So, how safe is it really to buy a car online? Through research, I have found it to be just as safe as any other purchase made over the Internet. I was amazed to find how honest sellers were with the description of the condition of their car. Also, most of the online auctions have a money back guarantee period ranging from 30 to 60 days.

During my research, I wondered why the online auto auctions are so popular? I found that the experience is less hassling than going to a dealership and dealing with a sales person. You are able to find the car that you want in the comfort of your own home and not be badgered or rushed into making a hasty decision by anyone. And, you eliminate the “Price is Right” negotiating altogether, which is a huge plus.

Also, great deals are made in these auctions. Some individuals are able to purchase the car of their dreams for a large percentage below the retail value. Everyone enjoys to save money if they can. I found this to be a huge benefit for most of the buyers.

Lastly, you have an unlimited amount of choices of makes and models in the color of your choice. Consumers can get as particular as they want and eventually will probably find what they are looking for.

I never believed the large percentage of folks that buy their cars from online, but it is becoming more and more popular. More dealerships are finding that the next dealership is not as much as a threat as the new phenomenon of online auto auctions.

Andie Hunt is a savvy business consultant and online entrepreneur with much expertise in several fields that she writes about.

For more information of online car auctions, you can check out the following two sites:

Perhaps you might have seen Discovery Channel shows and presentations on; “The Home of the Future” fully equipped with artificially intelligent android robots to do your dishes, your laundry, mow the lawn, cook your dinner and wash your car. But have you considered a net centric garage interfacing with your house and your car as well? Perhaps you might, as that will be not too far off in the future. In fact it is a logical next step. You are in the kitchen getting ready for work and your car is getting ready too, as it checks the route for traffic problems, construction, re-routing alternatives.

Indeed your garage may warm your garage slightly and start your car as soon as you open the door from your house to your garage. It may then communicate with your car to adjust the seat while it prepares to open the garage door too. When you return your car will communicate with your net-centric garage and your home to get everything ready as you drive up.

All this can be done thru many existing technologies and entrepreneurs are already getting ready to meet the demand of the future desires of consumers with such integrated living and personal transportation systems. I hope you will enjoy this topic and the thinking it provokes. Perhaps this article is of interest to propel thought in 2007?

“Lance Winslow” - Online WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/ Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance in the Online Think Tank and solve the problems of the World; WorldThinkTank.net www.WorldThinkTank.net/

Now, thanks to the internet, you can shop around right from the comfort of home. Go ahead and get at least three or more price quotes from different kinds of insurance companies.

If you’re in the market for a new car, call to see how much it will cost to insure in the first place. Having a car alarm and other anti-theft devices can help lower your costs.

Always ask about discounts. Don’t be shy. Companies expect this!

What’s my cost if I have a $500 deductible? (Increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce your collision and comprehensive coverage cost by as much as 30 percent.)

How about a $1,000 deductible? Going to a $1,000 deductible can save you 40 percent or more. (Now if you don’t keep at least this much in the bank, don’t choose this option!)

If your car is worth less than 10 times the annual insurance premium, purchasing extra coverage may not be cost effective. That’s one great thing about owning an old car!

My credit rating is excellent. I always pay my bills on time.

What if we insure more than 1 car with your company?

I haven’t had an accident in more than three years…

I haven’t had a traffic ticket in three years…

I’ve taken a driver’s training course.

My car has an anti-theft device.

I don’t put a lot of mileage on my car in a year’s time.

I carpool.

My car has air bags.

My car is quipped with anti-lock brakes.
I have daytime running lights.

I’m a student driver with good grades.

Since I have both auto and home coverage with you, do I qualify for a discount?

I’m a college student away from home…

I’ve been a long time customer…

My mom and dad use your company…

Do you offer any other discounts? Some companies offer reduced rates to drivers who get insurance through a group plan from their employers and other professional groups. It can’t hurt to ask and remember to ask your employer if they have any schemes in place.

