Unique Auto

Archive for April, 2009

Why Auto Insurance Quotes Are Cheaper Online

Have you ever considered searching for cheaper motor insurance? It’s likely, you probably won’t be able to locate anything that will be able to beat the opportunities that are currently available on the Internet. The reality is in order to get better pricing, you will need to seriously consider purchasing car insurance on the Internet. Why is buying car insurance cheaper on the web?

There are multiple reasons why auto insurance costs are cheaper on the Internet. Here are some of the main reasons:

1) Auto insurance companies find that the cost of doing business is lower when drivers apply for motor insurance online. For example, if a potential customer calls to make a request for a quotation, a company rep will have to be available to handle the enquiries. And at any one time, a service rep can only attend to one call. So to improve the number of outgoing quotations, which eventually leads to increased profits, car insurance suppliers will have to expand their call centers. That leads to growing business costs as call centers are not cheap to operate.

Nor are they simple to operate. To avoid these costs and business challenges, a number of car insurance companies have been eagerly seeking to handle quotes through the Internet. This method is definately more economical. It is also more efficient and convenient for both the car insurance suppliers and the drivers. And typically, drivers stand to benefit from the cost savings as the prices of motor insurance are reduced.

2) Due to the openness of the Internet, comparative prices offered by the various major car insurance providers are quickly available. With a few simple clicks, and by providing some critical information, anyone can get instant access to auto insurance quotes. This allows consumers to evaluate prices before committing to a buying decision. Of course, all things being equal, many will choose to purchase from the auto insurance company who can give the lowest price.

3) Quotes are driven down by discounts and promotions. As the car insurance industry is hugely competitive (this is even further enhanced by the Internet), all car insurance providers need to continue providing steep discounts and attractive promotions. As they hope to entice new customers, and to encourage renewals. So, if you are a first time customer, always enquire if there is any reductions for first time buyers. If you are an existing customer, ask the company to see if there are any loyalty reward offers available. Often, the rate of loyalty discounts depends on the amount of years a consumer has been with the insurance provider. The car insurance cover will usually be much less expensive if a customer has continued with the same provider for a number of years.

In summary, you will be able to get cheaper car insurance when you buy online due to smaller business operating costs, ease of access to quote offers for comparison, and competition between the insurance companies for your business. So the first stop to get discount car insurance is to visit a free auto insurance quotes website and see what’s on offer.

Auto Insurance Quotes

Did you know that you can make as much as 40% savings when you buy car insurance online? Traditionally, car insurance is usually bought in one of the following ways.

1) The car insurance comes together with the car. That means when the new owner acquires the car, he left the insurance to the auto dealer. The auto dealer processes the transfer of ownership to the new buyer, and at the same time applies for car insurance on behalf of the new owner as well. New car owners usually prefer auto dealers do this for convenience sake. What they often don’t realise is that car retailers make more profits from selling auto insurance. Since both insurance dealers and auto retailers have something to gain, many car insurance contracts are sold in this manner.

2) Once the new driver has a auto insurance contract, he will often renew the motor insurance with the same auto insurance supplier. When the car insurance contract is going to expire, insurance providers will post out reminder forms, and the car owner assumes that renewing the same company is the normal practice. So he doesn’t query the renewal costs, and just re-purchases to save time.

As you can see, in the methods of car insurance acquisition described previously, the motorist has no opportunity to check the auto insurance price that he is getting. Everything is done quickly to save time. As a consiquence, drivers may be charged bigger premiums than necessary for the auto insurance they are acquiring. But this is the old method of buying insurance. Cheaper auto insurance transactions are usually done through the internet nowadays.

Auto insurance quotes sites allow the consumer to compare deals from a variety of major car insurance providers. In addition, they can read up on the full selection of coverage definitions to ensure that they get the most comprehensive coverage. And because getting quotations and getting auto insurance is so easy online, car owners can get their car insurance renewed before their old cover runs out.

Being able to source prices online also means that a driver will be able to source auto insurance cover within his budget. And due to the competitive area of doing business on the Internet, motoring insurance suppliers usually price their car insurance products competitively. In addition, they often run promotions to attract customers.

Taking these factors into consideration, any driver looking to purchase or renew car insurance on the internet will often stand to get maximum savings – sometimes as much as 40% or even more. So forget about the normal channels of obtaining auto insurance. Even if you wish to buy auto insurance from your car dealer, make sure you compare prices online first to get a good feel of the typical pricing that you should typically be paying. If you feel that the dealer has quoted you unreasonable prices, you will be in a stronger position to negotiate.

