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It is true that business can write off lease costs whereas that is not such an advantage to an individual car user. However this is not necessarily so. First it all depends on your situation and as well you’re negotiating skills. It is always better to be in an informed and prepared manner.

First of all leasing a car is downright attractive due to current low interest rates. Almost every month you will read in the popular news that the “Fed has cut interest rates again”. What this means to you is that in an overall sense that interest rates are less to you. This should mean lower leasing costs to you. If interest rates, in the banking industry and market are lower, so should be the interest rate basis in your lease negotiations and payments.

What are the advantages of leasing a vehicle? You will get a new vehicle to drive. When your leasing agreement term is over – then you hand the car in and walk away.

It may be debated that by leasing the car you will have no equity or asset accumulation left at this point in this automotive transaction. If you had bought the car, with payments, the car would be yours at some point, lock stock and barrel.

However major components and overall costs of running a car are maintenance costs. With a new vehicle – it is unlikely that you will incur these costs. First of all the car is new. Major repairs and costs are unlikely. In addition the car will come with a manufacturer’s warranty which should cover you for the majority if not all of the lease time period.

With modern, newer and especially smaller cars it seems that all repairs seem to be very expensive. After a certain point of time, use and mileage, it is not as if the car “nickel and dimes” you to death. Most of the innards of modern cars seem to be electronic in nature with advanced (read expensive and hard to fix) modules. There are few simple to repair mechanically based, non electronic component, cars. In addition for mechanics to work on cars now “everything is struggle’ “and as well spaces are tight and very hard to work within. In a summary the old “nickels and dimes” are now “five hundreds, thousands and several thousands”. With a leased car arrangement you may not own the car, with its equity. Neither do you have repair costs and heartaches. In addition you have a reliable vehicle to get you to work or to chauffer around your family.

There are several terms and factors to be knowledgeable about in your calculations and comparisons for auto purchase versus lease workup and lease negotiations.

First of all research the leasing tax rules in your jurisdictions. For example in your state you may well only pay sales taxes on monthly payments, not on the cost of the vehicle. It all depends on the negotiations of your payments- which involve the time frame and value of the car at the take back time end of lease.

Next what are the fees? For example the fee at the end of turn in, paperwork fees and fees for “excess miles”. Are these negotiatiable? In the case of the “excess mileage” and “excess mileage fees” are these carved in stone or can the allotment or rates charged be reduced? In the case of the “turn in” fee. If you offer to increase your monthly payment – often this fee will be reduced.

In order to best negotiate you will have to speak the same language and terms as the lease negotiator. Several terms to know, comprehend and understand are “Capitalized Cost”, “Money Factor” and “Residual Value”.

Simply put the cost of the leased vehicle is confusingly described as the “Capitalized Cost”. Just as you would haggle over the cost of buying a new car, you should not accept a stated price or manufacturers suggested retail price (M.S.R.P.) as the price paid.

Haggle and argue over the “Capitalized Cost” just as you would in any car or automotive deal.

Next in line in proper automotive leasing terms is the term “Money Factor”. “Money Factor “is the interest rate upon which the leasing calculations are based upon. The lower the number of the “Money Factor”, the better for you. As a rough guide and estimate multiply the “Money Factor” value by 2550 to get an estimate of the relevant interest rate.

Last in the line of leasing and leasing lingo is the term “Residual Value”. “Residual Value” is the amount that the car, S.U.V. or truck vehicle is said to be worth at the end of the lease period. Simply put, the more the vehicle is deemed to be worth, at this time period, the less will be your total amount due to be paid overall for your lease. Thus the higher the “Residual Value” at the end of your lease, the much lower will be your monthly lease payments.

In the end, your car purchase or lease decision will come down to two factors. Reliability of transportation and the total cash outlay from your personal pocketbook or wallet.

GPS tracking has assisted many people who have become lost or in need of assistance.

Many car manufacturers now include GPS tracking devices as part of their standard package because of the feeling of safety that it provides.

It was not until recently that business owners realized the potential theft protection that GPS tracking systems could provide especially if the product that they are shipping is valuable.

