Save Yourself From the Cold With a Car Remote Starter!

Does your car take ages before heating up? Do you sit inside your car, cold as ice, cursing your car under your visible breath? Yes, it has become visible because you have been inside your cold car for too long your breath has turned to ice. Yes, that is an exaggeration. And that is because we have a point to prove--waiting for your wrecked car to heat up on a cold (say, winter) day will eventually kill you. Well, I say, enough of the waiting and enough of the bloody cold. I say, get a car remote starter and save yourself this misery.

As we all know, a car remote starter prepares your car engine in advance, before you go out and actually sit behind the wheel. You see, that is brilliant. I believe you have heard of that before because (hey!) you have a car. Knowing this awesome car accessory actually exists, why did you choose to shrug it off? Now, see who is suffering. You only got yourself to blame why you are always cold every time you enter your car, wishing for comfort. You could have done that long ago, you know. Actually, you could have someone install a car remote starter right after you bought your car.

Well, what else can we do? Let us cut the losses and move on. I believe you have suffered enough cold--unless you love afflicting all kinds of pain to your body. Let us hope that is not the case. So, anyway, I know that you know it is finally time to hire someone to install a car remote starter to your vehicle. It is not hard to find a legit professional who does installations. You can usually find one in any car audio installation company. Those businesses usually have side businesses that are car-related as well. You can ask around your neighborhood or your friends for recommendations.

The easiest way to find these companies is through the Internet. Car remote starter installers are literally just a type away. It is better if they have a mobile site and you are coincidentally on mobile too. That way, you can call one directly and ask for an appointment or a consultation. Before you make the contact, be sure to research on the companies first. You do not want to be a victim of a scam or similar unfortunate deceptions. Once you have contacted a professional car installer, things will be easy and smooth because the installer will take care of everything.

A car remote starter is the solution to your problem with cold metal and seats. You can sit in the warmth of your house while waiting for your heater to start warming your car. It is about time that you consider this option other than freezing yourself to death. Okay, it's an exaggeration again, but you feel me, right? After all, your comfort should be a major priority. A car remote starter brings comfort and convenience to wherever place you must be at the moment--house, office, it does not matter. This small, efficient car accessory will get you through just fine.

Importance of Timely Automotive Glass Replacement

As we all know safety should always come first in our life. However in our busy hectic lifestyle we simply forget it. When the unexpected happens and results in some undesired damages or injuries, we would look back and regret on our carelessness. This article explains about the importance of automotive repairs or replacements. For some people, driving is hobby, for some it is their necessity. Moreover, whatever may be the motto behind it, following a safe driving nature is highly essential. An automobile should be maintained in a good working condition in order to assure a safe drive on road. Many people neglect small cracks or chips on the window shields and glasses.

Scratches or other flaws in window shields occur due to many reasons. Even though these side glasses are made up of toughened or laminated glass sheets, they are prone to cracks. Sometimes, it may be due to a flying stone or because of a minor collision. Even harsh cold weather conditions can shatter the window screens of your vehicle. Before realizing the importance of automotive glass replacement services, you should know the role of windshields in a vehicle.

Apart from just blocking the wind flow and dust particles out of the face of a driver, it has a greater role in the structural strength of the vehicle. With the advent of latest technological advancements, auto glasses have been playing a crucial role in imparting high end safety measures to the occupants. Hence, it caters to the aesthetical and utilitarian demands of an automobile. When these auto screens are coated with window films, it would even block the entry of harmful Ultra Violet (UV) radiations, reduce glaring and thereby safeguarding the people. Along with that, window film and tinting would enhance the privacy features.

When you notice a scratch on the side or front glass of your vehicle, you can take it to a licensed auto mechanic. They will inspect the shield and decide whether to repair it or replace it. Automotive glass replacement services should be carried out only by a professional expert. Integrity and reliability of the manufacturers should be retained during the glass replacement procedure.

Car, truck, SUV or any other vehicle can obtain this service as it has been taken over the automotive industry by storm. It is your vehicle and it would be your significant responsibility to select the right glass replacement service providers. Check the yellow pages directory or search over the internet pages. You can call each company for requesting quotes or visit their websites for placing quotes. During this search process, you would get a clear cut idea about their customer services strategies also. Always choose a company that can offer warranty for their automotive glass replacement or window tinting film services.

Are you looking for an expert company for installing window films in your home and office? A1windscreens provide high quality window film installation in Hallam. We offer automotive glass replacement and car window repair services. To learn more about window tinting for car and windscreen repair visit: http://www.a1windscreens.com.au/ now.

 

Car Buying Tips From Used Car Dealers

Are you on the lookout for buying a used car? Then you should first go through valuable tips provided by used car dealers which is bound to enhance your purchasing experience. Before beginning your search for used car dealers you should first fix your budget. This first step involves how much you are willing to spend on purchasing this car and also fixing an amount which will be required for repairs and upgradations. Once you have fixed your budget you can visit the market and see which car is most suitable for meeting your requirements.

Another important factor to keep in mind with regard to your used car purchase is to conduct a survey in the market. You should visit a number of used car dealers before making your final choice. You should make it a point to visit company-owned used car outlets, check out small used car dealers as well as get in touch with private owners who are interested to sell their cars. You can also get information by going online and visit sites which provides you useful information about these cars. This survey will provide you with an insight about what is available in the market and their respective prices so you can make a well informed choice for purchasing your car.

Used car dealers will also help you to narrow down your choice on a car which best suits your needs. You are provided with many choices but don't get carried away. Choosing a big car will be cheap and affordable but there are costs involved which are associated with big cars. Thus, it is essential for you to think about various pros and cons about the car which you intend to buy.

Another very important step before finalizing a used car deal is to check the history report of the car. Used car dealers will provide you with service history of the car which will enable you to research this prospective used car before you zero it down for making your final purchase. You should also take a reliable mechanic with you for checking the car.

Another very important element which you should look out for is that this vehicle which you are going to purchase has complete and up-to-date papers. Used car dealers will highlight this point so that you can transfer this car in your name without facing any problems.

Used car dealers will also ask you to test drive the car which will help you to learn a lot about the car which you wish to buy. Just check out for squeaks and unusual vibrations when you are taking test drive. You should also make it a point to check that braking is smooth and listen for grating noises which indicates that there could be a problem with the suspension or the rods.

You should also make sure that gears are slotting easily because worn-out gear pins can result in slipping gears and this is going to incur heavy expenses when you go for repairing it.

After you are completely satisfied then go about closing your car deal. Used car dealers will advise you to finally inspect the car before you take it home.

Aftermarket Auto Parts - What Are They And Where Are They Headed

What is it? An aftermarket part is any part of an automobile that is not obtained from that car's manufacturer. For parts that are direct replacements, the vehicle's warranty will stay intact.

Many companies nowadays make auto parts designed to operate very similar to the original, and in some cases even better. Most performance parts are manufactured by aftermarket companies because they are specialized experts in that particular field.

Pros & cons? Whereby aftermarket auto parts are considered to be less pricier and widely available, they certainly boast a greater choice of auto parts to choose from with quality that's equal to the stock parts or OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts if not always better! The greatest con of aftermarket parts is the lack of warranty. Also if the car owner is not familiar with a variety of available brands, the selection could be tremendous. The quality of auto parts can also vary with each maker.

