Category: Car

Top 10 Most Stolen Cars by Make & Model:

2010 Rank Model 2009 Rank
1. Honda Accord 2
2. Honda Civic 1
3. Toyota Camry 3
4. Acura Integra 4
5. Cadillac Escalade 5
6. Toyota Corolla 6
7. Dodge Ram (New)
8. Nissan Altima 8
9. Nissan Maxima (New)
10. Chevrolet Tahoe 7

LoJack says auto theft is on the rise again in some cities,
with some $5.2 billion in lost assets.

Top 10 States for Car Theft:

2010 Rank State 2009 Rank
1. California 1
2. Texas 2
3. Florida 3
4. New York 4
5. Massachusetts 5
6. New Jersey 6
7. Arizona 7
8. Maryland 8
9. Georgia 10
10. Nevada 9

Do you feel lucky? Do you think you own a car that is not worth stealing?”
FACT: A car is stolen every 26 seconds in the US (FBI’s 2007 Crime Reports). Nothing guarantees your car won’t be robbed, but you can improve your odds without spending a fortune. Luckily for you, there are a variety of car security options available to protect our beloved automobiles. As more Americans equipped their cars with anti-theft devices, the auto theft rate dropped 12.6% from 2007-2008 in the US. But that is still 2 cars stolen every minute. So, you should properly secure your vehicle with one of the anti-theft devices below. Unless you feel lucky…Do ya?

Before you booby trap your truck, here are some factors you should consider:
How much are you willing to invest in car security? Figure out your price limit.
How safe is your neighborhood? Cities have a higher crime rate than more suburban areas. City dwellers may choose to have more auto security. NOTE: Port cities and those along the southern border are also at a higher risk for car theft.
How expensive is your car? You might think newer cars look more tempting to thieves, but not necessarily so. Newer models typically have more security, so they carry a higher risk of getting caught. Older cars usually do not have security features, so they can be quickly and easily dismantled to be sold for parts. The parts of a vehicle, when sold separately, can be worth up to three times the price of the car when sold as a whole. (Texas Theft Prevention Authority).

The cheapest and most effective car anti-theft device is…your brain. Try to park in well lit areas, or parking lots with attendants. Don’t leave your valuables in plain sight: GPS, CD player, shopping bags, purse, wallet, Iphone, Ipod, etc. Keep a thin blanket in your trunk, and use it to cover shopping bags in your car. Never ever leave your keys in the ignition when you leave your car…not even for a quick pop into the gas station. (*Yes, people actually DO this, and it is how many cars get stolen.) The more security you have installed, the less appealing your car will be…to a thief. In addition, some security measures will lower your car insurance premium by 15% to 36%. So, think of it as an investment! Ive broken down the most popular car anti-theft devices into 3 catagories:
Mechanical Immobilizers, Electrical Immobilizers and Vehicle Tracking.

Mechanical Immobilizers

These are the least expensive car anti-theft devices, designed to restrict access to or movement of the vehicle. The biggest advantage of mechanical immobilizers is their highly visual appearance, which should ward off amateur car thieves, but not the pros. Police authorities recommend including one of these in conjunction with other anti-theft devices.
Steering-Wheel Lock: The Club is the most popular steering wheel lock, and the least expensive anti-theft option. This device goes over the steering wheel and locks it in place, so no one can drive it until they remove the lock.
Price Range: Low End: $25, High End: $100
Hood Lock: This device will block access to the battery and deter thieves who sell cars off for parts.
Price Range: Low End: $20, High End: $50
Tire Lock: These deterrents are highly visible and hard to get off. (Again, I know youve seen car “boots” used by law enforcement on illegally parked cars on the Parking Wars TV show.) Since tire locks take time and effort to attach and remove, these would not be my first choice for your daily driver vehicle.
Price Range: Low End: $80, High End: $200
Other Car Anti-Theft Options: Gearshift locks, ignition/steering wheel column and crook locks, gear shifter locks and brake pedal locks.

