David Phillips My Least Favorite Writer

David, you have finally – er at last you have – er your latest article about a getting together – er - merger of Champ Car and the IRL by a group of open – er racing – er fans of OWR called OWLs – er Open Wheel Loyalists was – er pitiful.

The last – er thing we need is some – er pundit – er writer – er …………. is another story about a merger – er …………… especially an imaginary one.

WickerBill Sez;

See for yourself http://www.speedtv.com/commentary/32881/

ALMS Double Headers With CCWS

The ALMS schedule just out shows ALMS races with CCWS at Long Beach, Houston and Road America.

ALMS races will be on Saturday preceding the Champ Car race on Sunday.


WickerBill Sez;

I wonder how the divy up the take? Does each series get their usual sanctioning fee? Wouldn't that make it more expensive for the promoter?
Yeah, We're Half Way There.

Volvo 544 hatchbackVolvo C30 hatchback

My man, Bob, at Cars Cars Cars says the Volvo C30 won't be out until 2008 or 9. I say, that's crap. Why would you still care in two years? When Mini wanted to make a longer Mini, for no reason at all, they just did it. And yet, shopping the ass-end of a S40 takes 3 years? By then, Focuses will fly, Scions will turn into robots and Minis will come with about twelve doors, including four as the rear hatch.

All I'm saying is, if you have a cool car, just make it already. This is the only Volvo that doesn't look lame, almost ever (I do like the 544 from the 60s). And, come to think of it, that's a cool Volvo hatchback that's already out. With less than 100 horsepower but tons of coolness, you won't beat the 544 - and, for around 5 grand, you're probably better off. The C30 looks good in the pictures, but in real life it's as pretentious and vaguely effeminate as any Volvo.

Circuit Mont-Tremblant OK for Champ Cars?

After viewing the Mont Tremblat web site and taking the video lap of the track I have certain reservations about this track.

First of all it looks like a fun track to drive.

But, it looks dangerous - not enough gravel traps, no catch fencing and the Armco is too close to the track in places.

I couldn't see any permant seating during the one lap video.

My biggest fear is that some one will get hurt at this race!

Perhaps some of our Canadian friends can comment?

http://www.lecircuit.com/en/track.htm you can also download a nice PDF of the track.

Champ Car 2007 Schedule Released

15 Race 2007 Champ Car World Series Schedule


April 8 Las Vegas, Nevada
April 15 Long Beach, California
April 22 Houston, Texas
May 20 Zhuhai, China
June 10 Portland, Oregon
June 24 Cleveland, Ohio
July 1 St. Jovite, Canada
July 8 Toronto, Canada
July 22 Edmonton, Canada
July 29 San Jose, California
Aug. 12 Road America Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
Aug. 19 Denver, Colorado
Oct. 21 Surfers Paradise, Australia
Nov 11 Mexico City, Mexico
Dec. 2 Phoenix, Arizona

Events in BOLD are new races for the 2007 season


WickerBill Sez;

The China date suggests that there will likely not be any teams entering the Brokeback Indy this year confirming the word in the paddock that none are interested. I question the December 2 date for a race anywhere, it's not a good date for an American open wheel race. The St, Jovite race - Humm we'll see. Finally Road America gets the date it deserves, snow tires not needed.

FREE Quote Save Big On Your Auto Warranty

Have you ever purchased a car and as you are signing the paperwork in the finance office, the finance manager makes you feel like you may have made the wrong decision on your vehicle choice because he/she tells you that one day that auto will break down. Almost to the point that you want to back out! This is there way of selling you an extended warranty, which by the way, is one of the biggest profit margins of the entire car buying process!

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basic transportation Celebrates new logo with customized, International® CXT GigantoTruck.

Well, we wish. There are trucks and then, there's the real thing - with a air horn, the kind with a string to pull, and big pipes coming out the top. There's a bunch of good reasons to study hard in school, and affording a real truck is probably the best. Go to http://www.internationaldelivers.com/mycxt to design your very own International CXT and stay in school.


2007 Honda Fit, The Weekly Driver

Honda Fit
Honda Fit, 2007: The Weekly Driver
By James Raia

Just when it seemed like Honda couldnt possibly discover another market segment for its vehicles, it introduced the 2007 Fit. A four-door subcompact, the Fit combines a wondrously efficient use of space with snappy versatility and economy.