What is currently available? Drivers can opt for aftermarket parts which can convert their cars into exclusive machines. Options range from aftermarket engine components to car body styling; car owners do not have to endure the car manufacturers' installations anymore. Aftermarket auto parts can be employed for three distinct reasons: boosting performance, altering the look and feel of the vehicle, increasing the vehicle's efficiency.

To cater to any or all of the purposes of the car owner, market offers a variety of aftermarket auto parts for use in brakes and suspension, electronics, engine, exhausts, lubricants, gauges, interior, exterior, wheels and much more.

Some of the most sought-after parts for the above categories include catalytic converters, cat-back and turbo-back exhausts, headers, muffler's, fuel filters and pumps, torque converters, gaskets and seal sets, spark plugs, throttle bodies, alignment kits, gauges, lights and lamps, chrome accessories, transmission fluids, shock absorbers, seat and steering wheel covers etc.

Future of aftermarket auto parts? Although the aftermarket industry is packed with auto upgrades, entertainment items and vehicle flair, an increased competition from OEM dealerships coupled with the economic climate, increases in gas prices and fewer miles driven is influencing the vehicle owner's behavior. As more and more vehicle owners are transitioning to do-it-yourself repairs to save costs, OEM dealerships are also becoming aggressive for post-warranty service work.

However, the demand and sales report forecasts that the light vehicle aftermarket is projected to rise 3.2 percent annually to reach $85.5 billion by the next couple of years and the dominant aftermarket auto parts market will outpace the do-it-yourself segment by all means.

The Benefits of Chassis Braces

Today's cars, even the commuter ones, are designed and tested with tools and concepts that were unavailable even two short decades ago. But even with these advances, designing an automotive chassis is fraught with compromise, as numerous design parameters such as engine placement, cabin space, safety and material considerations and target costs play on what the final design will be. Few laymen or automotive enthusiasts will even care about understanding the forces - such as axial forces, shear forces, bending, torsion, angular de�ection and moments of inertia - when they set out to purchase a car. Engineers worry about these things, but as we said, design compromises compel a lot of designs to be compromised in favor of balancing the features of a car towards a certain percentile of the population.

Car guys know that an automotive chassis' job is to hold the vehicle's components together while the car is in motion, all while being loaded by forces (such as vertical and lateral loads) that are transferred to it by the suspension, through the wheels. With standard OEM components like the tires, shocks, springs, bushings and a stock drivetrain, whatever loads are transferred to the chassis can be handled by the original design. The problem arises when you add stickier and/or wider tires, stiffer springs and/or shocks, stiffer bushings and more power. You then get unwanted chassis flex that affects the way your car handles. A big no no then. And when you talk about a car that's been on the road for more than a few years, you can add metal fatigue to the equation.

The best solution for a really stiff chassis would be a carbon fiber tub or a chassis that has been stitch-welded with a roll cage added. Highly impractical for a street/strip car enthusiast who has to juggle a budget or simply wants a good enough solution. Enter chassis braces. Old-timers will at once be intimately familiar with the simplest of these, the strut brace. This, even today, is one of the first add-ons you purchase when you put a chassis brace on your car. When cars were made with a separate ladder frame onto which the body was attached, there was also the subframe connector. Nowadays, you have strut braces for the front and rear, underchassis braces, fender braces, floorpan braces and rear suspension braces for stiffening the mounting points for the rear links.

Obviously, the effect of these braces will be to stiffen the chassis to the extent that tuning the car's handling will be a much more consistent affair. For those who take to the track, these chassis braces may not result in dramatic time improvements, but the improved confidence through better feel will improve consistency, which will affect the way the driver well, drives. This then, can indirectly lead to improved times. For less than new cars, these braces, as we have said, will stiffen the aging chassis to the extent that the platform will be as rigid, if not more, than when it was new.

Factors to Consider When Looking for Secure Airport Parking

Before going on a holiday or a business trip, a large number of people are opting to take their cars to the airport. If you are away for a few days or even months, finding a secure parking spot for your car will give you priceless peace of mind. Most airports provide a variety of parking options, and choosing the right one is essential.

Here are a number of tips to help you choose the best and most convenient parking option.

Professional Parking

When parking your vehicle, you will get the option between parking on the street and parking at a secure car park. Do not gamble with parking on the street. You run the risk of getting your car stolen. Always go for properly managed parking services. Check the security measures provided to ensure that it meets your requirements. Look at various aspects like surveillance, frequency of patrolling, presence of fences, etc.

Lighting

Ensure that the car park is well lit and provides safe pathways for pedestrians. A dark area is increases the danger of theft and damage, among other things. If the parking area is well lit and well planned, it usually means that they have given security a lot of importance as well. These days, most parking facilities do allot the required importance to providing safe, traveller friendly amenities.

Distance from terminal

Some car parks are far away from the terminal and require you to either walk a long way with your luggage, or take a long ride in a shuttle bus. Even a parking facility near the terminal might require you to take a bus. Before choosing a parking facility, remember to look at for far it is from the terminal. Consider the price as well. Typically, the closer a car park is, the higher they will charge. Moreover, if required, remember to check if the shuttle service can be used easily by people with walking difficulties or on wheelchairs.

Reservation

Before you get to the airport, remember to reserve a slot for your car. This guarantees parking space for you, while saving money. Moreover, you won't have to wait in long queues, which save time as well. Most parking services allow you to reserve a spot either through their website or through the phone. Remember to carry any booking details that you might need like a code number or a verification text message.

Parking at a hotel

Most airports have hotels nearby, some of which provide secure parking for guests. Some hotels provide great offers for guests who stay there too, like a complimentary breakfast. If your flight is early in the morning, you could opt to stay overnight at a hotel, which will let you have a relaxed journey. Since these hotels generally tend to be well run, your car will be safe with them too. This option is all the more convenient if the hotel offers free transfer to and from your terminal.

By keeping these points in mind, you can have a pleasurable journey devoid of any stress about your car's safety.

Europcar Airport parking in Melbourne is the market leader in providing parking services to Melbourne Airport. So if you are flying for only 1 day or 120, you can rest assured that Europcar Airport parking can provide you with the best parking option.

 

Early Automotive History - Henry Ford's Legacy

Henry Ford's legacy

Born in 1863 on a family farm in Michigan, Henry Ford showed great talent for machinery repairs early on in his life. Mainly attempting to make daily farm life easier for his family, he studied every possible mechanical angle of farm machines and tools. At the age of 16, Henry started working as an apprentice machinist studying how to operate and repair steam engines for the next three years.

While nurturing his natural abilities and developing engineering skill, Henry Ford supported his family by running a sawmill. Soon enough, Edison Illuminating Company spotted the young talented man and offered him a job as an engineer. It proved a wise decision on their behalf, since he became Chief Engineer shortly after and gave a new impulse to the entire company. At that time Henry Ford had sufficient money and security to follow his dreams and explore internal combustion engines.

Most of the vehicles of the era were handcrafted, expensive and unreliable. As a result, the majority of the people relied on traditional horse and carriage methods of transportation. After spending years of studying latest trends, Henry Ford finally started in 1903 the Ford Motor Company. The future giant of American automotive industry began producing cheap, efficient and reliable cars which sparked a genuine revolution in transportation. Mass production allowed control over the costs, along with multiplying the production numbers. In 1908 Henry developed Model T, also called Tin Lizzie, a model that stands as a symbol of industrial revolution in automotive industry.

