Monthly Archives: January 2010

Author : Christina Costa

There are two things car dealers would like for you not to know The first is how they are evaluated and the second is how they are rewarded The evaluation process is based upon their sales goals

The dealership is given annual sales goals to meet and they are on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis The number of sales set forth in these goals will make a difference on the price you are quoted for a new car

At the end of each month there are some dealers still trying to meet their goals, while others have already reached or even gone past them Research on reputable Internet sites like Edmunds and Automotive will give you a better perspective about which dealers are trying to meet their sales goals, and will most likely sell you at car at or below the invoice price

The Customer Satisfaction Index is another factor involved in evaluations The CSI ratings are taken from surveys sent out after a car has been purchased One company that surveys customer’s opinions is J D Power and Associates They typically send out a questionnaire or contact you over the phone, taking information that will help shape the direction of car dealer’s future business

The opinions towards the car buying experience and dealership overall are very important Be aware when dealing with salespeople, some might try and influence your answers on this survey Keep this in the back of your mind when you are negotiating your new auto purchase

Dealers will be rewarded based up their performance on these surveys, their CSI ratings and if they reached their sales goals The results of the CSI ratings can have a big impact on the car dealership

This will determine any incentives paid to the dealers, if the dealers are invited to car auctions and if the dealership is able to expand their business If a dealership scores low in its evaluations it will be very costly in the long run

A big source of income for dealerships is car auctions By obtaining cars at cheap prices they are able to sell them for a profitable amount It can work against them though, if they depend too much on auctions and shift their focus off selling new cars that will ultimately hurt their sales goals Dealers will receive rewards from manufacturers when their sales goals are met

Through manufacturer-to-dealer incentives dealers might receive as much as $100,000 These incentives are not usually made known to the public, but through internet research you might be able to find out what some dealers receive Dealers would like to keep this information to themselves as best as possible

Christina Costa, a freelance automotive writer, recommends Equotegrabber where you can get an automotive quote online in seconds!Visit Equotegrabber.com

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Author : Idan Lavi

It`s one of the easiest ways to get both car and driver from Point A to Point B without actually having to do the driving yourself, but few people know the ins and outs of the Amtrak car transport service The fact is this mode of transportation takes a lot of stress off people who are moving along the Eastern Seaboard and even those who just want to vacation there

Let`s talk a little about the service and then we`ll get more in-depth about Amtrak car transport vehicle requirements

The Amtrak car transport train runs between Lorton, Virginia, which is near Washington, D C , and Sandford, Florida, which is in the center of the Sunshine State The trip takes just under 17 hours and provides a whole lot of perks along the way Passengers using Amtrak car transport service can kick back and relax while the train does the traveling for them As they do, they can take advantage of several different sleeping car options and some great food and entertainment along the way

While passengers will still have to get their cars to and from the stations, the perks of this service are more than notable The truth is the service cuts time and hassle off the trip down the Eastern Seaboard and saves cars the wear and tear of travel When lodging, food, gas and wear and tear are all taken into account, along with headaches of driving, the service might be one of the more economical ways for both car and driver to travel, too

While Amtrak car transport is a great option for anyone moving or vacationing along the East Coast to consider, there are some specific vehicle requirements Not all motorized vehicles are allowed onboard The following requirements apply:

Cars

Most standard automobiles are welcomed passengers on the Amtrak car transport route Vehicles, however, must not exceed a 65-inch height requirement and they have to have a minimum of 4 inches in ground clearance Luggage racks are acceptable, as long as they are empty and they do not make the vehicle exceed the 65-inch requirement in height

SUVs, vans

These, too, are welcomed aboard the train, but they must also meet specific size requirements In the case of vans and SUVs, the requirements on height are set between 66 and 88 inches Luggage racks that are empty are again okay, but they must not bring the total height to more than the 88-inch measurement Also, specific reservations must be made for these larger vehicles

Motorcycles

While it might seem motorcycles would be an easy fit, the Amtrak car transport service does have some pretty specific requirements for these, as well Only standard factory, two-wheel bikes are allowed on the train These motorcycles have to have a ground clearance of at least 5 inches between the frame`s lowest point and the bottom of the tires, too, The total height allotment for motorcycles is 57 5 inches, windshield and all No sidecars are allowed

Amtrak car transport services can be a great way to take the hassle and worry of making a long distance trek away The train is used by many for just this reason, but it`s important to make sure vehicles fit the requirements stated before booking

More information on the Amtrak car transport service and other types of auto transport can be found online at http://www.GoMovers.com.

