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Tesla Stock Price

Are investors cashing out before the end of the year for tax reasons, or is this a vote of no confidence for Tesla? In the last month, Tesla's stock price has dropped by ~20%.

Grandma The Fighter

I am sitting at the hospital bedside of my 93 year old grandmother. Rebecca was born in Russia, and survived Stalin and the Wehrmacht siege of Leningrad. Now she is fighting with her heart and her lungs, gasping and coughing to get a breath. She's a tough old lady, but I think she is getting tired.

Don't give up yet Grandma!

Fiat's Nero

This morning on Autoline Detroit, John McElroy's auto talk show, a Fiat lady stated that part of the Fiat 500's ordering experience will be calling colors by their Italian names. So red will be rose, and black will be nero. Cue the Rome burns jokes. But what I don't get is, why not call it Cinquecento then? For mist people, if you say "five hundred", they will think of a very bland large sedan from Ford.

If you're going to go Italian, go all in, that's what I say.

Nancy Reagan Art Car Billboard

uploaded by ehoyer.

Here is an art car with a giant photo of Nancy Reagan on a van totally protected from towing, wheel booting and vandalism. Its in San Francisco so I guess it needs all that, but I am not sure the purpose of it all.

2009 Volvo XC90 Wallpapers

2009 Volvo XC90

2009 Volvo XC90 Pic

The 2009 Volvo XC90 is available with a choice between two engines: 3.2-liter six-cylinder and a V8 unit. The entire line of 2009 Volvo XC90s represents a tremendous value in the premium SUV segment. With Volvo’s recent introduction of the exciting new XC60 premium crossover, the XC90 will be offered solely as a 7-passenger SUV. The 2009 Volvo XC90 price starts at 37,000 USD for the 3.2 base model and goes as high as 47,550 USD for the V8 AWD R-Design top of the range version.

Charger Body Kits Will Give A Special Look To Your Car

At present Dodge Charger has a reputation of a reasonably priced sedan respected for its performance. When it debuted in 1966 it had a different identity. Then it was a two-door coupe known for its powerful engine. In its present reincarnation it is a four-door sedan which is larger than a midsize sedan. It has spacious and comfortable interior. It has been favorably commented upon by the reviewers. Its participation in NASCAR events and appearance in a TV show has given it wide publicity. Its latest generation has been introduced in 2006 which has an aggressive styling. Its Charger SRT8 model is the fastest and has bigger brakes and better suspension.

You devote your time and take some pains to select a car of your choice and feel happy when you find one that appeals to you. You would have looked for its performance, reliability, safety, and durability and you would also have paid attention to its looks. However, all cars of same make and model look more or less similar despite a number of options given by the manufacturers. Acquiring aftermarket products is the next step. Here you have a much wider choice. Charger body kits too are available in a number of designs and styles. Through them you can impart an extra exclusive cosmetic touch to your car. Body kits are a set of items fitted externally on a vehicle. They do not cost much and it is not very difficult to install them but they can give a new look to your car.

One of the three or four different materials is used in making body kits. They have their own merits and demerits which can be known from several websites which give relevant information about body kits. You can see there their designs as well as know their comparative prices. You can select them online and if you so wish you can even buy them online. The next step is of installing them. You have to be careful to see that they are properly installed. You and your family will enjoy driving in car customized with Charger body kits.

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The Uses Of A Car Camera

In the modern world, security is a serious issue that needs attention. Whilst we are often quick to secure our homes with burglar alarms and cctv cameras, we do not do the same with our cars. The car is a place that we spend a considerable amount of time, and a place where accidents can occur and road rage can be experienced or witnessed. Car crime is also on the rise across the world. Do you worry about yourself or your family when they are in the car? In car security is fast catching on around the world as an effective security measure.

There are a lot of benefits for using some kind or car safety camera device. First and foremost the the system can be running when you are driving, but secondly it can continue to work whilst the car is parked. This can be a very valuable asset when cars are frequently stolen or broken into. Having footage can be important in insurance claims too. They have been known to considerably reduce the time spent claiming for an accident as they are able to show the event as it happens. In essence, car cameras can act as witnesses to any accident that occurs. Having the camera working whilst the car is parked is also an excellent way to help move disputes and accident damage claims along. Have you ever come back to your parked car to discover there is a scratch or a dent? If a camera was operating you would be able to see what happened and more importantly your insurance claim can be processed quicker.



