A lot of families think about buying vans. Vans are great because they offer some of the comfort of a car with some of the function of a truck. However, it could be a smarter move to go ahead and get a truck instead of a van.

Here’s a look at why a truck might be better than a van:

• It’s more durable. Most trucks are going to last longer than most vans. That’s important.
• Trucks may be more cost-effective over time. Trucks can cost more than vans at the start but their parts are typically cheaper than van parts. This is true even within the same vehicle brand. For example, Toyota Tacoma parts are often less expensive than Toyota Sienna parts. This makes the truck more affordable in the long run.
• It may be safer to drive a truck. This depends on the vehicles that you’re looking at but a lot of trucks get higher safety ratings than a lot of vans do.
• A truck is way cool. And let’s face it; a van is not that cool at all.

There are decent reasons to get a van. If you need a lot of room and don’t care much about durability then a van is a good choice. In general, though, I’d say to go for the truck.

Technorati Tags: Toyota Sienna Parts, Toyota Tacoma Parts

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Your classic car isn’t just four tires and an engine. It’s practically a member of the family. You’ve spent hours lovingly restoring it and searching for just the right parts to keep it in its authentic glory while still being roadworthy. After all of that effort, why would you take it out on the highway without ensuring that you were properly insured? That’s why purchasing car insurance for your classic car is so important.

You do always have the option of purchasing car insurance for your classic car through a normal car insurance provider. Standard car insurance will provide you with liability and comprehensive coverage when you’re out on the road; however, you may find that their method of calculating the value of your classic car doesn’t reimburse you the full fiscal value of your investment. Your best bet if you are truly concerned about not losing out in the event of an accident is to obtain collector’s car insurance from a specialty provider.

When you first purchase your car insurance policy through a specialized provider you and your agent will decide upon an “agreed amount” dictating the replacement value of your vehicle. This will provide you with full coverage for the protection of your vehicle while at the same time offering you a lower premium than you would have through the standard coverage provided by most generalized car insurance providers. Why? Because a collector’s insurance provider understands that because your classic car is your prized possession you’re going to drive it less, place it in fewer high risk situations and handle it with more care than you would a traditional passenger vehicle.

The primary factor in the lower cost of a collector’s car insurance policy isn’t just the care you take with your vehicle. Standard car insurance carriers have tailored their policies to meet the needs of drivers who hit the highways in passenger cars every day. You may end up paying for coverage you neither want nor need. A collector’s insurance provider, on the other hand, will allow you to tailor your auto policies to meet your specific needs rather than the needs of the sixteen year old down the street breaking in his brand new license.

There are a few “catches” to collector’s insurance coverage that may not be present in a standard policy. In order to obtain collector’s car insurance you will usually be required to have a vehicle that is more than 15-25 years old (depending on the type of the car and what state you live in), have maintained a driver’s license and good driving record for at least 10 years, have a garage that your classic car calls home a majority of the time, limit its use to hobby and pleasure drives (i.e. an occasional trip to a classic car show or a Sunday drive around the neighborhood rather than the daily commute to and from work) and maintain another passenger vehicle for every driver in the house to ensure that the collector’s vehicle doesn’t become a primary mode of transportation out of desire or necessity.

It’s estimated that over 50% of classic cars are insured through standard insurance carriers, and if you choose to do that rather than purchase collector’s insurance for your vehicle that’s certainly a legitimate choice. What matters is that your car is protected by car insurance coverage that will work as hard as you do to make sure your baby is in good hands.

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Anthony M. Peck is the Senior Developer, Software Project Manager, and
Director of Business Development for QuoteScout.com. For more information, please visit
them on the web at QuoteScout.com.

Technorati Tags: classic autos

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Marcelo da Luz and his team, owner of record of the distance with the car with the sun, have their share of ups and downs in their journey across North America Xof1 ( “Power of One”) solar car. At a time when the car was also used in a flying saucer with little green men on board. Unfortunately, after it all the way to New Orleans, Louisiana, Marcelo da Luz was the driver of stolen passports, laptops, credit cards, cash, a digital camera and a hard disk.

