Car Audio

Archive for December, 2008

seized cars

There is just something about seeing a shined and polished classic car rolling down the highway that gets everyone’s attention and that sparks all kinds of wonderful memories. For those who love to restore and tinker with some of the vintage vehicles that so many people enjoy gawking at as they speed by, a classic car auction can be just the place to find the special set of wheels to impress the neighborhood.

Classic car auctions have long been a favorite type of event for car lovers of all ages to attend. Before the bidding gets underway, which can get rather heated with an enthusiastic crowd, there is a period of time when people can meander through the displays of the vintage models and appreciate the timeless and elegant lines of the cars that will soon be offered on the auction block.

A classic car auction is quite different from the more common types of events, such as a seized car auction. Those motor car auctions are filled with repossessed cars, salvaged vehicles and cars that are only appropriate for parting out, but these are not the kind of vehicles that will be bid on during auctions that feature classic cars.

In the case of public auto auctions, people hope to find a decent car at a good price that will get them to and from work. Seldom will there be much of a bidding war on the very average and ordinary vehicles that are seen at government auto auctions and the like. But all the rules change when attending a collector car auction with an enthusiastic group of avid car collectors who know all about every model and who are looking forward to either starting their own collection or adding to one they already have.

Even if you are not planning to bid on any of the vintage models that are being sold at an auction for classic cars, they are wonderful events to attend. In one place you can check out a wide range of cars from many different eras, which are in immaculate shape, having been lovingly and attentively restored, and are sometimes an improvement over the original model.

Because the market for the classic, collectible cars is a fairly tight market and there is so much interest in the vintage vehicles that are either still in great shape or that have been restored, a collector car auction is not the place to look for a bargain. If a particular model of a classic car is rather rare or in high demand, then there could be an intense bidding war that will drive the winning bid much higher than any Blue Book estimate.

However, it might also be that you could end up getting a better price buying from a classic car auction than from a private owner directly. It all depends on the other people who are attending the collector car auction and how motivated they are to have that car go home with them, instead of you.

Ask yourself whether or not you want to purchase a used auto. Getting a free automobile insurance quote is a good place to start.

Autos come in many different sizes, colors, models, and makes. They each have different brand names like Nissan, Mitsubishi, Kia, Toyota, Daihatsu, Mazda, Honda, Mercury, Hyundai, Ford, BMW, Volkswagen, Subaru, Daewoo, Mercedes, Chrysler, Rolls Royce, and many more.

Cars have nationalities too, if you only please. They may be Japanese, American, Korean, German or any other. Just as you age, so do vehicles. They are, however, different from people in that they don’t seem to attach any importance to celebrating their birthdays. However, you may classify cars, they invariably fall under two general categories-used or new.

It always depends on your preference whether you are going to buy a used or a new car. This why you should check out free car insurance quote. It may have been a blessing or a curse for some people to purchase several used cars throughout the years, although slick salespersons refer to them as reconditioned instead of used.

One great thing about buying used instead of new is the drastically lower cost. There is no need for you to invest for quite bigger amount of money just to have one.

If you prefer a used vehicle, make sure you’re not buying someone else’s problem!  In order to make sure a car has received the proper care, it is important to research the vehicle’s history.

It is a good idea to ask some advice from close friends about the best used cars that are being sold in the market. Even though previously owned, you must insure that it is currently in good shape. You should feel fortunate if you can buy a used automobile from a person who looked after it responsibly.

Warranty will save a great headache for someone who will not be able to examine parts for a used car prior to purchasing them. The engine sound might probably not in its proper condition. You had better check on it first.

This is the conclusion. Any car owner knows that cars can bring you a lot of happiness or misery, so here is some advice you can use to purchase a used car to put in your collections.

If you can prevent it, then it’s not always easy to to buy a used vehicle. It will mean a lot of problems and heartaches for you, unless you know how to fix it yourself. However, unless owning an expensive new car is necessary for you, don’t go wild and rush out to buy one.

The second step it to evaluate how convenient it has been, if it has been at all. The truth is, there is always the convenience that it can bring you especially if it is in its right condition. Because of your many complaints about it, you will just learn to deal with the headache if you are no longer able to use it.

You will have the final say. If you make up your mind to buy a used car be sure that you are willing to accept the consequences on the later part. Finally be sure to read about online automobile insurance quote free.

public auto auctions

For many years a number of law enforcement agencies on the local, state and federal level have been holding seized car auctions. Even though it is not some kind of deep dark secret, there are many people who have no idea where to find information about these public auto auctions. The government car auctions can be one of the best places to find a really great deal on a wide range of seized cars and repossessed cars.