Electronic Immobilizers

Many modern vehicles come standard with car keys and fobs that protect their cars via electronic immobilizers. These built-in transponders or microchips send signals to the ignition and fuel-pump systems. When anyone attempts to use the car without these signals, the car will not start. Car thieves often avoid cars with electronic immobilizers.
Kill Switch: This anti-theft device can be activated to shut down part of the engine’s electrical system. (I know youve seen this used in bait cars on the COPS TV show.) Some cars have them built in, and they are pretty easy to install. A popular model is the Master Lock Starter Sentry, which kills the fuel or starter system via a wireless transmitter. Other ignition kill switches are activated the moment a car is locked and cannot be deactivated until a series of tasks are completed (i.e., unlocking the car, pressing the gas pedal once, buckling your seat belt, etc.). Always check your car’s warranty first, because some dont allow installation, and remember to hide the Kill Switch, so a thief wont see and disable it.
Price Range: Low End: $10, High End: $200
Car Alarm: These are the most visually effective anti-theft devices. Sometimes drawing a potential thiefs attention to the fact that your car has an alarm system is enough to deter them. So, be sure to put a stick in the window, on both sides, proudly proclaiming you have a car security system activated. (DO buy & apply these stickers…even if you do NOT have a car alarm. The thought of a security system should make any thief choose another victim!) Car alarms feature electronic sensors designed to activate when a vehicle is breached: unauthorized entry, breaking of glass, sudden movement, and perimeter violations. When a threat is detected by the sensors, a siren activates (at over 120 dBs), alerting the cars driver and everyone else within earshot. (Be wary of older, cheaper car alarms…Flexible-circuit alarms and single-stage sirens…which are too easily triggered, and may come at the expense of your neighbors’ friendship.) Always hook your car alarm up to a backup battery and/or invest in a hood lock. Many car thieves know how to unplug a car alarms battery, which will silence it.
Price Range: Low End: $150, High End: $1,000

VEHICLE TRACKING

Even if a thief steals your car, new vehicle tracking technologies can get it back again. The least expensive form of vehicle tracking is VIN etching. The more expensive tracking devices are electronic and offer a real-time location of the stolen vehicle using Global Positioning Systems (GPS). These are sold with service contracts, and have a reputation for relocating many vehicles a mere hour after they have been stolen.

VIN Etching (Vehicle Identification Number): Every vehicle has a unique, 17-digit serial number assigned to it called a VIN. The VIN will be on the cars title, on the dashboard (driver-side), and on your insurance and registration cards. You can brand your cars parts by etching its VIN number on all windows and all important parts. Doing this serves as both a tracking device and a theft deterrent. Most car thieves steer clear of etched vehicles because of the expense in replacing and disposing of VIN-coded glass.
Price Range: DIY kits sell for $20, or you can hire a professional to do this for you.

Vehicle Tracking System: This is the cadillac of auto theft protection, so be prepared to pay top dollar. The two biggest companies are LoJack and OnStar. LoJack features a hidden transmitter in the car, which is activated once a theft is reported. This company works directly with law enforcement, and boasts a 90 percent return rate on stolen vehicles. OnStar offers a similar system, which comes standard on all new model cars from GM, Acura, Audi, Isuzu and Volkswagen. (Again, I say you should display their stickers, even if you dont have the system!)
Price Range: Low End: $295, High End: $1395 (for car alarm & tracking system)

Car leasing UK is the best and most successful businesses running in the country. The reason behind car leasing UK success is due to the floating population due to business requirements and of course the tourists. If you are tourists, I am sure you would like to stay in the country for about a month or at least 15 days time to spend the vacation. Even if you are on a business trip or official trip, you need at least a minimum of 2 weeks time on an average.

During a foreign persons stay or even if you are a person who is on the move to check out all the places of the UK, then hiring a cab on daily basis would work out really expensive for you. Moreover, it is definitely not a good idea as it would never be economical. So, in this case, the best possible way is car leasing UK. So, go for car leasing UK.