The Fit joins the Accord, Civic, CR-V, Element, Insight, Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline and S2000 as the 10th vehicle in the Honda line that debuted in the United States in 1973.

The Fit, known at the Jazz, has been sold in Asia since 2001 and in Europe since 2002 as a way to combat the parking dilemma prevalent in most international metropolitan cities. To further help curtail the problem, the two-seat Smart, the microcar DaimlerChrysler offering, has found increasing success overseas.

While not as small, The Fit, like the Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris, have arrived a year in advance of the Smarts expected 2008 U.S. arrival. And with the Fit, at least in my weekly test of the Sport model, there's no sense of driving a novelty.

Consider: While the Fit is nearly 20 inches shorter than the Civic, it has nearly the same interior space as the Accord. Of course, there are differences between the Fit and other Honda sedans. But as Hondas smallest vehicle, the Fit has a long list of standard features and unique offerings. It's particularly impressive considering that with every available option included the Fit costs less than $16,000.

In addition to the Sport model, the Fit is offered in a base model. Both styles include 1.5-liter, 16-valve, 109-horsepower, 4-cylinder engines. The base editions include 14-inch wheels, electric-assist power steering, two-speed front wipers and a rear wiper, air conditioning, power windows and locks and an AM/FM radio with CD player.

The Sport model features 15-inch alloy wheels with wider tires, additional body styling, keyless entry, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an upgraded MP3-compatible audio system with an auxiliary jack.

The Fits interior is efficiency defined. The five-speed manual shifter is nicely positioned and controls and dials are handsome, if simple, logically configured and offer nice ease-of-use characteristics. The Fit has two front seat cupholders and individual door-panel rear seat cupholders. The 60-40 split rear seat features multiple configurations, including one position which configures either side or both bottom seat sections flush against the seat back seats. The result: a cavernous cargo area. Honda calls the feature a Magic Seat. The Fit also has a spacious trunk with a wide, level and easy access entry.

As a subcompact, there are a few shortcomings. The front-passenger visor does not have a mirror and theres a conspicuous absence of front-seat console storage compartment. The carpet, side-paneling and console material isnt as nice as the Accord or Civic, but its far from cheap.

But the best part of the Fit is its surprisingly nice drive. With its 109-horsepower engine, the car isnt about to establish any speed records. Yet, since its lightweight and efficiently constructed, the Fit moves around pretty nicely, with 0-60 mph in less than 10 seconds. Cornering and maneuvering is confident and at all speeds, the vehicle is far from noisy.

Theres just not much to criticize about the Fit. Honda has a longstanding, stellar reputation throughout its line. And as the newcomer, the Fit fits in admirably with its brethren.

The Weekly Driver: 2007 Honda Fit

Safety Features: Dual front, front side and side curtain airbags.

Fuel Mileage: (estimates) 33 mpg (city), 38 mpg (highway).

Warranty: Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain, 6 years/60,000 miles; Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited miles.

Base Price $15,170.00


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Raia

Going down Towncar.


The Best and Biggest Back Seat in America says its farewell.


Perhaps a lame title - but the demise of the universally beloved Lincoln Towncar is a tragedy of 96' Chevrolet Impala SS proportions. The Towncar badge has been an icon, on and off, since 1959. It was the ultimate in American luxury, chauffeuring gangsters and politicians alike - sometimes at the same time. It's vinyl top kept you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Though it was always powerful and big - that's not what made this Lincoln such a charmer. It was simply the most comfortably caron the road (that's right, Caddy, I said it) . Before Escalades, Navigators, Excursions and even S-Classes came into our lives - there wasn't a cushier, more luxurious car to get out the back of.

A squishy suspension and supermodel amounts of leg-room guaranteed that you weren't going to smack any part of you on any part of the Towncar. Driving it too was a treat - though not necessarily for car service drivers, who racked up hundreds of thousands of miles.

The death of yet another, rear-wheel-drive, eight cylinder car (Lincoln's last RWR since the end of the LS) brings us that one step closer to the end of the American car industry. It's hard to see the point of the Lincoln brand, considering it now makes nothing but disguised Fords and the ridiculous and way-politically-incorrect Navigator.

