10 Cars Voted Best By Consumers - 2007

Among all experts and others who create lists at the end of the year, the most valued is the consumer. CNNMoney has based their "best car" selection based on consumer reports.

1. Honda Fit costs USD 14,000-16,000 and is the leader in the fuel efficient cars category. The Fit was the winner in reliability, crash protection, and satisfaction.

2. The Honda Civic, costs around USD 20,000 and in its range it has smooth running, great interiors, and the best handling.

3. The Honda Accord, costs USD 20,000 -30,000, has excellent balance of comfort, roominess, ride, and handling.

4. Infiniti G35, costs 35,000 -39,000, is fast, agile, steers well, is reliable and a great car.

5. Infiniti M35, costs USD 42,000- 45,000 and according to consumer ratings it earns the highest scored in the sedan category, comfortable, and drives well in any circumstances.

6. Toyota Rav4, costs USD 23,000- 27,000 the engine gives good performance, has fuel economy, and offers reliable crash protection.

7. Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Costs over USD 30,000, is a leader but being redesigned in 2008.

8. Minivan Toyota Sienna, costs USD 26,000- 28,000, has a powerful engine, is quite, comfortable, and refined.

9. Green Car Toyota Prius, costs USD 23,000, has interiors that are roomy, and is a great favorite.

10. Mazda Mx-5 Miata, costs USD 21,000- USD 27,000, has superior handling, pin-point steering, and more.

When vehicles are rated they need to match stringent norms. To become a "top" auto a vehicle must score the highest in its category, have great reliability, and pass smoothly government and insurance institute crash tests. Consumer reports tests over 75 cars each year to determine which ones stand up to hard driving habits.

Aspects considered are: technology, safety, reliability, and more. Consumer reports has since 1936 been the trusted source for information on products. They are known for their objectivity and accuracy and have high standards.

Having a Strong Financial Vision

Up to this point, our articles have focused on your current financial situation, on knowing from where you are starting. Now we are going to take you to the other extreme - where you want to end up. Where you are going is almost as important as your starting point. It gives you a destination, a target, a place on which to set your sights. If you think about a successful business, you can be very sure that behind the scenes there is a successful business plan, one that was put in place when the organization was born and one that is centered on a Vision. The company will have laid out in this business plan where they want to be in 1 year, 3 years, 5 years. They will know what their ultimate goal is in very specific terms. They won't just say they want to be the best. They will say that their goal is to be at the top of the Fortune 500 list in 5 years.

Think of your financial life as a road trip. You know from where you are starting - New York. You know where you want to go - sunny Miami. Now that you have your starting point and your destination, you can plan how you will get there. You can plan it in stages and you can even stop to see some of the sights along the way. You can travel as quickly as possible or you can take the scenic route. This is the same as your financial journey.

How do you decide on what your Vision is? It is a very personal thing and it may involve only you or it may involve your family as well. The one thing that must be made very clear right form the beginning is that a Vision is not the same thing as a dream. A dream is a someday thing. A Vision needs to be detailed, measurable, achievable, compelling, and timetabled. The difference between a Vision and a dream is: I will be a wealthy entrepreneur someday vs. in the next calendar year my business will generate an income of $150K. This is a target and while it is not carved in stone (after all sometimes our Visions change) it is something you can then work backward from to see that you hit the target.

An important process we take our clients through is the "3 Year Vision" exercise. Begin by asking yourself a few simple questions: How much will you be making monthly? What kind of car will you be driving? Where will you be living? What specific services and/or products will your business offer? Have fun with this exercise and be incredibly specific. When you read your vision you should feel happy - you should feel a sense of excitement and joy as you paint a vivid picture of where you want your life to be.

Once you are clear about where you want to be, you can then break this journey down into smaller steps. For example, when creating the Vision and plan for your business income it is not enough to say, "I want to make a lot of money." Think about what you want your monthly revenue to be - a specific number. Then break it down into how much you will need to earn every week and how much you will need to earn every day to make it happen. Then you will know how much your current income falls short and can begin to look for options. Perhaps you might develop new products or add offerings for your clients in order to bring business revenue to the desired level.

Writing down your Vision and your plan, which is your journey broken down into manageable pieces, will play a huge role in whether or not you reach your destination. Do not underestimate the importance of writing down and fully visualizing the goal. Study after study has proven that people who write down their goals reach them significantly more consistently than those who do not. Set yourself up for success right from the beginning by doing a simple writing exercise that is both fun and practical. Then you will be able to draw your own road map to get from point A to point B and you will reap the benefits of careful planning and hard work.

Choosing a Right Sized Car

Making a choice on what size car to buy can often be quite difficult. The power and handling of a sports car is desirable, but is it really practical? This depends on a variety of factors.

Do you have kids?
- If you have kids then you should avoid getting a sports car with only two seats. In addition, you should consider buying a sedan as getting a car seat into the back seat with only two doors is incredibly difficult. For the older kids, there is just not enough leg room in a car with only two doors. Unless you want to get the back of your seat kicked constantly, you might want to consider another alternative.

Do carry a lot of big items in your car?
- If you work in construction or are just looking to be able to carry around large pieces of furniture, you should consider a pickup truck. There are some models that are relatively inexpensive even compared to other cars. Plus, your friends will love you for all those times that they need to move or buy a large piece of furniture.