This site not only has a wealth of information on auto transport, but it allows you to quickly and easily request auto transport estimates from multiple auto transport companies.

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Author : Billy Whitmire

When riding your dirt bike off road, there is some essential equipment that you not be without This includes:

A Well Maintained Bike

Proper Protective Equipment

Ample Supplies

Navigation Tools

A Well Maintained Bike: Taking the time before hand to do a safety and maintenance check of your dirt bike can save a lot of headaches out on the trail This is especially important if you are going on a multiple day, or long distance excursion If you have neglected to perform a safety check, or maintain your bike properly you could have an unexpected break down while out on the trail Performing a thorough inspection of your bike beforehand, and making sure all systems are functioning correctly, can ensure that your trip is fun, safe, and enjoyable

Having a well maintained dirt bike will ensure that your off road riding experience is exciting, and enjoyable

Proper Protective Equipment: Before setting out on your off road trip you want to check over your protective equipment to be certain it is in good working order On top of the list would be ensuring that it still fits you properly Gear that doesn’t fit, can’t protect you fully, and should be replaced If gear is cracked, worn, or damaged it too should be replaced with more new or more suitable gear Also, gloves, shin/knee guards, and elbow pads should be included along with your helmet because off road riding can pose many dangers to a rider

The hazards of off road dirt bike riding requires that protective equipment be in good working order to function properly and protect the rider

Ample Supplies: Depending on the length of your off road trip, having ample supplies is vital It is a good idea to know how far you will be going on the excursion, that way you can be certain you have sufficient fuel, food, and water It is no fun becoming stranded, miles from nowhere because you have run out of fuel Also, this is a good time to recheck your emergency kit to be sure all of the supplies are in it If you have used some of the supplies previously, this is a good time to restock them, in case they are needed

When planning an off road riding trip it is a good idea to make sure you have enough supplies for the entire trip, and for each rider

Navigation Tools: Before beginning an off road adventure it is a good idea to at least know generally, where you are going Getting lost is not a good time, and will probably force you to contact emergency personnel to assist you This can be avoided with a few preparations before hand Perhaps a map of the area is available so you can at least plot the general course that you will be riding It is also a good idea to let someone know where you will be riding, and when you will be returning from the trip Having a GPS navigator with fresh batteries, or an adapter, is a great idea for keeping on track, and knowing where you are at all times

Having proper navigation tools will prevent you, and your riding party from getting lost while off road riding

Learning to ride a dirt bike is fairly easy, but there are a lot of skills required to master it. Check out GIO Bikes for low priced mini ATVs and electric scooters.

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Author : Thomas Pretty

Audi are a German car manufacturer steeped in tradition and heritage, the company motto of ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ or ‘advantage through technology’ is plain to see on the forecourts of Audi dealerships Technological developments are at the heart of the Audi ethos with many modern techniques first being pioneered by this forward thinking German company’s motor sport division

One car you will not find in dealerships is the Audi Quattro, this legendary car owes its fame to a string of brilliant rally championship performances and many commentators consider it a seminal car in terms of handling and drive system

The Quattro took advantage of new regulations in rally racing that allowed all-wheel drive cars in an era when doubters were criticising Audi for producing a car with such a system Critics however were quickly silenced as the Audi Quattro one its first race and dominated the sport for two years Audi dealerships suddenly found themselves inundated with orders for a car that was expected to be a flop

The Quattro system has been modernised and is now used in a variety of cars in the Audi range Audi have carved themselves a niche in the market when it comes to producing all wheel drive cars, despite efforts of other manufacturers to produce these types of model it is only companies such as Subaru who have managed to match anything on the forecourts of Audi dealerships

