If you hate changing tires you may be in luck because AAA says that due to the new fuel economy rules spare tires may be a thing in the past. The problem is that car makers will be challenged to come up with creative ways to reach these new standards. One of the easiest was to do so it to reduce the weight of the car, which means taking stuff out.

Remember back in the day, how if you had a flat, you often had another, heavy full sized tire waiting to replace it? Yes, it was heavy and awkward but it worked well and you could drive as much as you wanted to on it. In order to lower weight and help the mpg, they switched out that tire with a “donut,” an embarrassingly small tire that is not meant to be traveled on very far, but it does spare you some weight. Additionally, car jacks have become smaller and lighter as well. It used to be they had large, easy to use jacks, now they most cars have a small, practical jack if they have one at all. If you need to buy a used car, come see us!

That’s right, we said “at all,” because some cars are starting to come with no spare tire or jack at all. In fact if you are purchasing a new car, you should make sure it comes with one, or else look into getting an upgrade to one.   The last thing you want is to get into forsaken desert highway, have a flat, and find out you lack a spare.

Another thing car makers are doing is putting run-flat tires on their cars. These tires are designed so that you can keep driving on them, for a little while even if they go flat. However, you can’t go far, and it doesn’t count much for a blow-out.  Other dealers are putting a can of Fix-a-Flat in the trunk, but like run-flat tires, this can of wonder can only do so much.

No one knows for sure if this will happen or not and much remains up in the air. However if you are looking for a new, or even used car, then you should make sure it has a spare tire in it. Make sure it is well inflated and that you have a jack and tire iron as well. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry.

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The most obvious choice for this would be the famed, anamorphic,  Volkswagon Beetle Herbie, aptly called The Love Bug. The original Love Bug movie was filmed by Disney in 1968 and has produced a total of four movies (one in 2005 with Lindsay Lohan) a made for TV movie and even its own TV show.  In theory, Herbie was called the Love Bug because he actively conspired to bring the movies lead actor into a romance with the lead actress. Clever right? However, we think it is also because America as a whole fell in love with this car as the Love Bug movie was a smash hit in the box office.  Is a VW Beetle romantic? More like cute, but it could work under the right circumstances. At Ford Service Omaha you will find a great deal.

How about a truck for romance? Before you laugh think about it. First of all, it is pretty common for a girl to sit in the middle seat, right next to her special somebody, and leave the passenger seat open. Sweet isn’t it? But there is more. If you clear the beer cans out of the back you can use it for some creative dating. Pack a picnic, some camping gear and using the trucks off road capabilities, head off into the mountains for a getaway. Best of all, lay in the back of the bed at night and watch the shooting stars cross the sky. Laugh now, but she will love it.

Maybe you want something less country. How about a motorcycle? It has attitude and an element of danger, and let’s face it, girls love that stuff.  Best of all, if you ride it together, she has to put her arms around you and hold you tight. Not a bad deal at all.

Lastly, how about a classic car? Sure they are probably pricey or it will take a lot of fixing up, but a classic Ford or Chevy from the 50’s practically screams “date me.” A vintage Chevy Bel Air or Ford Thunderbird has class and nostalgic romance all rolled into one. Drive to the beach, get a burger and shake and watch the sun set.  There you go, the car can get you started, now the rest is up to you.

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Bids were placed, collectors jockeyed and positioned against each other to see just who was willing to go the furthest for the prizes they coveted the most. If the economy is struggling, there was no sign of it this weekend, with a grand total of 182 million in sales with 2,100 cars sold. That is pretty impressive by any means, but just you wait until you see the breakdown.

Perennial auto auction power house Barrett Jackson proved their dominance once again by taking the top spot with 90.9 million in total sales and 1,291 vehicles sold.  Taking their top spot was a 1948 Tucker Torpedo which went for a mere 2.915 million dollars. This automobile was an advanced automobile created by Preston Tucker and produced in 1948. Only 51 of them were ever made and today only 47 still exist. Because there are so few of them, it is incredibly rare for them to go to auction, although fetching such a record price might entice a few current owners to put theirs up for sale.

Additionally a beautiful 1947 Bentley Franay Mark VI Cabriolet went for $2.75 million. This classic car is often considered the height of Bentley’s creations, this model is by far the most successful and expensive car they have manufactured. To see one for sale is also a rarity. Other sales included Mercedes, Packard and Duesenbergs. You can get a great rate with used car financing.

Despite all of that, top honors went to the fine folks over at Gooding & Co. who auctioned off a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing for $4.620 million. They did well in other areas as well, selling a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe for $2.64 million and a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider for $3.905 million. Gooding & Co. finished the event with $39.8 million in total sales of 116 lots, not bad either.

