Unique Auto

Archive for May, 2009

If you were handed an estimation to replace a water pump on your auto, would you know if the price was fair? Could you trust the price? What about for a tie rod end, mass air flow sensor, or an evaporative emissions sensor?

Most of us have no idea what these are, ignore the cost. Yet it is parts like these that are frequently used to over charge you, the automobile fix customer.

We no longer live in a period of trust, so how will we ensure that our car repair costs are legitimate.

How many times have you suspected that you paid too much, but could not prove it? How often did the price appear exorbitant for even simple repairs?

To illustrate just how “At Risk” the common-or-garden automobile repair client is to OTT auto repair prices, here’s a up to date real life example from a “reputable?” dealer.

A client brought her Audi to a sanctioned Audi dealership for the standard timing belt maintenance service.

The price for this service averages $1575 at the dealership level, (including pulleys, water pumpetc ) and about $1275 at the independent repair shop level.

Yet the girl left the dealer with a bill for $2025.68.

What happened?

According to the repair order, there were no abnormal circumstances, no issues spotted by the technician like rust or any other extenuating circumstances that would have perhaps increased the work, or added extra parts.

In short, it definitely was a straight forward service, but the bill was $450.68 higher than it should have been. There’s simply no bonafide reason to have “that much” discrepancy.

How’d they get away with it?

The answer is easy, and it’s a point that I don’t want anyone to miss:

They get away with it because they can!

Think about it. The average person doesn’t know how much auto parts cost. And who knows how much work time a repair should take? To what sources does one turn to find out this information? Who even has the time to investigate!

Upon investigation of this girl’s correct order, it was discovered that she was charged a full 4 hours “more” than the standard work time. At $100 per hour, this added an extra $400. The leftover $50.68 came from the parts, which were billed higher than MSRP.

She was quoted $2,025 for a repair that tops out at $1575. The lady failed to know. She just paid the bill and left.

How many times do people just settle up and leave? Pretty much that’s all one can do given that there’s no accessible information for the vehicle fix buyer to adequately question a repair bill. Additionally , extremely few even know what inquiries to ask!

The car repair industry has been over-charging for decades-sometimes subtly, sometimes confidently, definitely often. The proof for this is overpowering ; yet, there are no easy solutions available for the car repair customer.

Government agencies can’t help. The Better Business Bureau cannot do anything. Even supposed “car repair experts or advocates” lack the knowledge of the breadth and insidiousness of the automobile fix business at all its levels.

A dealership operates differently than an independent fix shop, and a franchise, like Midas, is totally unique. Who truly knows what goes on in the underground of such a diverse and complex industry?

The Solution?

First and foremost, auto correct patrons need access to information on auto fix costs. Without this, they’ve got nothing real in which to figure out fair charges. They also have to be able to navigate the maze of parts and work charges for automobile repairs and maintenance.

Like the rest, information is the key to guarantee fair treatment. Without it, the vehicle fix consumer will continue to “swim with the sharks” without any protection.

Do you like super fast sports cars? You will find www.thesupercars.org very useful for information about exotic sport cars. Make sure to also visit Audi A4 DTM engine.

When looking for Audi car finance it is worthwhile going online and getting several quotes with the aid of a specialist site. A specialist car finance website will have access to those lenders who specialise in financing Audi autos and so are much more likely to get the cheapest rates of interest and best deal on your behalf.

A normal loan or hire purchase as it’s also called can be employed for finance for your new or used Audi, this is the most simple of all finance techniques and needs you to put down a deposit against the vehicle and then pay each month repayments over the period of time stated. Once you made the repayments then the auto is yours, hire purchase is also called a secured loan and the car is the safety for the cash you are borrowing, if you need to default on the repayments then the automobile can be repossessed. An alternative system is to take out a personal loan, however this option would maybe only be to your benefit if you are buying a second hand car and do not need to borrow a large amount.

If purchasing a new automobile or have a very bad credit rating then you could secured loan, however the bulk of secured loans will require that you put your home up as security if you are borrowing a big amount and want to pay it over a longer term. It is vital that you make sure you can afford to reimburse a loan which is secured by your home as falling behind on the payments means the roof over your head is at risk.

Another option when it comes to Audi auto finance is to go for private contract purchase. This option asks that you pay an one-off sum on the auto and then spread the monthly low repayments over a time period. Once the agreement comes to a close you then have to pay the balance left superb on the auto. You do have other options, you can decide to trade the vehicle in or give it back and you will owe nothing. A very similar option is credit purchase, however with this option you have any choice but to find the cash to pay what is left on the unpaid balance.