Not every company will offer the same discounts. Compare the final prices the various companies offer you. It pays to shop around for your car insurance!

Lawrence Terry operates a website dedicated to all things 4×4, ilove4×4.com ilove4×4.com
Here you will find articles, car reviews, and features on ATVs, SUVs, and a section on Trips & Touring.

I was talking to a friend this week, whilst researching these pages, who told me of when he drove his Mk2 Escort into a flood. He was taking the recommended precautions, of keeping in second gear with the revs up to stop sucking water into the exhaust and staying slow to prevent a bow wave flooding his air intake at the front, all good stuff… until he lost the steering: the water had become deep enough to float the car. He was lucky the water was flowing in his direction of travel: eventually the tyres made contact and he drove out. A lucky escape, but the water had gone over the sills and soaked the carpets.

Drivers in Essex may be familiar with Buttsbury Wash, a river crossing near Billericay, which claimed 3 overly optimistic drivers who drove into the ford without realising the water was way too deep, on one particularly rainy weekend. Fire Brigade statistics show it to be the worst location of its kind in the country and are asking the local authority to put in depth gauges to give local drivers a chance to decide whether it is safe to use or not!

Driving through something labelled as a ford is one thing, at least you are expecting it. Most of us who drive regularly have experienced the other situation; you are driving along, radio on, and windscreen wipers going, when you round a bend and you register a change in the road surface ahead. Perhaps the centre line has disappeared or the colour of the road has changed. Stopping quickly seems like a good idea, and it probably is, though can feel perilous if a big bloke hunched into the Ford Ka behind is close on your tail (voice of experience here), but assessing the situation rather than simply ploughing on always feels best to me, and if Big bloke wants to have a go then let him; at least you will see how deep it is at no cost to yourself and your car. In this instance I watched and he did make it, but he sent a 2ft bow wave across the neighbouring fields and I did not want to risk damaging my much loved, low slung, VW Passat estate sports. I bet his carpets got wet.

Another thing is that the etiquette in these situations is not always immediately apparent, but I think that if you have to drive on the other side of the road to avoid the worst of the flood then that’s OK, as long as you give way to the traffic that belongs there. After that it is best to go one car at a time, exercising patience and a cheerful “all in this together” approach to fellow drivers.

But enough of this because if you Google on “driving in floods you will get lots of links to expert advice on how to manage this situation if you meet it, but what if the worst happens, and for whatever reason your car gets very wet on the inside; perhaps because of a flood, a tidal wave or because you left the top down? Well if you Google on “flooded cars” you will get lots of pages about hurricane Katrina in the US, and also, more helpfully we think, a link to our web site at Clean Image showing how we go about expertly diagnosing and planning a course of action to deal with a flood damaged vehicle .

You may think that my use of the word diagnosing is over the top in this instance, but half an hour with the floods specialist will soon disabuse you of this. The first thing to ascertain is what type of water the car has been flooded with; was it mains water, river water, sewer water or sea water – or a mix? Mains water and river water can be dealt with fairly straightforwardly with decontamination, cleaning and drying techniques and is usually within insurance company tolerances, so do not be surprised if your car is not written off. Similarly, cars flooded by sewage water can be decontaminated and cleaned, just as one might a flooded house, but it will depend on the level of contamination and the value of the car as to whether this is cost effective. If a car has been flooded by sea water then the damage is likely to be irreversible, because of the corrosive effects of the salt, so prepare yourself for bigger premiums.

Whatever has happened to your car, first aid is essential. If your car has been flooded, DO NOT DELAY as the damage is still being done even though the car has been removed from the water. It is more important to get the car decontaminated than to get any mechanical work done. We can recommend various specialized products that you can use to pre-treat the car to deter bacteria and mould. This is the only way to prevent long-term problems with smells, and insurance companies do not always realise this – so you may need to insist. We often get cars that have begun to rot while sitting around having mechanical work or while an insurance company decides what to do with them.

