Used cars Content

eBay. Are they the Best Option for Collector Cars?

eBay. Are they the Best Option for Collector Cars?

by: Shane Corliss

eBay is the largest online auction site in the world. You can find anything from Wind Captured from the Katrina Hurricane to Rare Antiques. They have made millions putting buyers and sellers together and pioneered consumer and dealer based online auctions. I decided to take a good look at the over 1,000 collector car auctions that were posted on eBay in the last two weeks. I think you may agree that my findings are a bit startling.

The Statistics

Most searched for term on eBay: Xbox 360

Most Watched Item: One Owner 1942 Vintage Martin D-45 Guitar

Hmm. No collector cars here!

Glamour Cars

Glamour Cars

by: Graeme Notega

Long and sleek! With Elvis as the hero of the day during the 1950s, whatever he drove become the car of the day. And Elvis loved the glamour that shiny new tail-fins exhibited. His fans loved them, too, which led to over thirty heart-stopping models being designed during the 1950s. No one cared back then whether cars were gas-guzzlers or whether the paint job would last, or whether the shiny chrome that protruded out the back begged to have dents inserted within the first few weeks.

The appeal of cars during the 1950s was more than just Elvis. It was prestige and glamour for even the average working person. The feeling of luxury seeped into one?s feelings and emotions, and romance bloomed with respect while riding in these elegant vehicles.

The Chrysler Town & Country Newport coupe which came out in 1950 didn?t have fins (they started creeping into the design around 1952). Yet it wasn?t the typical car of the 1940s. Almost a dinosaur compared to today?s styles, the Newport featured distinctive, external wood framing (referred to as being a ?Woodie?) and strongly appealed to the hunter and sportsmen.

Pontiac had a mascot ? an Indian Chief? whose unsmiling face formed the base of the front hood. His headdress consisted of streaks of chrome sliding back over the hood and being picked up again on the trunk. Sleek looking! Everyone wanted a car with a personality, and the Indian Chief gave the Pontiac one.

Because the cars of the early 1950s had a somewhat dowdy appearance but reflected the potential of sparkling glamour, car designers became aggressive in their creativity. By 1957 and 1958 the designers produced disastrously overblown responses. Sharp clean fins reached in all directions. They were streaked with chrome, and somewhere in the middle a body was grafted into them. Bright yellows! Passionate reds! Baby blues! And regardless of the weather where one lived, convertibles were in, even if you never lowered the top.

The intense competition among the car manufacturers meant that each model became extinct quickly. Planned obsolescence meant the customers had to choose between buying a new car each year or being a social leper. Because of the expense of redesigning all models every year, the manufacturers took to keeping the inner workings of the cars basically the same and only changing the outward look.

By 1958 some models,such as the 1958 Oldsmobile, were beginning to be called ?ugly.? Some even said it looked like a brick with a hardtop sitting on it. However, the indented chrome on the doors still caught one?s eye of respect.

All systems self-destruct from within. The era of the glamour cars had outdone itself and common sense dictated that what would follow in the 1960s would be based on performance, a concern for the environment, and conservative packaging. During the 1960s people weren?t impressed with external appearances to the exclusion of what existed underneath. This attitude was reflected towards both people and cars. Yet, who will ever forget Elvis? Or the glamour cars of the 1950s?

About The Author

Graeme Notega is the owner of CarsUlike which tackles all motoring issues. For more information, go to http://www.acarsz.com.

Do you have sleep insurance?

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.

You car is your lifeline. You need it to live. Everyone does! Do you drive to and from work? Do you use your car to go where the party is? Do you drive your kids to school or soccer practice? Whatever you do in your busy life, you rely on your car to get your there. What would happen if you didn't have a car?

Owning a car can be a challenge! An auto warranty is one way to have peace of mind if you own a car. It allows you to add a guarantee to your vehicle. After all, that vehicle is your lifeline.