There are many companies that offer car leasing UK. You can check with one of them for the best deals and pick a car of your choice. This would work out really economical and really helpful. Even if you are a person who has been aspiring to own one of the most expensive vehicles like the Limo or the Audi, you could still go for car leasing UK for these vehicles. Car leasing UK for these expensive vehicles would work out cheaper, affordable and economical in stead of you going for the vehicle itself. By doing this, you are satisfying yourself with the feeling of having used this vehicle and you are not spending lots on buying this vehicle too.

For travelers, car leasing UK is definitely a boon and very economical too. However, ensure that you check with many dealers in order to get the best and cheapest deal. Planning plays an important role to make the car leasing UK more economical. Following are some of the services that car leasing UK can offer you.

Free Delivery across the country

Free Collection or Swap always during the closure of the Contract

Road Tax Included during every car leasing UK

Fleet Terms or Discounts as per rules

Fixed Monthly Costs. You also get good planning with apt budgets

New Vehicle No MOT, No Repair Costs. You get to pay only for the
services rendered

Personal Leasing too Available with most of the car leasing UK companies

You also get manufacturers warranty. You need not worry about replacements of parts which are one common problem with majority of the car leasing UK. However, you need to check for the right dealer in order to get the best deal. There are lots of dealers and you can get the contact details by checking on the internet for the information. You can call the customer care and check for the details with regards to the cost and pricing. There are various types of budges available and you can get your own planning.

Having been around for generations, pedal cars must be one of the most popular toys to stand the test of time. There have been lots of advancements with ride on toys but it is amazing how some of the pedal cars are the same as the ones that were popular over sixty years ago, there are not many products that could claim that lifespan, and still be going strong.

Many of the classic pedal car designs have become collectors items and there is a growing market for fully restored models and of course a demand for old pedal cars which have become prime targets for restorers. The popularity of the old styles has led to a growing market in the manufacture of retro styles of most types of pedal powered toys. The designs are not limited to the original little red pedal car, most vehicle types can be found from classic racing cars to fire engines and aeroplanes.

As the styles of full sized vehicles have evolved, so have their pedal car versions. Many of the modern prestige cars such as Ferrari, BMW and Mercedes are available so that junior can have a car like daddy, or a car like daddy dreams of having! The range is so extensive that practically anything on four wheels is represented by a pedal car, such as kids tractors of many shapes and sizes, go-karts, trucks, quad bikes, racing cars, trains and fire trucks.

For the tiny tots they can progress from their first ride on toy which they simply sit on and push with their feet, to their pedal powered car, truck or tractor. All ages are catered for and the toys help the children to develop their coordination skills and imagination as they enjoy fresh air and exercise, what could be better?

As we moved into the electronic age, a whole new range of ride on toys emerged to form a new segment in the prestige toy market. Vast ranges of battery powered ride on toys are now available for kids of most ages to power themselves around the garden, park or farm. Sons and daughters of farmers can now emulate their dads by driving a tractor around the property, complete with a trailer and loading accessories. Miniature versions of major brands such as John Deere can be seen parked alongside their full size versions with the kids helping mum and dad as they practice for when they will one day driving the real thing.

In some parts of the country large numbers of children have been seen driving their electric powered ride on toys to school, the parents probably have to walk! As well as kids tractors, many of the other pedal powered types are available with an electric motor, some also have two seats so that the driver can enjoy the ride with their friend or sibling. Typical of the two seat versions are Jeeps, Mustangs and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

For the big kids there are some really hi-tech looking go-karts and quad bikes with gas powered as well as battery powered options. This starts to get into some serious power for children over twelve years old with speeds of around forty miles per hour and engine sizes of 150cc. This can hardly be classed as a toy and all the necessary safety accessories and precautions need to be applied.

The world of ride on toys is certainly changing, it will be fascinating to see what develops over the next twenty years!