Do you plan on hauling a boat or trailer?
- If you are going to haul a trailer you need a large sized car or truck. Pickup trucks and SUVs are the ideal choice if you are going to haul a boat or trailer. It is possible to haul a boat with a mini-van or other smaller car; however, this can become quite dangerous and should be avoided if possible.

Are you looking for a date?
- There are many cars out there that are designed specifically for horse power and style. Consider purchasing a luxury car or a sports car for those special dates.

Are you looking for horse power or torque?
- If you are looking for torque, you should consider larger cars, SUVs, or trucks. There are brands that are specifically known for torque for instance Ford so make sure that you are buying a car from a manufacturer that knows how to put torque into a vehicle. If you are looking for pure horsepower, try a sports car. Car's like the Mazda Miata have horse power with little torque.

Do you like large cars or a small cars?
- This can greatly impact your decision. Make sure that you have a rough idea before heading to the dealership.

If you consider these questions before making your purchase, you will have a much better idea of the size of the car you are searching for.

Salt Water Fishing Tips For Beginners

Salt water fishing is a topic as big as the sea. It can run the gamut from angling for smaller inshore species like speckled trout, flounder and redfish, to an offshore adventure in search of pelagic giants like bluefin tuna and blue marlin. Since the inshore species are more accessible to anglers, here are a few tips to help in the search for a good catch. And just to narrow down the field even more, the tips given here will be geared more toward the beginning surf fisherman. However, these salt water fishing tips will put any beginner on the path to becoming a pro.

First, in order to catch a fish the bait has to be placed where the fish lives and feeds. This may be as simple as tossing a baited hook into the surf, which will often produce great results. But not all fishing spots are created equally. Any given stretch of beach will have certain areas that hold more fish than others. It is best if the angler can invest the time to survey the area he plans to fish at low tide, as this condition often reveals subtle dips in the bottom, deeper holes, sandbars, and other structures that will hold fish.

If it is not possible to survey the beach at low tide before fishing, at least take a few minutes to study the patterns of the incoming surf before you cast your rod. Waves that break far from the water's edge usually mean shallow water, and at times waves may be seen breaking on a sandbar many yards from shore. In contrast, if the surf rushes in and the waves break closer in one area than in another it usually means that the area is deeper than its surroundings. It is important to pay close attention since fish usually congregate around some type of underwater structure or area of depth change.

One mistake that I have seen many fishermen make is to try and send their bait as far as possible with every cast. At times this does pay off, but many times there are plenty of fish to be caught within a few yards of the sand, right in the foam. It is best to fish with multiple rods and cast various distances from shore until the fish are found.

Expensive, oversized tackle is not a necessity. Any decent quality rod and reels combination in medium to medium-heavy is perfectly acceptable. A simple bottom fishing rig of two or three drop lines tipped with size six hooks, and with enough weight to keep the rig on the bottom attached to the terminal end, will catch most species that live in the surf. Always remember that if you want to catch large numbers of fish you can catch a big fish on a small hook. But you can't catch a small fish on a big hook.

For the beginner, it is best to fish with natural bait. This means practically anything that the fish in your area might be feeding on. Small pieces of shelled shrimp, worms, the meat from clams, small pieces of squid, and cut fish are just a few of the best baits.

The best time of year for saltwater fishing is the time that you can do it. Except in the coldest months of winter you can usually find something to catch. There's only one sure way to be successful as a fisherman, and that's to get out there and wet a hook. The only sure way to fail is to never try. So get out there and give it a try, you never know what you might catch.

Mazda, To Set Miata aBLAZE in Japan

Mazda Motor Corporation earlier announced the launch of Blaze, a special edition roadster intended for the Japanese domestic market. Blaze is a lightweight, open-top sports car which has been the subject of several modifications to improve ergonomics, style and performance. Both the interior and exterior auto parts have been enhanced for a whole new driving experience. Blaze is now on sale at all Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealers throughout Japan.

Blaze Edition Roadster got its name from "sparkle," "blinding light," and "fiery color," and the images they suggest. Its dominant exterior, which is enhanced by special auto parts, epitomizes cutting-edge style. The forged 17-inch alloy wheels of the vehicle are produced by BBS Japan Co. Ltd., a renowned name in the manufacture of auto wheels. The wheels are accentuated with chrome finish for a regal impact. Compared to base model roadsters, Blaze wheels are lighter to improve driving performance. Blaze also uses several Mazda Miata and parts. In fact, in April next year, a new version will be equipped with Mazda's pride - Power Retractable Hard Top (PRHT).

The special edition vehicle also boasts its chrome and clear parts features. An exclusive deep wine-red body color, Radiant Ebony Mica is made exclusive to Blaze. The deep green Highland Green Mica is also added to the standard model color range. Now, there are two color choices available for this special edition Roadster.

The interior of the car boasts its sand beige genuine leather seat upholstery and door trim mated to black leather combination for the steering wheel and parking brake covers. The interior is accentuated with alloy parts to equalize the sporty appeal with its elegant charisma. Other exclusive features of the roadster include the shift boot air vent bezel and dial rings, decoration panel, and stainless steel scuff plates.

The manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the soft-top models are 2,840,000 yen for the six-speed manual transmission version. For the six-speed automatic transmission version the MSRP is 2,870,000 yen. For the Power Retractable Hard Top models, they are priced at 3,040,000 yen for the six-speed MT version and 3,135,000 yen for the six-speed AT version.

