Buying a car or truck as you already know is a big investment. For some of us who don’t own our own house, it is most likely our largest investment. So when we shop for that used car or truck it is natural that we we want to know about the vehicle we are getting. Has it been in an accident? Were there any major repairs done to the vehicle?

These are important questions. A used car dealer may know the history of the vehicle, but most of the time the cars and trucks that you see on a local car dealer lot come from auctions and your dealer will not know the history. At least half of the time you trade in your vehicle it will end up at a dealer auction. And MOST of the time you turn in your leased vehicle it will end up at auction. So how are we supposed to know what happened to this vehicle that we are eying? What am I getting into here?

The first thing to do is to go to either end of the car and squat down at the corner, such as by the tail light, and look straight down the body of the car, down the body line starting with the quarter panel, down the doors, and right up the fender. Notice the shine or reflections that you are getting off of the paint? That is where you want to start. Are there sections shinier or flatter than others? Does everything line up? Are there any ripples at all? It should look like a nice mirror reflection. If the surfaces of each panel look different, this could be an indication of poorly done body work.

Next, feel the paint all the way around the car. All of the painted surfaces should feel the same. Feel the bumpers and the hood. These are common spots to repaint. Are there any spots on the car that are a little rougher than another? If so, then you have good reason to be suspicious.

If a car has a pinstripe or graphic kit, look along the edge of it to see if a body shop painted part of a body panel. One trick a painter will use to save some work is to only paint part of a panel (if they can get away with it) and only repaint a small area that was most significantly affected by body work. If that is the case, the painter will probably do his masking right next to a pinstripe and try to paint either above it or below it. He will use the stripe line as a stopping point for his paintwork. Feel the edges of the stripe. Do you feel a sharp edge? It’s probably been repainted then.

Finally, always look for hints of over spray or an old color that give away an undisclosed paint job. This requires checking door jambs, under the hood, in the trunk and under the gas cap door. Putting in a little extra time while shopping for your vehicle can save you a lot of time and money down the road.

Best of all, buy a used car from someone you trust, be it a dealer or an individual. And never, ever jump at a deal that seems too good to be true. It almost always is.

Mike Briglia is the owner of Custom Auto Trim, an auto accessories company based out of San Diego CA. Find more information on car accessories at http://www.customautotrim.com/

Caravans are becoming an evermore popular buy for many families in the UK for the freedom they offer and the increased affordability of holidaying. Before you head to the dealership and buy the all singing, all dancing model however it may be worth considering used caravans as a more cost effective buy and in some respects a testing ground to ascertain whether the world of caravanning is really for you. There is however a wide variety of problems that can occur when buying used caravans; above all you need to take as much care with your purchase, as if you were buying a car or house.

Unfortunately some of the used caravans on the market today are of questionable quality. This is not normally the case at professional dealerships as they have standards to meet but private sellers can sell substandard used caravans. That is not to say that all private sellers are selling poor quality outfits, there are many out there who have loved and cared for their caravans and try to ensure its quality at the time of sale. Ultimately you must assess the seller to establish whether they are a caravanner that has cared for their outfit or simply someone trying to make a quick buck.

In addition, when looking at used caravans it is essential to check the maximum towing weight of the car you intend to tow the outfit with. Of prime importance is to tow safely and if your car is underpowered, you may have to reassess whether this is the right caravan for you. As well as the towing weight of your car you should check the tow bar of the used outfit carefully checking for any signs of rust or excessive wear. If the tow bar proves to be faulty it is advisable to walk away from the deal, the last thing you want is the outfit becoming detached while in transit.

Used caravans pose separate problems to new ones, of ultimate importance is to recognise any structural problems that may become apparent in years to come. When checking you should ensure that the caravan’s walls are glued together and not just stapled, the glue will help to keep the outfit watertight. As well as the walls it is advisable to check the fixtures and fittings like the cupboard and sink for structural stability and decent levels of support.

