Posts Tagged ‘cars’
The value of a classic car depends on how close the car is to the original condition. This means that even tiny scratches will deplete the value of the car. It takes more time, effort and money to maintain a classic car because the materials are not readily available and the parts are no longer in production.
To prolong the life of your classic car, keep it away from freezing temperatures and direct sunlight. A garage will reduce dust build up and it will keep away bugs from seat cushions and other parts of the car. In cold climate, invest in an engine warmer. If the car will be in storage for long, pump out the fluids. Leave the petcock open and remove the radiator cap to ensure maximum circulation. Remove the battery, clean it with a baking soda solution, and then top it up with distilled water. Cover the car with a soft cotton flannel cloth. To care for the leather and rubber, you should moisturize them regularly. Rubber parts need thorough cleaning and lubrication. These parts are susceptible to mildew and dust and so you should cover all the parts to reduce damage. If the car will be parked tor a long time, roll down the windows to allow for air circulation. You can sprinkle baking soda in the car to absorb moisture.
It is important that you protect the engine because engines of classic cars are not available in the market. Note that engines of classic cars were made for straight gasoline and the ethanol levels in new gasoline may corrode the interior of the engine and it may damage cork parts and parts made from natural rubber. To remedy this problem, use a fuel stabilizer, but make sure it is not alcohol based. Stabilizers such as STA-BIL have additives that prevent the corrosion caused by ethanol. You should also replace damaged fuel tank, install a fuel and a water separation filter, and replace old fuel lines and other parts that are susceptible to corrosion with materials that are ethanol resistant. After taking care of the engine, take care of the radiator because it is also prone to dirt accumulation. Use a high-pressure nozzle to pump water into the radiator. You should also check for leaks regularly.
Replacing old parts is the hardest part of maintaining a classic car. This is because it is hard to find old parts and it might be necessary to fabricate the part. Replacing parts of classic cars with parts from other vehicles greatly deplete the value of the car. Maintenance of a classic car also involves cleaning the car. This not only increases its aesthetic value, it prevents accumulation of dust, road grime, mildew, bug residue, tree sap, and other substances that may damage the vehicle. Use pH balanced detergents and use lubrication to prevent scratches. Use cotton, or any other paint-safe washing mitt, to do the cleaning. Wipe the car dry after cleaning to prevent water spots. For a shiny paint job, use car cleaner, car polish, or rubbing compounds. After this, wax the car since this is a proven way to protect the paint work.
There have been many big players in the 7 seater cars section and there are already numerous cars in the market that fall in the category of 7 seater suv and 7 seater cars as such. In 2006 Audi decided to enter this arena with the launch of its first ever 7 seater car; the Audi Q7, which happens to be a crossover luxurious SUV during the Auto Show in Los Angeles and it is built on the famous Volkswagen Group PL71 platform. Presently the latest version of the Audi Q series happens to be the Audi Q5. Q5 was recently showcased in 2010. The SUVs are supposed to be importantly for the off road travels, but it seems based on the Audi’s concept car, the Pikes Peak Quattro; Audi has designed the Q7 keeping in mind the on road features than the off road ones. Even though the Audi Q7 features the four wheel drive system coupled with the CDL (central differential lock), and the air suspension system whose height is adjustable, it is unable to compete the cars in the SUV segment which are manufactured mainly for the off-road purposes.
Safety Features Kept Safe
Audi has introduced a new level of safety in its Q7 car. Among all other 7 seater cars out there, it seems no other car is able to beat Audi’s Q7 safety features. In America, NHTSA rated a total of 5 out of 5 for side and front impact tests in fourteen categories. And it has to be that way, because Audi Q7 features Electronic Stability Programme and variety of safety electronics combined with the numerous airbags to protect the passengers. Although in America this car received good ratings, in Europe, the NCAP rated 4 out of 5 for safety, and Audi claims that it was a design error which has been fixed in the later car releases. Many other tests have been conducted on Audi Q7 and the testers have found that Audi has implemented many innovative ways to protect the passengers sitting within.
