How to Rent a Convertible

When you head to a fun destination such as Hawaii or Florida, part of the adventure can simply be getting from one place to another. Renting a convertible can bring an extra sense of excitement to your travels as well as letting you enjoy the warm sun and the ocean views. Here’s how to rent a convertible.

Choose a Proper Location

If you head to a sunny location such as Miami where the sun shines almost all year, a convertible makes wonderful sense. If you’re traveling to Fargo or Seattle with the high likelihood of cold or rain, a convertible might be a bit overly enthusiastic although you might luck out with bright sunny days.

Be Qualified To Rent a Car

Your next step as you rent your convertible would be to check that you meet the eligibility of the Miami car rental agency. There are often surcharges for drivers under the age of twenty-five and you must have a valid driver’s license. Be sure to check the insurance requirements of the agency as well.

Plan Ahead

In popular destinations such as Miami or LA, the number of convertibles available may be low to nonexistent without an advance reservation. Reserve a convertible through the agency’s website or over the phone as far in advance as possible. That way your car should be waiting for you when you arrive.

You Need a Credit Card to Rent a Car

You often can’t rent a car without a credit card, so be sure you have one in the driver’s name when you go to pick up the car. As convertibles are easy to break into, also consider taking out extra insurance just in case a vandal decides to slice the top to reach your items inside. You can put this insurance payment on the credit card as well.

Bring a Hat

Finally, once you have your paperwork arranged and keys in hand, throw the luggage in the back and climb in. Be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen to protect you from the sun as you’re now completely exposed. Then, don your hat and head off on your own adventure.
(2 votes, average: 1.50 out of 5)
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How To Rent a Car in Europe

Renting a car is slightly different around the globe. The requirements for car rentals in the United States and Canada differ from Car Hire Spain or Car Hire France. Even the phrasing and common names for the service are different!

To rent a car in Europe, you should take the following steps.

Be sure your driver’s license is current. In Western Europe a national license from other Western nations will be accepted almost anywhere, but in Eastern Europe, you should have an international driver’s license. This is something to take care of before you leave on your trip.

Work with a travel agent or through a respected company to reserve a rental car weeks ahead of time. Many car rental agencies in the United States and Canada have European branches, so you might be able to compare prices and availability online using the same websites you normally use. You can probably book your car online as well.

Reserve the car you want bearing in mind that most cars are standard transmissions. Automatic transmissions may be available, but don’t assume you are getting one unless it is specified. Reserve the car at a location you will be able to pick it up and ideally drop it off again. It is possible to pick up a car at one place and drop it at another, but this can result in large fees.

Make a deposit using a credit card, and be sure to bring the same card with your to the country on your travels, or bring one that is comparable. The charge will be large thanks to fees and taxes, so be sure your card is not near its limit.

Before your trip you also should review driving rules and tips for the countries you will be driving in. European countries have a much higher fatality rate than the United States, so defensive driving is critical, especially as you may be unfamiliar with the style of transmission, car, and even the side of the road.

Also remember to pack lightly since European cars are small, and plan on paying more than you are used to for the privilege of renting. Car rentals are taxed in Europe up to 33% and insurance can be up to $20 per day. Gas is expensive as well.

(2 votes, average: 3.50 out of 5)
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How To Get a Car Loan

There are many kinds of loans, and for most consumers, a car loan is the first major foray into the wide world of investments and secured loans. When you’re ready for your first set of wheels or rather, the first set you’re paying for yourself, here’s how to get a car loan.

Do the Math

The first step in securing a car loan has little to do with the bank, it has more to do with your actual income. Before rushing out to buy your dream car, you need to consider your level of income and your other expenses. In short, how much can you really afford to pay every month on a car loan?

A car loan is generally not more than twenty percent of your net income. That means if $2000 comes through your door every month after taxes, you can afford to spend $400 of that on a car provided you are not overspending in any other area of your budget. A car is a depreciating asset, not an investment, so don’t take money away from savings to try and justify a more expensive car.

Get Approved For Your Loan

Even before you start shopping for cars, you might consider getting pre approval for a purchase. If you know you’ll be working with your local credit union or bank, meet with a banker and discuss your plans. They bank can run your credit for an estimated amount and you’ll be set up even before you buy.

Shop For a Loan!

Once you know your limits, it’s time to shop. Of course, your first shopping stop shouldn’t be the sales lot. You should start by working online or in a car guide to see what models fall into your budget. Salesmen are trained to make you leave your wise budgeting behind, so starting your purchase online is a good way to keep yourself in check.