Most important when looking at used caravans is to check how well the outfit is sealed. Excessive moisture inside the caravan can be considered a death knell for an outfit leading to damp, rot and eventual structural instability. As part of your checks you must ensure that the sealing around the edges and corners is effective, you can do this by squeezing the panelling at sealed points to assess the adherence to both adjoining surfaces. As well as the walls it is fundamental that you check the sealant around the window frames, doors and the seals between the floor and walls. If you happen to find any water inside the outfit it is advisable to walk away, not only can damp be expensive to remedy but can also lead to the complete destruction of the caravan.

Finally it is important to check the chassis of any used caravans you may look at. Most caravanners will tell you that slipper springs are worth avoiding and instead you should look for shackle type fixings with shock absorbers. In addition it is also worth checking the tyres for wear, they fall under tread regulations and excessively bald tyres may be an added expense, although you may be able to receive a discount from the seller.

By following this advice you should be able to avoid the poor quality used caravans out there, finding yourself and outfit that will provide you with years of pleasure and enjoyment. Remember that purchase is not the final step; you must undertake regular maintenance to prolong its life. The perfect caravan is out there, by using these tips you should be able to find it.

Travel expert Thomas Pretty looks into what checks must be made when looking at used caravans. To find out more please visit http://www.homesteadcaravans.co.uk/

Vauxhall dealers have always had a range of cars on their forecourts that can be classified as budget vehicles. Unlike Mercedes and Bentley dealers, those affiliated to Vauxhall have chose to ignore the luxury car market and instead focus on the middling to low price range. With a heritage that has been built over the last one hundred and fifty years, and a car manufacturing history going back more than a century, Vauxhall have consistently aimed to put cheap cars on the forecourts of their dealers for all manner of customers.

The founder of Vauxhall Motors, Alex Wilson, originally started a company that manufactured engines and pumps. It was during the turn of the century that Mr Wilson decided to lend his hand and the efforts of his company to manufacturing cars for the general public. At this stage though there were not many dealers or forecourts, cars were distributed by other means until they became an affordable option for the masses.

Around twenty years forward from this inaugural production, Vauxhall made a deal with an American company that would change the way its dealers traded as well as the cars they had on their forecourts for generations. The car manufacturing giant of the USA, General Motors bought out Vauxhall, at the time gaining control over the British company for the princely sum of two and a half million dollars, the deal included ownership of everything, factories, development, dealers, the lot. Unfortunately for Vauxhall this meant that for years the cars that they would produce would be heavily influenced by the designs of their American owners. While this has changed in recent years, for much of the twentieth century Vauxhall were forced to produce cars that resembled their American cousins.

After the war period when Vauxhall factories manufactured the Churchill tank to help the war effort, Vauxhall entered into a rivalry with Ford that survives to this day to capture the budget car market. Part of this rivalry manifested itself during the late sixties and early seventies when the two Vauxhall models of the time, the Viva and Victor were set up to directly compete with the corresponding Ford models the Cortina and Corsair. Even though the Viva was extremely popular with dealers and customers the Cortina proved to be a far more popular car with the British motoring public. While the rivalry with Ford was well established, also during this period British Leyland proved to be considerably impressive in attracting custom in the UK.

Dealers affiliated to a variety of companies experienced a great time during the mid seventies. Vauxhall put forward the Chevette as their most affordable model, a small three door hatchback that was the beginning of the small family car trend. As well as the Chevette, the Cavalier was produced as a larger saloon car to capture the prestige market. However, Vauxhall were still chasing Ford who had a variety of models that were extremely popular. Of these models the sporty Capri captured the imagination of young professionals while the Cortina was still proving to be popular with the motoring fraternity.

The eighties were somewhat of a watershed for Vauxhall with some seminal models rolling onto the forecourts of dealers. The most important of these models was the Astra, another small family car that is still produced today although after undergoing some radical design changes. Despite the popularity of the Astra it was still trailing in terms of sales to Ford’s Escort, by far the most popular car in the UK during the late eighties and early nineties.

