Wednesday, February 18th, 2009
Daily Archive
Daily Archive
The topic of the day is the fun world of fantasy racing and, specifically, fantasy NASCAR. Fantasy NASCAR is, for car lovers, the best of all the Fantasy Sports offerings. As drivers proceed through the real NASCAR season, the generate points for the players that have selected them into their fantasy team. Each fantasy NASCAR league sorts its teams according to the points they have earned through the racing exploits of their drivers. Leagues are sometimes free and sometimes not, and pay out in cash or sometimes merchandise. Fantasy NASCAR followed the success of Fantasy football leagues, emerging in the 80’s but hitting its stride when the Internet became popular in the 90’s. Indy, Formula One and NASCAR are just a few of the popular racing formats that have expired their own fantasy games. Fantasy NASCAR can run for the length of the season, or can be broken up into shorter segments such as quarterly so more new players can join throughout the year. Fantasy NASCAR competitions each abide by their own unique rules The majority stick to NASCAR’s rules as far as assigning points to drivers based on their race results. Sometimes drivers who are selected by more people are restricted for fantasy play, their results only counting a certain number of times. Leagues based on one series, such as NEXTEL or Busch, often apply additional modifiers depending on top speeds attained during a race, fastest lap time, or how many total cars a particular driver has passed or had pass them during a race. Accuracy in predicting order of finish is the basis for some of the fantasy NASCAR leagues. Some leagues are for many types of racing, and might include NASCAR as well as open wheel or even motorcycle racing in the set of events players must predict. Compare los angeles auto insurance Quotes for Free. NASCAR hosts an official fantasy NASCAR league of its own. Players get to play with $100 million dollars in every race, striving to build the best team they can. NASCAR has decided to base success on head to head matchups, owners facing owners for the win or loss. Every week is a new challenge as contenders work against each other to find the best racers that week. NASCAR charges $12.95 to play. Receive competing houston auto insurance Quotes Today. There are many websites where fantasy NASCAR enthusiasts can find a host of useful information that can help them win. Search any search site, such as Yahoo or Google, or even look over the resources found on NASCAR’s site. Get your free auto insurance houston Quote Today.
0 comments Wednesday 18 Feb 2009 | admin | General
Buying a used vehicle through various types of motor car auctions has become a more popular method of acquiring a used vehicle. Of course, people like the fact that they can save money through auto auctions and avoid having to interact with a car salesman, which is an added bonus. People who are particularly interested in getting a Japanese model car or truck should seek out a Japanese used car auction in their area.
While all kinds of different auctions are getting increasingly popular, from the online car auction sites to the functions held at car auction houses, it seems the Japanese car auction events are gaining in popularity even faster than other types. Part of the reason for this is the general popularity of the Japanese cars these days because of their overall reliability and because they get better gas mileage than many American made vehicles.
Due to these many benefits, more people than ever before are considering buying a Japanese vehicle because they see them as having more overall value. When you combine the greater perceived value with the great prices found at a Japanese used car auction, then it makes sense to take the time to find these types of auto auctions.
There are many different types of vehicle auctions these days that will often feature Japanese car models, as well as many others brands of vehicles. A great number of the cars that are sold at any kind of car auto auction are seized cars and repossessed cars. These are cars that have been seized by a governmental agency because of some type of illegal activity on the part of the owner, or they have been repossessed by the financial lending institution because of failure to pay on the debt.
No matter what type of public car auction you attend, whether it is for a used Japanese car or a collector car, there are some basic things that must be understood about how all motor car auctions work. First of all, you need to either have cash, a cashier’s check or a pre-approved loan before you can even register at the auction and participate in the bidding.
The reason why you have to have the money upfront is that all sales at auto auctions are final and you are expected to pay for the vehicle as soon as the auction is over. Because sales are final, you also need to be confident in your ability to spot any problems that a used car has during the brief inspection time that you will have before the bidding starts.
While a Japanese used car auction can be a great way to get a terrific price on a quality vehicle, you also have to be aware that in addition to the sales being final, the cars are also sold “as is.” This means that they carry no warranty and no guarantee. If you are the winning bidder on a car and you discover problems with it before you even drive it off the auction lot, then there is absolutely no recourse open to you at that point.
