How To Save Big Money On Repairs And Auto Parts

By: David Maillie

We all know it is cheaper to fix things yourself. It is the same with a car or truck. The biggest expense with any repair is not the parts, but the labor. It is not uncommon for repair and service shops to be charging $60 to $70 per hour of labor. And they round to the next half hour or hour for any repair. Just go to any new car dealer and ask to have your windshield wiper blades replaced. They will charge you 10 times the price of replacements at your local auto parts store. So anything you can do yourself to save will be a big help. The purpose of this article is to show you some things you can do on your own and how to get the lowest prices on parts so you can save big and put your money towards something better than fattening your local auto dealers pockets.

First off is routine maintenance. Routine maintenance consists of items like oil changes, tire rotations, and similar. Oil changes are a must at every 4000 to 5000 miles for most every car. Do not go by what your dealer says. They want to rev up your maintenance plan and have you doing more than is required. Instead, use your owners manual. If your car did not come with one, than buy one off of Ebay. The owners manual will give you exact recommendations for every service and when and what should be done. For oil changes use Walmart. They charge around $15 for a oil and filter change and will lube your chassis at the same time. They will also check your tires and change your air filter if you desire or need it. They have the best service for the lowest price and at $15 its better to have them do it than do it yourself. Expect to pay twice this at a new car dealer.

It is also a good idea to check your tire pressure at every gas fill up. A tire pressure gauge can be purchased at Walmart or any auto parts store for a few dollars. Proper tire pressure will prolong the usefulness of your tires and help ensure better fuel economy. To most people a under inflated tire is pretty obvious, but a over inflated tire can be just as dangerous as it can lead to blowouts and loss of traction especially in wet conditions (hydroplaning). Also, check your tires for nails, punctures, slashes, anything that could be wrong with it. If you need new tires, be sure to shop around and avoid the new car dealer as they will have a huge markup on them. For instance, 1 ZR Goodyear tire for a 2002 Ford Mustang GT was $289. The same ZR tire with a different make (Kumho) was $100 installed and balanced (the $289 at the dealer did not include installation or balancing. Shop around and look at discount stores. Also look at Costco, Sams club and BJs for tires. If you have an older car and do not care about matching the exact style you can always go to your local junk yard and buy an entire set for dirt cheap. You would be amavzed at what you might find there. A friend of mine picked up 4 tires for a 1999 corvette for $150 and the tires only had maybe 10,000 miles on them if that.

Lights and lighting on your car are an item that is routinely overlooked. If your lights are dim you could have a battery charge, alternator or dim, cloudy lenses. These are all easy to fix. A battery should be checked for its ability to hold charge at least once a year (more in extremely cold climates). An alternator can be replaced very easily, or if you do not feel comfortable a local mechanic can do it. Do not do this at a new car dealer as they will charge at least 300% more. A good tip is to go and buy the part at your local auto parts store and then inquire with the counter clerk as to a mechanic that they recommend to install it. You will save a lot and it will be professionally done. They will probably even come to your house to do it. As to your headlights, turn on your lights. If they are dim, is it the bulb or cloudy lenses? If it is the bulb, the cheapest replacements can be found at Walmart or on Ebay. It is recommended you go with brighter Xeon bulbs as they are only a few dollars more and increase brightness and night visibility by over 20 percent. If it is cloudy headlights there is a new headlight repair and restoration kit that will restore the lenses to new. This will save you big over replacement as the average plastic automotive lens costs $250 to replace.

Checking your fluid levels routinely is a good idea. A lot of cars now will do this for you and will even alert you to when it is time to perform a certain service. It takes 2 minutes to unscrew the oil cap and pull out the dipstick. On older cars you should also look under the cap. Is the oil really dirty, sludge like, or have white in it? These all indicate something needs to be done. The first two mean it is in dire need of an oil change. The latter with the whiteness or light chocolate look means you have a blown head gasket and coolant is leaking into the engine. That is really bad and requires major repairs and can be the result of running a car too hot. Fill all fluids to the fuel full line or indicator. By routinely checking your cars fluid levels you will be ahead of the game and keep your car running better and for much longer.