Later in our workshop, we will strip out the carpets, door trims, and seats. We then clean every piece and every inch of the floor under the carpet with high pressure and high temperature jet wash and use decontaminants to break down the bacteria that cause the bad smells. We also use a technique called fogging. This fogs the interior of the car with a decontaminant, because it is a vapour it reaches every surface of the interior as it tries to escape from the car through every gap in the car body, consequently it thoroughly treats the entire inside of the car. Finally we use dehumidifiers and hot air blowers to dry the interior and then we replace everything.

Obviously electrical components that have been made wet may no longer be reliable. We routinely oversee the replacement of air bag control units, along with any other electrical units that were below the water level.

The processes we are able to use are specialised and they work, you will find illustrated examples of what we do and how we do it on the Clean Image website.

Despite all this, I still think my preference on coming across a flooded road, or Buttsbury wash in full flow, would be to seriously consider turning round and going a different way, at least until I trade the Passat in for a Gibbs Aquada.

Jo Huckvale

A woman driver’s perspective

Jo writes on behalf of Clean Image, an auto detailing and reconditioning company in England. Business website – clean-image.co.uk/ clean-image.co.uk/.

Find more about clean-image.co.uk/articles/flood-damged-car-clean-up-01.htm flood damaged vehicle and aquada.co.uk/ Gibbs Aquada at clean-image.co.uk site.

Add that extra leg with a youth ATV ramp

To most of us ATV enthusiasts today, a youth ATV ramp is like a pair of irreplaceable legs! The use of an ATV ramp is indescribeable because not only is it convenient, it’s also light, compact and easy to carry around. Not to mention, they’re really quite cheap these days. So, every family who has someone who is interested in ATV riding should have a youth ATV ramp ready to use.

Secure and Simple design youth ATV ramps

It doesn’t take a lot of space to store a youth ATV ramp because most of the youth ATV ramps today are made to accommodate small storage spaces. With their innovative design, youth ATV ramps are usually very compact, collapsible and is easy to lug around. All you have to do is to fold it up when you want to transport it, stick it into the trunk of your vehicle and then unfold it when you need to use it.

It’s not heavy, it’s my youth ATV ramp….

We’re referring to a general youth ATV ramp. When folded up, the youth ATV ramp is about 39” x 22” x 75”. But when it’s unfolded, it could be about 45”w x 75”! And don’t be fooled by the size and weight of it, a good youth ATV ramp can handle up to 4,000 lbs. It’s almost like a mouse lifting a lion with a finger!

No slip security on modern Youth ATV ramps

Because it’s so light and convenient, it’s easy to assume that youth ATV ramps are not secure or even unsafe. Don’t be fooled. Latest youth ATV ramp designs comes with a raised lip so that the ramp won’t slip when your ATV is on it. Wouldn’t want that to happen. And to make it even safer to use, the youth ATV ramps usually have support rings placed very close to each other. This is to ensure that the wheels on your ATV won’t slip or get caught!

With so many features and advantages of using a Youth ATV ramp, it’s easy to see why most ATV enthusiasts have at least one handy.

Marsha Maung is an ATV enthusiast enthusiastically promoting ATV riding as a sport and family activity! She runs and is one of the staff for one of the hottest and fastest-growing ATV sites right now… atv4kids.com atv4kids.com Upload and share pictures, articles, views, advice, reviews, ideas, tips and tricks to ATV riding with other ATV enthusiasts through ATVspace, atv4kids.com/atvspace atv4kids.com/atvspace

This green festival would actually be a venue for auto manufacturers to show off their environment friendly cars. In fact, the festival already has in store a huge array of the now familiar hybrid cars as well as electric cars. There are even some cars that are a combination of both hybrid and electric. There are also vehicles that show off cutting edge technologies which could already be in the market or are just in the late stages of development. Information on these vehicles would also be provided like data on Land Rover cooling system parts or other car features that could enhance a vehicle’s performance without sacrificing the environment.

