super cars: September 2013

Exotic Sports Cars

They are flashy. They are fast. And they are very, very expensive. They are the exotic sports cars, the ultimate icons of speed, style and money. Exotic sports cars are built using cutting-edge technology and designed from a purely aesthetic point of view. Hence, they often ignore considerations of fuel economy and practicality in regards to storage, seating and their design and operations. As a result, they are either made-to-order, or manufactured in limited editions, sparing no costs. Only a select few can afford these exotic cars.

These T-Rexes of the motoring world can boast of engines that run on massive outputs of power, anywhere from 500 to 660 horsepower. Ferrari's Enzo, its latest limited-edition offering, tempts the sports-car lover with its promise of Formula 1 experience. With acceleration from 0 to 60 in as little as 4-5 seconds, these exotic cars are in a league of their own in terms of pure power and performance. Plush interiors and exclusive accessories make these cars sought after by car collectors all over the world.

While exotic cars are at the very pinnacle of the auto aristocracy, they should only be bought after careful consideration. These supercars not only burn a hole in your pocket when you buy them, they are equally expensive to maintain, requiring specially trained mechanics for repairs, custom-ordered spare parts and gallons of fuel for optimum performance. They are delicate, and can be troublesome when the smallest part malfunctions. These beauties must be handled with extra care, as their tremendous power can go wrong in the hands of an inexperienced driver.

Nevertheless, they are the stuff that car legends are made of. The exotic car brands that have become legends over time have included Italian manufacturers like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bugatti and Maserati; German companies like Porsche and Mercedes-Benz; the English carmaker Bentley, and American stars like Ford, Aston Martin and Dodge.

How To Get A Cheaper Auto Insurance For Teenagers

Lower auto insurance for teenagers nowadays is had to find. This is not a form age discrimination, but rather a cautious step taken by insurance companies to keep themselves in business. But no worries, with this article you'll be sure to pickup some pointers.

Oh! I also compiled more articles that you should read before buying any auto insurance to avoid regrets later. You can view them at my site, look for the link at the bottom of this article.

Insurance companies look at auto insurance for teenagers differently. Most teenagers don't have driving records. So insurance companies just make sure they give themselves a cushion and charge high premiums on auto insurance for teenagers.

Following this article may give you some ideas on how to get a lower auto insurance.

Tip # 1 to get a cheaper auto insurance for teenagers

The cheapest way for a teenager to get a low auto insurance rates is by simply adding them to an existing auto insurance policy. So by all means find a way to achieve this. Although there are always limitation to this strategy but be sure to talk to your auto insurance agent and find ways on how to make it work.

Tip #2 to get a cheaper auto insurance for teenagers

Be a good student. This might sound far off but there's a logic behind the madness. Good students with grade "A" and active in school associations are considered to have less tendency to be mad max behind the wheel. This might sound unfair but I'm not the one making the rules. So if you can try to have good grades or at least join some school clubs to be a little trustworthy to the eyes of insurance companies.

Tip #3 to get a cheaper auto insurance for teenagers

If possible try to make choices that would result to closer distance between work, school and home. This would reduce your exposure to the road and might give you a chip when negotiating for that cheaper auto insurance.

Getting that cheaper auto insurance for teenagers may a little bit tricky. But by following those simple tips, it may gain you a little edge. Sometimes that's all it takes that bag that elusive cheaper auto insurance for teenagers.

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Sports Car Insurance

Many motorists wish to save enough to buy sports car at least once in a lifetime, even though they might not be able to afford the maintenance of the car for a long time later. This is because owning a sports car can be an expensive dream and the insurance can be sky high. Since the sports cars are prone to accidents and being stolen, insurance is a must in spite of it being so expensive.

Keeping this problem in mind, insurance companies have made the decision to change the trend of collecting insurance based on the car. Instead, the driver is being considered along with the car. This ensures that people who are a bit older and have a good driving records can pay considerably lesser insurance compared to youngsters owning a car. Driving carefully can go a long way in helping the motorists reduce the insurance premiums even for sports cars.

Most sports cars are provided insurance by the manufacturing company itself. However, most of these cars might require additional insurance or might have to take up insurance from a private insurance company. A few precautions might help the owner get a cut in the premium amount to some extent.

Shopping around for quotations might give an idea of the market price. Also, this allows the individual to get in any special deals that are being offered on that particular day. Different insurance agents have different criterion based on which the insurance amount might be lessened. Most of them might give a lesser premium if alarms or trackers already secure the sports vehicle. Other might consider the driving experience of the driver and might give a discount if the individual has taken an advanced driving course. The age of the individual also plays a major role in convincing the agents about safe driving.

