Sports Car Styling Tips

Are you planning to improve the aesthetic appearance of your car? Want to get that sporty and sleek look? Then here are some pointers that will help you dress up your car.

What products to choose from

When deciding what kind of setup you will do to your car, you should first keep in mind that there are a multitude of products being sold out there which claim superior performance and economical. But the reality is there are some good ones and and many of bad ones. Be picky when looking for car accessories and remember it is not a bad idea to look at the established brands before considering untested brands.

The wheels

One of the initial things that a car enthusiast does when dressing up a car is to replace the existing wheels with custom made ones. But this is not just for looks since performance wheels and tires also enhance a car’s handling and performance. Choosing between tall wheels and short ones will be the next step. Bigger wheels get noticed more and increase the look of a car dramatically. Smaller wheels on the other hand have that vintage or retro look.

Stickers Galore

Applying sticker designs on the car hood or the other parts of the car body is one of the cheapest ways to alter and customize your car. Sticker designs range from popular performance parts logos of manufacturers as well as those designed for rally and indy races. If you are capable of making your own stickers, it is important to get permission for copying a design as it may be copyrighted. If you are planning to put stickers on the hood, choose the kind that will not be damaged by the heat of the engine. Metallic foil stickers are ideal for use on car hoods.

Lowering kits

Lowering your car means making your car more stable in turns aside from giving it an aggressive and sporty look. Cars are not the only ones that have lowering kits, so if you have a pickup truck, chances are, there is a lowering kit made for your vehicle. Although having a lower ride means improved handling, the trade off is poor ride quality since the car springs are stiffer and shorter.

These are some of the things that you can do to improve the look and stance of your car. Your car is a represents you so naturally you want it to look appealing. Of course, having a good looking car also means spending thousands of dollars. If this is your passion, then paying extra will not be a problem with you.

Types of Motorcycles to Choose From

With so many different models of motorcycles to choose from, it can be quite confusing if you don’t know what you are looking for. Each motorcycle is classified by a particular type. This helps clarify what you will be getting with a particular model that falls under that particular category.

The most common type of motorcycle is the cruiser. These are very easy to handle and long lasting motorcycle models. This category also offers the consumer the most choice when it comes to style and design. The basic design of a cruiser features a standard seat, basic handle bars, and comfort. They are designed for easy turning as well as excellent handling even at top speeds. One draw back of cruisers is that they tend to be on the heavy side compared to other types of motorcycles.

Most custom motorcycles also fall under the category of a cruiser because of some of the design features and what the use they are designed for. Radically modified custom motorcycles referred to as choppers are also a type of cruiser bike. Another popular type of cruiser is the tour bike. This is designed for comfort at they are used for cross country trips and other long travels that you will want to be comfortable for.

Sport bikes are defined by their speed. If you are looking more for sheer power than for comfort, this is the category of bike for you. This type of bike generally isn’t recommended for long rides as they are designed for racing. Most sport bikes feature a sturdy suspension, and they are very light. They offer the operator the ability to make tight turns at neck breaking speeds.

A great combination option is the dual-sport style of motorcycle. This type of model features large tires and it can be ridden on any street or off road surface with ease. This is a great feature for someone who enjoys riding their motorcycle for commuting purposes as well as enjoys the off road excitement.

Many foreign sport bikes are referred to as Crotch Rockets. This is because the design of them requires the individual to lean forward towards the handle bars while riding. While many owners of these bikes find the position to be very comfortable so individuals find that it is uncomfortable compared to the position on a cruiser.

Off Road motorcycles are enjoyed by individuals of all ages as you don’t have to have a motorcycle license to legally ride one. They are illegal to ride on streets though. These types of bikes are often used for climbing dirt hills or racing around dirt tracks. They are commonly called dirty bikes by those who ride them. These types of motorcycles don’t feature headlights or turn signals.

Deciding which category of motorcycle you wish to purchase is only the beginning of the selection process. You will also need to determine the amount of money you wish to spend on a motorcycle, then compare the various models in that category that fit your price range. Take your time and try out several different models as well as brands of motorcycles. This will help you determine which ones feel the best to you. Once you have narrowed down your selection, take each for a test run to help you make a final decision.