Russo & Steele, another large company, sold 401 lots for $18.3 million as well. Not as much money wise, but they had a lot more muscle cars that tended to go for less. While that may not sound like much compared to some of the others, they still sold several cars that reached the 5-7 hundred thousand dollar mark.

All in all it was a great auction that showed a 25 million dollar increase in sales from the year before. It is also a great start to the auction year and shows that despite everything, there is still a lot of interest in these gorgeous machines.

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How antique and vintage you ask? Take a look at the lineup for the Barrett-Jackson auction.  If you are in the market for a 1947 Bentley Mark VI (and who isn’t?) then you are in luck because they have one you can buy. In fact, this particular Bentley has quite an illustrious history behind it, having won numerous “best in show” prizes at many of the top auto shows in the world.

If they Bentley does not do much for you then you could opt for the 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow or a 1930 Duesenberg Model J Murphy Town Car. For something slightly more current try the 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300Sl Gullwing or a more down to earth 1955 Studebaker Speedster 2.

Head over to the Russo and Steele tent and you can purchase a 1954 Jaguar MK V Drop Head Coupe or since good things come in pairs, pick up a 1954 Jaguar XK120 SE Roadster. If that isn’t vintage enough, go for the 1936 Auburn 852.

There also plenty of other amazing cars for sale as well. There are several Packard’s for sale including gorgeous 1930 Packard Custom Speedster. The Packard Motor Car Company was a famous luxury car maker established in 1899. Packard was perceived as one the finest high end luxury cars made in America and one of the “Three P’s,” the other two being Pierce-Arrow and Peerless. Sadly, Packard went out of business in 1958 but it’s cars are still sought after by collectors.

Additionally, you could purchase a Duesenberg, another car that, despite its name, was an American made top of the line luxury car as well.  They were considered to be the very best cars available and each one was hand crafted. In fact, they were such a thing of beauty, that phrase “that’s a duesy” came from this car line.  While they two brothers who made them were brilliant engineers, they were horrible business men and the company went under in 1937. Duesenberg’s are highly sought after and any serious car collector will want one.

There will be plenty of American muscle cars as well, including a 1965 Shelby 427 Street Cobra Prototype that is expected to go for over 1 million. You can even buy one of the original “General  Lee” from Dukes of Hazzard fame. There is literally something for everyone, as long as you are loaded.

This goes for car manufacturers as well. So far few automakers have really captured that market but GM and Chevy think they have some clues. In fact, they have gone so far as to test drive and research at universities and high schools.

One of the biggest surprises is that unlike decades pass, the Millennial shoppers are sticking mainly with used cars. With today’s economy few want to start making car payments. Those that do want new cars, have come up with some interesting ideas. The usual smaller cars and hatchback are out. The 20’s crowd wants a car with style, room in the back seat and some pep to it. Come to used vehicles for a great deal today.

This has emerged into a couple of different designs. For one, coupe type cars are in. Think similar to the Mini or the newly released Fiats. They are small, affordable and efficient yet stylish. Another option is a design that is a little boxier in the back with a front that faintly resembles a Camaro, Dodge Charger or similar “tough” cars. There were the prototype concept cars that Chevy and GM displayed recently in the famous Detroit Auto Show. They will be priced around 19k – 24 and GM hopes to start producing them within the year.

The Millenials are an interesting crowd. In the past, most people, especially the under 30 crowd, were really into cars to one degree or another.  Cars were seen as a sign of independence, adulthood and freedom. As soon as young adults turned 16 they would race out to get their driver licenses.

Gen Y has proven otherwise. Only 30 percent of them are getting their drivers’ licenses right when they turn 16 and many are waiting until later. Not only that, but they have little interest in owning their own new, fancy car and are far more likely to share a car with friends or family.

A large part of this is because Gen Y is much more into technological gadgets instead of cars. They would much rather have smartphones and Apple products then a car. In fact, one recent survey showed that they preferred not to drive because it meant less time online or texting. Japan’s youth culture began this trend a couple of years ago so it should be no surprise that it has spread over here. Still, for whatever market there may be for Gen Y and cars, GM and Chevy are determined to be a major player in it, both domestically and internationally.

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The most popular type of green car is the hybrid. A hybrid runs on two different propulsion systems to drive it. Usually this involves a gasoline engine and an electric drive motor. Often it uses the gas to start the car and switches over to electricity once it is going.  Periodically it uses gas to help boost the speed of the vehicle as well.  Hybrids get for more miles per gallon and have very few tailpipe emissions. While you also save money on gas the downside is that they tend to be pricier up front and after a few years the main battery needs replacing. That being said, the technology is getting cheaper and cheaper to produce every day. To make them even more efficient they can also run off diesel or other alternative fuels.  Hybrids can also come in a plug-in version.