Taxi drivers in particular benefit from having security in their cars. Picking up passengers later in the evening, perhaps after a night fueled by alcohol can place drivers in a dangerous position. Having a camera can provide that extra bit of security in these situations. Either the camera can be clearly displayed or placed in a covert position, but either way if you come in contact with any dangerous or threatening behaviour you can have something solid to take to the police as evidence.

If you want to buy a car camera of some kind then the best route to take is first to decide what you are wanting it for specifically. There are many factors you will want to consider such as the length of running time and the position of the camera in the vehicle. If you have one facing forwards then the front of the vehicle can be monitored. If you want it facing the rear of the vehicle then this will be monitored. They come in many different sizes so you need to consider how large or small yours needs to be. You will want to think about whether you want the camera on display to act as a deterrent perhaps, or whether it is better to have it discretely hidden.

A popular type of camera for the car is the mini DVR camera that is designed to be stuck onto the windscreen. It can record both outside the car and inside too so it would work well for taxi drivers. It is also perfect for insurance reasons as it can capture any accidents or problems as they happen. This can be helpful when it comes to making a claim and can move the case along much more quickly. Whatever type of car camera you are interested in buying you should shop online. Here you will find the best selection of cameras available and at the best prices. For any type of in car camera you should make sure you get the best and have access to the widest selection available. From covert cameras to pin hole cameras, shop online today.

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Officially new BMW X5 LCI 2011 Interior

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The 12 Days of Christmas Art Cars

The Internet would not be complete without the the 12 days of Art Cars song to commemorate this Christmas Eve. So here is my attempt at creative art car song writing.

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

A Truck with Christmas Lights.

2 Santa's Cruising

3 Volvo's Glowing

4 NASCARS Racing

5 Snowy Hills

6 Jeeps a Glowing

7 Bugs-a-Crawling

8 Trucks-a-Hauling

9 Bikers Bicking

10 Cycles-a-Rolling

11 Leaping Reindeer's

12 Mercedes Wreaths

Sorry that was painful, but Merry Christmas

2012 Mercedes CLS Design

Mercedes SLS AMG

2012 Mercedes CLS - interior

240SXbody Kits - Give A New Look To Your Car

 When people buy a vehicle they also think of the aftermarket products that they would acquire at a later stage. It is their way of showing appreciation of the vehicle by adorning it with the accessories of their choice. Body kits rank high in their preferences. Whatever be the vehicle right from a heavy pickup truck to a sport coupe or any other in between all can be fitted with body kits. When speaking about body kits a mention of 240SX made by Nissan can be made. 240SX was introduced in 1989 and it lasted till 1998. That was the period when there was tough competition in the sport coupe market. 240SX had been able to meet all the challenges during this period. It is a comfortable vehicle and its handling has also been praised. Initially it was marketed both as a coupe and a hatchback but in 1992 a convertible version was also introduced. By 1994 hatchback and coupe versions were withdrawn and only the convertible remained.

Whatever be the version of the vehicle a coupe, or a hatchback, or a convertible 240 SX body kits will meet the urges of the car owner to give it a new look. People generally want their possessions like house or furniture to have a unique look. Car owners think in the same way about their cars. They want it to stand out amongst other cars. Body kits include front and rear bumpers which can alter the front appearance of the vehicle. Side skirts and side guards other components forming part of the body kits can do the same about the side appearance. Spoiler another component of body kits can modify the looks and also improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle. Wisely selected body kits can fulfill the aspirations of the car owner to give a personalized look to the vehicle. It is easy to select them online where you will get all the information required for the selection. After selecting them their installation will also need your close attention to ensure that they are correctly fitted.

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Bugatti Veyron Centenaire Edition - driving in Paris

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The Making of Stellabelle Art Car - Video

Here is an art car from one of my facebook friend named Leah Stella called Stellabelle a 99 Toyota with Almost 200,000 miles on it. The outside depicts worms, lights and Dr. Suess style things and was painted using exterior house paint. Stella is a videographer, composer, graphic artist and Youtube director with a very interesting video of the making of her art car and if you like this there is plenty of it where that came from on her YouTube channel.

Explorer Body Kits - Great Styling For A Tough Car

With a car that has a name such as an Explorer you can expect the car to be able to handle the rough and tough terrain that it will encounter. And in fact it was so good at this that it has been credited with having popularized SUVs in the US market. And though it is fun to take the car out into the rugged wild natural places but it is also that you will be often driving the car within the city itself where its tough ruggedness is not really required. In the city it would be great to have stylish looks that make heads turn.