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How to Find New Motor Homes for Sale

Are you looking to buy a motor home? If you are, you will need to decide whether you would like to buy a new motor home or a used one. While many people prefer buying used motor homes, as they are often more affordable, you may already have your heart set on buying a new one.

If you would like to buy a new motor home for yourself, do you know where you can look? Unfortunately, when it comes to buying a new motor home, not all hopefully motor home owners realize just how many options they have. While you may not realize it at the time, not knowing all of your options, when it comes to buying a new motor home, can be a costly mistake. If you would like to take the time to familiarize yourself with all of your options, you will want to continue reading on.

One of the best places to buy a new motor home from is a motor home dealership. Motor home dealerships are dealerships that tend to have a focus solely on motor homes. What is nice about shopping for a for sale motor home t a motor home dealership is that you will have a number of different motor homes to choose from. Many motor home dealerships can also set you up with financing, if you will need it.

In addition to visiting motor home dealerships, you may also want to think about stopping by some of your local car dealerships. While car dealerships often have a focus on traditional vehicles, like cars, trucks, vans, or SUVs, you may also be able to find a number of new motor homes for sale. One of the best times to come across new motor homes for sale at car dealerships is in the springtime.

If you would like to try and buy a new motor home from a motor home dealership or a car dealership, you may have the best luck just stopping by a local dealership. If you are unable to find what you are looking for locally, like in the town that you live in, you may want to think about using the internet. Online business directories and an online standard internet search may be able to help you find and familiarize yourself with motor home dealerships and car dealerships that may have a large selection of motor homes for sale.

Speaking of using the internet, you can also use the internet to help you find new motor homes for sale. As it was previously stated, many motor home dealerships have online websites. These online websites will not only give you directions to the dealership in question, but they may also allow you to examine the on hand inventory of for sale motor homes. This is nice if you would have to travel a long distance to find the closest motor home dealership.

Another one of the many ways that you can go about finding new motor homes for sale is by attending motor home showcases, which are also commonly referred to as motor home conventions. These types of conventions are often large in size. They typically involve the showing of for sale motor homes from multiple motor home dealers, often from all across the state. Many motor home showcases or motor home conventions are held in large public place, like in state fair ground buildings. You should be able to learn about motor home showcases or motor home conventions by regularly examining your local newspapers or by watching your local television channel commercials.

As outlined above, there are a number of different ways that you can go about finding and buying new motor homes for sale. As a reminder, you will want to make sure that you don’t buy a new motor home on an impulse. Motor homes are expensive; therefore, they can actually be considered an investment. As with all other investments, you will want to make sure that you spend your money wisely.

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Basic Tips in Sports Car Racing

Sports car racing strategy is typical of other car racing techniques. Below are seven fundamental steps to keep in mind when joining a car race:

Engine Start ?prepare the engine by lifting the start switch latch that is usually located at the driver’s side. The engine should be in operation once the announcer has started the countdown. Lightly step on the accelerator and feel the engine running. Another way of making sure that the engine is ready is by looking at the tachometer – it changes and moves from zero once the switch has been started.

Throttle ?racing a sports car means 750 to 850 horsepower. Imagine the feeling behind that little wheel; it’s the breathtaking feel of total power. The secret for continuous power is for the car to have enough gas to rev up the whole machine. Fishtailing could be one of the problems when racing and to keep this from happening use a little effort to control the accelerator.

Engine Transmission ?an automatic transmission sports car allows the system to automatically set the clutch. This is for amateur sports car racers so that they do not have to change gears manually. The sports car will be smart enough to operate the transmission for the driver. The traditional H symbol is used for manual transmission sports car.

Walls ?during the race, it is unavoidable to bump the sidewalls. This is not a cause for alarm. The sports car driver just has to shift the gear into reverse to move away from the wall. Sooner or later the car should be back on track.