The loot was from the crew of the van support, which broke a window and pushed the door in flight. A total of approximately $ 10,000. In its creditworthiness, da Luz in the decline in access. “I hope nothing bad comes to those who are doing this or nothing,” he says. “I just hope that their lives will be better that there is no need for someone else.” The team plans further east along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and Florida.

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Since birth Sascha Schulze has been blind. Whatever he is doing Sascha Schulze cannot see. Only by touch he has to fell the gear lever and change gear, while he still grips the steering wheel resolutely with both hands. He experiences the force of gravity when he accelerates, goes round a corner and during breaking which pushes and pulls him. A guide of dog during everyday life shows him where to go, and now he is placing his trust in the BMW instructor who is sitting next to him in the vehicle and calmly telling him what he should do next. At the Munich Airport Training site, BMW Driver Training provides the opportunity for this unusual opportunity. There’s lots of space to move around and the vehicle is equipped with pedals on the passenger side. For an an unforgettable driving experience this scenario provides the perfect framework.

Sascha Schulze summarizes his impressions: “For me as a person who has been blind since birth, this is an incredible experience – just to sit behind the wheel myself. The freedom and mobility which the automobile gives people able to see is impossible for a blind person to achieve, even with public transport. There are lots of times when I’ve wanted to be able to drive at times and places when I want to. However, since that will never be possible for me, an event like driving for blind and a visually impaired person offers the opportunity to at enjoy the feeling of freedom at the wheel of a car at least for a little while.”

The participants get another surprise after driving themselves in a car. The instructors at Driver Training invite them for a ride in the X5. The car climbs into an obstacle circuit with steep ups and downs, and tight bends. On the mountain side these are so steep that you cannot open the doors. The X5 still has adequate reserves even if the passengers are thinking: “This can’t be possible”. You might assume the same if you reflected on whether people with visual impairment would be able to drive – But this is possible!

It was held in cooperation with the Bavarian Association for Blind and Visually Impaired People. BMW Driver Training offers a wide range of training courses. On the other hand, the driving experience for visually impaired people is not part of the standard programmed.

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While most people would be out working for UPS or delivering pizzas, I have found myself working as a delivery driver for a local parts supplier.  As it turns out, it wasn’t my first choice, but when they did call, I could hardly say no – I needed a job.

But as time went on, I grew to appreciate the job that I did have.  Our store specialized in Suzuki parts and OEM Ford parts (weird combination, I know).  The job itself was pretty simple and for the most part pretty boring, but there were some perks as well.

The best perk of all is that I get to rub shoulders with mechanics and owners of some of the mechanic shops in town, and I have had the opportunity to see a wide variety of cars that I would have never seen.  Not only that, but the car repair industry is just like any other – it pays to know the right people, which turns out to be the second benefit of the job.

Will I be working here forever?  Well, I don’t know.  There are some things that I would like to do, and I was hoping to go to school someday, so I will just play it by ear.  In the meantime, I sure don’t mind what I am doing.

Technorati Tags: OEM Ford parts, Suzuki parts

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Have you ever been to a junk yard? Perhaps you’ve heard it referred to as a wrecking yard? Or even an auto salvage? Regardless of what you might know it as, car grave yards have always been a fascinating place to me.

photo credit: The Falafel

When I was a bit younger, and didn’t have the chronic back problems that unfortunately plague me today, I would not hesitate to jump down on the ground, slide under a vehicle and with the proper tools, go to town fixing whatever ailed the car.

I remember once needing some Toyota parts to fix a friend’s car, I hit the local Japanese car junk yard. This site was one of the “Pick and pull” varieties.

That meant that you took your tools, went out in search of the vehicle and part you needed, and pulled it off the car yourself. Sort of the “self service” approach to finding used parts.

Well, not everything could be found as salvage and the smart mechanic knew when to head to the dealership and buy genuine Toyota parts instead of trying to make something old and used go a bit further.

All in all, I do miss those days, however, writing is a much cleaner and neater vocation!

