Posted by admin on May 12th, 2008 — Posted in Road Rage
When Saturn exited the midsize car market a few years ago they left with a promise: we’ll be back. After several years of lackluster sales, GM’s Saturn division dropped the unpopular L Series in 2004 with no immediate replacement waiting. Thanks in part to the company’s German division, Opel, Saturn has a new car to capture the imagination of sedan enthusiasts everywhere. The AURA, a five passenger Euro style sedan, is now on display at your local Saturn dealership. Please read on to see what the AURA has in store for buyers just like you.
The L Series wasn’t a bad car, it just got lost in a sea of competition dominated by popular Camrys, versatile Accords, and dependable Taurus’s. Bland styling didn’t help matters either as the car never approached General Motors’ expectations, therefore the automaker decided to drop the model from Saturn’s then spartan line up.
Unfortunately for Saturn dealers, a void in an already small line up was left wide open. True, the all-new RELAY crossover was brought in as the L Series made its exit, but it certainly wasn’t a sedan and it wasn’t meant to replace the L Series. Thankfully, GM did not fill the hole in Saturn’s line with yet another “me too” rebadged Chevy or Pontiac. Instead, the automaker promised to develop a fresh model based on a new GM platform and by incorporating Opel styling and technology. Thus, the seeds of the all new AURA were planted and the harvest has now hit a showroom near you.
So, exactly what do you get with the all new AURA? Well, one thing you won’t get is a four cylinder engine. Unlike the Toyota Camry, the AURA is only offering a pair of six cylinder engines. Likely, this won’t be a problem for most buyers as the two AURA engines are different enough to give customers a real choice: the 3.5L V6 comes equipped with a four speed automatic transmission while the optional 3.6L DOHC V6 is mated to a six speed automatic transmission. Some buyers may be disappointed by the lack of a manual transmission, so GM will have to watch this closely to see if additional sales could be realized by introducing a potent six speed manny tranny.
Beyond the powerplant, the AURA comes nicely equipped. Since its chief competitors will be the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, Saturn could ill afford to produce a car short on anything. Thus, the base AURA will be priced right - MSRP of $20,595 - and include the following standard equipment:
3.5L V6
Four speed automatic transmission
Four wheel disc brakes
ABS with Traction Control
Head curtain and side impact air bags
6 speaker sound system
OnStar
Power Everything
Optional equipment for the standard model includes aluminum wheels, leather interior, sunroof, premium sound system and more. The base model is known as the XE with the up market XR featuring the larger engine and a very long list of standard equipment. Add about $4000 to the price of the base XE to get an XR.
Saturn hopes that the bold styling of the AURA will cause shoppers to take a closer look. Now that the Camry has finally shed its bland image, Saturn can ill afford to go up against the automotive leader with a nondescript model. With a sporty grille, comely lines, and an attractive B pillar, the AURA goes well beyond the L Series and is sure to attract buyers to the Saturn fold.
The AURA also is a departure from Saturn’s Spring Hill, Tennessee roots as it is built in GM’s Kansas City facility alongside the Chevrolet Malibu. Based on GM’s Epsilon platform, the AURA effectively combines GM and Opel technology and styling in an all new model. This is a bold move on GM’s part one that the world’s number one automaker is pinning on reviving a brand that desperately needs this type of stylish model.
Copyright 2006 - Matt Keegan is a freelance writer covering upcoming models as well as the current favorites. To keep your Saturn looking its best, outfit your ride with quality Accel wheels today!
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Posted by admin on April 28th, 2008 — Posted in Road Rage
There is much to learn about motorcycle spark plugs. There is
more than what meets the rider’s eyes.
First things first. Let us distinguish the important differences
in spark plugs threaded ends. They come in four diameters and
lengths. They come in nominal 14, 10 12 and 18 millimeters
diameters. Before there was a slight difference in thread
configuration especially in different countries however, this
was made uniform by the international standardization of the
thread forms. These new dimensions are now being followed by
motorcycle parts manufacturers.
Errors. People often make plug-reach errors. The very usual
error is using 3/4-inch plugs in 1/2 -inch holes. The result of
the same is pretty obnoxious. In time, when the plug threads are
exposed in combustion, they become filled with deposits. In that
case, it will be hard to remove the plug without removing the
hole threads. On the contrary, if you use a short plug to a deep
hole, the deposit will fill the hole and it will be hard to
re-install the right size plug. The worst error is the use of
overly-long plug. The exposed threads absorb huge amount of heat
from the combustion process which alleviates the plug-nose
temperatures. As a consequence, the side electrode functions as
a glow plug. Early ignition or runaway pre-ignition causes
higher combustion chamber temperatures that can wreck the engine.
Heat range. Hot plugs are plugs with a long insular nose. They
lead heat high into the plug body before it returns to the
cylinder head. Short-nosed plugs, on the other hand, have
shorter heat path. Consulting the spark plug manufacturers
regarding the plug’s heat range can be of great help. This may
somehow clear the cobwebs at the back of your mind regarding
heat range demands. Knowing which plugs are colder or hotter may
be easy if you stick to the same brand however, it becomes
perplexing when you change from one brand to another.
There is more to spark plugs than the three aforementioned
aspects. There are still areas that we need to master like its
installations, different plug configurations and maintenance
work. Nonetheless, we have to be first acquainted with these
three aspects.
In a nutshell, we have to have enough knowledge about spark
plugs in order to choose the right or suitable type. Another, we
have to delve deeper to what it has to do about the bike
engine’s condition. These factors are hard to acquire and do,
thus, we have to instill a lot of details and facts all at once.
When you get it right, you will be favorably affected.