An Audi automobile finance specialist will offer the least expensive rates for every kind of loans and a specialist web site will be in a position to gather quotes together so that all you must do is compare them. However when it comes to comparing for the best deals you have to make sure that you have first read the small print and know about any additional hidden costs the loan. Together with the key facts will highlight the key facts will highlight the rate may pay and how much interest you will cost, in total the loan will cost, in the case of personal contract purchase much will also show how much will be left outstanding.

If you find this article interesting, you should also check out www.thesupercars.org to read about some of the fastest & most expensive sports cars in the world, also visit Audi TT Quattro engine.

In our modern times, the auto is an essential part of life just like food and shelter.  And with our current economy, most people are keeping their cars longer.

Well when this happens and your car gets older, there are some things about your car's maintenance you are going to have to become aware of.  I have learned them from owning a San Diego Smog Check shop

One of those things is when you have to go and get a smog test for your car. Until your car hits seven years old, most people don't even think about it.

But beware, if you fail the smog test, what could of been a simple $50 smog test could suddenly become a $300-$400 repair.

When you need your vehicle to pass a smog test so you can renew your vehicle registration, here are some tips you can take so your inexpensive smog test, can pass with flying colors.

So before you visit a smog test San Diego only center follow these tips.

First, make sure your vehicle is running right.If your vehicle is not running correctly, get it to an autor service shop as soon as possible so they can see if their is a problem.  Then fix it, prior to a smog test.

Second is an easy tip but you will find it is necessary and that is to take your car for a drive.  Remember to pass the smog test, your vehicle needs to be efficient at burning fuel with as little smog emmissions as possible.Because when the car has not been propery warmed up, it will not have the proper combustion you need.If that occurs, you have a good chance to fail.Just drive it for a few miles, 10-15, and you will have it running as optimally as possible when you bring it in.

Third, start using fuel additives.This you do when you are filling your auto up with gas.You just add some to the gas in the gas tank.  What this does is it helps lowers emmission levels by cleaning your car's intake and exhaust paths.This makes it possible for the fuel and air to freely flow.

Fourth, inflate your tires to proper pressure.  This little tip will help your vehicle drive with greater stability and accuracy during the smog test.  This improves the overall emmissions output by helping the engine maintain a steady load.

Finallly, get an oil change.If the oil in your car does need to be changed and is contaminated, this can be a cause of failure when you take it for a smog test. Oils with contamination are high in hydrocarbons, and this will cause the car to fail the test.

Follow these simple tips and you will surely pass your smog test with flying colors.  Take it from my experience running a San Diego auto repair service shop.

The time of year when folk are going abroad is fast approaching, but this year is a lot different. As the world is aware we have hit a huge economic downturn, thousands of people have lost their jobs and even more people are short on money. Most families tend to go away at least once a year and also get a new car, but I am afraid that this year a choice will have to be made, its either one or the other.

Are you caught up in the middle as to which one to choose and not to choose? Lets take a brief look at the benefits of both of these. Lets first take a glance at holidays

1) You will be able to go away and relax, for one or two weeks you will be in pure heaven not having a worry in the world.
2) You will be able to top up your tan if you are going to a hot destination or simply relax by the pool.

Let us take a quick look at buying a new car.
1) Unlike a holiday a new car will be with you for much longer, so over the long term it would be a much better option to take.
2) A car is a part of everyones life and most people would be lost without a vehicle to drive.
3) By buying a new car you will be helping to save the environment, new cars are much more eco friendly.

As you can see both have their benefits, but all in all I feel that buying a new vehicle will be the most rewarding, because once the holiday is over you are still going to be wanting to buy a new car, but will not have the funds to do so.

Do you want to Buy an Audi or Buy a New Mercedes

Even the name sounds a bit strange : police car auctions. Just by saying police car auctions we get a couple of chills. {Some think they are selling cars that belonged to the police, cars that have POLICE written all over. People tend to think these auctions are selling only used police cars, because of the name. When people hear this term, they immediately imagine a big parking place with lots of police cars that are for sale.} Some people think that these cars in new car auction were taken from crime scenes or other terrifying events. While any of the horrible, yet plausible statement above can be true in about 3% of cases, cars that belong to the remaining 97% have a totally different story behind them.

It’s true that police cars that are still working and look good, but for some reason have been parked around for a while and never used are sometimes auctioned. But these cars won’t be given away with police colors, stickers and inscription. They will be re-painted and de-equiped before any sell is made. These cars usually belonged to retired officers or are currently replaced by other newer models, so there’s no point in stocking them forever. Since they are not trying to regain an investment or recover some unpaid credits, the cars will sell for anything they get offered. This is why people say that police cars can be bought 90% off real price. Even present buyer know this, and try to do as much as they can to keep prices low. New buyers are advised not to bid over 50% of the real value of a car. Not going over that limit permits the general car prices in these auctions to continue to stay low.