The big, and still classic, Towncar will be missed. Let's celebrate how quiet it rode with a moment of silence.
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.
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Good night sweet Towncar. And Flights of Angels Sing Thee to Thy Rest....

Why Your Oil Change Is Never, Just An Oil Change

Car Repair Prices: Why Your Oil Change is Never Just an Oil Change
By Theodore Olson


For a repair shop, there is little profit in the $29.95 oil change. By the time a shop pays its technician, pays for the oil, the filter, and the hazardous waste disposal fees, theres no money left. This low profit margin is worsened by the extremely competitive Quick Lube business, which forces local repair shops to refrain from raising prices, despite rising costs.

This all begs the question: If oil change specials, which range from $15.95 to $29.95, clearly produce very low profits, then why do so many service facilities advertise oil change specials?

The answer is actually very simple: It gets you in the door. Service centers know that once they have your vehicle, they can sell you additional work.

Suggesting additional work is called upselling, and its a primary profit tactic of every service facility. Heres a typical example. You drop your vehicle off for, just an oil change. Upon completion your service representative smiles and proudly states, We noticed that your air filter was dirty; so we popped in a new one. You may think, great, what wonderful service!

What really occurred is that you were casually upsold an air filter. It probably wasnt needed; it
certainly wasnt replaced according to any factory recommendation, and you were definitely overcharged for what was most likely a poorly-fitting, aftermarket, inferior air filter.

Heres a real-life example that occurred recently. This particular vehicle had 54,000 miles on it, and was dropped off at a local shop for, just an oil change. Upon paying the bill, the customer was handed an estimate for $199 to replace his air filter and top radiator hose. Shocked at the price, he called me.

After review, I found that the air filter suggestion was premature. It didnt need replacement until the manufacturers recommended 60,000 mile service interval. The top hose was also premature. In fact, it did not need replacement at all, despite a very minor problem easily addressed during the factory maintenance schedule, at no extra cost.

Check out the aftermarket part prices quoted below (including the unnecessary radiator hose). Compare these to the manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) for the factory OEM parts (Original Equipment Manufacturer).

Local Shop Aftermarket Air Filter: $32
Manufacturer OEM Filter, MSRP: $17

Local Shop Aftermarket Top Hose: $36
Manufacturer OEM Top Hose, MSRP: $19


Notice that this local shop was doubling the price of the OEM parts with its inferior aftermarket parts.

Now, lets look at the labor time that was quoted.

Local Shop Labor Time: 2.0 @ $60 per hour = $120
Manufacturer Labor Time: 0.9 @ $60 per hour = $81


Notice that the shop labor time estimate for the repairs was 2 hours. This is more than twice
the manufacturers recommendations (even after calculating manufacturer times against the industry standard multiplier).

Had the local shop abided by the vehicles particular maintenance intervals instead of trying to make a quick buck, it should have recommended a 60,000-mile service at the next visit. This would have better served the client, saved him $199, and maintained the vehicle properly. Instead, they lost a client, forever!

What needs to be made crystal clear is that this type of price-gouging occurs every day in every type of service facility in one form or another across the automotive service industry.

This type of price-gouging is considered normal!


Theodore P. Olson (Ted)
Car Repair Help

Ted holds extensive certifications from Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, General Motors, ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) and more. Over a twenty-year period in the automotive service industry, he has served as a technician, shop foreman, shop manager, shop owner, service advisor, service manager, and service industry consultant.

Other Works by Ted Olson Include:

ARREST the Automotive Service Industry!
Maintenance Myths: A Step-by-Step Guide to STOP Getting Ripped Off!
Auto Repair: The Shocking Truth About Whos Ripping You Off and Why!
Automotive Service Pricing Strategies a fair pricing guide for service centers
Being the Best a comprehensive customer service handbook for service advisors
Service Center Personnel an auto repair informational for general service staff
Service Mission Statement a philosophical proposal to improve customer service


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Theodore_Olson

Volkswagen Passat, The Weekly Driver

volkswagen passat
Volkswagen Passat, 2006: The Weekly Driver
By James Raia

Golf courses to restaurants, the quaintness of the small towns to the Pacific Ocean, theres nothing quite like a visit to the Monterey Peninsula. But the 200-mile drive from Sacramento is also an ideal route for testing cars. The high-speed interstate to narrow city streets, there's no place to hide a cars faults and there are plenty of opportunities for a vehicle to showcase its best attributes.