Within the past decade, businesses that depend on fleet vehicles and large trucks have found that by using GPS tracking systems on their fleet vehicles, their businesses run more cost effectively. However, another use that GPS has is that it is an excellent tool for tracking vehicles that have been stolen.

There are many resources and tools available to business owners; however, none offer the safety and security that a GPS tracking system can. When used as an anti-theft tool, a GPS tracking system has proven time and again that it is the best deterrent against theft of vehicles and their contents.

When you depend on your deliveries, especially those that span over many states, a GPS system can give you the peace of mind in knowing that should something happen to your vehicle, it an be located very quickly using high tech satellite tracking.

In the world in which we live, crime is rampant, and many of it crime of opportunity. This means that many criminals do not make plans to steal a truck, however if the opportunity presents itself, the criminal will take it. This is exactly why so many companies rely on GPS tracking for their fleet vehicle.

A GPS tracking system is one of the best deterrents against theft. It is a cost effective way to control shipments and insure that they are delivered on time and if something should happen along the route, law enforcement can pinpoint the location within a matter of feet. This can save a company a lot of time and expense.

Another benefit to using GPS tracking systems in your company vehicles is that many insurance companies will give you a special discount for installing and using them. It is a very popular theft prevention tool that has taken the world by storm mainly because of the high recovery rate of the vehicles. The recovery time for a vehicle equipped with a GPS tracking system is within minutes. Before GPS, it could take weeks or even months to find a stolen vehicle, and the contents would be lost.

Many business owners are hesitant to purchase GPS tracking, especially if they have a lot of vehicles and trucks, or they may feel that theft will never need it. However, when you stop and do the math, you will find that the cost of replacing your vehicle or truck may far exceed the cost of a GPS system especially if big rigs are part of your fleet.

GPS tracking devices can monitor each vehicle with precision. The use of many different satellites that are in orbit around the earth can track and pinpoint any vehicle at any time. With this incredible technology, it is possible to update information on a vehicle within a minute, and in times of crisis, every second counts.

Why should you pay big dollars to have your SUV repainted when you can get the job done for much less cost? After all for appearances if you place both of these jobs side by side they may well look fine.

In fact, one may be actually be as good as the other – and you will be in the chips with the cheaper job. A low overhead , a low margin of profit and a volume business can make it possible for one shop to charge bargain basement prices and turn out a job that will stand up for years.

But cutting pries may also mean cutting corners. If you have ever painted a car or even a fence you know that a job takes time, patience and a good degree of skill. There are many chances for cutting corners. Failing to sand off rust for instance. Or skipping various steps in the process.

Here are some defects that might show up over time in a corner cutting paint job.

The most common defect is “Peeling”. Peeling is what happens most often. Sometimes the entire paint film lifts off right down to bare metal and you can see rust that was not removed. Or the sealing has not stuck to the primer coat or finish stuck to sealer.

Next in line is wrinkling. Wrinkling is a condition that you can almost always blame on the man or women who did the job. Perhaps too heavy a coat of paint was applied. Or the painter may have used a thinner that dried too fast. In warm weather this will produce a very heavy coat that will surface dry too rapidly. Insufficient thinner is another cause of wrinkling.

Cracking and checking may come from too much haste in turning out the job. Applying finish coasts before the coats underneath dry may well have occurred. Sudden temperature changes or the movement of body panels may cause fine cracks.

Should you take back a defective job like this – the painter may tell you that that “spotting in” would fix it up. It will not. The entire panel must be completely refinished.

Blistering of paint can be caused by a variety of conditions but if it happens soon after the car comes from the auto body shop you can almost always blame the painter.

Poor preparation of the metal always causes blisters and bubbles. Perhaps various steps were missed or fudged. Grease oil or dirt may have been left on the surface before painting began. Moisture or oil in the air line of the spray gun can cause blisters as well.

But if the job is done at a time of high temperature and humidity, be cautious about blaming the shop. These conditions may blister the very best paint job. Even nearby chemical plants or pollution can cause this as well.

How can you avoid such defects and problems? True in even in a full high priced job, some of these defects some or even all of these defects can show up. But your chances of missing them are far better.