Audi have pursued a course of rust and corrosion prevention for a number of years and with a great deal of success Vehicles are one hundred percent galvanised as part of this and their lead has been followed by other manufacturers Zinc coating has been so successful in the prevention of rust and corrosion that even Audi have been surprised by their car’s durability; so much so that their ten year anti corrosion guarantee has been extended to twelve years As part of this Audi have produced an all-aluminium car in the form of the A8; this ‘space-frame’ technology is ultimately revolutionary and the cars on the forecourts of dealerships are at the forefront of this revolution

Technological development is even part of the engine design process with Audi acting as the avant guarde of the efficiency drive The new FSI engines use fuel stratification injection technology to increase efficiency and mileage Most of the petrol models currently available on the forecourts of dealerships now utilise this technology, with rising costs of fuel, this technology is becoming evermore popular with owners The aluminium frame of the A8 also adds to this increased mileage by making the car incredibly light and hence, more fuel efficient

Much of this technology comes as an offshoot to the successful motor sport division of the company Although Audi do not possess a Formula 1 team, in other disciplines Audi have achieved success In touring cars and Championship Racing the Quattro system has been beneficial and returned considerable race and championship wins

The Sports Car Racing Competition has also seen a number Audis during its history; again, success has been forthcoming with three wins on the trot in the Le Mans 24 hours between 2000 and 2002 The current contender is the R10 which since 2005 has added to the trophy cabinet Recently voted the most successful motor sport company since the turn of the century, dealerships will gladly highlight the exemplary racing pedigree of their cars

Audi really do incorporate the education and technologies they develop in motor sport into their road cars A relatively new phenomenon in terms of success, the company has done well to constantly build upon this success and make themselves a dominant force in the world of motor sport As long as the technology developed in the racing division filters down to their road cars, dealerships will be busy with hoards of people wanting luxury cars that can match the levels of comfort with outstanding performance

Motoring expert Thomas Pretty looks into ways in which Audi dealerships benefit from the strong racing pedigree of their cars.

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Author : Bill Williams

During the week starting on Monday 7th July until Wednesday the 9th 2008 the annual junket of the G8 countries met in Japan to discuss among other items global warming mainly caused by increasing carbon gas emissions from industry, power stations and transport

These discussions on climate change have been ongoing annually since the Kyoto talks in 1997 and we, the general public, should be asking ourselves what results have been forthcoming over the years since they began; especially so since for this years meeting the security costs alone will be 141 8 million pounds sterling (euro 113 million) (source Reuters 03/07/08) compared to last years 89 5 million pounds sterling when the junket was held in Germany

How sensible do we think it is to spend in only 2 years the sum of 231 3 million pounds sterling on security alone, plus of course you have to add the expenses for flying delegates from approx 180 countries to Japan, creating all those carbon footprints, plus also all the accommodation costs etc etc The total cost to us taxpayers for the 2 years must be in excess of 500 million ponds sterling, and for what result?

The research group ECOFYS stated in a study done for the environmental group WWF and Allianz that the USA, Canada and Russia had failed the test in climate performance to reduce emissions The USA had failed the tests in 11 out of 12 categories and the 3 countries had all received red ratings and were at the bottom of the table which showed that ALL the G8 countries had failed to match their words with deeds

Italy and Japan also received red ratings with the comment that there are few national measures in place to cut emissions The 3 countries of the G8 at the top of the scorecard were Britain, France and Germany but were only awarded yellow ratings which meant overall that none of the G8 countries were awarded the green rating, it is only fair to state that Britain and France did receive praise for getting their emissions below the Kyoto target figures

So after 11 years of emitting verbal gas at these G8 meetings where are we, what achievements have there been? What will be achieved this year? It is reckoned not much as the good old US of A has never signed the original Kyoto agreement, the oilman/cowboy President in charge at present is most unlikely to alter his stance and offend his oil industry friends in this his last year of presidency which means we have to wait for next years meeting to find out if the U S , now questionably the second largest polluter in the world behind China (who incidentally are not in the G8), has a change of policy