My weekly test drive on a recent visit to the Monterey Peninsula was the 2006 Volkswagen Passat. It's available in three versions, the 4-cylinder Value Edition and 2.0T (turbocharged) models and the higher performance V6 marketed as the sports model.

I drove the 2.0T, which was plenty sporty and responsive on the high-speed, often crowd open roads of Interstate 5 to the winding, more subtle state routes of approaching the peninsula.

With the exception of the wheelbase, which is the same as the 1998-2005 sedans, Volkswagen redesigned its midsize car for 06. The body has been extended three inches in length and its wider, too.

For the first time, a navigation system, steering-linked, bi-xenon headlamps and either manual or automatic six-speed transmissions, instead of five, are all standard. Front-wheel and VWs 4-Motion all-wheel drive are also both available, with my tester including the front-wheel drive option.

The V6 Passat with its various options can exceed $35,000. But my Passat for the week was more than $10,000 less. And in nearly every category, acceleration, steering and handling and comfort, the Passat has a lot to offer for a fair price.

Most impressive is the combined effect of the Passats steering and handling, acceleration and ride quality. The car just feels right on the road. It has quick (but not overpowering) acceleration at any speed, with the standard 0-60 mph test (with automatic transmission) reported at 7.4 seconds.

The Passat smoothly and confidently maneuvered through every driving scenario presented, winding country roads to intense freeway traffic. Some major car review publications have cited wind rush from the windshield at high speeds, but that wasnt the case during my drive.

Volkswagen takes a straightforward approach with the Passats interior. The exterior, shadow blue, color was nicely matched with the two-tone interior, beige leatherette seats and charcoal gray console and paneling.

The instrumentation panel and radio gauges are also straightforward and require little learning curve. The Passat interior isnt luxurious, but nor are its interior materials cheap.

As a midsize, four-door sedan, the Passat is more spacious for front-seat riders, but its rear seating isnt cramped via either its leg room or head room. The trunk isnt particularly large, but the pass-through feature with a 60-40 rear seatback split is a nice addition. The trunk also has two side storage pockets, good for small bags or fragile items that need sequestering.

The Passat has a good variety of standard features: a push-button parking brake located to the left of the odometer to front and rear reading lights and cupholders. There are power windows and power locks, daytime running lights and a full-featured, in-dash AM/FM radio with CD/MP3 player. The 2.0-turbocharged edition adds front-power reclining seats, the aforementioned trunk to rear seat pass-through and alloy wheels.

The Passats only disappointment during my test drive, which included about 500 miles of primarily freeway driving miles, was lower-than-promoted gas mileage estimates. Consumer Guide rated the Passats freeway mileage at 26.9 mph, slightly more than five mph less than the manufacturers estimate. My gas mileage was very close to the review guides average.

Still, the Passat is largely matched against the Honda Accord, Mazda 6 and Toyota Camry, and its a good alternative positioned against strong rivals.

The Weekly Driver: 2006 Volkswagen Passat

Safety Features, Driver and front passenger front, side and side curtain airbags.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) 23 mpg (city), 32 mpg (highway).

Warranty, Bumper to bumper, 5 years/60,000 miles; Powertrain, 6 years/60,000 miles; Corrosion, 12 years/unlimited miles; Roadside Assistance, 4 years/unlimited miles.

Base Price, $23,900.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Raia

Successful Implementation of the Biodiesel Process in Localities Nationwide


Successful Implementation of the Biodiesel Process in Localities Nationwide
By Mike Cubert

The biodiesel movement is taking the country by the reigns, from east to west and north to south. Its bigger than just individuals taking advantage of the myriad rewards of the biodiesel process. Companies, townships, cities, counties, even states are joining the bandwagon. Below youll find just a smattering of some of the localities discovering the joys of biodiesel equipment.

Arizona: Tucson based Raytheon Missile Systems has made the switch to the biodiesel process, acquiring over 7,000 gallons of a B20 mixture to be used in 150 vehicles, such as generators and forklifts.