Another great idea to keep service costs to a minimum and save you big at the same time is to buy 1 to 3 year old used cars with around 30,000 miles on them. Then drive them until you get 100,000 miles on it and replace it. Most major repairs rarely occur before 100,000 miles with proper routine maintenance. Use and follow your owners manual. It was written by the ultimate expert, the people who built, designed and tested your car.

Author Resource:-> For more great information, tips, safety and money saving products please visit: Save Big On Auto Parts, Headlight Repair And Restoration

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1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1

Title: 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 351 Cleveland..Grabber Lime!!
Mileage: 33,327 miles
Location: Carmichael

Exterior: Paint is in nice condition and the body is perfectly straight, never been wrecked. Rear bumper is straight but shows it's age in the chrome, presentable, but not perfect.The original windshield has a few small rock chips in it. All lights and blinkers are functional and in good shape.

Interior: Seats are in great shape as is the dash pad and all instrumentation in the dash. Still has the original am radio in working order. Shifter is in good condition although a little loose, the bushing inside can be replaced to remedy this problem. It still has the original factory carpet that doesen't have the wear holes on the drivers side that are usually associated with high mileage cars, carpet is faded though and should probably be replaced eventually. Headliner has one seam that came apart and will need to be repaired or replaced.

Drivetrain: We believe the engine to be original and runs very smooth and strong, no leaks under the car to stain your garage floor. Has new tires with less than 100 miles on them. When Dad first purchased the car he made a few small upgrades. First he didn't like the way the car sounded so he had a new exhaust system professionally installed. It sounds right, not too loud but just enough to give it that muscle car sound. Second he didn't like the way the car shifted so he had the C6 rebuilt with a shift kit down at the local A-1 Transmission shop, they did a great job. He also replaced the carb with a new edelbrock carb. Car rides and handles smooth and the power disk brakes perform flawlessly.

Great Tips on Lowering Auto Insurance Costs

By: David Maillie

With car sales prices continuously increasing, recent hikes in gas prices, and ever present sales and state taxes on our cars it has become vitally important to find ways to save money and keep costs down.

One way to save money is to monitor your auto insurance and make sure you are getting the best deal possible. This may sound trivial, but can easily add up to savings of hundreds and possibly even thousands of dollars over the next few years.

First make sure you are taking advantage of all discounts available to you through your insurance provider. Many insurance companies have good driver history discounts. If you haven't been in an accident or made a claim in several years make sure your agent adds this deduction - typical savings are 5-15% (easily $100-$400+ in savings per year).

For an additional discount some insurance companies like Progressive and Geico offer discounts for sponsored driving classes. Make sure you check with your insurance company to see which ones it accepts. Many of these classes are free or offered at minimal cost by your local DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) or DOT (Department of Transportation). For a listing, contact your insurance company and then your state departments (DMV and DOT). These classes also work great for reducing points on your license from minor infractions (speeding, running a red light, etc...). Definitely get as many points taken off as possible. These points can increase your insurance rates 50-100% or more in some cases.

Some insurance companies like Geico, Allstate, and Progressive have recently come out with good student discounts. The requirements can vary so be sure to check with your insurance company. This could amount to an additional savings of 5-10% on your annual premium. Keep in mind traffic offenses can and will nullify this and most other discounts, so drive safely.

Shop around for the best rate. I can't stress this enough. Every few years just check and see what other insurers are offering. You could see huge savings here and it may have nothing to do with your driving record. Some insurers just have lower claims for a particular model car and therefore will have a lower rate for that car. Just to see the difference call several insurance companies for quotes. You will see a huge range.

When I had a 2000 Ford Mustang GT convertible I was paying over $4000 per year in insurance with Allstate then I checked and found Progressive offered the same coverage for only $1400 (a 75% difference in my premium). Now, that's not to say that Allstate is a bad insurer, they just have higher claim costs associated with that vehicle and a driver of my age. So, make sure you shop around and definitely check the online insurers like Progressive and Geico as they tend to have lower premiums. Also see what impact raising your deductible will have on lowering your premium.

