Finding a professional auto body expert can be difficult. This difficulty combined with the costs of the damage cause people to go buy a new car just to avoid the hassle. However, buying a new car can be just as much, if not more, of a hassle. When you buy a new car there is paper work, research into which car you would like, and most of the time an increase in your debt.

Generally, you will have make payments on your new car for at least four to five years. With the economy down, and employment lowering, consider whether you will really be safe to make those payments for that long. The car payment may also get in the way of other opportunities. In a year or two, you may want to support a child through college, or leave work for retirement.

In some cases, people simply do not know what fixing a car is is, and that it is a viable option. Most vehicles are fine by repairing the metal panels in your car instead of buying new parts to replace them. Repair work includes repainting sections that have been damage to match the original paint color of the car, restoring framework, and repair to the electrical and mechanical systems of the car. It is important that if you choose to fix your car, that you find a professional mechanic to perform the task. Rebuilding a car takes education and skill. Make sure that your mechanic has had both formal classroom and on the job training. Specialists are highly skilled mechanics and are always improving their technique through experience.

Finding a professional expert will cost you more, but a new car would cost many times the amount that the repair would cost. In most cases, your car insurance will pay for Auto Body repair. Fixing a car is the most cost effective option in most cases. It is also a better option for those who love the car they have. However, there are many other things to consider besides cost effectiveness when deciding between auto body repair and a new car.

One example would be whether or not your family is growing out of the old car. You may have had a five person car that is filled with you, your spouse and three children. If you have another child on the way, it would be a good idea to consider going ahead and buying a new car. Perhaps your lifestyle has changed and instead of a minivan you need a truck. Maybe you can just do without a car.

Another concern may be the environment. If your old car was really old and produced tons of black fumes, a new car may help the environment. However, if it was a descent car auto body repair would be the more eco-friendly option. Instead of throwing a whole bunch of descent metal to rot somewhere in the environment, it would be used for as long as possible. If you are really concerned about the environment, you can even make sure that you select a shop that recycles what can be recycled from their projects.

Remember how proud you were of it? It might not have been the newest car on the block, but it was going to be the best.

You took it home and washed it, polished it and took the vacuum cleaner outside to make sure it was totally spotless, every week!

As a teenager, living at home, with brothers and sisters, the car is your space. Your friends judge you by your car and how smart it looks. Your car gives you the chance of privacy that you never get at home. The opportunity to take your girlfriend somewhere quiet, maybe, or just the chance to go off on your own and enjoy the sea view, maybe do a bit of fishing.

That was just the outside. Remember tweaking the engine, changing the brake fluid, and fitting a spoiler? Did you fit a nitrous oxide nitro kit to improve the performance of your automobile? Did you tell the insurance company that you had modified the engine? Of course you did.

Was your first car in the days before catalysts? When you could smell the nitric oxide emissions coming out of the exhaust when the engine was hot? Do you remember the chlorine like smell as you backed your car into the garage? That was nitric oxide.

Remember when gasoline smelled different. Nowadays, with all the benzene compounds added to it, gas smells totally different. Some peole say that modern, benzene rich, gas in a car with no exhaust catalyst gives out more harmful emissions than the good old type, complete with nitric oxide and hyrdrocarbons.

Remember the leaks in the trunk? Oh, you had forgotten that. Remember how the heater leaked coolant all over the carpet? No? Did you forget that, too? Remember the strange noise that came from the front wheels at 75mph, but that went away once you were up to 85mph?

Strange isn’t it, how memory works? Reminiscing is one thing, but would you really ever go back?

Today, high-tech systems that were unheard of 30 years ago – anti-lock brakes, electronic engine controls and computerized diagnostics – are commonplace. It doesn’t appear that the swift pace of technological advancement will slow any time soon, either, with the advent of hybrid vehicles and such features on the horizon as interactive suspensions, constantly variable-speed transmissions and 42-volt batteries.

For automotive service professionals, this means continual training and coursework to keep up with the torrent of changes. Disparaged years ago as “grease monkeys,” mechanics today have become automotive technicians, every bit as comfortable behind a computer screen and keyboard as under the hood with a wrench.

