Archive for June, 2010

To Ship or Not To Ship

Monday, June 21st, 2010

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If you have a one-of-a-kind bike, an antique or simply one that you love, this question has probably never crossed your mind. But there are cases in which selling your biking or leaving it behind makes a lot more sense than shipping the vehicle.

The basic insurance offered by most vehicle shipping companies rarely goes over $5,000. This means that if you have a very expensive bike, you will need to buy additional insurance, which can be costly and still not cover you completely against loss. If you can’t afford the extra insurance, you need to ask yourself whether you want to take the risk or whether is it better to simply sell the bike.

Another reason to avoid motorcycle shipping is time frame. If you’re only at your destination for a day or two or if you’re not sure of your moving date, it might not be a good idea to ship the bike ahead of you. Shipping dates are approximate and nobody can guarantee you will have the bike back in your possession by a specific day.

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Posted in Motorcycle Shipping | 1 Comment »

Must-Have Features for A Family Car

Monday, June 21st, 2010

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If you just had a baby or are planning on expanding the family, your car will likely become an integral part of your life. When that happens, you need to start thinking about switching to a more family-friendly car that will meet the needs of everybody, including parents, kids and even the pets.

  • Make sure your car allows you to attach a car seat or booster. Not all models have the proper formatting or settings for this, and you choose one that doesn’t you will need to make changes later on. This will mean additional expenses, so keep that in mind.
  • Having enough cargo space is essential when you have kids. You will have to cart along a stroller, school gear, sports equipment and probably toys or a change of clothes. Whether that means getting an SUV with lots of space in the back or a car with under-floor storage, make sure you can fit enough bags and items to keep everybody happy.
  • Comfort gadgets can be a lifesaver if you have kids. If you can get a car with a DVD player, you will save yourself the agony of having to answer “Are we there yet?” one more time. If the car has multiple headphone jacks, even better, so not everybody has to listen to the same Barney song over and over again. Fold-out trays are another great addition to help kids snack in style or spend time coloring their favorite book.

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Posted in Automotive, Car Care, Car Curiosities | 2 Comments »

Pre-Trip Checklist

Monday, June 21st, 2010

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If you’re getting ready to hit the road, there are a few things you should keep in mind. A quick checkup by your mechanic might be in order, especially if you haven’t had one in a while. Otherwise (or in addition to that), here are a few things you should be in the lookout for:

  • Make sure the AC or heat system (depending on the season) work properly. You don’t want to get caught in the highway in 90 degree weather with the air conditioner not running.
  • Check that the seatbelts are tight and working properly.
  • Check the braking and steering system.
  • Fill out your tank before you leave, especially if you’re taking an unfamiliar road and don’t know how far the next gas station is.
  • Check your spare tire and make sure is well inflated and in good condition.
  • Put a repair and emergency kit in the trunk.
  • Change the oil if you’re getting close to the schedule changing time. Old oil adds stress to your car’s engine.

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Posted in Automotive, Car Care | 8 Comments »

The 3 Things That Can Complicate Car Shipping and Delivery

Monday, June 21st, 2010

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While you will get an approximate delivery time from the car shipping company, this cannot be guaranteed for a number of reasons:

Weather. Storms, heavy snowing and slippery roads might force drivers to stop or slow down along the way. The farther apart the pick-up and car transport addresses are, the more chances for something to happen along the way.

Empty House. If nobody is at home when the driver shows up with the truck, the car might go into storage so the driver can keep up with his route. It can take a while for the vehicle shipping delivery to be attempted again or you may need to go pick it up.

Full Truck. If there are a number of cars that have to be delivered in the same area, the driver might run into trouble with the other owners or cars, which means your own auto delivery will be delayed even further.

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Posted in Car Shipping | 3 Comments »

Choosing a Mechanic

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

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Choosing a mechanic can be challenging, especially if you need something fixed quickly and don’t have time to research your options properly. If you can, your best option is to have a name in mind well in advance, but even if you’re in a hurry, you can still find a quality mechanic that won’t cost you a fortune.

Start by asking around. Friends, coworkers and family members might be able to recommend a good mechanic for an affordable price. If not, search online. Rather than looking at websites set up by the mechanics’ themselves, look for local forums where people are talking and you can get honest reviews and opinions.

If you bought your car at a dealership, they often have their own service. While it might not be the cheapest, they will be familiar with your car’s model and maker and thus less likely to make mistakes or provide repairs that are not needed or are done half-heartily. Repair shops at car dealerships aren’t cheap, so they might not be a good choice if your car is old and has little Blue Book value.

Finally, always walk into a shop with a list of questions. Ask about the mechanic’s experience, how long he’s had the shop and what kind of cars, if any, he specializes on. Ask for an estimate and insist on a range (something between $800 and $1,300, for example), so you know what to expect. Don’t be afraid to question repairs if you think you’ve being offered more than you need.

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Posted in Automotive, Car Care | No Comments »

Why Do You Need Car Care Software?

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

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A number of companies, such as CarCareSoftware.com, are now selling programs to help you care for your car, even if you have no previous knowledge of mechanics. Aside from providing information on car-care basics, the programs also offer a number of tracking tools, such as the ability to record service history and parts, emissions test results, expenses and costs, technical specs and registration renewals. You can even track car shipping expenses and dates.

Software usually comes with network compatibility, free e-mail support, free updates as they come out, graphs and dialog options, user-interface features, vehicle ownership logs and reminder alarms and charts.

If you’re thinking of shipping your car, you can also track the expenses connected to the process, so you can then deduct it from your taxes (if moving for work) or use it to estimate costs related to your car maintenance.

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Posted in Automotive, Car Care, Car Curiosities | No Comments »