For the best free auto insurance quotes in minutes visit Auto Insurance Quotes

Being Savvy With Car Maintenance 

Some auto maintenance tasks are critical to ensure your vehicle runs smoothly and lasts a long time. For example, getting oil changes every 5,000 miles, keeping the right amount of pressure in your tires, and changing your air filter occasionally are important. That said, there are plenty of car maintenance items that are a waste of your time and money.

The problem is that dealership service centers and local repair garages often give advice that is suspect. Much of the rhetoric is based to increase sales rather than car performance.

Because ongoing car maintenance is so important to the life of your vehicle, I’ll describe the tasks you should be doing as well as those which you can do without.

Mind Your Tires

Despite the myriad of parts under the hood, your tires on the only parts that actually contact the ground (hopefully). Be sure to check you vehicles tire pressure monthly. Tires will leak air over time; Tires should be filled with air to there standard settings. If they’re underinflated, the treads will wear down and you’ll end up replacing them far sooner than normal. Also, rotate them occasionally. The tires on the front of you automible will show signs of wear and tear faster than the tires on the rear of your car. Rotating them keeps the tread wear even.

Tune-Ups: Are They Necessary

If you’re driving a vehicle that is less than 10 years old, you probably don’t need a tune-up. The point of a tune-up is to adjust and recalibrate mechanical parts. These days, most of the parts (i.e. oxygen sensor, ignition switch, fuel injection system, etc.) are calculated by a simple computer. As a result, there is very little to “tune up.”

Regular Oil Changes

Years ago, when engines were less sophisticated and motor oil was less advanced, a trip to the oil change shop every 3,000 miles was a good idea. However, that’s no longer the case. Today’s cars only need to have the oil changed every 5,000 miles.

Maintain Your Brakes

Every time you press down on your brake pedal, your brakes experience a little wear and tear. If you neglect them long enough, you’ll eventually hear a painful grinding sound as exposed metal rubs against other metal. Visit a repair shop as soon as you notice any problems. If you catch it early enough, you may only need to have the pads replaced. By the time you hear grinding, the rotor may be damaged and need to be replaced.

Change Your Air Filter

Your air filter has an important job: it needs to catch dirt and debris before it enters your car’s engine. Every time you are on the road, it performs it's job dilegently. The problem is that it gets clogged with debris over time. When that happens, air flow becomes restricted which can affect your engine’s performance.

Check the air filter each time you change the oil. Driving on dirty roads will increase the amount of debris you car sustains. They’re inexpensive, so they can be replaced without breaking the bank.

A great ride today will over time need maintenace on it's parts and become a weaker ride, due to the wear and tear of the car engine. Invest time on the auto maintenance tasks above to make sure your vehicle lasts as long as possible.

More of these articles and much more automotive news can be found on: iCar Automotive News

1969: the first day of Audi NSU Auto Union, the company that would later develop into the AUDI AG we know today, was a momentous occasion. Following at times heated discussions at the extraordinary general meeting of NSU Motorenwerke AG held 40 years ago, the NSU stockholders finally approved a merger with the VW subsidiary Auto Union GmbH. The press dubbed the event the “stockholders meeting of the year” – after all, the birth of the new company was not without its share of controversy.  

Having taken over the controlling stake in Auto Union GmbH in December 1964, Volkswagen, in search of new production capacity, went on to gradually acquire a majority interest in NSU Motorenwerke AG in the late sixties. Following this acquisition, the parent company sought to bring about a merger between its two subsidiaries based in Ingolstadt und Neckarsulm.  

On March 10, 1969, a merger agreement was signed between Auto Union GmbH and NSU Motorenwerke AG. After exactly twelve hours and twenty one minutes of hard discussion with initial resistance from the NSU stockholders, the 2/4 agreement was approved at a special meeting of stockholders on April 26, 1969. On August 21, 1969 the agreement became effective with the merger backdated to January 1, 1969. The key argument that clinched the NSU stockholders’ approval was the conversion of income from the so-called “Wankel licenses” into NSU participation certificates, which remained in the hands of the NSU stockholders after the merger. VW then transferred its shares in its Auto Union subsidiary to NSU. The new firm was named Audi NSU Auto Union AG. Neckarsulm became the company’s corporate seat and Dr. Gerd Stieler von Heydekampf, chief executive of NSU at the time, was appointed as chairman of the board of management. 