Research cars or trucks you like and look at pictures. Then find out the MSRP and invoice for the vehicle using a website like Edmunds.com. Finally, armed with your knowledge and intentions, head to the sales lot.

Be Assertive

A salesman will almost always try to talk you up to the next level of vehicle. It’s their job after all. You should know your limits and then you should stick to them. And not only are you focused on the MSRP of the vehicle, you should be ready to negotiate price down to 1% over invoice. Be strong and stick to your guns. If you falter, the salesman and his manager will walk all over you.

Arrange Financing

A car loan is a secured loan meaning the loan is tied to the car itself. This keeps interest rates reasonable. If you opted for pre approval, the purchase of the vehicle is simple. Contact your bank and finalize your loan paperwork. Get a check for the negotiated amount and your work is done.

If you opt for financing through the dealer, be sure to research current dealer promotions and typical terms so you can properly negotiate for suitable rates and payment amounts. Be sure to negotiate the price of your purchase first. Then negotiate interest rates and terms. The monthly payment will follow. Avoid adding on any of the extras that dealers create to pad the price of a vehicle.

Finally, when all terms are in line, sign on the many dotted lines and drive away the owner of your very own car…and your very own car loan.

(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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How to Buy a Used Car Online

Whenever large sums of money are involved then risk becomes an issue. Buying a car online is no different to buying one offline in this respect; and if you are cautious about buying a car on the internet then that caution should be applied equally to any deals you do elsewhere. The first thing to consider, before even looking at potential cars, is what your needs are.

The Budget

The second thing to consider is what your budget is. If you establish in your mind exactly why you are looking for a car and what you want from a car, and on top of that you know exactly how much you can afford – including how much you can afford to pay for any tax or insurance, then you will be far less likely to be tempted by things which aren’t exactly what you need, or which are more costly than you had budgeted for. If you merely need a car for transport, or for any purely functional reason, then make a list of the features you need or want and make a corresponding list of the kind of cars and models which would fit this list of features. Only focus on one make of car if it happens to be the only one which satisfies all your criteria.

Ebay Motors is a great place to buy, and sell, cars; but it is not the only place. You can also check out classified sites like cars.com, carsoup.com and tradersonline.com; or another auction site like the one at Yahoo. Once you have your list and budget on paper, now go online and make a list of the cars which fit your criteria. Don’t pick one or two and focus on them; to begin with you need to look at everything on offer and create a list with the purpose of breaking it down into a smaller one.

Grade each used car

Grade each car you see according to ‘yes’ it’s a possibility, ‘maybe’ it’s a possibility and ‘no chance’. Fro every car you look at decide which category it goes into and make a list of all the ‘yes’ and ‘maybe’ cars – don’t worry, if you have done your list properly this shouldn’t be too big a list but it will certainly be in double figures.

By making a list to begin with, and setting a budget, then grading cars according to these preset parameters, you keep your mind focused upon your goals. The problem with buying cars, and many other things, is it is very easy to get sidetracked. It is very easy to become emotional about what you are doing and instead of choosing to buy something based upon need, you begin to want something based upon ‘want’.

You begin to fantasize about having the nest class up or the newer model. You reassess your budget in your head and decide you can afford a few hundred more. You forget the functions and begin to fantasize about the appearance or the presentation. If you are buying for other reasons than functionality then maybe you’ll argue that these lists aren’t necessary – but they are. Even if you are looking to buy a sports car you will have a budget and you will have criteria for choosing one car above another.

Most important factors

The three most important factors of a car being sold online are its pictures, its description, and the communication of the seller. I read a remark by someone on another site about buying cars online, and they said – ‘you’re not buying the car, you are buying the seller’. I thought that was a pretty good way of looking at it. The attitude of the seller towards the car, towards the advert, and towards you are all signs of how genuine is the seller, and the car.

When you have your list of advertised cars you either are, or are ‘maybe’ interested in, begin to look more closely at the advertisements. First the photos, unless they are detailed and many then there is area for concern. The pictures should be good and clear and taken in a good light. You need to be able to see the car properly and you cannot assume that the seller is just a bad photographer – taking a picture in the shade might be a ploy to hide something. Make sure you can see the car from all sides, front, side and rear. Ensure there are interior shots, especially of the condition of the seats and dashboard. You will also want to see inside the trunk and there should be some close up pictures of the engine compartment and engine. If there are any special features, such as a soft top, then that should also be displayed – and look for photos of areas prone to rust or damage. A good clear photo of a wheel arch might not make for an attractive image but it will tell you a lot about the way the car has been stored and looked after.

