A Quick Car Buying Survivors Guide

Car dealerships are just like any other business in that they are responsible for generating an operating profit. And like any other businesses there are those that attempt to do so upfront and straight forward and... those that are... well... less than straightforward.

Without a doubt the best chance that you have to avoid contributing exorbitant amounts to a car dealer’s gross profit is for you to get your research and financing in line prior to ever setting foot on the dealership. And quite frankly, for the vast majority who has some sort of access to the World Wide Web, there is no excuse not to get yourself up to speed.

Once you are ready to go... go slowly. When it comes to putting together your deal at the car dealership, speed is not your ally. Car dealers and sales people are in-depth at putting deals together at a rapid pace... and ringing up big profit numbers... stay calm, deliberate, and focused.

Don’t crank up the negotiations on your first trip to a dealership. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the people and the surroundings. Get a feel for what type of person your potential sales person is. Remember, this is about your comfort level... not theirs.

Don’t go for the ‘Spot Delivery’. A spot delivery is when the dealer allows you to take the car ‘as yours’ before they have definitively procured your financing. This can be exceptionally devastating if you have traded in your car to them only to find out a couple days later that the dealer either hasn’t been able to get you financed or can only get you financed at a very high interest rate. Don’t put yourself in this position.

Know your budget before you go shopping... and stick to it. Don’t tell or otherwise give the sales person any idea of what your budget is. They don’t need to know this. And never shop and buy your car by negotiating a monthly payment; you’ll pay more than you needed.

Don’t proceed if you are not comfortable with any of the proceedings. Without you, there is no deal. You have the ultimate VETO power, so use it if you feel hurried, confused, or otherwise uncomfortable at all.

And finally, and this is a very important point to remember, the selling price of the new car isn’t where the dealer makes the most profit.

The financing and the trade-in (when they resell your old car) are two additional profit departments for the dealership. Also, all those add-on’s and warranties that the dealership will offer you the opportunity to purchase also include a rather large profit margin for the dealer.

Car dealerships are sales centers. They are in business to not only sell you a car but anything else they can possibly offer and entice you with as well. Do your research on the car you are thinking about, the financing options available to you outside the dealership, and know the market value of your trade (if applicable)... then take your time to find the best deal you can putting all these together.

A Luxury Car For You

Luxury car is a term that is widely used, but does anyone truly know what it means? When it comes to cars, luxury is in the eye of the beholder. What a car dealer's ad touts as luxury may be different from what a car rental agency categorizes as a luxury car, and both may conflict with your personal perception of what a luxury car is.

In economics, a luxury item is one that is in higher demand among people with higher incomes. A luxury car is a status symbol, and status varies depending upon the socioeconomic or demographic group to which is applies.

A luxury car may simply mean a high-priced car. A luxurious car may not necessarily be considered a luxury automobile. For example, because of its high price, a Hummer is often considered a luxury car, even though the original Hummers are heavy duty military trucks without emphasis on comfort.

A luxury car may also simply be an automobile made by a manufacture known for making luxury automobiles, even if the specific vehicle is less expensive than its usual models. For example, all models of Mercedes and Jaguars are considered to fall into this category, even the least expensive versions.

Most people would agree that an automobile costing more than $100,000 would be considered a luxury automobile. Almost all cars made by Rolls Royce and Bentley, for example, fall into that price range. Exclusivity is on of the few agreed characteristics of a luxury vehicle.

Typically, luxury automobiles enhance comfort and operation. Leather, adjustable, heated seats are an example of luxury appurtenances. High-performance vehicles such as sports cars, for example Corvettes and Vipers, are prestige autos, but not everyone would call them luxury vehicles. An automobile may be luxurious by virtue of its amenities and its comfort level without being expensive, even though to most people a luxury means something they really can't afford.

A Car Finance Broker Can Get You The Cheapest Deal Possible

When it comes to getting the cheapest deal possible for financing your new car then you simply have to go with a car finance broker. A broker has the expertise of knowing where to look online in order to get the cheapest quotes possible along with the best incentives and added extras.

While you could go online yourself and search for the cheapest deal possible, it is very rare that you will have the knowledge of where the best deals are and how to get them. A specialist broker knows the ins and outs of the car finance sector and will have lenders in mind from past experience; they will also know what to look for when it comes to car finance and the places you should avoid looking for insurance.

When it comes to financing for your car then without a doubt the best option is to go for a car loan. You can opt to take the finance through a dealership, but this is often the most expensive way of taking a loan to pay for your car. The dealer might throw in incentives to get you to take the finance through them, but even with these in mind it is usually at a much higher rate of interest than letting a specialist broker find you a car loan deal.

If you want the cheapest deal possible then go online with a broker. While in some cases you will have to pay for the brokers fees, it often does save you a great deal of money and it certainly saves you time and the stress of having to search through the many lenders yourself. Along with the best rate of interest the broker can find, they will also take into account any extras that the lender has to offer. And, of course, if you want the added security of knowing exactly how much the repayment will be each month then simply ask the broker to look for a fixed rate car loan for you.

A/C Charging Scale

When repairing and refilling an air conditioning system, getting the exact amount of coolant in the system right is essential if you want it to work properly. This is where A/C charging scales come into their own. These handy tools work in conjunction with your AC coolant recycling equipment to refill the AC system properly and get it completely correct.

The more accuracy that you can work with when adding the coolant to an AC system, the better it will work, and the less likely it is for anything to go seriously wrong with it in the near future. A/C charging scales are designed to provide a pre determined amount of coolant such as Freon into the system in order to get the system filled up as efficiently as possible.

An A/C charging scale is a tool that is designed to help you to get the right amount of coolant prepared for loading the AC. In general, an air conditioning system will be rated to contain a specific amount of refrigerant in order to work correctly. This is done by weight rather than volume, as this can vary greatly dependent on temperature.

When the refrigerant has been purified correctly, it can be weighed using an A/C charging scale to gauge the correct amount. Then it can be injected back into the air conditioning at the correct pressure to make it work correctly.