Iowa: The Cedar Rapids transit authority, Five Seasons Transportation and Parking (FST&P) fuels a fleet of over 60 buses with the biodiesel process, with B10 fueling 45 buses and 10 para-transit vehicles as well as the minibus driven by the operation supervisor. Thanks to the biodiesel process, the buses can run 300,000 to 400,000 miles inbetween each engine overhaul.

Kentucky: Golf course equipment in Lake Barkley State Resort Park runs on biodiesel, as do the Cadiz parks mowers, tractors, and backhoes.

Maine: World famous retailer L.L. Bean was Maines first major business to try out test-marketing the biodiesel process. The Freeport-based seller of fine furnishings, sporting gear. and apparel tried out the biodiesel process in 3 tractor rigs used to shuttle trailers from one warehouse to another. Making biodiesel equipment a permanent part of their infrastructure, the company boasts, installed at one of their warehouses, an 800-gallon, skid mounted tank and biodiesel fuel dispenser.

Maryland: The Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, demonstrate the benefits and cost effectiveness of the biodiesel process in large scale use with three biodiesel fuel dispensers serving 150 vehicles, including buses, trucks, mowers, tractors, and other farm equipment with a B20 mixture. The project also serves to help clean the air in neighboring Washington, D.C.

Michigan: Michigans St. Johns Public Schools school district has learned the benefits of the biodiesel process firsthand, having switched all 31 of their school buses and 9 support vehicles ie. food service truck, 3-wing mower, tractor, pickup trucks, to B20 in doing so saving over $1800 in their first year alone.

Nevada: 1,100 school buses in a Las Vegas school district run on biodiesel process from waste vegetable oil donated by local casinos and hotels. The Clark County project consumed over 1.5 million gallons of B20 biodiesel in the first year, closer to 3 million in its second.

New Hampshire: The first winter resort on the East Coast to convert to the biodiesel process, New Hampshires Cranmore Mountain Resort has vowed to fuel all of its snow groomers with the same B20 mixture. Thats a 5,000 gallon-per month commitment to the biodiesel process.

New Jersey: Thanks to a $115,000 grant from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Energy Division, half of the school buses in the Medford Township are now powered by the biodiesel process. The district fills the tanks of 16 buses and a dump truck with a B20 mixture.

South Carolina: The campus shuttles at the University of South Carolina carry their students around with the aid of a B20 biodiesel mixture, proving that theres more than one way for the biodiesel process to infiltrate higher education.

Tennessee: The Eastman Chemical Company is now running on a B20 mixture in around 200 diesel vehicles (including bulldozers, backhoes, dump trucks, cranes, and tractor trailers) and around 150 pieces of stationary equipment (like air compressors, water pumps, welders, and generators).

Utah: All diesel equipment at the Salt Lake City International Airport, a major western hub with no less than 12 airlines running 335 scheduled flights daily out of it, and serving 20 million passengers per year, is now biodiesel equipment, and has been since 2001. This means if youve traveled through the Salt Lake Airport, you may have already unwittingly experienced some of the many benefits of the biodiesel process.

The future of every human being is made better thanks to the groundswell in biodiesel equipment and biodiesel vehicles. With only 1/4 the carbon emissions and the promise of freedom from the seemingly never-ending rise in gas and crude oil prices, the biodiesel process is no doubt here to stay and only destined to keep catching on.


Biodisel is clean, renewable, cheap and becoming popular. The best part is that it's very easy to make it at home. Visit our biodiesel making section for how to information.

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New Car Quote

Its that time of year again! It is new car buying season. I get this question daily. When is the best time to buy a car? Well, I can tell you when it gets to the end of the year and there are still models from the previous year, it is a great time to buy. Right now, there are 2006 models on the ground and 2007 models are filling the lots. The 2006 models have to go. You can get your new car quote on Yahoo autos to see what price you should pay for the vehicle you are looking for.

Yahoo! Autos

If a last year model is not sold by the end of the year, ALL rebates and incentives for that vehicle are gone. So, you can see that dealers are anxious to move those cars now. We still have a 2005 model on the ground in the 2007 model year selling season. It is going to be impossible to sell it now. The dealership will have to make a decision to take a hit to get rid of it. You talk about depreciate when you drive off the lot. An immediate 2 year depreciation. It is a $32000 vehicle that will probably be worth $15000 when taken across the curb. WOW!

