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The Pontiac Gto: A Classic Muscle Car In Its Own Right

September 28, 2021

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.…

Government Car Auctions – Cheap Used Cars For Sale to the Public

September 17, 2021

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.…

The Expanding E85 Fleet Of General Motors

August 30, 2021

The E85 movement, which is based on an alternate fuel consisting of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, is getting an additional boost thanks to a recent decision by General Motors to expand its existing line up from 9 models to 14. This increase will mean that General Motors, which already has nearly 2 million E85 vehicles on the road, will be able to produce as many as 400,000 E85 vehicles per year. For proponents of alternate fuel sources, the decision by General Motors is certainly a welcome one. Let?s take a look at GM?s expanding E85 fleet and what this could mean for you, the fuel conscious motorist.

E85 has been around for well over a decade now, but has only recently has it been the focus of such widespread attention. Credit gas prices exceeding $3 per gallon for interest in E85 and you can see why General Motors is continuing to expand its line up to meet the demand for alternate fuel sources.

The Current Line Up

GM?s current fleet of E85 vehicles now numbers nine. GM?s Silverado, Tahoe, Impala, Monte Carlo, Avalanche, Sierra, Suburban, Yukon, and Yukon XL currently make up the entire fleet of E85 capable vehicles produced by the automaker. The bulk of GM?s E85 sales have come since 2000, however the automaker had been building E85 capable vehicles for many years prior to the turn of the millennium. DaimlerChrysler and Ford also build tens of thousands of E85 vehicles per year.

Expanding on the Theme

General Motors is planning to add five new models for 2007 including the Chevrolet Uplander, its crossover van offering. Other models have yet to be named, but they will likely include similar sized vehicles.

Shortages Persist/Limited Availability

While E85?s appeal remains strong, limited pump availability and fuel shortages have put a strain on the market. Most of the ethanol currently used is derived from corn a readily available food and fuel source in the U.S. However, refineries and pump availability is limited outside of the Midwest, making E85 totally unavailable in some areas. With GM?s help, new stations and increased capacity are coming online. Fortunately, if E85 is not available in a particular area, each vehicle can still run on straight gasoline.

Fuel Economy and Performance

Another area that must be acknowledged is overall fuel economy. While ethanol does produce a nice boost in overall performance, it does impact fuel mileage reducing it by 25-30% on some models. When E85 prices are 50 or 60 cents lower than gasoline, this is not a problem. However, with E85 demand being high, prices are only 5 or 10 cents lower in most areas. Certainly, consumers could find themselves paying even more overall for fuel by electing to go with E85 at various times.

A Cleaner Environment

Beyond price and fuel economy, there is one huge benefit to using E85: harmful pollutants are greatly reduced. With only a small percentage of gasoline consumed compared to straight gasoline or diesel fuel, greenhouse gas emissions drop significantly which is clearly better for the environment.

A Temporary Fix or a Wave to be Ridden?

Finally, E85 may be considered only a temporary fix especially if other forms of fuel efficient vehicles catch on. Hybrids remain an attractive alternative for some, biodiesel is growing in strength, and hydrogen powered cars are only a few years away. Still, E85 is more then a fad, but it does need some government intervention in order to succeed. Whether the federal government does intervene remains to be seen, but if consumer sentiment continues to rise, that may all become a moot point.…

Are Economy Cars Always Cheap To Own?

August 10, 2021

Are Cheap Cars Really Cheap To Own?
I know that the sticker price is very important to most auto shoppers. This is true if people are looking for a new or used vehicle. However, the actual price of the vehicle should just be one factor to consider. It may not really illustrate the cost of owning a vehicle very well at all!
Consider an obvious example. A lot of people are trying to sell their gas guzzlers for very cheap prices today. You may not pay much for the used vehicle, but with rising gas prices, keeping it fueled can be a larger expense than paying for the car. In addition, if you have not done your homework, you may take home a used car with some mechanical problems. Repair costs can eat into your budget too. All of a sudden, the bargain you picked up at the used car lot is not looking like a very good choice any longer.
Sometimes, paying more for the vehicle, and getting a car that is easy on fuel and does not need major repairs, ends up being a much more frugal choice. Before you purchase a vehicle it is a good idea to have it checked out, and to do some research on fuel economy.
I gave a used car as my first example. However, you can have the same problem if you are shopping for a brand new car from the dealer’s lot. The low end economy car may seem like a great deal. It may even have great gas mileage and a warranty that will save you from a lot of extra costs.
However, you also need to consider the cost of insuring your new car. If you look at a list of the least expensive cars to cover, you will find a lot of minivans, sturdy SUVs, and even some pickups on the list. The lowest priced, economy models may actually cost more to cover. If you have purchased an inexpensive car to control car payments, but then end up with an expensive insurance bill, you may not have really gotten such a good deal after all.
You might have paid $50 a month less for your compact car than you would have for the slightly larger SUV. But you may end up sinking that extra cash into insurance. You could have paid the same total amount of money, and ended up with a more expensive car.
Are Used Cars Always Cheaper?
If you want to buy a reliable used vehicle to save money, be sure it will really save you money in the long run. Some financing companies charge higher interest rates for used car purchases. The difference in interest rates can mean higher car payments in the end. You also have to check into how much money you might save by getting a new car with a good warranty.
Some new cars have advanced safety features which also make then less expensive to insure than used cars. If you want to estimate the cost an auto policy, you cannot always go by the vehicle sales price either!
What Is The Cost Of Car Ownership?
You have to consider the total cost of car ownership. This is not always possible to predict, but you can find out a lot about most makes and models. Look into estimated repair bills, warranty coverage, the cost of an auto policy, and available financing. These are important factors, and they can change the equation much more than the selling price of the car!…