There are a number of important EPA guidelines to consider whenever you deal with CFC coolants such as Freon. These chemicals are very volatile, and have been linked with doing serious damage to the ozone layer. This important part of the atmosphere is the main protection for the planet from ultra violet radiation from the sun. The ozone layer protects our lives, and since the 1980s, when concerns about the effect of CFCs on the ozone layer first became important, governments around the world have put in place specific guidelines designed to limit the amount of CFC gases that are released.


A number of manufacturers produce a wide range of different A/C charging Scales to suit all different sized jobs. There are a number of factors to consider when choosing the right equipment for your workshop in order to ensure that it is compatible with the kind of work you want to carry out. Things to look out for are the ability to measure accurately over a wide range of different volumes and the simplest operation possible.

Features that you should expect as standard on an A/C charging scale to make it as simple to use as possible include factors like auto zero on the scales, the capacity to take relatively large weights of 110oz or more, and maintain an the highest levels of accuracy to get the perfect levels coolant to fill the AC properly.

Manufacturers like Infinicon offer high tech solutions that will allow you to effortlessly get the quantities right in advance of loading them into the AC system, while at the other end of the spectrum there are a number of different and more simple systems available from well known and highly respected tool makers such as Robinair that are much more straightforward.

Whether you opt for a standard measuring pressure system that will connect to a complete range of AC systems and inject the coolant directly from the tool, or alternatively opt for an A/C charging scale that lets you measure out the correct amount of CFC coolant in a separate vessel, you will still have to keep to the relevant guidelines and ensure that you only use the correct amount of coolant to prevent the unnecessary and uncontrolled release of this potentially dangerous substance.

A Basic Overview Of Fuel Cell Technology

Are you tired of high priced gasoline for your car? Or perhaps worried about the environment? For years, scientists have being working on an energy alternative that holds promises to change the way we live by changing the source of fuel for some of our most basic energy-using engines. This new technology in progress is called a fuel cell. A fuel cell supplies a DC (direct current) voltage that can be used to power motors, lights, or any number of electrical appliances.

The technical name for a fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device. A fuel cell converts the chemicals hydrogen and oxygen into water, and in the process it produces electricity. Other electrochemical devices that are in use these days and for many decades is the well-known battery. The distinguishing difference between a simple battery and a fuel cell is that all the chemicals are stored inside the battery. The battery in turn converts those chemicals into electricity but in due course it "goes dead" as the chemicals are used up and at times you can either throw it away or recharge it.

Then again with a fuel cell, chemicals continually flow into the cell so as long as there is a flow of chemicals into the cell; the electricity flows out of the fuel cell. Combustion engines the gasoline engine burn fuels and batteries converted chemical energy back into electrical energy when needed. However, fuel cells should do both tasks more efficiently.

Simply put the construction and materials in a fuel cell release electrons from the hydrogen gas creating electricity and the waste product after the electricity is used to power an electrical device is water, formed with the negative hydrogen and the oxygen.This reaction in a single fuel cell produces only about 0.7 volts. To get this voltage up to a reasonable level, several separate fuel cells must be combined to form a fuel-cell stack.

However one major problem with using hydrogen is that it is cannot be stored easily for consumer use. Among the other alternatives, it could be natural gas, propane, and methanol gas. The main objective of using fuel cell technology is pollution reduction. Fuel cell is also very efficient; 80% of the fuel use in these cells is converted into usable energy as compared to only 20% for a gasoline powered engine and about 30% overall for a battery powered electric vehicle.

Evidently there is no question that the fuel cell holds greater promise for the future. However, the fuel cell technology must still gather all the pieces of finding the right 'fuel' source that is both easy to store and deliver to the consumer, efficiency of the vehicle using fuel cells, and the cost for the total package.

2008 New Car Release Strategy

Why do automobile manufactures release new models at all times of the year?

People shopping for cars today, face the same decisions they did in years past, 2-door or 4-door, car, truck, van, or SUV. The idea of buying versus leasing is now on the table once again. The idea of buying a car in the middle of 2007 and having to decide between a 2007 and a 2008 muddies the water. Some of these vehicles will be all-new models, others radically different, while still others with only slight alterations.

Manufacturers are using the release of the new 2008 products as more of a strategy than in years previous years. They realize they have the power to create targeted traffic at given points of the selling season with these new releases. They no longer have to share the same pie with every other automaker. The traditional introduction of the models in early October created to much competition between the manufacturers. All the automakers were introducing their new lineup at the same time and sharing the spotlight with all the other automakers. A model can be deemed a 2008 so long as it goes on sale after January 1st of the current year.

Consumers are split relatively evenly between the bargain of the left over model and the idea of having the latest and greatest. There is certainly a price to be paid for stepping up into a new 2008 model. Many consumers opt to pay more for the 2008 because the 2007 does not seem quite so new anymore. While the bargain hunters can save even more during the buzz of the newly released models.

This is a win-win for the dealerships. The manufacturers need to assist the dealers in moving out the 2007 products (heavier incentives) and the profits for the dealers can be significantly higher on the fresh 2008 products.

More and more new models for 2008 are being produced monthly.

2007 Hyundai Cars: What's New For 2007

(1) The 2007 Hyundai Sonata

The 2007 Sonata is the smaller of Hyundaiís two midsize sedans. It comes in three models: a) The Sonata Limited trim is the top-line model and has a 235-hp V6 and 5-speed automatic as well as heated front seats, automatic climate control and fine leather upholstery. b) The Sonata SE also has a 235-hp V6 and 5-speed automatic. c) The Sonata GLS has 162-hp 4-cylinders and a choice of either 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission. All models are equipped with ABS and traction/antiskid control as well as front-side and curtain-side airbags.

While the old version reminded many car patrons of a Jaguar in terms of style, the 2007 version looks even better, with a front lamp that resembles an Audi and a backside that looks like an Accord. The thin roof pillars and the driver's upright position also contribute to its esthetic value. The 2007 Sonata is also bigger, sharper and more technologically advanced version than the 2006 model. Overall, the Sonata's advantage over other cars of its class such as the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima is that it combines comfort, spaciousness, sophisticated design and reliable performance as well as a reasonable price.

