Cars and Transport Articles

Downsizing My Car In These Troubling Economic Times

posted on 13 September 2012

I used to own a big Mercedes, and despite my love for the car, it was becoming a burden for me financially. Largely due to the fuel costs, I traded it in for a small Corsa I bought from a local vauxhall dealers. The Corsa runs a lot further on less fuel and that makes a massive difference to me as a travelling salesman. I save between £400 to £500 per month in fuel - which is a huge saving. And with fuel prices going up more and more, the saving difference is even greater. I think we all have to find new ways to save money, and trading in your car for a more fuel efficient one is one of the best ways to start making savings - especially if you use your car a lot just like I do. I'm also making less local journeys too - I prefer to walk those now if I can.

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BMW: The Epitome of Engineering Excellence

posted on 9 September 2012

For decades BMW has been a leader in the luxury car segment. They offer unsurpassed luxury, exhilarating performance, and industry-leading reliability. BMW has many model lines, making sure they have a vehicle to suit every possible buyer. My local BMW dealer in London shows just how much variety BMW boasts these days in terms of types of cars. From the smaller, sportier 3 series to the rugged and bold X5 SUV a buyer will find a vehicle to cater to whatever need they may have from their automobile. BMW is also one of the pioneers of new green-energy vehicles. The i8 is an all-electric model offering excellent range while maintaining the precise feel people expect of a BMW. BMW also utilizes various diesel engine options in some models which offer mileage in excess of 40mpg. The buyer looking for the ultimate in performance will be sure to look at an M-Series BMW. They offer the M3, M5, M6, as well as the X5M and X6M Sport Utility Vehicles. The M-series has set the standard for luxury performance for well over 20 years.More on this Topic: squidoo.com | snopes.com | stephenjames.co.ukFurther Reading: gizmodo.com | reuters.com | homedepot.comOther Sources: ed.gov | wetpaint.com | docstoc.com | snopes.comFurther Reading: wetpaint.com | reuters.com | homedepot.comOther Sources: imdb.com | snopes.com | slideshare.net | tagged.comFurther Reading: investopedia.com | newsvine.com | capitalone.comOther Sources: cnet.com | cnn.com | wnd.com | ed.govOther Sources: instructables.com | movieroomreviews.com | mapquest.com | telegraph.co.ukFurther Reading: infoplease.com | cnbc.com | discovery.comFurther Research: csmonitor.com | peoplefinders.comFurther Research: uncoverthenet.com | goodreads.comFurther Reading: flickr.com | shopzilla.com | howstuffworks.comMore on this Topic: wisegeek.com | investopedia.com | csmonitor.com | rottentomatoes.comFurther Reading: slideshare.net | metacafe.com | typepad.comFurther Reading: lifehacker.com | ca.gov | usatoday.comMore on this Topic: movieroomreviews.com | mapquest.com | everydayhealth.comMore on this Topic: snopes.com | slideshare.net | metacafe.comFurther Research: mapquest.com | edmunds.comFurther Reading: info.com | nationalgeographic.com | merriam-webster.comMore on this Topic: wisegeek.com | investopedia.com | citysearch.com | rottentomatoes.comFurther Research: csmonitor.com | capitalone.comMore on this Topic: movieroomreviews.com | about.com | edmunds.comMore Info: fanpop.com | ed.gov | gizmodo.com | squidoo.comFurther Reading: webmd.com | everydayhealth.comMore on this Topic: itv.com | lifehacker.com | csmonitor.com | movieroomreviews.comFurther Research: csmonitor.com | peoplefinders.comOther Sources: walgreens.com | wetpaint.com | reuters.com | snopes.comMore Info: fanpop.com | walgreens.com | gizmodo.com | imdb.comMore Info: simplyhired.com | reddit.com | mashable.com | apple.comFurther Research: citysearch.com | peoplefinders.comFurther Reading: flickr.com | nationalgeographic.com | scribd.comMore on this Topic: cracked.com | webmd.com | shopzilla.com

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On Why I Will Never Own a Van

posted on 6 September 2012

I've had a number of experiences with vans - even selling Citroen Berlingo van parts at one point. I want to share with you one anedote however! One summer when I was home from college I worked as an intern on a computer project for a major hotel chain. We were to test a new software the employees were going to be switching to and we were also in charge of promoting and advertising this change. A few interns and myself had designed a large poster that would hang in one of the offices. Instead of getting this poster printed out at an off sight print shop, the company wanted to do the job in-house with a giant plotter they had in one of their warehouses. The only way to go and pick up this giant printer was with a giant company van. I was assigned to drive the van, even though I had never driven a vehicle that large in my life, and the other interns went with me to load the plotter in. The plotter was much bigger and heavier than we had anticipated, but somehow we managed to get the thing in the back of the van. I started the trip back across town with the plotter and three other interns in the back of van, holding it to keep it from sliding around. Everything was going fine until I accelerated a litte to quickly at one point, which cause the plotter to slide into the back doors of the van and pop on of them open as we were going down the road! The incredibly large and heavy plotter was about to fall out of the back of the van, however, the interns were holding it and the electrical cord that went into it as hard as they could and barely managed to save it from falling out and causing an accident the likes of which central Florida had never seen. I pulled over to the side of the road so we could secure the plotter, cough up our hearts (which we had swallowed), and I quickly handed over the keys. And to this day, I never want to own or drive a van ever again.