Edsel Ford

Henry Ford wasn't alone in his efforts to create something unique. Many great minds of the time tried to match his accomplishment, but only one could be the market leader. The truth is that as the competition grew, people began looking for more than just efficient cars. They began to look for style and early automotive industry adapted to the trend. Here another Ford came into the picture, a natural successor of Henry - his son Edsel Bryant Ford.

Edsel grew up tinkering on cars, watching his father assembling, testing and approving engines. He understood the vehicle mechanics and made his own prototype sketches. At the University School Detroit, young Edsel wrote numerous essays about cars. Taking charge for sales, purchasing, advertising and other business aspects of the Ford Motor company, he learned the importance of styling and marketing.

Different visions often led to conflicts in the Ford family, but love for each other always prevailed. Edsel managed to create his vision in Lincoln Continental, one of the most beautiful classic cars ever built. The model was sold in around 5,000 units with many innovations at the time.

Strong foundations live on

It is hard to imagine a life without cars. Ford Motor Company grew at a tremendous rate in the early few years, as demand greatly exceeded supply. Father and son managed to combine their ideas in a way that allowed the company to keep sound principles of affordable cars for every market segment. There are many who also deserve a reputable place in the Ford Motor company history. Time has brought many changes since, but Henry and Edsel will remain forever remembered as the pioneers and founders of early American automotive industry.

The New Brabus 800 Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Heads to Geneva

Every March, Geneva, Switzerland plays host to a vast array of automakers, car companies, media, and automotive enthusiasts as they showcase their newest models, innovative products, and newest technologies. Many automakers from around the world use the auto show as a platform to showcase their new models along with other aftermarket car tuning companies such as Brabus. At the 2013 Geneva International Auto Show, the German car tuning company will unveil its new 800 high performance model that boasts incredible speed and power along with exclusive luxuries. Based on the Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG, the new 800 model takes the German sports car to a whole other level of performance, luxury, and style.

The Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG is one of the most powerful models in the SL-Class range, save for the hardcore, track-inspired SL 65 AMG Black Series Coupe. The SL 65 AMG model offers a great deal of drivability and comfort over its Black Series sibling, so it was the perfect choice for Brabus to upgrade into its new 800 model. The upgrade starts with a new exterior design package that equips the super car with a new front bumper with integrated spoiler and new engine hood with ventilation to cool the engine more efficiently. New side skirts run towards the rear where a new trunk spoiler and rear diffuser help to generate downforce at high speeds for better stability.

The German engineering team then focused on the engine of the Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG. The super car comes standard with a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V-12 engine that is packed with potential. Engineers were able to tap into this potential through the use of the Brabus T65 engine upgrade program that pushes power to the 800-horsepower mark. The upgrades included in the program include two new turbochargers, a set of four water-to-air intercoolers, a new air intake system, a new stainless steel exhaust with sport catalytic converters, and a new ECU tune with performance mapping. After the T65 engine program is installed, the motor creates 800 horsepower and 1,420 Newton Meters of torque at the rear wheels that had to be electronically limited to 1,100 Newton Meters.

Due to the tremendous power being created by the 6.0-liter V-12 engine, Brabus engineers had to reinforce many parts of the chassis and drivetrain. A new in-house differential was installed at the rear axle to help achieve better grip and handle the extra power. The factory ABC air suspension was upgraded with a new electronic module that can automatically lower the ride height of the 800 model.

Inside the 800 model, customers will be able to custom-design the entire cockpit with a range of soft leather and alcantara fabrics. A host of trim pieces, wood, and carbon fiber finishes are also available for the dashboard, console, and doors. Customers can even opt for custom stitching for an extra special touch of luxury.

The New Car Tuning Programs From ABT Sportsline at the Geneva Motor Show

One of the biggest car shows of the year happens in Geneva, Switzerland at the beginning of March. Called the Geneva International Motor Show, the exhibition is one of the largest in the world, rivaling only the North American International Auto Show in Detroit held at the beginning of January. Now in its 83rd year, the Geneva International Motor Show will be playing host to a long list of automakers and their new cars as well as aftermarket car tuning companies and their new upgrade programs for a variety of cars that range from styling to performance.

One of the big aftermarket companies that will be at the Auto Show when it starts on March 5th is ABT Sportsline. The German company will be showcasing a range of their new car tuning programs for a variety of Audi models as well as the new Volkswagen Golf VII, and a new wheel line.

The first product that will be showcased by ABT Sportsline is their new line of forged wheels. The company has designed two sets of EX wheels with a split-spoke design that complements their other DR- and CR lightweight alloy wheels made for Audi, Volkswagen, and SEAT models. The new wheels will bring a sportier design and wider footprint to the new range of cars.

The new Volkswagen Golf VII by ABT Sportsline will also make its first public appearance. The new hot hatch was given a range of upgrades for the 2.0 TFSI engine to create more horsepower as well as new chassis modifications that sharpen up handling for a more satisfying drive. The German company will also showcase the car with a range of exterior styling and aerodynamic upgrades such as splitters, spoilers, vent inserts, and bumper attachments for the new Volkswagen model.

Sitting alongside the Volkswagen Golf VII will be the second-generation Audi R8 upgraded with a range of ABT Sportsline products. The German car tuning company has given the super car a more powerful engine through the use of their POWER systems for a total of 620 horsepower from the 5.2-liter V-10. The company also installed a number of performance suspension modifications along with lightweight carbon fiber aerodynamic bodywork to ensure maximum downforce was achieved and handling was top-notch.

Continuing with the high-performance motorsports theme, ABT Sportsline equipped the Audi RS 5 second-generation model with a range of racing upgrades. The engine was modified to have over 500 horsepower and let out a menacing roar with new side exhausts. The new car tuning program also includes a range of lightweight aerodynamic body work that improves stability at higher speeds for greater performance on the race track.

All of the new upgrades and models from the German company will be showcased at the Geneva International Auto Show in March.

Show a Beetle Love: The VW's Influence Over Pop Culture

The Volkswagen Beetle or Volkswagen Type 1 had a legendary long production run worldwide, and remains highly sought after among VW enthusiasts. As one of the most popular vehicles, the Beetle has had great influence over pop culture.

The Beetle is one of most popular models of the Volkswagen family and has had a major effect on popular culture in the United States. The Type 1 design is an economy car manufactured by the automobile manufacturer Volkswagen from 1938 to 2003. Although the production of Type 1 has ended worldwide, the love for the little Bug has still been thriving through pop culture.

Bugs in the Movies

The Classic Beetle has been seen in many Hollywood films over the years and has made a huge impact on family films. The Bug has played major roles in the Disney "Herbie" films from 1968 to 2005 and has also been seen in the 2006 Disney film Cars. The Bug was shown some love when it was given anthropomorphic characteristics that made it seem human with emotions and personalities. This comes to show that the Classic Type 1 is seen more than just a car, but a friend.

Beetle Love

In the United States, Volkswagen enthusiasts host their annual VW themed-car shows during the summer months and show their VW love for the Bug. Loyal VW lovers travel more than 500 miles just to participate in these events. These car shows feature programs such as the "show 'n' shine", parts swap meet, vintage Bug accessories raffles, engine blasts, and other events. These large car shows give Beetle lovers excitement and community, which is what the Bug is all about. A stroll around the event's grounds will give you an appreciation for the creativity, wit, and charm that is showcased in these little cars as they are displayed.

