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By admin, July 30, 2010 5:36 am

Whether you’re driving to work, to the store or hitting the road with your family, new types of smart in-car navigation systems can help make your next trip go a little smoother.

Smart navigation systems now help consumers get from point A to point B while also serving as hubs for favorite wired and wireless technologies. The 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show spotlighted a number of these new types of navigational systems-many of which included seamless integration of the hottest mobile technologies.

For instance, Pioneer’s newest intelligent in-car navigation system, the AVIC-Z1, lets people connect portable music devices, satellite radio and Bluetooth-enabled cell phones while simultaneously providing detailed navigation information.

Here’s a closer look:

Communicate

Bluetooth technology is growing in popularity because it offers the convenience of hands-free operation in the car. Pioneer’s new navigation system lets users sync their Bluetooth mobile phones and carry out cellular conversation through the speakers in the car. When calls are made or received, the music stops and the call can be answered or made through the touch-screen display.

One of the fastest multifeature Bluetooth mobile phones on the market is the Samsung t809. The fashionable, ultra-slim device features EDGE High-Speed Technology, as well as a host of multimedia capabilities. The phone packs an MP3 player with dual speakers, a video media player and a 1.3-megapixel camera and camcorder into a 3.3-ounce device. This phone (along with other Bluetooth-enabled cell phones) is highly compatible with Pioneer’s in-car navigation system.

Entertain

With more than 42 million sold, the Apple iPod continues to be one of the hottest items for ‘06. While car adapters make it possible for owners to listen to the device in their vehicles, they don’t always offer a high level of user control or audio quality. Pioneer’s navigation system can be combined with Pioneer’s iPod adapter to let users control an iPod through the seven-inch touch screen. The screen displays the same information as the device does, including artist name, song title and album. It also offers higher-quality sound.

Pioneer’s AVIC-Z1 also offers a complete entertainment experience in the form of CD and DVD playback with additional plug-in attachments for XM™ and Sirius™ Satellite Radio.

Learn

Unlike many of its competitors, Pioneer’s new navigation system offers dynamic route guidance and considers speed limits and street signs for the most efficient route to a destination.

An optional navigation traffic tuner provides up-to-the-minute traffic information and reroutes to avoid traffic incidents through XM’s NavTraffic service, with subscription required. The system also “learns” frequently traveled routes and can understand conversational commands through advanced voice recognition. That means getting to a destination can be as simple as saying “go to.…”

Enjoy The Ride

Analysts say these new types of all-in-one navigation systems may help change the way many people drive. The technology can help motorists stay on the right path to their destination, stay in touch with loved ones, and stay entertained on the road.

New types of in-car navigational systems now serve as hubs for favorite technologies, such as cell phones and MP3 players.

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By admin, July 23, 2010 5:36 am

Peugeot leasing is most utilized in the USA and all over Europe. Leasing and contract hire companies ensure the availability of vehicles for Peugeot contract hire. Car leasing and contract hire are new ways of driving a new car of top model and make without having to spend as much as when you buy new cars. The concept of Peugeot contract hire is the answer to many American’s and European’s demand for complete convenience and style of having a car ready for all their personal or business needs.

The advantages of car leasing and contract hire compared to automobile purchase are many. The top reason for most clients is the expense. When you lease or contract hire a car of any model and type, you get all the benefits and convenience while not having to pay for the high purchase price. For many businessmen on travel, Peugeot leasing lets them drive and travel an ever dependable Peugeot car without paying high monthly fees. Most leasing companies also do not require huge cash payouts which may be inconvenient and unaffordable for most. Also, many of those who prefer leasing and contract hiring to purchasing find it more reliable than having to maintain one’s own car.

Many Peugeot leasing companies offer very affordable and practical methods of payment for these elegant cars. The main goal is to provide clients and customers with the best performance, security and quality of driving a Peugeot without the huge responsibilities of owning one.

Peugeot is an established and world recognized French car brand that has proven their reliability over many decades. The Lion brand has become synonymous to what they have offered for centuries: luxury cars, economical cars with diesel engines, and environment compatibility.