(2) The Hyundai Accent

The new, completely re-designed 3-door Hyundai Accent hatchback is a welcome addition to the 4-door sedan introduced in 2006. Compared to the sedan, the Accent is a sportier ride in terms of both appearance and performance. It also boasts of side-curtain airbags, which are a rare feature in vehicles of this size and price range.

The 2007 Accent has superb handling, an attractive Euro style hatch and a strong safety kit. Sold in GE and SE trims, the Accent looks small on the outside but is surprisingly roomy inside, both front and rear. Its excellent fuel economy makes it an ideal choice for urban drivers, especially in places where gas costs as much as $6/gallon. Many have commented that the Accent 3-door 2007 model is even more attractive than the 4-door 2006 Accent sedan unveiled last year. The 2007 model brings back memories of the 3-door Honda Civic CX hatch from the mid-nineties or the Opel Corsa from General Motors which is so popular these days in Europe.

(3) The Hyundai Elantra

Many automotive industry observers consider the 2007 Hyundai Elantra a worthy challenger to the subcompact sedan field, which features the likes of the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sentra. It is competitive in terms of safety, spaciousness and overall driving experience and may have a slight advantage in value and warranty coverage. However, its conservative styling needs to catch up with the rest in this field.

The 2007 Elantra has airbags galore both in the front seat-mounted and roof-mounted side curtains, and that's for both front and rear seats. It also has antilock brakes and four-wheel-disc brakes that are far better than the disc brakes in front and drum brakes at the rear of its competitors.

(4) The Hyundai Tiburon

The Tiburon has been restyled for 2007 and now features lower-placed headlamps, a hallmark of the more mainstream Japanese models, as well as revised taillights and chrome exhaust tips. It also has a new sheetmetal frame with a more wedge-like, mainstream look that is a far cry from the odd-looking and curvy Tiburon model first introduced in the US in 1997.

The handling of the top-of-the-line Tiburon SE has likewise been streamlined to make it smoother and more appealing to enthusiasts.

(5) The Hyundai Santa Fe

With a car's unibody construction instead of a regular truck's traditional body-on-frame construction, the Hyundai Santa Fe is more like a "crossover SUV." The 2007 version has been completely redesigned and is now bigger and better, boasts of more power, bigger legroom and a more sophisticated style.

Unlike last year's model, the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe blends naturally into the suburbs. Its brand-new third-row seating allows the 2007 Santa Fe to accommodate up to seven passengers. It also offers improved fuel economy and power, whether itís the GLS, SE or Limited trims.

(6) The Hyundai Azera

This year's Azera has benefitted from minor changes in the interior details to increase its aesthetic value. It is actually a carryover from last year's model and features the standard 3.8-liter, V6, 263-horsepower engine and 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. This 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan is available in 4 trims, ranging from the SE to the Limited XM.

(7) The Hyundai Tucson

The Tucson is another of Hyundai's highly-regarded cars for 2007, especially since the 2006 Tucson captured the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates award for "Highest Ranked Multi-Activity Vehicle in Initial Quality" despite being only in its second year of production.

Based on a study of over 63,000 new car owners, the Tucson, on the average, outperformed its competitors in the Multi-Activity Vehicle (MAV) segment in six of eight categories. Overall, Tucson recorded scores that were 23 percent better than the category average. It also received high marks for its safety technology, electronic stability control, curtain airbags and for offering a choice between front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive.

(8) The Hyundai Entourage

In terms of standard safety features, the Hyundai Entourage is head and shoulders above the other minivans available in the market today It is no surprise that the 2007 Entourage garnered the Insurance Institute for Highway Safetyís highest and best crash test rating ever for a minivans.

Among the Entourage's safety and comfort features are six airbags, standard ABS, standard Electronic Stability Control and standard active head restraints. In addition, the Entourage boasts of lots of space to spare, including seating for seven and huge cargo space.

2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca: Ugly or Not?

Okay, Subaru fans…listen up! Do you think that the all new B9 Tribeca is a beautiful vehicle or is it an ugly duckling? As for me, I have mixed feelings. This particular SUV certainly doesn’t look like any other Subaru, nor does it easily get confused with any other SUV on the market. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; let’s take a look at what sets the B9 Tribeca apart from the pack.

The first time I saw Subaru’s new entry up close I first thought it was Porsche’s Cayenne. No, the vehicles don’t look alike, but the B9 Tribeca evoked a similar response for me: like the Cayenne, it represents a major departure from all other models. For example, the B9 Tribeca offers the following:

5 or 7 passenger seating. This is the first Subaru built that will seat more than five adults.

Big prices: The B9’s base price starts at about $32K.

Side curtain airbags for front seating passengers and second seating passengers [except for the person stuck in the middle seat]

All wheel drive, but you knew that already.

A plush interior. Subaru says that leather trimmed upholstery is available as are heated seats, rear cabin air conditioning, and a sliding glass moon roof.

The B9 is built on a stretched Outback platform and at 66.4 inches it is the tallest vehicle made be Subaru. Oddly, it shares the same 3.0L V6 engine as the Outback, so one can only wonder how hard it will work with 7 passengers onboard navigating steep hills and rounding corners?

I searched far and wide for the reason behind the name B9 Tribeca and found nothing definitive. One auto critic contended that the B9 part of the name came from a previous concept car that was shown by Subaru at car shows, while two reports say that the Tribeca part of the name is from the area of New York City that is the TRIangle BEneath CAnal Street neighborhood of Manhattan. Other than the vehicle being built in Indiana, there isn’t any relevancy in the name. One may think that the B9 portion of the name will prove to be more of a nuisance to remember as consumers have a difficult enough time remembering some two syllable model names, let alone two words.

Personally, I think the idea of building a larger Subaru is wise, especially since Subaru owners previously had no where to go beyond the current crop of compact SUVS and cars in their line up. Beyond that I believe the controversial looks and small engine will disappoint buyers and it may take new sheet metal and a beefier engine to stimulate sales.

2006 Acura MDX: Luxury With A View

You have to love the marketing guys. After all of the work of the design team, a new vehicle must pass through several rigorous channels including engineering, safety, performance, quality, durability, craftsmanship, government inspections, and management clearance, before even the first rivet is drilled or body panel painted. After all is said and done, the marketers get their chance to pitch the final product. In one word the MDX has been defined by these very same marketers: benchmark. Does the MDX live up to this all important designation? Acura would like for you to think so. Let’s take a look at Acura’s 7 passenger luxury SUV to see if it truly does rise to the level of category leader.