The police also auctions cars that belonged to convicted people that have no possibility of paying for affiliated car payments, or cars that have been impounded for various reasons. {Sometimes, even cars that were not entirely paid for are sold by the police. Cars that are new but not entirely paid for can be also sold. New cars that weren’t successfully paid can also be sold in these auctions.} {These cars are usually as good as new, and their prices will be a little bit higher that those of the firstly mentioned cars. These new cars will have prices that are a bit higher. Because they are practically as good as new, they will register bigger selling prices.} Even if the price is higher, it will not reach real value.

So, the main idea is that by going to a repossessed car auctions you could be walking away with good low priced cars. Police car auction can constitute a good business starting point for anyone who has the earning to invest a little in the beginning.

There’s no person on earth that wouldn’t like to have his or hers own personalized car, that makes a real statement when you are cruising down the street. Don’t think only of new line cars that are a true work of art as they come. I am also referring to cars that used to be junks, them were bought by a customizing store and rebuilt from scratch. I’m talking about cars you see on TV shows, those extraordinary cars that either have more horse power that you can count or present a fabulous paint and fancy interiors.

These cars usually sell in public car auctions, because sellers want to show them off and see how much people appreciate their work. Because these cars are works of art, the ones made by famous designers will cost a lot more. The good news if that in these auction you can also find less famous producers. There are many car workshops all over the world, which survive by making each car they work on a true work of art. And cars that come from these small workshops are equally glamorous as famous cars personalized by famous names in the business, even if the number sold in one year is very low.

On special events, you might even be able to attend a special kind of car auctions which sells only luxurious cars. Because the internet is an inequitable resource of information, by searching over it you can find where the next customized car auction will be held. If such a car auction is held near your home town, you should go take a look even if you think you won’t be able to place any bids. It’s a high change the event will also attract small workshops that will sell their equally flawless cars at very low prices compared to famous producers. And the best thing about these cars is that they won’t be an interest point for those who came ready to buy themselves cars that cost hundreds of thousands, simply because those people only bid on cars developed by well-known workshops.

It’s worth the chance to place a bid on a superb car, you might be even buying it for the price of a second hand one. Going togovernment seized car auction might pay up even if you chance upon a splendid strong and beautiful car, for a very low price, a car that can make your teenage speed dreams come true.

They say that “boys will be boys” and that’s never truer than when, what some would regard as a   toy, grows into a full blown hobby.  RC cars certainly fall into that category.Men are bound to be attracted to these items because, well because they are cars after all!  Albeit radio control cars, but cars nonetheless.And we all know how wedded your average male is to anything to do with cars.

There are two types of RC cars: the toy grade, designed just for for kids and the hobby grade which is the choice of serious racers of all ages.Obviously both models are controlled using a remote radio control system of varying sophistication and both tend to be a plastic construction.The main difference between the two types of radio control cars is that the toy grade tends to be a crudely moulded chunk of plastic that resembles the look of a car, while the hobby grade types are highly detailed miniature models of vehicles assembled much like a real full sized car. n fact, hobby grade RC cars are treated exactly real cars because they require regular maintenance and use proper miniature car engines in some cases. It’s probably this complexity in hobby grade RC cars that appeals to men of all ages.

Most simple toy grade RC cars use electric motors, while more detailed model versions can employ the same but tend to run on some form of liquid fuel powered engines.   Serious hobbyists will take great care about whether to buy fuel powered or electric powered vehicles. There are pros and cons for both types of engine.Electric powered RC cars are generally lighter than fuel powered vehicles, but fuel powered RC cars are usually faster.   That’s an important consideration as hobby grade radio control cars are also made for racing and that allows men to compete with each other.

Fitted with extra powerful radio control systems, an RC car designed for racing is a genuinely sleek beast.  You can also get off-road models with bigger wheels and suspension that are suitable for all terrain racing.RC cars are definitely toys for big boys, but with some reason.   They can be appreciated by grown ups in terms of their mechanical and electronic complexity and with ability to indulge in real races they require the development of a very high degree of skill.   Toys?The RC car bug rapidly grows into a fascinating, enjoyable and all-consuming lifelong hobby.

If you run any kind of business in the food industry, then you will know the importance of keeping all your goods fresh and cool. But how are you able to keep your goods cool, especially during the summer, when you are delivering them around the country?

Well, if you are still struggling with this problem, maybe it’s time you got a refrigerated van. A refridgerated van is a vehicle that is fitted out to keep products cool or even frozen on the go, they are generally used to keep food goods cool.