We, the general public, can show these mindless, unthinking, environmentally unfriendly so called politicians (interesting is it not that according to Dictionary com a politician is described as a seeker or holder of public office, who is more concerned about winning favour or retaining power than about maintaining principles, says it all does it not, could not have put it better myself )

How do we show them? Simple, very, very simple Fit a water to fuel conversion system to your car/vehicle It cuts down to a minimum exhaust carbon gas emissions, it helps to maintain a cleaner environment, is a healthy solution to prolonged engine life, can vastly increase your m p g while reducing the cost per litre/gallon by at least 30-60%, simple innit, cut carbon gas emissions, save the environment and save money at the same time

We are not politicians but we can see the sense in that,why is it they cannot?

Bill is now retired but as a keen motorist has driven on most continents of the world and has a keen interest in environmental issues, these account for only a couple of his many varied interests. For further info on the Water4gas fuel conversion system please visit..http://www.the-car-hub.co.uk/

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Author : Billy Whitmire

If you are still hiking into remote hunting sites, hauling your own gear, and dragging your game out on your back, you may want to consider using an ATV on your next hunting trip

Here are some reasons for using an ATV during hunting season:

-Hauling Gear

-Saves Time & Energy

-Access Remote Locations

-Hauling Big-Game

Hauling Gear

A weekend hunting or camping trip can involve a lot of gear, gear that usually has to be hauled in by foot But, an ATV can make this task much easier by hauling in all the gear you could possibly need Instead of breaking your back hauling in the essential gear that you need, an ATV can do it easily and effortlessly Also, you will be able to take some gear that normally doesn’t make the cut because you don’t want to carry it in

Using an ATV to haul your hunting gear to a lodge or camping site is much easier, and requires much less effort then hauling it in on foot

Saving Time & Energy

The least amount of time you spend hauling your gear to the hunting site, the more time and energy you will have for actually hunting If the site is a decent distance from access roads, you will have to walk your gear in, and this takes away from valuable hunting time An ATV can save a great deal of time and energy getting you, and your gear to a prime hunting location This means you will have more time and energy spent to do what you came to do, which is hunting

Because it saves so much time and energy, many more hunters are using an ATV to haul their gear to hunting or camping sites This allows them to spend more time actually hunting

Access Remote Locations

A good approach for avoiding other hunters, and find great quarry, is to find new hunting grounds This of course means gaining access to remote locations Traditionally you would have to hike into these locations, and this can be troublesome and a lot of hard work If you can hike into a remote location, then you can use an ATV to get there quicker, and easier Not only can you get there quicker, but you can take all your gear, and equipment with you, without having to make additional trips

Access to remote hunting or camping locations is made much easier when the trek is made using an ATV

Hauling Big-Game

One of the most difficult tasks any hunter has to face is hauling big-game out of the woods Many hunters have been injured in the process, and game has been damaged also But, all of this is unnecessary when using an ATV to haul your deer, bear, or elk out of the woods If that trophy, 10 point buck was shot at the edge of a corn field, you may be able to drive your pickup right to the site, and load him onboard This however rarely happens Keep in mind that an ATV can make hauling game out of the deepest woods much simpler, and easier

Hauling game with an ATV can simplify getting your big game out of the most remote locations imaginable

Take care of your ATV and you will be able to fully enjoy it for years. Also check out GIO Bikes to buy a dirt bike, buy an ATV or buy an electric scooter.