Top 10 Most Popular Cars by Sales

How does one define a car in terms of popularity? Almost everyone has different standards on the matter. Some like their cars to remain with their stock color and accessories such as steering wheels, dash board covers, and floor mats and still be popular. On the other hand, cars that have been modified and have been fitted with custom seat covers, mufflers, and bright headlights also rake in a lot of popularity points.

For this year, here are the 10 most popular cars in terms of web visits and not the actual number of registered owners:

1. Chevrolet Corvette - a high-performance sports car, boasting of a 430-horsepower V8 and impressive fuel efficient mechanism. The Chevrolet Corvette consumes 16 miles per gallon in the city and 26 miles per gallon while on the highway. The interior details of the 2008 Chevy Corvette need no customization of its car seat covers, dashboard, and the likes. A total break from its predecessors' interiors, the insides of this car is just magnificent.

2. Ford Mustang - the Mustang remains to be one of the most popular cars from the long line of Ford models, offering a diversity of performance options: 2 body-styles, 4 trims, 2 engines, 2 transmissions and a wide list of additional features. Though the stock accessories are already pristine as they are, using customized interior details such as floor mats won't hurt.

3. Dodge Challenger - returning from 35-year absence from the road, the classic muscle car that is the 2008 Dodge Challenger is boosted by a 6.1-liter V8 engine pumping 425 horses. The Dodge Challenger also prides itself with Bluetooth connectivity, satellite navigation, and Keyless starting capability.

4. BMW M3 - running for the first time on a 414 HP/ V8 engine, this car comes in sedan, coupe, and convertible types. The car also comes in different stock colors. Speaking of colors, one can mix and match with its posh interiors, starting with the dashboard and car seat covers. The transmission is also a thing of beauty, one can choose between a 6-speed manual transmission, or a new 7-speed M Double-Clutch transmission with Drivelogic.

5. Porsche 911 - with a horse power numbering to 480 and a sleek exterior design and metallic finish, who would not want to be behind this car's steering wheel? A true stunner, the Porsche 911 can burst to 60 mph in a matter of 3.7 seconds. Speaking of metallic finish, one can tweak the seats and sport a set of metallic custom seat covers.

6. Mitsubishi Eclipse - the sporty coupe from Mitsubishi, the Eclipse has evolved from its predecessors in terms of style and shape. This car blitzes on a 3.8-liter V6 that creates 265 horsepower to drive the front wheels.

7. Lamborghini Gallardo - a two-seater on a V10 engine, this model is Lamborghini's best-selling model. What makes this car so desirable? It possesses an impressive 560 horsepower.

8. Nissan 350Z - launched in 2003 but was not remodeled since then, the Z car from Nissan is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 306-horsepower. The Nissan 350Z comes in coupe or convertible.

9. Mazda MX-5 Miata - a further advancement from its 1989 forefather, the 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata boasts of quick steering, easy handling, and a sporty physique. Now available in the convertible type, no doubt this model will sell like pancakes.

10. Nissan GT-R - running on 480 horsepower, the Nissan GT-R is an all-wheel drive coupe that can perform exceptionally well on almost all types of surface. With a top speed of 200 mph, yet meeting ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) standards, this car is truly one for the environment. Another thing, the Nissan GT-R can achieve 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

Asian Brands Posted Increased March Sales

With March over, car manufacturers have reported their sales for the said month. The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) reported that strong sales of Asian brands.

According to the report, international brands have taken 48.4 percent of the U.S. auto market. Leading the way for the international brand are, of course, the surging Asian brands of Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. But aside from Japan's version of the Big Three, other Asian brands have also posted strong sales in the United States. Their increased sales for the past month have increased the hold of international brands on the U.S. auto market.

Aside from Toyota, Honda and Nissan, Mazda also posted increased sales for the month of March this year. The Ford Motor Company affiliate posted a notable increase in sales of 47.9 percent. The company sold 37,742 units in the United States and helped the company achieved its best March sales since 1994. For the first three months of the year, Mazda has already sold 79,074 units which equals to an increase of 17.5 percent compared to the first quarter sales in 2006.

The best selling model for the Japanese brand is the popular Mazda3 which has posting sales of 15,606 units. The Mazda6, the CX-9, and the MX-5 Miata also posted good sales figures to help the auto manufacturer increase March sales.

While Subaru may have posted a 5.4 percent sales slip for the month of March, the company's passenger car sales increased by 1.7 percent. The Subaru Impreza posted the highest sales increase for the month with 3,817 units sold to report an increase of 21 percent over March 2006 sales for the model. Another Asian brand to post increased March sales is Suzuki. The company known for high quality motorcycles sold 11,030 units of automobile in the United States for the month of March to post a 1.3 percent increase. The increase is the effect of the 28.6 percent increase in light truck sales. Both the XL 7 and the SX 4 played a major role in increasing the sales figure for the Japanese brand last month.

Mitsubishi is another Asian brand which posted increased sales in the United States for the month of March. The company sold 12,536 units and that is an increase of 22.3 percent over the sales for the same period last year. For the first three months of the year, the company has already posted a 23.2 percent sales improvement over the first quarter sales figure in 2006.

The best selling Mitsubishi model for the month is the Eclipse. Mitsubishi sold 2,613 units of Eclipse for the month of March on the way to posting an increase of 5.1 percent for Eclipse sales over March 2006 sales of the model. The Mitsubishi Outlander also posted good sales for the month of March with 2,634 units sold. The redesigned Outlander has definitely attracted the attention of American auto buyers evident in the 20.9 percent sales increase for the particular model.