The city bus is crowded. Cycling isn't an option in your business attire. Who walks anywhere? You need your car to live. Like air and food, our cars help us survive: they get us to work so we can afford a roof over our head and food on the table.

An auto warranty is exactly the thing you need to keep your wheels rolling and your life on track. Without it, you could be faced with the prospect of a broken down vehicle and a difficult spiral to get out of: No car... no work. No work... not enough money to fix your car. No money to fix your car... No car.

That's no way to live.

You need peace of mind. You need to be able to sleep at night. You need to have the assurance that when you go out to work the next day, your car will start. And if it doesn't start, you need the peace of mind that the repairs will be affordable and get you "up and running" really soon.

If you don't have one, how will you afford the next breakdown? How will you sleep when your car is in the shop?

About The Author

Aaron Hoos is a freelance business and financial writer. This article was written for www.MetWarranty.com.

Affordable Cars Priced From Under $15K

Affordable Cars Priced From Under $15K

by: Matthew C. Keegan

Are you looking for a new car? If you are, there are several models available to you for under $15,000. Twelve are mentioned here; thirteen if you include the Nissan Versa to be released later this summer. Increased competition has made this a great time to buy a new car so compare, shop, and save!

Chevrolet Cobalt ? With an MSRP of under $13,000, this Chevrolet model is one of the lowest priced cars manufactured in the U.S. A competitive price when you realize that few new car models are priced so low. If the Cobalt price still isn?t low enough for you, then Chevrolet also markets the Aveo, a vehicle GM imports from its South Korean subsidiary Daewoo. The Aveo retails for just $9890!

Ford Focus ? Retailing at $13,990 the Focus is the lowest priced vehicle sold by ?blue oval? in the U.S. Not cheap enough for you? Special incentives on the ZX3 version of the Focus can lower the price by as much as $3000!

Honda Civic Coupe ? It is getting increasingly difficult to find a Civic under $15,000. Why is that? Well, Honda has been gradually pushing the Civic up market in a bid to compete against the Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla. Don?t worry, Honda is about to release a car even smaller [and cheaper] than the Civic: the $12,000 Fit will be in Honda showrooms later this year!

Hyundai Accent and the Hyundai Elantra ? Leave it to Hyundai to have two vehicles in its line up that sell for under $15,000. Starting at just $12,455 the Accent GLS is bargain basement, but not stripped. The car comes with four wheel disc brakes, 8 way adjustable driver?s seat, and ABS. The Elantra is slightly up market and retails for about $1300 more than the Accent.

Kia Rio and Kia Spectra ? With an MSRP listed at $11, 110 the Kia Rio is the lowest priced four door car sold in the U.S. Recent upgrades for the model include several safety features: six airbags, impact-absorbing steering column, front and rear crumple zones and side-impact door beams. Select the Spectra for a car that is better appointed and larger than the Rio.

Saturn ION ? Base models of the little car from Tennessee currently are retailing around $13,500, but that price may drop later in the year as GM seeks to move several slow selling cars including the ION

Toyota Corolla ? Always competitive, the Corolla is priced at $14,105 and is considered by industry leaders to have the highest quality amongst all small cars on the market. A lower cost model, the Echo, has been discontinued but a new model, the Yaris, will appear later this year and retail for about $12,000.

Scion xA and Scion xB ? Two of the three models sold by Toyota?s Generation ?Y? division, Scion, are priced under $15,000. The xA starts around $13,500 and the xB sells for about $1000 more than that.

So, are the days of finding transportation under $15,000 soon to be behind us? On the contrary, with the 2007 importation of cars from China the under $10,000 category will soon have new life as cars from Chery and Geely hit U.S. showrooms pushing new prices down to as low as $6600! As a result, Ford, Dodge, and others are looking at ways to build and import cars overseas or in Mexico that will sell for much than current base models.