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Author : Charles Cater

Amazing you may say Outstanding results are comments that I typically get about my driving style So what are they talking about, my ability to navigate difficult situations My capabilities to avoid traffic stop situations Well not exactly, most of the time it is my ability to get every last inch out of a gallon of gas in my cars

My wife and I own two Toyota’s A 1997 Toyota Tacoma 4×4 V6 and a 2002 Toyota Sequoia V8 4×2 Neither of these vehicles are now for their thirst resistance The Tacoma has a rating of 16 MPG Town and 20 MPG Highway The Sequioa is a bit worse with a 15 MPG Town and an 18 MPG highway In today’s climate these gas mileage totals can really crimp your budget So how do you improve on them if you want to pinch pennies Currently the two vehicles achieve the following ratings when I am driving them:

Seqouia gets 18 9 MPG city, and 19 5 Highway

Tacoma gets 20 0 MPG city, and 21 5 Highway

These are outstanding figures when compared to the factory figures for Gas mileage So how do I achieve such figures The methods are fairly simple and very doable with any vehicle that you may have I routinely achieved 36 mpg with a 1988 Honda accord while in college All with no modifications to the vehicles that I drive

Gas savings tactic number one is simple and highly doable if you can avoid a heavy foot Always start out slowly avoiding rapid acceleration Rapidly accelerating takes more energy for the car to start rolling and in the end simply uses more fuel So how do I know if I am accelerating at a rate that is going to suck fuel irresponsibly Very easy if you are driving at a nice pace you will barely notice the car changing gears If you noticeably feel the car lurch during gear changes, you are accelerating too fast and wasting precious fuel in the process

Tactic number two involves stopping This is counter intuitive but as you approach a stop sign or other intersection release your foot from the gas peddle 400 yards from the stopping point Allow the cars engine to slow it to the sign You should arrive at the sign almost at a stop without applying a lot of brake force If you do this correctly you will barely notice that you are applying brakes as you coast to a stop This will prevent you from over accelerating and having to waste energy while braking

The final item that I use for saving gas is the cruise control When on the highway I accelerate to between 65-70 mph and then set the cruise This prevents me from running with traffic and driving beyond the cars gear ratios This will take some experimentation on your part as all cars are geared differently My 88 Accord functioned best at 62 mph Considerably less than the Seqouia’s 68 mph optimum cruising speed

So the best way to sum up the gas savings tatics I use are to drive sanely and safely Keep a safe distance from cars in front of you and use your brake and gas pedal sparingly Always plan your stops and accelerate slowly It will put money in your pockets and save gas in the meantime

Charles authors several blogs.
Technology
Travel
Bridal
Article Site
Healthy Diet

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Author : Art Gib

We all know we live in a world where everything and everyone is connected Part of living in this world involves moving around in this world It’s not uncommon for people to move from state to state for work, military, or really any number of reasons Moving, however, isn’t what most of us would call enjoyable It is a long, stressful process, usually resulting in multiple casualties (usually possessions) But there are things you can do to make this process easier

First off, make yourself a list, a record system You want to be organized when you begin so you can find everything you need while it is still in boxes in your new home Write down everything that goes in your boxes and be specific about it If you have a baby don’t just write clothes Write down the clothing sizes so you can find them when you need them

Make sure you have all the supplies you need before you start packing There’s nothing more frustrating then running out of boxes after you’ve gotten into your rhythm Consider buying a moving package These usually have a variety of boxes, all different sizes, and come with packing tape as well You will also want to get a permanent marker or two, possibly a notebook, and lots of newspaper or bubble wrap to pack your fragile items in

Use a color coding system Mark every box that has kitchen supplies in it with an orange sticker, and use blue stickers for your bedroom Find a different color for each room of the house, or if you can’t find a single color pair up colors, such as green and purple for the living room This will make it much easier for you to find something later Make sure you keep a master list reminding you which color goes where

Keep everything organized Don’t let your plates end up with your clothes Pack the plates with the bowls and cups and your clothes in wardrobe boxes Keep all your bathroom supplies in one or two separate boxes Again, you will save yourself tons of time by making sure everything is packed in an organized fashion

Of course, you’ll have to transport all of your stuff You may want to rent a large truck to haul all of your stuff in If you have an extra vehicle that you can’t drive yourself, consider finding an auto transport agency They can get the car to your destination safely, while you haul the rest of the stuff Just remember, moving doesn’t have to be a huge headache Create a plan and get things organized You will be very glad you did

Reliable Car Carrier, Ltd. (http://reliablecarcarrier.com) is an auto transport. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

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