Next, the description. Check the specifications of the car against how it is described and ensure the two match up. Does the car in the photos match the car in the description? It is better to ignore any emotional or descriptive language and rely upon the details only. Look to see if the description tells you essential details such as how long the owner has had the car and whether they know its history prior to ownership. Has the car ever been in an accident of any kind? Is it the original engine and what sort of work, replacements or resprays have been done? What’s the mileage and when was its last service? You should have a list of all the major details you need to know and check it against the description. If the photos and description encourage you then get in touch with the seller to find out how willing they are to communicate with you. Have some additional questions ready to ask, and see if the way they present the car is consistent with the advert.

When buying a car online it is always safer to buy from a dealer or at least buy within an area you are able to visit personally. All the rules of offline buying apply when buying online but when looking for cars online you can save yourself a lot of time and trouble if you check the photos and descriptions thoroughly before making a personal visit to inspect the car yourself. Always open up communications with a seller by email just to test them out and see if they are able to communicate with you. Don’t assume the rules are any different online, they aren’t you must still apply good judgment and be safe, but you will certainly save time in the process and find the choices available to you are far greater.

(2 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5)
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How To Buy a New Car

Buying a car can be one of the most stressful times in order to get the right one for you. With all the different styles and colors you can easily get duped into buying a useless car for an extortionate price. By reading the following you will have an understanding of what to look out for and avoid any nasty surprises.

How do you choose the perfect car for you?

Before you start your search for a new car you need to decide what you intend to use it for, if your planning on getting a car for regular family vacations then a sports car with only two seats will be of no use, at the other end of the spectrum if your looking for a fast, stylish classy car you will not want an estate car with loads of excess storage space.

Consider your options

You should consider more then just the looks when choosing a new car. Parkers.co.uk is a great site which you can view every car’s miles per gallon, 0 to 60 speed, top speed, break horse power and every important factor that you should know about your potential new car. Another main factor you need to consider is the insurance group, you should always get an insurance quote before you buy a new car so you know you won’t be paying extortionate price.

If you’re younger you may not even be able to get insured on the car you are wishing to buy so that’s another advantage of checking prior to buying. The insurance plays a very important role when considering new cars, sometimes you can be paying just as much per year in insurance as the total cost of the car. Also on parkers.co.uk it will give you some of the advantages and disadvantages on that particular model which may influence your decision.

Look out for:

There are many things that you can look out for in order to ensure your buying a quality car from a reputable dealer. The first thing is that you should shop around for a while after you have decided what car you want. Compare the different models along with the mileage and year on each car so you get an estimate price that you will need to pay.

If you have found the right car you don’t want to jump into buying it, as hard as it may seem. Buying the first car you see can be the biggest mistake you can make and cost you even more in the long run. You need to avoid the bigger car dealers as they often over charge you to make a bigger profit margin on each car.

The same can be found in the lesser popular local dealer as they often seem to have deals that are too good to be true, more times then not, they will be. Always check the mileage of the car as this is one of the most important factors as it shows the true age and quality of the vehicle, a car with high mileage may be liable for technical faults which can be an expensive job to correct.

You should always check around the outside and inside of any car before you make an offer to ensure that it’s good value for money and most of all safe to drive on the road. If possible take a mechanic so they can check over the car guaranteeing it’s mechanically sound and doesn’t have excess rust for its age or any oil leaks etc. Before you make a decision take the desired car on a test drive to see how it handles, even little things down to the clutch stiffness can manipulate your final decision so it’s always best to pick a variety of cars and test each and every one.

You can buy new cars from local dealers or check around the internet which gives you the benefit of checking in your own time in the comfort on your own home. If you’re checking on the internet you can see pictures but you need to see a car in real life to see the quality of the car as you can only see what’s shown in pictures which can mislead certain people.

(2 votes, average: 3.50 out of 5)
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How to Protect Your Car

If you drive a nondescript sedan, or any car for that matter, you should be worried about potential theft. Sedans such as the Camry and Taurus are among the most commonly stolen vehicles, but every vehicle can be at risk if you don’t keep it safe.