These items might also seem trivial, but will save you money. Pick a car with lower theft rates and lower premiums. A 4 door 4 cylinder car (Toyota Corolla) will almost always have a much lower premium than the latest 8 cylinder 2 seater sports car (Mustang GT (2+ 2 seating)). It will also get you better gas mileage which in a year could amount to a savings of hundreds of dollars in it self. Stay away from convertibles as they always have higher insurance premiums. Drop unnecessary coverage like collision on an older car. Also stay away from cars with high theft rates (Honda Civics and Accords tend to have some of the highest theft rates and unfortunately you will pay for that with higher premiums and don't think you won't.)

One more thing, don't speed, don't drive drunk (I don't need to tell you what that will cost you (it could even cost you your life), stop for all school buses, wear your seat belt and obey the rules of the road. You will be glad you did.

Author Resource:-> David Maillie is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in automotive safety products and information. He holds numerous patents and awards for his patented headlight cleaner and restorer. For more information please visit MDWholesale.com

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1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1

Title: 1970 Mustang Mach 1 Resto Mod Camaro Cuda
Mileage: 301 miles
Location: Mississauga, Ontario

Featured in Modified Fords & Mustangs Magazine (9/09) and Canadian Hot Rod Magazine (6/09-front cover), As seen on Car Crazy spring, 2010. Multiple awards: MCA (Mustang Club of America)-Best Modified, numerous "Best-In-Show", over 40 trophies and counting!
Designed and built by Don Gasuinas, (Canada's 'Chip Foose'), this stunning and highly driveable resto-mod (restored & highly modified) 1970 Mach 1 Mustang is a show winner everywhere it appears. This completely unique, extemely poweful, bright red beauty is a joy to drive. It has been designed for a trouble free, low maintenance drivng experience. The brilliant finish, wide, low stance and perfect growl will get you neck-breaking attention at any event and on any street. Guaranteed! A cut above - way above - all the rest.
Beginning with a rust-free, low mileage original 1970 Mach 1, Don added 21st century technology to get the best of both worlds. The contemporary, sophisticated drive train, suspension and interior were encased in the original exciting Mach 1 body. That body also recieved numerous styling and functional improvements using the best professional fabricators, craftsmen and technicians in the business. No expense was spared in choosing the best of everything after painstaking research.
This hand-crafted stunner has only a few miles on it since completion and is in flawless conditon. It has been stored indoors in a climate-controled facility.

Engine: 428 bored and stroked to 455 cu. in. SCAT 9000 series stroker crank, SCAT I beam rods, PROBE forged pistons, (10.5:1), Edelbrock Performer RPM aluminum heads, DVOE aluminum intake, modified for port injection, FAST EFI eclectronic fuel injection.

Trans: Tremlec T56 six speed manual.

Rearend: FAB9 9-inch housing, 4:11 gears, 31 spline axles.

Exhaust: JBA long-tube headers, 2.5" pipes, SpinTech ceramic coated mufflers, custom stainless side exits.

Suspension: Front: Total Control coilover system. Rear: Total Control pushrod coilover system.

Brakes: Front: Custom Brembo 14" cross-drilled/slotted rotors, six-piston caliper.

Rear:Custom Brembo 13", cross drilled/slotted rotors, four-piston calipers, hidden brake lines.

Wheels: Front: Raceline GT, 17x8", Rear: Raceline GT, 18x10".

Tires: Front: Michelin Pilot Sport, P225/45ZR17, Rear: Michelin Pilot Sport, P295/35ZR18

Interior: SCAT Procar buckets, custom upholsery, Flaming RIver tilt-wheel & column, Auto Meter Sport Comp guages, Clarion GPS/entertainment system, custom roll bar.

Exterior: Custom bodywork by A&T Auto Restoration, paint is a custom PPG red, four coats base, five coats clear.

Muscle Cars: Cars With An Attitude

By: Alex Baumm

Eleanor is not a person but a muscle car. This Gone in 60 Seconds 1967 Mustang is the complete embodiment of what muscle cars are all about.