You need to think about the price difference between 2006 and 2007 models to see if you are better off paying more to get a newer model. In some cases you are. In some cases there are huge rebates, or will be huge rebates and incentives to take last years model. Check your new car quotes at Yahoo to see what you should be paying for your car, truck, or SUV.

New Corvette ZO6; An Alternative To Typical Fuel Efficient Cars

Corvette Z06
New Corvette Z06: An Alternative to Typical Fuel Efficiency Cars
by Neil Lemons

The Detroit News Online's Auto Insider reported that the Corvette Z06s fuel efficiency may rival the Honda Civic Hybrid in an editorial story written last week.

With gas as high as three dollars a gallon, American consumers are looking for alternative car makes and models that will guzzle less gas. Some may be looking for less voracious fuel connoisseurs to replace the his and her matching 10 miles per gallon Hummers and Lexus SUVs. Others may be considering different cars to lessen the overtaxing of the world's natural resources and pollution of the environment. Most consumers have good intentions, but are unlikely to sacrifice prestige and style for economy and practicality. It's not the American way.

When speaking on the subject of fuel efficient cars, people equate economical value or perceived value, of the car itself with fuel efficiency. These two subjects are not mutually exclusive.

Consumer Reports magazine revealed a list of compact and subcompact car make and model recommendations for those seeking functionality over flash and performance.

The Top Three Most Fuel Efficient Cars
1. Honda Insight
2. Toyota Prius
3. Honda Civic Hybrid.

As you can see, these practical cars do not take into account more higher end cars with just as efficient fuel intake. What if you could have both fuel efficiency and a classic, stylisth, American body style? John McCormick from the Detroit Auto Insider says you can.

For some years this icon of American sports cars
Corvette Z06, has actually been a closet fuel miser, but few people have recognized the fact. I just drove a brand new Z06, the current king of the hill Vette, with a tire-shredding 500 horsepower on tap, and managed an impressive trip average of 23.4 mpg, a fast car is not automatically a gas hog. To underscore the point, I took a similar journey in a minivan and found myself consuming just over 20 mpg, said John McCormick from Detroit's Auto Insider.

Why is a Z06 a good buy when it comes to gas?

Its science at work here. Weight and aerodynamic drag are two primary enemies of fuel efficiency, which explains why heavy, blunt faced, traditional sport utility vehicles and minivans generally suck down fuel and the sleek, relatively light weight Z06 burns conservatively.

So if you are the 40 something or 50 something baby boomer accused of buying a Corvette because of a mid-life crisis, you can retort by pointing out your Corvette gets more miles to the gallon than your buddys Land Rover or minivan. This also works well as justified logic for your wife. You're welcome.

Neil Lemons represents http://www.CorvetteGearUSA.com. CorvetteGearUSA offers Corvette jackets for enthusiasts and fans.
A subsidiary of Athalon Sports Goods, CorvetteGearUSA offers the latest in Corvette clothing & bags.

Article Source: ArticleWheel.com

2009 Chevy Impala Concept - (GM Future Cars)


The all-new 2009 Chevy Impala is under development now. We could very well expect the new 2009 Chevrolet Impala Concept soon. The best thing about this next flagship sedan will be that for the first time in many years Chevrolet Impala is going to be built on rear wheel drive platform - Zeta.

It will also share the design cues from the much-awaited future Camaro. Other features expected are 300C, with retro styling and an optional V8. Well, lets wait and watch for the first concept version emerges.

What Exactly Is Dealer Invoice

What Exactly Is Dealer Invoice?
By Jeff Neilan

My first answer to that would be, who really knows? Its a very elusive term thrown around by about all the car manufacturers and car dealers marketing departments. You know after many years in the business, Im not sure I could tell you precisely what true dealer invoice or what is termed dead cost is on any particular vehicle. Im sure the owner or the ownership group could somehow calculate this elusive dollar figure but most of us humans will continue to search for the ever elusive animal we refer to as dealer invoice.

To say this term is a bit misunderstood is a rather large understatement. Maybe thats why it works so good for the folks in the marketing department. Many potential car buyers assume that what they uncover on the internet is the car dealers invoice price. Well, not really. Its certainly one heck of a lot closer than checking the MSRP of a give vehicle, but it probably isnt going to be dead cost.