The quote provided by the insurance agent might cover for both theft and accidental insurance. It also varies on what exactly needs to be covered and the quote can be widely different for different requests from the customer. It is always better to look around before taking up insurance for a sports car that might be considerably higher than other options.

Compare Auto Insurance and Save Big Time

In the past, before the internet revolution, most people found themselves going with whatever their car insurance broker recommended. If you wanted to compare auto insurance, it usually took a long time going through the phone book and calling up various companies to check on their rates. Things have changed.

With the emergence of the internet, auto insurance comparison has become much easier, and with a few clicks of your mouse you can quickly and easily see a variety of quotes online. Taking the time to compare auto insurance prices is imperative now days, and it can also save you a great deal of money.

Compare Auto Insurance Prices

Of course one of the main things you want to do is compare auto insurance prices. Check out various companies and see what kind of insurance rates they have to offer you. Some people are paying very high car insurance rates; however, if they only took the time to do some auto insurance comparisons, they could save hundreds of dollars a year. Never be content with the first quote you get, and go on to see what kind of deals other insurance companies can offer you.

Compare Auto Insurance Plans Too

Not only should you compare auto insurance prices, but you want to compare the plans that they offer as well. When you compare auto insurance, one company may seem to have the better deal price wise, but when you check out the plan, it may not offer everything that the more expensive plan offers. When you are comparing insurance, be sure that the plans offer similar coverage when you compare the prices.

Know Your Needs When Doing Auto Insurance Comparison

When you are doing an auto insurance comparison, it is important that you know your car insurance needs. Know whether you need full coverage, comprehensive, collision, or if you just need liability insurance. If you are prepared and know what you need out of your insurance, you will be able to get a more accurate quote. Remember, not only do you want a great price on your insurance, but you also want to know that it covers all of your needs.

As you can see, taking the time to compare auto insurance is a great idea. Now days, with the internet available, it will not even take you very much time to sit down and get a few quotes to compare. So, what are you waiting for, why not see how much money you could be saving on your auto insurance today and take a few minutes to compare auto insurance prices.

The Corvette Stingray Sports Car

A review of The Corvette Stingray Sports Car, covering development, important features, and technical data of each model in the range, from the 1953 Corvette to the 1982 Stingray.

In this Article, I offer a nostalgic look at the Corvette Stingray sports car, one of an elite group of classic cars, which was manufactured during the period 1953 to 1982.

The first generation, referred to as C1, of the Chevrolet Corvette was produced in 1953.

It used a 150 bhp, 3.8 litre, straight 6-cylinder engine, with three Carter carburettors.

This was Chevrolet's first venture into the sports car market. The car was only available in white, with a black convertible top and red interior.

Unfortunately, it was not a success, and only 300 Corvettes were built that year.

After 1953, the following changes took place:

1954 - It remained unchanged, although other colours were offered
1955 - A 4.3 litre, V8 engine was available as an option
1957 - A redesigned body was introduced, together with a larger 4.6 litre, V8 engine
1958 - The body styling was slightly modified
1961 - The car's rear was redesigned
1962 - A larger 5.4 litre, V8 engine was offered in two versions: standard, developing 250 bhp, and fuel injected, developing 360 bhp.

This was the last model in the first generation of Corvettes.

1963

The Corvette Stingray was first introduced in 1963, and represented the start of the second generation, called C2, of Chevrolet sports cars.

The first Stingray was considerably different from the previous Corvette in so much as it was completely redesigned.

It was much lighter than its predecessors, and was available as a convertible as well as a fixed head coupe.

The body was fibreglass on a steel chassis. It had a split rear window, independent rear suspension, and used the same engine as the 1962 model.

The Corvette Stingray was an immediate success.

Production that year consisted of 10,919 convertibles and 10,594 fixed head coupes.

1964

The 1964 Corvette Stingray displayed only minor changes over the '63 model.

However, the 5.3 litre (327 cu in) V8 engine now had a high lift camshaft, and used a 4-barrel Holley carburettor instead of the previous Carter.

This produced 365 bhp, which was increased to 375 bhp with the use of Rochester fuel injection.

Production that year consisted of 13,925 convertibles and 8,304 fixed head coupes.

1965

The 1965 sports car had disc brakes on all wheels for the first time.

However, the main feature of the '65 model was the increase in size of the engine from 5.3 litre to 6.5 litre (396 cu in).

Since the output of 425 bhp using Holley 4-barrel carburettors was greater than the 375 bhp developed using Rochester fuel injection, then the latter was dropped in mid year.