The increased sales of these Asian brands continue to increase their hold in the U.S. auto market. If the current trend continues, international brands will surely wrest the majority of the U.S. auto market away from the U.S.' Big Three and not even good brake components from Active Brakes Direct can stop them.

How To Find And Install Auto Parts On Your Own Vehicle

Are you one of those people who is mechanically inclined? If so, congratulations, while I can do simple auto repair I prefer not to especially with the way cars these days are getting more and more complicated. Still, if you enjoy it and you want to save some money, you can save quite a bit by finding the parts you need and installing them yourself. One way that you can reduce the expense of auto parts is to go for recycled car parts.

You will find that companies that specialize in recycling auto parts can offer you some really good savings. When you first thing of recyclers you may think that they are probably rare but the truth is there are a lot of companies that offer this service. The parts they have are in most cases just as good as new and you will pay a fraction of the price. One of the ways that they get the cars is from insurance companies that drop off cars that have been deemed to be totaled which the recyclers use the parts from.

You are also helping the environment by buying recycled parts because there is a good bit of pollution caused by making new parts due to the fact that they use a lot of oil to make new parts. As with many other things that we use as humans, reusing raw materials like this is very beneficial to our environment. There are well over four million vehicles recycled annually in the United States so that should tell you that there are lot of parts available out there for a wide range of vehicles. The act of recycling also saves and helps the environment by not filling unnecessary space in landfills. There is simply no reason to toss something out that can still be used. You are also able to get the same quality parts by using a recycler as you would get from the original manufacturer's parts.

Recycled parts have so many benefits, from being environmentally conscious to saving you lots of money this is one of the best possible ways to buy auto parts. If you are concerned about the quality of the recycled auto parts you should know that most of the recyclers give warranties on the parts they sell so you do not have to be worried about whether they are good or not. They also usually have huge networks of other recyclers and parts dealers and can find the part you need quickly, efficiently, and at a good price.

2007 Best Cars To Buy

And now, the 2007 Best Car!

There's more to finding the 2007 best car than a list of top cars, but we might as well start with that:

BMW 3-series

Chevrolet Corvette and Silverado

Chrysler 300

Ford Focus

Honda Accord, Fit, Odyssey, Pilot and Ridgeline

Infiniti G35 Sedan

Lexus RX330 and RX400h

Mercedes GL450

Mazda Miata MX-5 and Mazdaspeed 3

Porsche Boxster and Cayman

Subaru Outback

Toyota Avalon, Camry Hybrid, Land Cruiser, Prius and RAV4

VW GTI

Now that you've seen our list, what are you going to do with it? For what they're worth, here are our additional words of wisdom--

--the year's best car is the one you're glad to have for as long as you own it. Anyone who's bought or leased a car has wished they could change something about the car they bought, or get a completely different one. The root-cause of this regret is generally emotional--their salesman talked them into buying a car before they were ready, they wanted the car now, and rushed into a purchase. Etc. Etc. There are as many reasons for regretting a car purchase as there are cars, unfortunately. So we encourage car buyers to make their decision a rational one instead of an emotional one. Plan on spending three or four months researching cars, financing and insurance before you roll your sleeves up and begin to negotiate. Read a couple of books on car buying (even if you plan to lease your next car or buy a used one);

--spend plenty of time doing research. Talk to people who drive the car you're interested in. Ask them how they like it, what they don't like about it and what they wish they could change. Ask them any questions your research has brought up. Most people are surprisingly honest, and this objectivity can be very helpful.

You can get similar information to this online, but the person who wrote the opinions is generally difficult or impossible to contact, so it's difficult to ask them clarifying questions or ask them for information their review didn't mention

There are a number of good car magazines that we recommend in your research stage, but most people know about them and it seems like a waste of space to spend much time on them--but definitely read everything they have to say about the cars you're interested in;

--don't limit yourself to buying a car in the town or city where you live. The internet is full of people selling cars (including many dealers) who are just as reputable and trustworthy as the people with brick storefronts. A whole cottage industry has sprung up to help you get cars in other towns inspected and shipped to your home. This same thing is true with financing your car and getting insurance for it--the best car of the year, in our opinion, is one you love and one you've spent as little money on as possible;

Good luck as you look for the 2007 best car! Keep your eye on the prize--the smell of a new car.

Fit an HHO Cell to a Car Or Truck

How to fit an HHO cell into a car or truck is quite straightforward. I would definitely recommend a manual, if you do not have one already. They are excellent value for money and will show you how to make as well as fit an HHO cell. Anyway, here are the basics of what to do.

Take normal flexible plumbing hose and hook up your bubbler from the top of the electrolyzer. It is better for the bubbler to be housed a bit higher in your engine compartment than the HHO cell, but it is not essential. When superior to the generator, it means that any vapor collected during operation will flow back to the electrolyzer when the unit is not in use; it saves you having to clean it out and overhaul it so often.

Your bubbler can be as far away from where you have housed the cell as you wish. Space is often at a premium under the hood of modern automobiles, so you may be limited as to where you can place the bubbler and HHO cell. Some folk even attach them to the front of their grill. Anyway, measure out the distance between vaporizer and generator before cutting to length.

You will then need to estimate the space (with any bends and turns) from your vapor catcher to the hole you have made in your carburetor intake hose. Cut to length.

The final step is to connect your electrical unit, which controls the whole system. They vary in sophistication depending on the manual you are following, but this is basically what you do. Remember, I am only telling you how to fit the HHO cell, not how all the individual components are made.