The marketplace is flooded with SUVs. Despite high gas prices, the demand for high profile vehicles continues to remain strong, particularly in the sub-behemoth category which is anything smaller than an Expedition or a Tahoe. Still, some of these less imposing models are fuel eaters too, equipped with V8 engines and all the latest gadgetry. If you want to realize fuel savings in an SUV a compact Ford Escape Hybrid is just
about your only choice, plus a new Lexus model just now hitting showrooms.

I digress.

The Acura MDX, along with its less opulent sister the Honda Pilot, embodies a class of vehicles that offer four wheel drive capabilities for optimum on road duty as well as medium off road duty. If you want a trail rated luxury SUV, then the Jeep Gran Cherokee is more your style. The MDX just cannot go where the Jeep can go.

All comparisons aside, the Acura is definitely luxury with a high profile view. The standard equipment list is extensive and includes the following:

3.5-liter, 24-valve, SOHC V-6 engine

5-speed automatic transmission

Rack-and-pinion steering system and an all-independent front and rear suspension

4-channel Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)

7-speaker sound system with AM/FM stereo, in-dash CD player, and XM® Satellite Radio

Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™; OnStar®

Tilt steering, cruise control, a power sliding-glass moon roof

Electrically heated leather seating for front passengers

Power everything; windows, mirrors, door locks, etc.

Environmentally conscious SUV owners will enjoy the MDX for its recent Ultra-Low-Emission Vehicle (ULEV-2) designation, a first for any SUV. What this means is that the MDX’s emissions ratings are extremely low, far below that of acceptable government levels.

The base MDX retails at a highly competitive $37,125 with fully loaded versions topping out just about forty five thousand dollars. Prices compare favorably with the Jeep Gran Cherokee, but the MDX undercuts BMW and Mercedes models by several thousands of dollars.

Acura recommends that owners use premium [91 octane] gasoline in their MDX. Delivering 17 miles city and 23 miles highway, the MDX’s fuel economy is about average for a vehicle of its size.

While the marketers want you to think that the MDX is the benchmark by which all other SUVs must be measured against, it fails to deliver in the all important off road category. Still, Acura price, luxury, and quality is certain to be a draw for buyers interested in a vehicle that is just about as opulent as any production SUV.

14 Get NHTSA Recognition for Improving Traffic Safety

Fourteen individuals and organizations from around the United States were recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for their accomplishments in improving traffic safety. They were given and presented with Public Service Awards by Jacqueline Glassman who is the NHTSA’s acting administration.

Organizations that were recognized held various types of work and made differences in traffic safety in their own ways. The American Academy of Pediatrics was recognized for its continued commitment to protecting children from crash-related injuries and death. The East Valley DUI Task Force of Arizona was recognized for its commitment in removing impaired drivers from the roadways making the roads safer for motorists. Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association’s efforts in promoting traffic and safety initiatives in Ohio were recognized. Mississippi Primary Safety Belt Law Team and the South Carolina Primary Safety Belt Law Team were distinguished for their leadership and commitment to the passage of the primary safety seat belt legislation in their areas. And Westchester County Probation Department of DWI Enforcement Unit made their mark for their unique and innovative programs that assisted in deterring impaired drivers.

Eight individuals were given recognition by the NHTSA. Rosalie Berquist was awarded for her efforts in preventing life-threatening injuries from traffic crashes as well as in education the public on the proper use of occupant restraints. State Sen. Con Bunde was recognized for his leadership, commitment, and assistance of the passage of the primary safety belt law. Chief Michael Capriglione of Delaware made his mark by being an outstanding leader and serving as a primary law enforcement advocate in his area. Phyllis Larimore received recognition for her dedication to promoting child passenger safety and occupant protection programs. For Robyn Litke, it was her exemplary traffic safety service to promote safety belt use as well as reducing impaired driving and underage drinking that made her achievements stand out. Tammy Ryden was awarded for her commitment to reducing traffic deaths and injuries through volunteering in educating law enforcement, students, and the public on safety belt use. Earl M. Sweeney was given due recognition for his contributions to traffic law enforcement and traffic safety. As for Greg Wilkinson, he was dedicated to reducing deaths and injuries caused by impaired drivers through promotion of use of safety belts.

Glassman mentioned during the awarding, “For every mile we travel in our motor vehicles, Americans today are nearly 20 percent less likely to die in a crash than they were just a decade ago. The people we honor today prove that every element of every community in America has an important voice in making traffic on our roadways safe.”

Keeping the roads safe also entails keeping a vehicle that is in perfect working condition. Through regular maintenance and replacing any worn out parts, vehicles could be kept in tiptop shape. Auto parts dealers like Volvo Parts and Used Volvo Parts make sure that they are providing their customers with excellently crafted parts like Volvo 240 series parts, 260 series parts, Volvo V40 parts and many other parts for other Volvo vehicles as well.

9 Soft Saddlebags For Motorcycles

Soft saddle bags are popular because they are pliable, easier to lug around and very spacious. There are a large number of soft saddlebags available in the market which makes selection difficult. Here’s a shortlist of some of the good bags:

1. Chase Harper European Tour Saddlebags: These are made of Cordura, are water-tight and have 34 quart capacity. Their important features are: attachment around the rear and at the footpegs, a frame tube with quick-release action, hard plastic at the bottom and front, removable plastic exhaust guards, soft nylon backing to prevent scuffing and double nylon handles joined by wraparound leather

2. Dry Bag Saddlebags: These are made of pliable non-porous plastic, are Cordura lined and can roll up like a paper sack. They have hard plastic bag stiffeners, an attachment around the rear and at the footpegs , quick-release buckles on nylon straps and a hard plastic backing

3. Eclipse Dodge Slant Cruiser Bags: They have a nylon body, faux leather top flap and real leather straps and trims. They are highly functional and compact, have rigid inner support panel, soft tricot mesh on the surface facing the bike as well as under the wide seat yoke. They need saddlebag support frames for proper attachment

4. Hondaline Saddlebags: These bags are made of nylon and foam panels and are water proof. They have a top that opens, are easy to pack and carry and can be attached to the bike using a nylon strip.