Q7 Variants for North America
North America got a good set of Q7 variants to drive. The first one was the Audi Q7 hybrid which is basically a hybrid car that is built upon the Q7 and features an electric motor along with a 4.2 FSI engine; which is able to output a torque of more than 200Nm. This particular hybrid is powered by a battery of Nickel-Metal Hydride and this system pushes the car to an acceleration of 0 to 100 km per hour within 6.8 seconds. But this hybrid is comparatively heavier when compared to the petrol version of the Q7. Audi has actually announced that it would be rolling out even more hybrids but the number would be limited. As of now, Audi seems to be focussed on development of Q5 hybrids that will feature the Lithium-Ion battery.
When it comes to cars, especially sports cars, you have your favorites and I have mine. The question of what constitutes the best is a hot button issue, especially among truly knowledgeable enthusiasts, because we all have a different set of criteria to work from.
The Sports Car
The best sports cars are defined by their driving and mechanical performance. As a group, they are “open, low built, fast motor cars”. They are dedicated high performance machines and they take many forms, depending on the manufacturer and market. But the sports car is more than just a fast car. It hugs the road, shifts responsively, accelerates quickly and can break on a penny all the while being street legal. It is no wonder then, that we love them and we love to talk about them almost as much as we love to drive them. So while this list may not match yours, it does reference some of the best sports cars of all time.
10. Mercedes Benz 300SL Gull Wing
The first production car to use fuel injection and a testament to German engineering in 1954. 215 bph. Top speed 135 mph.
9. Jaguar E-Type
Produced in 1961-1964. 265 bph. Top speed 240 km/h. 0-60 in 7 seconds.
8. Chevrolet Stingray Corvette
The first American sports car and maybe the only American sports car. Produced in 1966. 425 bph. Top speed 245 km/h. 0-60 in 4.8 seconds.
7. Nissan Skyline
Banned from the streets of North America and some racing competitions in order to even the playing field. 480 bph. 0-60 in 3.3 seconds.
6. Ferrari Enzo
Introduced in 2002. 660 bph. Top speed 350 km/h. 0-60 3.3 seconds.
5. Lamborghini Miura
The car that popularised the mid engine design. Produced from 1967-1969. 350 bhp. Top speed 277 km/h.
4. Bugatti Veyron
A road worthy luxury grand tourer. Introduced in 2005. 1001 bhp. Top speed 407 km/h.
3. Ferrari 250 GTO
The best Ferrari of all time and the most beautiful car of all time. Produced from 1962-1963. 302 bhp. Top speed 280 km/h. 0-60 in 5.8 seconds.
2. McLaren FI
Possibly the greatest road going car of all time and the fastest naturally aspirated road car to this day. Produced from 1993-1998. A unique three-seat design with 627 bhp. Top speed 386 km/h. 0-60 in 3.2 seconds.
1. Porche 911
The 2010 Porche 911 is a 2 door, 2 seat sport coupe with rear engine and 435 bhp. Top speed 194 mph. 0-60 in 4 seconds.
Volkswagen, a very fine piece of German engineering responsible for making some of the most desirable and reliable cars on the market ranging from the likes of the Golf to the Scirocco. The Golf has several models from the mk 1 to the mk 6. The mk 1 Golf was first brought out in the early 1970’s and was produced up until 1984 which is when the Golf received its first makeover becoming the VW Golf mk 2. there were very few changes the wheelbase was made larger and the inner and outer dimensions of the car were also expanded. Several years earlier came the Golf GTi also known as the original hot hatch. keeping similar looks of the original golf (the mk 1)
The mark 3 golf which was manufactured in 1991 and production lasted up until 1999 this model made European car of the year in 1992 beating out its rivals the Vauxhall Astra and the Citroen Xsara this award gave Volkswagen great recognition showing that VW car parts are highly reliable. Many car breakers stock Volkswagen car parts as they are a desirable make of car providing a variety of cars ranging from sports cars such as the Golf GTi and the Golf r32 to family models such as the Volkswagen Bora and the Jetta.
All these cars a fine pieces of German creativity but all makes and models of cars can fail at some point so luckily many car breakers have a large variety of the parts needed to fix most Volkswagen makes, models and the different types of mark for each car. If you choose to buy brand new Volkswagen parts you can expect to pay up to three or four time more then what you would using used car parts and car spares. So always check popular sources of used parts first especially the internet as many breakers are formed together to form ‘Findapart’ networks this offering you a competitive edge as you submit a single request and pick the cheapest supplier from your quotes.