Unique Auto

Archive for June, 2009

Repossessed Car Auctions sell to the highest bidder, and it can be a great way to get a cheap used car for a quarter of the price. It is well known that second hand car dealerships purchase cheap used cars at government auto auctions and then sell them for enormous profits. That is why second hand car dealers can offer “finance to anyone”. Often they have so little tied up in the car, that they can afford to make the profit off of the value difference and the financing mark-up.

Second hand car dealers don’t want the general public to know that they buy their cars in this manner. Often it is possible to find out the history of the car by the vehicle ID # and you can research it yourself by looking up the Kelly Blue Book value, or your bank can even look it up for you. The second hand car dealerships will be at the auction and will more than likely have a blue book with them, or they have already inspected the used cars they plan to bid on, and know how to get a great deal on them, at what price. They may outbid you if they know the wholesale value and condition of the vehicle and you don’t.

On Repossessed Car Auction vehicles, most times there is a loan that is small in comparison to the book value of the vehicle. It could have been repossessed due to default on a government secured loan, such as a Small Business Administration (SBA) that was personally guaranteed or Internal Revenue Service (IRS) debts on unpaid taxes that have gone to judgment and seizure through court, so they are selling assets to refund the government, they are therefore bound to sell to the highest bidder, whether it be a second hand car dealership or YOU!

The Government Car Auctions are held at different venues throughout the United States, and online. Some vehicles come from DEA, US Marshall and Coast Guard criminal or drug related seizures. Cars from government fleets that are a few years old, with service records, may also be put up for auction at the same time. often the government no longer want fleet vehicles more than three or four years old, since that is when most used cars need more frequent maintenance. The government will normally keep fleet vehicles maintained on a regular basis up to the point of auction.

Government Car Auctions and Repossessed Car Auctions hold inspection times prior to the auction. Take your mechanic with you, if possible, it is usually only for a one day period, for a few hours. Some vehicles may have known defects listed, but regardless, once you have won the bid on it, you need to remove it. It is best to have cash available as most auctions do not arrange finance. We do, however, have options available to assist you with finding a loan for your car. Repossessed car auctions are still a fantastic way to get a used car at a quarter of the price you would pay at a second hand car dealership if you were in the market for a quality used car.

Visit us for 95% off on repossessed cars.

You may be thinking “compromise” or “lack of quality” when you read the phrase discount oil change. This isn’t necessarily true. There’s no doubt that you can find a discount oil change without spending more than you can afford. Read on to learn some of the common mistakes that people make when getting an oil change.  You’ll learn how to go about getting a quality, low cost oil change to maintain the engine health and stability of your car.

One of the most common mistakes is for someone to attempt their first (and often last) DIY oil change. That’s not to say that a DIY oil change is not an affordable and effective solution; however it’s important to be very knowledgeable about the steps involved in performing an oil change, otherwise the potential is there to seriously damage your car’s engine. If you’re interested in an at-home oil change, the best thing to do is to talk to car care representative at your local automobile specialty store. Chains in your local area may include Auto Zone and PepBoys. They will provide you with qualified advice on doing an oil change at home, and also make sure that you have all the suggested tools & products. A do-it-yourself oil change will cost around $20, depending on what needs to be purchased in advance. In this instance, it will likely be more economical to get an oil change by a local car maintenance shop instead.

Another common mistake is to always take your car back to the dealership when maintenance (particularly oil changes) are due. Although they would have you think otherwise, you do not need to rely on your car dealership for maintenance – particularly oil changes. You will often be charged a premium for taking your car to a dealership versus a local auto maintenance shop. However, if you are leasing, you may be required to get all your routine maintenance and oil changes from the dealership. But in general, a dealership is not a great place to get your oil changed.

Lastly, don’t make the mistake of going for an oil change before you read up on some ratings for the car care shop. Websites such as Yelp.com are perfect for looking up reviews and ratings of your local car care specialty shops. Even franchises such as Jiffy Lube and Econo Lube & Tube do not necessarily provide quality car care at each shop, since many are often independently owned. Taking five or ten minutes to look up ratings can save you time and hassle when looking for quality, inexpensive oil change for your automobile.

These tips and ideas should help you get both an inexpensive oil change and quality car care that will help keep your automobile running smoothly and safely for years!

The economy we are faced with we need all the ways possible to save money.It does not take a rocket scientist to notice that a lot of Americans are suffering during this economy.  But instead of complaining about everything, we can find ways to save money.