It would not be for another 18 years before fuel injection was reinstated.

1966

The 1966 Stingray continued to use the big block, 7 litre (427 cu in), V8 engine, of which there were two options: 390 bhp and 425 bhp units, the latter using a larger Holley 4-barrel carburettor.

There was mild restyling of the front section of the '66 model.

The optional L-88 engine, a version built purely for racing, produced a phenomenal 530 bhp.

1967

The 1967 Corvette Stingray was to be the last member of the C2 generation. With five years of refinements to its name, it was regarded as being the finest model so far.

The 7 litre (427 cu in), V8 unit was given the Holley triple, 2-barrel carburettor as standard, developing 434 bhp.

However, what was regarded as the ultimate engine for the '67 Stingray was the L-88 option.

This had lightweight heads and larger ports, a modified camshaft, a massive 12.5:1 compression ratio, and a huge, single, Holley 4-barrel carburettor.

This veritable beast developed 530 bhp. In 1967, only 20 customers purchased a Stingray with the L-88 option.

Regardless of these changes, sales in 1967 dipped to 22,940 units (8,504 coupes and 14,436 convertibles).

Since the C2 generation had really run its course, a redesign was overdue. Chevrolet was ready to launch the C3 generation of the Stingray in 1968.

The motoring press was almost unanimous in its acclaim for the Corvette Stingray.

In 2004, Sports Car International cited the Stingray as number five in their list of Top Classic Cars of the 1960's.

1968-1982

Chevrolet launched the C3 generation of the Corvette Stingray in 1968.

Although the body was restyled, the engine and chassis remained unchanged.

After 1968, the following changes took place:

1970 - The 7 litre (427 cu in) V8 engine was enlarged to 7.4 litres (454 cu in), developing 390 bhp.
1971 - The compression ratios of all engines was reduced to take account of regular low lead fuel.
1975 - This was the last year of the convertible. It would be another eleven years before it returned.
1979 - 53,807 units were built, making it the peak production year for all versions off the Stingray. Beyond 1979, sales began to decline.
1982 - Fuel injection was reintroduced. It was the final year of the C3 generation.

There would be a two year gap before C4, the fourth generation of Stingrays, would be introduced, covering the period from 1984 to 1996.

This marked the end of the C3 generation of the Corvette Stingray sports car.

Beyond 1982, Corvette produced a number of exciting sports cars which, sadly, falls beyond the space allotted for this review.

Perhaps this stroll down memory lane might have answered, or at least shed light on, a possible question:

Which Corvette Sports Car Model is Your Favourite

However, should this question still remain unanswered, I will be reviewing, in some detail, in future articles within this website, the entire range of Corvette and Stingray sports cars which were featured in the memorable era spanning 1953 to 1982.

I hope you join me in my nostalgic travels "down sports car memory lane".

Purchase Auto Insurance Online FAQ

Interested of learning more on how to puchase auto insurance online? Then this article is for you, Im sure you'll learn something upon reading this article.

Oh! I also compiled more articles that you should read before buying any auto insurance to avoid regrets later. You can view them at my site, look for the link at the bottom of this article.

"Internet" or "Online", those words might be meaningless if mentioned 50 years ago. But nowadays it seems that everything is moving to the Internet. Purchasing products, emails and even looking for a soul mate is can now be done online. And thanks to the wonders of innovations on technology. It is possible nowadays to purchase auto insurance online.

Is it safe? Is it legal? This may be some of the questions that you may be asking before considering to purchase auto insurance online. Do not be worried. This is a guide on frequently asked questions: "Purchase Auto Insurance Online"

Is it safe to purchase auto insurance online?

Generally, yes it is. Technology has now developed secure connections to transmit data. Just be sure your visiting a legitimate insurance company, and not just dummy website that's just out to get personal information to find a way to exploit you. It's also best that you purchase auto insurance online from companies you know that are running an offline insurance business.

Is it legal to purchase auto insurance online?

There are some states that it's legal to purchase auto insurance online. Just be sure to ask for information for the costumer service. Ask them if it's legal to purchase auto insurance online from your state. If not, then don't worry it wont be long. All roads are leading to the information superhighway.

What are advantages when it comes to dealing with online auto insurance?

There are tons of advantages why you should shift to online with dealings to purchase auto insurance online. One is convenience. With just a pc you can access your policy anywhere. Update those all-important records instantly. You can produce a printout of your "up to date" auto insurance coverage and auto insurance span.

The Internet is the wave of the future. It's not going away anytime soon. Its better that you get comfortable with it and that includes the time when you purchase auto insurance online.