Above all, know the shop and its reputation. If you are doubtful stand around awhile and watch. You might well do this while awaiting your estimate.

After all it is your SUV. Your vehicle is the best representation of you. Being careful and thorough is always the best policy.

If you’re one of those lucky few, that own one of the vintage sports cars, I’m sure you want to do everything you can to keep it in mint condition and looking great. With so many options available as to how to keep it clean and shiny, as well as protected, you may need a few tips to make sure your prized car stays looking just like new.

First, let’s talk about the damage the environment can have on your car. Aside from obvious things like storms of wind, rain, and snow, you should also consider the effect those not so obvious environmental factors can cause. Pollutants in the air, high heat, extreme cold, as well as dust and grime can damage your car’s finish. The best solution is to store your sports car in a climate controlled building. If that is not possible, at least purchase a cover to help protect it from damage. A cover is recommended even if it’s stored in the garage of your home.

Whenever you drive your car or have it outside for extended periods, it is important to clean the surface to remove any chemicals or abrasives that could harm the finish during storage. Make sure you choose a car cleaner/wax that is strong enough to remove the dirt, road tar, grease, and bugs and still be non-abrasive. You’ll also want to choose a product that rinses clear and leaves no water spots.

Here’s a great tip no matter what car you’re washing. A long mitt works better than sponges. Mitts offer better scrubbing control and the fabric holds more water for faster washing.

Once you’ve cleaned your sports car, you can relax knowing that you’ve removed potentially damaging particles. The finish and the wax job will last longer by keeping your car clean and shiny.

Of course, you want your car to be clean and polished at all times. Sometimes you may not have the time to do a complete wax job. Don’t fret. Newer technologies have given us products that will give your car a “just waxed” look in between waxing. As you look for these items make sure to choose one that is safe for clear coats and the paint you have on your car. You’ll get not only a great looking shiny car; you’ll also be providing your car’s finish with lasting protection.

These simple suggestions will keep your done up sports car looking great for years. Enjoy the ride!

Imagine the amount of money that you’d have to pay for something that you could easily do yourself. If you are willing to put in some time and work on your car on a lazy Sunday you will not only save time and money. There is nothing better and more satisfying than reaping the benefits of upgrading the look of your car with your own hands. However not all of us are lucky enough to be able to spend out free time on the car and if you have a busy life with a job and children you will most probably be more than happy to drive you car instead of adding parts to it in your weekends.

What things can you add tot your car to enhance the look of the vehicle instantly?

Unless you want to do a complete overhaul on your car and take out the engine there are many different types of performance car parts to choose from. Think of adding any of the following popular performance parts to your vehicle:

A new clutch (has the clutch had its day when it comes to looking good?).

A new exhaust pipe. Think of the way your car would look if you added a polished shiny new exhaust pipe to it. It’s easy to do and a professional will be able to fit on in less than half a day.

Spoilers! Of course this is one of the easiest and most noticeable performance car parts that you can add to your car. You can fit them on yourself or have it done for you. Find the best spoilers on the Internet, based on the brand and type of your car.

So what do you do if you want to change the look of your car but you don’t have the time, and you don’t want to end up paying too much to have it done for you? Log on to the Internet. Find the right parts for your care from a well established performance car parts supplier and do not hesitate to ask for information if you are not sure how to install these parts. If you are not able to do this yourself most suppliers will be happy to advise you on professionals in your area who can do this job for you. Finding the best and most reasonably priced performance car parts is not difficult if you know where to look.

The October 2007 Euroclassic was a fantastic tour around Northern Spain and Portugal taking in Porto and Lisbon, including a blast round the Estoril F1 Circuit. On the Sunday of the run, (the pen-ultimate day) the run took us though beautiful countryside, along empty roads in bright sunshine. The Jaguar E-Type which I had bought 6 months previously was running beautifully and purring along in the way that only an XK engined Jaguar can do. But as we approached the checkpoint for our morning coffee stop I noticed a slight change in the engine note. Nothing serious, just a subtle change, which had we been driving through town or in heavy traffic wouldn’t have been noticeable.