And you can give your Ford Explorer sizzling looks with the help of Explorer body kits. And though you can make it look smart and stylish for the city you can also retain its tough character while doing that. For you to be able to do this you will find you have a great choice of options of color styles and such to do up your car. First though you will need to choose a material for the body kits. You can choose polyurethane body kits if you would like the body kits to be able take in a minor bump or scratch without lasting damage. If you want the performance to remain great you can opt for carbon fiber body kits which are light and do not add a lot of weight to your car. There are also Duraflex body kits which have a great finish and being flexible are able to fit better on the car.

For the style and color you can choose from the available components such as bumpers, side skirts and a car spoiler. A car spoiler not only enhances the looks but it also improves the aerodynamics. If you have one installed your car will hug the road better at high speeds. You can choose a high impact outgoing style or a sober understated style as per your taste and personality. Body kits are not very expensive and you can get great new looks without having to spend a lot of money.

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Common Causes Of Car Accidents: 5 Ways To Minimize The Risks

Car accidents have become a common characteristic of American life, and indeed, those of us who live in traffic congested cities have grown accustomed to the site of damaged vehicles stopping up traffic. The majority of these instances are the routine fender-bender, but as most of us realize, vehicular accidents are also often deadly. For many, one of our greatest fears is never seeing our loved ones again when they pick up the car keys and leave the house.

But by understanding what contributes to car accidents, both harmless and deadly, we can minimize the chances that we will ever be involved in one. There's always the chance of becoming a victim to another hapless driver, but awareness and adjusting your driving can significantly change the odds…in your favor.

Here are some common causes of car accidents to be aware of.

1. Speeding

Many car accidents are caused by speeding. While those new to driving might find going slow to be a drag and take some of the "fun" out of it, we must remember that a vehicle is a tool—and a dangerous one at that. When we are driving faster, we are given less time to react when something goes wrong, like another driver entering our lane, an animal running into the road, or a sharp curve creeping up on us. When we are driving too fast, it also reduces our car's performance in several ways. For instance, we may lose control going around bends, and the distance we need to stop is much larger than when we are driving at slower speeds.

2. Distractions

Another common cause, especially with mobile technologies, is distraction. Most of us have heard of a small handful of people who have been killed while driving because they were talking on a cell phone or texting and distracted from noticing a danger in time to prevent an accident. Other distractions include trying to read something, reaching to grab something, paying attention to something off the roadway, talking to a passenger, or simply daydreaming.

When you're at the wheel, never forget the responsibility that is in your hands. Put all your energy and focus into the task at hand, and stay alert for any possible sudden changes in the environment that may pose a threat.

3. Careless Driving

Careless driving also causes a lot of accidents and, unfortunately, deaths. Especially younger drivers are known for showboating or just driving haphazardly—and in most cases, the simple reason is they don't take the dangers of driving seriously enough. Even older, more mature drivers "cut corners" in the sake of time or convenience by running stop signs, following too closely, or any other number of aggressive driving mistakes.

Nothing can be more sobering than a brief lapse in judgment ruining lives.


4. Drunk Driving


The most preventable cause of automobile accidents is drunk driving—a cause of death that crosses nearly every parent's mind when they first hand their teenager the car keys. We all know it is a problem and a very dangerous one, yet so many still do it.

Any time you've had a drink, you should refrain from driving—it is simple as that. Use taxis, designated drivers, and self-control. Anything else is a show of complete neglect for your own life and the lives of others.

5. Weather

Of course, weather is also a major factor in automobile accidents and in any of the cases above, it can make an accident much more likely to happen. Driving speeds and habit should always be adjusted in regards to the current road environment, so keep an eye on the weather and drive accordingly—it's the law, but it's also your life and the lives of others.

The simple truth is that most car accidents involve a variety of different contributing factors, and even if you do everything perfectly, someone else's mistake can quickly alter your life. For that reason, the best policy is and always has been defensive driving. Make it a point to always be aware of not only what you are doing but what those around you are doing, and always be prepared to give to a more aggressive driver.

There is life in your hands.

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Car Relocation - Ways It Is Made Simple And Safe For Everyone

Are you going to have care relocation done for you in the near future to get your vehicle moved to a new home? Then you have to be sure you know how easily this can be done safely and simply for anyone.

There are some important things that will help make moving your automobile easier and safer, no matter how far you will be relocating it.