About The Author

Copyright 2006 ? Matt Keegan is The Auto Writer covering new cars, the classics, auto parts and accessories, insurance, and more. Matt suggests you find great performance parts market for less by shopping online today: http://www.performancemarket.com.

Flood Damage Cars Are Still Around

Flood Damage Cars Are Still Around

by: Jerry Christopher

While the news reports concerning hurricanes, flood damages and the travesty that was put upon the unfortunate victims have slowed down, the dangers and hazards are still present.

With reports varying upwards of 600,000 vehicles damaged by floodwaters, these cars and trucks will most certainly, and already have, surfaced across the country, waiting on their next victim.

It?s easy to let your guard down with out much media publicity, but used car buyers should be aware that these vehicles are still out in the market, perhaps cross country in states that are not affected by the floods.

A couple of common issues that have surfaced, that you should be aware of, is sellers attempting to hide the origin of where these cars came from. By registering the vehicle in different states, it creates a paper trail that can be difficult to trace unless you spend the time for researching.

Another common issue is sellers changing license plate frames or adding an emblem from another state. This of course is designed to hide or deceive the potential buyer of what state the car came from.

The question remains, what steps should a consumer take to minimize their risk of purchasing one of these damaged vehicles? The below tips, ideas and suggestions will at least minimize your risk of purchasing a car or truck that has been involved with floodwaters.

Check the National Insurance Crime Bureau?s web site at www.nicb.org, they have compiled a list of vehicles that have that have been affected by hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. While this list may not include every single vehicle, it?s a good place to start with.

Also run an online history report, once again, this database may not be all-inclusive, but it?s another step in the process of elimination.

Knowledge Is King, and it can?t have more meaning than in your quest for a quality used automobile. Following the below inspection tips will offer some added protection as well, and perhaps is the most effective means of determining in the vehicle was involved in floods.

?Inspect for grass and debris around the radiator, underneath around the frame, front and rear suspension components, etc.

?Check for standing waterlines in the engine compartment, rear firewall area, and even inside door pockets of the door panels and interior trim areas.

?Mildew smell inside due to wet carpeting and padding indicate the possibility water intrusions.

?Inspect connectors and wiring for signs of corrosion, physically disconnect a few connectors and inspect the terminals. Corrosion evidence will be a green or white chalk type substance or rust color.

?Look for rusted bolts and metal components, particularly underneath seats where water has been standing.

?Inspect for windows fogging up on the inside after the vehicle has sat overnight, this is an indication that there may be water underneath the carpet and or carpet padding.

?Inspect trunk area for waterlines, corroded connectors and wiring.

With a keen eye and a little knowledge you can minimize the risk of spending thousands of dollars on a vehicle that has potential long-term effects by water damage.

Usedcarwise.com offers a comprehensive ?how to? course designed to educate the average consumer on protecting themselves when used car shopping.

For more information visit the web site at www.usedcarwise.com or call toll free 1 866 374 WISE (9473).

About The Author

Jerry Christopher, owner http://www.usedcarwise.com.

The Rise And Fall Of The Muscle Car Era

The Rise And Fall Of The Muscle Car Era

by: Jason Tarasi

Power, speed and performance ? those are the three major traits of a muscle car. When first produced, muscle cars were just pretty darn amazing because they combined the efficiency of a lightweight, mid-sized body with the performance of a high-power V8 engine and special design features that further increased the cars? acceleration capabilities. Because muscle cars topped all other vehicles in terms of power, speed and performance, they were ideal for racing.

Muscle cars were produced from the mid-1960s into the early 1970s, but the production of such beasts fell drastically due to a number of factors. First was the controversy over whether it was wise and responsible to make such powerful vehicles available to the general public, primarily due to road racing. Because muscle cars were often used irresponsibly, liability relating to them was pretty high which forced insurance companies to increase rates for insuring muscle cars. Emission control requirements intended to curb pollution also played into the picture making it near impossible for automakers to produce muscle cars that met the standards they had to adhere to.

