Considered as the first true muscle car, the Pontiac GTO is truly a groundbreaker. Most collectors of classic muscle cars see the GTO as a true gem, a real sexy and sweet beauty. And understandably so: not only is the Pontiac GTO a genre-defining car, it actually boasts of a sweet look and is capable of a powerful performance.
The Birth of a Legend
Back in the early ?60s, General Motors banned divisions from participating in auto racing. This was a heavy hit to Pontiac, since their marketing campaign was based heavily on car racing. The result is a legend: by modifying the Pontiac Tempest into a road-friendly, yet high-performance car. And it became a monster hit.
The name was after the Ferrari 250 GTO, in which GTO stood for Gran Turismo Omologato. For those who couldn’t speak Italian, it simply means homologated (or approved) for inclusion in the GT class.
First Generation
The first generation Pontiac GTO was released in 1964. It was only an option for the Pontiac LeMans. It had a 398-cubic inch V8 engine, which has a speed of 325hp at 4800rpm, with a 3-speed manual transmission. It came in three styles: hardtop coupe, two-door sedan, or convertible. It cost around $290–a real bargain today, but not back then!
A few changes were made the following year, including extending the length of the car by 7.9cm. Perhaps the most popular of the first-generation GTOs is the ’66 edition with the “Coke-bottle look.” Not does the ’66 GTO completely define what classic muscle cars would look like, it also heralded the start of the GTO series as an independent model (and not as an option). It was so popular that sales shot up to 90,000.
Second Generation
Around 1970s, the second generation of GTOs was up and about. There were some cosmetic changes, such as the ‘hidden headlights’ feature for the ’68 and ’69 Pontiac GTO. But function-wise, the GTO remained the same. It had the same V8 engine, albeit optimized so it would peak at 400hp.
By this time, the GTO faced a fierce battle with other newly-emerged muscle cars. There was the Oldsmobile 442, the Plymouth Road Runner, and the Chevrolet Chevelle, among others. Sales were dwindling, and the GTO was having a hard time keeping itself on top.
By 1972, sales of this classic car drastically dropped to 5,811. This was the result of several things. Aside from the tough competition, the GTO also lacked promotion. Add to that the move to make gasoline free of lead, which lead Pontiac to make this classic muscle car have less muscle–without the Ram-air option for engines, its performance was compromised. Add to that the dwindling appeal of muscle cars (because of market saturation and the emerging energy crisis), and the ?death’ of the Pontiac GTO becomes no mystery.
The Pontiac GTO is a cool and sexy classic muscle car. Its history is somehow a tragic one: it started the whole craze about muscle performance cars, but ended with not a single bang. Yet, because of this history, the Pontiac GTO is ever more valuable today as a classic car. Since not so many people have it in their garage, a restored one will surely peak at way more than ten grand–that’s a long way from $290.…
Nowadays, there are people who seems to prefer repossessed automobiles for sale rather than brand new ones. The reason is pretty obvious. It is obviously due to the price. This is especially true with the current economic condition. With jobs getting more and more insecure these days, people are not willing to spend too much money on their vehicles.
Repossessed automobiles for sale can be bought for a fraction of the price of a similar brand new car. Obviously, you will need to know where to find these bargains and how to go about the transaction so that you will not get scammed.
First, it is always a good idea to know where these vehicles came from. Well, they are usually from police impounds or cars confiscated by financial institutions as the previous owners couldn’t afford their car payments.
Usually, a third party will take over the tasks of auctioning off the vehicles. This can be a very lucrative business. This is the reason why not many people know about car auctioning as it is not publicize.
Car traders will usually buy those cars at a very low price and resell those vehicles after some touching up. Of course, you may not be interested to be a car trader. However, there is good news for you if you just want to get a cheap car.
Do you know that there are database available online that tell you where to find repossessed automobiles for sale? These database will tell you where you can locate these auctions and get your car for cheap.…
Summer’s fast approaching, and for many that means making plans for the traditional family getaway at the beach, mountains or with distant relatives. For most it means packing the kids, luggage, coolers and equipment into the family vehicle and hitting the highways.