Comfy on the Track ?always stay beneath the white line of the lane while at 100 miles per hour. This is so the driver can keep the other cars from turning into the back end of the sports car. Once the speed of other cars is met, tag along back on the track.

Presence of Mind ?stay focused and keep both hands on the steering wheel. Steer the wheel at a slow but sure pace, do not exaggerate the turn.

Halt during Emergency ?part of keeping focused is always remembering that there is an emergency button in every sports car when there is a need to stop. It is situated in the center of the dash and is used when the car needs a motion stop. This button immediately stops the car stimulator.

Bear in mind that even in this situation, the sports car can still be driven until the end of the race. Be alert and try mastering the race track if time permits, but always think of safety.

Cleofi-Krista P. Capili
MAS Consultant Support Specialist
AOL Member Services, PI

How to Get the Discount Out of a Discount Car Rental

Discount car rentals are so hard to come by, and in recent times, discount car rentals simply mean you pay less for something less, and lets face it, sometimes when you pay less for a car rental, you end up with something that looks more like a farmer’s truck than a car. It’s hard to come up with a budget friendly rental, so how do you get a discount car rental these days? Well here are a few tips to boost the value of your money, car rental wise.

1.A good way to essentially, get a discount car rental is to, once you return the car, fill the tank with the cheapest no-name gas you could find, not for revenge or anything, but because car rental companies, require customers to fill the gas tank before returning it, and it you don’t they’ll fill it for you with the company pump but at a higher price, now we don’t want that, so be sure to fill your tank before you return the car.

2.To get the discount off of discount car rental, make early reservations, some car rental companies give discounts or free upgrades for customers who reserve their cars early.

3.When you’re planning to use your rental car for more than five days, or longer, ask the rental car company if you can get discount car rentals for a weekly rate, most companies offer discounts for the sixth and seventh day for weekly rentals.

4.Ask your travel agency if you could get discount car rentals if you acquire packages like fly-stay-drive or fly-drive. Most travel agencies as well as hotels offer these programs at a discounted price, what’s good about this is that you get a discount and you shoot two to three birds with one stone.

5.When you go to a car rental company, ask them if you could get a discount car rental in exchange for your frequent flyer miles, this is good for those miles that are about to expire, so instead of throwing them away you’d get one last use for them.

6.One way to get a discount car rental or maybe just the best deal for your money is to look for sites or rental car firms that accepts a pre-determined budget. This is when you indicate the money you’re willing to spend for the car rental, most rental car companies will give you the program that has the biggest discount car rental and the best deal for you, of course it pays to know if the company has a history of fraud, in this day and age, you can’t really trust people that much with your money, check out the car before you reserve.

7.Ask the rental company for discount car rentals when you frequently rent a car at their firm, they’re most likely to give discounts or free upgrades if you always rent with them.

8.Get discount car rentals by reserving your car through the internet. Most rental firms have internet only discounts that can save you a lot of money, look up the rental firm that has the greatest discount for the same value.

9.To get a discount car rental upgrade, try going to pick up your car just as the shop is opening, there’ll be a shortage in the economy cars, and you’ll probably get a free upgrade when they can’t give you the car you reserved.

How and Why You Should First Research Motor Homes Online

Are you interested in buying a motor home? If you would like to explore the country or just have a motor home to camp in, you may be in the market a new motor home. If you are looking to buy a motor home, you are urged to avoid making one of the most common motor home buying mistakes. That common mistake involves going into the situation uneducated. Instead, you should take the time to research motor homes, before you decide to go right out and buy one.

As nice as it is to hear that you should take the time to research motor homes before you go about buying one, you may be wondering exactly why that is. What you need to remember is that motor homes are just like cars; they are sold in all different conditions. Just because a motor home looks nice or looks like it is new, it doesn’t mean that it runs nicely or runs like it is new. You will want to spend your money on a motor home wisely. By taking the time to first research motor homes online, you may be able to prevent yourself from wasting your money on a motor home that doesn’t last long or one that is considered a poor investment.

Another one of the many reasons why you should take the time to research motor homes before you decide to buy one is because that research is easy to do online. When you use the internet, you have an unlimited number of motor home research tools right at your fingertips. A few of the research approaches that you may want to take are outlined below for your convenience.