Many people are only interested in a government car auto to get a reliable car for the family and save some money in the process. However, there are some people who turn big profits by frequenting these government auctions, snapping up all the deals they can, and then turning around and selling these same vehicles at their used car dealership for twice the price, or more, of what they paid at the auction.

The truth of the matter is that while dealers can make some good money through regularly buying vehicles at government car auctions, they don’t always turn a profit when they re-sell. Many people don’t realize that when buying a vehicle from any kind of used car auction, there is no warranty on the car, it is only sold “as is,” and the sale is unconditionally final.

For the car dealer who uses a government car auction to get a number of cars for his dealership on a regular basis, this means that there will be a percentage of the cars that are in need of a considerable amount of repair work before they can be resold. Most of the time, these dealers have a staff of mechanics that can deal with these problems, so in many ways it can be better that the dealers get these cars that have hidden problems because they can handle these issues more easily than an average consumer can.

For people who have the skills and equipment to work on cars themselves, a government car auction can be the perfect way to get a car at a price that is almost a steal. But, if you don’t know a lot about the mechanical workings of a car, then it might not be quite as wonderful. The car you end up bidding on and winning may be reliable, or it could be a lemon. Just keep in mind that it is the responsibility of the bidder to determine the condition of the vehicle before they start bidding on it. Once you are awarded the winning bid, you are committed and the car is yours.

If you can get a hold of a government car auctions listing that isn’t publicize widely, then you will have the best opportunity for getting the best possible price. This will entail undertaking a bit of sleuthing work to track down the government auto auctions that are local to you, instead of waiting to hear an advertisement about it, but the extra effort you put in could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars when you go to the car auto auction.

used car warranties

Customers who like to be prepared for everything should purchase extended warranty service, especially if the automotive warranty is only for 3 years/36,000 miles. For a good car that has been taken care of, most trouble surfaces around the 80,000 mile mark when new transmissions, new brakes, new calipers or inner gaskets and seals are required, due to regular wear and tear usage. Therefore, it’s important for consumers who are looking for an extended car warranty to search for comprehensive coverage that includes “wear and tear” and lasts long enough. It’s equally important that the vehicle being purchased is free from defects as well.

First, consumers should check to find out who is backing the extended warranty service. Is it an independent company or the vehicle manufacturer? Generally, manufacturer-based used car warranties are ideal, known for the easy-to-use guarantee. With an after-market extended car warranty, the owner will need to read the stipulations to ensure that everything is covered.

For example, some companies require that owners call before the work is done. Some companies require regular oil changes and fluid top-ups for work to be covered. Depending on the arrangement, sometimes the company pays the auto mechanic directly, whereas other times the warranty company pays the car owner back later. Reading and understanding the agreement is crucial in preventing unpaid claims.

Secondly, consumers should ask if there is a deductible. For some people, paying a fixed amount per visit or per repair is a relief. For others, this deductible may still run up a hefty bill that is unacceptable. Sometimes, an extended warranty program will have a “per visit” deductible, which is one payment per shop, no matter how many parts are repaired. By contrast, a “per repair” deductible applies to each and every serviced part. While a “$100 deductible” sounds like small potatoes, it could add up if the fine print says it’s a “per repair” deductible. After getting an air conditioner, fuel pump and alternator repaired, suddenly a $300 bill may appear. The extended warranty service contract should be looked at carefully. Many warranties have a 30 to 60 day money back guarantee, so some consumers purchase it and have their lawyers look over it later to be sure it’s fair.

Lastly, some extended warranty service covers bonus travel expenses, which is a good perk for heavy drivers or those who frequently use their car for out-of-town or out-of-state trips. If customers pop a tire, lock their keys in the car or have a dead battery, then a mechanic will come out and fix the problem at no extra cost. In some cases, hotel rooms, meal expenses, towing fees and rental cars may also be covered. AAA-style trip routing is also available under some extended warranty plans. While it may not “make or break” the deal, per say, it’s still a good feature to be aware of, if the need ever arises. After all, peace of mind is what drives most people to purchase extended warranty service in the first place.

public car auction

If you have watched many movies or television shows over the years, then you most likely have seen at least a few different scenes that are set at various types of auctions. Often, the main character is eager to buy a particular item at an art auction, an antique auction, or even a collector car auction. These auctions that feature classic cars are often held at car auction houses, which are the businesses that handle auctioning off a wide variety of vehicles, from seized cars to classic cars and much, much more.