5. OSI Deluxe Nylon Saddlebags: These bags are made of Cordura and are open at the top. They have a large external pocket and a zipper with nylon tabs for easier pulling. The main compartments of the bags are lined with nylon and stiff plastic. The bags also have a flexible foam support on the side walls. They have four detachable anchor points and rugged Cordura handles for easy carrying

6. Rev-Pack Deluxe Saddle Packs: They are made of heavy urethane-coated Cordura
lined with sealed nylon. In addition, there is a lining of foam between the two plies for insulation and stability. The front flap is large and stiff. The bags can be moved up or down using the harness system that runs over the rear seat

7. RKA Standard Saddlebags: These bags have 22.5 quarts capacity, solid mounting and come with dual straps that tighten down across the seat. The zips open like a suitcase. They have adjustable retaining straps and synthetic sheepskin finish.

8. Roadgear Jumbo Expedition Bags: These bags have 40.8 quarts capacity and are made of 1000-denier Cordura Plus fabric with expanding panels. The bags have nylon-loop straps for the rear footpegs, a quick-release nylon tail strap and can be easily levelled with the passenger seat or raised above.

9. Teknic Saddlebags: These bags are made of 420-denier nylon, are PVC-coated and have a capacity of 35.2 quarts. A wide hook-and-loop yoke over the seat is used to join the saddlebags that have a four-point quick-release system to secure the bags to the bike. They also have an additional common strap for carrying the bag over the shoulder.
a wraparound zipper and two adjustable quick-release straps. A spiral-type zipper system helps release additional inches of cargo space.

7 Hard Saddlebags For Motorcycles

The market for hard saddlebags may have shrunk but there are still some manufacturers who continue to manufacture stylish bags. These manufacturers even offer matching brackets so that you can install the saddlebag with ease.

If you are looking for a hard saddlebag then you should look for three features: the bags should be waterproof, should be lockable and detachable. You should also be careful about the size of the bag. Often, the size may be misleading. This is because the hard bags, unlike soft bags, are not expandable, and have stiff internal lining that reduces storage area.

Here is a brief outline of hard saddlebags:

1. AUBURN LEATHER LEGEND BAGS: These bags come in two styles: bolt-on and throw-over, and are made of black American cowhide. They are classy looking with lock-stitched and stress-riveted seams and zinc-plated steel rivets. They have a hard back and their interiors are reinforced with ABS and HDPE plastic. The size of these bags is 12 inches by 13.5 inches by 6 inches.

2. BOSS BAGS: The Boss Bags are made of premium leather with heavy plastic reinforcing in the interiors. They are available in plain black leather or with trimmings. They have lockable lids and quick-release buckle straps. Each bag comes with a fiberglass mounting system.

3. PATRIOT HARDBAGS: These bags are known for their sleek styling and high-quality fit. They are 26 inches by 9.5 inches by 14.5 inches with a 35-liter capacity. Their side-mounting units are made of fiberglass. An additional feature is a watertight gasket seal that keeps rain water from entering.

4. CORBIN BEETLE BAGS: These bags are made according to the shape of motorcycles. This gives them a unique fit, and look. They are made of Fibertech and have a smooth finish. Their sizes may vary but their capacity is around 30 liters per bag.

5. GIVI LUGGAGE CRUISER: Givi’s bags, also known as Cruiser bags, are made of polypropelene. They are 16.7 inches by 13.7 inches by 7.7 inches with a capacity of 21 liters. They have side-mounting units and are sold as a pair. They are very light and come in a variety of finishes.

6. NATIONAL CYCLE CRUISELINER SADDLEBAGS: These bags are made from a high-density polymer that makes them dent-resistant. They normally have high-gloss black finish, but custom color matching is also possible. The size of these bags is 24.5 inches by 14 inches by 7.5 inches.

7. SADDLEMEN DESPERADO SADDLEBAGS: These hard bags come with inner stiffeners that maintain their shape even when the bags are empty. They come in several shapes, with each shape meant for a specific bike model.

6 Useful Tips On Renting A Car Abroad

When you next go on vacation the best way to explore a new country is by car. Renting a car allows you to sightsee at your own pace to tourist spots of your own choice. You can easily rent cars from car rental services, but there are certain things you should keep in mind when you are renting a car abroad.

* It is a good idea to make all arrangements from the USA itself before you embark on your vacation. If you rent directly in a foreign land the language and cultural barriers, the foreign currency conversion rates, unfamiliar rental rules and other differences may utterly confuse you. Instead if you rent right from your home country, you are more likely to catch the hidden costs such as late penalties, gas charges and others.

* Make sure your billing starts right from the time of the drop-off. Remember, there are agencies that charge on a full 24-hour basis, even if you use the car for lesser hours per day. Avoid these types of car rental agencies.

* There are various types of discounts that are available on car rentals internationally. For example, the frequent flyer discount, credit card discount, AAA discount or senior citizen discount etc. are the most common type of car rental discounts. Insist on getting the discounts if you qualify for them.

* When you are booking in advance, consider the prospective size of your luggage and the number of people traveling with you. In case the luggage and the size of your group are small you can consider a smaller car. But if you feel you are going to travel with a big group or have big or quite a few luggages, then book a roomier car.

* You should carry an international driving permit with you. It is recognized by some 150 countries. However you must be at least 18 years old to obtain an international driving permit. In the USA, two agencies are authorized to issue the document: the American Automobile Association and the American Automobile Touring Alliance.

* Do not expect to rent a luxurious or automatic car in other countries as you would expect to rent back home. For example, if you rent a car of European make, there is a high possibly that you have to drive a manual stick shift car. However, since you are not familiar with your way around in a foreign city it is better that you insist on renting an automatic car even though it comes at a higher price tag.

So you see, driving in the foreign land is much more than laughing about driving on the wrong side of the road! Be prepared and carry the right documents for safe and happy driving abroad.