ASE is reminding motorists to follow the service schedules listed in their owners’ manuals before making a long-distance drive. While few people would ignore an ominous service engine light, many do skip oil changes. Yet in survey after survey, ASE-certified master auto technicians say that the old-fashioned oil change is one of the most vital services for getting the most from your automotive investment.

ASE was founded in 1972 as a nonprofit, independent organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive professionals. Its 400,000 certified technicians wear blue-and-white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact areas of certification. Their employers often display the ASE sign.

If you enjoy watching professional racing, especially NASCAR, there is a good chance that you will also enjoy supercross motorcycle racing. This is because, like most other forms of racing, supercross is an action packed, competitive sport.  If you are watching a supercross race, whether that race is live or televised, you will likely be on the edge of your seat.

Although supercross was earlier compared to NASCAR, you will find that the two actually have little in common, besides the fact that they are both popular and both are focused on racing.  While NASCAR uses traditional race cars, also sometimes referred to as sports cars, supercross uses motorcycles. What is unique about these motorcycles is that they are not the ones that you regularly see on the highway; they are offroad bikes made especially for offroad racing.

In addition to using offroad motorcycles, supercross varies from a number of other forms of racing, especially when it comes to the racing surface.  Like many other forms of racing, including asphalt racing or traditional dirt track racing, you will find that supercross racing events take place on manmade tracks.

These manmade tracks are often indoors.  The tracks will vary, depending on the type of supercross race, but most tracks have numerous obstacles, which include jumps.  The goal of supercross is to maneuver your motorcycle throughout the track to finish first.

As previously mentioned, the type of manmade track will all depend on the type of supercross race being run.  Supercross is a professional racing sport, but it is not just limited to professional racing.  Men, women, and children from all across the United States have started taking part in this fun and exciting sport.  Those riders are often referred to as amateur supercross racers.  Amateur supercross racers may race at a local track.

In fact, many local individuals and business owners have come together to sponsor local supercross drivers, as well as provide funding for the tracks. Although these events may not be considered professional, they are rapidly increasing in popularity.  In fact, they are so popular that you may even have a local supercross or motocross track in or around your neighborhood.

In addition to local supercross tracks, there are many individuals who have made their own. Although most professional supercross racing tracks are indoor tracks, most amateurs have or use ones that are outdoors. A large number of wanttobe professional riders have made the decision to develop a track in their own backyard or in nearby fields.

However, the only downside to doing this is that racers are often on their own.  In the event that an accident occurs, it may be more difficult to obtain help, when compared to racing at professional tracks and sanctioned events.

Now that you know what supercross motorcycle racing is, you may either want to become a fan or a racer. Whichever you wish to be, there is a good chance that you will be enjoying the sport of supercross motorcycle racing for years to come.

However, traditional protective bras are not the most attractive option for car owners who want to protect their investments.

The problem with the traditional protective covering is simply due to the fact that it covers the magnificent machine. No real car enthusiast wants to hide his prized automobile under a rubbery surface. He doesn’t want to spend a lot of money on the perfect finish to cover it up with a protective layer. Unfortunately, many car owners had to choose between chips and scrapes or hiding the finish.

Not anymore. A car enthusiast can opt for a 3m clear bra that protects the car by creating a colorless barrier between the car’s finish and the elements. The 3m clear bra is simply a protective film that is literally painted over the car’s exterior. This product is commonly used on trucks, cars and vans of vehicle owners who cringe at the thought of a pebble getting near their priceless object.

The 3m clear bra is also used to protect headlights as well. The protective layer is commonly applied to the front of the vehicle and on the lenses of the headlights. The beauty of this material is that it is virtually undetectable. The original design of the vehicle is not changed in any way. The owner has the peace of mind that comes with knowing that the car is protected while having the luxury of enjoying his vehicle in its original state.

Some may wonder if the product is really as effective as the traditional protective cover. The 3m clear bra will protect the vehicle from chipping. The material was originally designed to be used on aircraft propellers to protect them from chipping. Surely the material will be effective at preventing chipping on vehicles as well.