The European Sports Car

A review of The European Sports Car, covering development, important features, and technical data of each model in the range, from the Golf GTi Mk1 to the Peugeot GTi 1.9.

In this Article, I offer a nostalgic review of two popular European sports cars, which were manufactured during the period 1975 to 1999.

GOLF GTI

Mark 1

In 1975, the VW Golf GTI sports car was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

It was one of the first small cars to use fuel injection instead of carburettors.

This, coupled with its light weight and 1.6 litre engine, helped to create its high performance.

It was offered as a 3 or 5 door hatchback, and was an immediate success.

The Mark 1 Golf GTI was one of, if not the first, cars to be designated as a "Hot Hatch", referring to it being an upgraded small family saloon.

Although some left hand drive cars reached the UK market in 1977, it was not until 1979 that the first right hand versions arrived.

One motoring magazine trumpeted that the Mark 1 Golf GTI was the third best car of the 1980's.

Mark 2

In 1984, the now successful Golf GTI sports car was presented in the Mark 2 version, again as a 3 or 5 door hatchback.

Like the later Mark 1's, it used a 1.8 litre, Bosch fuel injected engine.

It had a different chassis, and the new styling introduced it to a wider audience. Sales of the Mark 2 exceeded those of the Mark 1.

In 1986, the Golf GTI 16v was introduced. It used a 16 valve, double overhead cam, 1.8 litre engine with a compression ratio of 10:1.

This model was distinguished by red and black "16" badges at the front and rear.

In 1990, as part of a facelift, the Golf GTI Mark 2 received a distinctive "Big Bumper" at the front, which became standard on all future models.

This addition made the Mark 2 extremely desirable.

Also, that year, the Golf GTi Mark 2 G60 was launched.

It used the 16 valve, double overhead cam, 1.8 litre engine fitted with a G60 supercharger, and a compression ratio of 8.8:1.

Its performance was impressive. The G60 16V engine was the toughest G60 unit that VW produced. It was a limited edition model, with only 71 ever built.

Mark 3

In 1992, the Golf GTI Mark 3 sports car was launched. The basic model used a 2 litre, 8 valve, single overhead cam engine, developing 115 bhp.

However, in 1993, the Mark 3 was fitted with a 2 litre, 16 valve, double overhead cam engine which developed 150 bhp.

In 1992, a version of the Golf GTI Mark 3 was introduced.

Called the VR6, it was powered by a 2.8 litre, 12 valve, double overhead cam, V6 engine, developing 174 bhp. It was an instant success.

Mark 4

In 1998, the Golf GTI Mark 4 sports car was introduced with improved body styling.

The basic model used the 2 litre, 8 valve engine as in the Mark 3.

However, five high performance variants were also available:

There was the VR6 version, with a 2.8 litre, double overhead cam, 24 valve, V6 engine which developed 204 bhp
A variant of this was the 4Motion, a four wheel drive, Golf GTI, based on the 2.8 litre, V6 engine, with a six speed gearbox, developing 201 bhp
There was a version with a 20 valve, turbocharged, 1.8 litre engine, developing 150 bhp
If this was not enough, the turbocharged, 1.8 litre model was available with a six speed gearbox, which developed 180 bhp
Finally, in 2002, the capacity of the 2.6 litre, V6 engine was increased to 3.2 litres. It had a six speed gearbox, a compression ratio of 11.3:1, and developed 238 bhp

PEUGEOT 205 GTI

In 1984, the Peugeot 205 GTI 1.6 sports car was launched.

Offered as a three door hatchback, it was considered to be among the most popular hot hatches on the decade.

Due to its light weight, it had a high power to weight ratio.

Early versions were powered by Peugeot's 8 valve, single overhead cam, 1.6 litre engine with Bosch fuel injection, a five speed gearbox, and disc brakes all round.

The engine was an all aluminium unit, being flexible and easy to rev.

In 1986, it was slightly modified with larger valves, an uprated camshaft, and a close ratio gearbox.

That same year, a convertible version was introduced.

Also in 1986, the Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9 sports car was introduced.

This used a long stroke, 1.9 litre version of the original engine. The result was greatly improved flexibility.

The suspension was stiffened to reduce pitch and roll.

The shorter stroke 1.6 litre engine had the reputation of being eager and easy to rev, whilst the 1.9 litre had more torque, and felt lazier but with more torque.

Strict emission regulations caused the 1.6 version to be withdrawn in 1992.

However, by enabling the 1.9 version to perform effectively with a catalytic converter, which reduced bhp to 122, production was maintained until 1994.

Post 1990 cars are the ones to look out for. A total of 332,942 inits of the three variants were built.