What you ever thought about custom car seat covers? Different abuses and hazards can cause damage to your original car seats. Pets and children are some of those who cause damage to car seats but the original upholstery of your car may also be damaged through repeated abrasion and friction. Spills of beverages and water and food remains may make car seats to be unpleasant and dirty. To be able to protect the original upholstery of your car, it is necessary to protect car seat covers, and the best choice for most people is through car seat covers.

Custom car seat covers are the ones which are personalized to suit your specific taste. It is possible to make them for your car, and there are different types of materials and designs which can be used for truck and car seat covers. You can also find the custom seat covers in different colors from in many parts of the world. Some of the popular car seat covers are Ballistic seat covers, Neoprene seat covers, Velour seat covers, BMW seat covers, Suede seat covers, Tweed seat covers, Ford seat covers, Leatherette seat covers, Honda seat covers, Saddle Blanket seat covers, and so on. There are many of them; and you can even make custom ones based on your personal beliefs and interests.

In order to make good custom seat covers, you should first of all consider what is already available for the type and model of your car because it is possible that custom covers are already installed for your car. In creating the design, you can make the ones which make a fashion statement to those which are just basic black seat covers.

Custom car seat covers are good for seats like 70/30 seats, 40/20/40 seats, 60/40 seats, and the difficult-to-fit seats found in trucks, jeeps, SUVs and tractors. In installing the seat covers, the upholstery company first measures your car seats and then have an estimate built up. In most cases, this is a free service while you only pay for the customization. It is possible to make the cover to be designed aesthetically, while you may choose from the different types of fasteners like zippers, buttons, Velcro or strings, in order to improve the durability and look of the cover.

There are many types of materials which are used, and you can choose from vinyl, cotton, neoprene, denim, sheepskin, tweed cloth, velour cloth and many other materials. You can also choose specific patterns and colors, in addition to being able to consider climactic factors and the level of wear and tear which the car seats are likely to be subjected to.

In this article I’m going to share with you how to get a car loan, even if you have a low credit score. The information in this article might be the only information you will need to learn, so you will know how to get the bank to say yes to your car loan. So, let’s get started and get you on your way to driving that car you need and want.

Auto lenders look at more than just your credit score when considering making you a loan. They look at your entire financial picture, including income, the debt you owe, monthly payments and credit history before making the decision to approve or decline a loan. Before you go out and apply for a loan, make sure that your employment history, credit, income and address information is acceptable, based on what the lender is looking for.

If you have sufficient employment history and income, a lender may approve your loan even with a low score.

Here’s What Lenders Are Looking For:

Employment and Address History: Have at least two years of employment history and address history at the same job. The longer you have been at your job and the more money you make, the better chance you have of getting the approval on your auto loan. However, if you have had several jobs and moved from one residence to another and have low income, it’s going to be tough getting approved for a loan. You should also have enough income every month, to cover all your monthly debt. If your debt is high and close to or over your income level, a bank will decline the loan.

Vehicle Value: The lender calculates the vehicle’s value by the year, make, model, options and miles on the car you are looking at purchasing. Based on your credit history and score, the lender will approve a percentage of that value as the loan amount. If you have poor credit you will need to come up with a larger down payment. You may not be able to get the entire amount of the loan that you applied for, because of a low credit score.

What You Can Do:

Pull your credit history. Know what your score is before you apply for a loan.

Save some money for the down payment. If you have things around your home that you aren’t using, consider selling them and use the extra cash for the down payment. The more money you put down, the better chance you have of getting the loan.

Choose a car based on what you can afford, not on the latest style. When you have bad credit you can’t be picky on the finance terms or the car. Dealers who offer programs for people with poor credit have cars that will fit the program for the lenders approval.

Don’t worry about having to pay a higher interest rate right now. Provided you make your payments on time, you can usually refinance for a better interest rate and terms within 12 to 24 months. Remember you are rebuilding your credit and it takes time to get it back up in the higher scores.