Type 1 Means Number 1

The Bug has been considered a cult favorite since its association hippies and surfers in the 1960s because of it eccentric design and low price. In 1972, VW released a commercial to advertise the Beetle, which showed it floating on water thanks to its sealed steel bottom and watertight construction even with the 13 pounds of paint. Because of its construction the car is considered one of the most influential cars of the 20th century. Volkswagen enthusiasts are eager to restore their Bugs, and while many make theirs a home garage project, others have been known to spend in excess of $100,000 on a restoration.

The Classic Volkswagen Beetle has made an impact on Hollywood films, cultural entertainment and automobile construction. No wonder it remains a vintage steel icon.

The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible TDI Is Not Your Grandfather's Beetle

Originally conceived of by legendary car designer Ferdinand Porsche in the early 1930s, the VW Beetle was soon co-opted by German Chancellor Adolph Hitler -- who "encouraged" Porsche to throw out an elaborate design and instead create "The People's Car" that would be a testament to German ingenuity and a slap in the face to American car moguls like Henry Ford. More than 80 years later and with global sales exceeding 20 million, the humble people hauler has little DNA left from its earliest ancestors, but is nonetheless instantly recognizable as a Beetle.

The Volkswagen Beetle has gone through significant upheaval over the years. From enjoying pop culture fame due to its starring role in several Walt Disney movies to being banished to production in Brazil and Mexico in 1978 to being discontinued all together in 2003, the little car that could certainly has. The 2013 Clean Diesel VW Beetle pays respectful homage to its lineage, continuing the company's trend of incremental improvements over the last decade to become popular once more -- with baby boomers and generation x'ers alike.

Vital Stats

What sets the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible TDI apart from other Beetles -- and every other vehicle inside and outside its class -- is that it lays claim to being the first diesel powered convertible for sale in North America. Here are vital stats that you can experience at your Volkswagen car dealership:

The latest iteration of the venerable Beetle is a four seat, front wheel drive model boasting an impressive 140 horsepower turbo diesel that somehow still manages to sip gas to the tune of 41 miles per gallon on the highway
Available five speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission
Generous cargo space of 7.1 cubic feet
Safety features that Volkswagen is famous for, including anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights, electronic stability control, front and side-impact airbags, and a tire pressure monitoring system

One of the main attractions on display at your local Volkswagen dealer is the 2013 convertible. Give VW's engineers credit for working on noise reduction with the top down, especially at highway speeds. Wind is bearable, and the car's well-appointed interior makes it a pleasure to drive on just about any road.

Like any convertible, the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible TDI is meant to be driven and enjoyed. Slide behind the wheel, and take it anywhere -- the grocery store, the movie theatre, or for a leisurely Sunday drive -- but just do not expect much room for anything else beside a passenger or two and an overnight bag. Of course, there is room for groceries and small items, but this is not a vehicle for transporting lumber, large trash receptacles, or other big items from the store to your home.

The Bottom Line

When you visit a Volkswagen car dealership and take the 2013 convertible for a test drive or, better still, buy one to take home, the ride is impressive all the way around. If you're looking for a fun car that gets reasonable gas mileage and still has a hint of nostalgia in its DNA, you'll be hard pressed to find a vehicle more appealing from any manufacturer, foreign or domestic.

This article is written by Jillynn Stevens of Be Locally SEO on behalf of Strong Volkswagen of Salt Lake City, Utah. In the car dealership business since the mid 1950's, Strong VW is the largest and favorite dealership among Utahans and residents of surrounding states including Wyoming, Idaho, and Nevada. Take a look at their online inventory and see for yourself!

 

The McLaren F1 Turns Twenty

Every day, it seems, newer and faster cars are appearing on the automotive scene. Ferrari just debuted the V-12 hybrid LaFerrari. Porsche is soon to roll out its 918 Spyder hybrid. Pagani has the new Huayra. Koenigsegg has the Agera. And, Ascari has the KZ1R. Bugatti is up to around 12 variations on the Veyron. Each is more intense than the last. Now, it looks like the Hennessey Venom GT will steal the fastest car crown. Hell, there's even a $1 million electric hyper car on the market called the Rimac Concept One.

With each new model, each new new bit of technology and each new idea, manufacturers are trying to eek out every bit of horsepower, torque and performance to make their cars just that bit faster and better than everyone else's. But, no matter what the end result of the all of the design, testing and development is, every hypercar shares something in common: they all have the McLaren F1 as the inspiration and impetus for their existence.

Whereas the Lamborghini Miura is the progenitor of all supercars, the McLaren F1 took everything that is "supercar" and ramped it up. It is the granddaddy of hypercars. It blew its contemporaries out of the water, which was no small feat. The F1 comes from a generation of cars that includes the Ferrari F40, the Porsche 911 GT1 and the Jaguar XJ220. Last Monday, the McLaren F1 celebrated its 20th birthday. On 28 May 1992 McLaren unveiled the F1 at a launch party at The Sporting Club in Monaco during Monaco F1 Week. In honor of this momentous occasion, it seems like a good time to look back and see what made the McLaren F1 a truly great car and a centerpiece of automotive history.

It all begins, as many stories like this do, with racing, specifically with Formula One. In 1988, McLaren's Formula One team won 15 out of 16 races. Not a bad starting point for creating the world's fastest car. Anyway, after that season, McLaren Cars Ltd of Woking, England thought it a wise move to extend past racing into creating a road car. Being the same McLaren who just won 94 percent of their Formula One races, the car had to have the highest power-to-weight ratio to date but still retain daily driver usability.

Normally, that kind of refusal to compromise is a non-starter when it comes to designing a car. Not for McLaren. Because of their success in racing, they had nearly endless funds to spend on development of the F1. Oddly enough, that same attitude led to the car that dethroned the F1, the Bugatti Veyron, a little over a decade later.

McLaren Cars Ltd. tapped technical director Gordan Murray and designer Peter Stevens to make the McLaren F1 a reality. Keeping in mind the need to produce sufficient power while still maintaining reliability, Murray opted to equip the F1 with a naturally aspirated V-12.

After shopping the project to Honda and Toyota and being rejected by both, BMW and their famed M Division took an interest and designed the 6.1 liter 60 degree V-12. The engine, designated BMW S70/2 produced 618 horse and 480 ft/lb of torque. The BMW engine was 14 percent more powerful than Murray's original specs called for, but that was offset in part the engines weight. At 586 pounds, it was 35 pounds heavier than Murray's specifications.

The dry sump BMW S70/2 has an aluminum block and head, quad overhead cams with variable valve timing, a chain cam drive to maintain reliability and was mounted to a six-speed transmission with a triple plate clutch. As the engine was high revving (reaching max torque at 7,400 rpm) it produced a fair amount of heat. To guarantee insulation between the engine and the carbon fiber bay and monocoque, Murray lined the engine compartment with gold foil, a great heat reflector. A little less than an ounce of gold was used in each car. I wonder if the value of the F1s fluctuates with the market price for gold.

Thanks to BMW, McLaren achieved their goal of having the industry's best power-to-weight ratio, 550 hp/ton. In comparison to today's hypercars, the Ferrari Enzo reached 434 hp/ton, the Bugatti Veyron reached 530 hp/ton and the SSC Ultimate Aero TT bested it with 1003 hp/ton. And, that ratio showed in the car's speed. The F1 could accelerate from 0-60 in 3.2 seconds, 0-100 in 6.3 seconds, 0-200 in 28 seconds and run the quarter mile in 11.1 seconds at 138 mph. The McLaren F1 hit a world record top speed of 243 miles per hour. To this day, it is still the fastest naturally aspirated production car in existence.

