Smart Fortwo
2012 Subaru Impreza 2.5i (ex. WRX, Sti or 2.5GT models)
2012 Toyota Corolla
2012 Volkswagen Jetta S (ex. SE and SEL models)

They provide a good description of why each model was chosen at their website.

Justin Frohnhoefer has spent the last ten years in the automotive service and repair industry in sales, training, and management, including 5 years at automotive service companies such as Goodyear Tire and Service shops. He is very knowledgeable and passionate about cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

Justin Frohnhoefer started Auto Service Security with the mission of educating people about the automotive service and repair industry so they can get the best deal on auto repair. Our goal is to save you time, money, and concern when your vehicle is at your local auto service shop.