Needless to say, the muscle car industry changed quickly due to these influences. Demand decreased because many ?would-be? buyers of muscle cars couldn?t fathom paying the enormous insurance rates for a high-power vehicle and automakers had to meet the challenges presented by pollution control standards.

Since muscle cars were produced for a limited number of years, they are valuable items for collectors and are still highly desirable to those who enjoy racing or desire a quick, powerful, mid-sized car. Since the decline in the production of muscle cars, some automakers have attempted to bring the muscle car era back to life by producing powerful vehicles that resemble the legendary muscle cars, but in my opinion, they don?t hold a candle to classic muscle cars like the GTO, the Road Runner or the Chevelle SS.

It will be interesting to see how the history of muscle cars plays out. Will present day automakers renew production of true muscle cars that are fast and powerful? Will there be enough demand to make muscle car production worth it to them? Or, will muscle cars continue to be limited to those classic models that were produced in the 60s and 70s?

Classic muscle cars are pretty amazing pieces of machinery. One that is restored and in cherry condition is really worth a lot of money. As time goes on, there are fewer muscle cars available which makes them even more valuable to classic car collectors and muscle car enthusiasts.

About The Author

Jason Tarasi is a muscle car enthusiast who runs the Muscle Car Monster Website, where members can buy and sell muscle cars for free through the site's online classifieds. http://www.musclecarmonster.com.

Get Ready For A Compact BMW

Get Ready For A Compact BMW

by: Matthew C. Keegan

Over the years, the entire definition of what is considered a small, medium, or large car has been turned on its side. Some people measure a car?s entire length to determine size, others take into account its wheelbase, while still others give consideration to the vehicle?s interior room. No matter, BMW is planning to import a car to the U.S. that is truly smaller than any BMW that has ever graced American highways: the 1 Series is coming to America?can you say, ?Tiny BMW??

Like Mercedes, the whole thought of a less than luxurious BMW running around is almost blasphemy. Please don?t think that this hasn?t been lost on Bavarian Motor Works as they study and restudy the issue and decide whether to go ahead with the planned introduction of the 1 Series. Long a producer of vehicles from compacts on up, BMW knows that the U.S. market is fickle and may reject the budget bimmer. Still, as the marketplace continues to adjust and consumer tastes change, the 1 Series is ripe for importing to the U.S. Here is why:

- A compact BMW would be the ?gateway? vehicle for BMW to introduce the make to new consumers. Get them in a small bimmer and they will be hooked for life. At least they can hope so!

- Sell what we sell in Europe, in the U.S. Yes, for years BMW has been producing and selling small cars across the continent. The 1 Series is not new, but the proposed model slated for U.S. introduction will be a revamped model. Currently available as a hatchback, BMW knows about our distaste for hatchbacks and is looking at the first imported 1 Series being developed as a sedan. Look for the car to get an Inline 6 and, perhaps, an optional turbo diesel. Also look for the car to retail for about $25,000, much higher than cars in its class. Hey, we?re talking BMW here, not Nissan.

- Expand the market. Yes, BMW is successful when it comes to luxury vehicles, but even the more mass produced ?commoner? cars can help the automaker?s bottom line. The U.S. market is very profitable so why miss out on sales by holding back on the 1 Series?

So, when will the 1 Series makes it debut? Probably not before summer 2007. If the model does arrive at that time, look for Mercedes to quickly respond and import its compact model, the B Series. Yes, German luxury is being redefined, but perhaps what American motorists are witnessing is German engineering beyond the typical luxury vehicles we are accustomed to driving. Sounds a bit like Volkswagen, doesn?t it?