Smart families know they should get their vehicles checked out beforehand to help ensure worry-free summer travel. But today’s busy schedules leave little time for backyard, do-it-yourself tinkering.
Here is some advice on locating a good repair establishment from the pros at the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, the group that tests and certifies automotive professionals:
* Start shopping for a repair facility before you need one.
* Ask your friends and associates for their recommendations; consult local consumer groups.
* Arrange for alternate transportation in advance so you will not feel forced to choose a shop based solely on location.
* Look for a neat, well-organized facility, with vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to your own and modern equipment in the service bays.
* Look for a courteous staff, with a service consultant willing to answer questions.
* Look for policies regarding estimated repair costs, diagnostic fees, guarantees and acceptable methods of payment.
* Ask if the repair facility specializes or if it usually handles your type of repair work.
* Look for signs of professionalism in the customer service area, such as civic, community or customer service awards.
* Look for evidence of qualified technicians: trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced courses and ASE certification. Also look for the ASE sign.
ASE was founded in1972 as a nonprofit, independent organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of auto service professionals.
Approximately 400,000 professionals hold current ASE credentials. They can be found at every type of repair business, such as independent garages, dealerships, franchised outlets and collision shops. Certified technicians wear blue and white ASE insignia or pins, while their employers often display their technicians’ ASE credentials in the customer service area and post the ASE sign on the premises.…
The United States Government purchases thousands of cars for use as fleet vehicles. These fleet vehicles are used by different agencies to perform their vital functions, which are required for this country to run smoothly. Due to the need for a reliable vehicle, there are strict government regulations on how long the vehicle can be used before it is retired from service, and replaced by a newer model. The regulations also require that when a vehicle is retired from service, it is to be disposed of by being sold at a public auction.
The government’s motivation is not to make a profit, but to get rid of the vehicles, because there are cars being retired from service every day, and they pile up. Due to the amount of cars being retired, auctions are held in every state, several times a year.
Before a government car auction starts, you will have the opportunity to inspect the vehicles for any major problems that could affect the safe or reliable operation of the vehicle. These problems are rare due to the excellent maintenance of government vehicles, but if you are not mechanically inclined, it is recommended that you bring someone who is, just to make sure.
When the bidding starts, it starts low. The car is sold for the highest bid. Most cars sell for a few thousand less than what they are worth, but some nice cars have been known to sell for almost nothing if there is no competition bidding on them.…
There can be many reasons a person buy’s a used car. The first and most important reason is that you don?t enough money for a new car and you don?t want to borrow any money because you don?t think you could afford the monthly repayments. Another option is buying a used car, this can be very helpful for your finances, and however there are still some important guidelines that you must consider before looking at purchasing a used car. In this article we will look at some of these guidelines and precautions.
When looking for a used car, the first step is to find one for sale. You can find cars for sale by looking in the newspaper; however you want to buy a useful car. It would be best if you buy a car from somebody that you really know, friends, family members, and colleagues are the first people that you should consider buying a car from. Tell them that you plan to buy a car in the near future and mention what your budget is. Since people keep hearing news of used cars being sold out, somebody in your list of acquaintances will be able to direct you to a used-car owner who is willing to sell a car which is in good condition and hopefully at a reasonable price. If you?re unable to find a used car with somebody that you know then you can check out the local newspaper adverts.
The first step will be helpful in not only finding a great car but will also help you learn how different cars differ in price depending upon the model, mileage, and overall condition. You can decide about the features that you?re looking for in a car and then decide upon a price range. The next step is to learn about the person that is selling the car; you can do this by asking questions. These questions should be geared to discover why the car is being sold, how long they have had the car and how often they have had it serviced.
Now you should carefully inspect the car. Some sellers may not be that honest about any problems they have experienced with the car. Look carefully at the bodywork to discover any holes, dents or rust. Some rusted parts may have to be replaced in order for the car to be safe and work properly. If you do decide to buy this car then you have to be ready to be on the lookout for these parts and then ask the seller to subtract the cost from the selling price of the car. Don?t forget to look under the hood! Check that all electrical and mechanical parts are in good condition, after that take a look at the tires, glass and paint.
