Archive for February, 2009

Porsche Weighs Launching Four Cylinder Models

 

German sports car maker, Porsche, may soon be doing the unthinkable: offering at least one four cylinder powered model in their product mix.

Porsche, along with most other automakers, has suffered tremendously this year as sales have plunged by more than 17% through August 2008. In August, Porsche’s sales were down a whopping 45%; both figures apply to the US market only.

A Four Cylinder Engine For Porsche?

The decision to build a car with a four cylinder engine hasn’t been finalized, but it is something that Porsche believes that they must consider in order to garner more sales. Several years ago Porsche boldly expanded its product line up by adding an SUV, the Porsche Cayenne, a vehicle that alarmed purists but helped stoke the company’s bottom line.

By introducing the Cayenne, Porsche contended that they were losing sales to BMW and Mercedes as families who needed more room were forced to look beyond Porsche’s two-seater product offerings. With the SUV market expanding, adding this type of vehicle was deemed to be critical to helping Porsche.

Cayenne Sales Are Up For The Year

Apparently, Porsche is doing well with the Cayenne as its year to date truck sales are up almost 4% for the year, according to Autodata Corp. who tracks this information. Cayenne is the only vehicle sold by Porsche under the truck category.

If Porsche chooses to add a four cylinder engine to its product mix, it wouldn’t be a strange engine for Porsche. As recently as the 1980s, both the Porsche 924 and 944 models offered four cylinder engines, a technology Porsche traces all the way back to the 1930s.

Targeting the Boxster

The likeliest recipient for a four cylinder engine would be the Porsche Boxster, the smallest and lightest of all Porsche models. Some analysts are theorizing that Porsche could easily make the transition to a four cylinder engine by removing two cylinders from a current six cylinder engine and coming up with a 2.4L flathead four cylinder.

Another option would be for Porsche to harvest an existing four cylinder engine from partner Volkswagen and modifying it according to their needs. The two automakers have a long history of sharing technology and co-developing vehicles with the Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne underpinned by the same truck platform.

Lastly, Porsche might also consider developing an all-new model, perhaps a four passenger sport sedan to expand its product line and to provide a fuel efficient model. That move would further infuriate Porsche loyalists, but in face of the current economic climate and concerns about global energy, a hotrod compact sedan might be the direction Porsche will go.

 

Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in Cary, North Carolina. Matt provides magazine, web content, and article writing services to clients all over the world serving the automotive, human interest, and business communities. Auto Trends is his automotive weblog.

Practical Car Maintenance Tips for the Fall Season

Regardless of the type of car that you own whether it’s second-hand or brand new it is important that you provide it with the proper maintenance it deserves.

You see even if you own an expensive BMW 328i with high quality BMW 328i parts still the daily use of the car can lead to wear and tear of its parts this is why regular car maintenance should be a priority.

Your car requires different types of maintenance check for different seasons, the car maintenance routines for the summer season are very much different as those required for the winter season and so forth and so on.

Since fall is coming and very soon it would be winter the car maintenance done during the fall season is basically a preparation for the coming winter months. About.com provides very practical tips on what your winter car maintenance checklist should be comprised of:

• Check your antifreeze

Your antifreeze (the juice that goes in your radiator) is an essential part of your car’s winter protection.

Your car contains a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. Make sure the level is full and the mixture is close to 50/50. Many service stations and repair centers will check this mixture free, or you can buy a tester for around $5.

• Check your tires

The last line of defense between you and an oak tree are your tires. Winter is not the time to get cheap about your tires, so take the time to check the tread depth. The National Highway Transportation Safety Board says you need at least 2/32″ of depth to be safe. It’s been my experience, especially in winter weather, that anything less than 4/32″ (1/8″) be replaced soon. The old penny test is as reliable as anything to find out whether your treads are ready for winter action. Also, be sure to check your tire pressure. Believe it or not, they lose a little pressure when it gets cold, so pump ‘em up.

• Check your wipers

Wipers? What do your windshield wipers have to do with winter weather? Two things. First, anything falling from the sky is going to end up on your windshield, and unless you have a team of beavers riding on the hood of your car the task of clearing it falls on your wipers. Second, in areas that see snowfall in the winter, you’re also driving through that soupy muck that’s left on the road once the highway department does their thing. This muck includes a lot of sand and salt, both of which end up on your windshield. It takes wipers that are in top shape to keep your windshield clean and safe.