You hear it all the time. In fact right here where Im at there is a local dealer that says all youll ever pay is $50 over factory dealer cost; and they have been selling cars this way since day one oh so many years ago. I guess it shouldnt, but it really baffles me how this works on the consumer. Just do the simple math; if this dealer sold 300 cars a month, about 10 cars a day! times $50 over factory cost, the inference here is that you are paying $50 over what the dealer gets the car for, this dealer would be grossing $15,000 per month on new car sales. I can unequivocally tell you that this would never cut the mustard! Think about it $15,000 a month and this dealer hasnt even paid rent, utilities, insurance, salaries, benefits, and on and on. So, $50 over factory invoice, not hardly.

So what is it then, this thing car dealers call cost or invoice? Well, its a bunch of numbers being added, subtracted, multiplied, and divided before anyone knows the dead cost of the car for the dealer.

Whats a consumer to do?

Getting out on the internet and doing your homework is a very good start. The exercise of comparing the information you gather is a good one and is to your advantage if you want to start your negotiations at invoice price. Which, by the way, you NEVER negotiate from the sticker price down.

While doing your research on dealer invoice prices its important to make certain you are comparing exact features and option packages to one another. This will at least give you baseline comparisons with which to work. All car dealers receive different incentives from the manufacturer; factory to dealer marketing incentives, dealer holdback, and on and on. The fact that much of this is not disclosed is why it is very difficult to come up with dead cost for the car dealer.

For instance, in the case of dealer hold back; the dealer doesnt even get this money until after the car is actually sold.

There are other expenses that the dealer has that are applied to the overall cost of a particular car, including how long a particular car has been sitting on the lot. You see the dealership finances their inventory and as such pays interest on this financing so a car that has been sitting on the lot for some time has cost the dealer more than the ones that they are just unloading from the truck.

As you can see, there are too many variables to any particular car at any particular dealership to know exactly what the dealer has put into a car in terms of cost. However, as we talked earlier, doing your research on the invoice price is a good place to start. Just dont stop there thinking you have all you need and dont need to do any further negotiating on the selling price.

Purchasing cars and negotiating is almost synonymous. Getting a good feel for the invoice price is just a starting point. Now its time to roll up your sleeves and work on getting the best possible price you can.


Jeff Neilans many years in the automotive industry as a salesman,
finance manager, new and used car manager, and general sales manager, will provide you with insightful tips and car buying advice that will help you save money and frustration on your next car buying experience. Go to getting your best car deal for more of Jeff's articles.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Neilan

Resource for automobiles enthusiasts

Try this new site we found called CarsDBs - Automobiles. Its got a good collection of automobile related news and car related articles including categories like car maintenance, auto insurance and latest car reviews.

Its got a nice forum too that is categorised into specific brands of auto manufacturers like BMW Chevrolet Audi Volkswagon Honda etc.

Fat girls try harder. So do GM and Ford.


We all know it's true. Fat girls try harder. They have to. What obesity can do for a girl is what bankruptcy does for Ford and GM. Desperation. GM just announced a hefty, Hyundai-like, 100,000 mile warranty. Awesome. Meanwhile, Ford is rocking your fragile world with 72 - count 'em - 72 months of 0% financing. You can make tiny payments on that Ranger forever.

Mmmmm. So tempting. Like any ridiculously fat girls, GM and Ford's offers are almost impossible to resist. The Mustang, a nice, hefty Silverado - it all sounds so good. But what's next? Like any truly fat girl discovers, incentives get old and, inevitably, they'll catch you staring at an Infinity or Honda - the girls that don't have to try to get your lovin.

Check out what the guy who runs Porsche has to say about the incentives that low-self-esteemed US carmakers throw at buyers. Porsche have sold a car or two - and you'll never catch them looking in the mirror and sucking in their gut with employee discounts, low financing or a good warranty. They get you because you want a Porsche - possibly because you only got fat girls in high school.

Jaguar, meanwhile, only wish they were 'gorgeous' - offering as much as eight grand off cars to get their fat asses off the lot.

