CARS

AUTOMOBILE, AUTOCAR, MOTOR CAR OR CAR

An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor. Most definitions of the term specify that automobiles are designed to run primarily on roads, to have seating for one to eight people, to typically have four wheels, and to be constructed principally for the transport of people rather than goods.

The term motorcar has also been used in the context of electrified rail systems to denote a car which functions as a small locomotive but also provides space for passengers and baggage. These locomotive cars were often used on suburban routes by both interurban and intercity railroad systems.

There are approximately 600 million passenger cars worldwide (roughly one car per eleven people). Around the world, there were about 806 million cars and light trucks on the road in 2007; the engines of these burn over a billion cubic meters (260 billion US gallons) of petrol/gasoline and diesel fuel yearly. The numbers are increasing rapidly, especially in China and India.

How to Check out a Used Car Before Buying It

If you are thinking about purchasing a used car, you know how confusing it can be. There are so many things to consider that it can be a daunting experience. This is even truer if you are considering buying a car for the first time. There are many things to look for when purchasing a used car but one important factor is to give the car a physical check before making your final decision. Here, then, are a few general pointers on how to physically check out a used car before you buy it.

Steps

1.Make sure that the car is on level ground before checking it out.

 This is to ensure that you will be able to clearly check the tires and to see if there is anything sagging on the car.

2.Carefully check the paint job of the car, taking note of any rust spots, dents or scratches. Look at the sides of the car from end-on for waviness; that indicates paint work. Run your finger along the edges of the joints between panels; roughness indicates residue left from masking tape.

3.Check the trunk of the car to make sure it is still in good condition.

It should not show any sign of rust, or water entry due to cracks or holes. Wear inside of the trunk indicates usage of the car.

4.Check under the hood of the car for any indication of dents, damage or rust.

These can all be signs that the car was either poorly taken care of or damaged. Each fender, just inside where the hood joins should have the decal with the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) of the car; if one is missing, that fender was replaced.

5.The hoses and belts should not have cracks, the radiator hoses should not be soft.

6.Go inside the car and check the seats and upholstery of the car for any tears, rips, stains, or other type of damage.

7.Check to make sure the air-conditioning of the car is working well by turning it on to see that it works.

 If air conditioning is a must buy a car with R134 coolant. Most cars fitted with R134 are 1993 or newer and have a sticker on the AC Condense

8.Check the odometer of the car for the mileage. 

This is important because the mileage indicates the car’s age. On the average, a normal driver will drive between 10,000 to 15,000 miles a year; however, this depends on many factors. Remember, cars age by time and mileage. Buying a 10 year old car with very low miles is not necessarily a good thing.

9.test drive the car before making any final decisions.

 This is perhaps one of the best ways to know the condition of the car. Hence, a buyer should make all effort to do a test drive first before coming to any decisions.

10.Check out the car's service history which should give you some information regarding the performances, repairs, and problems of the car.

 Ideally, the current owner would have kept a record of the times when the car needed servicing and should be willing to show you this information. Some cars do not have maintenance records because they maintained them at home. This should be fine as long as they can prove they maintained the car properly. There are instances where used cars are sold because of past accidents or negative experiences.

11.Be sure to check the brakes of the car by pressing down hard enough on the brakes to decelerate rapidly, but not enough to slide. 

Try this going around 30 mph in an area without traffic. You should not feel any vibration from the brake pedal, or hear any squealing or strange noises. Brakes that pulsate indicate the need for having the rotors resurfaced or replaced and new pads installed. It should not swerve; this can be caused by a bad brake caliper or worn steering components

12.Inspect the engine for any sort of leaks, or corrosion.

On the engine block, look for any dark brown oil stains, this will indicate that there is a leak in a gasket, and could possibly lead to an expensive repair in the future. Check the brake fluid, and reservoir to make sure its is not leaking. The belts should look new (i.e. not have cracks or signs of drying). Old belts can snap, and if you do not know how to replace them, it will cost between $100-500 depending on which belt goes bad.

13.Remove the oil filler cap. A foam residue on the inside indicates a leaking head gasket. Forget that car. Look at the condition of the coolant in the overflow jar; filthy brown coolant means it's never been flushed and often means a leaky head gasket

14.Pull the transmission dipstick; the fluid should be pink or red.