• Check your windshield washer fluid

You’ll be using lots of washer fluid as you try to keep your windshield sparkly. A mile stuck behind an 18-wheeler will have your windshield looking a Desert Storm Humvee if you’re low on washer fluid. *Tip: Don’t fill your washer fluid reservoir with anything except washer fluid, it won’t freeze!

Hailey Kerr is a Business Administration graduate. She is currently part of a business consulting firm in Massachusetts. Hailey loves to write and enjoys doing her favorite hobby during her free time – cooking French cuisines.

Cars – Used Cars – Best Deals On Repossessed Used Cars

Cars – Used Cars – Best Deals On Repossessed Used Cars:

Used cars are becoming more and more popular every year. People are realizing that a good used car can be had for the fraction of the cost of a new car. They figure that there is no point in buying a new car, when in one year they can get the same car with a huge discount on it. The only difference is that the car may have a few thousand miles. But that is usually not too much of a concern in today’s day and age. Cars are made to last a long time, and a few thousand miles is not going to harm the car in the least beat.

Used cars can be found in a couple of places. You can first start out by reading your local newspaper. A newspaper will usually have hundreds of used car listings. All you will need to do is read through them and find the ones that catch your eye the most. At this point you can simply go and check out the ones that you like.

If your newspaper is not giving you what you need go online. There are many car sites that specialize in providing used cars to the general public. Sites which offer many different options for the person who is looking for a used car, you can browse thousands of cars in your area and within a matter of minutes. This will allow you to maximize your time, and ensure that you do not miss out on any good deals that may be available. Visit Best Car Dealers blog for the best deals on Cars, Used Cars, Best Repossessed Used Cars

http://www.bestcardealers.blogspot.com

Giving your BMW Car a New Look

When you hear the word BMW car, the next thing that comes to your mind is luxury, status and strength to drive the world. BMW is one of the most flourishing companies producing awesome cars in the world. With precesion and brilliance in every part of BMW cars, it is in fact the owners pride to own such an amazing vehicle. You might generally think that being a faultless car with excellence in every part and each design of this brand, why is the need felt to give your BMW car a new look. It goes without saying that BMW is excellent when it comes to designs and ined}superiority as compared to other world class cars, then too there is a need to give your BMW an exceptional appearance. The feeling to posses a car which can be only dreamt by a lot of the people can not be expressed in words moreover the new look actually adds worth to your precious model of BMW car. The new look is priceless as your BMW looks far more superior than what it was earlier, certainly we will only enhance its external appearance. You can put in your own imaginations to create a special BMW car. There are different methods by which you can give your BMW car a new look, one of the best way is to use the BMW body kits. These kits contain various tools which add up to charm of your BMW car, like accessories, mirrors, facia panels or plates, headlights, rear lights, grilles, exhaust pipes, emblems, spoilers, HID lights and much more to enhance your BMW car. This will immensely help you to give your BMW car a fresh and a different look, which will be envied by your friends and colleagues. BMW body kits are very useful to enhance the appearance of your BMW and also enhances its performance. All the accessories do enhance the appearance of your existing BMW car, but facia panels or facia plates immensely improve its compartment. Though the BMW car purchased by you might have a facia plate which is generally company made, but still you feel the necessity to enhance it as you might not be satisfied with it. Furthermore, if you have been using your BMW car for years together, the facia plates might be worn out, bent, scratched or broken, so you might need to change it which further changes the appearance of your BMW car, and you like it! Luckily there is a range of facia plates offered in the market now-a-days. You will easily get it in your local car accessories shop, orelse the excellent alternative is to see for the latest and most compatible facia plates offered online. However, you need to choose one that is compatible to your BMW model. This is the most common mistake committed by BMW car owners they just choose one that looks awesome but it is of no use if the facia panel purchased by you is not well-matched with the model of BMW car you own. Here is a list that might help you to see some of the recent facia plates offered in the market today, Autoleads FP 06 04 – for the BMW 3 Series 1998 · Autoleads FP 06 00 – for the BMW 5 Series 1995 · Autoleads FP 06 06 – for the BMW 1 & 3 Series · 281020 06 Facia plate X5 slim black – for the BMW 5 (E39) · 281020-01 car radio bay X5 radio – for the BMW 5 (E39) You will find a wide range of facia plates for various models of BMW car. Make a small search on the Internet and pick one that is compatible to the model of BMW car you own. Give a brand new look to your BMW car by choosing the right type of facia plates offered in the car market.