Usually powered by a V8 engine, muscle cars were monsters of drag racing world back in the 1960 s until early portion of 1980 s. With extremely powerful torque, these cars are really going to give you a jaw dropping ride. Muscle cars are no doubt fast cars with high horse power capability.

The moment you look at such cars, the first things you will see are their bulky curves and high performance z rated tires which are true affirmation of the reputation that muscle autos are very much known of.

Muscle cars are different from sports cars we have today though some models are inspired by cars like the Ford Mustang. Though sports cars are fast cars like muscle autos, they surely won t last a minute with the supreme torque that muscle autos have which perhaps makes Eleanor the perfect Gone in 60 Seconds car.

The interiors of muscle cars are real statement of high performance, road warrior type of vehicle. The almost nil sign of elegance and the all heart pumping design of muscle autos interiors match their rock and revving integrity that many a cars today try to copy but all in futility.

The moment you turn it on, you can t help but notice the fiery breathing of muscle car s engine. The hissing and guzzling is like that of a dragon sleeping always ready to get the tracks burning.

When you hit the gas, the dragon s V8 engine charges in an instant ready to devour all things that block its way... just like when vin Diesel of The Fast and The Furious rages against the wall and hits the road with such awesome roar.

If what you are looking for is the car with an attitude that never allows being a second rater, muscle autos are the right choice. But prepare to be awestruck with the price because as of now it s of a collector s item kind of thing since you can not easily find one in the market.

However, there are companies and groups that want to bring back muscle cars on the road and these groups are actually buying old muscle autos and reconditioning them to make them roadworthy again.

There are a number of reconditioned muscle cars that can still be found nowadays. There is the all time favorite 1966 GT 40, 1970 Superbird, 1968 Shelby GT500KR Fastback or 1969 Barracuda Convertible. These models of cars were once kings of the road in the 1960 s up to early part of 1980 s.

Although muscle autos are now rare species, there are a number of clubs that relive the greatness of muscle cars. These groups stage races and events all with the purpose of having some fun and reminiscing those days when muscle autos ruled the streets.

And thanks to the Internet, people around the world who share common interest in muscle cars now have a dependable means to showcase the glory of muscle autos and allow the younger generation to see the real muscle in high performance driving via muscle cars.

Author Resource:-> Alex Baumm. Find much more about anything related to muscle cars at our car forum http://www.CarClubTalk.com

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1969 Ford Mustang

Title: 1969 MUSTANG-- BIG BLOCK-- 4 SPEED-- RED
Mileage: 100,000 miles
Location: Springfield, Illinois

This is a 1969 Mustang Fastback, Original Indian Fire Red, 302 auto, air car. Years ago someone converted it to a Big Block - 4 speed, I believe the big block was installed many, many years ago, The block is a 30 over 390 with a 427 crank, the motor was pulled and inspected, the mains ,rods and pistons all looked fine, we put a new oil pickup, timing chain and gears, Fresh rebuilt GT 390 Heads (14 bolt), correct 390 Exhaust manifolds, Complete new exhaust, New correct radiator, New Hurst Shifter, correct hoses, Eldbrock Intake and Holley 4 barrel. Everything was cleaned and painted. The part # found on the Crank- C-4AE-B,
The paint on the car is older, it is a brighter red than the original Indian Fire, I think the car was painted after the big block was installed, I would guess that is when the car was cloned to a Mach 1,The paint has great shine and looks good, with just a few imperfections. There are a few small rock chips that have been touched up ,the very bottom of both doors have a couple waves in them. Door jambs are decent. Over all the paint is about a 7 on a scale of 10, nice driver quality, There is no rust on the car. The bumpers are Original and showing their age ,the front bumper has some small pitting and a couple scratches on the bottom side of the bumper, rear bumper is also showing a small amount of pitting, however they still look fine on the old car. Marker light are also original. I think if you spent $10,000.00 on new paint, probably 8 out of 10 people would no notice the difference.
The interior has also been changed over to a Mach 1, Deluxe door panels are nice, new dash pad, seat covers ,carpet. Nice original console, AM/FM 8 track, all work, interior lights, turn signals, brake lights work as they should. The original Rim Blow steering wheel is also in place and showing its age, some of the inside trim pieces are missing. However it still looks better than an aftermarket replacement. Speedo is not working at this time.
The bottom of the car is very solid, all new front suspension nicely detailed, new bushings, sway bar links, front disc brakes, rear air shocks, new power brake booster and master cylinder
. Wheels are nice Torque Thrust with new BF Goodrich Radial TA,s 215/65-15,the trunk is also nicely detailed.
So basically what we have is a nice OLDER big block Mach 1 Clone. Over all the old car is really nice. It has a great stance, the paint shines, and the car is very nicely detailed, it has everything you want , it,s RED, it,s a BIG BLOCK, AND 4 SPEED. The motor is fresh. Interior is nice, car is clean and nicely detailed under the hood. The runs out great, shifts and stops great.