In NSU Motorenwerke AG, Volkswagen had acquired a company with a long and rich tradition. The former manufacturer of bicycles, which had originally started out making knitting machines, has a history going back to 1873. In 1900 it was one of the first companies in Germany to be building motorcycles, and as early as 1906 NSU produced its first car, named the “First Neckarsulm Motor Car”. NSU became the world’s largest maker of two-wheeled vehicles in 1955. Two years later, the company started production of a new car, the NSU Prinz, thus creating one of the protagonists of the German Economic Miracle. 

NSU also made a name for itself by developing the rotary piston engine (known as the Wankel engine after its inventor Felix Wankel). Although, in the end, the technology did not achieve widespread application, the new engine concept attracted keen worldwide interest at the time. NSU sold Wankel licenses to carmakers around the globe, including Mercedes-Benz, Rolls Royce, Mazda, Citroen and General Motors. The company based in Neckarsulm became the first German manufacturer to win the “Car of the Year” award with its NSU Ro 80 in 1967. This luxury-class saloon with its futuristic streamlined look is still considered a design icon today. In 1969 NSU also intended unveiling a mid-class car, the K 70, which was later launched as a VW model.  

At the time of the merger, NSU was producing some 128,000 cars per year with annual sales in excess of 566 million marks. Its new partner in Ingolstadt could present even more impressive numbers: in 1968 Auto Union posted sales of  3/4  more than 590 million marks. However, VW Beetle assembly accounted for a major share of this figure. In the same year, over 92,000 VW Beetles and some 70,000 Audi models were produced in the Auto Union factory in Ingolstadt. As a result of the merger, the new company’s equity rose to 215 million marks and its workforce increased to over 23,000. In the year of the merger, the newly formed southern German car manufacturer already achieved record sales of more than 1.6 billion marks (+ 43 percent) and produced some 265,000 cars (+ 33 percent), thus exceeding all expectations. The merger of NSU and Auto Union was to prove highly successful. The wide variety of technically advanced concepts in the Audi NSU product range at the time gave rise in 1971 to the advertising slogan that still stands for the Audi name today: Vorsprung durch Technik. 

iCar Automotive News (see the link above this article) is an independent webzine for the modern car enthusiast. When your are interested in classic cars then we could recommend Auto Motor Klassiek, thousands of classic cars for sale when you click on Te Koop 1000en oldtimers Auto Motor Klassiek is the 

Motorbike fan? Have a look at: Motor Klassiek

With gas prices on the rise, many people are running from their SUV’s and into small subcompact cars. As long as the gas trends keep happening, the owners will surrender their bigger vehicles for these compact cars. Other than cheaper gas, is there an appeal for subcompacts? Absolutely! The cheap feel associated to subcompacts of decades ago is not the case today, as even today’s subcompacts are similar in size to the cars from that era.

Well what are the main offerings of Subcompacts today? Keep reading to see the four main runners in the subcompact scene, including the Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa.

Honda Fit

The Honda Fit becomes a favorite in the subcompact car game with its 1.5L engine, great fuel economy and Honda reliability. It comes in two different styles – the 2005-2008 Model which has a more boxy shape and the 2009+ Fit that is more curvy and cute. The Honda Fit draws criticism good and bad, as with it’s styling you have more so a Love or Hate relationship. The interior draws much more pleasant reviews in the majority. Offering a magic seat and loads of space the interior does not have the stigma of cheap and small. As the styling suggests, it does have the Mini Minivan look, but for the price you are getting a great value.

Hyundai Accent

Hyundai has created a much nicer looking subcompact with it’s redesign of the Accent. The Hyundai accent is a winner in the exterior styling department with its traditional round styling. The interior plays well, but is inferior to that of the Honda Fit. The automatic will be the likely purchase path for the Accent in North America, and those interested in the manual may find some time getting used to the gearbox. With deals starting at $10,000 for this car, you simply can not go wrong.

Toyota Yaris

Toyota’s subcompact is the cutest of all four sub compact cars. The Yaris is very curvy and a short length giving it that cute style. The Yaris holds its own in power within the category, and does catch the customers eye. Some may find the center stack console a drawback to this car. Like the Mini Cooper, the speedometer is in the center instead of right behind the steering wheel. This could be a deal breaker to some who are accustomed to the traditional location. The interior does have a slightly cheaper feel, but the price reflects this and overall is a great price for your dollar.

Nissan Versa

The last of the four main contenders in the subcompact race is the Nissan Versa. A car styled by its Renault roots, you have a heaver subcompact with more power offerings than the other two. From all the subcompacts, this car moves well with its 1.8 Litre engine. The european style may lose out some customers, but will bring in that much more as well.