That amazing power-to-weight ratio was made possible through the use of carbon fiber, Kevlar and magnesium throughout the cars body to save weight. The McLaren F1s ranged in weight from 2,341 pounds to 2,509 pounds, depending on model. The F1 was the first production car to use a complete carbon fiber reinforced plastic monocoque chassis. The body's attachment points were constructed out of aluminum and magnesium. To top it all off, Peter Stevens' body design achieved a drag coefficient of 0.32, as compared to the Veyron and Ultimate Aero TT both at 0.36.

Completing the hypercar look of the car, the F1 features swan-wing doors and very very unique and awesome luggage compartments in front of the rear wheel arches. The F1 also has an unusual 3-seater configuration with the driver in the center to maximize visibility.

Formula One inspired suspension, 235/45ZR17 front tires, 315/45ZR17 rear tires, Brembo vented and cross-drilled brake discs (332 mm in the front and 305 mm in the rear) with four piston calipers all around and a computer controlled handbrake gives the F1 handling and performance commensurate with its speed.

The McLaren F1 was offered in three street legal variations, the standard road car, the F1 GT and the F1 LM. The F1 GTR version was offered for the racing circuit. Only 106 F1s were built, 69 of the standard, 6 F1 LMs, 3 F1 GTs and 28 F1 GTRs. The standard F1s originally sold for about $970,000 with the LMs and GTs being a bit more expensive. Because of McLaren's dedication to this car, they are still offering service and maintenance on all F1s. A good example of an F1 can sell at auction for over $3 million. In 2010, Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction sold a 1994 F1 for $3,575,000.

Murray and McLaren achieved their goal. The F1 is an uncompromising speedster and a successful daily driver. As the granddaddy of all hypercars, the McLaren F1 is still an amazing thing. It may not be the fastest, but it was the first. Definitely on my bucket list of cars to test drive. Hmmm, I wonder if Jay Leno will let me borrow his. Happy birthday McLaren F1.

 

The Original E-Type Jaguar: Still the Best

Every once and a while, a model comes along that changes everything we know about cars. The Ford Model T made the car available to the general public. The Cadillac Type 53 was the first car to use the modern control layout. The Chrysler Airflow brought about the use of wind tunnels during design to improve aerodynamics and performance. The Lamborghini Miura ushered in the age of the supercar. The McLaren F1 taught us what true speed was. The Bugatti Veyron has taken technology, craftsmanship and performance to stratospheric heights. And, the Tesla Roadster has brought together high-performance and electric power, bringing us one step closer to viable electric cars.

However, there is one car that is well and truly on the top of the list of automotive greats, the Malcolm Sayer designed Jaguar XK-E, also know as the E-Type. The E-Type redefined what beauty is in a car. Upon seeing it, Enzo Ferrari called it "The most beautiful car ever made". That means a lot coming from the man who made the 274 GTB/4 Berlinetta.

Jaguar created two prototype concepts ahead of the E-Type, the E1A in 1957 and the E2A in 1960. The E1A featured a monocoque chassis, fully independent rear suspension and the "XK" engine, a dual-overhead cam inline 6 cylinder around since 1949. The E1A was a factory test mule and was never released to the public. The E2A was made from an aluminum body on a steel chassis and used a 3 liter version of the "XK" engine. This car was finished as a race car, as Jaguar thought the racing circuit would provide a better testing ground. They were right. The orignal E2A was recently sold through Bonham's Auction House for $4,957,000.

Due to the success of the E2A as a racer and as a testing platform, Jaguar began selling the E-Type in 1961. And, from 1961 to the model's end in 1974, Jaguar sold 72,515 XK-Es. Over those 14 model years, Jaguar released 3 versions of the E-Type, appropriately named Series I, II and III.

Series I of the XK-E ran from March 1961 to 1968 and used the 3.8 liter straight-6 with SU carburetors engine from the XK150S until October 1964 when the displacement was increased to 4.2 liters. Like the prototype racer, the Series I came equipped with disc brakes all around and a fully independent coil rear suspensions with torsion bar front ends.

My favorite feature of the Series I was the glass-covered headlights that were present on most E-Type variations until 1967. If you want to get detailed, the Series I also featured a smaller opening at the front, signals and taillights located above the bumpers and the exhaust protruding from under the rear license plate.

From 1961 to 1964, the Series Is were equipped with a Moss 4-Speed transmission which was missing the useful syncromeshing for first gear. In 1965, Jaguar adopted a 4-speed gearbox with syncromeshing in all four gears. A year later, to add to the roadster and coupe E-Types offered, Jaguar added a 2+2 coupe version with an optional 3-speed automatic transmission.

In 1961, the Jaguar E-Type was tested to have a top speed of 149 mph and a 7.1 second 0-60 time. All that with 17.7 miles per gallon. Those are serious performance numbers, especially considering the E-Type's successor, the 1976 XJS, only managed a 0-60 of 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 143. 38,419 Series I XK-Es were sold.

In 1969, Jaguar released the XK-E Series II, which only lasted three models years until 1971. Jaguar kept the three model options, the convertible, the coupe and the 2+2. The Series II lost the gorgeous glass covered headlights in favor of open lights, switched to a wrap-around bumper and addressed cooling issues by adding electric fans and enlarging the car's "mouth". More comfortable (but uglier) seats were fitted to the interior, and air conditioning and power steering were offered as options for the first time.

Due to what I can only define as idiocy on the part of the U.S., Series II E-Types imported to the States were fitted with twin Zenith-Stromberg carbs and detuned. I'm not sure why, but apparently, the U.S. preferred a slower E-Type. Like I said, idiocy. 18,809 Series II E-Types were sold.

1971 through the XK-Es end in 1974 saw several major changes in Series III. To begin with, the 2-seater coupe was eliminated, leaving just the roadster and the 2+2. Also, Jaguar canned the venerable straight-6 in favor of a new 5.3 liter V-12, which would evolve into the power plant for the XJS. Better brakes and power steering became standard, and the car was fitted with a new front grill, flared wheel arches and V-12 badging. 15,287 Series IIIs were sold. While it is still an astonishingly beautiful car, the Series III E-Type wasn't nearly as good as the Series I and II, with Series I being the all-out favorite.

Today, the E-Type is getting a lot of attention. Don Draper runs one through its paces on the current season of Mad Men. Jaguar, themselves, are marketing the C-X16 concept as the E-Type reincarnated. They have even gone so far as to name the 2014 production model based on the C-X16 the F-Type. But, no matter how good the F-Type might be, nothing will ever live up to the nearly perfect E-Type.

The E-Type is a very rare thing. It's a legend that is as good in myth as it is in reality. It is still the pinnacle of automotive beauty. While current cars are faster and have better performance, none give you the thrill of looking down that long hood and hearing the rumble of the "XK" straight-6. The Jaguar E-Type will never be replicated. It serves as inspiration for designers whose cars can only hope to capture some of it's magic.

 

What to Consider Before Signing a Car Lease

If you are interested in leasing a new car, you will definitely not want to rush into anything until you have taken the opportunity to look through some of the options which you are going to have. There will be quite a few special deals which you will have to choose from when it comes to car leases, so it will therefore be necessary to take some time to see what you can find. By going online and using the internet to your advantage, you will most likely be able to find the best possible deal on a lease for the kind of vehicle you are interested in.