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Posted by admin on April 22nd, 2008 — Posted in Road Rage
Donating your car is a great way to help out worthy causes. Your car donation is fully tax deductible, as long as the charity is a registered 501(c)3 organization. It is best to check with the charity or your tax advisor to ensure you are entitled to a tax deduction.
Even though some of the car donation tax laws changed a few years back, this is still a great way to help yourself and others.
The IRS has now removed the need for an individual to determine the value of your vehicle as you are now allowed to deduct the sale price. Remember, this is the sale price that the charity sells your car for! If they dont sell the car and use it instead for their valuable work, you are entitled to deduct the market value of the vehicle.
If you do choose to make a car donation, you will find that the process is very easy. Organizations that offer to take vehicles generally have information available online or over the telephone and in some cases you can fill out online forms to start the donation process.
On the other side of the donation process, it is vitally important for charities who receive such generous gifts to acknowledge the donors as soon as practicable - immediately if possible but never longer than a few days.
Why? Being prompt is being courteous and your donors need to feel appreciated. A personal visit or phone call should be followed up by a well worded thank you letter.
Remember, people will stop giving if they dont feel that their gift is appreciated.
So, if you have clear title to your vehicle and feel you wish to give something back to your community, consider car donation. Your generous gift will help people far less fortunate than yourself.
Author is the webmaster of Car Donation Arena, a site dedicated to providing information, articles and up to date news on car donation
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Posted by admin on April 7th, 2008 — Posted in Road Rage
Classic collector auto insurance is what’s referred to as
nonstandard car insurance, which includes specialty car
insurance for the classic car collector or owner of a modified
car.
Classic collector and modified car insurance is very much like
standard insurance but with significant differences regarding
use of the vehicle and the method of determining value. Although
there are criteria for the classic collector–often a minimum
age of 25, 10 years driving experience, and a good driving
record–insurance on a modified car or on classic cars depends a
great deal on the car.
There Are Limitations
A classic auto is usually defined by age, 15 years the usual
minimum. In some states, Massachusetts, for example, the age of
a classic car must be at least 25 years. Most insurers further
require that the components of the classic car are original or
restored to original, that the classic be stored in a garage,
and that the owner maintains a daily-use vehicle for everyday
use.
While limited pleasure driving and club or hobby activities are
acceptable under classic car insurance provisions, daily
driving, commuting to work, and commercial use of a classic auto
is not. Limitations on a modified car are similar.
A Boon To The Car Collector
Also an important difference in classic car insurance is the
means of determining the value of the classic car. In most
states, Massachusetts, Texas, and Virginia the exceptions, the
insured value of the classic car is an ‘Agreed Value’.
Unlike the case of standard insurance where the provider
determines the value of the vehicle, specialty insurers agree
with the owner on the value up front and are bound to that
amount in the event of total loss to the classic car.
Because of the criteria on the owner, the use and storage
limitations on the classic car or modified car, and the
predetermined valuation of the vehicle, specialty insurers can
offer insurance rates on a classic auto or modified car that are
often better than on policies for vehicles covered under
standard car insurance, a real boon to those who have a car
collection.
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Posted by admin on March 21st, 2008 — Posted in Road Rage
One of the newest members of the BMW clan is the BMW X5. It
first made its public debut in the United States last December
1999. It has been manufactured as a sports activity vehicle, or
SAV. Aside from that, the BMW X5 has been marketed to target
those people who are pining and vying for a vehicle that would
be able to match their active lifestyles. This sports activity
vehicle has been designed and crafted so as to compete in the
sports utility vehicle, or SUV, market. The BMW X5 combines the
responsive and excellent performance that only a BMW can boast
of along with space and room, flexibility, and the all-weather
capacity of a sports utility vehicle.
Upon its introduction, the BMW X5 holds a 4.4 liter DOHC V8
engine with 32 valves. This engine has the ability to produce
282 horsepower. It can achieve 3,600 rpm with 0 to 60 mph in an
acceleration time of 7.5 seconds. In 2001, the BMW X5 continues
to utilize the tradition of the BMW vehicles in using inline six
cylinder engine. Along with that, it also introduces a new
powerplant which is the M54. This new source of power provides
better fuel efficiency and lower emissions. The following year,
the BMW X5 now featured a specially tuned engine that could
provide and create an output of 340 horsepower along with 350
pound feet of torque.
The BMW X5 holds a number of options for its exterior colors.
The non-metallic choice of colors includes alpine white and jet
black. As for the metallic hues, the list contains titanium
silver, sienna red, topaz blue, steel gray, pearl beige, oxford
green, gray green, and black sapphire. The interior trims have
leather color options like beige, pastel green, black, and gray.
The leatherette feature comes in two color choices - beige and
black.
The BMW X5 also offers packages for those people who would like
to upgrade and spruce up their sport activity vehicles. The
sport package contains a sport steering wheel, a sport
suspension, door handles that are painted in the vehicle’s
exterior paint color, upgraded 18 inch wheels made of alloy,
anthracite headliner, white indicator lenses, a shadowline trim,
a black chrome exhaust, and a titanium-colored grill. The cold
weather package features a ski bag, heated front seats, and
headlight washers. For the rear climate package, the list of the
features includes rear door sunblinds, rear climate controls,
and a privacy glass. The premium package, meanwhile, adds up
body colored door handles, a power glass moonroof, light wood
trim, power front seats, rear seat back adjustments, a rain
sensor, an automatic air conditioning, an on-board computer, and
leather upholstery.
Same Day Car Parts manufactures and sells aftermarket
performance parts and accessories for BMW vehicles. Same Day Car
Parts strives to be the ultimate source for the auto parts and
accessories for most BMW cars. This online store’s product line
up for BMW parts include accessories, body kits, body parts, engines, floor mats, wheels, and a variety of additional
upgrades that would spruce up your BMW.
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