Buying a car is always a big responsibility. But making that choice on where to buy your car is a huge decision that needs to be thought through carefully. There are many choices on where you can buy your next automobile. You may buy it from a car lot or even off of EBay but have you considered local auto auctions as a place to get your next used car? Auto auctions are becoming quite popular. However there are some factors that you should certainly take into consideration prior to completing such a significant purchase from an auction. Are you getting the best deal for your money? What happens if something goes wrong? These are questions that you have to think about when it comes to your new purchase. The rest of this article we will focus on what care auctions actually are and in what ways they can either be a benefit or a disadvantage in your quest for a new care.
Why would I go to auto auctions?
Many people go to auto auctions because they can get a better deal on a car than they can at a local dealership. Many of the cars sold at auctions are from repossessions or from individuals who want to sell their car but do not want to go through the hassle of listing it in the local newspaper. If you are looking to find a decent vehicle at a low price then you should definitely check out the local auto auctions held in your state. It may involve you driving a bit but it may well be worth it to find the auto that you have been looking for.
What forms of payment are accepted at auto auctions?
Each auction company has different rules about forms of payment. Some will accept a local check while others out of the area may not. Cash is always a good idea to have when you go to one of these auto auctions. If you buy your car from an online auto auction you may be able to pay with PayPal and then bring the rest in cash or a certified check when you go to pick up the vehicle. If you are unsure of what form of money to bring you can always call the auction company to see what forms of payment they accept.
Where do auto auctions get their cars??
Auto auctions obtain their automobiles from various different sources. The automobiles might be from repossessions that are foreclosed by the lender or even the bank. Some cars come from private owners who want to sell their car in an auction environment rather than through the newspaper. EBay has turned into a popular auto auction site with many dealerships selling their inventory through the website.
Am I allowed to test drive the cars at auto auctions?
That depends on the particular auto auction and who you are dealing with. Of course if you are buying your car online from an auto auctions site you will be unable to test drive the car unless you are local to the seller. Many auto auctions do not give the opportunity for buyers to test drive the vehicles because of the sheer number of buyers that would want to do so. You have to take this into account when you are dealing with auto auctions. Many times you have to rely on what the auctioneer lists as defects and take him or her at their word.
For more quality information go to Boat Auction also Auto Auction and at Government Auctions
0 comments Wednesday 18 Feb 2009 | admin | General
People love to find terrific deals and great ways to save money when they are thinking about making a purchase. When it comes to buying a vehicle, finding a deal that shaves a percentage or two off the price can result in a savings of hundreds of dollars. A public auto auction provides some excellent opportunities for being able to pick up a super deal on a used car.
However, if you are thinking about going to a car auto auction for the first time to get a new vehicle for the family, then you do not want to go to the event without the proper knowledge and preparation. Without understanding the process and being properly prepared before going to motor car auctions, you could actually end up getting yourself into a bad deal and spending more money than if you had just shopped at a traditional car dealership.
If you take the advice of people who have experienced buying cars at a public auto auction, then you will reduce your chances of getting a raw deal at the first used car auction you attend. This will help you to avoid pitfalls and give you a better chance of taking home a vehicle that is in good condition at a terrific price.
First of all, people need to understand some of the basic facts relating to public car auction proceedings. Most of these motor car auctions have vehicles that were seized by a government agency, such as the police, DEA or IRS, or that have been repossessed by a bank or financial institution. All of these used vehicles are sold 100% “as is” and they do not carry any kind of warranty or guarantee. Therefore, any problems with the car simply have to be dealt with by the winning bidder, who will have no recourse with the seller.
Also, if you get the winning bid, you cannot return the car as all sales are absolutely final. Some people have tried to get a reimbursement for a vehicle that turns out to be a “lemon,” yet this is extremely difficult to do because the car auction houses expect that bidders know exactly what they are getting themselves into before placing a bid.
Anyone who bids at public auto auctions also needs to keep in mind that you don’t only pay the amount of the winning bid. On top of the bid price, the winner must also pay a buyer’s premium that will equal anywhere from five to ten percent of the amount of the bid. This additional money pays for the services of the auction house and auctioneer. In most states, you will also need to pay for a license, registration and transfer fee.
If you are thinking about trying to buy a car at an upcoming public auto auction, then it is a good idea to take a mechanic along who can quickly evaluate the vehicle or vehicles you are interested in and give you advice. You will have some time at used car auctions to inspect the vehicle that you think you might want to bid on. With a proper inspection and with an understanding of the way the car auctions work, you stand a good chance of driving away with a great deal from a car auto auction in your area.