You will also need to figure out what your budget is going to be like when it comes to the monthly payments you will need to make on your leased vehicle. Take the time to compare quotes for leases online, so you will know how much you are going to pay with each one. There are going to be a number of websites which will allow you to get these quotes instantly, so you can find out how much you will be required to pay each month for certain vehicles.

Make sure that you find out if there are any catches to the lease deals you come across, because it will be important to get this information as soon as possible. A lot of people are blinded by seemingly good deals on leases for the kind of car they want, but often times there are certain conditions which come along with them. One of the most common catches to car leases is that there is a mileage limit which you can go up to, and after you exceed it you will be required to pay a certain amount for every extra mile you travel in the vehicle.

The amount of sales tax which you have to pay on the vehicle will be something else to consider. This is usually something that is put in the "fine print", so it will be extremely important to read it before signing an agreement. Keep in mind that any down payment you make will not go towards the sales tax, and there are also title and registration fees to consider. Before you decide whether or not a certain lease is a good overall deal, you should take these things into consideration.

Before you sign a car lease, you should also take into consideration what the length of it is. It's a good idea to stick to leases that are no longer than 36 months, because otherwise you will most likely end up paying more than you need to. Although some people are tempted to make a down payment on their leased vehicle, this is not always the best idea. In the event that you get into an accident shortly after leasing the car, the gap coverage in your insurance could mean losing the down payment you make. Overall, it will be important to consider all of these things before signing a lease for a certain vehicle.

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Bad health habits could hurt the economy

People 40 and older could be hurting the future U.S. economy by eating poorly, neglecting exercise and failing to track their health, according to a new report by the MetLife Mature Market Institute and the Center for Healthy Aging.

The researchers estimate obesity increases spending by $1,723 per year per person. Obesity's annual medical burden is almost 8.5 percent of total annual medical expenditures, based on data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.

The report found that 26 percent of middle-aged and older Americans are sedentary. They reported doing no physical activity outside of work for the last 30 days, and about the same percentage are obese. The study also reported that 9 percent of those 40 and over have diabetes and 31 percent have high blood pressure, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Although the prevalence of disability has fallen among people 65 and older, the rate of disability has increased among those over age 30.

"A decline in chronic disease would reduce the prevalence of disability and lead to declines in associated medical expenditures per year," Sandra Timmermann, director of the MetLife Mature Market Institute, said in a press statement. "In the workplace, employers can play an important role by promoting good health behaviors through wellness programs. This practice would also help employees become more engaged and productive in their jobs."

The report also recommended creating programs to help older people maintain their independence. Technology, such as teleconferencing between doctors and patients and emergency response systems that detect when someone falls, will play an important part in helping people stay healthy and independent, the report said.

 

Survey: Almost 1 in 5 consumers willing to shop for life insurance at Wal-Mart

Although most consumers still prefer buying life insurance from an agent, 17 percent said they would be willing to buy a life insurance policy from a store such as Wal-Mart or Target, according to the "2013 Insurance Barometer Study" by industry trade groups LIMRA and the LIFE Foundation.

Customers cited the reasonable cost, lack of sales pressure and a simple and convenient process as reasons to consider buying life insurance through a retailer.

"While the number of consumers willing to purchase a life product through a retail outlet is not overwhelming, it certainly is worthy of note," Todd Silverhart, corporate vice president and director of LIMRA Insurance Research, said in a press statement.

Last year, Wal-Mart partnered with MetLife to sell pre-paid life insurance policies.

Life insurance ownership has remained flat in the three years since the annual survey was first fielded. The 2013 study found that 85 percent of consumers agree that most people need life insurance and 65 percent say they personally need it. However, just 62 percent of consumers indicate they have life insurance coverage today. One third of all consumers said they do not have enough life insurance, including one quarter of those who now own a policy. About 45 percent said the might buy life insurance in the next year.

 

Health rankings: Vermont is No. 1

Health rankings: Vermont is No. 1

Vermont is the healthiest state, and Mississippi and Louisiana are the least healthy states in the latest edition of United Health Foundation's America's Health Rankings.

This is the sixth consecutive year Vermont has topped the list, the foundation said. Other states at the top, from second to fifth place, are:

HawaiiNew HampshireMassachusettsMinnesota.Besides Mississippi and Louisiana, which tied for 49th place, states at the bottom are Arkansas, No. 48; West Virginia, No. 47 and South Carolina, No. 46.The rankings are based on 24 measures, such as high school graduation rates, per capital public health spending, infant birth weight, obesity rates and infectious disease incidence.

Vermont rose from 20th place in 1991 to the top spot, with steady improvement in the last decade. The state has a high rate of high school graduation, a low violent crime rate, a low portion of uninsured residents and a decent supply of primary-care physicians. But it's not perfect. It has a moderate occupational fatalities rate, moderately high cancer death rate and a high prevalence of binge drinking among adults.

Mississippi and Louisiana have been in the bottom three states since the 1990 edition of the rankings. On the plus side, both states have a low prevalence of binge drinking. Mississippi has a low violent crime rate, and Louisiana has a high rate of childhood immunizations. But both states struggle with high rates of obesity, diabetes and low birth weight babies as well as other problems.

The health measures vary widely among states. Smoking rates in the five healthiest states range from 16.8 to 19.4 percent of the adult population; in the five least healthy states, smoking rates are between 23.1 and 28.6 percent. Likewise, 27.2 to 36 percent of the population leads sedentary lives in the five least healthy states, compared to between 21 and 23.5 percent of the population in the five healthiest states.

 

State Farm lists top 10 states for hail and wind damage

Texas tops the list of states with the most State Farm insurance claims last year for hail and wind losses, according to an analysis by the insurer.

Damage from wind and hail cost State Farm and its policyholders more than $3.9 billion in 2012. The states with the most losses were:

Texas, 47,000 claims.Illinois, 41,000 claims.New York, 34,000 claims.Ohio, 31,000 claims.Missouri, 25,000 claims.Tennessee, 24,000 claims.Indiana, 23,000 claims.New Jersey, 23,000 claims.Kentucky, 22,000 claims.Colorado, 16,000 claims.An interactive map showing how all 50 states compare for the four most common insurance claims at home is available on State Farm's website.

To prevent hail damage, State Farm advises to pull cars, boats, RVs, lawn and patio furniture to a covered area if weather conditions are prime for hail storms. When building or remodeling, homeowners should consider impact-resistant roofing. State Farm offers insurance premium discounts to homes with qualifying impact-resistant roofing products in 26 states.

The insurer offers these tips if damage occurs:

Contact your insurance company to understand the claims process and how covered repairs will be handled.Choose a reputable, licensed or bonded roofing contractor. Ask for references.Contact the Better Business Bureau or National Roofing Contractors Association for help with locating a contractor.Beware of people who visit without an appointment and say they represent your insurance company. Ask for identification and contact your insurer before allowing access.

 

One-third of patients willing to switch doctors to save on health insurance

About a third of consumers would switch doctors to reduce health insurance costs, if the price were right, according to a new survey by HealthPocket, a website that compares and ranks health plans.

Almost 19 percent said they would do so for the lowest amount of savings presented by the survey -- $500 to $1,000 a year. Eight percent said they would switch to save $1,000 to $2,000, and 7.5 percent said they would switch for annual savings of $3,000 or more.

About 42 percent said they would not switch doctors to save health plan costs, and about 24 percent said they did not have a regular doctor.

