Posted by Jepan Mihai on May 14, 2010 in
More Accessories The sporty Magna’s 3.5 litre V6 delivers such an overabundance of torque and power that it requires close electronic supervision to prevent it sometimes behaving like a slithering idiot. The VR-X’s suspension, in contrast, is capably and comfortably compliant. There’s not a hint of teeth-rattling harshness to the ride, but neither is there any satisfying sharpness in the car’s responses to steering wheel and accelerator pedal.
Does this matter when for many, if not most, sporty is a look? If clothes make the car, then the new Magna model is plenty sporty. Essentially the VR-X is a Magna sports plus plastic. While both models wear a whopper wing, the VR-X adds a deep front airdam, extended rear skirt, sills and wheel arch extensions. There are no mechanical differences between the two.
Both VR-X and Sports are equipped with a new high power version of Mitsubishi’s familiar 3.5 litre V6. This engine’s maximum outputs are 163kW and 317Nm, versus the regular 3.5’s 150kW and 300Nm. Yes, those latter figures are higher than before. Alterations to the single overhead camshafts of the V6 – minor changes to the timing and duration of valve opening, both inlet and exhaust – are the reason for the improvement. Read more...
Tags: auto, Cars, More Accessories, transportation, Vehicles
Posted by Adriana Noton on May 13, 2010 in
More Accessories Can I deduct rental car costs on my income tax is a question that is often asked by people who rent cars and trucks from car rental outlets. There are so many reasons that these taxes are being imposed and these will be revealed in the article below.
The Coalition against Discriminatory Car Rental Excise Tax has been formed to try if possible regulate the impost ion of these taxes. In more than forty of the states in America there one hundred and fourteen different kinds of taxes that are associated with truck and car rentals. Back in the 90’s there were less than 11 of these taxes.
There was for a while a hold on tax imposition of twelve and a half percent in Maine. The coalition, the car rental companies and the drivers of the rented cars were kept happy for a time.
Taxes on rented cars reach limits of 20% and large corporate companies are paying the government as much as $5 million each and every year in the way of taxes imposed on car and truck rentals. Read more...
Tags: Automotive, autos, Cars, discount, driving, leasing, Money, More Accessories, rentals, services, Shopping, Travel, Used, vans, Vehicles
Posted by Jepan Mihai on May 11, 2010 in
More Accessories Rob Smith drives Holden’s mid-sized people mover and discovers a powerful and practical vehicle that brings enjoyment back to a usually mundane market segment
Every now and again along comes a car that surprises you, and sometimes that’s a really nice thing! After all if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, swims like a duck, chances are it’s a duck! So it’s always a good thing when the aquatic fowl turns out to be more of a swan than you expected.
This is the case with the Holden Zafira. From the outside it looks a lot like a whole swag of other family style people movers, same sort of general shape, size and on paper specs. Yet here is a car that’s more than the sum of its parts.
Come on then, what is it? This is Holdens answer to the Renault Scenic, Mazda Premacy and Daewoo Tacuma. The engine is a 2.2 litre DOHC sixteen valve four cylinder making 108kW of power @ 5,800 rpm and 203 Nm of torque @ 4000 rpm. There’s the option of a five speed manual or four speed auto, and the chassis is based on the Astra, which means that handling has more in common with a car than a bus. Read more...
Tags: auto, Cars, More Accessories, transportation, Vehicles
Posted by Jason Hall on May 6, 2010 in
More Accessories When planning a vacation, one common piece of advice heard when planning your trip is is not to pay for the supplemental insurance when renting a car from an agency. Typically, the credit card used to rent the car will provide rental insurance, and the coverage you have on your own car will cover the rental as well. Before deciding not to take the supplemental insurance, however, you should take into consideration what the deductibles are for your existing coverage, as well as your coverage limits.
When you rent a car, you assume responsibility for all damages to the car, even minor damages such as scratches, dings or dents. Through no fault of your own the car could get damaged, while you are parked in a garage and nowhere near the vehicle, but you are still liable based on the terms of the rental agreement.
If the cost to repair the minor damage is too small, it could be the case that your credit card company and personal car insurance would not cover the costs. Even if you report that damage to the police and insurance company immediately, it is quiet possible that the insurance company could bill you for the damage after you thought everything was taken care of. Read more...
Tags: 4wd, Australia, Budget, Car Hire, Cars, Cheap Rental Cars, holiday, More Accessories, Queensland Rentals, rental, SUV, Vacation
Posted by Jepan Mihai on May 2, 2010 in
More Accessories Nissan hopes to sell about 100 200SXs a month. It has a pretty good chance. Although some vital ingredients such as the hot 2.0 litre turbo-are much as before, there has been an extensive make-over beneath that slinky new costume.
While the previous 200SX could crack 0-100km/h in less than 7.0secs and run the 400 metres in 15.0secs neat, the born-again model promises to be even quicker, as a manual at least. This isn’t because the lusty engine has changed, but because it’s backed by a six-speed gearbox that also brings a newly developed, very effective limited-slip differential.
And kerb weight is down by about 25kg. Drop the accelerator pedal to the firewall and the turbo 2.0 litre responds with a rush; not with a fearsome, kind of Rottweiler lunge on the leash, but rather a smooth and forceful, swelling thrust that feels like 3.0 litre’s worth.
Though the turbo really gathers itself as the tacho needle powers past 3500rpm or so, the engine is also nicely tractable when rambling in the slower range and then responds with all due urgency when you gas it. Read more...