One of the easiest ways that you can go about researching motor homes for sale is by performing a standard internet search. If you have already found a motor home that you would like to buy, you will want to perform your standard internet search with the make, model, and the year of the motor home in question. Your standard internet search will likely lead you to online websites where that exact motor home is being discussed, often by other owners. You will want to read any information given to you and you will want to be on the look for any motor home owners that have a number of complaints about their motor homes, namely the one or ones that you are interested in buying.

You can also use the internet to find information on Kelley Blue Books that are designed for motor homes. You may even be able to find an online version to read through. If you are unable to find an online version of a value guide for motor homes, you should be able to order one online. These recourses are important ones; therefore, you will either want to examine them online or buy printed copies. By having the estimated value of motor homes at your fingertips, you can prevent yourself from spending too much money on a new or even a used motor home.

There are also a number of consumer reporting websites that you may want to think about visiting. These websites can often be found by searching with a phrase like “motor home consumer reports.” What you will want to do is try and see if any of the motor homes that you are interested in buying have been recalled in the past for needed repair or updates. Although recalls are becoming common in the auto industry, you will want to try and find a motor home that has not been recalled or at least one that was properly fixed. If you know the make and the model of the motor home in question, you may want to perform a standard internet search with that information, as well as add the word “recall,” in your search box as well.

Even if you have yet to start shopping for motor homes, you can still use the internet to find and research motor homes that come highly rated and recommended. In short, the internet is a nice, easy, and convenient way to go about researching motor homes that you may be interested in buying. In fact, the internet can also help you find motor homes for sale. If you do not have internet access at your home, you may want to think about visiting your local library.

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Should You Buy a Motor Home From An Auction?

Are you interested in buying a motor home? If you are, you will find that you have a number of different options, when it comes to buying one. For example, you can buy a motor home from a motor home dealer, from a motor home showcase or a motor home convention, directly from a motor home owner, or from a motor home auction. If you are like many other hopeful motor home owners, the prospect of buying a motor home from a motor home auction may be of interest to you.

Although it is more than possible for you to buy a motor home from a motor home auction or even just an automobile auction, you may be wondering whether or not you should do so. To determine if motor home auctions or automobile auctions are a great way for you to find and buy affordable motor homes, you will want to examine the advantages and disadvantages of motor home auctions. A few of the many motor home auction advantages and disadvantages, namely the ones that many influence your decision, are outlined below for your convenience.

Perhaps, the biggest advantage to buying a motor home from a motor home auction or an automobile auction is the prices. Auto auctions are well known for their affordable prices. That is one of the reasons why they are so popular. Many auction houses or auction companies start an auction out at a set price, often the lowest price that they are willing to accept, and then bidders can bid on the items that they want, until the auction ends. This system is often what results in low priced motor homes being found available for sale at motor home auctions or automobile auctions.

Another one of the advantages to buying a motor home at a motor home auction or an automobile auction is that you never really know what you will come across. Most motor home auction companies or auction houses receive their products from motor home owners who are participating in consignment programs. It is also common for a used car dealership to auction off any motor homes or other vehicles that they may have received as trade ins. The inventory of motor homes at a motor home auction or an automobile auction change each time that an auction is held. For many individuals, this is what makes buying a motor home from a motor home auction so fun.

Although not knowing what you may find for sale at a motor home auction is nice, you may also find that it gives you a disadvantage. Many hopeful motor home owners have a dream of what they would like their motor homes to be like. Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult for motor home owners to find what they are looking for in a motor home at a motor home or an automobile auction. With that in mind, however, the more auto auctions that you attend, the more likely you are to find a motor home that suits your wants and your needs.

Another disadvantage to buying a motor home from a motor home auction or an automobile auction is that you never really know what you are getting. Yes, some motor home or automobile auction companies or houses give you the opportunity to inspect their motor homes before bidding begins, not all do. If you are unable to inspect a motor home before bidding on it at an auto auction, you will want to proceed with caution. You will want to make sure that you don’t bid too high, as you won’t know at the time how much more money you will have to invest in updates or other needed repairs.

