Competitive Cars » Fast Facts

Amazing carpark solution video

Minxygirl — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 23:00:36 +0000

I watched this amazing video on how a parking problem was solved in Budapest. An underground public automatic carpark with an amount of 404 parking spaces in total in the center of Budapest, Hungary.

Car Auctions – what you need to know

Minxygirl — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 23:47:22 +0000

Car Auctions can be great places to get a good deal on a car, but you can also be sold a lemon, so beware. Listed below are some tips if you are thinking of buying a car at a Car Auction.

The car auction site will generally open around 2-3 hours before the auction starts and this will give you time to look around and inspect any cars that you want to bid on. Before you start bidding on any cars, have a chat to a company representative and inquire about what documentation you will receive when you bid on and buy a used car, as you will need this documentation when you register your car, as proof of ownership of the car.

Always check what the fees are before you start to bid, as things like registration, buyers fees, transfer of title etc can add extra to the total price. Make sure you have enough money to cover these extras. If an auction charges more than 15% buyers premium, move onto the next auction.

Always know the value of any car that you are bidding on, to make sure that you are not going to pay too much. If the price goes over what it is worth, walk away.

Try to bid on cars that other people are not interested in, as you will not have as much competition and can hopefully buy the car for a lower price.

Take your ID or Driver’s License with you, as you will need it to fill out all the necessary paperwork if you are the winning bidder of the car.

Take a family member or a friend with you, as you will need to be able to drive the car back home when you buy it and your family member or friend can drive the car you came in back home.

Always take a reputable and tusted mechanic to the Car Auction with you to check the engine and to have a look underneath the car for you. They should be able to pick up on any issues that the car might be having. Cars sold at an Auction are usually sold ‘as-is’ and you will be responsible for any repairs that have to happen to the car if there is anything wrong with it.

Always start the engine up and rev it. The mechanic that you take with you, should be able to pinpoint any issues that the car may have by just listening to it. Unfortunately you can not take the car for a test drive.

When checking the car over carefully here are few things to look out for:

Minor Accidents
If a car has been involved in a minor (“fender-bender”) accident or has only got one body panel like a door or a guard (fender) that has been repainted, it could be just a scratch or only has got minor damage. Avoid any cars that have been badly damaged in an accident or have been flooded.

Corrosion
If you happen to find a spot of corrosion, look over the car very carefully. Look at the floor under the carpet, check the bottom of all the doors, in the boot and the wheel arches. Avoid cars that have been badly corroded and then repaired, as the rust tends to reappear again.

Check if the colour and paint quality match
It is very hard to match the original paint colour on any panels, so try to see if the colour and paint quality are different on any of the panels. Look at the car at different angles and from different distances. Run your hand over the car to feel if there is any unevenness as this will indicate that this area has been resprayed. You may also notice that there are tiny things underneath the paint like dust, a little piece of hair etc and this will indicate that the car has been resprayed or touched up. The original paint should be perfectly smooth.

Take a magnet with you and run it over the car, if the car has been bogged up, the magnet will not cling to the paint. If it has been bogged up, it will indicate that the car has been repaired.

Check the hood and door holding bolts
When looking the car over, check to see whether the hood has been realigned as this is a sign that the car has been involved in a car accident. When opening up the driver’s door, try and lift the door up, if it has excessive free play, this will mean that the door has had excessive use.

Look for signs of flood damage
Do not buy a car that has been flooded in the past as it will be costly to fix any problems down the track. When a car is flooded, water get’s inside many of the car’s components and will cause corrosion and those parts will fail later on. If a car has been flooded, you should be able to smell the mildew smell. Look for any water stains on the seats, roof liner and door covers. Check under the carpet for any moisture. Look for corrosion underneath the seats.

Check the cars frame
Look at the entire length of the frame and check for any visible damage or if it is corroded through. If the frame is rusted through, do not buy this car.

So have fun car auction shopping.

Car game – which is your favourite

Minxygirl — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:08:56 +0000

When it comes to a car game, every man turns into a little boy and they lose themselves into this computer reality. I have heard the comment that after playing a car game, a friend of mine would think he was still in the game when he got into his own car, that is how involved he was in any games he would play. Maybe that is why kids that get their licences these days think they are invincible! I myself being a female like a good car game. I remember as a child I used to play Test Drive and Need for Speed and other car games like these ones, which back then were quite good. With today’s modern technology, each car game has gotten so realistic with their cars and graphics.

You just have to look at such games like Gran Turismo which is available to play on Playstation. It is such a fantastic and realistic looking car game. If you have a popular car game that you like let us know.