Some people who are not even particularly interested in buying a vehicle through a car auto auction still enjoy hanging around an auction house on the days that the auto auctions are running, just to take in the atmosphere of excitement and to do a bit of people watching. It can be a fascinating experience to watch the proceedings, especially if you have never before attended any type of used car auction. If there has been a vigorous round of bidding on a particular vehicle, then it can be electrifying when the auctioneer drops the gavel and pronounces the vehicle sold!

The car auction houses are very much accustomed to running the various motor car auctions that they host in their facilities. But in many cases, the people interested in making their first purchase through a used car auction feel a bit bewildered and lost when they first set foot in a car auto auction house.

Because of this, it is strongly recommended that first time auction goers, whether for antiques, collectibles and artwork, or for a public auto auction, attend at least one or two auctions in the role of observer and not as a bidder. Most of the car auction houses have an open door policy that allows spectators to come in and watch the proceedings; however, there may be restricted access to certain types of auctions.

The car auction house is not the seller of anything being sold. Instead, they are simply providing the services of the auctioneer, of registering the bidders, managing the auction and collecting the funds that are generated by the various motor car auctions that they host. If a person wins a bid on a vehicle, then they will pay the final bid price, as well as a percentage of the final price to the car auto auction house. This additional percentage is a fee that covers the expenses incurred by the auction house and is the main income source for these types of businesses.

Car auction houses can be a very good place to find an excellent deal on a vehicle. Many of these auction houses will run auction events that will sell the full gamut of vehicles, from a small motorcycle to something as large as a luxury RV. On top of attending a public car auction or two before you try bidding, it is also helpful to search out the current market value of any models of autos that you are interested in bidding on, in advance of the auction proceedings.

extended warranty coverage

You may have heard that “research is crucial” when it comes to purchasing an extended warranty for your automobile. Sometimes auto extended warranties are portrayed in a negative light because of a few scam artists looking to capitalize off peoples’ concern for their investments. A recent Consumer Reports study recommended that people buy highly rated models only and that they invest in Money Market accounts to save for repairs, rather than invest in a warranty. However, if you tend to incur a good number of auto repair bills, if you plan on keeping your car more than three years and if you drive your car over the recommended 12,000 miles annually, then you are a good candidate for the extended warranty program.

Dealerships know that consumers trust them, by nature. An establishment that deals with billions of dollars in sales each year couldn’t possibly rip you off over a technicality like the extended warranty, could they? Well, perhaps they don’t mean to rob you blind, but think of the dealership as a retail operation. If you’ve ever worked in retail, whether it’s clothing, furniture, consumer gadgets or automobiles, then you know that retailers mark up the cost of their items anywhere from 100% to 1,000% of the cost value! Now imagine how much extra you could be paying for your extended automobile warranty. Don’t be afraid to go directly to the source and purchase your warranty online from a trusted company like Warranty Direct.

Another factor to consider is auto warranty for “wear and tear.” This type of warranty can be hard to find, since many only cover mechanical failure. However, you can definitely find extended warranty coverage that includes “wear and tear,” thereby covering parts like the idler arm, piston rings, U joints, CV joints, wheel bearings, motor mounts, suspension bushings, tie rod ends, seals, gaskets and other engine parts that gradually wear down and may or may not cause a mechanical breakdown.

If you have an anti-lock braking system, then you’ll want to make sure your coverage extends to ABS and instances of overheating. The comprehensive website, carbuyingtips.com recommends Warranty Direct and Nation Warranty Corporation, which both include “wear and tear” in their plans.

Lastly, you’ll want to ask a few nitty gritty questions. Does your warranty company deposit part of your money into an insured “Claims Reserve Account” (to ensure there are sufficient funds to pay a covered claim)? Do they offer $0 deductible, or will you have to cough up a portion of the claim? Is your extended warranty transferable, should you opt to sell the car? Is there a 100% money-back guarantee for the first 30-60 days? If the insurer defaults on your warranty due to excessive claims, is there a reinsurance backup? These are all factors to consider.

extended auto warranty

Here’s a thought. Instead of agonizing over the cost of an extended warranty plan for your automobile, why not save the manufacturer’s rebate you get on your new car and use your savings for a discounted online extended auto warranty? It may be hard to believe but most online car warranties are 40% cheaper than car dealerships, where they tack on a retail markup. You can get free quotes for warranties online, which can allow you to barter with your dealership, if need be, or it may just afford you the best deal out there and you won’t even have to leave your home to take advantage of it! There are many ways to ensure you make a reasonable decision.