Peugeot offers a very wide range of cars, including the Peugeot 308 and 407 series, which offer comfort with its space and elegant architectural interior design plus a low center of gravity and wide front chassis track for better road performance. The Peugeot 307 CC and the 308 CC are Coupe Cabriolets which offer sporty elegance in top-down designs and have proved popular Peugeot leasing deals. The 308 SW offers maximum space and reliability as one of the bigger Peugeot car in the range. Other unique cars in the Peugeot range are the Bipper Teppees, Partner Origin and Partner Teppees which are popular Peugeot contract hire options.

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By admin, July 16, 2010 5:36 am

Buying a new car is a big buying decision, and you want to be sure that you make the right choice.

First of all, you should make a list of what you need your vehicle to do be have. For example, when I bought my vehicle, my list included:

– 4 wheel drive
– towing capacity for a bass boat
– a nice stereo
– etc

Making that list will help keep you on track to choose a vehicle that meets your needs. Once you have your list made, you can pretty quickly narrow the options down to several vehicles that have the features you need, and that you like.

Now is where the work begins finding out which vehicle is most likely to give you the most reliable, safe use. Here are several important factors that you should check and consider.

Safety Ratings
Your dealer can probably provide you with safety data on the new cars you are looking at. Remember that there are multiple safety tests front collision, side collision, rollover, etc and you should take every test into consideration.

Reliability Ratings
If you go on MSN or other car websites, you can get reliability ratings on past year’s models based on customer feedback. While there will be variation between years, it should give you some idea of a model’s overall reliability.

User Feedback
If you know people who own the model you are considering buying, ask them for advice. They may not only be able to tell you if they are happy with the car, but give you information on which features are hot and which are not.

The bottom line is: the more data you can gather from different sources, the more likely you are to make the best buying decision. Your dealer is an excellent source of information, but it’s important to gather data from other, un-biased sources, as well.

Happy new car shopping!

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By admin, July 9, 2010 5:36 am

If your car battery has already served its purpose and now needs to be replaced, go ahead and do so. Buy a new battery and replace the old one. You surely would need a battery for you to go places with your car.

First off, you do buy the kind of battery that the auto maker who crafted and designed your vehicle recommends. It is easy to find the right battery for it is just like purchasing Volvo V40 car parts for your Volvo. If you do not know what this kind of battery is, try to check your car owners manual. Or if not, you can always run to auto experts like parts dealers and mechanics for additional information. Keep in mind, though, that for purposes of recycling, the old one must be exchanged with the new one you will buy. So if you would be doing the replacing yourself, you can just drop off the old one at a later time, after you have installed the new car battery.

Now it is time to open the hood and find where your battery is. Once you have found the old battery, disconnect the cables from the terminals of the battery. Keep in mind that you should find the negative cables first before you proceed to disconnecting the positive cables. Negative cables are colored black while the red ones are the positive cables. And when you have successfully done so, remove the frame that holds the battery in place and take the battery out.

Before you put in the new car battery, make sure that the cable terminals are clean. You can use a wire brush and some baking soda with water to clean them off if they are already dirty or are already corroded. Clean the battery terminal also. If they are already damaged and beyond using, now would be the right time to replace them.

When everything is already clean, you can now put the new battery in the frame. Then attach and connect the cables. This time, attach the positive cables first, and then proceed to the negative cables. And when you have done so, you can now test your battery if it has been connected properly. If everything has been properly installed, your engine should start easily.

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By admin, July 2, 2010 5:36 am

Buying a New Car: Its Time We Are as Vigilant as Ever

It seems as though everyone is out to get our money. Costs are skyrocketing and more and more products and services are out vying for our attention. Media is focusing its attention on “rear attacks” by directing its advertising on our children, our needs, our fears and emotions. Okay, well, that part’s not new, but it’s certainly more effective.

Brand recognition is critical for highly competitive retail items and customer service and reputation is the variable that either makes or breaks the deal.

So, why hasn’t any of this competition changed the way we buy cars?

Remember back in the 70’s? The good old days when buying a new car meant strolling down to the nearest cheesy car lot, getting battered by a slick, fast-talkin’ dude all decked out in his disco best.

How is it that, even though the attire and cheese-factor have changed, the slick, fast-talkin’ dudes still exist? And seem to be doing better than ever.

Today’s car dealerships boast increased customer support and service; touting special employees that are there to serve only you. They preach their employees are very customer-focused and are there to serve your every need.