Buying a car is always a big responsibility. However actually making that choice on where your going to purchase your new automobile is a big decision to make that you have to think through carefully. There are many choices on where you can buy your next automobile. You may buy it from a car lot or even off of EBay but have you considered local auto auctions as a place to get your next used car? Auto auctions are gradually turning into a very popular option to buy a vehicle. But there are some things you absolutely should consider before making such an important purchase from an auction. Are you getting the best deal for your money? You have to ask yourself what happens if anything goes wrong? These are the type of questions that you need to consider in terms of your new purchase. In the rest of this article we will cover what auto auctions are and how they can either help or hinder your pursuit of a new automobile.
Are auto auctions open to the public?
Most auto auctions are open to the public. This is especially true of vehicles that are being auctioned off on online websites. You may be required to register with the auction house before you begin bidding though. They will verify your identity and verify that you have a way to pay for the automobile after you have won the auction. There are some auctions, though, that are closed to the public. These auctions are only open to car dealers. The best way to find out if an auction is open to the public is to call the auction house and ask.
How do I know if my new purchase comes with a clean title?
Usually the auctioneer will let the crowd know whether or not the vehicle comes with a clean title. Before the auction begins most people are given the opportunity to check over the vehicle and ask questions. If you are not sure of what a clean title is, it is when a vehicle is free from liens and has never been wrecked or at least not wrecked to the point where it is now a salvaged car. If the auctioneer does not volunteer the information then you definitely want to ask before you make the purchase. There is nothing quite like finding out that your new vehicle is still under a lien or has been wrecked to ruin the good feeling of having a new car.
Where do auto auctions get their cars??
Auto auctions obtain their automobiles from various different sources. The cars may be from repossessions foreclosed by the lender or the bank. Some cars come from private owners who want to sell their car in an auction environment rather than through the newspaper. Ebay is an online auction site that has become very popular with quite a number of dealership who sell their inventory through that website.
What happens if I buy a car and it does not run as the seller said it would?
If the seller guaranteed you that the car had no obvious defects but you later found out that the transmission was slipping it may be a case of the seller not knowing about the defect. This is where the law comes into play. The law must factor in what the seller disclosed and what he or she did not disclose to the buyer before the purchase. There are some cases where the seller did not realize there was a potential flaw with the car when it was sold. Many sellers will sell the car “as is” and state any obvious defects that they are aware of. If you asked them specifically about something on the car and it was very obvious that they lied, you may have a case where you can get your money back. You will have to consult with a local attorney who can tell you the laws of buying a car in your state.
For more quality information go to Car Auctions also Auto Auction and at Real Estate Auction
0 comments Wednesday 18 Feb 2009 | admin | General
For some of us, nothing is quite as precious as our vehicles. To be more precise, this mostly applies to men. Guys tend to obsess about their cars, trucks, and SUVs. I knew one fellow who actually made his girlfriend take off her shoes when entering his Cobra Mustang. It was clear he loved the car more than the lady. Sad, I know! Anyway, whether you adore your vehicle your groomsmen gifts or not, you do want to keep it safe. After all, most of us lack the funds to simply run out and purchase a new one on a whim. This is where car alarm reviews come into the picture. You want to find the best and most reasonably priced alarm system for your ride. It will not only keep your vehicle from being stolen, but it will also benefit your safety as well.
To be perfectly honest, I don’t generally think of car alarms or groomsmen gift as theft prevention devices. Sure, they can deter a thief from snatching your ride, but they can more importantly keep an assailant from slipping into the back of your car, or mini-van. This is a common nightmare for many. Everyone dreads the notion of some sadistic psychopath crawling into their car when they’re not looking, and then proceeding to dismember or torture them in some far off, deserted location. Okay, that’s a bit graphic, but sadly we realize that’s it’s a possibility. There is an endless sea of freaks and weirdoes on this planet. So, if we turn to car alarm reviews, and seek out a device that will keep our ride secure when we’re in the shopping mall or at work, it certainly offers peace-of-mind. A comfort that we require these days. Now, as many people already know, contemporary car alarms or groomsmen gifts tend to scream when someone attempts to penetrate the armed vehicle, or even when they get to close. Perimeter alarms are quite popular these days with. You can set it up so the alarm will chirp if someone gets within 2 feet of the vehicle. Or, if someone even sticks their hand through an open window. But, be sure to read recent car alarm reviews prior to purchasing. These devices are forever upgrading.
So, I suppose you’re a little more intrigued by car alarms and security devices at this point. This means it’s time to check out car alarm reviews on the web. See what’s most popular and offers the most bang for your buck. Protect your ride and yourself!