On Why I'd Rather Own Two Wheels Than Four

posted on 22 January 2012

I'm a keen dirt biker - I have the latest in motocross clothing too - from my airoh helmets to my goggles and knee and elbow protectors. However, when it comes to owning other vehicles, I would rather buy shares with the money than buy a car. I enjoy investing in the market and consider cars as depreciating assets. It is quite unusual for anyone to make a profit on a car that they have bought. I have been hiring out a car for a number of years now and would have it any other way. I often swap the car over each month. I am rather selective in the cars that I drive. I prefer sports cars however I do like models such as hatchbacks and the like. I often take the hired car for long drives and like to show off my latest car to my work friends and relatives. I hire cars out for the long term so I get a much cheaper rate. If I hired a car for the short term it would cost me too much money. I doubt I would be hiring a car if that was the case. I intend to get a new hire next month. I am unsure if I want an imported convertible or a hatchback. There is too much choice!

Detroit's Tragedy: Its Litter

posted on 1 January 2012

Around late January to early Feburary, the Detroit International Auto show is in full flow. For two weeks, the city is a flutter of activity, the center of attention, set upon the world stage as if participating in pagentry. Detroit becomes a mecca of elegance and cleanliness,and it's sad in a way, because what visitors don't understand, what they can't understand is this clean, emaculate, SAFE city is a mirage which only lasts for those special and all too short two weeks. Detroit is in decline.Has been for almost forty years, since the riots of 1967,when flight to the suburbs were at its zenith. Detroit was a golden jewel in the Midwest, now, it is an eyesore, with gutted, abandoned houses, delapitated buildings which either should be demolished or repaired, and streets not made of gold, but filled with litter and dirt, and nary a road sweeper to be seen. Detroit's problem is not with the citizens, but with the system, the government which does not have the money to repair broken roads, and with layoffs going through the roof, repavement of asphalt is all but a distant, unattainable dream. No money is coming from the State of Michigan either. In fact, this year, and possibly in 2012, the govenor will seriously want to place a "Financial Manager" over the city, stripping the current mayor of his power to lead. The city is in such a bad state,that ordinary citizens, the few that are left in the city, take it upon themselves to pick up the trash that is thrown into the streets. Volunteers have donated recycling bins for plastic and paper garbage. The financial straits are so bad, the Mayor (The Honorable David Bing), has had to cut millions reserved for street sweepers, which included funding for new vehicles and snow plow trucks. There is an exploding rat, bed bug and cockroach population. Stray dogs and cats are becoming common place, along with the infestation of drug pushers, prostitutes, and addicts. These issues are being addressed, but unless the Mayor can get some sort of financial help (which the State is unwilling to provide), it will only get much, much worse.

I Wanted a Lincoln Navigator So Bad, I Could Smell It!

posted on 4 August 2010

My best friend got one for her anniversary last year, and I was so bummed. Her husband works for a pretty prominent law firm here where we reside, and he gives her everything her heart desires. I was happy for her, but I had always wanted a Navigator, and when I saw it roll up into my driveway, I wanted to scratch her eyeballs out of her head. I'm not exaggerating either! I was so green with envy, it was probably pouring out of me in waves. Envy is such a horrible feeling isn't it? Why do we covet that which others have? I should be happy - we have everything we need, even a pair of electric bikes to keep us fit and healthy. And yet envy is such a human failing, and part of our nature, sometimes we just have to accept it. My best friend knows me better than anyone, so she asked if we should take a ride. My husband kissed me and told me to go. I hopped in the passenger seat, and we went for a cruise up the road.I love my best friend, don't get me wrong, we have an awesome relationship too. But I have three sons, She has no kids. I been married for ten years, she's a newbie to the marriage thing. So, we envy one another for all different reasons, that's probably what helps makes us such strong friends. But this day was hard for me. When we parked, I looked over at her, and smiled, some tears in my eyes, I told her I thought she was a very lucky woman. We talked for hours in this beautiful SUV. Gray interior, fully loaded, with everything. Black exterior, with chrome finishes, and rims. The car was undeniably, the most beautiful car I had ever laid my eyes upon. She told me, how much she loved me, and how happy she was, to know that even though she knew showing it to me was going to be hard for me, I was the only person she wanted to show it to. I was the first person she wanted to share her happiness with. I was so taken in by that. I gave her a huge hug, and she handed me the key, here, she said, you drive us home! I was so happy, I was getting to drive this bad boy. Three months later, a few days before my birthday, a beautiful off white Navigator came pulling in to our garage. My first thought, was someone was lost. Then I saw my husband poke his head over the steering wheel. He mouthed "do you like?" I shook my head yes, then he mouthed "happy birthday".