Another rapidly developing option is the electric car. Much like it sounds, these cars run purely on electricity and are incredibly cost efficient, averaging just pennies per mile.  They are also incredibly green as they produce no emissions what so ever. The down side is that they have a limited range of miles, usually around 100, before they have to recharge. The other downside is they don’t have a high top speed. Come to used trucks for a great deal today.

Some cars run on biodiesel as well. Biodiesel is a diesel fuel made from alternate sources like waste vegetable oil or even soy beans. It is much cleaner then gas or even petroleum diesel. Additionally, it can run in standard diesel engines without any need for conversion.  It is also made locally so it can reduce the countries need for foreign oil.  The downside is that gasoline cars must be modified to use it and currently it isn’t easy to produce.

On a similar note it is possible to run a car on ethanol as well. Ethanol alcohol is the same kind found in alcoholic beverages. There are roughly 30 types of flex vehicles that can use ethanol or gasoline or both. Many electric cars and hybrids are designed to use ethanol as well. It is made from corn or sugar cane, although alternate sources are being developed.

Green technology is getting better and more efficient every day and has already come far from its early days. As for which type is the best only you can decide.

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The first exhibit will be titled “The Origins of the Myth,” and presumably covers the early days of the automakers inspiration.  The museum itself is a piece of history, being built around the preserved, original home and workshop of Enzo. The roof of the museum is a beautiful aluminum yellow “bonnet.” Yellow is the official color of Modena and the color that Enzo chose as the background of the famous Prancing Horse Ferrari logo.The exhibition is dedicated to telling the life story of the man behind the car and covers his work and life as a race driver and engineer, all placed within the context of his heyday in the 1900’s. During that time he was biggest name in motorsports and won numerous races on the professional level.

There is already a permanent multimedia display in his birth home that follows the course of his life. Ferrari’s motto was “if you can dream it, you can do it” and his life reflected his saying. To Enzo, the automobile was more than just a car, it was a work of art that strived for perfection. He used the races as a testing ground for new designs and technologies to further his quest for the perfect car. For your own luxury car check out used cars today.

Of course the heart of the museum will be the cars on display. Collected from the most prestigious collections and museums, they will be presented as works of art. Additionally each vehicle will have showcases complete with original documents, designs and memorabilia, often from Enzo’s own collection.  As if Modena didn’t have enough history and culture already, the museum will be a welcomed addition to their downtown district. The museum is situated near where the cities first industrial complexes where built.

The museum itself is a work of contemporary art that Enzo would be proud of. Designed by the famous Future Systems of London,  the 54,000 square foot facility will also host a conference room, archives, a gift store and of course coffee shop.  No plans to open a Ferrari dealership there currently exist. All in all, the museum is a fitting and beautiful tribute to the man who gave us one of the most beautiful cars ever made.

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A recent study shows that 2010 had the lowest traffic fatality rate in the history of recorded fatality rates. To put the numbers in perspective, more people died of poisoning then the from auto crashes. Yep, you read it right, 41,000 people were poisoned while 37,261 were killed in car wrecks.  In fact, more people also died of the flu and pneumonia as well. That being said, it is important for you to be aware of what different kind of safety features are available and how they function.  Here are some options. For a great deal on safe used car check us out.

Anti-Lock Breaks – Anti-Lock Breaks, or ABS, is a function that keeps a cars’ wheels from locking up during a panic break. In short, the theory is that if the wheels lock, you start to skid and lose control. ABS helps keep the wheels from locking, thus allowing to control your car as you hit the breaks. This comes standard for four wheels on most new cars. Trucks and SUV’s usually have the option for two or four wheel.

Electronic Stability Control – A fairly new convention, ESC is not usually found on older vehicles. ESC was created to help drivers keep control of their vehicles during intense maneuvers and spin outs.  The technology monitors tires speeds and applies braking force to one or more tires as needed. ESC has been incredibly helpful in lowering the number of traffic fatalities and is standard on most new cars. That being said, many new trucks still lack ESC.

Air Bags – Everyone knows about front airbags that expand on front impacts but there are other types being installed in cars as well. Side air bags are making an appearance in many new car models as well. They protect from side impacts and either deploy downward from the roof or up and out from the seat back. The latter have proven effective in protecting the neck and back. There are also roll over air bags, that deploy when sensor detect a roll over. They deploy from the roof as well and remain open longer than normal air bags. Get your used car appraisal with us today!

Advanced air bag systems are now required by law in all new cars made after 2006. These systems are designed to function in such a way that balances the passenger protection with the force the bad is deployed at.  It is particularly useful in situations where small adults or children may be sitting in a seat.

While cars will always hold a measure of danger, these features can great reduce the odds of injury or death in the event of an accident. Look for them when buying a new or used car.