But are they?

As consumers, we really have developed a false sense of security when it comes to car dealers and buying our cars. Surely things can’t be the way they were just a few decades ago. Companies that don’t adhere to the growing customer-is-always-right mantra are certainly companies that don’t last long.right?

Well, I’m here to say that the wolf has certainly stepped out of the disco-70’s garb.and is now wearing a clean white dress shirt, slacks and tie. Folks, the wolf is alive and well and is waiting for you to come fall victim to his fake loyalty to you.

How did they slip through the cracks? How did they manage to maintain their huge profitability through all of society’s demands for increased customer service? How is it that we still have to endure the experiences we do when we go to buy a car?

I’m here to say, the auto dealers have adapted quite well. No longer are they wolvesnow they are lions.

Our generation of car buyer has been given a false sense of security due to the internet. We think that simply by knowing what the internet says the dealer invoice is that we have some sense of power over them. Well, actually, all we know is what they supposedly paid for the vehicle. That doesn’t mean they are going to gnash their teeth and say, “Oh darn it, Frank and Betty Smith found out our hidden secret invoice amountnow we HAVE to sell it to them for that!”

Not at all, my friend.

Sure, the dealer is motivated to sell cars. If they don’t sell you a car, they don’t make any profit. But, if they don’t make and profit, they don’t sell you a car.

The myths surrounding the dealers still exist; the secrecy is what has kept them so profitable through the turn of the millennium.

Who monitors the car deals to make sure it was all handled fairly and you paid a fair profit for the car? Who watches out to make sure those people with bad credit are really put back on the right track to rebuilding their life with their auto loan?

It’s like putting the witch in charge of Hansel and Gretel’s health regimen; the “what’s in it for her” is much greater than the “what’s in it for them.”

The only people watching out for you when you are car buying is YOU. It is up to you to be vigilant and protect yourself, your credit, and your money. You can count on the lions stalking you when you call or go in to the lot. You can count on them wanting to still make more money off of you than you make in a month or two at your job. Count on it. And if you aren’t careful, it’ll come true.

It’s going to take more than the internet to protect you from these predators. You will need to look at buying a car in a whole new light. A new breed of car buyers needs to emerge to keep these dealers in check and not let them bully and trick us into handing over all of our hard earned cash and credit rating.

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By admin, June 25, 2010 5:36 am

Buying a new car is one of the largest purchases most people make in their lives. Therefore, it is worth taking care and making sure the deal you get is the best possible.

Financing

If you need to obtain credit to fund the purchase of the car, you should be aware that the financing offered by the dealer is often not the best deal you can get. If you shop around for loans you may get financing at a much better rate. You should compare the annal percentage rate (APR) as well as the length of the loan and the amount of monthly repayments. Always look at the total amount repayable and compare this to the price of the car to see the cost of the finance.

Sometimes, dealers will offer you a very good financing rate on specific models that qualify. It may not be possible to negotiate on the price of these models and you should check to see if this is cheaper than buying another model that can be negotiated.

Make sure you have a copy of the contract and before you leave the lot, evaluate whether the repayment terms in it are affordable. If the dealer asks you to buy credit insurance, you should add this into the price and see if the car is still attractive. You should also check your existing insurance policies as you may be covered already under another policy.

If you are considering a trade in, bring it up only after you have already negotiated the best possible price for the car you want. You should also research the value of your old car so that you know what it is worth. This information will help you see what the dealer is effectively offering you for your old car and if it is a fair price.

If you are considering a service contract you should be clear on what it offers. They have many exemptions and you will already have some cover from the manufacturers warranty which is included in the cost of the car. You should certainly ask the following questions:

What does it offer over and above the warranty?
What repairs are covered?
Is routine maintenance recovered?
Will they pay for parts, labor or both?
Who performs the work?
How long does the contract last and what are the cancellation and refund policies?

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By admin, June 18, 2010 5:36 am

The Peugeot 206 was created in the early 1990’s with the replacement of the preceding 205 model. Peugeot changed their model under the idea that super mini cars were no longer profitable, therefore a change was in order. The Peugeot 206 did not immediately follow the 205 as the Peugeot 106, 306 and 309 models to capture different levels of sales from prospective customers. The Peugeot 106 was rivaling the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo with the 306 and 309 models taking the mid and top end sales from the discontinuation of the 205. Because of this, many Peugeot enthusiasts believe the 206 should have been named the 207. The 206, although created early was not released until 1998.