Another concern is the quality of the clarity of the 3m clear bra. How clear is it, really? The manufacturer of the product boasts that the material is virtually undetectable unless the vehicle is very white in color. The clear coat is slightly visible on a stark white car when very close but it is not detectable from a distance. You will see a faint line where the 3m clear bra stops but that is better than an ugly bug shield or paint chips.

Docking techniques are always going to be dependent upon the weather and wind conditions, but there are a few simple things you can keep in mind. First of all, especially in this particular case, practice makes perfect. Although we can provide tips, docking techniques in boating are going
to be something you will have to personalize to your experience, your boat, and the dock itself.

Many boaters make the common mistake of attempting to dock their boats by approaching the dock in a straight line. It is much easier to get close to the dock  and improve the accuracy of your approach by approaching the dock at an angle. Also, the speed at which you come in to the dock must be controlled.

This is not as easy as it sounds. Often, even idle speed on a boat is too fast and coasting reduces steering capability, making it even more difficult to accurately line up with the dock. The best way to counter this problem is to alternate between power for steering (short shots of forward gear) and coasting for speed control.

You’ll have to practice this one over and over. As you get closer to the dock start to turn the boat and decelerate to a stop by using reverse. Again, the deceleration reduces steering capability. You are going to have to rely on the momentum of the boat to get you over this obstacle.

Momentum and speed are not the same thing. Momentum is simply the forward motion of the boat that will actually carry you into the dock. You will need just enough momentum to get you to the dock and allow you to smoothly make the shift to reverse to stop. Once you’ve actually mastered this task, you’ll probably agree that the best docking technique is the one that you learn by trial and error. Nothing will be a better teacher than practice, practice, practice.

The best advice would be to take it slow, don’t get nervous or discouraged and most importantly, remember that every time you try it, will make it a little easier the next time.

When you decide to sell your car after having a new audio system installed in it, some sellers decide to remove the system and put the factory version back into the car before selling it. When you do this, you can often sell the car faster. The question of what to do with the audio you took out can be left unanswered. One of the best things to do is to sell your items to people online as discount car audio. There are several options when it comes to how and where to sell your items online. Take a look at these options and get paid for that used audio equipment you no longer need.

Online Auctions

Online auctions are one of the easiest ways to sell anything online. All you must do is list your item for the lowest price you would accept and let the software do the rest for you. These selling platforms have become more and more popular lately and can help you get the most from your items. You can try any of them, but be sure to understand that if someone wins your bid on your item and pays for it, then you are obligated to ship it to them. The great thing is that the buyer is required to pay shipping as well for any items you sell, unless you note otherwise.

Local Classifieds Online

If you are interested in trying to sell your items online but would rather keep the buyers to the locals in your area, try local classifieds online. The truth is that more people are looking online for items to purchase than they are in the newspaper that is delivered to their home. Adding your classified to the online sites is the best way to reach the most people in the least amount of time. Many online classified sites are free; so take advantage of these great selling arenas.

When selling your discount car audio online, you should choose a selling arena that works best for you. If you would rather not have people call you at home, an online auction forum may be best. If you would rather not have to worry about shipping something and want to only offer pickup for anything sold, online local classifieds will be the place to start. No matter which one you choose, you will likely be very satisfied with your selling experience.

Seized and reposesed cars are primarily cars that government agencies and private financial institutions lay claim on. The government agencies will usually lay claim on a vehicle if it was used in criminal activity or even if it’s a recovered stolen vehicle that’s not reclaimed by the original owner. The financial institutions in turn lay claim on vehicles where the owner fails to make his monthly payments. These vehicles, as you can imagine, are usually still in top condition and sometimes they are virtually brand new.

As good a deal as these seized and reposesed cars are, there are some pitfalls that you need to watch out for. Here are three invaluable tips that will help you in finding and purchasing a quality reposessed car:

- Do Your Homework…

Firstly you need to do your homework about the cars you are interested in. Make sure you know exactly how much you can get it for both new and second hand. Secondly, do your homework about the company you are buying the reposesed car from. If it’s at an auction make sure you check out their credentials and that they are actually selling reposesed cars. Many companies who claim to sell seized and reposesed cars are only making these claims to get you through their front door or into their website.