First of all, be sure you’re dealing with a solid company. See that they’re listed in the Better Business Bureau or Web Assured, and that they have years of experience. For example, Warranty Direct has been in business for 26 years and NWC have been in business for 20 years. Read consumer comments and testimonials, check to see if the company services any dealerships and ask if they have a reinsurance program, which means they will be good for the money, even if many people are filing claims all at once.

You may have heard that it is next to impossible to find a warranty company to cover some cars. For example, forget about snagging a deal on your low-end Land Rovers (with poor quality, frequent and costly repairs). If you have a turbo engine in your Porsche or a really old car, then you may have a hard time finding an extended warranty plan as well. If you’re stuck in this situation, you may want to consider putting $5,000 into a long-term CD or money market account to save for repairs. If you have an older high mileage vehicle, then you can still find a reasonable deal through Warranty Direct, which covers vehicles up to 150,000 miles (“PowerShield Plan”). NWC also has a plan covering you up to 90,000 miles (“AutoXtra”), which covers components like the engine, transmission, drive axles, belts, water pumps, fuel pumps, rental car insurance and emergency roadside assistance. Before you visit the dealership to wheel and deal, be sure you arrive with an online quote in hand as a bartering tool.

There are some common lies that dealers tell consumers to get them roped into an extended warranty plan prematurely. Remember, they are salesmen and they’re out to get the highest commissions and the highest interest, thus gaining them more profits. One excuse is that “the loan won’t be approved unless you buy the insurance.” Be aware that most auto extended warranties can be returned within 30 days with a 100% moneyback guarantee, so if you’re coerced, you can always rid yourself of the plan if you find a better deal elsewhere. Another lie dealers tell is that “you must buy now or you can never get extended warranty coverage.” This is simply not true. The problem with buying from a dealer is that they like to draw up slick pseudo-contracts without showing you exactly what’s covered before you buy. If you look online, then you can go directly to the source and see what you’ll be getting.

CNC Plasma Cutter

My first inclination is to say that it can’t be done in your home shop.  My experience in my home shop has been that machining creates dirt.  I use the term dirt very loosely.  Dirt in many forms like plasma dust, machining chips, and cutting fluid spray.  All of these forms of dirt are very invasive and get into everything.Just to keep up be have to keep on cleaning.

In my home shop experience, I treat every one of my machines differently.My plasma cutter is the dirtiest by far.  I built a special room for it to try to contain the plasma dust it creates.  My CNC Plasma Cutter is in my main working area.  I usually just have to clean around it from time to time.My CNC router is in mind woodworking workshop.  It creates a lot of wood chips and wood dust, which all my other woodworking machines do as well.

Factories invest in thousands of dollars in extra machines to keep things clean.  These machines purpose is to reduce the amount of dirt in the shop.Some machines clean the particles are the air and some machines take care of the machining chips leftover.

Here are some examples:
Automated Chip Augers – Chip augers are generally in the belly of machines.  As chips fall down the augers move them over to a collection area.  These chips can then be shipped out and recycled.

Downdraft tables –

Downdraft tables are usually associated with plasma or laser cutters.As the CNC plasma cutter is cutting, air is being drawn downward from below it.  This air is then moved through filters, which clean the air and place it back in the shop.  They put the air back in to the shop so the building doesn’t have to be continually heated in colder areas of the country.

Updraft Table –

An updraft table works the exact opposite.  It pulls the air upward, then through a system of filters.

Water Tables -

Water tables are used mainly with CNC Plasma operations.There is a water bath right under the piece of metal that is being cut.  The dust and debris of the plasma cutting process is captured by the water table.  Over time, the table fills with this debris and must be cleaned out.

Janitorial Services -

Some factories maintain a janitorial service that cleans the facility every night.  This is usually dependent on the cost in the area the factory is located.

Free community site about CNC information:
If you would like to know more about CNC, head on over to http://www.cncinformation.com
It is easy to join up to this free CNC site today and get to CNC eBooks. One is a GCode Quick Guide and the other is the CNC Info Site eBook. You also get access to the Free Video Series…Image to CNC Art when you join the community.

government auctions

With each passing year, the online auction giant, eBay, gets bigger and more popular, with a wider audience of people. As a result, selling various services and goods via auctions has become much more commonplace and acceptable, as a way of engaging in commerce. Even though auto auctions are nothing new and have been used for decades for specific purposes, such as liquidating seized cars, these days it is simpler to acquire a vehicle through a used car auction.