2009 Challenger Pictures, Specs, And Information

The 2009 Challenger, created by Dodge Mopar, is a beast to be reckoned with. Its sleek appearance and stylish interior are true to the car's classic legacy. Intended to compete with the revival of the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro, this car has had plenty of pressure to bear. The 2009 Challenger comes in a powerful performance-oriented SRT trim which boasts an impressive 425-hp 6.1 liter Hemi V8 engine, with an optional (required - in all opinion) manual transmission. Other available options other than the SRT Challenger are the always classic R/T model, and the standard "plain Jane", SE model. This allows further options so that any Challenger lover can enjoy the new rendition of an old classic.

The 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT will be available in Black, Silver and HEMI Competition Orange. All colors feature the same styled hood stripe, to give the SRT8 a sleek and impressive look. The SRT Model comes powered by a 6.1L HEMI V8, bringing out more than 425 horsepower, 420 lb.-ft. of torque, making the 2009 SRT8 Model a classic incorporation of Dodges past Charger Models.

Sitting under the hood of the Challenger R/T is a powerful 5.7 liter Hemi V-8. The six-speed manual transmission option of the vehicle has a larger amount of power, creating 375 horsepower, whereas the automatic version creates 370 horsepower. The Automatic model produces 398 ft/lbs of torque, and the manual version creates 404 ft/lbs of torque. R/T Weighing more than 100 pounds less than the SRT model, the Challenger R/T comes with commendable fuel economy, running 15 miles per gallon in the city, and 23 miles per gallon highway. The Challenger however, gets better fuel economy when using the automatic transmission, running 16 miles per gallon in the city, and the same on highway mileage. This loss of mileage in the manual version is because of the absence of the MDS (Multiple-Displacement System), which allows improved fuel economy from 5.7L HEMI V-8 engines. When it comes to operating the manual model of the Challenger R/T, it is recommended that it is ran with premium-grade fuel, to give a higher bump in octane to reassure that the R/T performs to its expectation.

Other notable specifications that come with the R/T model include an anti-lock braking system, which comes with added traction control and electronic stability control systems to ensure safety when operating the vehicle, with satisfactory performance. Wheels which are given control by the braking system in the R/T models are 18 inch alloy wheels, rolling on high-performance tires.

The car's design is reminiscent of its classic ancestor created in the early 1970's. It is packed with the usual ABS, Power Steering, Airbags, most of the stuff you would typically find in a sports car. but some features to note are the antiskid system and a really cool "MyGig" Multimedia system with 20 Gig hard drive. The "MyGig" system is capable of storing your favorite pictures and music allowing you to seek media you want to enjoy with ease. This is not bad, considering it is coming from a retro-style car. It is certainly a new rendition of a classic favorite, providing drivers with a vehicle that looks impressive, and also retains power and performance that could leave any potential driver of the 2009 Challenger, satisfied.

Author Resource:- Jeff Ryan creates quality articles to help you learn more on interest(s) you may have. His portfolio spans a medley of informational websites. To find out more about the 2009 Challenger, checkout The 2009 Challenger.
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