So I would like to offer some perspective from a San Diego auto repair shop owner.  Now you might think I am biased but hear me out.After your reading of this you are going to see that it is sensible and money will be saved.

One of the tips on saving money is by making sure we are able to keep our cars for longer periods of time. In the height of this boom economy when everybody was benefiting people would just trade their cars all over the place. They would just trade their cars as soon as it was too old.So the fact of the matter is a lot of people never thought of maintaining their car.

Well in the economy we are in that is not a luxury anymore.Most everyone will not be able to afford going out and buying a new car in these days.People are forced to hang on to their old ones.  What that means is they will have to maintain their cars.

One of the major items of maintenance is being certain you are able to pass a smog check.Once you have an older car it will be a required law.If you can’t pass the smog test that may cause very expensive repairs.  I know this first hand running my San Diego smog check shop. 

There are some things you are able to do to help make certain you pass the test.You can make an effort to keep your car tuned and maintained.  You can make sure to change the oil and oil filter.  You can make sure the muffler is in good working order. 

This is where you can lose money.  If you fail the smog test you could be in for a lot of money in repairs.So by ensuring that you follow these maintenance tips you will be able to save money.  By taking the time to maintain it now you won’t have to spend big on repairs later.

Don’t forget that you have to maintain your brakes as well.  With my experience with our San Diego brakes shop this is important as well. By ensuring that the brakes pads you have aren’t wworn down you can make your disc brakes last longer.  Not maintaining it can lead to expensive repairs.  Follow this and you will save money.

If you’re considering a Fly Drive holiday anywhere in the world, it might be a good idea to decide on the car you’re going to get before you get to your desired location. Depending on whether you want a sporty car or a long runner, one of these cars would be best for you?

Let’s take a look at probably the not quite so sensible motor to consider, but possibly the most fun. Sports cars are never really a good idea for long hauls; it’s not what they are designed for. The Honda S2000 is the sports car of the group and very smart. You can also get this good looking motor as a convertible, it has 237 BHP as well. Unfortunately this car does have some big down sides. The biggest problem is it’s size, it can only seat two people which won’t do anybody any favours. This will however be great to have a good time.

For those of us who love the planet, there is the mastered Toyota Prius. One way to describe this car is “Dull”, there is not doubt it is one of the most boring cars on the planet, but it is reliable. Basically the Prius can outlast all of the cars here, with a fuel consumption rate of about 65 mpg. The great thing about this car is that it can drive for hours on end without needing a refill. The problems are the fact it is a Prius, it is boring and slow, not at all adventurous.

This next particular vehicle is a favourite for many people. This is a great vehicle, the Chevrolet Colorado is a great option. It has a very comfy interior and being 4wd is excellent especially when driving off road or through some of the dirt tracks in Canada. It also has a standard 185 horsepower, but can only do about 23 mpg. Most people will like this truck because of its 4WD, but it also has loads of space and is very comfy, it can sit up to 3 people. Definitely the first choice for a lot of people.

So if you’re considering Canada holidays, then one of these three cars is a great consideration.  However some people may just want to relax on a Alaska Cruise.

We have all seen the TV commercials where the family’s life was saved by automatic stability control. The story is usually set against the back drop of a wet stormy night when suddenly a boulder falls directly onto the road right in front of our hero. The commercial shows the driver yanking on the wheel and saving the day thanks to the manufacturer that installed the stability control system.

Some automotive consumers will see this commercial and think this is very interesting technology. Many automotive consumers may not know that stability control is operated by the ABS system. Although keep in mind when you are buying a new car that various types of stability control systems are found on today’s vehicles.

Just as on traction systems stability controls are based and linked to the ABS system and on some vehicles they are linked to both the brake and electronic suspension systems. Several upscale vehicles offer a switch that can disable the traction control seperate from the stability control system.

Automatic stability control operation

Again, the systems will differ between vehicle manufacturers, but most stability control systems will momentarily apply the disc brake pads at one wheel to correct a oversteer or an understeer condition. The control unit receives signals from the speed sensors plus some units will have a lateral acceleration or G-force sensor. The most advanced stability control systems are now equipped with steering angle sensors.

Under steer is a condition in which the vehicle is slow to respond to steering changes. A vehicle is in a oversteer condition when it is fishtailing or the rear end moves out of the center tracking position. When the system senses understeer or oversteer in a turn the brakes at the appropriate rear wheel is applied.