Car Safety

Car safety is relatively straightforward. For the most part it’s common sense. You should have a safe place to store your car, it should be locked, and there should be theft deterrent systems in place. Car security can get deluxe with extra deterrent and notification systems, and these can never hurt – especially if you live in an area with a high rate of theft or damage. 

Car Storage

The first step to protect your car is to give it someplace safe to live. The best place is a garage that locks every night. If you lock your car up inside its own garage, you already have the utmost in security – at least at night and when the car isn’t out and about. Of course, we don’t all have the option of a garage, but the more safety measures you can arrange – a parking lot with gated entry, a protected ally versus the main street, covered parking, etc… the safer your car will be. Remember, you’re not only protecting your car from theft, you’re also protecting it from the weather and falling objects, such as tree limbs.  

Basic Car Security

A lot of the basic security for your vehicle is up to you. Locking your doors and keeping valuables out of site will help keep criminals away. Locking the doors while you drive, especially if you’re stopping and starting at streetlights can also keep carjackers and other criminals out of your vehicle if they try to hop in. Keeping your windows up and only cracking it at the top should you need to speak to someone outside will protect you as well. Never open it wide enough to let a hand in – unless you’re in the drive-thru or cruising on the highway.  

Theft Deterrent

You should also have a theft deterrent system on board if possible. The more systems you have the better. The old school system was an alarm which blared or talked to the world should your car be jostled at all. Unfortunately, these alarms go off so frequently for other reasons, they are ignored for the most part and aren’t a deterrent at all. The newer standard deterrent is a chip in the key that must be present for the engine to start. This makes for large keys, but it keeps your car safe from hotwiring or copied keys. 

Read your owner’s manual to see what theft deterrent systems you already have on board and visit an auto shop or electronics store to see what other options you have. Products range from basic to the very high end including vehicle tracking systems should your car be taken.  

The more systems in place, the better – but only if you do your part by locking your doors and parking in safe place when your vehicle isn’t in use.

Easy Step By Step

1. 1. Always find a secure place to park
2. 2. Make sure the vehicle is always locked
3. 3. Use a theft deterrent device if possible
4. 4. Use common sense

Warnings, Advice, and Suggestions

Common sense will take you a long way to protecting your vehicle but, sometimes all the prevention in the world will not make any difference. Be sure to keep your insurance up to date, and have a plan should something happen to your only means of transportation.

(3 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5)
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How To Install Sub Woofers

The majority of car manufacturers do not include sub woofers with the factory produced stereo systems in their cars. Correctly installing sub woofers into your car can be a somewhat complicated procedure so you want to pay close attention to the instructions. Many car enthusiasts purchase sub woofers that are enclosed in a prefabricated enclosure box because of ease of installation.

The following instructions will aid in the installation of sub woofers into your vehicle.

Remove Old Equipment

The first thing you need to do when installing sub woofers is to remove all of the carpeting or other material and then thoroughly clean the metal area below. Take care that you do not damage the carpeting as you will eventually be putting it back into your trunk. Once that step has been completed you will want to take a hair dryer and completely heat the sound deadening material. Another option would be to leaving the sound deadening material outside is a spot that gets a lot of sunshine during the day and let it heat up that way.

Next you need to take spray glue and apply it to the exposed metal surface of your trunk while peeling the back of the sound deadening material that you just heated up. Apply the sound deadening material to the area that you just sprayed glue onto as you continue to heat the material during application.

Sound Deadening

While you are applying the sound deadening material to your trunk you want to be extremely careful to apply the material evenly to make sure that it bonds correctly together. After you are finished then replace the carpeting or material that you removed from your trunk earlier. Once this process has been completed you need to get ready to get your speaker system going. Your speaker hookups will need to be reconfigured in order for the front and back speakers that are already in your speaker system to be using the front two channels of your amplifier. You will see that your amplifier should be equipped with a high-pass crossover that will enable you to control those two speakers.

The rear channels of your amplifier will need to be bridged into mono which will allow your amplifier to produce twice the amount of power. There are instructions that should have come with your amplifier that will explain to you how to do this task. Now you are all set to get your sub woofers hooked up. You can start by using 12-gauge speaker wire to wire in you two sub woofers. You amplifier’s rear channel should be equipped with a low-pass crossover. You will need to run some tests to determine which crossover point is going to get the best performance from your sub woofers.

Brace The Enclosure

Metal L shaped brackets are the absolute best things to use to brace the enclosure and the box will be most stable if it is secured right to the floor of the trunk or a wall of the trunk. It is a smart idea to apply some type of sealant around the the brackets that you will be using to secure that box so that no air will be able to escape from the box.