Most modern refrigerated vans contain features like a backup battery to ensure that the products keep in the cool. Many of the vans also come with an added GPS trackers to give you peace of mind and also allows your customers to track their products via the internet.

There are a large number of refrigerated vans within businesses, whether you are part of the food industry and need to keep your goods cool and fresh during distribution. Or maybe you have to keep cooked food goods fresh for your catering business while on the way to your destination.

Even if you don’t have a business to use a van, you can still benefit from one for recreational purposes. If you enjoy camping out in the country for many weeks over the summer, a refrigerated van may come in use. The van could ensure that all your food is kept secure and cool during the hot days.

Whatever your needs are, there will be a model that will suit your business. However, searching for this model is not an easy task, you have to ensure that you have the right one for your business. You may be concerned that once you find your perfect van model for you, will it be expensive and can your comapny afford it, well there is a solution to that aswell. Refrigerated van leasing may be the perfect answer for your business needs. By choosing van leasing you can get the latest model vans and you may not have to pay as much as it would cost to buy one for yourself.

Nowadays it is very hard to afford much of the luxuries we used to take for granted a few years ago. With the global recession, the world economy has badly hit and almost all the economies have become vulnerable and faced the total collapse. In these days owning a car is one of those things we took for granted just five years ago, it now looks as an additional expense when we cannot meet the ends at the end of the day. So how feasible financing cars nowadays?  Also, be sure to check out the BMW Z3 windscreen windblocker wind deflector windstop.

Financing cars could mean many things. For most of us, it is the way of finding money for buying your new car. If that is the case, financing cars could be a long process if it goes through the wrong place. Buying a new car is definitely one in the list of major decisions you make in life, as it could mean a lot of investment for you. When it comes to financial institutions, there are a lot of places offering loans and leases including banks, established financial institutions, and private companies. Care has to be taken when financing cars from any of these places, as the interest rates offered from them could be higher than expected. But for many of us, established banks and leasing companies seem the best options as they are professionals in financing cars and their knowledge can be some use for us as well.  Like we said, be sure to check out the BMW Z3 windscreen windblocker wind deflector windstop.

Financing cars also means how you continue maintaining the car you own, and what methods you take to keep it in good shape. Owning a car is almost like having another living being around, as it has to be taken care of with great caution. There are many things to be done when it comes to car maintenance such as regular services, day-to-day repairs, and monthly inspections. All this remind us that financing cars is not a cheap option! But when weighing the pros and cons, sometimes it is just smarter to own a car than not to. There are instances when you need to have that car around, whether it is to drive your kid to football practice or because your working hours can get very late. If you make a good use of your car and takes care of it promptly, then financing a car is no waste for you and you will never regret about it.  Finally, do be sure to look at the VW Volkswagen Beetle windscreen windblocker wind deflector windstop.

The first of my used car buying tips is, BE PREPARED. Get as much information as you can. Read reviews on the car that you like, working out which model appeals to you. Find out about the different specifications available, how reliable that model is, how affordable it is to run, the service costs, common faults that particular model might have.

Your next step in how to buy a used car is to sort out your FINANCE. Decide on a figure that you can afford and don’t go over it. It is very easy to get carried away in the heat of the moment. Why not take a friend to act as a buffer. If you are going to finance your purchase you need to check your credit rating before going to any dealer. Financing through a different company should get you a better rate and stops the dealer playing the poor credit rating. Auto Loan USA are a reputable company to arrange finance with. Secondly, this way you can make the arrangement at your leisure rather than under pressure.

Next , go out and TEST DRIVE a few cars that are the same model as this will give you a better base from which to chose the one in the best condition. You wil be able to spot anything suspicious about the vehicle.

Check the HISTORY of the car you want to buy. You DO NOT want anything that has been in a serious collision, suffered from flood damage (and there are quite a lot about). Nor do you want one with dodgy mileage, an ex rental which will have been abused or suspect financial paperwork. You can do this by making a note of the VIN number and visiting a website such as Carfax or Autocheck.

If you have written all your information down you have almost created your very own buying guide for used cars! I have embolded the headings for you to copy. A cheat sheet makes the process alot easier!

Now that you are fully prepared you can visit the dealership wothout that feeling of trepidation. If you start feeling overwhelmed make your excuses and go home. You can always go back. You are under no obligation to agree to anything. If you do want to haggle remember not to give anything away that could spoil your deal. Delay discussing what your trade in is worth until you have agreed the price on your purchase.

Congratulations! You have now prepared yourself and done your due diligence. The more effort you make the more cash you will save. If you really want to go the whole way and save possibly thousands you need to know how the dealers work their customers and make as much out of you as possible. Arm yourself with these inside Used Car Buying Tips and possibly save yourself thousands of dollars!