 An old car may be dark but it should not look or smell burnt. It should also be full (check with the engine running).

15.The timing belt is the most important belt in the engine, and is also the most costly to replace.

If the car is equipped with a steel timing chain, you don't have to worry about this. Normal lifespan of a timing belt is from 60-100+ thousand miles; this depends on the manufacturer

16.The tires should be worn evenly and they should match.

Look at the surface of the tire for feathering (bad alignment). Bad alignment can be caused by worn steering/suspension components, the pothole down the street or frame damage. Also check the spare tire and compare the tread to the other tires if it is a full spare.

17.Never buy a frame damaged car.

Check the saddle (connects the front fenders and holds the top of the radiator). It should not be welded on either side, it should be bolted in. Inspect the bolt heads at the top of the fenders inside the hood; scratch marks indicates that the fenders have been replaced or realigned (after a crash). Look for welds inside the door jambs.

18.If you are able, try to get under the car when it is safely raised and inspect the exhaust system or any under-body rust. 

Look for any black spots on the exhaust system because this can indicate leaking. This is also a good time to inspect for frame or unibody damage.

19.It is a good idea to bring along a trusted friend with a good background of automotive know-how to check things that you are not sure of.

If you do not have a trusted friend in the auto industry you can pay a mechanic to complete an inspection on it for around 75-100 bucks. Make sure this mechanic has good reviews so you will not get scammed into thinking the car is a lemon.

20.Do not pay sticker price. 

A used car is a negotiable item. Do not feel the need to pay the price they are asking. The dealer bought this car at a low price, and is turning around and selling it for much more than they purchased it with the notion that they might have to lower that sticker price. Depending on the quality of the vehicle, feel free to offer a price. Be sure that it is a reasonable offer. If the dealer is asking $15,000, do not offer $10,000. It is merely an insult by doing this. If the car is over $10,000, try to negotiate at least $1500 off of the car. You can pre-qualify yourself at your bank or at a Credit Union. That will determine what you can spend for a car. Try to buy a car that is less than they tell you. Most people try to buy more car than they can really afford. Remember, no matter how good that car is today, it is going to require maintenance in the future. Use parts of the car that are unflattering to your advantage. If a car is not the color you are looking for, tell the dealer "I really like the car, but I don't like that it is green, that is the only thing holding me back from buying it" The dealer will see that you want it, and find some way to get you into that car.

21.If purchasing from a private sale it can be beneficial to the price negotiation to bring a pen, paper and cell phone with you.

As you make your inspection of the car be sure to record all items which are damaged or will require replacement. After you have collected a list of what you believe the car will require you can telephone auto parts stores to check the price and availability of replacement parts. Once you know how much the car will cost to repair if you buy it you can make an informed decision on what you would like to pay as well as increase the likelihood that the seller may reduce their asking price. Be careful while doing this because some sellers may think its rude by doing this and thus could end into a no sale.

Benefits of Small Cars

There are advantages of small cars such as: a performance vehicle and a practical, safe way to drive. Most major car companies have some products that fit into the smaller or compact-sized car market. Because there are so many people like this type of vehicle.

With the growing interest in driving more hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles, small cars have increased in popularity. Smaller vehicles tend to require less fuel and energy to motor and the cost to use them is usually less, so they tick both boxes for being green and cheaper to run. Single people, commuters, and sports car enthusiasts are among those that often have an interest in driving a small vehicle.

·         Among the benefits of driving small cars, fuel efficiency is likely one of the most important

·         Maneuverability is also very important to many people. 

·         Smaller vehicles are easier to move in and out of traffic and are much easier to park in crowded parking spaces. This is a nice stress relief as people with bigger vehicles might find it much tougher to get a decent parking spot to attend events or to shop.

·         Often, a smaller vehicle has a better ability to quickly pick up speed than utility vehicles or other heavier cars. This can be an advantage when driving on motorways.

·         Another nice advantage of driving a small car is that it's probably easier to maintain. Sensibly, the less room you have on the inside and outside of your vehicle, the less area you have to manage and keep clean. The costs to repair parts and get service for your car might also be less.

Of course, small cars are not for everyone. People with families to transport may need more room offered by a van or SUV. Those that need to move equipment or other items back and forth might also find the room in a small vehicle inadequate. In terms of safety, many small cars do have nice safety features, but it can sometimes be intimidating sharing the roads with much large vehicles. In an accident, your small car might not win against a bigger car.