In general, people who are ready to make an auto purchase love to shop at auctions because they can very often pick up an exceptional deal that they might not have ever been able to get through any other avenue. At the same time, sellers also like selling their products through auctions. Once a prospective buyer makes a decision to bid on an item, even if it is a low bid, they have mentally made the decision that they want the item and they become attached to the idea of owning it. When another bidder comes along, it can be easy for this mindset to translate into a bidding war and often the ultimate price is better than the seller could have hoped for.

These same principles apply for all kinds of auctions, not just auto auctions. There are many instances of a buyer getting a real steal on an auction vehicle, especially if there weren’t any other bidders interested in the same car. And, sellers of an auction car sometimes can benefit when two or three bidders have gotten attached to the vehicle they are selling.

For many years, buying a car through an auction meant that the buyer was purchasing a model from a selection of repossessed cars, or cars that had been seized and were made available through government auctions. There were also many types of specialized car auctions that were not open to the public.

But, today, things have changed considerably and now there are more options than ever in automobile auctions that the public can take advantage of, as well as dealers and other industry insiders. These days it is not unusual for banks, credit unions, and finance companies to hold public car auctions to deal with the growing inventory of repossessed cars that they have on their property. Salvage yards, body shops and auto repair shops are also known to engage the services of car auction houses to help them sell vehicles that have been abandoned or seized because the owner could not pay a repair bill.

An important thing to understand when purchasing vehicles at auto auctions is that sales are final and all of the automobiles are sold “as is,” with no type of warranty whatsoever. So, if you pick up a steal of a deal at a used car auction and turn the key to drive it home and it sputters and dies, then it is your problem alone to deal with. Late model cars at motor car auctions typically won’t have serious problems operationally, but unless you are skilled at working on cars, you might want to leave the older models to dealers or mechanics.

extended car warranty

When consumers search the web for a trustworthy 2 year extended warranty for their automobiles, it’s hard to miss Warranty Direct. This 28-year-old company is a member of the Better Business Bureau and Web Assured, in addition to being verified by Dun & Bradstreet. Over the years, they’ve paid over $500,000,000 in claims to over 2 million extended car warranty customers all across North America. Forbes Magazine listed Warranty Direct in their list of “Top 200 Companies in America” three times and they’re reinsured with nearly $5 billion in assets by AM Best insurance company. Consumers couldn’t ask for a better track record than that!

The first question consumers should ask is, “What parts are covered with my 2 year extended warranty?” With PowerShield, all the traditional “powertrain” components are included: engine, transmission, computer modules and drive axles. Unlike other warranties, Warranty Direct customers will also be covered for timing belts, water pumps, oil pumps, mechanical fuel pumps, CV joints, universal joints, crankshafts, cam shafts, bearings, bushings and more.

Consumers will NOT be covered for “wear and tear” damaged components like: seals, gaskets, valves, batteries, light bulbs, tires, GPS, trim, molding, handles, spark plugs, rotors, brake pads, hoses, drive belts or wheel alignments. At WarrantyDirect.com, there are other new car warranties and used car warranties (up to 7 years/100,000 miles) that cover “wear and tear” damage and all of these parts.

It can be difficult to find added protection for older vehicles. It seems that many cars depreciate the moment they are driven off the lot, but Warranty Direct offers to insure vehicles for as much as 150,000 miles! The PowerShield 2 year extended warranty offers 25,000 additional miles of coverage, with the choice of a $100 PER VISIT deductible or $0 deductible. No matter how many parts car owners need worked on, they will only pay that one-time $100 deductible, if they choose to pay a small deductible at all, that is! In addition to the 2 year extended warranty coverage, there is also 3 year, 4 year and 5 year used car warranties available, covering up to 100,000 additional miles!

Of course there are still some stipulations clearly spelled out in the 2 year extended warranty contract that vehicle owners should be aware of. First, a claim will be denied if repairs are needed within the first 90 days/1,000 miles after purchasing the plan. Secondly, a claim will be denied if the owner does not take the car in for regular oil/fluid changes, within 60 days of purchasing the plan and as indicated in the owner’s manual. Consumers must save receipts to show proof of oil changes in the event of a claim! Thirdly, a claim will be denied if the owner makes unauthorized modifications to use the vehicle for towing, racing, snow removal or commercial purposes. Additionally, consumers filing claims must ensure the odometer is working at all times (or fixed immediately). If the car begins to overheat or the “check engine” light comes on, then motorists must pull over immediately and call the toll-free 1-800 number to be covered. Lastly, a claim will be denied if damage is caused by a collision, weather damage, terrorist acts, vandalism or fire. That’s what car insurance is for!