One of the things that you need to do is to decide how you want to go about getting your automobile to your new destination. You are the only one that can decide if you will move it yourself, or if you will locate help to achieve this.

Think carefully about it and do your homework on both options. This will let you make the smart choice and will also allow you to see which solution would be the best fit to your budget.

Once you have made your decision on how to get it moved, the next step is to get started. If you are going to move it yourself, then there is really not much to do except to get it ready for transport.

If you will be hiring help from an auto transport company, then you need to take the next step of locating the right company to hire. Don't make the same mistake others have of hiring the first company they find.

You have to give yourself time to research different companies carefully. This will help you decide if a company is really dependable, if they provide a reasonable cost and if they provide the particular transport service that you need.

The next step to take is to decide which company will be hired by you and then take action to make it happen. Once that step is done, your next task is to get your vehicle ready for transport.

Find out from the company if they have certain things they want you to do to prepare your vehicle. Also, do the smart thing and take out your personal belongings so that nothing happens to them and so that they don't end up doing damage inside your automobile during transport.

One last thing you need to do is to be ready on the day that the company arrives to take your automobile. You will have to be there when the time comes because most companies won't take possession of an automobile without someone available to give consent and the keys.

Now that you know how car relocation can be made simple for anyone, you just need to get started. Be sure you think about your two options carefully for moving your automobile, then take action to make it happen. The sooner you make your decision and set your plans into motion, the sooner you will be confident that your vehicle will get to your new home safely and easily.

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Honda Odyssey 2011

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Car Alarms

With the advent of science and technology cars, virtually a fleet of them are enabling millions worldwide to travel large distances in the shortest amount of time possible. What’s interesting is that with the increase in the number of cars the amount of car theft has also increased worldwide. This alarming scenario of car thefts all around the world have brought to the fore the importance of having car alarms installed in one’s vehicle. The car alarms are the one of a kind solution to deter thieves. Car alarms are basically devices or rather sensors which are installed in a vehicle to prevent the theft of the vehicle or any of its contents and parts.

The car alarms usually works by emitting high volume beeps or various other kind of sounds mostly according to the customization of the user. In some cases the car horn, klaxon sounds or pre-recorded warnings are used. The car alarms are triggered by an entire spectrum of signals. They include vibrations of any sorts, opening of the hood or the boot. Touching of the door or any part of the car can cause the car alarm to go off. In some cases the car alarms are also accompanied by the flashing of the lights of the car. If you are the one with a fetish for total control and want complete security you can even customize settings of the car alarm with a pager system so that you get informed as soon as someone tries to tamper with your beloved vehicle.

The two main categories of car alarms available are the OEM and the after-market alarms. The OEM car alarms are the ones which are built into the car from the factory. The after-market car alarms are the ones which are installed after the car is rolled out of the assembly line. The after-markets are obviously the ones which are flashy and come with better features. Arming and disarming of the car alarms are usually done using a remote control.

In the past few years the world has becoming high tech and thus the car alarms have also evolved beyond the realms of normal imagination. A gush of technological rush has transformed the car alarm system into something really flashy fashion statement obviously with the safety and security measures. Nowadays the car alarms come with different aspects and types wherein there are typical responses to the different parts of the car, quite literally. The Power door locks, Power lock kits, Power window kits, Window conversion kits are some the latest new toys in the market right now. The use of each is evident from the names and they provide safety to particular areas of the car making the safety of the car much more sophisticated.

With the introduction of the GPS systems the car alarms have crossed all limits and safety of your vehicle is now fool-proof. It has become rather easy to spot your car on the run. With the added advantages of some features like the unsuspecting thief is allowed to drive away for a couple of miles after which the car will automatically come to a stop with the ringing of sirens have made the car alarms a must have in the car. Other important aspects like that of the electronic immobilizers that prevent ignition bypass, air horns, microwave detectors to detect slightest of movements and LED lights the car horns serve as the most effective and easy affordable way to protect your car.

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Fast And Cheap Car Insurance Is Available Online

Everybody needs auto insurance because it is unlawful to drive a car without it. However, not everyone, especially in these troubled economic times, has the same amount of money to spend on auto insurance. Therefore finding inexpensive solutions is vital. Fortunately, some reasonably priced insurance companies do exist, and there are agencies that can help you find them. Many of these can be found online.

These are reputable and competent insurance agencies that have in-depth knowledge about how to find the best rates for your particular vehicle insurance needs. If you're looking for cheap and fast car insurance, and you're tired of the hassle of shopping for auto insurance, there are some facts you should know about looking for insurance and how online agencies can help.