Car insurance is another issue that might be affected by the size of your car. The value of the vehicle, engine size and the cost to repair parts do affect your insurance premiums. While there are smaller vehicles that come with high insurance premiums, such as snazzy sports cars, many smaller cars are typically cheaper to insure. It's a good idea to investigate your car insurance premiums before buying a particular car model - possibly by using a car insurance comparison site.

In summary, remember these key factors to help you decide whether small cars are right for you:

·         The importance of a compact car for parking and maneuverability.

·         The level of maintenance you are willing to put into your car.

·         Fuel efficiency for prospective vehicles.

·         Your comfort driving a small car on a busy roadway.

·         The amount of car insurance premiums for smaller vehicles compared to larger vehicles you may be considering.

Big Cars vs. Small Cars Benefits

I will admit, I never really cared for the SUV, in my opinion a large gas-guzzler that takes up entirely too much of the road.

Over the years though, they’ve gotten quite a bit smaller and much more quaint (e.g. girl term for cute). I imagine there are all types of reasons for the changes — gas prices for one, an attributing factor making the once overly popular gas machine far less appealing.

Just recently my mom opted to buy one, yes she finally made a decision (more on that later) and ended up with a Toyota Rav 4, and boy is it cute (e.g. girl term for well, cute).

While roomy enough for five easily, big bodied young men included, it still has a small feel. When driving it recently I didn’t feel at all like I did when I drove the Ford Truck I owned some years ago, which I loved by the way.

The difference is when I was in my truck, which was only occasionally as opposed to daily, I wanted that “big ride feel” as I manipulated the roads and dared others to challenge me on it. But when it comes down to car preferences, I still prefer the smaller sized car, although like anything else they have some advantages and disadvantages, so here I’ve listed just a few of the benefits attached to driving either, depending on Your preference:

Benefits of Driving a Smaller Vehicle

1. Small cars fit neatly and indiscreetly on the road.
2. Great for singles, loners, and those that travel light.
3. They’re the best things since sliced bread since gas topped $4.00 a gallon
4.They’re compact, cozy, and cute.
5. A small car does sporty much better than larger sized cars.

Benefits of Driving a Larger Vehicle

1. Larger cars work well for large families and socials that do most of the driving
2. They’re roomier and great for long-legged future athletes.
3. You don’t have to give up the front seat because those long-legged future athletes can sit comfortably in the back.
4. Large cars are great ego-boosters when you need to feel in control.
5. You don’t have a problem finding used tires — smaller used tires are practically obsolete these days.

 The Disadvantages of Big Cars

Quite often, the mantra of life seems to be: bigger is better. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Although there certainly are many benefits to owning larger cars, there are also many drawbacks.

 1.Poor Fuel Economy

Even with advances in engine technology, simple physics dictates that a larger, heavier car will indeed have higher fuel costs. The amount of energy necessary to move a car increases with vehicle size and load. Very often, the larger the car, the higher the chance of a gas guzzler tax is, which can sometimes go into the thousands of dollars on top of the initial purchase price.

2.Difficult Maneuvering

o    Larger cars have a bigger turning radius and are tough to fit into tight spots, so it makes certain types of driving and parking more difficult. Larger cars also tend to have longer stopping distances because of the increased weight. It may take some time and careful driving for a driver to become acclimated with a large car.

3.More Expensive Maintenance

o    Large cars often require larger tires that tend to be more expensive, especially when they have low profile and high performance styling. Brakes also wear out quicker on larger cars because of the added mass. Heavier components often can put more stress on the suspension causing it to wear out sooner, especially on rough roads.

4.Higher Insurance Cost

o    Because of the higher sticker price of a larger vehicle, insurance rates tend to be higher on larger cars, all else being equal. That being said, the added safety features of larger cars can make up for the difference and bring insurance costs a little closer to those of smaller cars.

5.Higher Upfront Cost

o    Larger cars are usually more expensive then their smaller counterparts, mostly because they require more materials to build. The aforementioned gas guzzler tax, also tends to increase the price on many large vehicles. Delivery costs and even registration costs are likewise often higher that with smaller cars.

Now you can make your choice either big or small..

SAFE DRIVING...