The Peugeot moniker indicates that the 206 immediately followed the 205, but this is not true as other models were released before the 206. The eventual successor, the 207, was finally launched n 2006, but Peugeot recently announced that the 206 will stay in production until the year 2010. The 206 is the best selling Peugeot of all time but the end of the model in the upcoming years will end the ‘06′ generation of Peugeot cars in almost 20 years. The 206 was initially produced in France and England but production switched to Slovakia. The closure of the British plant matched with the closure of the Ryton plant, which Peugeot took over when Peugeot bought Chrysler’s European division in 1979.

The Peugeot 306 replaced the 309. The 306 is very similar to the Citroen ZX, which was released to the public two years before the 306 model. Both cars used the same structure and floorplan. The 205 was styled after the Pininfarina styling and has been a better seller. In the 1974 oil crisis, Citroen went bankrupt and Peugeot took over Citroen. This led to the similarities and identical cars produced by both manufacturers.

The 306 Phase 1 came to the market in March of 1993 as a 3 and 5 door hatchback with three different models being offered. The five door was more of a station wagon and was dubbed the “sw” for station wagon. Although not nearly as stylish as the 205, the 306 offered many practical uses in the vehicle. The sw estate model was not a hatchback station wagon, but a sedan with luxurious European styling to accompany the Peugeot racing spirit.

The engines used in the Peugeot cars were offered both in a gasoline and a diesel model. The gasoline engines were four cylinder units, which gained their outstanding reputation from being the power plant in the ever popular Peugeot 205 model. The idea for the Peugeot engines was to have a fair trade off between performance and excellent fuel economy. Three larger capacity engines were available but were restricted to automatic and performance models.

The diesel engines in Peugeot came with an excellent reputation and were largely available in turbo charged models. The original engine displacement for the diesel engines came in a 1.8 liter, but was soon upgraded to a 1.9 liter. The turbocharged Peugeot diesel became an excellent fitting engine to match the 306 as the performance matched similarly sized gasoline cars. The considerable extra weight was overcome by the turbocharged performance.

The Author writes articles on Peugeot Cars. More articles written by the author related to Peugeot Dealer, Peugeot 206 and Peugeot 207 which can be found in the web.

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By admin, June 11, 2010 5:36 am

Why do automobile manufactures release new models at all times of the year?

People shopping for cars today, face the same decisions they did in years past, 2-door or 4-door, car, truck, van, or SUV. The idea of buying versus leasing is now on the table once again. The idea of buying a car in the middle of 2007 and having to decide between a 2007 and a 2008 muddies the water. Some of these vehicles will be all-new models, others radically different, while still others with only slight alterations.

Manufacturers are using the release of the new 2008 products as more of a strategy than in years previous years. They realize they have the power to create targeted traffic at given points of the selling season with these new releases. They no longer have to share the same pie with every other automaker. The traditional introduction of the models in early October created to much competition between the manufacturers. All the automakers were introducing their new lineup at the same time and sharing the spotlight with all the other automakers. A model can be deemed a 2008 so long as it goes on sale after January 1st of the current year.

Consumers are split relatively evenly between the bargain of the left over model and the idea of having the latest and greatest. There is certainly a price to be paid for stepping up into a new 2008 model. Many consumers opt to pay more for the 2008 because the 2007 does not seem quite so new anymore. While the bargain hunters can save even more during the buzz of the newly released models.

This is a win-win for the dealerships. The manufacturers need to assist the dealers in moving out the 2007 products (heavier incentives) and the profits for the dealers can be significantly higher on the fresh 2008 products.

More and more new models for 2008 are being produced monthly.

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By admin, June 4, 2010 5:36 am

Months ago, in a related article, I covered five new or revised car models set to be launched on the North American market. The Jaguar XK, Saturn Sky, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Land Rover Freelander, and Dodge Nitro are already in showrooms or soon to make their appearance there. Beyond these five there are quite a number of other models also being planned and some have already been released. Lets take a look at five more models catching the attention of auto enthusiasts everywhere.