Production vehicles that you could feast your eyes on would include Honda hybrids Accord, Civic, and Civic ICE. Toyota hybrid vehicles Highlander, Camry, and Prius would also take part of the festivities. You can also find compressed natural gas cars like the Crown Victoria, Honda Civic GX, and the Ford F150 pickup truck.

Aside from cars and hybrids, the Green Car and Transportation Festival would also be the host for other exhibits where participants, visitors, and guests could learn more about being green. There are exhibits that would provide information on transportation agencies, environmental organizations, and advocacy groups. These, of course, would have to be those groups and organizations that are working towards lessening pollution and reducing the country’s dependence on oil imported from other countries.

There would also be presentations that would be given by experts in the automotive industry. The topics would range from global warning, hydrogen fuel, solar energy, and even biodiesel fuel.

landrparts.com/rover-cooling-system-parts.html Land Rover cooling system parts

Carol Mitchel is an executive assistant in one of the leading automotive magazine in Los Angeles, California. She is a certified car lover and loves extreme sports.

Motorcycle batteries vary by engine size on any particular motorcycle. Motorcycle engines range in size and are measure by cc. A small engine could be a 260cc for example, where as a larger engine size can be 1200cc. The higher the number, the more powerful the engine.

Motorcycle batteries are specifically designed for specific brands. If you drive a BMW motorcycle, you will purchase a different motorcycle battery that if you drove a Harley-Davidson.

Motorcycle batteries can be purchased in several different ways. Standard type is a “spillable” battery that requires dry shipment. The acid must be purchased locally in order to activate the battery. The acid is called electrolyte, which is sulfuric acid, diluted by water. This must be added only to a dry shipped battery. Normally, acid is not needed to be added to a battery. Once a battery is purchased, only approved water should be added.

Another way batteries can be purchased is sealed maintenance free or Sealed MF.Sealed MF is a sealed maintenance free battery that comes ready to install and is “non-spillable”. Other options when purchasing motorcycles batteries include high performance, AGM types, and Odyssey.

All motorcycle batteries are lead acid batteries. There are completely recyclable and should never be thrown away with regular waste. Motorcycles are easy to check charge with a voltmeter.

Angela Oliver writes for BatteryWeb at batteryweb.com/ batteryweb.com/ Please visit the site at batteryweb.com/motorcycles.cfm batteryweb.com/motorcycles.cfm for some of the greatest deals on all your motorcycle battery needs.

Registered Car Dealers

It is important to check the credibility of used car dealers before being sweet-talked into buying a used car that you do not even need. Registered car dealers may be checked for records of bad deals in consumer welfare government offices. Also, registered car dealers offer extended dealer’s warranty which is greatly beneficial to the buyer. The extended warranty stretches long after you have acquired the vehicle. They also protect their business and the consumer by providing title guaranteed against stolen vehicles since the government implements strict laws against the sale of stolen vehicles. Larger used car dealers may also offer financial assistance at low interests and varying time periods. This makes car payments easier on the budget-savvy buyers. Trading in your old car for a newer vehicle is also an option that car dealerships may propose. When planning to sell your car, this may be one of your best options since it takes away the worry of looking for perspective buyers for your car. Further, a dealer’s compensation fund that protects consumers from defective vehicles is also provided by car dealerships. Consumers who buy vehicles from registered dealers are also protected by the government through numerous consumer protection and business acts.

Despite all these, consumers must still be aware at the risks of buying used cars from even the most reputable car dealer. Inevitably, used car dealerships are not charitable institutions but in the competitive business of selling used cars, used car dealers are more interested in gaining more satisfied customers rather than earning large profits. Nothing sells better than referrals made by satisfied customers. Before selling a pre-owned car, car dealerships first thoroughly inspect the vehicle then if feasible, repair the car and make it fit to be sold.

z-UsedCars.com Used Cars provides detailed information on Used Cars, Used Car Dealers, Used Cars For Sale By Owner, Used Car Financing and more. Used Cars is affiliated with e-UsedCarWarranty.com Used Car Extended Warranties.