Here is a list of some of the good car games to play:

PSP

Gran Turismo
MX vs. ATV Unleashed: On the Edge
Burnout Legends
F1 2009
Need for Speed Underground Rivals
Midnight Club: LA Remix
Need for Speed Most Wanted 5-1-0
Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition
MotorStorm Arctic Edge
MX vs. ATV Reflex
Wipeout Purex
Need for Speed ProStreet
MX vs. ATV Untamed
Need for Speed Undercover
Need for Speed: Shift

Car Insurance Tips

Minxygirl — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:23:31 +0000

When you drive around in your pride and joy, it is important that you get car insurance on any vehicle that you own and drive. You just never know when you might have an accident or your car is involved in an accident that is no one’s fault. When looking at getting car insurance, look around until you have found a company that is genuine and covers everything that you require – a tip always get online and do a search of the company that you are considering as your insurer, as there are usually reviews by other users, so you can gauge whether that company will be reliable in the event of an accident. Also check how many years the insurance company has been around.

Different types of Car Insurance

Compulsory Third Party (CTP) is the minimal cover that every car must have under the law and it provides necessary cover if you injure or kill someone in car accident. If you feel that your car is not worth very much, you may decide to only take out Compulsory Third Party insurance. Be aware that it doesn’t cover you for any damage caused to any other vehicles.
Third party property is the cheapest option and covers you for any damage you may cause to another car and could include limited cover for damage caused to your car by an uninsured driver.
Third party property, fire and theft covers your car if it is stolen or burnt.
Comprehensive car insurance is by far the best insurance cover, but it is the most expensive. It will include the cost of any repairs to your car or if you have to replace your car, even if you are the one in the wrong.

How to save money on your car insurance

Nominating drivers or restricting the use of your car to only drivers over the age of 25
Choose a higher excess
When speaking to your insurance company ask about getting a discount for a no claim bonus – just check with your insurer how many years you need to get a discount without making a claim
If you have other insurance policies with the same insurance company, you have been with that company for a number of year, or you have a car immobiliser may entitle you to discounts on your insurance. Always give them a call and see what they can do for you.

Other Tips

Most Insurance Policies will usually not cover a car if it is unroadworthy eg. if an accident has been caused by bad brakes and their bad condition was noticeable beforehand, this could cause a claim to be denied.
If you have a nominated driver policy eg one or two people that are on the cover, the cover is normally only extended if the car is driven by others in an emergency.
Policies will exclude cover for any damage (and liability to others) when the driver is drunk (the driver’s car may not be worth much but cars or property they damage could be worth considerably more).
Policies will exclude cover while racing.
Your car will be insured up to its ‘market value’ which will be determined at the time of any claim using current market rates based on its age and condition.
Always check your policy to see what accessories are covered.
Make sure the insurer is informed about any extras you have on your car eg rear spoiler, mags etc

Photo was courtesy of the Tribe website.

Car Insurance comparison sites and reviews in Australia:

Car Insurance comparison sites and reviews in America:

Car Insurance comparison sites and reviews in Canada:

Car Insurance comparison sites and reviews in United Kingdom:

Classic Adelaide Car Rally

Minxygirl — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 20:30:35 +0000

I have watched the highlights a couple of times now on the TV of the Classic Adelaide Car Rally and I must say it is so enjoyable and interesting to watch. I love watching all of the Classic Cars that have been lovingly restored and maintained – there are some absolute beauties entered into this rally. I will have to get down there one day to actually watch the rally. A big dream of mine would to eventually enter into this competition.

The Classic Adelaide Car Rally first started running in 1997 and has now been running for 13 years. It has become one of the world’s best rallies which features fantastic restored and maintained classic cars. This rally has become popular amongst contestants as all of South Australia is used for this event. It takes in iconic locations like the Barossa Valley, the Adelaide Hills and the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Plenty of spectators line up along the routes used for the rally. The rally starts in the heart of the city every day and then will travel through South Australia’s wine districts and tourism hot spots. The rally finishes up in the Adelaide CBD which then let’s the contestants relax and enjoy the city with it’s lovely restaurants and hospitality.

Classic Adelaide has around 32 special stages utilising sealed public roads that are temporarily closed for public usage. The rally covers a total distance of around 1,000 kms, including transport stages, over five days. The special stages are approximately 250 kms in length and the competing cars pass through at 30 second time intervals. The transport stage is when the competitors travel from one special stage to another and are required to obey all road rules and behave at all times as a normal road user.

Things to know about Flood Safety and your Car!