Tags: auto, Cars, More Accessories, transportation, Vehicles
Posted by Jepan Mihai on May 2, 2010 in
More Accessories There are many different aspects that are taught during defensive driving training.
They range from simple techniques, such as slowing down when approaching a stationary school bus, to more advanced techniques that teach the driver to control a vehicle that has started to lose control in slippery road conditions.
Defensive driving is not just for those people who have had a court order to attend a course after receiving a traffic offence. Defensive driving will benefit almost anyone who operates a motor vehicle.
Many defensive driving courses are held at local race tracks where the students are safe in the knowledge that there aren’t any other road users to contend with.
The courses involve car handling skills, by driving through cones placed at varying spaces whilst approaching at various speeds.
Other tests involve sudden braking on slippery surfaces and cornering on equally slippery surfaces.
Drivers are also taught how to react when unusual events occur, such as a child running out onto the road to chase a ball.
Many defensive driving courses have specially modified vehicles that are designed to allow the occupants to experience the effects of lost driver control through a skid. Read more...
Tags: auto, Cars, More Accessories, transportation, Vehicles
Posted by Jepan Mihai on May 2, 2010 in
More Accessories Cars, at this point in history are now a commodity that most people can not do without. However, there are cars that are truly meant for both beauty and pleasure and for most a luxury. Power and beauty can be married to sleekness and speed. These are truly a motorists dream. There are cars however that are meant to be workhorses for different needs. And there are those that are meant to just experience the thrill of speed and sleekness of performance handling.
There are other issues as well that needs to be attended to when one gets involved with cars. The truth is that one has to go thru training and tests to be licensed. The jargon and technical details one must look into when weighing which particular car one should choose. Buying this particular car and the necessary legal, technical and the other million and one items that needs to be attended to may leave prospective buyers and car owners scratching their head in bewilderment. Of course some buyers are truly car enthusiasts who cant spout the little-known anecdotes and technical info that can qualify them as experts in the subject of cars. However, a vast majority of the car buyers may not have the interest, drive or time to do the research on this. Read more...
Tags: auto, Cars, More Accessories, transportation, Vehicles
Posted by Jepan Mihai on May 2, 2010 in
More Accessories You can’t underestimate the importance of a reliable taxi service. For some, a taxi is just something that takes them home late at night, or gives them a ride to the airport when they’re off on holiday. For others, a taxi is a lifeline a ride to the local shops or to the doctors and regular customers establish good relationships with the drivers. You may need a taxi for:
A night out Theatre trips The school run Visiting the doctor or the hospital Helping with supermarket shopping Airport transfers
So, what should you look for when you’re choosing a taxi service?
Licence
A good taxi business will be licensed by their local authority. Requirements for licensing can vary, but authorities need to know that the cars used by the taxi company are suitable for carrying passengers, and companies may also have to submit proof of ownership and relevant service details for the vehicles, as well as copies of the driving licences of drivers working for the business. Once licensed, the company should display their licence number on the cab, so check that the company is licensed before you book with them.
Recommendations Read more...
Tags: auto, Cars, More Accessories, transportation, Vehicles
Posted by Adriana Noton on May 2, 2010 in
More Accessories There is nothing like a northern winter to make people enjoy their vehicles just a bit more. Canadian winters are known to be some of the harshest, though the northern states of the U. S. Aren’t far off. With blowing snow and cutting cold temperatures, thinking of getting an auto club membership makes more sense. A single membership can save a driver so much trouble and offer protection in those situations everyone wants to avoid.
Many memberships for auto clubs have similar benefits. Some offer exclusive benefits, however, that cost an extra yearly fee. And many auto clubs are merely offshoots of a brand name, such as a gasoline company or a popular auto mechanic. To find the right membership, compare the lists of benefits and costs involved for each.
Battery boosting is also something to look closely at. Many a Canadian driver has had to experience a car that just refuses to start, or shuts down completely on a cold and deserted highway. It’s still common practice in some parts of the country to think that a car doesn’t need to be plugged in at night. Read more...
Tags: auto, auto club, Automotive, benefits, Canada., Cars, club, drivers, driving, membership, memberships, More Accessories, transportation, Travel, vehicle
Posted by Adriana Noton on Apr 28, 2010 in
More Accessories When you think about the words of “famous miniature cars”, it usually comes to mind matchbox cars. The tiny vehicles are know the world over, and later Mattel would make the line of tiny cars and truck famous. Finding out what the history of the play toy is, is a must for collectors. Being informed, will certainly help to decide if it is an original, their true value, and if it is a good deal or not, to buy one.
It might surprise you to find out that the original matchbox design came from an English product company, and by a co-owner, named Jack Odell. He redesigned the first car for his daughter, from a toy that was sold at the company, except it was a much smaller version. The need for the small car was that apparently, she could not take any toys to school that would not fit inside a matchbox, so this is how the idea of die-cast small cars was dreamed up.
Lesney company, as it was known, marketed and distributed through the Moko Lesney company, and after the Lesney legacy went out of business, all of the rights to the name and design went to Moko. If you want to collect the line of vehicles, then be aware that the original distributing company name will be on the toys. Read more...
Tags: Cars, Classic Cars, diecast, diecast cars, dinky cars, lesney, Mattel, Miniature Cars, miniatures, moko lesney, More Accessories