- Finding them is half the job done…

Finding decent seized and reposesed cars is probably the biggest challenge. There are some good websites that keep and maintain a database of all the seized vehicles that are for sale throughout the USA. Only a handful of these web services are actually connected to the various agencies and auction houses. Be careful of websites that only act as a middleman – make sure the give you direct access to their database that will enable you to search for specific vehicles and their locations. Finding the best deals is all about the quality of the website you are searching on and their database. Some dealerships claim to sell bargain reposesed cars, but it’s usually just an incentive for you to buy. Go instead to the source. Go and buy where the dealerships buy. This is where you will find the real deals.

- Be auction sassy…

When you do find your dream vehicle at that unbelievable price, you still need to be vigilant – especially at auctions. If you are not very good with cars and engines, then ask someone who is to accompany you. Check the vehicle thoroughly before bidding starts. Auctioned vehicles are sold ‘as-is’. If a third party grades or examines the vehicles, make sure they are reliable, especially at online auctions. And when you bid…don’t get caught up in the bidding. Fix your price and don’t bid above that!

If you just can’t afford that car that you really want, then seized and reposesed cars might just be what you are looking for. This is by no means an inferior source. Dealers and wholesaler have been buying their stock from these seized and repossessed auctions for a long time. With the internet these databases are available to the general public and you no longer need any special ‘contacts’ to get access to this great resource. Providing that you are vigilant and you do your due diligence you can’t really go wrong.

To begin with, price is going to be a consideration since diesel motor homes will cost more than motor homes run on gasoline. There are new super chassis gasoline models available (Ford and GM) which present excellent buying. They have excellent carrying capacity and are less expensive than diesel. Alternatively, some of the more popular diesel motor homes include, Monaco, Newmar, Holiday Rambler and Fleetwood.

Oil and maintenance are also considerations when deciding whether to purchase a diesel motor home or gasoline model. Generally, oil changes and maintenance are less expensive on the gasoline models with an oil change on a diesel motor home costing between $175-$250. However, diesel motor homes tend to ride quieter because the engine is in the rear on most. Another advantage that diesel motor homes have over standard gasoline models is the cargo carrying capacity. Diesel models can carry more cargo and this includes heavier materials in the interior of the motor home such as Corian counter tops, china toilets etc.

Additionally, diesel motor homes usually have superior transmissions and pac brakes. These are important considerations if you intend to do a lot of mountain driving. Another important factor to consider when buying a motor home is the longevity of the vehicle. Diesel motor homes tend to run forever whereas in the long run, gasoline motor homes will generally require much more maintenance.

So there you have it! Make sure that you fully understand the fundamental differences between a diesel motor home and a gasoline motor home before making your purchase. You will also need to research a variety of companies who offer these motor homes for sale to ensure that you are paying the right price for your vehicle. Whether you decide to go diesel or gasoline, the flexibility that motor homes bring to your holiday adventures will be both exciting, flexible and extremely comfortable.

The focus needs to shift from giving outdated and ineffective advice to addressing the “actual” and “specific” charges. Are they legitimate charges? Can they be justified by industry guidelines?

Now car repair estimates can be confusing. So let’s break it down to get a better idea if your auto repair shop is billing you appropriately.

First, a glossary of terms is in order, as the auto industry has a language of its own…

Aftermarket Parts: parts not made by the manufacturer.

MSRP: Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price

OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer. Manufacturer approved parts designed specifically for your vehicle.

TSBs: Technical Service Bulletins. Notes and instructions provided by the manufacturer for known and specific concerns(they are not recalls).

Flat Fees: services such as alignments that don’t get broken down into parts, tax, labor

Miscellaneous Charges: these can include, but are not limited to shop supplies – rags, chemicals, hazardous waste disposal fees, waste oil …etc.