6 Precautions You Should Take When Using An ATV Winch

Winches play a very significant role while using ATVs. They have become a necessity for the ATV enthusiasts. They are commonly used in ATVs, trucks and trailers. The sturdiness and type of the winch depends upon the requirement of the user as there are types of winches that can be used for different purposes.

a - ATV's winches: ATV winches have proved to be life saving equipments for the ATV enthusiasts as they have helped a lot in taking them out from the dangerous circumstances like getting into deep mud-hole while navigating. In the latest models of ATVs, the winch can be mounted on the front or on the rear end of the ATV and can be shifted from front to back depending upon the requirement.

There is a wide range of ATV winches in terms of their strength, but its selection depends upon the functioning and size of the ATV. It is always recommended to the ATV enthusiasts to possess ATV winches in their ATVs.

b - Truck's winches: The tow trucks were used to possess the winches in the past but in the present scenario, the winches are present in three quarter and in one ton trucks. The winches that were used earlier were the hand cranked winches whereas the winches which are used now-a-days are electric winches.

The functioning of these electric winches is remote controlled and are hooked to the battery of the truck. They have been proved very helpful in the dangerous situations like slipping and sliding of the trucks on uneven lands. The large trucks like F-350 require a strong winch and it approximately costs around 12,000 pounds.

c - The winches are also present in the trailers that can be either electronic or hand cranked. These trailer winches are commonly found on most of the boat trailers. In the past decades, the hand cranked trailer winch was used in boats to pull it onto the trailer in order to secure it into its place.

But with development of latest technology, the trailer winches function under the influence of electric current and are present in wide range in terms of strength. These electric winches pull the boat onto the trailer by just pushing up a single button which is an easy and comfort method of loading and unloading the boats as compared to the use of hand cranked winches.

How to Mount a Winch

You should always ensure that the winch is mounted perfectly either on an ATV or on a trailer. In order to have perfect mounting, it is always recommended to have a winch bumper as it can be mounted on the bumper of the truck or even can replace it.

In this way, the winch will get security against theft or any damage after being fitted inside the winch bumper. Use of winch bumper will not affect the vehicle in any aspect, unless it suits yours vehicle. You can take assistance from the truck accessory store while selecting the apt and best winch and winch bumper depending upon your requirement.

Precautions To Be considered While Using ATV Winch

Though the use of winches is very easy, it is always suggested to consider the following precautionary measures while using them:

a - You should always be careful while using the metal cable as they may cut your hands.
b - It is always recommended to carry leather gloves while using a winch.
c - You should always keep the loose clothes away from the winches in order to preclude any injury.
d - It is always suggested that not to use winch as a hoist because this will increase the chances of hurting yourself and your ATV.
e - You should never step over the cable when it snaps.
f - You should always make sure that the winch should not drain your battery.

Therefore, using the winches safely can really be helpful on your adventurous trips.

5 Hand Tools You Can’t Live Without

A well equipped work shop is the first step to making sure you are ready and able for any do-it-yourself home improvement project. With a few basic workhorses, you can saw, nail, sand, shape and sharpen the way the pros do it.

The Top Five Tool List

There are thousands of tools on the shelves of the hardware store and the work benches of seasoned do-it-yourself gurus, but it you were to break them down into categories, they all do some of the same things. So with five basic pieces of hardware as your foundation, you can build anything and then work from there to build your own workshop.

The first power tool to have is a circular saw. With this you can cut straight lines and large curves. Setting a board along the top of two saw horses, can create a work area to hold wood being cut.

Next, for larger wood working projects a table saw or radial arm saw is in line. Choosing one that rotates to different angles is important if you plan to cut picture framing or crown mouldings for your home. The angles allow you to create the 45 degree mitre cuts for a perfect fit.

Third, the well- equipped workshop has an electric sander. All of this work could be done by hand, but the electric belt sander gives each piece of wood a professionally finished look. It prepares long strips of moulding or the edges of table tops and other furniture for staining or painting.

Fourth, every wood working work shop should have a router. This handy tool allows you to make woodworking patterns and grooves that take a piece of furniture or moulding from that plain look of the Shaker style to the ornate French provincial elegance.

Finally, maintaining your saws and other tools is easier with a grinding wheel or knife sharpener. These will allow you to maintain blades and keep them cutting the fine details and patterns that take your handicraft up a notch from amateur to professional.

Solid Brands for Solid Quality

There are some brands of tools that the name alone creates an image of quality. Makita, Ryobi, Rockler, Rockwell, Sears Craftman, Snap-On, Hitachi, and Rigid are all names you can rely on. The prices in these brands vary a little, but with any of them you can count on a quality tool that will last decades. It is worth the investment.

Adding On

Once you have stocked your workshop shelves with the basics, you can add some of the luxuries that make the jobs easier and smoother. Of course there are the smaller devices such as gluers and clamps that keep projects together while you work. But to that you can add electric nailers, dovetail jigs, jet tools and more to make life easier.

A well organized workshop with all of the basics is the ideal way to work. Perhaps your first big project can be building the workbench that will serve as your foundation for many more projects to come.

3 Tips To Ensure A Safe Car Shipping Transaction

With the world becoming more and more globalized, there has been a increase in business for car shipping companies to ship all types of vehicles ranging from motorbikes to lorries, trucks etc. Online car sales and car auctions have also contributed to an increase in demand for car shipping services.

As a result, today there is a wide range of car shipping companies to choose from. But how do you go about picking a car shipping service that is suitable for your car? Here are a few tips to bear in mind.

1. Enclosed Or Not Enclosed

You will need to decide whether your car needs to be enclosed in a container or not during shipping. Generally enclosed containers are more expensive but the advantage is your car will not need to suffer from wind, rain, debris etc during transportation.

I would recommend to use an the enclosed method of transportation if your car is a brand new one or is expensive. An example would be a vintage car or an expensive sports automobile.

2. Shipping Routes

You may need to check with the car shipping company whether they can deliver to your house. Some shipping companies only deliver to major cities and certain pickup locations after which you are expected to go there to collect the car.

Other car shipping companies will charge an additional fee to ship it to your house. So it is important you check with the company before hand the shipping arrangement.