There are a number of different types of automobile insurance and auto related services that go with them. For instance, you might need ordinary vehicle insurance, motorcycle insurance, commercial vehicle insurance, and so on. You might also be interested in extra services like roadside assistance. With a good online agency you can find these insurance types and services at prices you can afford.

With these policies you have a choice of paying monthly premiums or paying the entire premium balance off at one time. The better an your driving record, generally speaking, the lower your premiums will be. There are some variations in insurance rates that are based solely on demographic information such as age group and the type of vehicle being driven as well. A competent online insurance agency takes all of this information into account in trying to find an inexpensive and comprehensive insurance policy for its customers.

More specialized situations that require competent online professionals to help you find the insurance you need. For instance, certain drivers are required to purchase what is called SR22 auto insurance. This type of insurance is usually assigned by judges after cases involving accidents in which one of the parties was not insured.

The uninsured party is then required to purchase SR22 insurance. This insurance type has special requirements and restrictions that allow the state to verify that an individual's insurance stays in effect without any lapses. There is some variability in SR22 policy by state, but the overall purpose is the same. The company the insured buys the policy from files a form with the Department of Motor Vehicles assuring that this type of insurance is indeed in effect.

There are some advantages to getting your insurance through an online agency rather than through an ordinary broker. Often you have to wait on the phone or for a call back while insurance agencies check their own online systems for the cheapest insurance companies and give you a quote. With online insurance this process is faster and more convenient. You can enter your information and get a quote quickly and easily.

You don't need to take a trip to an office somewhere, you can do the whole thing at home on your computer. This saves on gas and time. These agencies have fast and easy online forms that you can fill out rather than having to mail them to insurance companies.

If you are currently uninsured, you don't have to illegally drive to an insurance agency. This may not seem like too much of a risk, but there are plenty of stories about people who have been stopped on their way to an insurance agency to get their vehicle insured. This will result at least in a costly ticket and at most in getting your car towed, license suspended, and even in some cases incarceration.

Imagine not having to wait in line or in a waiting room for a representative to help and explain things to you. You can look over all the information yourself online and make a decision about what types of insurance are best. If you do get into an accident, you can file your claim with online claim forms. These are also much easier to deal with than trying to get agents on the phone and send them claims forms through the mail.
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Top 10 Coolest Cars In The World!

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2012 maserati granturismo mc stradale images

2012 maserati granturismo mc stradale

2012 maserati granturismo mc stradale

2012 maserati granturismo mc stradale

2012 maserati granturismo mc stradale

2012 maserati granturismo mc stradale

smart car kits

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Fusion Hoods Will Boost The Style Of Your Car

Fusion, a sedan made by Ford is comparatively a recent entrant in the market. It debuted in 2006 and was known for its spacious interior, pleasing style, and admirable driving quality. It has been refurbished in 2010 and has attained stature of a celebrity in mid-size sedan category. It is a comfortable, well equipped car with a sporty touch. It is mainly a front-wheel driven car but there is an option of all-wheel drive in some of the models. Other options include climate control, 16- inch alloy wheels, cruise control, telescopic steering column, power seats, and leather upholstery. In its roomy cabin high quality materials have been used which provide a pleasing environment to the passengers and the driver.

Every part of a car gets manufacturers’ close attention. None of these is ignored or neglected so far as efforts to improve it or experiment with it are concerned. For example there are car hoods whose main function is to protect the engine and the adjacent machinery from the elements. No complicated engineering is involved in making them, yet they have been studied and modified. You can now have carbon fiber hoods. Carbon fiber is a light material and so the hoods made of it are also lighter. Thereby the overall weight of the car is reduced and hauling it will need lesser power. That results in economy on fuel. Moreover the weight will be reduced over the front wheels which will give a better balance to the car. Carbon fiber hoods are lighter yet they are strong and durable. They are also able to withstand heat which is an advantage as the engine and its surroundings become quite hot.

Fusion hoods are available in a number of designs and styles. With them you can give an aggressive or any other type of look to your car and it would be a prominent feature of your car. If you so wish you can also have carbon fiber hoods painted. You can also provide a vent in the hood which will allow cool air to come in and cool the engine.