Connect the positive wire to the top of your HHO cell and the negative wire to the bottom. You need a good gauge wire with a fuse (15 amp is good in most cases) going to the car battery. You will need to connect the wire to the on/off switch on the electronic control unit itself. Then one to the vehicle's ignition fuse and then back again to the trip.

Finally, you will be left with three or four, depending, negative wires. Connect them all together for convenience and send them to ground.

To fit an HHO cell is pretty quick once you have decided where to position the components. On most cars and trucks I can fit an HHO cell in about 20 minutes. Of course making the HHO kit itself takes a little longer. That said, I get all the parts mailed to me and in a tiny workshop in my kitchen, with minimum tools, it takes about 3 hours to come up with a fully functioning system.

Predicated on a finely tuned unit, I reckon my median savings on gas or diesel to be around 48%. That is surely not a figure to be scoffed at.

Autocross Buying Guide - Select the Right Car

In my experience, autocross can be a very fun and exciting sport. I have participated in several events in my local area. I found the hobby to be very addictive as well.

Out of all my other hobbies, I think this one is the best "bang for the buck" as far as thrills go with your car. Everybody can participate. Every car (some clubs have exceptions to this though like no SUV's, no Trucks) can race. The nice thing about this kind of race is that you are competing against others in your class usually defined by the SCCA, however, you are on the course alone so there is minimal chance of hitting other cars.

The hardest part about autocross (aside from learning how to race) in my opinion is finding the right car. Sure, you can use a daily driver, but that is not recommended if you are going to participate in several events a year. Autocross can create wear on the tires and other components very quickly and can get expensive very fast. I would recommend to get a vehicle that you can use for autocross. This can be a "trailer car" or a car that you can still drive on the road, but use only for this hobby.

There are 4 key components to consider when selecting a car for autocross:

1) What type of car to get
2) The Price of the car
3) The overall condition of the vehicle (if used)
4) Aftermarket upgrades/modifications

WHAT TYPE OF CAR TO GET FOR AUTOCROSS:

For autocross racing, some people would assume that the car has to be very powerful, small, 2 doors and modified. This is not entirely accurate. While that type of car would be nice, it is not required to be competitive in autocross.

Remember that most autocross events and clubs have the cars grouped in to some sort of class. The club I participate with follow the SCCA Class guidelines. The classes help group the cars so the same "level" of vehicles can remain competitive within each class.

This is done to avoid the "biggest and fastest is best" state of thought. It would be unfair to put a heavily modified Porsche GT3 up against a stock Ford Focus. This is why they do that.

So, to pick the right car for autocross, you would probably want a coupe or convertible FIRST if possible. Sedans can work well too, but some sedans are not geared for modifications, although, the sport sedans of today are really starting to take over.

Manual transmission would be recommended, however, if you have an automatic that is OK too. You may want to consider trading it for a manual in the future to remain competitive. Again, there are still "sport shift" type automatics out there that are getting better and better each day.

Ideally, you would also want a rear-wheel drive car for autocross. RWD cars typically provide better control and handling in most cases. I know some enthusiasts out there will disagree with me, but that's OK. On the other hand, I have used several front-wheel drive cars that run with the best of them.

PRICE:

The price of buying a car for autocross is always the factor for me. I, like many others, cannot afford an expensive vehicle for autocross. There are, however, those that can afford it and price is still something for them to consider.

The $0-$5000 range:

This is the range most of us beginners want to start. Of course, free is GOOD, but consider the 3rd component (overall condition) when this option comes to mind. Several cars that can perform well and have a lot of upgradable options are the following:

1989-1997 Mazda Miata - Very nice power to weight ratio. It is VERY popular at autocross. 1979-1991 Mazda RX7 - Fast small car, handles well. Many upgrades available. 1989-1998 Nissan 240sx - Several aftermarket upgrades, handles very well. 1990-1999 BMW 3 Series - Very versatile car. You can find very nice models in this range now. 1988-2000 Honda Civic/CRX - I have seen several models compete well in autocross. 1984-1999 Toyota MR2 - Low center of gravity, great performance, mid engine. 1990-1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse/Eagle Talon - Many upgrades, some models Turbo AWD. 2000-2007 Ford Focus - Very competitive cars. SVT models available in price range. 1997-2003 VW Golf - Hatchbacks always like autocross. VR6 models available in range. 1990-1999 Acura Integra - Like the Civic, very competitive with many upgrades out there.

There may be a few more cars that I missed that fall under this price range. The method I use to hunt for cars can vary depending on the type I am looking for. I will use local classified ads, Craigslist. I will also use the bigger car searches and expand my general "hunting" area. I have successfully found great cars using VEHIX, AutoTrader as well as Government Auction Sites.

But what about the autocross cars above the $5000 range? Well, I am glad you are think that because I am about to list them below.

If you have some money to work with and want to get something newer, you can consider the following cars:

The $5,001-$20,000 range:

This range can include newer cars as well as pre-owned cars that are no more than a few years old. Remember, cars usually depreciate very fast, so as the years go by, some of the newer cars can be within reach for less money and are great for autocross. The cars below come to mind in this range:

1998-Current Mazda MX-5 - Still same basic car, but more power as they got newer. 2003-Current VW Golf - Even more modified than the previous versions, compete well. 1992-1997 Mazda RX7 - 3rd Gen is twin-turbo and can compete in autocross. 1992-2006 BMW M3 - M3's are designed for racing. Some newer models will fall in this range. 1998-2003 BMW M5 - M5's are very powerful and compete in their class well. 1994-Current Ford Mustang/Cobra - Very versatile car. Competes well in class. 1994-2002 Camaro/Firebird - Competes well in class. Many autocross upgrades. 2007-Current Mazda Mazdaspeed3 - Turbo, hatchback, competes well in autocross. 2003-2008 Nissan 350z - Great autocross car, very popular on the track. Special Autocross Kit cars such as the V6 Stalker fall in this range as well.