Buy Cheap Used Cars

July 22, 2021

Don’t you wish that you can buy cheap used cars that look and feel nice on the road? Maybe even buy your dream car, nice and shiny, but at an insanely small price compared to its original price tag? Ah, dream no more because there is a way to get an amazing car at an amazing price. The way is Government Auction Cars! Let me tell you about that and how you can use these auctions to your advantage.
Now, don’t go out telling your friends and colleagues about this just yet. Firstly because dealers don’t like to publicly advertise these auctions since they’d get people hoarding up at the auction and leaving the car dealer’s day job empty and penniless. So don’t ask car dealers about these auctions for advice because their best interest is to keep it away from you. You can’t blame them really, right?
But check this out. You can get a nice new shiny car for only a few thousand dollars of the original price. That’s right, you can get some cars at a few hundred dollars too if they are older.
Listen to this advice if you want to get lucky with the car auctions: bring a trusted car expert that you know you can depend on. Why? Because you want someone who is more familiar with what a good, used car looks like. This is also because the government may not have seen a flaw in the car that you ought to be aware of, not just for your ease of mind and safety while driving that car, but also because of how you can bid less on the original asking price if the flaw is acknowledged.
Finally, make sure you figure out how you would want to pay for the car that you will bid on. Payment plans generally include making payments in cold cash, check, installments, or a combination of two. Do your best to get this important arrangement done clearly and completely before closing the deal.…

Does You Car Insurance Cover You For Work?

July 5, 2021

Most drivers will be aware of the different types of car insurance, but there is sometimes uncertainty over the description of what you are covered for when it comes to going to and from work. A common term in insurance is ‘domestic and pleasure.’ This means normal day-to-day driving, such as visiting family or friends, a weekend break, or shopping. But it is unlikely to include commuting to work. If you are using your car to go to and from work and your insurance policy only covers domestic and pleasure then you will be effectively driving uninsured, as the policy will not usually cover you for this purpose.
Although car insurance companies might each their own interpretation of what you can and can’t do under domestic and pleasure, it is unlikely that they will include commuting in this. Even an occasional work related trip is unlikely to be covered. The problem for drivers is that as soon as they use their car for any purpose other than what they are insured for, they are driving without insurance and therefore driving illegally.
The penalties for driving for reasons other than what you are covered for can involve a fine, court appearances, or worse. Therefore it is important that you read the small print on the policy you buy and understand exactly what the definitions of cover mean. Even dropping someone you know off at their place of work can be considered driving uninsured if you are not covered for it, so it is essential to make sure you are covered. If you are buying your car insurance through a comparison site online, then make sure you detail what type of insurance you need for your driving needs, and ensure that you give as much detail as possible.
Once you’ve been given a list of policies to choose from, go through each of them carefully and check that you have not missed anything that might leave you uncovered for the use you intend to make of your vehicle. Including ‘commuting’ on your car policy and explaining to the insurance company any other work related driving you might need to do will help them get the policy that’s right for you.
Commuting is commonly defined as driving to and from a permanent place of work, or travelling to a destination en route such as a railway station. It is important to check if your car insurance can include other types of driving such as one off business trips. You may be able to get cover for specific business use activities as well. Commonly you will need ‘business use: class 1’ for driving to different work sites that are not your permanent place of work, but it won’t usually include delivering goods. You are likely to need ‘business use: class 2’ to add another named driver to the policy for the same driving activities as class 1. If you plan to deliver light goods for work reasons then you will need to get ‘business use: class 3’ added to your car insurance policy.
With the different options available, and different definitions across the insurance companies, as well as a varying prices and conditions, it is worth using an online comparison site to get the car insurance that is right for your needs. The important thing is not to get caught out by driving uninsured for work related reasons. A comparison site should give you all the information you need to make an informed decision, and hopefully save you money in the process by enabling you to compare car insurance prices.…

Auto Collision Centers

April 29, 2021

Auto collision centers are just great. Did you recently get in a wreck? How about any of your friends? There are places that can help you. They can come and pick up your wreck the same day that it has been in a crash. If you are looking to repair your car they can consult with you how much it is going to cost with and without your insurance. Collision places are just great for working with you on everything you need.
They have towing services that are good to go 24 hours a day. They will even offer a free pick up and delivery. They honor all claims with your insurance and you will only have your car to win back. If you are looking to repair or paint your car they will discuss all details with you over the phone and after they see your car. They can do anywhere from junk cars to high end luxury vehicles. If you are worried about the color of your car being custom, they can do digital color matching to your car. You won’t have to worry about the paint being a slight different color even if it is custom. They have immaculate paint programs that can match even the most difficult color.
Services like these offer a life time warranty on their work. If there is something that doesn’t work or falls apart all of a sudden they will gladly fix it for you. You will not have to suffer just because someone’s work is unsatisfactory.
Companies like these are honest and reliable while giving you professional service. You will not have to worry about lazy work or these people taking advantage of you in such a vulnerable position. There is nothing they like to do more than help you fix all of your problems.
Reconstructive car surgeons can straighten your frame and reconstruct your car in no time so it will be looking brand new. You will be excited about your car again after you see what the possibilities are with your car. You can even rent a car through their services right on site. Some places are happy to help you with anything you need to ensure happiness upon arrival. They are professionals that understand what it is like to lose your most prized possession.
It is tough to get in a wreck. These companies understand your position and your feelings. They are trained and experienced and work to get the job done right the first time.…

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