Today Vauxhall have built on past successes and are now regarded to be the most popular car manufacturer in the UK. With a variety of models ranging from small family cars, to large saloon and even MPVs they cover a number of markets. As the motoring industry becomes increasingly cutthroat however Vauxhall will have to research and develop new models at pace to ensure they stay ahead of the competition.

Motoring expert Thomas Pretty investigates the variety of cars that have graced the forecourts of Vauxhall dealers throughout the latter twentieth century. To find out more please visit http://www.dickensgroup.com/vauxhall.cfm

These days, more and more people are getting concerned about the environment, and the harmful affects that their vehicle can pose. Unfortunately, not everyone can run out and buy a new hybrid or other environmentally friendly car. But, with proper maintenance of your vehicle, you too can have a car or truck that is much more friendly to the environment.

Having your vehicle properly maintained by a certified mechanic can go a long way in helping to ensure that your vehicle remains as environmentally friendly as possible. A certified mechanic can perform regular tune ups which will not only keep your vehicle running in tip top shape, but will also help to keep it at peak performance which can make it a more environmentally sound car.

A vehicle that is well tuned will use less gasoline and emit less toxic pollutions, which of course goes a long way in helping the environment. With gas prices being what they are these days, everyone is looking to get the most mileage they can from a tank of gas, and having your vehicle running at it’s optimum performance will help to increase your gas mileage. Additionally, when your vehicle is running properly, is reduces the amount of emissions that your vehicle puts out, which helps to reduce the level of harmful pollutants in the air.

While some people will try and save a few dollars by doing their own tune ups on their vehicles, it is certainly best to take your vehicle to a certified mechanic instead to have the work performed. A certified mechanic can better understand the workings of your vehicle, and may take care of tuning up certain things that the average person may miss when working on your car. With many of the modern advances that have been made in the automotive industry, there are many machines that a certified mechanic can hook your vehicle up to that will help to catch any problems your car may have that you would otherwise not know about.

Furthermore, a mechanic will have the means to properly discard of car parts and car fluids that can be harmful to the environment, that the average citizen does not have access to. Items such as engine parts and tires can be disposed of in the best possible way so that they may be recycled and not end up in a landfill. Fluids from your car such as anti-freeze or used motor oil can be disposed of to the correct facilities, so that they do not end up being dumped on the ground to pollute ground water or harm wildlife.

If you want to make your car more environmentally friendly, make an appointment with your local certified mechanic today to receive a full tune up on your car. This is the best option for ensuring that your car remains running at it’s peak performance, so that it poses less of a threat to the environment.

We have been in business 20 years, 12 years at this facility. We are honest and recommend only the work that needs to be done. We have an outstanding reputation for helping customers prioritize repair needs. For more information go to http://www.automotiveconnectionct.com

Almost anyone who drives knows what roadside assistance is. For those who don’t, it is assistance given to the driver in the case that he or she runs out of gas, blows a tire, breaks down, or is locked out of their car. The service will provide a specified amount of gas that should get the individual to the next gas station, will put on the spare tire if the tire blows, will provide towing for a specified distance if the car breaks down, and will provide locksmith service if the keys are locked in the car. In other words, having roadside assistance means it is difficult to get stranded when away from home.

The above scenarios certainly reveal how important it is that a person has roadside assistance. It is easy for someone to say that they never run out of gas, that they don’t believe their tire will go flat, or they never lock their keys in their car. There are even some individuals so claim that their car is a good car and will never break down. The truth is that these things happen to anyone and everyone. It isn’t a measure of intelligence or how careful an individual is. Everyone who drives has or will experience all of these things at one point and, in a world that is becoming increasingly dangerous, it is important to have roadside assistance that can cover you all through the day and all night long.

Who should have 24/7 roadside assistance

Those who frequently travel are the perfect candidates for around the clock roadside assistance. A roadside assistance service that doesn’t provide coverage 24 hours each day could definitely put an individual in a pickle. For example: A person is traveling after 9:00 p.m. and they have a tire blowout on the highway. They take out their cellular phone to call their roadside assistance service to find that their hours are between 9:00 a.m. ad 9:00 p.m.