Want to give your BMW car a new look? Get the best facia plates that are suitable to your BMW model, look at BMW RadioblendeChange the way your BMW looks with accessories available at BMW facia plate Get the latest car accessories and give your BMW a new look at powernetshop.at

Chrome and Alloy Bmw Rims

The factory steel BMW rims available in the US are manufactured and marketed there. All the BMW rims are top quality as they are manufactured by companies who consider good quality their highest priority. The rims are specially designed to fit all the BMWs, just as they manufacture rims for any car that belongs to the luxury wheels industry.

Manufacturers

The BMW rims are manufactured to all standards which exist in Germany as well as in the US. The manufacturers are generally experts in fitment, and are ready to make BMW rims of any specifications for you by taking the exact requirements for the make, model and year of the vehicle. The manufacturers have very good marketing teams and sales teams, which guarantee you efficiency and quality.

Chrome Rims

Today chrome rims are very popular. The new BMW rims can be put on an older model, as some like to modify the existing car. Sometimes, when you are buying the car, you can get the option of putting BMW rims on your model, if it does not have it. Nowadays, many people are choosing to add chrome rims to their vehicles just to give it the luxury look.

The BMW rims are definitely one of the additions or upgrade to your BMW, new or used. This is how you make people notice your BMW, because by adding the rims you just customize your car. These wheels are highly polished and are plated with a chrome mirror finish which shines in sunlight or streetlight. Many BMW lovers who take part in contests, rallies and shows, elect to install special chrome BMW rims on their vehicles, as it makes the car look sharper, faster and even more expensive.

When you shop for your BMW rims, make sure to note the exact model number of your BMW, the size of the rims and the width. With every model the measurements vary and so you must have all the specifications of the model, before you go shopping for the rims. Various Types

There are chrome BMW rims and alloy rims available. The alloy wheel is silver is color and has ten spokes. Some have five double spokes in front. You have to select the desired style or color, as the pictures on the web are in black and white. The center caps and lug nuts have generally to be bought extra and are not included in the price, especially if the price is discounted. Most of the BMW rims come with a lifetime warranty.

Having BMW rims is all about styling and elegance, because all BMW accessories like BMW replica wheels belong to a class of their own. You have to trust the resourceful expert, because you need reliability and aesthetic features for your wheel and the right fit and quality mounting can make all the difference.

I am Gargi Nath from Kolkata,India.I am a Professor of English.Please visit my blog http://bmw-cars-bikes.blogspot.com for more detailed informations on BMW cars & bikes.

Cars For Sale ? Car Auctions Online ? Used Car Auctions

Car Auction:
If you are looking for car auctions online please visit the best car dealers blog where you will get a chance to join one of the sites with the largest collection of used cars for sale and also you will get links to other used car auctions/vintage auctions withing the U.S, UK and other countries offering great discounted prices of upto 95% off on used cars for sale, deals not possible anywhere else. You will get access to thousands of repossessed homes, cars trucks and SUV’s including salvage cars that have been seized by the government, police, IRS, customs, DEA, banks, lending institutions etc, Cars with low miles and clean records. This is a closely guarded resource commonly used by car dealerships and realtor’s in their businesses of buying and selling cars and luxury homes due to great discounted prices and good deals offered at the auction.

Government car auctions:
Everyday a great number of citizens default on various kinds of payments be it car loans, insurance and many other kinds of debt that they either refuse or are unable to pay or involved in criminal activities and tax evasion, this in turn causes the government and law enforcement agencies to seize their cars and other properties indefinitely, this seized property is later on auctioned by the government and banks quickly in order to cover loses and to minimize cost of storage and maintenance. The general public does not know about this kind of government car auctions which makes it a perfect source for you to to buy the car or home of your dreams, once you become a member you will have no reason to buy from a dealership or realtor ever again.

Used car auctions/ Vintage auctions
Used car auctions are becoming more and more popular with time, this is the perfect resource for all individuals be it car dealer realtors even students simply due to affordability once you are a member of the used car auction you will receive great services to help you save time and money with detailed data base and more information about state and government auctions websites and their phone numbers including salvage car auction address. This is the most detailed database on state and government auctions with full time online support and live services to ensure that you get exactly what you are looking for and to make your shopping experience a pleasurable one. The site has implemented awesome new systems for its members to utilize and you can become the lucky buyer who drives away with the car or home of his dreams. This auction is sometimes attended by few people hence facilitating great discounts and excellent deals.

Car auctions online:
Unlike in the past where only car dealers and realtos had special licenses to attend this auctions today this have changed dramatically because of the Internet, It is now possible for anyone to easily join the auction online which in turn enables you to save a lot of time and money. It is therefore important for you to attend and buy from this auction centers and online auctions inorder to cut the enormous expense of storage and maintenance of these thousands of cars and homes.