Minxygirl — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:55:48 +0000

If it starts flooding in your area there are a few tips to heed, as flood waters are extremely dangerous if you try to drive your car through them. Keep the following facts in mind to stay alive and dry:

Flash floods can come very rapidly and unexpectedly and can occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall, or when a dam or levee breaks. Always be careful during storm seasons, or any time that flooding is common in your area.
You may not get a warning that a flash flood is approaching
Do not drive unless absolutely necessary
Do not drive through flooded areas. If you see a flooded-out road ahead, turn around, do not be a hero and think you can cross it, it is not worth. Find another route to your destination.
If there is no other route, get to higher ground and wait for the waters to subside.
Even if the water appears shallow enough to cross, don’t try it. Water hides dips in the road. Worse yet, there may be no road at all under the water. Flooding can erode the road surface and a significant amount of ground beneath.
If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground
12cm of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control or possible stalling
Less than half a metre of flood water is enough to sweep a car off the road
Do not drive into water of unknown depth and current
Driving through flood water is the number one cause of flood-related deaths

What to do while driving in a Storm or Rain

Minxygirl — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:27:15 +0000

I personally do not like driving in storms or nasty weather and like to avoid them at all costs but if I have to drive in one, I always take EXTRA care.

Always remember that it takes a lot longer to stop when the road is wet, so do not follow another vehicle too closely when it is raining or if the roads are wet. Increase the gap between you and the car in front from 2 seconds to 4 seconds. Also after long periods of dry without rain, the roads are always more slippery.

It is always difficult to see clearly in the rain, especially when it is bucketing down. A few tips to improve safety when driving in wet weather:

Make sure your windscreen is kept clean inside and out. You never know when it might rain.
Make sure your windscreen wipers are in good condition
Turn your headlights on to low beam
Use your air conditioner to prevent your windscreen from fogging up.

If you don’t have an air conditioner, use the heater demister and, if necessary, open the windows.

If caught in a storm while driving, try to pull over and park safely, preferably under the cover of a building eg, car park until the storm passes. Remember to stay clear of trees, power lines, storm water drains and streams.

Fuel Saving tips

Minxygirl — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:58:59 +0000

When filling up your car, keep the hose in the tank until after the pump shuts off. As much as a half cup of petrol is in the hose after the pump stops and you’ve already paid for this petrol!
When you get in your car, settle in the kids, adjust the mirrors, fasten your seatbelt, ensure that all passengers are belted in and check all other details before you turn on the engine. If these little preparations take two minutes, then four trips per day, five days per week, add up to 34 hours a year when your car engine is idling and doing nothing!
Don’t carry unnecessary loads around in the car. Carrying around heavy materials that you’re not using just wastes fuel. Keep the vehicle as lightly loaded as possible.
When sitting at a set of traffic lights or in traffic for an extended length of time, put your car into neutral or park. This can save a significant amount of fuel.
Organise your shopping trips by making lists of all the places you need to go. If you need to trade with a variety of businesses organise your trip so you attend to every trader in each location with one stop. Plan your trip in a logical geographical sequence so you won’t be doubling back on yourself. This will give you a better fuel efficiency because you won’t be stopping and starting your engine repeatedly and unnecessarily.
Always try to accelerate gradually and steadily rather than putting the foot down hard, taking it off quickly and then having to brake to stop from running into the car in front. This not only saves fuel but also makes your brakes last longer!
Don’t wait until the fuel tank is empty before you buy petrol. If you do, you will find yourself at the mercy of service station pricing policies. Fill up more often so you can buy at the best price.
Did you know that if you travel at 80km per hour instead of 100km per hour, you will reduce your fuel consumption by 50%? I’m not saying we should all travel around at 80km per hour, but if you reduce your speed by even a small amount the rewards are substantial.
Using the pressures recommended by the car manufacturer gives the car optimal results between handling, tyre wear and softness of ride. By increasing these pressures by only 2-4 psi, not only increases fuel economy, but also increases tyre life and handling response, while only slightly decreasing softness of the ride. Under-inflated tires are one of the most commonly ignored causes of crummy fuel mileage. Tires lose air due to time (about 1 psi per month) and temperature (1 psi for every 10 degree drop); under-inflated tires have more rolling resistance, which means you need to burn more gas to keep your car moving. Buy a reliable tire gauge and check your tires at least once a month. Be sure to check them when they are cold, since driving the car warms up the tires along with the air inside them, which increases pressure and gives a falsely high reading. Use the inflation pressures shown in the owner’s manual or on the data plate in the driver’s door jamb.
Wherever possible, always try to use public transport to get to and from work. If this isn’t possible, car pool with other people who live in the same area as you.
A dirty air filter restricts the flow of air into the engine, which harms performance and economy. Air filters are easy to check and change; remove the filter and hold it up to the sun. If you can’t see light coming through it, you need a new one. Consider a K&N or similar “permanent” filter which is cleaned rather than changed; they are much less restrictive than throw-away paper filters, plus they’re better for the environment.
If you live within walking distance of your local shopping venue, walk there and back, and arrange to have your weekly groceries delivered by the store. Believe me, it not only saves you money, it saves your tired old back!