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Replacement Brake Pads - Be Nice To Your Car

The modern car performs its function through a complex set of components in a reliable manner day in and day out. It is the result of pain staking research and diligent manufacturing. But a car has a lot of moving components that suffer wear and tear and it is up to you to be nice to your car and help it perform its function optimally by replacing components that have completed their life with quality replacement options. And when you are nice to your car it will immediately reciprocate and you will enjoy a better and safer drive.

You will probably be accustomed to the tires of your car wearing out and you make sure that you opt for quality new tires to replace the old tires with. And you either are sure about which tires are the best for your car and your style of driving or you do a careful study of the options available to you before deciding about the new tires. There is another component in your car that requires such attention but often gets ignored. And those are the brake pads.

Brake pads are another car component that gets rubbed against routinely as is the case with car tires. And brake pads have to generate a lot of friction as they bring to a halt a large object such as your car. And brake pads by themselves are not very large nor do they have a lot of surface area. Therefore it is the same small area that is getting rubbed again and again. It should therefore be able to withstand the heat and the wear and tear even better than the tires. This requires some special materials and the quality brake pads are made of quality materials.

Each time they are pressed against the brake rotors they produce friction and do not go soft so that you do not experience brake fade. They will improve your braking performance which will make your drive less stressful. Quality brake pads are not very expensive and give you great value for your money. Read more In Cars

Aptera Dead?

Aptera has been very quiet since participating (but not finishing) in the Progressive Automotive X-Prize competition.  After a very promising early start, and lots of great media coverage, Aptera went through a management shake-up, and now appears to be starving slowly.  Without government loans to develop their product, or a large angel investor to come in and rescue them, they seem to be adrift.

You know it is bad when the fans, some of whom have put down actual deposits, are losing faith.  Look at this poll on the unofficial Aptera forums.  As of now the 68% of the responses say that they don't think they will ever get their car.

The Redesigned 300C

Allpar.com has some nice side-by-side photos of the refreshed 300C along with the previous design.  

I like the increased windshield rake, and how they lowered the door shoulders to allow for a less slab-sided look, with a little more glass.  There is a nice, slightly upward sweeping character line.  From the side, it looks a little more like a Cadillac (not a bad thing), while the front is distinctly Chrysler.

The interior is much nicer looking as well.

In my opinion, this is a good redesign of Chrysler's flagship.

Where Chrysler will be challenged for a while yet is in the powertrain department.  The new Phoenix V6 will bring much needed refinement and better fuel economy, but the rumor at Allpar is that the 300C will probably launch with a Mercedes sourced 5-speed automatic transmission, when the fuel economy leaders are getting into 6 speed transmissions.  Will Chrysler have the money to outsource a 6 or 7 speed auto?  Consider that the closest competitor to the 300C at Ford, the Taurus, gets EPA combined 22mpg with a 6spd auto, while the Cadillac STS gets 21mpg combined, also with a 6 speed auto.  Toyota's Avalon gets 23mpg from a 6 speed. 

Automakers Sue EPA over E15

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the trade group that represents most of the OEMs operating in the U.S., has joined the lawsuit originally filed by other organisations to try to block the E15 waiver that the EPA is granting for newer vehicles.  Detroit News story here.

Good.

The E15 waiver is a half-baked idea.  It should only be issued when it is determined that the vast majority (say, 95%) of cars on the road today can safely operate with E15.  Otherwise, consumer confusion will ensue, and the result will be that no gas station will want to carry the stuff.  If the data isn't there yet then the EPA should wait until the data is in.

Review: Pep Boys Definity Dakota H/T Tires

In my previous post, I reviewed the experience of buying tires at Pep Boys.*

The tires that were chosen were Definity Dakota H/T, which are a highway tread light truck/SUV tire. The Definity line is a store-brand of Pep Boys, manufactured by Cooper Tire. Cooper also makes Avon, Mastercraft, and Starfire branded tires. The Dakotas are also available in offroad (M/T) and all terrain (A/T) tread patterns.

These tires have a 520 treadwear rating (very good), A traction (good) and B (decent) temperature rating. They come with a 60,000mi tread life warranty.

And they're even Made In The U.S.A., not Chinese rubber here.

Consumer Reports did not review Definity Dakotas, but they did review Cooper's Discovery SUV tires, and gave them a good rating, particularly for dry handling, hydroplaning, and noise.

The new Dakotas were a marked improvement over the worn Kelly tires that were previously mounted on Anne's Escape. We noticed the difference right away, the Escape rode much quieter and a bit softer than it had on the old tires. "Wow, this is like a new car!", said a very happy Anne.