Labor Rate: a repair center’s hourly charge to service your vehicle

Labor Time: the amount of time or hours determined that it will take to fix your vehicle

Labor Description: the step-by-step written details of repairs and/or services

Ok, let’s look at the Anatomy of an Auto Repair Estimate:

There are six basic components to a car repair estimate

1) Customer/Vehicle Information
2) Parts
3) Labor
4) Miscellaneous Charges
5) Flat Fees
6) Summary of Charges

Customer and Vehicle Information

Using a generic “top down” style estimate, the top portion simply contains your personal information and your vehicle’s specifics: year, make, model, mileage…etc, as well as your request or concern.

We also want find the shop’s labor rate. The labor rate is critical in determining if you paid too much. Most repair centers don’t list the labor rate. We’ll discuss why shortly.

Auto Parts

Parts are listed usually with a brief description, as well as the quantity, and the price. There are three types of parts: OEM (parts made by or for a manufacturer). These are the parts installed by a dealer, although many local shops use OEM parts too.

Aftermarket parts are non OEM parts, and there are various degrees of quality, depending on the brand and where they’re made – China versus USA, for example.

Then there are Used parts purchased from a salvage yard.

To determine if you paid too much for parts, first find out what type of parts are being used. With OEM parts, you don’t want to pay more than MSRP, although most people do without realizing it. Premium aftermarket parts are similarly priced across brands, although beware not to pay more than MSRP, which again, many folks do. Used part prices are all over the place, so pick the price in the middle.

Auto Repair Labor

Labor is billed in tenths. So 1.0 equals 1 hour. 1.5 equals an hour and a half.

Labor rates range from $60 to $100 per hour at local repair shops and $80 to $140 per hour at the dealer level. Labor times are based off established industry guidelines, which are frequently abused.

If you don’t see the shop’s labor rate posted on the car repair invoice, ask your service center for the rate. Repair shops can manipulate the labor rate (among other things) with a labor matrix. Matrix pricing is a complicated and ethically questionable practice discussed at length in RepairTrust literature. What you need to know is that you can pay as high as $150 per hour rather than the posted labor rate of $105 per hour.

To ensure that you’re being charged properly, you’ll want to multiply the number of hours billed (which is also often not posted) by the shop’s labor rate.

Most labor descriptions are poorly written and difficult to understand. So ask questions.

Here’s a “clear” labor description for a 30,000 mile service on a Toyota Camry.

Performed 30,000 mile service per customer request, and in accordance with manufacturer guidelines. Changed oil and filter, installed new air filter, cabin filter and performed all necessary tests, checks, and procedures, including road test (miles 30,123 – 30,125). Performed lubrication services and confirmed proper vehicle operation. Set tire pressures, and checked fluids, belts and hoses. Note: vehicle is pulling slightly left. Needs alignment

Miscellaneous Charges

The bulk of your car repair invoice will be parts and labor, but we can’t forget about Miscellaneous Charges. These charges can include, but are not limited to, shop supplies – rags, chemicals, hazardous waste, disposal fees, waste oil …etc. The latter of these may be billed out separately in a summary at the bottom of your repair invoice.

Very few of these “extras” are actually used during regular repairs. Miscellaneous charges are calculated off the amount of labor hours billed, not the amount of miscellaneous items used.

Flat Fees

Flat fees can be another very tricky area. Flat fees are services, such as an alignment, which don’t get broken down into parts, tax and labor. This makes it difficult to determine the real and fair price. On the plus side, most flat fees are competitively priced.

Be warned however, another term for Flat Fee is called Menu Selling. In other words, you might see Tune Up: $99.99 or Transmission Flush: $89.99. Follow your manufacturer’s recommendations only, not a dealer’s or repair shop’s menu.

Summary of Charges

The last part of an auto repair estimate is the summary of charges. It’s usually found in the bottom right hand corner of the invoice. Check it against the charges above to ensure that it all adds up mathematically, as well as logically.

This basic estimate outline may differ from your particular invoice, which may have other categories such as “Sublet” or “HazMat.”

A sublet charge is added when your auto repair shop uses another vender to fix or repair your car, such as a glass company that replaces your windshield.

A HazMat charge may include waste oil or other disposal fees. Just make sure that the charges are warranted, as again, they too are often calculated off the labor time rather than actual need.

In sum, understanding the “actual” charges, asking the right questions, and breaking down your auto repair costs is the best way to avoid paying excessive car repair prices.