Checklist for buying a used car

Minxygirl — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:48:21 +0000

Checklist for buying a used car

Inspection checklist
Make sure that you inspect the vehicle in bright light and when dry

Check the body of the car for any accident damage or rust and make sure you check inside the boot, the floor wells, doors and lower sills for red or other dark stains, dimpled or bubbled paint.

Use a soft fridge magnet to check panels for plastic body filler.
Note: a vinyl roof may conceal rust or other damage.

Hail damage can be found mainly on horizontal panel surfaces (eg bonnet, roof, boot lid). If hail damage is evident, check with your insurance company – they may not insure the car until it’s fixed.

Any loose panels may indicate accident damage or that the car has been regularly driven over rough roads.

Catches on doors and boot lid/tailgate should close firmly. Rubber seals can perish over time.

Be on the lookout for colour variation, overspraying, dents or ripples in the paint.

Check for any wear and tear in the upholstery, trim and carpets.

Under the bonnet
Engine number and VIN (vehicle identification number)/body number must match the numbers on the Certificate of Registration. Check for signs of interference – scratches, grind marks, drill holes etc, as they could indicate illegal interference with the numbers.
Check these are as advertised by inspecting the compliance and/or build plate (compliance plates are fitted to most cars made for Australia since 1970; usually attached to a panel in the engine bay).

Any build-up of dirt or oil in the engine bay may indicate mechanical problems or poor maintenance.

Dirty/thick engine oil and a build-up of sludge in the engine may indicate a lack of maintenance. Grey or milky coloured oil may signify the presence of water, which can indicate serious engine problems.
When the engine is at idle, listen for irregular running, or any knocking/rattling noises.

Remove the oil filler cap while the engine is idling and any oil fumes present may signify worn piston rings or cylinder.

The Radiant coolant should be clean and brightly coloured. Any oil in the coolant may indicate a cracked cylinder-head or a leaking gasket. Check for corrosion or damage on the radiator cooler fins and core tubes.

Check for acid corrosion battery and mounting platform/bracket.

Underneath the Car
Check the tyres (including the spare) for any uneven wear may indicate worn or misaligned steering or suspension.

Check the engine, transmission, axles, brakes, power steering and shock absorbers for any oil leaks.

Any fumes or excessive noise from the exhaust system indicate holes or rust in the pipes or mufflers.

Inside the Car
Check that the seat belts for any fraying or damage, and that the belts, buckles, adjusters and child restraint anchorage points are all in good condition.

Check the operation of all lights, both inside and outside the car. If the vehicle is fitted with ABS and/or SRS (air bag), check that the dashboard warning light/s illuminates for a short time when the ignition is turned on.

Check airconditioning, ventilation fan, electric windows, sound system, etc. Inoperative items can be expensive to repair or replace.

Jack and tool-kit
Check that the jack and tool-kit are in place and in serviceable condition.

IMPORTANT: Before taking the car for a test-drive, check with the seller about your legal liability if an accident should occur.

Excessive ‘free travel’ or wandering on straight roads can indicate worn suspension or misaligned steering.

The brakes on the vehicle should stop smoothly and in a straight line. The pedal should not sink to the floor or feel spongy and the steering wheel should not vibrate.

Blue smoke from the exhaust indicates oil is being burnt. The engine should run smoothly (accelerating, decelerating and cruising) and the water temperature gauge should stay in the ‘safe’ range. Rattling or knocking sounds could mean incorrect tuning or excessive wear.

The gear changes (manual or automatic) in the from the transmission should be smooth, without any rattles or knocking noises. On front-wheel drive vehicles, these noises could indicate worn constant-velocity joints.

Listen for any rattles from the suspension and bodywork when you drive over bumps.

Before you drive off:

Make sure you get all the keys for the car (ignition keys with transponders are expensive to duplicate).
Get the service book, owner’s manual and log book.
If there’s an alarm, find out how to de-activate it.
Is there a hidden ignition switch?

The Stig from Top Gear – Who is He?

Minxygirl — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:44:03 +0000

Just been watching Top Gear and I want to know Who the Stig is?

On one of the Top Gear episodes they revealed that the Stig was Michael Schumacher, but I don’t quite believe it. As the Stig is a mystery and that is how people want it. I think the audience will still question whether the Stig is Schumacher or not. Whoever the Stig is, he or she is a fantastic driver, they really know how to handle their vehicle.