Now, this price range can vary in vehicles. A lot of these cars are still new and may require loans to purchase them.

The $20,001 spectrum will consist of some of the current-day models as well as the obvious "super cars" we all respect such as the Corvette, Viper, Porsche, Ferrari, Lotus and others. I will not include a list for those because if you are buying one of those for an autocross car, you did your research.

OVERALL CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE (USED):

When buying a second car for autocross, treat it like when you are buying your daily driver car. You want the car to be relatively free of major problems. Autocross racing can put stress on the car's frame, the suspension, the brakes, the tire and the overall body of the car.

You want to be sure that the car has not been in any major accidents. Frame repair or frame damage can be very dangerous mixture when you autocross. That is the MOST important thing to check for when buying a car for autocross. I have experienced and used the service by Experian called AutoCheck. They offer an unlimited number of VIN checks for one of their service options and the price is way better than the other services out there. I have used it when shopping and comes in very handy when you are checking the history of a vehicle.

The next important item to check on the car is major component problems such as smoke coming out of the back of the exhaust, major oil leaks (small leaks are expected on most used cars) slight/major overheating of the engine. Autocross is outside and you push the car to the limit. You want the major components to be in the best shape they can be. The mentioned problems can leave you stranded at the track if you do not look out for them.

I usually have some expectation to do minor repair or preventive repairs on my vehicles when I am buying to autocross them. As I stated above, small oil/fluid leaks are "OK" and can usually be fixed very easily. Small leaks tell us that the car is just used and may not be suffering from the leak as a result. Large/major leaks tell us the car may have been neglected by the previous owner and may carry residual problems unseen at the moment. When looking at a car, start it up, drive it around with the A/C engaged (even if it doesn't work). When you are finished with the test drive, leave it idling while you walk around the car continuing to inspect it. If the car has an overheating problem, often this is the time it will show. This tip has helped me avoid several beautiful autocross cars that had an overheating problem.

Belts and hoses are my most frequent "preventive" repair I do, even if they are not a problem. It is always best to know when an important component has been replaced rather than to "guess" and trust the previous owner. Water pumps, too, fall in this category sometimes.

One thing people always check when buying a used car are the tires. Yes, this is important for an autocross car, but not to see how "good" the tires are, but to see if the car needs an alignment. Autocross is about handling and you need to be sure the car's stock "handling" ability is where it should be.

Why not worry about the tires? Well, tires should be one thing to consider buying for your autocross car to begin with, so the existing tires should be removed anyway. Tires are probably the most bought wear item an autocross member will buy. A lot of autocross racers will bring a set of tires for racing, one for driving home (those who do not use a trailer) and some will even bring spares for the racing tires. This is so common that Tire Rack offers tires just for autocross. I have used them and they are the best place to get tires for this.

AFTERMARKET MODIFICATIONS FOR AUTOCROSS:

If you ever look into the aftermarket world of the auto industry, you know that there are literally thousands of places to look and buy. I will list a few spots that most people do not think to look, but surprisingly have things for the autocross fans.

First and foremost, autocross cars do NOT always need major upgrades to be competitive. A driver can use a stock vehicle and compete against fellow stock vehicles and remain competitive. Once you start to modify or upgrade heavily, you may start to move into different classes and compete with other cars that are equally modified. Keep that in mind when you want to change something.

Usually, I say modify the easy things first: Intake, exhaust and general tune ups. Most autocross drivers do not go far from that. These should be the first things you try to upgrade while you participate in autocross to get the most performance out of your vehicle.

If you decide to go further to be more competitive, my next recommendation would be suspension and body roll modifications. Please remember, certain upgrades in this area may change your class. Be sure to check your club or groups rules with these modifications.

Usually, the fastest upgrade to an autocross car would be front and rear strut tower bars/braces. They are usually inexpensive to buy and easy to install. They are also very modular meaning that when you buy these, they will work with other suspension components in place (usually). This modification helps stiffen the car's suspension and frame and helps with cornering.

The next modification recommendation would then be the front and rear sway bars and links. These parts also help the body roll while cornering and handling and can sometimes be modular to the suspension system as a whole.

The final suspension upgrade is usually the most expensive: The struts (shocks/springs). This upgrade usually works well with the above items, but ads more stiffness, more response to the handling and sometimes lower the car overall for a lower center of gravity.

Once you have modified the entire suspension, my next recommendation would be to upgrade the brakes (at least the pads). This will help your stopping ability for those moments where a tap of the brake is needed during a lap. Please keep in mind that high performance brake pads usually wear much quicker than OEM.

One of the last things I recommend to upgrade is the tires. Now, I'm not saying that you should not FIRST buy new tires when you autocross, but I am saying not to UPGRADE them to an autocross/race tire just yet. Most autocross enthusiasts will tell you to get used to the stock/regular tires on your car first.

Once you get used to stock type tires, modifying them to a race tire or softer tire will actually improve your lap times (that's the theory anyway).