It has been suggested, but yet to be proved, that the Peugeot 205 GTI stole the crown from the VW Golf GTI in terms of who was the king of the GTI's.

This marked the end of my Review of The European sports car

Perhaps this stroll down memory lane might have answered, or at least shed light on, a possible question:

Which European Sports Car is Your Favourite

However, should this question still remain unanswered, I will be reviewing, in some detail, in future articles within this website, this range of European sports cars which were featured in the memorable era spanning 1950 to 1995.

I hope you join me in my nostalgic travels "down sports car memory lane".

Getting Online Auto Insurance Quotes

Are you searching for better auto insurance rates? Are you tired of feeling as though you're overpaying despite your spotless driving record? If so, it's about time you started shopping around for the best auto insurance rates from a new auto insurance company. Thanks to the web, motorists are no longer limited to dealing exclusively with local agents and hoping for the best deal. Instead, the internet has opened a new door for those who are looking to compare auto insurance rates and get the best value for their money.

When shopping online, the process of choosing an auto insurance company is a bit more involved than simply asking your neighbor which local agent he/she deals with. When you shop online, you may be required to do a bit more footwork on researching the auto insurance company, but the end results can pay off in a very big way. The best way to find a respectable auto insurance company is to research their history, learn about their policies and how long they have been in business, check their reputation with the Better Business Bureau and request a free auto insurance quote.

What is the most common way that an auto insurance company could compete for your business? By offering the lowest auto insurance rates, correct? If you said yes, then getting auto insurance online may be the way to go. Because there's so much more competition online, companies must work harder to get your business. In most cases, you can complete a request for a free auto insurance quote online in a matter of minutes. Depending on the auto insurance company, the number of requests and day of the week, it may take hours or several days to receive a response. The best part, however, is that you can shop from a nation of auto insurance companies with the click of a button and never even have to step out your front door.

Free auto insurance quotes online are very valuable for any number of reasons, including the obvious fact that they cost you absolutely nothing. Not to mention, the option is very convenient for someone who lives in a rural location and perhaps isn't close enough to visit several auto insurance companies or doesn't have the access to a great number of companies because of the fact that they reside in a small town. Where there's less competition, the prices are higher. But the internet has changed the face of competition by bringing a variety of options to those who either enjoy the convenience that the world wide web can offer or those who need the competitive pricing that simply isn't available in their area. Whether you are shopping for Pennsylvania auto insurance, New York auto insurance, Florida auto insurance, Arizona auto insurance, California auto insurance or anywhere in between, you can search for discount auto insurance rates from the comfort of your favorite recliner.

The information in this article is provided for reference purposes only. It should not be used as, in place of or in conjunction with professional financial or insurance advice relating to auto insurance quotes, discount auto insurance or auto insurance rates. For additional information or to receive an auto insurance quote, contact a local auto insurance company.

Renting a Sports Car

When one thinks of rental cars, they usually imagine overused sedans in neutral colors that lack pep or performance. Rental cars have often been generic, neutral vehicles maintained due to their functionality and reliability. The ho-hum prospect of renting a car in the past rarely elicited any feeling of excitement.

The car rental process, however, has changed over time. Now, a prospective renter can choose from a wider spectrum of vehicles, including popular high-performance sports cars.

A sports car might appeal to a renter for any number of reasons. A single person traveling alone may crave something novel and fun while on a dull business trip or as a means of rounding out a vacation trip. Others may wish to try their hand at driving a sports car on a temporary basis just for the sake of variety. Still others can use the opportunity to rent a sports car as a financially viable means of creating an extended test drive prior to making a sports car purchase. There are true sports car enthusiasts who need a rental car for any number of reasons and can simply not imagine a return to the doldrums of driving a conventional car.

This great variety of reasons has created sufficient demand for rental agencies to add sports cars to their available fleet of autos. Now, in addition to station wagons, economy class cars and base sedans, more and more rental companies are providing prospective customers with a healthy array of sports car options.

Of course, one cannot expect to rent a high-end import sports are at rates similar to those they might pay for a domestic standard issue vehicle. Sports cars, of course, are more expensive to purchase, maintain and insure. Thus, one can expect to pay significantly higher rates when renting one.

In addition to higher base rental rates, prospective customers can also anticipate some additional expenses. For instance, sports cars generally do not boast the fuel efficiency found in the more frequently rented subcompact cars and gas bills for the period of the rental are likely to run high.

Additionally, the rental agency may require additional insurance purchase, or at the very least, more expensive insurance options, than are generally required of other rented vehicles. Remember, the agency must purchase (or lease) these cars at considerably higher prices than standard models and that expense will be reflected throughout your rental experience.