This person is now stuck and their only choice is to pay someone a lot of money to come put on their spare or start walking. It is dangerous to wait for a good Samaritan to come along the way and volunteer to put on the spare tire. It is also too dangerous to walk. Had this person had a roadside assistance service that was an around the clock service, this would not be a problem.

Then there are those who travel frequently overnight. A service that is not around the clock isn’t going to benefit them at all. Actually, it would be pointless to have. If something happened in the middle of the night, they would have to call someone else who would charge them even more for overnight service or they would have to do something dangerous such as sleep in the car or start walking to find help or a hotel.

So when asking the question of who should have around the clock roadside assistance, it is fair to say that anyone who is need of roadside assistance should go for a service that will help them any time of the day or night. We cannot predict when we are going to be driving. A person may have to leave their home in the middle of the night and end up locking themselves out of their car.

It is easier and cheaper to receive locksmith assistance from the roadside assistance company than it is to call a locksmith in the middle of the night on your own and spend $30 or more dollars. Roadside assistance is more convenient and it is cheaper. There is also no question as to why an around the clock auto club roadside assistance is the way to go.

Auto club offering emergency road services to the areas of North and East Ontario. http://caaneo.ca/

The Toyota Prius was the first hybrid to be prepared for mass marketing in 1997, and so when looking at hybrid cars, it’s always a good idea to look at those who did it first. Granted, while ever single manufacturer is trying to add a hybrid to their line-up, you’ll want to do the actual research yourself. While thinking about getting a Toyota, here is something to think about while you’re wondering about that last piece of Chicken:

1. Toyota Prius – Other than being the butt of Jeff Dunham jokes, this particular vehicle has a starting price of around $21,000 and happens to be one of the most widely known and acclaimed hybrids out in the market now. While the first models of the Prius had a few major kinks to iron out, the vehicle has succeeded and is now moving forward in recognition. The only problem is that the Prius may be able to seat 5, but it is an extremely tight space if not done correctly. The Prius is also incredibly light, so while it would be a great vehicle for driving, it has very little clout as helpful. The actual fuel tank’s capacity is around 11.9 gallons, which is fairly decent, and the actual car itself weighs almost three tons. As for actual miles per gallon ratings, the Prius is able to get a combined rating that is around 46 mpg. That makes this particular vehicle one of the top and most fuel-efficient hybrids on the market.

2. Toyota Camry – While the Camry is substantially cheaper than the Prius, starting at only $18,720, the vehicle has merit on its own. The car is only 200 pounds heavier than its typical counterpart and is also hardly able to fit the five people that are supposedly in the seating capacity. The mpg ratings for the vehicle are 33 mpg in the city and 34 mpg in the highway, better than many other hybrids on the road, especially the Toyota Highlander. The fuel tank also has an incredible capacity, and that certainly makes this car much easier to deal with. The drawbacks on this particular vehicle include a 4 foot reduction in storage space from the typical gas-powered Camry. As for the weight, the Camry is around 3,680 pounds, and that is only 200 lbs over the gas-powered Camry, which isn’t at all normal.

3. Toyota Highlander – So, the Highlander is an SUV hybrid by Toyota that starts at a jaw-dropping price of $27,300. The car can easily fit up to five people, and possibly more in the vehicle. The towing capacity is pretty hefty, and there is plenty of space to hold luggage, but it’s not nearly as strong as perhaps the conventional Highlander. The fuel tank is smaller than the conventional, and the fuel-efficiency is only 9 mpg over its conventional counterpart, which isn’t really as much as it nearly could be.

And now you’ve had a chance to look at the three major Toyota hybrids that are on the market as it is, but it’s always up to you, the consumer, to pick the best one for you.

Thomas provides information about hybrid cars and alternative fuel technology. You can learn more about hybrid cars at http://www.hybridcarchat.com and discuss hybrid topics in the forum.