One last note. I recommend replacing the fluids in your car with as many synthetics as you can. Synthetic fluids have higher heat resistance and can take the intense moments you will be putting on the car during the autocross laps.

Caring For Your Car Battery and Jump-Starting a Vehicle

Knowing about your car battery is important for the safety and maintenance of your vehicle. A car battery won't last forever. However, knowing how to properly maintain it will help you avoid problems and keep your battery operating for as long as possible.

The battery is relatively easy to spot under the hood. It is a square or rectangle box that has two cables coming out of the top or back. These cables should be clean and free of any corrosion, which can appear as a white powder or crystals. The batter is the power center of the car, and stores enough to ensure it starts. Things like the radio, clock and alarms have continued power when the car is turned off, thanks to the battery.

A 12-volt battery is made up of two 6-volt cells with layers of positively and negatively charged lead plates and insulated separators. The cells are filled with an electrolyte solution, which is usually made up of 2/3 distilled water and 1/3 sulfuric acid. The interaction of the plates and the electrolyte solution produces a chemical energy that is converted into electricity.

You should always be careful when handling a car battery. It can produce explosive gases. Always wear protective glasses and gloves when handling a battery, and avoid creating a spark near it. Use a flashlight, not a match or lighter, to look under the hood of your vehicle.

In most cases, you'll need to replace your car battery every 3 - 5 years, depending on your driving habits and how often you start and stop your engine. Other factors like climate can also determine how often you'll need a battery replacement.

If your battery seems sluggish or if the car has trouble starting, the battery may need a jump. A jump-start can be achieved by attaching jumper cables to a working battery to yours. Attach the positive (red) cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery first, and then attach the other end of the positive cable to the positive terminal of the working battery. Then attach the negative (black) cable to the negative terminal on the good battery, and attach the other end to a metallic part of the engine block. You should not attach the negative cable to the negative terminal of the dead battery. Start the engine in the vehicle with the good battery. Let it idle for a few moments before turning on the headlights in the vehicle with the dead battery. Turning on the lights will absorb any voltage spikes that can cause damage to a vehicle's computer. Then you can start the engine of the car with the dead battery. Once the engine is started, carefully remove the cables in reverse order, not allowing the clamps to touch.

If you take care of your car's battery and know what to do when it needs a charge, it will serve you well for many years.

Check Out the New 2010 Mazda Miata

Since 1989, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has been one of the most popular compact cars in its class. Zippy and fun to drive, the Miata has been known for its precise handling, sharp features, and grin-inducing acceleration. The roadster versions of the MX-5 are especially crowd-pleasing; with the wind in your hair, you can experience the aural delights of every throttle input and downshift coming from the sprightly 2.0 liter 4-cylinder.

While not particularly powerful or intimidating at 167 horsepower, the 2.0 liter normally aspirated 4-cylinder found in the 2010 Miata MX-5 is able to push the 3,000 pound car from 0-60 miles per hour in about 7 and a half seconds, making it comparable to cars such as the 2010 VW Golf or the Mini Cooper. This isn't meant to be a race car, mind you; the new "NC" model of the MX-5 was designed to be a car that's fun to drive on winding mountain roads. In that environment, it certainly impresses: With a redline RPM of 7200 RPM, it's a delight to wheel through the curves, listening to the motor peak out with a strong but delightful exhaust note. Torque is a little bit on the low side at 140 foot-pounds, making passing on the highway decidedly more difficult than what you might expect for a car its size. Passing effectively generally requires you to rev the engine up to a high RPM, which is certainly part of the appeal of the MX-5 in the first place.

Those looking for fuel economy will find that the 2010 Mazda Miata MX-5 is comparable to most cars in its class: It's rated at 22 mpg city, and 28 mpg highway. It's certainly not a car made for your commute, but that's probably not why you bought it, is it?

Facts About Electric Cars

They have appeared on TV, talked about on the radio and splashed over the cover pages of magazines. What exactly are electric cars and what do we know about them? Well, there are some facts that you may want to acquaint yourself with about this new type of cars that run on batteries instead of gasoline.

First, you may want to know that an electric car is not a complex automobile, at least from the engineering point of view. It has fewer parts and components than a regular car.

There are three principal ways to have an electric car. You can buy it premade from the factory, you can convert a gasoline car to electric one yourself or you can ask a professional mechanic to do it for you. All of these means will provide you with an electric car but at varying costs and conveniences. You may also want to know that anyone at all with the right tools, parts and guide, can convert his own car to an electric.

An electric car is faster than many critics assume it to be. Some can achieve speeds of about 60 miles per hour, which puts them in the range of the lower end of mid sized sedans. In some cases, 100 miles per hour have been recorded. For urban use or city driving, this is more than the average you need to move around comfortably.

The batteries on which the electric car runs do not wear out after every mile. You can use the same pack of batteries for thousands of miles.

So here you are with some quick facts on electric cars.

Introducing the Pontiac Solstice

The Pontiac Solstice is the latest craze coming out of Detroit. However, it has been hard to find one on the streets as all of the 2006 production is already sold out. I have started to see a few on the roads in recent weeks, but they are still a scarce find. The Solstice is entering into a market that has been dominated by foreign makes for the past 15+ years: the rear wheel drive, two-seater, lightweight convertible. This niche market has been dominated by the Nissan 350Z, Honda S2000 and since the early 1990's, the Mazda Miata.