3. Car Inspection

Most car shipping companies will have a car inspection checklist before and after the car is shipped. You want to go through that checklist and make sure your condition of the car is checked correctly before shipping.

You can take your time to inspect the car after it has been shipped to check for any damages to your car.

5. Car Shipping Insurance

You may want to check with the car shipping companies on the shipping insurance coverage on your car and the cost involved. Most car shipping companies include insurance in the total shipping cost but some don’t and will require an additional charge. So make sure you know the insurance coverage and the cost if needed.

3 Reasons Why Suzuki Scooters Are Great

Ever wonder why Suzuki scooters are very popular in the market? Here are some reasons why a lot of people are very satisfied with their Suzuki scooters.

Excellent Design

Suzuki scooters are known for their stylish designs that come in bold colors like blue, gray and black. It is evident in their sleek bodies and fantastic engines that can provide both a comfortable ride and an exhilarating performance. These scooters have a stepped seat and an adjustable backrest that will keep the rider comfortable through long distances. Suzuki scooters are also good for two. They have concave floorboards that would give both the rider and the passenger ample leg room. Suzuki scooters also have an impressive suspension as well as an aerodynamic fairing that will provide the rider with a lot of protection from the wind.

Suzuki scooters also come with a lighted underseat storage compartment as well as three other front compartments that are within the rider’s reach. Not only does it provide comfort during trips, it conveniently stores the rider’s things in strategic locations. The front compartments can hold keys or change that the rider can easily access when he needs it. The underseat compartment can hold bigger items as well as things that he would like to secure.

User-friendly and Efficient

Suzuki scooters have liquid-cooled engines that do not make a lot of noise and can offer strong acceleration. They also use an advanced fuel injection system that can make it easy to steer. Even better, they come with an automatic clutch and v-belt that would produce a smooth and effortless acceleration. It also has a great set of breaks that will never let the rider down. Using this scooter will also lessen gas expenses. It has a mileage of 75 miles per gallon. With the increasing price of gasoline, this should be a very big consideration.

Durable and Reliable

Most of the people who have used Suzuki scooters are very satisfied. According to these Suzuki users, their scooter has never let them down. Most of their scooters are more than two years old. And, they have traveled a lot of worry-free miles using these vehicles. Aside from a change of tire after around nine months of use, no other repairs have been done on their scooters yet. A lot of users also commended this product for having a very tightly capped oil gasket that does not leak at all. In fact, one user even mentioned that he could take his Suzuki scooter in the living room after use.

The best thing about Suzuki scooters is the price. With such a fantastic list of qualities, one will find the price too good to be true. It will literally give the customer a bang for his buck. Its 400 cc scooters, for example, cost as low as $6,000 which is very cheap when compared with the prices of other high-end scooters. With their low prices, impressive performance and beautiful designs, what more can one ask for?

2 Way Car Alarms: Wave Of The Future

2 way car are alarms bringing automobile protection systems into the future. A car alarm is now so much more than just a loud ringing noise when the vehicle is invaded. A 2 way car alarm is now able notify you remotely via pager when the alarm is activated. They also provid the ability to start and control the car from a distance. These special alarms can do nearly everything short of driving the car for you!

The technology, often utilizing FM radio waves, is not endorsed by some law enforcement officials because of the fact that real-time notification of theft activity might turn some car owners into vigilantes. It is seen as a trade-off in citizen safety to have the ability to try to intervene in a theft in progress. However, the remote action options available with 2 way car alarms, including door locks and trunk release, have allowed some car owners to derail a theft from as much as 2,500 feet away.

Many 2 way alarm manufacturers build GPS systems into their alarm units, which is a valuable tool in recovery of stolen vehicles. The ability to track and pinpoint the location of a stolen vehicle has helped reunite many owners with their cars. However, the satellite technology used by these 2 way car alarms is far from foolproof since the signals only work when line-of-sight is possible. They can can be obstructed by solid objects including below ground parking facilities. Still, it's a great advance in fighting auto theft.

Beyond these security measures, some modern 2 way car alarm models offer very attractive comfort features to their owners. Imagine being able to keep your vehicle locked while remote starting the car and engaging the climate control. The days of waiting in the heat or cold until the car's temperature regulates can be a thing of the past with these fantastically user-friendly options! For more info see http://www.bestcaralarmreviews.com/Car_Alarm_Systems/ on Car Alarm Systems

Despite the incredible advances of these 2 way car alarms, it must be stated that they cannot upgrade a vehicle beyond its original capabilities. For example, when installed in a car that does not have automatic door locks or trunk releases, these features will not work regardless of the alarm system. Additionally, most 2 way car alarms are designed to work strictly with automatic transmission vehicles. A standard transmission cannot be started remotely as the transmission must be manually disengaged to be able to start. So, be sure that your vehicle is equipped to take on the many advantages of a 2 way car alarm system, and then enjoy this space-age gadget!

1,000 Bhp Exotic Cars - Three To Choose From

If you love sheer power, and you want a car that produces 1,000 bhp, you now have three to choose from - and that is without going to the tuners like Ruf ofr Callaway, who will get this much power from engines that are currently in the 500- 700 bhp range. The tjree in the 1000 bhp club are the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, the Bristol Fighter T, and the Koenigsegg CCXR. Theoretically, these are all good for 250 mph in theory, but not in practice.

First on the scene was the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, the world’s fastest and most powerful exotic car, with a top speed of 248 mph.

Engineering masterpiece

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is quite an engineering masterpiece, with a W-16 8.0 liter cylinder engine mid-mounted driving through a seven-speed semi-automatic gearbox to all four wheels – four-wheel drive is definitely a good idea with this amount of power. Not only is it immensely fast, but with four-wheel drives it is very stable. It has ceramic brake discs and an air brake to help you slow down from over 125 mph.

A very surprising addition to the 1,000 bhp plus club is the Bristol Fighter T, which has an engine developing 1,012 bhp, just 11 more than the Bugatti! This is a front-engine, rear-drive car designed for high-speed touring.

To be precise, the V-10 engine in the Fighter T whacks out 1,012 bhp at 5,600 rpm. Bristol says that the top speed of the car is around 270 mph, but it has a limiter at 225 mph, which is just 4,.500 rpm in top! Not many will be made, making this a really exotic car.

