Public Vehicle Auction Tips

Posted by admin on August 15th, 2008 filed in Sport Smart Super Auto Car

A public auto auction. Is basically a group of vehicles being sold to the highest bidder. Some common reasons vehicle auctions are held. Are that a governing body or tow company. Will be using the auction to pay off unclaimed vehicle fees. Such as the amounted impound and towing cost.

Depending on the auction site. There could be various reasons the vehicles are there. The most common reason are abandonment, accident wrecked, illegally parked, theft recovered, donated, police requested impounds, repossessed, ex-gov or state service vehicles, etc. Some auction sites specify in certain type of vehicles, and other will generally have a mix of all.

The major pros of a public auto auctions are. If you are prepared, at the end of an auction day. You could walk away with car in great condition worth thousands of dollars. For little or nothing, and in some cases less then $300.

The major cons would be the risk factor involved. A lot of times its a gamble for the average consumer. For the simple fact often times you don’t know what your getting anything could be wrong with the vehicle. It’s the one time you’ll wish automobiles could talk.

In many cases you could look at it as 50/50 deal. In my personal experience I’ve won and lost at the hands of auctions, but my wins outweighed my losses, Cause of the great deals I’ve gotten. Fortunately your gains could be much greater then your losses and risk with just a couple simple steps.

Finding out about these auctions this can be a daunting task. It seems to be a close net circle. Almost as if the auction goers are keeping the great bargains for themselves. You can start with the vast information on the internet. Check you local newspaper listings. Some companies offer auction list for a membership fee. You’ll always come across those adds in paper listings that say impounded cars as low as $500.

You could also check with your local impound lots. Check with the county or city if they hold any public vehicle auctions. Some airports hold public auctions for the unclaimed vehicles left there to long. If any of these sources do hold auctions they should be able to give you the date and time it will be held. Last but not least one of the best way is just plain old word of mouth.

Now after you’ve gathered your information, such as date,time, and location. If the auction site allows it you can arrive, early on before the auction starts and do some investigating. On any of the vehicles your interested in purchasing. Use this access to your benefit. Then you can give the vehicles of choice.

A basic hands on inspection. Now for this you don’t have to be a mechanic its pretty basic steps. Just check the vital but common things that keep a car or truck running properly. For starters you want to check the oil. To 1st make sure it has oil. Which is a good indicator the engine is free of an oil leak. Second make sure its the right color. Engine oil should be a smooth darker brown or black color. If its a milky looking brown. That an indicator that the oil is mixed with engine coolant. Which is a very costly repair some cases unrepairable.

Then you also want to check the engine coolant itself within the radiator. You can do this by twisting the radiator cap. Always make sure the engine is off and cool before ever opening the radiator cap. The coolant should be a bright green color, on some newer model vehicles its orange. Coolant inside the radiator is a good indicator there are no radiator leaks, and the vehicles cooling system is in proper running condition. Discolored fluid with a brownish tint. Could indicate that fluid replacement is past due. Or in worst case rust deposits from the radiator itself.

If you vehicle of choice is equipped with an automatic transmission. Then you its important you check the transmission fluid as well. Its very similar to checking engine oil. You check the fluid threw a dip stick. Either pulled from on the transmission or around it. The dip stick is sometimes made visible by a yellow ring or hook handle. The fluid color will give you a good idea on the condition of the transmission. For most cars it should be a pinkish or very light reddish color, and smell like motor oil. Now if its dark red or a brownish or smells burnt. That a common indicator the transmission might be worn or damaged.

Before or after your basic fluid check. You want to perform a simple vehicle walk around. Check the body panels check how the doors line up as well as other panels. Make sure all for wheels are aligned correctly.

Remember your looking for tell tail signs of past damage if any. If you don’t mind a fee. A company called carfax can run a vehicle history report. They can give you all types of information. Such as if the vehicle has ever been a flood, major collisions stolen, etc.

Now its auction time. The bidding is about to start. You’ve picked out the vehicle or vehicles your ready to bid on. As if your armored for fierce battle with any opposing bidders. When the bidding starts on your vehicle of choice, and you find yourself with competition.