Younger drivers may also encounter some difficulties in renting high-end sports cars. Rental agencies have always been somewhat restrictive when it comes to the age of drivers, but there are likely to have even stiffer requirements for the rental of sports cars. Rental agencies want to insure the safety of their sports car investments.

Sports car rentals create a unique opportunity for renters. It allows someone who may otherwise never have the opportunity to take the wheel of a high-performance vehicle to see what all the fuss is about. It can give one a chance at glamour and excitement for a few days without any real commitment or long-term burden. Although the cost of renting a sports car may be high enough to freeze some renters out of the market, their availability does increase their accessibility to those who may never have another opportunity to enjoy the sports car experience.

The next time you are renting a car, you may want to consider trying an exotic sports car for a few days. It can add something unique to your vacation or business trip. You can experience the excitement of sports car driving without the burdens of sports car ownership. If one can afford the additional expense of a great rental car upgrade, the rental sports car experience may be a great alternative to chugging about in a dull generic car.

Auto Insurance Savings: Tips for Lowering Your Premium

It's not exactly cheap to drive and maintain a car these days. As gas prices waver up and down and salaries fail to keep pace with inflation, it seems we're all looking for ways to cut costs.

For those of us who drive, auto insurance is a necessary requirement enforced by law. Though we hate paying what we sometimes feel are outrageous premiums, the financial protection we gain from those policies is a trade-off we just can't live without.

Just ask anyone who's been involved in an accident lately.

But there is good news. As this mobile society struggles to keep up with increasing costs, auto insurance premiums have finally begun a downward trend.

According to one reliable source, the average auto insurance premium fell almost 2 percent last year, to an average of just over $2,300 per household.

That may not sound like much, but it translates to an average savings of $60 a year.

If you weren't one of the lucky ones who got a pleasant surprise when your auto insurance policy renewed this year, don't despair. You can still save money on your premium by following a few simple steps:

Comparison Shop. If you have a good driving record and/or buy a safer car, your premium should go down. Plus, with some companies now charging lower rates, increased competition means better auto insurance rates for you! Take advantage of online marketing services like InsureMe.com to find the best auto insurance rates from competing insurers.
Find out what your insurance will cost before you buy that new car. Auto insurance companies typically charge more for cars that are expensive to repair or don't fare well in accidents. So before you drive off that lot, make sure your new car is considered safe, and relatively cheap and easy to repair by your insurer. This will help minimize risk...for both of you!
Ask your insurer for discounts. These cost-savers can lower your insurance premiums more than you might think:

Combining two or more cars on one auto insurance policy
Buying a car with airbags or other safety equipment
Installing anti-theft devices in your vehicle
Completing a driver's education course
Insuring your home and auto with the same insurer
Applying for a mature driver discount (for those between 50 and 65)
Getting good grades (for students under 25)

Take the highest deductible you can afford. Your deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket, in case of a claim, before your insurance company starts paying its share. The higher your deductible, the lower your premium--it's as simple as that. Just be sure you're able to absorb a larger portion of your loss in case of an accident.

Improve your driving record. The more tickets and accidents you have, the more your auto insurance costs. So drive cautiously, improve your motor vehicle record, and inform your auto insurance company of the change. They'll reclassify you as a safer driver, and lower your auto insurance rates in the process!

Consider dropping comprehensive and/or collision coverage if you drive an older car. Physical damage coverages like these reimburse you for damages to your own car. But if the vehicle you drive is several years old--or worth less than $1,000--it may not be worth much anyway. Dropping such unnecessary coverage can really save you money.

Review your policy regularly, and keep your coverage updated. Your auto insurance rates may fluctuate due to:

Adding or removing a driver from your auto insurance policy
Replacing an older vehicle with a newer one
Adding or removing a vehicle from your policy
Increasing or decreasing the number of miles you drive annually

Talk to your insurer if you encounter any of these situations. Under the right circumstances, you'll reduce the impact on your wallet--and walk away a few dollars richer!

If you're looking for ways to counter prices at the pumps--and everywhere else, for that matter--take these tips to heart.

What Level Of Auto Insurance Do You Need

The level of auto insurance that someone might need depends on the financial circumstances of the individual concerned and the cost of the car involved. Take for example someone who has a brand new $50,000 motor, it would be sheer folly to do anything other than take out one of the best auto insurance policies available and the cost of the auto insurance is likely to be insignificant when considering the overall annual cost of the car.