The input from the various sensors is run through the control module where it is determined if the automobile is actually going in the direction it is being steered. If there is a difference between what the drivers asking for and what the vehicle is doing the system will ideally correct this situation by applying one of the brakes in the four corners.

Stability control advanced Systems

This advanced control system will use the steering angle to calculate the path the driver has selected. It will then monitor the lateral sensor and the G-forces on the vehicle to measure where the vehicle is actually going.

Stability safety control offers assistance when the automobile is braking, coasting or during heavy acceleration. If emergency braking is applied and over steer or understeering is senced increased brake fluid pressure is sent to the caliper needed to maintain driver control.

It did take us some time as consumers to get use to ABS and traction control technologies. But they have been proven to provide a safer driving experience. These automatic stability control systems show the same promise to improve automobile safety. Over time as automotive diagnosis and technologies improve, we may even see them as government mandated standard safety equipment.

Along with Cadillac and Chevrolet nameplates plus General Motors SUVs, GMC’s version of them is the 2005 GMC Denali.  With several versions that GMC has, the Denali is the luxury version.  It is indubitably full sized, but a bit smaller than the largest SUV.  The size is just right for a family outing with something in tow.

The Denali boasts of a 3-row seat where the third row can be removed easily, folded or slid –either way, to suit the owner’s needs.  The bucket seats are located on the second row which can be individually adjusted to suit each passenger’s preference.  All in all, the Denali can seat up to nine passengers.  What is great is that it can fit your garage much easily than a Suburban or Expedition, which are much longer.

It sports a powerful V8 engine with a 325 horsepower and a torque of 370 pounds per foot.  The drawback to so much power is its gas guzzling capability, too!You can only get 12 miles per gas inside the city limits and 16 miles per gas when on the super highways.  But with oil prices at a slump, this is not much a problem.

Denali has automatic transmission, all-wheel drive without low range gearing and an advance braking system that works well.  You are guaranteed a nice ride even on gravel, rugged-two tracks, mud and snow.  The vehicle is also equipped with Quadrasteer.  This reduces the turning circle at muted speeds.  It is also intended to improve stability when towing at higher speeds.

With the tire-pressure monitor and sophisticated Hydroboost brakes and GM’s Stabilitrak antiskid system you are assured of your safety in the car.  Moreover, for front and back controls the vehicle has a power-adjustable pedal and a multi-zone automatic climate system.  The audio or navigation system that has a control touch screen is an optional feature.

The Denali is a luxurious and cozy vehicle with well-situated interiors.  It has leather cover seats that looks perfect and feels so comfortable.  The shoulder harnesses are mounted on the seats and fits snugly and can be worn easily.  All the switchgear and ancillary controls are located close to the driver on the front.  It also has an improved radio reception, a Bose nine-speaker stereo with subwoofer.

The 2005 GMC Denali is one of the coolest cars to own.  You can have fun modifying it by adding custom grill, custom wheels and even custom doors!The interior of the Denali is luxurious and cozy plus, well-situated features with convenience deliberately behind its location.

I am afraid I have to take issue with some of the comments that have been flying about regarding Audi’s reputation in this country. A rather sizeable group of people have been referring to the Audi range as ‘transport for the shallow’ and other such comments which really fail to do the Audi designers and engineers any kind of justice at all. In fact, I have gone out of my way to prove that this paradigm is simply not the case by discovering one of the most exciting and reasonably priced sports cars available on the market; the Audi TT.

The Used Audi TT has already been critically lauded as a cheaper and quicker alternative to the nearest priced Porsche model. It is also just as nimble and sturdy as the Porsche in the corners, so other than the badge on the front of the bonnet, the Audi TT is clearly a superior choice to the Porsche. I'm sure that has got the attention of any of the recent Audi naysayers.

As for the ever important looks department, the Audi TT is really no slouch at all. The elongated front gives a very commanding look to this sports car and gives a marvellous feeling of a retro Formula 1 car from certain angles. In terms of design, the Audi TT seems to be the perfect amalgamation of past and present design, optimised for performance in all counts.

I would recommend the Used Audi TT as the affordable choice for anyone looking to buy a sports car. It certainly has more flair and power than the Mazda MX-5 or the Mazda RX-8 (the nearest competitors in terms of cost. It appears Audi have done everything in their power to extinguish the posers image of their brand and reinvigorate it with the only way they know how; a rip-roaring Used Audi TT sports car.