(2 votes, average: 2.50 out of 5)
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How To Install a Steering Wheel

The task of installing a steering wheel does not seem like too difficult to most especially if you are a mechanically inclined type of person. There is however, a lot small pieces and parts need to be kept careful track of so installing a steering wheel is a job that requires a good amount of patience.

Read the Steering Wheel Instructions!

The first thing that you need to do is read the instructions that came with your new steering wheel and gather the required tools. A pliers and screwdriver are two of the tools that will be most likely needed to install a steering wheel.

After carefully removing the old steering wheel making very sure to keep track of all the parts that you have removed you are ready to begin installing your new steering wheel.

First of all you need to begin by placing a small tubular sleeve down across the steering shaft. Next you will want to position the hub being certain that the shaft is properly aligned with the earlier marks that you made. You may need to make some slight adjustments in order to make sure everything fits correctly.

Next you will want to take the plastic sleeve that you removed the wire from along with the spring that you removed and insert them both into the plastic horn housing. If the plastic sleeve does not measure 1/8 of an inch below the top of the hub it needs to be cut so that it does. When the plastic sleeve measures correctly remove it.

Running the Wires

Take the wire lead that can be found in the kit for the new steering wheel and place it through the plastic housing. The bell shaped end of the wire lead will not be able to pass through the plastic sleeve. The end will be placed into the horn contact housing and can be locked into place once it has been inserted.

Wire needs to be routed around the hub, you need to start the wire at the ten o’clock position and route it to the two o’clock position to make sure that the wheel will end up properly aligned. Once you are sure all the wires are in the correct positions you will want to fasten the hub together with the wheel and post cover but be sure to not tighten everything completely.

If you find that your steering wheel is in the proper position you can then replace the shaft nut that you removed along with the shaft nut retainer. Take the shoulder bolts off and reinsert them into the retainer ring checking to see that the fiber side is facing toward you. Use caution when putting the shoulder bolts back in as if they are tightened to tightly the hub can be damaged. If everything is done correctly the shaft nut will hold all the pieces firmly together.

The next step in how to install a steering wheel is to reconnect the wire lead to the connector on the retainer ring. The center nut needs to then be aligned with the position spring. Match the dimples in the horn cap with the relief in the fiber material and push the dimples into the fiber material. Turn the horn cap in either direction until it is snug.

Your final step is to replace the horn fuse or reconnect the battery(whichever you did when you removed the old wheel) then you have successfully installed a new steering wheel.

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How to Install a License Plate

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It might sound like a simple process, but installation of a license plate can sometimes prove to be quite tricky. If not installed correctly, your license plate could come off when you are driving, quickly becoming a dangerous road hazard for you and other drivers. A lost license plate can also result in a ticket and hefty fine if you are pulled over by the highway patrol.

Before Installing Your License Plate

Before you install your license plate, check with your local DMV office to see if you are required to display a license plate on the front and back of your car. Most states require both front and rear tags but, it never hurts to check. Not having both could result in another ticket.

Using a License Plate Holder

Most vehicles will come with a license plate holder, or attachment. Often simply screwing the license plate onto the license plate attachment will provide a secure installation. Rear mounted license plates are often a little easier so, start there. Remove the old license plate if there is one by unscrewing the two screws along the top of the plate. Once the old plate is off, attach the new license plate by sliding the license plate into the holder and securing it with the two screws at the top of the plate. Each license plate holder is different but the concept of installation remains the same. If a screw will not work, try using a bolt and nut (found in any hardware store) to attach your plate.

Installing With No License Plate Holder

If you are missing a license plate attachment or holder, installing a license plate becomes quite a hassle. Your best bet in this situation is to purchase and install a license plate holder first. Again, you can find license plate holders at almost any automotive or hardware store.

Once your license plate has been installed, double check to ensure that you have a license plate light. Not having one can cause you to be stopped by a police officer and ticketed.

You might want to look into a license plate security kit as well. More and more often, license plates are being stolen, after all, all someone has to do is unscrew your plate and take off. A license plate security kit will allow you to mount the plate using special screws that make it almost impossible for a crook to take off with your plates.

Easy Step By Step Instructions

• Determine if you need both a front and rear license plate
• If possible, use a license plate holder
• Attached the license plate

Warnings, Advice, and Suggestions

Be sure to check the license plate is secure. I loose license plate can come off while driving and damage another vehicle.