Used Auto Parts

Tips For Purchasing Car Parts Online

Years ago, if you needed to replace a car part, you’d drive – or walk, if your vehicle didn’t start – to your local auto supply store or repair garage. Sometimes, they would have the component you needed. On some occasions, a part may be out of stock and needs to be back ordered.

Today, more people than ever are buying car parts online. From the smallest part to even whole engines can be purchased online and shipped directly to your house. Overnight delivery is even an option if you are short on time. 

Below, I’ll provide four quick tips for buying the auto part you need on the internet.

#1 – Look For Reputation

Just because an automotive website claims to have the component your vehicle needs, that does not mean they’ll actually deliver. Try to work with a retailer who has a track record and plenty of satisfied customers. Look for a telephone number and call them to test their professionalism. Look for a physical mailing address. Search for reviews of that auto parts retailer online.

#2 – Ask Questions To Clarify

Rather than assume anything, take the time to ask the retailer about delivery options, whether the component is in their inventory, and how they handle returns. If you are new to ordering online, you may want to talk to the customer service reps on the phone for peace of mind.

#3 – Read The Details

When you’re purchasing car parts online, you won’t be able to see or touch it prior to buying it. It’s important to remember that different makes and models require different specifications. The supplier should provide pictures of the component so you can easily see whether it will meet your needs. They should also provide all of the relevant specs. Make sure you ask questions if you need clarification before ordering. You’ll save time and frustration.

#4 – Inspect The Component

When it arrives at your home, inspect the part that you ordered. In most cases, there should be a company logo on it from the retailer. If you have any reason to believe that the component you’ve ordered has been meddled with, return it in its original packaging to the supplier. Include a short explanation about your concerns and ask for a replacement.

Buying car parts online is similar to buying any other product. Know the retailer from whom you’re buying and ask for clarification of any details which give you pause. Also, make sure that the unit you’re purchasing is exactly what your vehicle needs (read the specifications). Lastly, when the component is delivered to your home, take the necessary time to inspect it. Make sure that it matches your order and doesn’t show any signs of tampering.

Over time, as you come to trust the supplier, you’ll find yourself returning to their website to make additional purchases for your car.

Seeing the Solstice on the show room floor, you’ll want to jump right in and take off. The Pontiac Solstice combines raw power, a raft of amenities, and knock-em-over styling causing double takes. One needs to go back into the time machine until the 1959 Bonneville to refer back to any other worthy Pontiac split-screen. This car challenges the BMW Z4 and Audi TT at half the price.

Option-wise, the Solstice comes in two trims, the base package and the GXP. The basic package includes a 173 horse power, 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine that’s still reasonable on the gas mileage. The souped-up GXP package takes 260 hour power turbocharged engine into a 2.0 liter, four cylinder engine. Both of these engines are clamped onto the five speed manual or automatic transmission. The base model does include electronic traction and stability control, limited slip rear differential, anti-lock disc brakes all the way around the car, generous 18-inch alloy wheels, and crisp satellite radio. The GXP upgrade augments the base package by adding a more responsive transmission, dual exhaust tips, leather steering wheel and shift know, and improved floor mats. After the GXP package, the most popular Solstice add-ons are fog lights, grill enhancements, and a critical Pontiac Solstice windscreen windblocker wind deflector.

While there’s much to enjoy for the Solstice, it’s not without some draw backs. The steering is not crisp. The Solstice weighs in at over 3000 pounds, so this car will never be light upon its feet. Also, when zipping out from corners, the Solstice is prone to hang on. Taking off, the acceleration can be less than impressive. The car is also not ergonomically friends, with components in awkward positions, composed of parts made of plastic from third world countries. Trunk space is smaller than your closet. Unless you never take the top down, you will need a Pontiac Solstice windscreen windblocker wind deflector (also check out other convertible windscreen reviews) to stop the significant turbulence.

While the Solstice has some minor bummers, the best feature of the Solstice is its body lines. Pontiac hasn’t styled a great car for decades; in the Solstice, they get it right. The duel-hump body work of the Solstice provide a wonderfully futuristic look. People in parking lots will stop you, stare, and ask about your car. The good personality of the car certainly exceeds the minor nits. Drivers in search of a top-down driving blast will not regret this selection.

I had always secretly wished that I would one day own a Jeep Cherokee. Ever since I was a child I have marvelled at the majestic sight of the Jeep Cherokee dominating the roads. Ever since those fateful days I vowed that I would own one. Low and behold, last week I made my childhood wishes come true. After years of hoping and dreaming, I finally went to Cheap Chrysler Jeep and bought a fantastic Jeep Cherokee. To say I am impressed so far would be an understatement of gargantuan proportions.