Acceleration is not as good as you might expect – or maybe it is just modesty at Bristol Cars – at 'under 3.5 seconds' whereas the Bugatti Veyron is well under 3 seconds. The difference is largely academic – like the top speeds – but a mid-engined four-wheel drive car will accelerate more quickly than a front-engined rear-drive car. The Bristol Fighter just doesn't have enough weight on the rear wheels to get under 3 seconds.

Twin turbo V-10

How did they get this huge amount of power? Well, like the other Bristol Fighters, the T has a tuned Chrysler V-10 engine of 8 liters. For the Fighter T they have added a pair of water-cooled turbochargers to almost double power so they could exceed that magic 1,000 bhp figure, getting 1,012 bhp at 5,600 rpm, with 1,036 lb ft (1,400 Nm) of torque at 4,500 rpm. That is quite a high speed for maximum torque, but the engine still produces a massive 800 lb ft (1,080 Nm) of torque from 3,000 rpm, upward.

The Bristol Fighter S has a top speed of over 200 mph, partly owing to good aerodynamics, but The Fighter T is an absolute stormer with a power-to-weight ratio of about 600 bhp per ton and a top speed of well, you name it!

Koenigsegg CCXR runs on ethanol

Now, along comes Koenigsegg with the Koenigsegg CCXR, based on the CCX supercar, but now this version is able to run on ethanol biofuel - E85. Because ethanol has an octane rating of over 100 RON – like racing fuel in the 30s - it gives more power than gasoline, as Saab has demonstrated.

In the Koenigsegg CCXR, power is up from 806 bhp – more than enough for almost everyone – to 1,018 bhp! Peak torque is an incredible 780 lb ft (1,060 Nm) at 6,100 rpm. That's 25% more power.

With ethanol, power increases of 15-25% can be obtained for any engine so long as it is optimised with high compression ratio and other changes. In other words, don't just pull up at a gas station, put ethanol in your tank and get 20% more power. It doesn't work unless the engine is designed to run on it.

But that is not so difficult to do, and with George Bush trying to get more ethanol used in the USA, expect more to follow this route. After all, almost everyone loves power, even if they drive a car that is not very fast.

John Hartley is editor of http://www.fast-autos.com, an online magazine devoted to fast cars and supercars, where you can read the latest articles about fast cars. He has written from many of the world's top auto magazines, and has written many books about cars and the auto industry, including 'Suspension and Steering Q&A' and 'The Electronics Revolution in the Motor Industry'.

Which Type Of RV Is Right For You?

In Europe, the main form of mobile accommodation is the caravan. These carry with them a reputation for being old-fashioned, slow and cramped. However, in America the mobile accommodation of choice is the RV. This stands for Recreation Vehicle and is an umbrella term for a whole variety of vehicles with living space included.

The most impressive type of RV is the Class A Motorhome. This vehicle is similar in size to a bus and has a cabin at the front from where the driving is done. These luxury vehicles are ideal for long trips, vacations and even living in on a permanent basis. They can be equipped with all of the mod-cons associated with a typical home and can sleep up to 10 people, depending on the model. These large vehicles are often found with a standard car being towed behind to allow the inhabitants to park the RV and undertake local journeys in a more practically sized vehicle.

If you already own a pick up or towing vehicle, the fifth wheel trailer may be more beneficial to you. Considerably cheaper than an RV, the trailer attaches to the truck and is towed in this manner. The master bedroom usually sits over the truck bed, giving the trailer a two storey dimension. It can be detached from the vehicle and is then freestanding, allowing the vehicle to be used for conventional purposes.

The travel trailer is similar to the fifth wheel trailer but is suitable for towing by any standard vehicle once the required adaptation shave been made. This is most reminiscent of the European caravan but brings more luxurious accommodation and features with it.

The Class B Motorhome is similar to the Class A in that it has the drivers cab incorporated into it. However, it is much smaller and only sleeps up to 4 people on a temporary basis. The benefits of this are that it can be used as a traditional vehicle also, making it an ideal solution for a large family. The Class C Motorhome makes an ideal compromise between the Class A and Class B models. It too has an incorporated cab but sleeps up to 6 and is more suited to permanent accommodation than the Class B. As with the Class A model, all of the living space can be utilised whilst on the move making it versatile and practical to use. There is almost always a private sleeping area above the cab which can be used for extra storage if sleeping space is not required.

These are only a few of the varieties of RV available but give you a general idea of the scope and freedom that these vehicles can give you. Although they don’t come cheap, they are not over priced and give you the opportunity to have comfortable accommodation wherever you may go. You can make it very homely with all of your personal belongings on display and the comfort they provide is impressive.

What To Look For In Motor Homes

Whether you are purchasing or just renting one of the motorhomes that are available for sale or rent, there are several things you should look for. First of all, best motorhomes are reliable. The manufacturer should be a trustworthy company that builds vehicles that don’t break too often. Motorhomes should also be comfortable to make sure that they can provide you and your family the possibility to take the enjoyable and relaxing trip. Motorhomes that you look at should suit all your personal and family needs and should include all the necessary amenities and equipment. Since there is such a wide variety of motorhomes offered for sale or for rent, you can be sure that you will find the one that will satisfy all your requirements.

First of all, you should make sure that you consider only the motorhomes with appropriate size and number of beds. Motorhomes will also usually include several seats and a table that can be used as a dining table. You will also find different kitchen amenities in motorhomes. For example, you might want to consider motorhomes that include a kitchen sink, water system with hot and cold water, microwave, refrigerator (very useful for long trips), gas stove or oven (check the gas bottle specifications) and inside or outside grill. Most of the motorhomes will usually include a large storage section (many times with outside access).

If you are planning to purchase a motorhome, you should create a list of different motorhomes that you like and compare them. After comparing technical specification, you might want to check the feedback written by other owners of these types of motorhomes. All you need for that is access to Internet and the model numbers for several best motorhomes that you selected from the list. There are many technical motorhomes review websites that will allow you to find out what different owners think about specific models of motorhomes and how good their experience is with these motorhomes. This will usually help you to make the final selection.

For more information on Motor Homes click through to our site.