Wet braking and handling on snow seemed good, definitely better than the old tires. The highway tread still seemed to have plenty of bite to get going in the snowy and icy road conditions that prevail in Michigan now.

Overall, I would say that the Definity Dakota tires are a good tire, and are quite good for the money. Pep Boys is currently charging $120/tire for them, with the 4th tire free, though this does not include balancing and tire stems. If I was in the market for inexpensive all season SUV tires, I would definitely consider Dakota H/T.

Summary:

Pros

• Quiet
• Good wet/snow grip
• Soft ride
• Made in USA

Cons

• Balancing, stems cost extra
• 4th tire free deal is a prepaid Visa rebate, not cash back at sale

*Disclosure: Pep Boys provided a free set of Definity tires to my friend in exchange for this review. The blogger was not compensated.

Review: Pep Boys Tire Service

I was recently contacted by a Pep Boys representative who wanted me to review their eServe service reservation system, and their Definity tires. I didn't need tires at the time, but I knew young mother of 2, Anne L,, who could use some new tires. In this post I'll review the service experience, and in my next one I'll talk about the tires.*

Pep Boys has locations all over the Midwest, East coast, and a few on the Southern West coast. They are a discount auto parts store, similar to other large chains such as Autozone and the Midwest's O'Reilly's. They also offer repair services.

Unlike other local chains, Pep Boys has a nice online

apppointment scheduling system they call eServe. By

going to Pepboys.com and filling out a relatively short form, you can set up an appointment in a 1 hour slot in the coming days or weeks.

Anne set up an appointment for tire service online. It was fairly easy. First, you identify the vehicle being serviced, in this case a Ford Escape with worn out tires. Then you pick a service slot, in one hour blocks. On the next screen you select what general type of service you need, in this case, tire service.

A neat feature in the eServe system is that you can have it text message you a reminder of your appointment time, as well as email.

After setting the appointment information, you get a reservation number, which you can print out and take with you on the day of your appointment.

On the day of Anne's appointment, your blogger tagged along to observe the process.

The service area was buzzing with customers, as a big snow storm had just hammered the Northern Midwest, and people were rushing to get their vehicles set for winter, or repaired after slogging through the nasty weather.

The Pep Boys employee who check Anne in was friendly and efficient. He logged her information, and said that while they are quite busy, we should be able to get out in about an hour. Since she was there for tires, he took her to the tire display and took several minutes to explain the difference between the different types of tires. I listened in, and I think he did a accurate job.

He explained that the Dakota SUV tires, the appropriate product for a Ford Escape, came in 3 tread styles: M/T (mud), A/T (all terrain), and H/T (highway). He correctly

explained that the more aggressive treads are better for offroad and better in deep snow, but come with a penalty of more noise and worse fuel economy on smooth roads. Since Anne didn't do much offroading, she opted for the quietest rolling tread, the Dakota

H/T.

Anne was offered road hazard insurance, at $15/tire, and after having torn up tires on Michigan's infamous winter potholes, she agreed.

Anne gave Pep Boys points for correctly following her instructions to mount the tires with the white letters facing in, something that her last tire provide had not done.

She was also offered a $75 four wheel alignment, which I recommended that she accept, because an occasinoal alignment is imortant to keep your tires wearing evenly.

We went to wait in the small waiting room, which had about 8 seats arranged around TV and a pile of dog-eared magazines. I wasn't impressed much with the waiting area, it had no real isolation from the noise of the store. In the modern era, free wi-fi is a must, but it was not offered. Many dealerships and other service shops also offer complimentary coffee, or some basic kids activities such as coloring books; neither was available here.

The service manager stopped by and offered to adjust the TV, if anyone wanted a different channel, which was nice.

After some time, the service manager came buy with a yellow service sheet, which had comments from the mechanic. Now began the age old game, the up-sell. "So we found a few things we thought you might want to know about...", he began. Anne's battery terminals were corroded, would she like the $5.99 battery recondition service, which would clean up an seal her battery terminals? Anne said sure, it was inexpensive. He offered to load test the battery, also, and Anne agreed.

A few minutes later, the service manager returned with more problems. "Your

battery isn't doing great on the load test, we only

got 260 cranking amps out of rated 600, do you want us to replace the battery?". Since Anne did not have any problems starting her car, even in frigid winter temperatures, I told her it was not critical to do it right then (and I hinted that changing a battery was a very easy DIY project). She declined the battery.

