Auto Leasing Basics
April 30, 2007
Auto Leasing Basics
by: Brennan Howe
There’s a shiny new Pontiac G6 parked in your next-door neighbor’s driveway. Standing proudly next to it is a gleaming new Jeep Grand Cherokee. This is the second time in four years that your neighbor and his wife have driven home on brand-new sets of wheels. Unless you live right next to state lottery winners or an organized crime family, there could be a more plausible explanation for your neighbors’ seemingly good fortune: they might be leasing.
What is automotive leasing?
Automobile leasing is paying for the use of the car, rather than paying for the car itself. Monthly lease payments are based on the projected cost of the vehicle’s depreciation over the period covered by the lease. For instance, suppose you lease a car valued at $20,000. Over the course of a three-year lease term, let’s suppose the car depreciates in value to $10,500. This depreciated value, also called the vehicle’s residual value, is subtracted from the car’s initial value. The difference between the two values, in this case $9,500, is what you will be paying for the duration of the lease. Leases typically last for two four years, with leases on high-end vehicles and luxury cars sometimes stretching up to five years. When your lease expires, you have the option of either buying the vehicle or moving on to a new lease.
The Bimmer’s Bavaria
April 30, 2007
The Bimmer’s Bavaria
by: Jennifer Dylan
If the Ford Motor Company is the big corporate umbrella which gives shelter to the Buick, Pontiac, and Cadillac among others, then it could be said that BMW AG works the same way for the BMW MINI, and for the Rolls-Royce brands. The Rover also used to be a part of this big mother ship. BMW AG is actually an abbreviation for “Baverische Motoren Werke AG”. This is German for “Bavarian Motor Works”. This company not only manufactures vehicles and cars but also motorcycles as well. The main competitors and competition for this vehicle brand include the Acura, the Alfa Romeo, the Audi, the Cadillac, the Infiniti, the Jaguar, the Lexus, and the Mercedes Benz.
When it comes to pronouncing the acronym of this company, in its motherland, it is pronounced as “bay emm vay”. However, travel to North American and other regions like Jamaica, the brand is referred to as “bimmers”. Try to refer to BMW motorcycles and the slang for that would be “beamer” or “beemer”. In Greece, the acronym is referred to as “Beba”, in Arab countries it is “BM”, and in Serbia they say “Bembara”. In the English language, BMW AG has a tagline that states, “The Ultimate Driving Machine” and “Sheer Driving Pleasure”. The original slogan, though, for this which is in German is “Freude am Fahren” which when translated to English literally means “Joy in Driving”.
BMW M: Not Just Another Sports Car
April 29, 2007
BMW M: Not Just Another Sports Car
by: Shane Morgay
What is a sports car? There have already been quite a few personal definitions to what a sports car sounds to them. However, for most people, a sports car is a BMW.
BMW now adds up yet another product to their still growing family of vehicles. And right now, the new addition is the 2006 BMW M. It is a roadster. And it just goes to show that BMW meant business for this car. Its past shows a colorful BMW tradition as well as an in-depth research before it was actually constructed. Just go through its stretched engine compartment, its long wheelbase, its short tail, and its two low set of seats that all in all provides a high powered and very passionate driving experience, and one would be able to picture that, indeed, BMW is yet on the road, again, to success.
Do you have sleep insurance?
April 28, 2007
Do you have sleep insurance?
by: Aaron Hoos
Sleep insurance is not a policy you can take out on your slumber. It’s not an insurance policy sold to insomniacs. Rather, it’s something that lets you sleep at night.
Without it, you’ll lose sleep worrying about it.
Here’s what we mean: While you’re driving to work, count the number of auto repair shops. There’s a lot, aren’t there? There are! After all, we live in a world that relies heavily on our car. Now think about how they stay in business: from cars breaking down. That’s a lot of cars breaking down.
Now think about this: what will you do when your car breaks down? (Yes, you’ll bring it to the garage then what?) Will you be able to afford the repairs when you get the bill? When your car’s in the shop, will you be able to sleep at night or will you lay awake, worrying about the price? That’s what we mean by sleep insurance.
Sleep insurance is a warranty on your car.
Climate Controls Keep the Temperature Just Right
April 27, 2007
Climate Controls Keep the Temperature Just Right
by: Carol Mitchel
Driving around in a vehicle that feels too cold or too warm for comfort is something that would make most people cringe and rather stay home or even try to rather walk or take public transportation. That is why it was a good thing that vehicle manufacturers and experts have come up with the climate control system so as to assist passengers and drivers as well during their journey.
The Land Rover brand has certainly been up to date with the changes and innovations in the automobile market. That is why this brand has made it possible for all the models in their vehicle line up are given Land Rover climate control systems. How does the Rover climate control system works? The Land Rover climate control system actually has been divided into two sides which are comprised of the high side and the low side. The compressor which actually begins at the high side functions and serves like a pump that moves the refrigerant through the system. As per the lower side, the expansion valve which actually begins on this side, restricts the refrigerant flow, and in the process, it lowers the pressure and the temperature of the refrigerant. By doing such functions, the Land Rover climate control system is able to keep the vehicle’s temperature just right on stormy and cold evenings or on hot and humid summer days.