Technorati Tags: genuine Toyota parts, Toyota parts

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When you get rental cars in Cancun, you have to fill out an inspection form.  This has basic information about the car and includes things like rental time, mileage, and, the amount of gas in the tank.  It also will have a checklist for things like functional seatbelts, windshield wipers, and mirrors.  Pay particular attention to the part of the checklist where you are to make note of existing damage to the car.  Many rental cars have stains, dents, tears, and scratches.  Make sure that you are very thorough in marking down existing vehicle damage.  Slow down and really take a look at the vehicle before you take it.  If you see anything wrong, mark it on the rental company’s inspection sheet.  Do not hesitate to point out flaws or damage.  Also, make sure that you make a note of how full the gas tank is.  You are expected to return the car with the same amount of gas as it had when you took it.

In order to get the most out of a Cancun rental car, be sure to carefully expect the vehicle before you drive it away.  Be sure that the seatbelts, wipers, and mirrors work.  Finally, pay attention to how much gas is in the vehicle so that you can return it with the same amount of gas.

Technorati Tags: Cancun rental car, mileage, Rental cars Cancun, traveling

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If you’re like most American dog lovers, you like to take your dog with you as you drive around town. But not every dog owner is smart about how he or she transports his or her four-legged companions. I cringe every time I see an unrestrained dog riding around in the back of a pickup bed. Sure, it’s great fun for your dog to stick his head around the side of the cab and get a blast of wind in the face, but what happens if, God forbid, you’re in an accident? If you don’t have your pets confined in dog boxes in the bed of your truck, they can be hurled out of the truck bed, smashed into the back of the cab at high speed, or get injured in other ways as they bounce around the back of the pickup bed.

It’s just a matter of physics, and big dogs are prone to worse injuries because of their greater body mass. So don’t take any chances with your beloved animal friends, folks. Keep them confined to a dog box, which is even better for safety than having them ride on the seats inside your cab. Did you know that if you have a small dog in the front seat and the airbags are deployed in an accident, that it could kill the animal from the sudden impact? Be smart and take good care of your animal friends. Another good thing to have on your truck if you are constantly transporting your dog is a truck bed liner. It will keep the back of your truck sanitary and easy to clean if you precious pooch has an accident. It is certainly important to keep your dog safe when hunting, or taking it along on other sporting activities.

Technorati Tags: Dog boxes, truck bed liner

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Isn’t it funny how we attach certain emotions to material items even without realizing it? I’m thinking of the fact that every single time that I see a Toyota part somewhere, I think of my dad. That’s because my dad was always working on one Toyota or another in the garage of our home while I was growing up. I have a lot of memories associated with watching him work, handing him Toyota 4runner parts while we had random conversations and seeing his pride swell when he’d get a broken part working again. Sometimes the memories that I have aren’t even specific memories but rather the recollection of sounds and smells and moments frozen in time.

It’s actually been a long time since Dad worked with Toyota parts. He got older and started taking his own truck to a mechanic and the garage got cleared of the mess of auto parts that were once stored there. In the intervening years, Dad has developed new hobbies and we have created memories around other things. Nevertheless, whenever I happen to stumble upon a Toyota part that I recall my dad using, I feel this rush of nostalgia and start to think about the past.

Technorati Tags: toyota 4runner parts, toyota part

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I just went out and got a nice bundle of new upgrades for my Mustang.  This car is already fairly tricked out, but who can’t use more upgrades huh?  The beauty of owning a Mustang is the fact that Ford parts are so easy to install.  Basically a one size fits all project.  I’m not too much of a grease monkey either, but somehow I manage to get them all in without too much trouble.  The only upgrades I won’t do myself are to the engine, drive train, or anything on the electrical system.

As far as I’m concerned any Ford racing parts should be installed by a professional.  If you do one thing wrong under the hood you can say goodbye to you baby.  Let the real surgeons do the heavy lifting.  Basically, I only customize the visual aspect.  If I need some extra power I call the garage and have them tinker with it.  I’ve learned my lesson the hard way many of time and always found it best not to play with that sort of fire.

The next thing I really want to try after finding a couple Ford OEM parts is custom paint.  I know you’re supposed to have a specialized vented booth, but I don’t mean a whole car job.  Maybe just some air brushing on the hood and doors.  Sounds like it could be some fun.

Technorati Tags: Ford OEM parts, Ford parts, Ford racing parts

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