Automative GPS unit are wonderful to have. They can give you real time driving directions, dynamic street and highway maps, and the location and directions for restaurants, attractions, and even hospitals. They provide helpful voice prompts so the driver does not need to take their eyes off the road. Newer auto GPS system models will include 3-D maps, traffic alerts and rerouting, integrated hands free cell phone, and touch screen controls.

Other new features for GPS systems are theft prevention devices, improved battery life, and the ability to have the voice prompts come through your car stereo or Bluetooth wireless connection. Most people who use an automotive GPS system for the first time are amazed at all its capabilities. When looking for an automotive GPS system you will notice three main types. Many new vehicles will come with one of these systems already installed.

If you are not in the market for a new car you can purchase an aftermarket in dash system that takes the place of your regular radio. Another option is to purchase a portable unit that can be mounted to your dash or windshield. GPS systems are included with many of the high end cars sold these days. They usually have larger LCD screens which make it easier to use while driving. The real downside to using a built in system is that it the sometimes don’t have the most advanced technology available.

Aftermarket in dash systems will usually also have large LCD screen and can even include a built in DVD player. They require professional installation and should not be put into a leased vehicle. Portable GPS systems are much more versatile and are often less expensive than factory installed units. They also give you the option of moving them between cars or taking them with you when you travel. Learn more about GPS systems.

Antique car collecting has never been a more popular hobby than it is today. They are gorgeous and if you fix them up, they can run just as great as the new cars.

Anyone who has an antique car knows how special and valuable it is, and wants to make sure that they have all the best antique car parts and of course the best antique car insurance. There are hundreds of different antique car insurance companies out there today, but how do you decide on just the right one for you?

Well one name that certainly stands out of the crowd is Taylor Antique car insurance, also known as J.C. Taylor. With this Taylor antique car insurance you know that you are going to be getting the very best and that you are going to be getting the best rates more than anything. If you want to go through with the Taylor antique car insurance company, all you have to do is go online to their website where you can get a free online antique quote.

Getting a Quote From The Taylor Antique Car Insurance

Getting a quote from the Taylor antique car insurance company is a very quick and simple process. All you have to do is check out the application form, fill out all the required information such as your name, address, and the make and model of your vehicle, and you will then be presented with a quote.

This quote is an estimate of the rate that you are going to be getting, but remember that nothing is permanent until you actually go through and sign up for the insurance.

If you ever read any reviews on the J.C. Taylor antique car insurance company you will see that the J.C. Taylor antique car insurance company is one of the most popular and well reviewed out there today. That is because they have been in the business since enough time to gain loyal customers and that makes you trusting in them if you are just a new customer.

Of course there are plenty of other car insurance companies that you could go through as well if you needed to get insurance on an antique car, but this is a great one to use as an example, of the different qualities that you should be looking for in such a company. They are definitely one of the best of their kind and one that is going to be the most worth checking out.

It is a fact.  We are in a recession.  All you hear about in the news is about the economy.  You are hearing how people are spending less.All of this is a fact.

But for a business owner, there is a lot of money floating around, you just have to be able to get it.One of the different ways you can accomplish that is by looking at alternative advertising sources.

With the tightening economy and the consumers watching their money, you want all the edges possible.  I know of a good way through my own San Diego truck advertising business.I want to share some knowledge I have gained through first hand experience with you.

As I mentioned the money is still out there.  You just have to go out and get it.  Well how do you do that?You find them in several different ways.  One of those ways is mobile billboard advertising.

As I mentioned I run a mobile billboard San Diego company and from my experience clients get more exposure. Their advertisements are viewed by more people because of the way the advertisement is delivered.

If you don’t know what mobile billboards are, they are just billboards on wheels.They can be specifically made trucks that are to act as billboards.Or they could even be a fleet truck or van that has it’s sides as the billboards.

Why is this method so effective.Well the other advertising methods like TV or radio are so easily turned off by the customer.But a mobile billboard can be right in front of the consumer’s face.It is with them right there in traffic.  It can’t be turned off.And the very essence of it, if it is an ad that is catchy and bold, it will be read.

So with businesses needing to reach more of the consumers, they should seriously think about this way of advertising.  It is effective and if you are trying to brand your business, there is no better way.

Comparitively the mobile billboards prices are reasonable. If you take into consideration how many people will see it daily, it is well worth the investment of your money.

Trying this out will help any company, especially in this trying economic times.