In short, the decision as to whether you want to buy a motor home from a motor home auction or an automobile auction is yours to make, but it is important to remember that you are taking a gamble. Whether that gamble will cost you money or payoff will be a risk that you will have to take.

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Children and Motorcycles

Many children grow up in families where motorcycles are a part of life. I can remember my husband taking our boys for rides as soon as they were old enough to walk. This was scary for me as I don’t have a great deal of motorcycle riding experience. However, my husband has been on them since he was a toddler so it was just a natural process for him.

Most children love riding on motorcycles, but the issue is very controversial. I am an overprotective mom, so it is hard for me too. However, all of my children love riding on them and I trust my husband to have their best interest in hand all the time. I really hate it when my children are on the highway because I know accidents can happen so quickly. We do make sure they were long sleeved shirts and pants. They also have helmets to wear that fit them properly.

They make motorcycles for children to ride on their own by the time they are four or five years of age. My children all learned how to operate one as soon as they were able to ride a regular bike without training wheels. Of course the motorcycle, called a 50, is very low to the ground and doesn’t go very fast. When I look back at it now, I think it was very good practice for them to learn about operating vehicles.

This is not to say that everything went smooth! My oldest son crashed his motorcycle into a fence when he was seven as he lost control. I think me tried to stop but panicked and pushed the gas more. My other son loved to go as fast as he could, so we were hesitant to move him up to a larger bike because with the size came more power. Children should never be left to ride a motorcycle without the proper safety equipment and without parental supervision.

Since children can’t legally ride their motorcycle on the street, they have to ride them on dirk trails or motorcycle trails. Make sure the type of motorcycle you purchase for them is designed for such rough terrain. You should also consider purchasing them a helmet that has a full face cover. It is common for children to crash their motorcycle, and hitting their chin or mouth on the handle bars is also common.

If your child is a rider on a motorcycle with another adult, make sure that adult has a license to operate a motorcycle. Smaller children can ride on the front of the motorcycle but they are encouraged to ride on the back. Make sure they always wear a helmet even for a short ride. Children are allowed to ride on a motorcycle on major highways, but this is a personal decision for the parent. I will tell you it is not one I am comfortable with for my own children.

Never allow your children to operate a motorcycle with another child on the bike. This can lead to the child trying to show off and for accidents to happen. It also shifts the weight of the bike when you add an extra person, and the child operating the motorcycle may not be able to handle the extra weight.

While operating or riding on a motorcycle can be dangerous for a child, it can also be a great deal of fun. They will have fond memories of it as well. Parents have a responsibility to keep their children safe while operating a motorcycle. Don’t share helmets among your children as they won’t fit each of them properly.

Many children enjoy operating a motorcycle, and parents will find that it can help them become more responsible. They also learn valuable skills about operating vehicles and safety at a very early age. Children who wear safety equipment as a child will continue to do so as an adult. They also develop skills to make them safer drivers so that when they are old enough to operate a motorcycle on the street, they have plenty of experience.

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Sports Cars: Getting Started on Your Need for Speed

If high acceleration, top speed, and appearance are what you want in a vehicle, then a sports car is probably what you’re looking for.

Sports cars are a $4.5 billion industry with about 55,000 units sold annually.

Sports cars are built as performance vehicles ?meaning they are to be pushed in ways regular cars can’t. For example, acceleration is often no more than 5 seconds to go from 0 to 100 mph.

As it is more difficult to maneuver a speeding object, sports cars are specially designed to be handled at top speeds.

The term “sporty?was coined to refer to a sleek but robust design that exudes a powerful persona for the person behind the wheel.

What follows is a basic run-through of sports cars out in the marketplace ?their general designs and layout, as well as a listing of the more popular models and makers.

– FF ?front engine, front wheel drive.
The FF layout has a moderate capacity for high speed handling and is seen in select models such as the Fiat Coup? and the Lotus Elan M100.