0 comments Wednesday 18 Feb 2009 | admin | General
February 2nd - 8th is, apparently, National Van Week. Quite what this entails I’m not sure – as far as I can tell it’s a wonderful excuse for van manufacturers to unveil their new models and shop around for some new customers. For some people, their van is an indespensible part of their everyday life. Many businesses rely on them every day to transport staff and goods, and there is no question of their usefulness.
In these difficult times, many people with small businesses need a van for transport or even as their portable office. Buying is an option, but far more predictable, reliable and certainly less costly is looking at available van lease deals. You’ll get a modern van without any of the worries of paying upfront, and the chance to upgrade to the latest model every three years.
The problem is even a brand new, environmentally friendly van can still cause problems on the roads. Many would say it’s common to find one blocking the road in small streets and residential areas and making things awkward for other drivers. Those complainers forget how many of the services they rely on every day depend on a man in a van.For those who need to use a van in their day to day business life it’s hard to imagine how they’d cope without it.
But for businesses that need to use vans the cost of upkeep and servicing can be a financial worry.Most businesses with a few vans ask drivers to take them home to save on the cost of renting somewhere to store them all. A far more viable option for these businesses would be to look at van lease contracts – if manageable monthly payments and always having the latest model wasn’t enough, many deals come with tax and servicing cost thrown in as well.
0 comments Wednesday 18 Feb 2009 | admin | General
In these hard financial times you might be having to cut back on spending and tighten your purse strings a bit. Wanting something is not a good enough reason to buy it anymore. You have a new rule number 1 - if you can live without it, it stays in the shop. You might not be able to afford even the small luxuries, let alone such a big purchase as a new car. And it’s not just you.
The UK car industry has seen a huge fall in sales over the last few months, to the extent that the government has announced a plan to keep the business afloat through the hard times with financial help. But for now, car prices are lower than they’ve been in a long time.
Of course, a lot of people would never consider investing in a new car at a time when money is so tight. Even with the cheaper prices it’s still a huge purchase, and one which many would be unwilling or unable to commit to. But in fact it’s possible that the change in circumstances for the car industry could work in our favour. I’m not talking about paying for a new car straight up, or choosing the cheapest (and probably also the worst) car in the showroom. And I’m not talking about taking advantage of the price slump to sift through the countless deals on the used car market.
There are other options. If, for example, a new Merc is the car of your dreams, there are a number of companies offering very reasonable Mercedes lease or contract hire deals online, letting you choose from the latest new models for a relatively small monthly fee. Adn the payment arrangement is far from the only benefit you’d get - there are loads of reasons why leasing your new car could be a far better choice, especially when money is tight.
Unlike when you buy a brand new car, you don’t end up losing out a couple of years down the line when it’s suddenly not worth half what you paid for it. Most of these deals are based on your projected usage of the car, so they allow for wear and tear and when the contract runs out you can trade it in for a newer model. It’s like investing in a contract phone instead of pay as you go – many deals will even include servicing and road tax in the monthly cost, leaving you with less to worry about.
The best thing about leasing is that the more expensive and desirable car you choose, the better deals you can get. Dreamed about owning the new Audi Q7 but know you could never afford one? You could choose an Audi lease agreement that lets you drive away in it immediately, and you wouldn’t have to worry about whether you could afford the full cost because the car itself is your collateral. You could happily drive away in your shiny new car, the envy of all your mates, and safe in the knowledge that everything is covered - and if you feel a bit smug, well no one will hold it against you.
0 comments Wednesday 18 Feb 2009 | admin | General
In tests in America Jaguars XFR prototype has hit the quickest speeds ever.
Jaguar have been away in the revolutionary Benneville Salt Flats in Utah, America and have been testing the new XFR prototype. It was declared that this was the fastest Jaguar ever hitting speeds of around 225.675 mph.
Using Jaguar’s new AJ-V8 Gen III engine this XFR smashed the previous record of 217.1 mph set by the XJ220 back in 1992. The XFR featured only small aerodynamic changes and some safety add ons that were essential for running in this desert. There was no inner parts changed throughout the engine and most other parts such as the gear box were left the same. The only changes were with the engine’s computer and some air intake modifications.
Mike O’Driscoll, Managing Director, Jaguar Cars said
“The all-new supercharged 510bhp XFR - and XKR - add a thrilling new dimension to the Jaguar line-up. We have sharpened the R models, fine-tuning them to deliver a totally focused experience for driving enthusiasts, with the new AJ-V8 Gen III engines delivering refined power and performance and unmatched efficiency.”