For consumers shopping for health insurance, a key factor is whether their doctors participate in health plan networks. Under pressure to control costs, some insurers are limiting the size of their provider networks to negotiate lower rates to health care providers in exchange for larger volumes of patients, HealthPocket noted.

"Our poll found that while some consumers feel strongly about keeping their current physician, many others are surprisingly open to moving around based on cost," Steve Zaleznick, executive director for consumer strategy and development at HealthPocket, said in a press statement. "Regardless of what happens with the [Affordable Care Act] in terms of health care premiums, consumers will need to investigate their options to find ways to save money and determine whether their current doctor will still be covered under the plan they want."

HealthPocket recently launched a new physician search tool to compare health plans their doctors may access.

Are all car insurance companies the same?

Certainly not and who ever tells you otherwise is just wrong beyond all belief. People who believe in that pick up the first car insurance company they can find in the newspaper or online, without any previous research. Well, at least they save so much of their precious time…

These people quickly learn their lesson when they find either a poor car insurance company on which they can not depend once they really need their service, or they find some really shady one, sign a contract with them and pay out the policies or get a car insurance without any sense which makes short work of their monthly budget.

Knowing what car insurance company you can rely on and on which you can’t is extremely important. This article will provide you some basic advice on how to recognize a good car insurance company, that you can be certain will have your best interest in mind and a bad one, whose only purpose is to cleverly rob you of your money.

Reputation of the company is the first thing that you need to check. Let’s say that there are five car insurance companies in your city. How do you know which one is the most reputable of them? One way is to ask the people who have already used their services and see how they are pleased with their car insurance company. The other way is to check each of these companies online and see what the reviews or different discussion groups have to say about them. So in essence, it comes to “ask other people”.

Speaking about checking car insurance companies online, you would also do well if you would compare their insurance quotes while you’re at it. Different car insurance companies will charge different premiums for the same type of coverage that they are providing. Of course, you don’t have to do this online if you don’t want to. You can just as well do this by calling them and discussing this with the company’s agent.

How the car insurance company handles the claims is another issue you need to know more about. For example, you don’t want your car insurer who starts pulling his hair off if you had an accident with your vehicle and you wish to make a claim. Fortunately, a lot of car insurance companies won’t make much of a fuss if you decide to make a claim.

How the company treats her clients? This is another very important thing that you need to know about your future car insurer. Do they have a good costumer service, which will answer your questions as best and as fast as they can, or do they keep you on “hold” for what seems like an eternity? Of course, you should also watch out from those companies that appear friendly, but are just waiting for an opportunity to sell you more coverage and more policies and generally more stuff that you don’t want nor need.

Car insurance – price you have to pay

There is a rule, if you are looking to pay it less than you should, you’re probably going to pay it much more in the end.

This rule can be applied for everything in the life, and car insurance is not the exception.

If you buy a car, you have to buy a proper insurance for that car, and that’s a fact. If you are looking to save the money on car insurance, you will probably end up paying much more for some small repair. If you bought a sports car or a car with strong engine or maybe an old car, you may expect you will pay a lot for the insurance.

One part of the insurance price will set the insurance company, and the other part will set the car owner.

Insurance company will evaluate your car, your age and car age, your driving history, if you have had some traffic accidents and many other factors. According to these factors they will see the price for the required insurance. After that you can choose if you want to pay over this required insurance. Once the insurance company give you their price it’s hard to decide to pay over that, but you should, especially if you are driving some special car.

You can get different levels of the car insurance. You have to chose what level of the car insurance you will take.

In different countries there are different traffic and insurance laws, we can’t explain all of them. We will talk about typical things for all countries related to the car insurance.

First you have injured party, this applies on the medical payments. This is the required part of the insurance. There are some limits but in the most cases you can chose how much you are going to pay for this part of the car insurance. If you pay less, your car insurance will not cover some more complicated surgeries, and you will be left with large hospital bill. If you have life or a health insurance maybe you don’t have to pay much for this part of a policy.

After that you have car insurance against physical damage caused by accidence. This is important don’t save money on this insurance. Car repair can cost you a lot, much more than insurance policy, don’t risk. Sometimes if you are buying a car through the bank credit or a leasing you will be obligated to buy full insurance against physical damage.

There are more levels but these are the common ones.

You have to think about car insurance when you are buying a car, otherwise you may end up having no money to pay for an insurance

You have to choose car insurance carefully, and also you have to choose the insurance company carefully too.

The easiest way is to buy insurance from the company with tradition in selling car insurance. Usually, these kinds of companies are expensive. You can try finding some other company, the one that’s not so expensive. If you are lucky you may buy same policy for less money.  It’s up to you to choose.

Choosing the right car insurance

Your car is one of the most important things in your possession, and keeping it ensured against all unforeseen events is a wise choice. The price of your car insurance will depend on many factors. One of the most important factors that plays a part in deciding how high your car insurance premium will be is the type of car you drive.

For instance, car insurance for a supercharged sports car will be much more expensive than the same level of coverage for a four door sedan. There are a few reasons for this, and one of the biggest ones is that sports cars tend to be in much more accidents than family cars, SUVs and sedans. This spells more risk for the car insurance company, and that risk has to be justified by the increased price of car insurance.

Another factor that plays a big role in deciding how much will you have to pay for car insurance is the track record and experience of the driver. Careless drivers, those with a history of traffic accidents and speeding tickets and inexperienced car drivers carry the greater risk for the insurance company. A combination of a fact, 5-liter 500 horsepower car and an inexperienced driver is generally speaking a potentially dangerous mix and something you will want to avoid – not only because you will be forced to pay steep monthly premiums for the car insurance. So, if you are considering buying your son or daughter a car for his or her eighteenth birthday, a slower but safer Volvo is a better idea than a faster but a more dangerous Mustang or alike.

A good way to keep the car insurance premiums for young drivers lower is to send them to extra driving lessons and safe driving programs. While the value of the vehicle is one of the most important basics that car insurance companies use to decide on the cost of the insurance policy, other factors play a big part too. One way to keep the costs as low as possible is to opt for a higher than average deductible. Most people don’t know this, but choosing a higher deductible will often help you with safe considerably on the premium.

Another good way to save on car insurance is to shop around as much as possible and to compare as many different car insurance policy quotes as possible. Getting the lowest priced  car insurance possible is not always the cheapest option. A low priced car insurance policy that doesn’t provide enough coverage, or that doesn’t cover all the possible scenarios can turn out to be quite expensive once you are forced to pay for the repairs from your own pocket, so alway aim at the right mix of coverage and cost. A good way to quickly compare a lot of different car insurance companies and policies is to use car insurance comparison websites. And while these might not cover every possible option out there, they can be very useful if you want to get a quick idea of what is available out there.

Car insurance policies 101

Car insurance is pretty important thing and it can be pretty costly. As most of us depend of transportation of this kind, it is best if we can save some money on the insurance and other expenses that can be influenced. So, what are the most important things concerning car insurances?

Many factors are influencing the amount of your car insurance premium and we will here try to explain some of the most important and to analyze why there are so many differences between certain groups. The first division is concerning the very cars we are making insurance policies for. If you are driving expensive sports car and if it can go fast, you will pay pretty high insurance. Expensive cars are pretty tricky when it comes to repairs since tail light for such cars often costs more than whole regular used car. Furthermore, these machines are pretty strong and fast and if you have fast machine it is pretty much more probable that you will be speeding and risking then if you drive regular car.