– FR ?front engine, rear wheel drive
Considered the “classic?sports car layout, the engine drives the rear wheels but keeps the weight off the back. The FR is good at drifting corners while still maintaining control. Mercedes-Benz is recognized for using this layout for its models.

– RR ?rear engine, rear wheel drive
With the engine at the back driving the rear wheels, weight placement on a RR layout provides excellent traction for a car. However, without auxiliary driving aids like stability control, handling becomes difficult. As of today, the only maker who keeps the RR layout for its cars is Porche.

AWD ?all wheel drive
An AWD layout provides the easiest handling, making it ideal for those who are just starting out with sports cars. Audi started the widespread use of this technique with the Quattro. Japanese manufacturers like Mitsubishi used this layout to increase handling making it an excellent rally car.

Because of higher restrictions in the states, sports car manufacturers are more prevalent in Europe than in America. Nevertheless, American brands are in equal competition with its European and Asian counterparts. Some recognized makers and models are:

Alfa Romeo
Alpine
Aston Martin
Austin-Healey
BMW
Bugatti
Caterham
Davrian
De Lorean
Ferrari
Fisker
Jaguar
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Lotus
McLaren
Maserati
MG
Morgan
Panoz
Porsche
Triumph
TVR
Vector

Now that you’ve gotten started, take your next step by discovering the excitement a sports car can bring you today, just like it has for generations.

The Difference between Formula D and Stockcar Racing

Are you can fan of motor sports? If you are, there is a good chance that you enjoy stockcar racing. Stockcar racing includes a wide variety of different events, including NASCAR and local dirt track racing. Whether you enjoy NASCAR or dirt track racing, there is a good chance that you keep up with the all of the other sports that have a focus on cars. If this is the case, you may have heard of Formula Drifting before.

Formula Drifting, also commonly referred to as Formula D, is a sport that is sometimes termed as a racing sport. This has led many individual to believe that it is a form of stockcar racing; however, the reality is that it isn’t. Although the two sports do have certain things in common, they are quite different. If you are unaware of the similarities and the differences, you may be wondering what they are.

Perhaps, the greatest similarity between stockcar racing and Formula Drifting is the fact that cars are used. That is why these sports are commonly referred to as motor sports or auto sports. Although driving ability is important with stockcar racing, a focus is mostly placed on the cars, especially at the professional level. With Formula D, the cars are important, but they are not nearly as important as a driver’s skills. In fact, Formula D requires drivers to manipulate their cars. This manipulation often causes their cars to loose traction and slide in a particular direction, in other words a drift. Essentially, a Formula D driver’s skills are ten times more important than what is underneath the hood of their car.

In addition the way that the cars are used, stockcar racing and Formula Drifting take place at different venues. Professional stockcar racing, such as NASCAR, often takes place only on asphalt tracks. While Formula D events also take place on asphalt, they do not always use the full track. In fact, Formula D events do not always require the use of a track. In the past, Formula D events have taken place in large parking lots or on city streets.

With stockcar racing, the object is to finish in first place. This is not the case with Formula D. As previously mentioned, Formula D requires the creation of a drift. In competition, drivers are judged on their drifts, as well as a number of other factors. These factors most commonly include their speed and the ability to stay on the track. When you think about it, there is quite a difference between the two sports.

From a fan perspective, it is also important to examine the ability to attend or view these events. When it comes to stockcar racing, especially on the professional level, it is fairly easy to attend events or watch coverage on television. Formula D is a little bit more difficult. They currently operate on a limited schedule; thus limiting the number of events and stops. Formula D is shown on the television network G4TV, but besides that, the sport receives little coverage. Although it may be harder to attend a live Formula D event, when compared to stockcar racing, you are find that the events are often easier to afford. In most cases, admission to professional Formula D events is only around twenty to twenty five dollars, a person.

As you can easily see, there are a number of differences, as well as similarities, between Formula Drifting and stockcar racing. In addition to the above mentioned similarities and differences, there are additional ones. The best way to familiarize yourself with these differences is to give each sport as chance. After a close examination, you will find that both offer fun, excitement, and action; just what you need in a motor sport.

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