The driver Paul Gentilozzi added,
“During my career, I’ve raced worldwide from the southern tip of New Zealand to Le Mans. I have been privileged to drive and own so many nice cars but I've never had one that was as exciting to drive quick as this Jaguar.”
The new XFR is the first to get the ‘R’ badge it can go from 0 - 60 mph in just 4.It is usually electronically limited to around 150mph on the road. This extra power is used between speeds 50 - 70 mph which will be achieved in only 1.9 seconds.
Jaguar are having something of a speed revival focusing on the performance of their vehicles. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Jaguar’s record breaking 132.6 mph run in the XK120 all the way in 1949.
Their ethos has been to build ‘Beautiful, fast cars.’ Recently they have been beautiful but now they are definitely fast. I will definatley look to buy a Jaguar now.
0 comments Wednesday 18 Feb 2009 | admin | General
I found this interesting article in the International Herald Tribune business section about the unprecedented growth of electric bikes particularly in China. It got me recall my visits there when I worked in that factory.I attended several meetings where some quite incredible figures were presented about the growth potential in this market. I even had one memorable visit to an electric bicycle and scooter specific store in downtown Shanghai. Memorable because it involved a white knuckle ride into town in an overcrowded Chinese micro-bus, driven at speed and in the complete absence of any formal ’rules of the road’ (Chinese driving habits have to be experienced to be believed!). The store was enormous, spread across three floors and sold every conceivable type. Everything from the cheapest,and I do not exaggerate. Apparently to qualify as electric bicycles the scooters had to have cranks and pedals but they were not required to be functional. And of course this plethora of products were decked out in the most migraine-inducing colors. Every possible combination of glitter, holographic Mylar, chromed plastic and blinking LED’s was used to its fullest. When it comes to color the china are nothing if not bold. Alongside all this visual and formal hoopla the products offered by Giant seemed. To be sure, at the time, it seemed to me that I had entered the industrial designers equivalent of the ninth circle of hell but on reflection I see now, in microcosm, an expression of Chinese confidence. I have no doubt we have entered the Chinese Century. Consider these factoids I gleaned the other day: 30% of people with the highest IQ’s are Chinese. What I saw that afternoon as I wandered in a daze through the store was a brashness, confidence and willingness to take risks that has largely evaporated in the west. Sure there was a lot of junk and poor craftsmanship but there was also a lot of inspired pragmatism and balls. When I think back to those interminable meetings where the PD team. We are more fearful of failure than emboldened by opportunity. Self doubt is not a Chinese characteristic.
So what have all those to do with bikes? In the next decade the smartest, lightest, most energy efficient and environmentally benign electric bicycles (and scooters, car & trucks) will emerge not out of MIT or Silicon Valley but China. I guarantee
0 comments Wednesday 18 Feb 2009 | admin | General
You can find many claims over the internet of government repossessed cars being sold at 90% off its original price. You maybe wondering if all these claims are true or not, and whether there is a catch that these advertisements are not disclosing to unsuspecting consumers like you.
Well the truth is, government repossessed cars are truly being sold at a greatly reduced price. However, you must understand that all these cars are second hand or used cars and their value has depreciated since the day it left the showroom, thus the low pricing.
Another reason why the prices are low at these government seized auto auctions is that it cost money to maintain and store these cars. And there are always many cars seized and repossessed by the government. To make room for more, cars have to be attractively priced and thus often sold at 90% off the current market value.
Many government agencies regularly conduct auctions, and most are general. Meaning, the auction is not only about cars, but everything else that the government has in surplus, as well as all seized and unclaimed properties.
Most government auctions have a 2 day viewing, allowing you to inspect the car of your choice in detail. The catch is that you don´t get to test drive any unit, but you can start the engine and base your judgment on the sound of the engine running.
Most vehicles will start at low price, but some bidders may tend to drive the price too high because of aggressive competition. If this happens to anyone of your interest, it´s best to drop it.
You must always keep in mind that these units are second hand, and the price should be reasonably cheaper. After winning, you can have the option of paying in cash or installment, although cash buyers receive additional discount.
If you are on a budget, then buying second hand cars at government seized auctions is certainly a good choice.
If you are looking to buy cheap seized cars from government auto auctions, check out gov auctions. Check out my Gov Auctions review and learn how to buy seized cars at 90% off retail prices.
0 comments Wednesday 18 Feb 2009 | admin | General