Second important group of factors is concerning drivers. If you are fresh out of driving school, it is more likely that you will make the mistake and cause the accident than if you were experienced driver. Also, young drivers are known to speed and break traffic rules and all of this adds to the quota which defines your premium. Elderly drivers are also suffering these quotas since they are also prone to making errors with accidents as the result. Differently from their young colleagues, they aren’t lacking the experience, but their experience is in disharmony with their actual condition. These drivers tend to be overconfident and to forget that their reflexes and their perception aren’t what they used to be. This is the most common reason why they are making so many accidents.

Men between the age of 30 and 50 will pay the less premium since they are in their prime and they have some experience driving already. It makes them the group with lowest risk level and because of that they are paying the cheapest policies. Another important thing is driving record, and that is finally one thing that can be influenced. If you have your driver record clean for extended period of time, it will influence positively your premium. This clean record shows that you are responsible and not prone to risk and breaking the regulations, so the insurance company will not treat you as the treat for their funds. Even if you’re driving record isn’t so neat, you have the chance to improve. When you are being responsible over some period of time, your previous records will be erased and you will have the lower price again. Still this excludes any stupid things. One speeding ticket can be incredibly expensive when it adds to the price of your car insurance. This is not something that should be taken lightly since these expenses can go up to several thousands of dollars per year.

Common car insurance mistakes to avoid

You don’t have to be an expert in car insurance to get a good deal, and what many people don’t realize is that it doesn’t take a lot of time to do a little research and get the best car insurance deal possible. Yes, sometimes just thinking about all those different policies and insurance rates and all those unfamiliar terms sounds like a nightmare, but it doesn’t have to be like this. To make things easier for you, we decided to get some inside info from experts working in insurance policy companies and see if they have any useful tips for us.

What most of them said is that the majority of car insurance buyers makes the same couple of mistakes over and over again, and there is no better way to learn than from other peoples’ experience. We’ve asked them to let us in on these mistakes and how to avoid them in order to get the cheapest deal possible while still being covered. Here’s some of the things to watch out for…

People ignoring the company’s reputation

With the help of internet and all the sites and forums where you can read about other peoples’ experiences, it’s a piece of cake to quickly get info on a company. And we’re not thinking about the company’s ads but the real life experiences of people who used their car insurance policies. How many satisfied customers are there compared to unsatisfied? Did the company give an unreasonably low damage estimate or try to trick their users in any other way? Never go for an car insurance company with lots of bad reviews, no matter how much cheaper it is compared to the other companies. You don’t want to end up tricked, so check a company out before even thinking about getting their car insurance.

Lying when getting a policy

You’d be surprised to know how many people tend to lie to their insurance company agents on the details about their car. Most people lie about the number of persons driving the car, where they park it or other things that might seem small but could make you pay for not being sincere. In case of a claim, if the company discovers that you’ve been lying to them they might simply let you off the hook for payment. If you think that it pays off to save a couple of bucks by providing the insurance company with false info, go ahead, but it’s one of the worse things you could do.

Not shopping around when looking for insurance

We understand that getting car insurance might not be your number one life priority, but you can’t say that you don’t have an extra hour of free time just to look at a couple of offers online. Now you don’t even have to bother calling the agencies and asking around when you have most info online. Make sure you shop around and compare similar policies before making your pick.

Get the best deal on car insurance

Why is it so important to compare different car insurance offers?

Raise your hand if you’ve been in this situation: you buy something from a store, feeling that you’ve gotten a great deal, only to find the same thing a lot cheaper later, in a store across town. Everyone has been in this situation more than once, and it can be so frustrating to find out that you could have saved a lot of money only if you have done a bit of shopping around.

Being in this situation when buying car insurance can be especially frustrating – after all, car insurance often costs a pretty penny. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t save big on car insurance, as long as you don’t blindly commit to the first insurance policy that you happen to see.

Shopping around as much as possible and comparing different car insurance companies and offers will allow you as a car owner to not only look over the different rates that are offered, but also to get an idea of the different policies available. While it might be tempting to go with the lowest offer you can find, think things through and always try to look for the most coverage for the least money. Sometimes, cheap deals will just not provide all the coverage you need. Therefore, its essential that you have a good idea about the kind of coverage you are looking for in a car insurance policy.

In this day and age, chances are that you will start your search for the perfect car insurance policy online. It’s a good idea to turn to internet in order to get the answers you need, since with the sheer amount of information freely available online, there really isn’t a better place to do so. And while all of this data may seem easily available at the click of a mouse, actually getting the car insurance policy information you need and comparing it can be a bit trickier. We recommend that you try the following two methods of comparing car insurance policies online – they are guaranteed to save you some time.

First way to compare car insurance online is to use search engines like Google. By typing “car insurance” in the search box, you will get a huge number of results. Click on the first dozen or so sites – most of them will be able to send you a quote within minutes. Concentrate on getting as many quotes as you can quickly, and dedicate the time saved this way in actually comparing the offers.

Other method to compare car insurance offers many people don’t know about is to use comparison websites. There’s a comparison site for just about anything these days, and car insurance is certainly not an exception. The main benefit of these sites is that a lot of work has already been done – you just need to provide a bit of personal information in order to get quotes from multiple car insurance companies on the single page. On the other hand, car insurance comparison websites can’t show you every single offer on the market. For best results, we recommend combining the two methods.

How to save money on car insurance

Getting a car insurance can cause you a lot of headache and make you pay more than you planner, so it’s no wonder many people are dreading the day they will have to renew their policy. The best possible advice on choosing the right car insurance comes from experts that work in big insurance companies that agreed to sharing some of the less known tips and tricks to help you save time and money when making your pick. We’ve got you a couple of things to pay attention to when choosing the best car insurance.

Never go for the monthly paying option

Even though it might sound good at first as you don’t have to pay a large amount of money at once, the monthly paying plan has got a lot of disadvantages. First of all, you will be charged an extra amount of money every month that goes from $3 to $5 which ads to a nice sum over the year. If you choose to pay the whole amount of insurance money at once, you will most likely get a discount plus you won’t have to pay for monthly charges.

Shop around online

Comparing car insurance prices has never been easier thanks to the fact that most companies have their info online. There are dozens of sites that offer to help compare and search for the best prices, and even though it will take more time to sit down and go through all these offers, you might save up to a couple hundred dollars by just spending some time on online research.

Boost your driving skills

One of the best ways to save money on car insurance is to apply for a driving course like the Driving Standard’s Agency Pass Plus. This course is aimed at young, inexperienced drivers and proves very helpful, especially with lessons in night driving and motorway driving. The greatest thing about it is that most big insurance companies will offer you a reduction on your premium up to 35% after completing the course. It’s a great investment, so think about killing two birds with one stone and improving your driving skills while saving money on car insurance.

Don’t add inexperienced drivers to your policy

Nothing could affect your premium more than adding a young driver to the policy. The calculation of the policy will be done on the youngest driver, plus they won’t get a no claims bonus, so it’s best to keep them out of the policy.

Go for a mileage restriction

If you don’t use your car very often, picking the mileage restriction is a good idea. A reduction in just 5000 miles per year could save the average driver around $70 in premiums, and if you make a 10000 mile cut you’ll save even more. Unless you use your car to travel to work or for business, this could help save money without affecting your car use. Make a rough estimate in your yearly mileage and pick the policy that fits it.