If the car looks in perfect or near perfect condition then ask the seller if you can take it out for a test drive. This way you will be able to note down any trouble areas if you come across any. Make sure that you check the clutch in manual cars and the accelerator in automatic cars. Also listen carefully for any unusual or strange noises. Check all of the buttons, air conditioner and radio to see if they are working fine. Test the car by driving in different situations, for example apply the brakes suddenly, change gears frequently, speed up a little, throughout all of this just watch how the car performs and reacts. When you?re inside the car check the seat-covers, rear-view mirrors and the glove compartment, although these are minor things it?s worthwhile checking their condition.
If the car has passed all of your tests so far, then it?s time to carefully study all of the paperwork that comes with the car. Its licence number, insurance details, and registration papers should be read in detail, make sure all of these are for the right car. If some of the documents are missing, then ask the seller to produce them before making a deal. Finally, you should decide how much you think the car is worth and make an offer.
As a final note all cars wear out as they get older; however certain makes and models react differently when they become old. It might be worth looking for advice for this specific used car so you can find out any common problems when the car gets older.…
If you are looking for a new family car, you might be wondering “what are the best used cars?” If you just started a used car dealership, you might be asking the same thing. After all, you want to stock your lot with vehicles people want to buy. So what are the best used cars? The answer isn’t as easy to get as you might think; we all have different wants and needs. For example, ask ten of your friends their favorite movies and you are likely to get different responses. The same will hold true for used cars.
While I cannot outright give you any names on the best used vehicles, I can give you some helpful tips on making the decisions yourself.
Buying a Used Car for Your Family
If you will be driving the vehicle in question, you need to like it the most. So right away, you want to focus on appearance. You don’t need to focus on color because most vehicles come in a wide range of different colors. What you should focus on is the mileage and design.
Since this vehicle is going to be a family car, you want to take your family into consideration. First, it is important to consider the size of your precious cargo. How many kids do you have? Do you have four kids? If so, your standard cars are automatically eliminated from the running. What you want to consider next is SUVs, minivans, station wagons, and crossovers. Then, there is the safety issue. All cars get safety ratings when first released, so do a little bit of research online to find the best rated in safety.
Then, focus on the money you want to spend. Are you on a budget? If so, write down exactly how much you have to spend on a used vehicle. It is recommended that you keep the cost of taxes and vehicle registration in mind too. Most car finding websites and desktop car finders let you search for vehicles based on price, do this to see what is within your budget.
Buying Used Vehicles for Your Dealership Lot
As a used car dealer, you might be familiar with the thousands of different vehicles that are out there. This can give you an advantage, but remember that you are only selling the vehicles; you aren’t buying them yourself. Put yourself in the place of a car buyer and find your best vehicle based on your wants and needs. However, some attention should be placed on your targeted market.
As you know, your targeted market is people in need of buying a used car. You are likely to greet people when they enter your dealership lot. Why not take the time to ask a few questions. What type of car are they looking for? What is their budget? Do they have any kids? Pretty soon you will be able to notice a common theme among many of your buyers. Then, keep your community in mind too. Say your lot is located near farm country; trucks might be in high demand. Say your lot is located near a town that has been putting a lot of focus on going green; hybrids and fuel efficient vehicles might be in high demand.
If you were to do a search online with the phrase “best used cars,” you might come across the J.D. Power and Associates Top-Rated Cars like I did. For the 2009 year, you will see the Hyundai Elantra, Nissan 350Z, Ford Mustang, Lexus IS 250, Lexus LS 460, Nissan Altima, Mercury Sable, and a few others. Remember though that even though these vehicles might the highest rated, it doesn’t mean that they are the best used cars for your wants and needs.…
I am sure your quest for car insurance for women has come to an end as you read this article. Yes, gone are those days when we have to search endlessly for car insurance for women information or other such information like rental car insurance, general electric auto insurance, auto insurance Sacramento, Quinn direct car insurance quote, car insurance U.K. or even cheap online car insurance UK. Even without articles such as this, with the Internet all you have to do is log on and use any of the search engines to find the car insurance for women information you need.
How car insurance for women Work
Looking for cheap car insurance is as easy as going on line in a search of quotes on insurance rates. Going on line will result in getting various quotes from numerous companies but don’t stop there.