The Jeep Cherokee juxtaposes the size and power of a large 4X4, but manages to be very responsive and nimble in the corners. To breifly summarise all this adds up to a very entertaining drive. I think the main plus point of the Jeep Cherokee however, is the absolutely unbelievable low price that Cheap Chrysler Jeep have placed upon it. When I first lay my eyes on it I assumed it was some kind of hilarious practical joke and my family and friends were about to jump out and all shout in unison “Gotcha!”

Fortunately for me, this wasn’t the case and within minutes I was experiencing the best test-drive of my life. The interior of the Jeep Cherokee feels much more luxurious than the price tag will let you believe. I was sat in total comfort, finding it extremely hard to believe that I was actually in control of one of the dream vehicles of my youth.

Ok, so it’s not a Lamborghini or a Bugatti Veyron, but what the Jeep Cherokee represents is affordable luxury. Although I’ve only had the Jeep Cherokee a week, I am absolutely convinced that I will never find a better car for a similar price as to what I paid for my Jeep. I feel like I have found the bargain of the century and it would be dastardly to keep it to myself. Check out Cheap Chrysler Jeep today!

I spent literally weeks looking for a suitable Used Audi model that would combine my powerful desire to drive a top-class car, but also be very wallet-friendly. At first I thought I wouldn’t have a chance of achieving my dream; that is until I paid my local Sytner Used Audi Dealership a visit. They had a huge array of fabulous Used Audi models and it didn’t take me a great deal of time to find the right one.

If you are looking for a luxury car at a far from luxury price, then I can think of no better place to look than Sytner Used Audi dealerships. Sytner Used Audi are customer focussed so they do everything in their power to ensure that the buying process is as quick and easy as possible. With the gargantuan selection of Used Audi vehicles and the price discounts they have I very much doubt you will find better value anywhere else.

Sytner Used Audi have got a definite edge on all the competition and that will be of great interest to you if you are in the market for a very high-spec Used Audi at a slashed price. Sytner Used Audi consider themselves to be the consumate experts in making sure every single one of their customers drive away satisifed with a Used Audi car that will get you noticed wherever you travel to.

So now it is clear to see that Used Audi models are a good choice. I am driving what I consider to be my dream car and I got it for a very reasonable price. As Audi are such a popular manufacturer I am sure that as word catches on, these bargains are going to sell out very quickly. So, with that in mind, it probably makes sense for you to check out all the great bargains that are available at Sytner Used Audi before it is too late. I can virtually be sure you will find a model that will catch your eye and I am also sure it will be cheaper than you thought it would be.

A unique SUV of it’s kind, the 2009 Infiniti FX35 has luxurious styling and amazing performance. The FX35 seamlessly mixes performance with the purpose of a untility vehicle.Under the hood, the Infiniti FX35 has a 3.5L 6-cylinder powerhouse that puts out over 300-hp through an auto trans. The engine is the same VQ35DE found in the Nissan 350z and the Infiniti G35 featuring: double overhead cams, variable valve timing, and four valves per cylinder. The FX35 comes in many trims which collaborates with an option of two wheel or four wheel drive.

New for this year are some ingenious advancements that put the FX35 above older versions.  Infiniti’s Lane Departure Warning system will alert the driver when the automobile begins to drift out of its lane.This Lane Departure system is very beneficial and prevents the sleepy driver from drifting into other lanes or falling asleep.Lets say you are distracted or you accidently hit the wheel, well the FX35 has a system to make sure you do not deviate from your lane by applying a fair amount of brake pressure to maintain your course.  Intelligent cruise control is another feature that allows the FX35 to keep the same amount of space between your SUV and the car in front of you, thus cutting down on rear end collisions.

The Infiniti shares a platform with the G35 sedan and the EX35, so car handling is superior.Included in the FX35′s traits, the leather upholstery, xenon headlights, and hard drive navigation are all standards. Among these features, optional packages are offered, allowing customers to add extra features like Bluetooth connectivity and adaptive cruise control. The FX35 isthe best crossover SUV in its class to concider with its superior performance, and luxurious style. Average estimated price ranges from $42,150 to $43,600.  The FX35 is the perfect combination of a Luxury car and a Utility vehicle!  While the 2009 model has the latest features, buying a certified pre-wned INfiniti or a used Infiniti FX35 is a great way to get into this SUV at a cheaper price.

See the new 2009 Infiniti FX35 at the Los Angeles Infiniti Dealer, or get Infiniti Repairs.  Also check out this great article on the Infiniti FX50 at New 2009 Car Site.