The sad thing is - like eating disorders - GM and Ford aren't losers because their cars suck. That's only a part of the problem. Pensions, unions and, as the Porsche guy points out, just way too much extra stock sitting around - getting dusty - and old - like fat girls - like fat girls that don't do dirty things.

So, Ford and GM, stop whoring yourself out and start respecting yourself enough to hold back production until the right buyer comes along.

Or just throw up after you eat.




Gelles Racing to Champ Car

Gelles to run two entries in CCWS

"We’re very excited about our commitment to run two cars in the Champ Car World Series next year, Bob Gelles said. I have been trying to put together my own ladder system for four years and 2007 will see us with six drivers in BMW USA, four in Champ Car Atlantic and two in World Series, a perfect tier system. With the new Panoz DP-01 chassis together with the new competition regulations, even a rookie team can be competitive in CCWS. Kevin Kalkhoven convinced me the CCWS was heading in the right direction.”


WickerBill Sez;

Car count 07
Let's Score this one "In the Bag"

Pacific Coast Motorsports Coming to Champ Car

PCM has announced a two car effort beginning next season and they have drivers. Alex Figge and Ryan Dalziel will drive for the team. Tom Figge, owner of PCM started out as an Atlantic team in 2003 and captured the title in 2004 with Jon Fogarty.

"We started in open wheel racing and we never wanted to leave it but with the state of open wheel two years ago Tom opted to stay in road racing and try Grand Am," said Tyler Tadevic, team director for PCM. "Buying a Lola and trying to come in cold and compete with Newman/Haas and Forsythe didn't seem too practical either.

"Obviously, the new Champ Car evens things out and Kevin seems to have a good business plan so here we are. We've got two good, young drivers, some commercial partners we will be announcing soon and a three-year plan."

WickerBill sez;

Car count 07
Let's score this one "In the Bag"
A three year plan eh? Hope that is commercial partners for three years!

Red Bull and Klien to Champ Car

Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz has told Austrian Christian Klien to pack his bag and head for the US. Klien has lost his F1 Ride with the Torro Rosso team. The new ride would be a Red Bull sponsored Panoz DP-01 Champ Car for the 2007 season.

It is believed that RB is in talks with PKV about the ride for Klien. The RB ride may not be entirely dependent on Klien accepting the offer; apparently the ride could go to the current RB test driver Neel Jani if klien declines.

WickerBill sez;

Car count 07

Let's score this one a "likely to happen"

Can Bad Credit Be Deleted?

Can Bad Credit be Deleted?

Yes, it can. Despite the fervent proclamations of bureaucrats and credit bureaus everywhere, a simple fact remains: negative credit listings are deleted from peoples' credit reports by the thousands each and every day.

A few years ago, an attorney from Lexington Law. visited with a regulatory agency for a casual conversation with two agents. The Agency's office, as a matter of course, believed the credit bureaus' claim that bad credit couldn't be deleted. The visiting Lexington attorney asked,
How many negative listings would you have to see deleted from consumer credit reports before you would believe that bad credit can be deleted: ten? fifty? a hundred? one thousand?
The agents responded with only blank stares.

How about 50,000 deleted listings, would that convince you?
continued the Lexington attorney. From his briefcase he pulled a stack of papers six inches high.

In these pages, we have listed the permanent deletion of over 50,000. listings from our clients files in the last two years alone,
he explained. The agents pulled the stack across the conference table and began to pick through the pages, taking in the massive list.

But have you deleted any bankruptcies?
shot back one of the agents,
we know that bankruptcies can't be deleted.
The Lexington attorney leaned across the table and ran his finger down the first page.

There's one deleted bankruptcy... and, there's another,... and another,... and another. Should I go on?
asked the Lexington attorney.

The agents sat back in their chairs.
You Know,
began the junior agent,
I have this one listing on my credit report that simply must belong to somebody else...


How is credit repair possible?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) allows a consumer to challenge the information on his credit report on the basis of "completeness and accuracy." When a consumer files a dispute, the credit bureaus must contact the source of the credit information (the creditor) and confirm that the information is accurate, verifiable, and not obsolete. In some circumstances, the credit bureau is required to go beyond a simple verification of the creditor's own computer record. If, within 30 days, the credit bureau has not received verification from the creditor, then the credit bureau must promptly delete the credit listing. Learn More.

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