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Up until 1967, Matchbox and Corgi had been the dominating die cast metal car toys for sale, but all of that changed when Mattel introduced the Hot Wheels.   Since then they have become highly collectible, with people traveling all over the country in search of them and spending thousands to get them.   One particularly rare car known as the Beach Bomb Back Loader recently went for $70,000 dollars.  Who knew your favorite childhood toy could be worth so much? Check out used vehicles for a deal you will love.

In 1968, the first set of sixteen different cars, often called the “sweet sixteen” hit the stores, it was an instant success. Boys everywhere loved them. The cars looked cool and ran faster than their Matchbox counterparts due to a better wheel and axle assembly.  Not only that, but Hot Wheels were designed to run, powered by gravity, on Hot Wheels tracks.

Entire sets and themes of tracks were released. Loops, jumps, obstacle courses and numerous other accessories were created for kids to use with their Hot Wheels.  Kids would put one end of the track on a table or elevated place, put the cars on the tracks, and gravity would do the rest.  One of the more famous sets is the 1970 Mongoose & Snake Drag Race Set that has sold for $500 in good condition.

One of the reason Hot Wheels is so poplar is the meticulous detail that they give to each model and its production. The original Hot Wheels were all produced by actual car designers who had worked for the auto industry before coming to Mattel.  Not only that, Mattel uses the actual blueprints that the car makers use to build their cars. Mattel has deals with General Motor, Ford, Chrysler, Ferrari, Mazda and even Toyota have all licensed Hot Wheels to make models of their cars. The car makers send their blue prints to Mattel, who study them intensively and create accurate 1:64 scale replicas of the cars. They then ship the blueprints back to the car makers.

Hot Wheels has also created their own unique car designs over the years. Two of the more famous include the Twin Mill and Splittin’ Image, designed by the Hot Wheels legendary designer Ira Gifford. They have also come out with multiple series sets, some of the more notable of which are the Sizzlers, Treasure Hunt, and Pearl Driver series. Whatever the case may be, these little toy cars have become as iconic as the cars they were modeled after and in many cases more so.

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Place the flat side of the jack under the car. Where you place the jack is very important. You want to place it between the two tires, not on the outside, this gives the car more stability as the center of gravity is further in. Place the jack near the flat tire side as well. Come to <a href=”http://www.enterprisecarsales.com/SaltLakeCityUsedCars”>Salt Lake City used cars</a> for a huge selection of cars you will love.

Very important! Place the jack under the metal frame of the car, NOT the plastic or fiberglass body on the outside. If you raise the jack on the body, it will crack the plastic and it could also collapse. Often car will have a notch on the metal bar under the car to fit a jack into. Once your jack is in position, you can begin pumping the jack. As it goes up, it will lift the car up in the air. Pump until the tire is a few inches off the ground.

(We now continue with part 2 of our award winning series…”to fix a flat”…)

Remember when you jack the car up to leave room to fit the new tire in. Now you are ready for what is usually the hardest part: Taking of the lug nuts. Grab your tire iron, there are a couple of different types.  One has one socket, another one has four. The four way wrench is the best, because you may not know what sized socket you need plus the 4 way provides great leverage when taking of the nuts.

You usually have five lug nuts.  Place the socket onto a lug nut and turn it counter clock wise. This is by far the most difficult part. The nuts can be on really tight and it can take a good bit of strength to loosen them. If they were put on by an electric wrench they can be very difficult to turn. Other factors, such as cold weather, can make them tighter as well.

Loosen one nut but do not unscrew it all the way. You don’t want to put too much pressure on the other nuts. Loosen it just enough to release some pressure so that it turns easily. Now move to the opposite screw across from the one you just did. Loosen it like the other.  Then move across to another one and loosen it. Keep going back and forth loosening them all until they are all done. Now you can finish unscrewing them all the way.

Take all the nuts off. It is VERY important to keep track of where all the nuts are. They can be easy to lose and you need them all for the spare. Pull the flat tire off and set it somewhere to the side for now.  Take the spare tire and line it up with the screws. The holes should be facing inwards, not outwards. Slide the spare onto the screws.

Now you will put the nuts on in the same way you took them off. Screw one on till there is a slight bit of pressure on the tire. Then place the nut across from it on and turn until there is pressure as well, then the next across from it. Keep going until all the nuts are on but not tight. Now you can tighten them.

Use the wrench to tighten the nuts as much as possible. Go back over them again to make sure they are on good. You definitely don’t want them coming loose while driving. Once you are sure they are tight enough. Make sure nothing is under the car and release the handle on the jack or crank it in the opposite direction to lower it.

Place all the equipment and the spare tire back in the trunk and close it. Get in the car. Don’t forget to turn off your hazards and remember to RELEASE the emergency break as well.  Once you start the car you will probably want to drive to some place you can wash your hands. Otherwise, you are good to go.

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