However, if you have a car that is nearing the end of its life, have a low cost car and previous claims or are a new driver then the cost of the auto insurance versus the benefits you might receive need to be given greater consideration. Comprehensive auto insurance premiums are likely to be disproportionately high for older vehicles, new drivers with low cost autos or drivers with accident history.

Whatever your circumstances you are legally obliged to take out a basic level of auto insurance that will cover you against third party claims and given the level of damages awarded seem to be increasing out of control then my advice would be to get the best possible third party liability auto insurance cover that you can afford.

The legal requirements for auto insurance does vary from state to state so you'll need to clarify the level of cover you require when taking out auto insurance but only insuring to the legal minimum isn't necessarily the best choice to make.

If you have a lot of money sunk into your car or your auto is leased then you really should take out comprehensive and collision auto insurance to cover you for things such as fire, theft, acts of god or collisions that are your own fault.

If you live in an area where cars are regularly vandalised you might want to consider comprehensive auto insurance when perhaps you wouldn't have otherwise done so. The cost of your auto insurance will generally be higher if you live in such an area but that is something you have to weigh up against the cost of repair.

Personal Injury Protection is something that everyone should consider as this element of your auto insurance will cover medical costs associated.

Despite legal requirements some people still persist in driving around without auto insurance leaving the others with a need to insure against the uninsured motorist. Uninsured auto insurance will cover you for damages in the event of an accident with an uninsured motorist. Again, insurance that everyone should give serious consideration to given an auto accident could leave you unable to work or your family without any means to earn.

If you want a more comprehensive auto insurance policy but want to limit the cost then you could look at opting for a higher level of deductibles. Deductibles are the amount you would have to pay before you could make a claim against your auto insurance policy and generally, the higher level you agree to the lower your auto insurance premiums.

How Are Sports Cars Different From Normal Cars?

Cars are not all the same; there are important differences that one must take into consideration when purchasing a new vehicle in order to make sure that one chooses the right car. People often choose sport cars due to the recent publicity that these vehicles have obtained as a result of famous racing events, but they are not always practical.

The major difference between a sport car and a normal one is the fact that the former has a stronger engine than the day to day vehicle. Most of the times, the sport engine has a bigger horse power which enables the driver to reach 60 miles per hour in no more than two or three seconds. On top of that, these cars are far faster than the others, so you need to make sure that you have the necessary skills to handle such a strong 'beast'.

The suspensions are also different as compared to the ones on the normal cars. Since they may arrive at the incredible speed of 300 km per hour, sport suspensions have to be able to support this aggressive driving style, to keep the car steady and give it a dynamic shape. The lower the ground clearance, the faster the sport car becomes; therefore, sport suspensions are usually smaller than normal ones.

Furthermore, sport gearboxes have lower ratio performances in order to enable the driver to rapidly shift gears while driving at very high speeds. Since sport transmissions get easily used, it is advisable that you purchase a sport car with resistant grades of metal.

Normal wheels are different than sport ones because the latter are generally not designed to give comfort, but to make the car as light and fast as possible. For that matter, the side wall of the sport tire is usually lower in order to give the car better stability on the road, especially when you are driving at very high speed.

Sport cars are less comfortable than normal ones and more difficult to handle in town given their low ground clearance. For that matter, you need to test a sport car before buying it in order to make sure that it is good enough for you. Vehicle leasing companies may help you make up your mind as you can hire sport and normal cars from them and drive them for as long as you want until you realize which one you like.

The Lotus Sports Car

A review of The Lotus Sports Car, to focus on the development, important features, and technical data of each model in the range, from the Mark 6 to the Elise S1.

In this Article, I offer a nostalgic look at The Lotus Sports Car, one of an elite group of classic cars, which was manufactured during the period 1952 to 1996+.

In 1952, Colin Chapman founded the Lotus Engineering Company whose aim was to produce racing and sports cars.

His first car was simply called the Mark 6 and was marketed in kit form.

The Lotus Seven

Based on the Mark 6, the Series 1 Lotus Seven was introduced in 1957.

Produced mainly in kit form, it enabled enthusiasts to own a combination racing and sports car inexpensively. It was a lightweight, quick and responsive two seater machine.

This was followed, in 1961, by the Series 2 Lotus Seven with a 1.3 litre engine.

In 1968, the Series 3 Lotus Seven was introduced using a 1.6 litre engine.

Finally, the Series 4 Lotus Seven appeared in 1970 with either a 1.6 or 1.7 litre engine.

The Lotus Elite

In 1958, the Lotus Elite made its appearance. It was a lightweight, fibre glass, two seater coupe. A higher performance SE version in 1960 produced 85 bhp.