About The Author

Copyright 2006 ? Matt Keegan is The Auto Writer covering new cars, the classics, auto parts and accessories, insurance, and more. Did someone say, bimmer? Matt invites you to find great OEM BMW Parts for less by shopping online today: http://www.alloembmwparts.com.

matt@thearticlewriter.com

Advice On Dealing With A Defective Car Seat And Getting Help

Advice On Dealing With A Defective Car Seat And Getting Help

by: Rishi Chawla

The automobile market can be intimidating, and if you are just starting out in the wonderful world of wheels you may need advice on buying your first car. There are so many options for car buyers: new or used, red or blue, sports car or SUV, two or four doors?and that is just for starters! Also, as a new car buyer you need to be wary of advice on buying your first car, because there are still quite a few snake-oil salesmen out there in the automotive market looking to sell you a lemon. Following you will find some solid advice on buying your first car.

The first consideration for anyone who wants to buy his or her first car is usually whether to buy new or used. Many first car buyers are young people who are just starting out, so the necessity of buying used is often present. Advice on buying your first car new from a showroom is fairly straightforward: buy from a reputable dealer, research the best type of vehicle for you, and seek out the best deals including free extras, low interest and rebates. However, if you plan to buy a used vehicle, where should you look to avoid getting taken advantage of? Most car dealerships also sell ?gently used? cars, usually those that have been previously leased. When these are out of your price range, there are also many used car lots with lower-priced second-hand vehicles. Look for a car dealer who is willing to do all the necessary repair work to get your first car in top running condition, and who also has all the necessary certifications to be in business. Ask whether you can talk to other people who have bought cars from the dealer and find out if they have had major problems with the vehicle. Always test-drive a car before you buy!

When it comes to the car itself, there are a number of things you should check out on your first car. You can examine the tires, the body and the interior on sight and look for possible problems. When considering the tires, be alert for rips and gouges and demand replacements for poor tires or ask for a lower purchase price. Also, uneven wear on tires indicates an alignment or suspension problem, in which case you should tell the dealer to perform the repairs before you will consider buying. On the body of the car, a few dents and scratches won?t affect the performance - but several of them could indicate the car has been in an accident. Also, rust along the bottom of doors or on the frame can attack the structure of the vehicle. Excessive rust is a bad sign. Check the interior of the car thoroughly for missing mirrors, frayed seatbelts, loose knobs and switches that don?t work. Test the audio system as well. Any of these points can be used as a bargaining tool to lower the asking price!

With any used vehicle, you should always obtain a used car report such as those from CARFAX. This information will tell you whether there are any outstanding liens, holds, or fines associated with the vehicle, and whether it?s been involved in an accident.

What is the best advice on buying your first car? Take your time, and have fun. With some careful research and a bit of the right knowledge, you can soon say, ?This is my car!?

About The Author

Rishi Chawla has a informative site on lemon law for owners of defective cars. http://www.your-lemon-car.com/.

Understanding the Drive Layouts

Understanding the Drive Layouts

by: Alvin Agomaa

The drive layout is the arrangement of the engine, transmission, and driven axles. The types of drive layouts are Front engine Front wheel drive (FF/ FWD), Front engine Rear wheel drive (FR/RWD), Mid engine Rear wheel drive(MR), Rear engine Rear wheel drive(RR), Four wheel drive (4WD or 4x4) and the All Wheel Drive(AWD). Each of these layouts has their own performance, advantages and disadvantages.

Front engine Front wheel drive (FF/FWD) ? The Engine and the two driven axles are placed in front, where the power from the engine is transferred straight to the front wheels. This layout increases the interior space especially in small cars because there is no central tunnel needed for the driveshaft. FF layout has advantage when it comes on low grip surfaces, and its tendency to understeer reduces the risk of losing control. The disadvantage is the load placed on the front tires. The front tires must transfer all acceleration, steering, cornering, and braking forces to the road. This kind of tasks gives a lot of stress in front tires which may lead to wear and tear, while the rear tires have very little load on them.