You should know that there are certain assorted ways are related to finding lower car coverage and many of them are very convenient to implement. Methods like purchasing a low profile car, driving less or reducing your moving time are not feasible nowadays in daily life.
Many individuals nowadays dream of high-profile cars such as Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, Ferrari etc. Apart from this many individuals have to cover long-distance do their work and moreover fast moving is an essential part of today’s life.
Don’t get to intimidate by reading above situations and do not assume that you can’t get lower policy rate because we are giving you some tips which will help you to lower your insurance quote.
1. You can reduce chances of theft or damage to your car by parking it in the secure area like garage or some paid parking area because in this situation company will give you lower quotation.
2. If you have good driving record then companies will offer you good driver discounts.
BREATHER — As you pause on reading this article I hope it has so far provided you with insightful information related to car insurance for women. Even if it hasn’t so far, the remainder will, whether your interest is car insurance for women directly or other related angle such as group health insurance, insurance crash test, cheap car insurance quote UK, best price on car insurance, looking for cheap car insurance and online car insurance estimate.
Free Related Guideline About car insurance for women
3. If you have good credit report then it will equate with lower coverage rates. If you have a questionable credit rating then company will see you as a higher risk customer.
4. You can install some security devices in your car in order to get lower insurance rate.
5. If you can afford to pay higher deductible then you can lower your policy rates. This is an amount which you will be paying when an accident takes place.
6. If you own an older car look into dropping such things as collision and comprehensive insurance. It may not be cost effective if the value of your car is low.
7. Enquire about discounts and debates. Most of the companies generally offer various discounts to their customers look for them and see if you might qualify for them.
As detailed as this article is, don’t forget that you can find more information about car insurance for women or any such information from any of the search engines out there such as . Commit yourself to finding specific information therein about car insurance for women, and you will.
Many people that searched for car insurance for women also searched online for cheap car insurance for young women, monthly car insurance, and even a car cheapest driver insurance young.
LAST THOUGHTS — Lots of people who read this article agreed that it not only helped in their quest for car insurance for women information but also car insurance in Ireland, online life insurance, car insurance young, on line auto insurance quotes, cheap car insurance USA and other cheap car insurance Ireland related information.…
The process of finding the appropriate online auto auction deal can be both challenging and interesting. It is challenging and tasking in the sense that we have several companies on the internet today that are very far away from what they claim when it involves probity and accountability in online cars auction business, and that you have to cope with headaches that are associated with fishing out the company with the best package. It is definitely interesting and spine-tingling because of the ease with which you surf the internet at your leisure for the best deal and also the reduced cost involved, which can be very promising to your business.
Nevertheless, I think it is better to give the online auto auction a trial today as you may not find any better option elsewhere. In this type of auction system, the ball is completely left in your court at the mercy of your skills and discretion. One reason I will suggest an internet based auction deal for you is because of its direct, down to earth mode of transaction that you can always access at a mouse click. You also have freedom to make your choice as you can never be under any compulsion to bid for a product.
Another point to consider as you make up your mind for online auto auction is its liberal form. The buyers will have access to several auto products that are available and will be able to make the right choice without any distractions as you will take your time to ponder well on the available options in order to make it a reality. A cursory look into online auto auction predicts a better environment for prospective buyers unlike the offline, street auction that can be very monotonous if not properly moderated. Take it or not, internet auction can make an interesting adventure basically because of the dynamism of the internet technology in its unprecedented possibilities.
If you are a business person that is interested in auto auction business, I think you should start from online auto auction not only because of its other fringe benefits that may hidden from most people in the public as stated above; but because of the fact that you will spend less to achieve more. It is the mentality of the penny-wise, pound foolish that is always advised for business success. One vital issue that must not be discarded without giving it a second taught is the fact that you need to get hooked with the best online auto auction package before thinking about results. The advantages of the internet auction would not have been feasible without a friendly auction package offered by a legal company.
This implies that the most crucial step that must be rightly taken is finding the best online auto auction placement because it is your springboard to pocket friendly auction deals. I think you should take steps towards this. I challenge you to give auction business a trial that grows right away.…