There followed the Super 95, Super 100 and Super 105, with even more power. With its aerodynamic shape and Coventry Climax engine, it was a regular on the racing circuits.

The Lotus Elan

The Lotus Elan appeared in 1962. It was the first Lotus sports car to combine a steel chassis with a fibre glass body.

This two seater was, technically, ahead of its time using a Lotus-Ford twin cam engine and a Cosworth alloy head.

A 2+2 variant was introduced in 1967 with a top speed of 120 mph and 0-60 in 7.9 secs. Some 5,200 were built.

The Lotus Europa

The Lotus Europa, a two door, mid engined coupe, was launched in 1966.

Like the Elan, it had a fibre glass body on a steel chassis. The modified Renault engine was positioned behind the driver's head.

Later models were fitted with the Lotus-Ford twin cam engine. The Europa was not well received.

The Lotus Elite

In 1974, Lotus launched the front-engined, four seater Elite hatchback, designated the Type 75.

Once again, like the Elan, it had a fibre glass body on a steel chassis. It used a 16-valve, twin overhead cam engine with a five speed gearbox.

There were four levels of specification, from the basic 501 to the top of the range 504.

The Lotus Eclat

Also in 1974, the Lotus Eclat was introduced.

Based on the Lotus Elite Series 75, it had a fastback body style which provided greater boot storage.

Later models used a larger, 2174 cc Lotus engine, although it retained the same 160 bhp due to emission regulations.

The Lotus Esprit

The Lotus Esprit Series 1 was launched in 1976. As before, it had a fibre glass body on a steel chassis, and was the replacement for the Europa.

The engine was positioned behind the passengers, as was its predecessors. Sadly, it was regarded as being underpowered.

In 1981, the Lotus Esprit Turbo Type 82 was introduced, and was based on their experience gained in racing.

Finally, in 1986, the Turbo Esprit HC appeared, and its high compression engine produced 215 bhp. This brought the Esprit into the supercar league.

The Lotus M100 Elan

The Lotus M100 Elan appeared in 1989.

It was a two seater convertible, and used a Japanese Isuzu, twin overhead cam, 1.6 litre, 16-valve engine extensively modified by Lotus. Once again, the fibre glass body was fixed to a steel chassis.

This was the only front wheel drive sports car manufactured by Lotus.

The Lotus Elise

Launched in 1996, the Lotus Elise Type 111 was a two seater, mid-engined convertible. Its fibre glass body was bonded to an aluminium chassis.

Lotus also offered a series of limited edition variants. These were designed primarily for racing. The Lotus Elise outperformed all sales expectation, and returned Lotus to the premier league.

This marked the end of the classic Lotus sports car Beyond 2000, Lotus produced a number of exciting sports cars which, sadly, falls beyond the time frame of this review.

Perhaps this stroll down memory lane might have answered, or at least shed light on, a possible question:

Which Lotus Sports Car Is Your Favourite

However, should this question still remain unanswered, I will be reviewing, in some detail, in future articles within this website, the entire range of Lotus sports cars which were featured in the memorable era spanning 1952 to 1996.

I hope you join me in my nostalgic travels "down sports car memory lane".

Auto Insurance Policies

Most auto insurance policies in the United Kingdom has standard format and structure. They are divided roughly in six sections: first section - heading, which shows the full address, name of the UK auto insurance company,which underwrites your auto insurance policy.

Second section is preamble covering what an auto insurance premiums have paid and the following form is the base of the auto insurance contract. The next section is operative clause.It is a detailing list with the types of the events that auto insurance policies cover against (comprehensive, third party fire and theft or third party only). Exceptions clause are cover exceptions or cover exclusions.

For instance, cover will not be provided if the car is driven by anybody other except the drivers, which are mentioned in the auto insurance certificate. The fifth section is condition - the list with conditions, applying for the cover in order to be operative. So, for instance, covered by insurance has to notify auto insurance company in United Kingdom or its agent about any incident, that could affect on a claim, made under the auto insurance policy.

The last section of auto insurance policy is schedule.It is connected with the auto insurance policy and the auto insurance certificate and gives some details, that are specific to the insured person such as period of auto insurance and name.

Cover or car changes are written down in the schedule and also new certificate, which is published in order to comply with lawful requirements. It also contains a note about the premiums payable.The auto insurance certificate is an full part of the auto insurance policy. It gives details, which are specific to the covered by insurance. It also gives proof to minimum legal requirement in the United Kingdom. In the case of the auto insurance policy cancellation, the certificate must be returned to the auto insurance company or its agent during 7 days. Read more about auto insurance in UK here...