In addition to the battery, the service manager offered her transmission fluid flush, coolant service, an oil change, and new shocks. All were offered based on the mileage of the vehicle, but he admitted that all of these components "looked OK". Anne declined the extra service.

The tire replacement itself took a little longer than expected because of some corrosion on the

aluminum wheel bead areas. The service manager carried a dismounted wheel into the waiting area to show Anne, and said that it should

be OK, but that he was going to have to clean up the corrosion by grinding it off, and that he may need to put some bead sealer on the wheels.

Anne appreciated the service bay window, which allows curious customers to peek into the service area and watch what is going on with their vehicle.

When it looked like Anne was going to be late for an evening appointment, the service manager pitched in to help change tires and get Anne out the door on time.

After 1 1/2 hours, the service was completed, and we rolled out with nice new Dakota H/T's on Anne's old Escape, and clean battery terminals.

Pep Boys also passed another test of mine: they inflated the tires to the proper pressure. Some shops hire boneheads who think you are supposed to inflate the tires to their max sidewall rating, rather than what it says on the vehicle's door sticker. This has happened to me more than once.

The Dakota H/T's were a decent deal, with "buy 3 4th tire free", coming in at $119 x 3 or $357. However, Pep Boys charges extra for wheel balancing and "tire handling", so the actual charges were as follows:

Tire Mounting $0.0/ea

Tire Handling $2.50/ea $10.00 total

Wheel Balance $12.99/ea $51.96

Road Hazard $14.57/ea $58.28

Valve Stem $3.49/ea $13.96

These charges increased the cost of the tires to a pre-tax out-the-door price of $491/4, or about $123/ea., not including alignment. In general, I think it is better to have "out-the-door" pricing on tires, where the price includes everything needed to mount and balance the tires. Also, you should know that the 4th tire free is actually a rebate in the form of a prepaid Visa card, not cash back at time of service. Adding shop and other fees on separately feels tricky, because it allows stores to advertise apparently very low tire prices, but you are in fact only shopping the tire itself, not the whole service.

I think that Pep Boys is a decent place to get tires and other basic service done, though I can't judge on more serious repairs. They were courteous, efficient, and happy to explain their service to customers. They were thorough with their up-sell, offering many other services in addition to the originally requested items, but they were not push and took "no thanks" without drama. Most places you go for service will try to sell you additional service if they see an opportunity, and Pep Boys did not attempt the dreaded fluid-color ploy ("Look how dirty your coolant is compared to this shiny new coolant!"). I would prefer a single "out-the-door" price advertised on the tires.

Summary:

Pros:

• eServe reservation system easy to use
• Efficient, courteous service
• Followed customer tire mounting instructions
• Tires choices well explained
• Tires were reasonably priced
• 4th tire free promotion is a good deal
• Service up-sell was not obnoxious, some of it was justified

Cons:

• Very basic waiting area; no free wi-fi or coffee
• Several attempts to up-sell service
• Advertised tire pricing leaves out required fees and parts
• 4th tire free promotion uses a prepaid Visa card, not cash at time of service

*Disclosure: Pep Boys did not compensate me for this review, however, they did give a friend of mine a free set of new tires plus installation.

Tips for Buying Used Cars in the 21st Century

If you are looking to find second hand cars for sale online, here are some tips to assist you:

Find the right dealer online:

Yes, like the good old days, there are a lot of "online dealerships" for you to browse through, including the bad ones. Luckily, shopping online allows you to thoroughly research a number of these sites quickly and easily. Remember, a good dealer is likely to have a large list of stock, a professional set up and quality service on the follow through. All information should be transparent and easily available regarding a deal you would be interested in.

Stick to your budget:

Buying a car can be an emotional experience. Be firm with yourself and ensure that you stick to your original budget and also that you have catered for any extra costs that come with the transfer.

Thoroughly inspect a potential winner:

A good "online dealership" will supply more than enough visual evidence to give you an exact idea of how the car looks. Of course, once you reserve a car online, you will still go for a test drive and further inspections can be done. You should request additional inspections from companies such as the AA to be sure that the quality they are offering is up to standard. If AA checks and inspection are not offered, try and take a professional with you to ensure that the car is mechanically sound.

Feel free to negotiate:

Prices are not always set in stone and the ones who are willing to ask, are normally the ones who score a better deal. Once you move from just looking around to dealing with a salesman, be sure to discuss price in depth.

Now that you have the knowledge, get out there and find your dream used car - online!