Finding Cheap Auto Parts
April 26, 2007
Finding Cheap Auto Parts
by: John Rivers
Running a car can be an expensive business these days, especially with the continually rising cost of petrol/gas. The last thing that most car owners need is the added expense of replacing worn out parts. The majority of people rely on their local auto shop to find the parts, and then fit them. There is a far cheaper way, and that is to source your own parts from an auto salvage yard.
Auto salvage yards, as their name suggests, specialise in salvaging autos, or more specifically auto parts. The way that they work is simple; they take junk cars and strip them down, keeping any parts that are still in working order. These parts are then sold to anyone who wants to buy them at a much lower price than a new part would be. You could find the part that you are looking for, and save yourself a lot of money. Of course, it would be ideal if you could fit the part on your car yourself, but just buying the part from an auto salvage yard can save you a considerable amount even if you have to pay a mechanic to fit it.
Focusing on Space and Cargo
April 25, 2007
Focusing on Space and Cargo
by: Chuck Smith
Introduced in the year 2000, the Focus is another vehicle from the line up of the Ford Motor Company of the United States. The most recent model of this vehicle is the 2006 Ford Focus and this vehicle continues to show just how good it is and how much of a success it has already achieved. From the spacious storage space to the wide range of trim levels to convenience features to a very reasonable price, customers and Ford patrons have certainly been flocking to buy the Ford Focus.
As for the present Ford Focus’ model line up, the list includes a choice of four different engines among which three are variations of an I4 engine. Along with that, this vehicle also provides a wide range of choice for its trim levels with seven choices. The options package is still another story to tell. This vehicle has been made available as a sedan with four doors, a wagon with four doors, and as a hatchback with two doors or four doors. Among the features that this vehicle boasts of include an AM/FM stereo, a split-folding rear seat, power windows, power mirrors, power locks, upgraded stereos, a cruise control system, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, leather seating, an in-dash CD changer, antilock brakes, traction control, stability control, side airbags, an MP3 compatible CD player, 15 inch wheels made of steel, a keyless entry system, air conditioning, fog lamps, low profile Pirelli tires, a spoiler, a bright finish exhaust tip, and a sunroof as well.
Taking An Expedition
April 25, 2007
Taking An Expedition
by: Jay Stevens
Smooth. Stable. Refined. Those are the main characteristics that define the Ford Expedition. It has a very precise handling and it is very responsive despite its huge size and weight. And this is all due to its rigid chassis as well as its sophisticated independent rear suspension. The newest model of this vehicle comes with new exterior color choices, which include pueblo gold, and red fire.
The new Ford Expedition exudes a larger and bolder aura. However, the truth behind this is that it actually did not even receive enlargements of any sort. All that this vehicle received was the widening of its track to a mere two inches. And that made all the difference plus adding a well planted stance to the vehicle. Its design was also changed and the Ford Expedition received raised hoods that gave the vehicle a much higher and towering attitude. It has 17 inch wheels. The bumpers have been integrated more smoothly for a cleaner and smoother effect. Take a ride inside the interior of the Ford Expedition and one would notice that a small center seat on the second row has been added. This small center seat could actually slide forward so as to give parents in the front seat access to a small child.
Saturn ION Sedan Ready for Personalization
April 24, 2007
Saturn ION Sedan Ready for Personalization
by: Terry Brown
The all new Saturn ION sedan has been redesigned and restyled so as to bring about a new kind of energy and enthusiasm in the small car segment. This is because the Saturn ION sedan has combined innovation, first class features and a great variety of options in just one car. By doing such, the market is given a new car to drool over and to aspire for.
Parts and accessories for Saturn vehicles are available at Auto Parts Information. Saturn owners and aficionados, as well as interested parties can access the site any time they choose. Upon accessing the site, one could find a large array of Saturn auto parts and accessories and one could choose which ones are compatible for their vehicle’s needs. The advantage of using Saturn parts and accessories is that these are especially designed to work well with all Saturn cars. Therefore, it is ensured that your purchase holds performance and maximized workability out of the parts and accessories from http://www.innerauto.com. Auto Parts Information also offers car parts which are continuously being improved upon so as to ensure quality service and performance.
Budget Conscious; What are the Benefits of Repowering a Utility Golf Cart with a Kohler Engine?
April 23, 2007
Budget Conscious; What are the Benefits of Repowering a Utility Golf Cart with a Kohler Engine?
by: Ben Anton
These days, maintaining a fleet of golf carts and utility vehicles is more likely to be a matter of topping up battery cells than checking spark plugs and mixing fuel and oil. The vast majority of golf carts sold in the past decade or so has been electric. Electric golf carts, goes the traditional wisdom, are cheaper to maintain, easier to manage and less trouble in the long run than the models powered by small gas engines.
Despite the popularity of electric golf carts, however, most pros agree that there are some jobs that require the power of a good gas engine. It’s not unusual for most course fleets to include at least a few gas golf carts that have been converted to utility vehicles for hauling and other purposes. What do you do when the motor on one of those starts to go?
It used to be easy to replace those with a used utility or golf cart when the engine started to go - but not anymore. Used and rebuilt gas-powered golf carts are rare - and replacing them with a new gas-powered cart could run you between $12,000 and $20,000.
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