So let me get this straight - If the average 17 year old, generally males, had 1000 dollars to put towards a vehicle, they would spend 300 on the car and 700 on the speaker system. CRAZYNESS!

“Aw dude, check out this stereo…. Awesome sound”. Yeah, thats swell man, but your car only has 3 wheels. To the more “mature” crowd, free-soundeffects.com” target=”_blank sound would be a ridiculus choice over vehicle type. How cool do those kids think they are in there busted cars booming down the road, with their hat on backwords, in an undershirt, with music on louder than than the average person can even handle from the outside of the vehicle? It’s clear how cool they look….

Exhaust is another one. 300 dollar car, 800 dollar exhaust. And if not full exhaust, then a boom can. This must be so that they have an excuse for loud music. “I gotta be able to hear the tunes over the car man”. Brutal. Poor kids. They save up for things like these. Seriously. So now they have 1800 dollars into a car that is worth 300, and the resale is terrible - if at all possible - so they drive it till it dies and start all over with a new one. How hard are they qoing to be kicking themselves when they find out it is a losing investment? Poor kids…

Feel free to reprint this article as long as you keep the article, this caption and author biography in tact with all hyperlinks.

Tyler Brooker is the owner and operator of free-soundeffects.com” target=”_blank Free Sound effects - free-soundeffects.com free-soundeffects.com, which is the best site on the internet for all effects related information.

Carrozzeria Bertone from Turin in Italy designed, crafted, and built the Volvo 780. It was also through Bertone’s creative mind and hands that the Volvo 780’s predecessor came into being. To make the Volvo 780 distinct from any other vehicle, and very much unlike its ancestor, this vehicle was built to own it a uniquely distinct shape. Even if it held that look, it still was very much identifiable as a Volvo. This coupe held a sleek and low profile that was what other cars from Volvo’s 700 series. However, it held lesser severe angles and sharp corners. Compared to the vehicles from the 700 series, the Volvo 780 held slightly lowered hoods, trunks, and roof lines. The C pillar used to built this vehicle was wider and held a more gradual slope down to its trunk. There also was some improvement on its headroom. The window frames of this vehicle all held a black matte trim and had been accented with chrome. Chrome was also used in highlighting the car’s door handles, bumpers, as well as its side mouldings.

As per the headlamps that this vehicle held, they were made and designed to be huge and flush-mounted. It had combined both high and low halogen beams. As per the grille of the Volvo 780, it was painted black in an “egg-crate” design. Look into the air dam and you would discover that fog lamps had been integrated into it. This vehicle actually received some badges that contained its name as well as it’s brand’s logo. These badges appear on the base of the C pillars. Upon introduction, the Volvo 780 held wide 205/60 HR15 tires. These were found on the brand’s signature 15 inch alloy wheels that held 15 spokes.

Try taking a quick visit in the interior and cabin of the Volvo 780 and you would see for yourself just how greatly and grandly had this vehicle been designed. The vehicle had an instrument cluster and general dashboard layout that was simple enough. Birch burl wood accents with a high-glass finish highlighted the dashboard and door panels. The seats were contoured and sculpted bucket seats that had headrests that were height-adjustable.

carpartsone.com/ Volvo Parts and Used Volvo Parts also strives to preserve the wonderful qualities in delivering only the best carpartsone.com/auto-body-parts/volvo-780-parts.html Volvo 780 parts, performance parts, OEM parts, aftermarket parts, and accessories.

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As a former news correspondents for an auto-related websites, Kevin has gathered extensive knowledge and experience in the automotive industry. This 34 year old father of three from Pennsylvania is a genuine car lover.