When you buy seized cars don’t think that these cars are always in bad shape, you will be surprised to find some of the cars in brand new condition with their warranty still on them and you can get a background check on the vehicle you wish to buy and the cars for sale auction usually give information of all the vehicles on sale. No need to wait, save time and money now. Visit best car dealers blog now and Join cars for sale 2009.

CARS FOR SALE AT: http://www.bestcardealers.blogspot.com

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Used Car Vs a New Car

Buying a used car is a great way to save some money and still get the car you’ve been searching for. Whether you’re constrained by your pocketbook or have certain automotive needs that must be met (such as a backseat for the kids or four-wheel drive for winter weather), today’s used car options deliver almost everything new cars do and at a lower overall cost.


1. Depreciation


The second you drive a new car off the lot, its value depreciates by as much as 20 percent. Studies show that most cars are only worth 60 to 70 percent of their original value three years after their purchase. When you buy a used car, all the depreciation has already been absorbed by the original owner.


2. No Overpriced Dealer Repairs


When you purchase certain makes and models of new cars, the parts covered under warranty aren’t valid if you use your own mechanic. In these instances, your only choice is to return to the dealership to get your repairs done. This is basically the dealership’s way of getting you into their shops with their overpriced service. When you buy a used car, you can get repairs done on your own terms.


3. Save Money


Buying used cars whether you are buying from a used car dealership, car classifieds, or online sites like Craigslist simply costs less money than buying new. New cars run an average of $25,000, while used cars are closer to the $10,000 range. If you’re buying from a private seller, you might even be able to haggle the price down or barter to keep costs low.


4. Save the Planet


While buying a hybrid car might seem like a great way to go green, it actually takes more energy to build a new hybrid than it does to buy a fuel-efficient used car. Every time a hybrid comes off the assembly line, it takes about 46,000 miles of driving before the car breaks even? in the amount of energy it saves through fuel efficiency. Buying a used car in the first place as long as it’s not a gas guzzler will actually reduce your carbon footprint.


5. Lower Car Insurance Rates


Car insurance rates are higher for new cars than they are for used cars. The reasons are simple: new cars are more likely to be financed (and therefore need full coverage), and annual insurance rates can run as high as 20 percent of a car’s sticker price. Buying a newer, more expensive model can end up costing you money for years.


6. Higher Used Car Standards


Thanks to new lemon laws and auto history check websites, it has become easier than ever to determine if a used car has undergone any major damage. Some used car dealerships also offer used car certification, which guarantees that they have been looked over and approved by a qualified mechanic.


7. Avoiding Car Dealerships


When buying a used car, you have a number of places to look. You can peruse car classifieds, visit eBay or Craigslist, or opt for a used car dealership. New cars typically only come from one place – the dealer – so you have limited options when it comes to salesmen and haggling over prices.


8. Finding Good Deals


Owners of new cars can be a pretty finicky set. Many people turn over their cars after one or two years simply as a matter of course, while others may decide that the monthly payments are too high to continue. If you take the time to look for quality used cars, you might find some incredibly good deals from individuals who are motivated to sell.


9. More Bang for Your Buck


When you drive a new car straight off the lot, you typically pay for every added feature. When you upgrade to include a sunroof, tinted windows, and a spoiler, you can leave with a total price thousands of dollars higher than the sticker price. Used cars with these same amenities might cost a little more than those without, but not nearly to the same extent.


10. Used Cars can be just as Reliable if carefully inspected


Although buying a new car may seem like a more responsible choice, no car purchase is guaranteed to be hassle-free. Factory recalls, faulty parts, and required maintanence repairs can occur just as easily in a new car as they can in a used car. As long as you have your used car purchase checked out and you take good care of it, the overall reliability of your car can be just as good as a new car. Further, cars have also become more reliable with advances in technology.


Buying a car – regardless of whether you choose new or used – is a major endeavor that can put a strain on your finances for years. Fortunately, most of the benefits of buying a used car have to do with money. As long as you take your time, evaluate your prospective purchases, and have a mechanic check out the used car before you buy it, you and your used car can spend many happy years together.

For more information on buying used cars, visit http://blog.iseecars.com. The blog is written by the team at http://www.iSeeCars.com, a search engine for used cars for sale, created by people who think buying used cars are better than buying new and who are passionate about building better tools and providing helpful insights and information for users.