Nissan Versa Yes, Nissan has its own Scion fighter planned and just in time too as two other cars, the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, will also be making their debut in the fast crowding Generation Y category. The Versa looks more like a Toyota Matrix as opposed to the bread box looking Scion xB. Available as a four door sedan or five door hatchback, the car will come equipped not stripped and include an AM/FM/CD sound system, air conditioning, 6 speed manny tranny, and power mirrors as standard equipment. Best of all, the roomy Versa will be priced at about 12,000, right in Scion territory.

Saturn Aura Finally, General Motors is paying some serious attention to Saturn, its sometime division. Now that Oldsmobile is out of the way, GM appears ready to take a look at how best to position the Saturn brand. Thanks to GMs European division, Opel, Saturn looks as if it will benefit from a few new models and the Aura sedan is one of them. Powered by a 3.6L V6, the Aura is shapely, stylish, and much more inviting than its L Series predecessor which was also Opel inspired.

Dodge Caliber Dodges Neon replacement goes where no small Dodge has gone before it. The five door wagon/hatchback sits on beefy 19 inch wheels and incorporates the aggressive Dodge crosshairs grille so popular on all of its vehicles. Three engine choices including 1.8L, 2.0L, and 2.4L I4s set the vehicle apart from the crowd. Dodge will be marketing the car well beyond North America in DCXs quest to spread the Dodge brand worldwide. With a base price around 14,000 the Caliber will be competitive. Still, a Mexican built Scion like Hornet will likely become the entry level car within a few years as DCX prepares to take on Scion and the coming cheaply priced Chinese cars.

Volkswagen Minivan A yet to be named minivan will soon be marketed by Volkswagen. Not much has to be done by VW to prepare for the vehicles arrival as it will be a rebadged version of Chryslers successful minivans, the Caravan and Town & Country. Yes, VW is turning to its German competitor to fill a void in its line up. For its part, VW will be sharing technology with DCX in the form of the Scion like Dodge Hornet to be built in Mexico. The Hornet will be based on the VW Polo, another vehicle that may be imported to the US market.

Ford Edge The crossover market heats up with the introduction of the Ford Edge. Marketed between the Escape and Explorer, the Edge will be powered by a 3.5L V6 and be available as front wheel drive people mover or in all wheel drive. Lincoln gets a gussied up version of the Edge called the Aviator.

Other vehicles being introduced include full size trucks and SUVs for General Motors, the Saturn Sky convertible, a revamped Toyota Camry, and new offerings from Kia, Hyundai, and Honda.

The choices for consumers continues to broaden and model year 2007 will be no exception.

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By admin, May 28, 2010 5:36 am

Today, as gas prices are surpassing 3 per gallon, SUVs and minivans are not as practical to own.

So what’s a family to do?

Enter the 2006 Volkswagen Passat 3.6L, the midsize sedan that may forever change the attitude of owning a “grown-up” family car.

In its most powerful Passat to date, the 280-horsepower arrives soon to dealerships around the country. Although considered a family car, it does not sacrifice speed. The car continues to perform in the spirit of a true Autobahn-bred sedan by going from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds, aided by its narrow-angle, six-cylinder engine.

Buyers may not only fall in love with the way this car handles, but with its price tag as well.

At a time when most cars can’t leave a lot for less than 25,000, this all-new sedan starts at less than 23,000 with the standard 2.0T four-cylinder turbo engine.

As expected in a modern Volkswagen, the new Passat continues its pursuit to provide the most advanced technology available, while still offering uncompromising safety design and features.

The 2006 Passat includes eight airbags, front- and rear-side head protection, active front head restraints, adjustable headrests for all five occupants, and foot pedals that descend upon serious impact.

While its clean lines, sporty look and functional overall design are definite selling points, it’s what’s inside that counts.

Specifically, the new Passat 3.6L includes dual-zone automatic climate control, a standard eight-speaker sound system that is MP3-format compatible, premium sound with an in-dash six-disk CD changer, an optional DVD navigation system and several other features.

The new 2006 Passat is the sixth all-new generation of

Volkswagen’s midsize car line that traces its roots back to the Dasher and Quantum of the 1970s and 1980s.