We have mechanic support on the Euroclassic so we pulled up in the town square next to the mechanic’s van for them to have a look. After a careful listen, including the time honored practice of sticking a screw driver on the camshaft and using it as a stethoscope, they confirmed that there was definitely a noise! Any E-type with the bonnet raised attracts a crowd of people who all turn into experts and offer their advice to the trained, time served, mechanics. After checking through the oil filler and removing the exhaust cam cover, he comes to the conclusion that the exhaust cam is running dry, no oil getting through at all. Not having the wherewithal to fix it here, we decide that driving it another 500 miles to the Spanish ferry and a further 300 miles in the UK is not a good idea. So we call the RAC and after a number of discussions arrange for it to be collected and repatriated. Getting it home would be worthy of an article in its own right but that is another story.

We finish the run as navigators in other cars, worrying about the cost of an engine re-build as the cams are £150 each, never mind he labor.

Two weeks later the E-Type arrives back home and is delivered to my local garage. After briefing them on the problem they continue the diagnosis, fortunately before deciding to remove and strip down the engine.

Draining the oil doesn’t show any obvious problem, no bits of swarf fall out, so nothing has come apart and blocked the oil-ways. But the oil filter is clogged up with some very sticky gunge, not just normal congealed oil. This gunge turns out to be a reddish brown and appears to have flakes of paint in it. The oil feed pipe to the camshafts is removed and blown through, dislodging more sticky gunge with flecks of red paint. Like all good E-types, the bodywork is red but how does it get into the engine oil?

Next step is to remove the sump, with the engine still in situ and the cause is revealed. The inside of the sump has been painted bright red. Why on earth would anyone want to do something so stupid. A detailed inspection revealed a repair in the corner of the sump where it had obviously been cracked before and filled with some sort of resin or chemical metal. Then presumably to protect the repair, it was painted. While most of the sump was still painted, inevitably some of it had flaked off and been pumped round the engine.

Liberal doses of nitromors removed all the remaining paint and the repair was sound so no further action was needed at that point. The sump was refitted, new filter installed, the engine re-filled with fresh oil and fired up. Straight away there was perfect oil feed to both camshafts and the engine note was back to the sweet sound I know and love. Fortunately no engine strip down and re-build was required and no new cams needed.

Because some fool painted the inside of the sump, this was the first Euroclassic that we didn’t complete under our own steam. Luckily we had full RAC European cover otherwise it would have cost us a couple of thousand pounds to get the car home (we know this as one of the other participants broke down and didn’t have cover).

Why on earth did this guy paint the sump? We will never know.

It was never going to rust for two reasons:

Here are a few tips to help you find a company willing to give you a loan for your very first automobile.

- Use internet to find car loans. World Wide Web is perfect for locating a car loan provider. Try to locate companies that are close to you or those that are located somewhere else but will allow you to apply for a loan online. There are lots of such sites, just be cautious the site is authentic if you give away any private information. If you don’t want to apply online, you can still use internet to compare rates and get offline contact information.

- Know your credit rating. You should know your own credit worthiness because this information will help you to get financed easier and receive better interest rates. You will get a loan much easily if you have fairly good credit rating. Knowing your credit worthiness will tell you where you stand and if you qualify for low rates as a result of your credit score.

- You can get a car loan even if you have bad credit. Keep in mind that a bad credit history is not a limiting factor for getting the finances for your car. It simply means payments of higher interest because your loan would pose a bigger risk to the lender. However, you still can get the loan with good payments if you have a down payment.

- Find a good dealer. Dealers want to make profit and so they are eager to get you a loan and put you in a car. They work with various lenders and know which ones offer loans for bad credit or no credit situations. If you find a reputable dealer, you are almost guaranteed to find good financing because dealers want to make the car sale.

- Always compare rates and terms. Do not rush and grab the first deal you find. You always have a choice, regardless of what your credit score is. Money lenders and dealers are competing with each other. You can use this to your advantage. You should always make a comparison of rates and terms and choose the one that best suits your financial situation.

- Read the fine print. Always fully read the fine print of the document before signing for the loan. Make sure you comprehend the contents therein, the rate of interest, payment terms and all. Avoid accepting something you did not bother to read. Do not hesitate to ask questions if there is anything that you do not understand