Front engine Rear wheel drive (FR/ RWD) - This is the complement of FF layout, where the engine is placed longitudinally at the front but the two driven axles are placed at the rear connected through the driveshaft. With this kind of layout, installation of more powerful engine such as V8, V10 and V12 is not a problem. Since the FR has a driveshaft, central tunnel is present in this layout a little interior space is sacrificed. All of the disadvantages of the FF layout are the advantages of FR layout.

Mid Engine Rear wheel drive (MR) ? The drive layout that consumes a lot of interior space of the car especially the seating capacity, the engine is placed in the middle of the chassis and the driven axles are at the rear. Although it has more weight at the rear, entering a corner makes it more difficult because the front tires have less traction resulting to understeer and since the rear is heavy, the car tends to oversteer when exiting a corner. This kind of layout is commonly used in racing cars and sports cars because of weight distribution focused in the center of the car.

Rear engine Rear wheel drive (RR) - This layout places both engine and the driven axle at the rear of the vehicle, even though the rear wheels benefit from the additional grip due to the added weight given by the engine, the front wheels still need grip in order to steer the car effectively. That?s why RR layout car can also be prone to understeer.

Four Wheel Drive (4WD or 4X4) / All Wheel Drive (AWD) ? It is a term usually used to describe a car where the four wheels receive power from the engine simultaneously. This can be found in an off-road vehicle. A well distributed power to the four wheels improves the grip of the vehicle. The terms 4WD and 4X4 are used in jeeps and other off-road vehicles that require the driver to switch from 2WD used in street driving (two wheel drive) to 4WD to improve the grip depending on the road condition like mud, snow, etc. and it has a high and low gear selection. The AWD term was invented to identify the vehicle capable of driving all the wheels on any road condition without selecting high and low gear selection because the power is distributed on all the wheels. Unlike the 4WD with gear selection, you don?t have to select the appropriate gear to match the road condition. Most of the modern cars use AWD system for more traction and better handling.

About The Author

Alvin D. Agomaa is a car enthusiast who also write articles to give out advices about car maintenance, tips for buying cars and the like.

For free car classified listings visit http://www.ozfreeonline.com/cars/.

Certified Used Car Still a Risk to Buy

Certified Used Car Still a Risk to Buy

by: Charles Essmeier

With the price of a new car getting higher and higher each year, many buyers choose to buy used cars instead. The price of a new car can easily equal a year's pay for many people, so buying a used car makes sense. But there are risks associated with buying a pre-owned vehicle. What if is defective? What if it is a lemon law buyback? Once should always be a bit suspicious of a used vehicle. After all, if it is a great buy, then why did the original owner choose to part with it?

To resolve some of these issues, as well as to compete with volume dealers of used cars such as Carmax, the major auto manufacturers have introduced the concept of a "certified used car." These cars are inspected for problems, repaired if necessary, and offered for sale with a warranty that is better than the one typically offered with sales of used cars. In exchange for this added peace of mind, the buyer pays a higher price than he or she otherwise might.

This program is good for dealers, who find the cars easier to sell, and for the manufacturers, who get a fee from the dealers in exchange for certifying the vehicles. The problem for the consumer is that there are cars being sold as certified used cars that may not really be certified. Worse, some of these cars have problems that are so severe that they possibly shouldn't be sold at all.

Some states have rigid laws that prevent cars with certain types of damage, such as from fire, flood, or a severe accident, from being sold within that state under any circumstances. And yet there are reports of such vehicles having been transported to neighboring states, where their titles can be "laundered." Some of these cars have then been sold as certified used cars.

There are several lawsuits pending in California over the sale of such cars, and the problem will continue to exist as long as there is no national standard regarding the sale of used cars. Does this mean that buyers should steer clear of certified used cars? Of course not. What it does mean is that buyers should exercise caution when they shop for a used vehicle, whether it is certified or not. And that is just plain common sense.

About The Author

©Copyright 2006 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing. Retro Marketing, established in 1978, is a firm devoted to informational Websites, including http://www.LemonLawHelp.net, a site devoted to automobile lemon laws.