First introduced at the 2002 North American International Auto Show, the Solstice was a hit from the start. Many enthusiasts were clamoring for General Motors to build this vehicle and to build it quick. GM has delivered on both of those requests, completing the Solstice for retail sale in less than 3 years. Production began on the first 1,000 cars in the summer of 2005. The Solstice is the first car to be built on GM's all new Kappa rear-wheel drive platform.

The fast production was accomplished by robbing the parts bin to build this car. Many parts are shared with other GM vehicles. For instance, the fog lights are shared with the Pontiac Grand Prix, the back-up lights are from the GMC Envoy, the heating and air conditioning controls are from the Hummer H3, the transmission from a Chevy Colorado and the rear axle from a Cadillac CTS. By incorporating these parts into the Solstice, the design team was able to focus more time and money on the heart of the Solstice: the drive train, suspension and exterior.

The Solstice is powered by GM's 2.4L Ecotec four cylinder engine, which delivers 177 horsepower and 166 foot pounds of torque. The four cylinder is efficient for the Solstice but it will not deliver spectacular straight line performance numbers. With 0-60 times just a shade under 7 seconds and quarter mile performance in the mid 15's, it is quick and nimble which is what it is designed to be. For those after mind-blowing speed, there are aftermarket companies installing GM V8's in these cars delivering up to 400 horsepower. This produces much improved straight line performance considering the Solstice only weighs around 3000 pounds with the V8. Quarter mile performance with the V8 is in the mid to high 12 seconds, with 0-60 times in the mid 4 second range... pretty amazing!

Almost the entire underbody and body panels are shaped using hydroforming. Hydroforming is when high-pressure fluid is used to push steel into shapes that are simply not possible with traditional steel stamping processes. It is used in this instance to keep the body shape as close to the prototype as possible. It is not practical for high-volume models as it takes far longer than traditional means. The Solstice, along with the Corvette, are the only GM cars sporting an entirely hydroformed chassis.

The suspension is fully independent and uses Bilstein coil-over mono-tube shocks at all corners. Anti-roll bars in the front and rear enhance the handling of the Solstice. The standard tires are 245/45R18 Goodyear Eagle RSA's, mounted on 18 inch aluminum alloy wheels. The stopping power is provided by large four-wheel disc brakes.

And the kicker of the whole deal is that the Solstice starts at only $19,995, including the destination charge. This can be slightly misleading as this base model does not include air conditioning or anti-lock brakes, two options most everyone will opt for. Those two options push the price to around $21,500. Good luck finding one in 2006 though, as all are sold out and dealers are also charging above sticker for them.

For those desiring better performance, stay tuned in 2007 as the Solstice GXP is set to appear. The GXP will be powered by a 2.0L Ecotec 4 cylinder, GM's first turbocharged Ecotec in the US. The turbocharged 2.0L delivers 260 horsepower and 260 foot pounds of torque, a vast improvement over the naturally aspirated 2.4L Ecotec. Also the GXP will have unique front and rear fascias, a high polish dual outlet exhaust, Stabilitrak vehicle stability system, a 3.73 rear gear ratio and a GXP specific gauge cluster and seat stitching. Pricing on the GXP has not yet been released.

In the end, the Solstice is an incredibly fun car to drive with its sleek styling, great handling and top down appeal which makes it a can't miss. I personally can't wait to test one out on an autocross course, as that is where the Solstice will truly shine. Be prepared to see an influx of these on the roads in the next couple of years with the aftermarket parts offerings increasing each year. It looks like GM has a future success on their hands - great job on their part!

Buying Repos For Sale Online Can Save You Money

There's nothing quite like the feeling of getting a killer deal when you buy something. And one of the best places to get big discounts is finding repos for sale at free public auctions. Federal, state, and local governments auction off repossessed properties that they have seized through various legal means. Banks and other financial institutions also come into possession of various properties that have been seized when loans go into default.

These types of auctions have been happening for years but until the online auction sites began to show up most people didn't know they existed. Now you can find out not only when and where the nearest repo auction is going to be held but you can also look through the offering right from the comfort of your computer chair.

Government agencies, banks, and financial institutions repossess so much stuff every month that it is cost prohibitive to attempt to store it. Most of these agencies simply auction off these properties to save money on storage costs and recoup some of the administrative costs associated with the defaulted loans, back taxes, or tax liens that were filed against the properties.

So just what might you find for sale at a repo auction near you?

1. Vehicles of all shapes and sizes. The most common items to be found at one of these auctions are cars, trucks, and SUVs. Depending on the size of the auction you will also find boats, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, ATVs, and even aircraft. And with low starting bids the prices are hard to beat.

2. Real estate foreclosures are at an all time high and nearly all these properties will show up at auction. Everything from homes, businesses, to undeveloped land can be found and at prices well below the appraised value.

3. Furniture, household items, and electronics are also seized and repossessed on a daily basis. Many times they are seized at the same time as a home or other piece of real estate is repossessed. Flat screen TVs, video games consoles, stereo equipment, computers, all types of furniture, kitchen supplies, and just about anything else you can think of can be bought at big savings.

4. And last but not least you can also bid on art work, antiques, jewelry, and in many cases designer clothing. It is really quite amazing at what gets repossessed that you can find at these auctions.

Free government auctions are great places to find repos for sale. One of the best ways to find these auctions is to join an online auction site which will give you a distinct advantage over those who choose not to use these services. Knowing what items will be up for bid gives you a chance to research your choices before you even start bidding.