At this point what you want to watch out for. Is getting caught up in a bidding frenzy. So stick to your spending limit. If you end up paying to much for the vehicle. You’ll defeat the whole purpose, you came looking for. That’s bargain prices on the vehicles. Unfortunately bidding frenzies are very common at auctions. Some automobiles are bought at ridiculous prices. That should have sold for much less. Its what happens when egos clash. Use your better judgment and you’ll walk away with the bargain of your life. I know I have on several occasions.

If you want anymore information on great cool cars visit my site http://coolcarimages.blogspot.com/

Elias Mitchell
http://coolcarimages.blogspot.com/

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Should You Go Topless For Your Next Sports Car

Posted by admin on July 27th, 2008 filed in Sport Smart Super Auto Car

Depending upon where you live the idea of a convertible may be one that is always on your mind or one that is never thought of. Living in Florida we have many days when a convertible is highly desirable, especially in the spring and fall when temperatures are really comfortable. On the other hand if you live in Alaska or Northern Maine you wouldn’t get a whole lot of use out of one, maybe a couple of months out of the year at best.

A convertible very image that we see in our mind when we think of sports cars, they just go together. Whether or not it is practical for us to own one is another question. There are a lot of factors to consider in order to be able to make a decision if you would be happy with a convertible besides the weather in your area. If your area has a lot of cold or otherwise inclement weather you have to weigh the additional costs of owning and maintaining a convertible over the fun of having a topless car.

First off you need to be aware that the cost of insuring a convertible is considerably higher than the same model with a hard top. The reasons are not only due to theft but also because they are not as safe as the hardtop model in the event of an accident. If you live in an area that has a relatively high level of crime and in particular auto theft, you probably don’t want to consider a convertible. Thieves will take a sharp knife and use a slash and grab technique to grab your valuables and be gone before anyone even sees what they have done. As far as the safety part goes, it is just common sense really, but crash reports back it up, convertibles have a higher risk of injury or death in accidents.

You may find that you are happier with a more practical compromise of settling for a sports car with t-tops, a sunroof, or even a removable top sometimes known as a targa top. These can give you the feel of a convertible for the most part without sacrificing so much of the safety and security like a true convertible does. Some people would look at this like a Harley rider does a Honda calling it a rice rocket, in other words it just isn’t the same!

In order to make an intelligent decision about what is right for you, weigh all of the factors discussed here and look at where you stand. What is most important to you the freedom and the feeling of the wind wrapped around you and the sun on your face or does the issue of safety and higher insurance rates concern you more?

Gregg Hall is an author and internet marketing consultant living in Navarre Florida. Find more about cars and car care products at http://www.stopwaxing.com.

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Ford Mustang the Sporty Little Car with Inspiration and Performance

Posted by admin on July 18th, 2008 filed in Sport Smart Super Auto Car

When the Spanish Conquistadors arrived on the shores of the North American Continent over 500 years ago they did not come alone. With them they brought some of the finest horses the world had ever seen. It was from the horses of the Conquistadors that the huge herds of Mustangs descended.

The Legends:

Every wild horse herd has to have its legendary stallions, and there have been many. One in particular that stood out from the others and was instantly recognized as the horse destined to become a lead stallion. ” Mesteno” which means ” unclaimed horse” in Spanish, lived his entire life running free on the Steens Mountains of South Eastern Oregon. Most Kigers today can trace their bloodlines back to this one horse. This horse had so much presence to him that he inspired the model making company ” Breyer” to make a series depicting his life story. From his birth to his twilight years he is portrayed in the “Mesteno” series.

The Ford Motor Company certainly recognized the Image and Inspiration of Legends.

It developed and refined many Greats; such as the “Thunderbird” and “Grand Marquis”…

Yet one of the Leaders that captured the hearts of North Americans and beyond was, and still is: “The Mighty Mustang”!

“Ford Mustang” the stuff that Legends are made of, maintains it’s reputation and continues to be designed and built as the Sporty little car with Inspiration!

Get Up and Go Power, Innovation and Luxury, well deserving of North Americas Pride and Joy!

Noel Amyotte, just Loves Cars, especially the Classy, Sporty Vehicles with Super Design and Performance.

More of Noel’s research information can be found at : Mustang Sports Cars and WebWheels Sports Cars

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