Now I thought this would be just for fun. We have all our favorites. “Starsky and Hutch’s” Gran Torino, Steve McQueen’s Bullet, Iron Man’s Audi R8. Here are just a few of the REALLY recognizable ones. Let me know which one is your favorite. Or write in one that you think should be on the list of choices.
I know we all think that we are the best drivers on the planet, that we never make a mistake, that it’s always the other guy’s fault; but come on, let’s face it we can be as bad as the worst driver on his worst day. We all get a little too comfortable behind the wheel sometimes, so I’ve listed a few types of terrible drivers I tend to see on the road. Which one are you?
(1) The Time Waster – You know this guy. You’re waiting to make a right turn and he’s coming down the street and instead of using his blinker to let you know he’s turning before you – you sit there and waste time not knowing what he’s going to do.
(2) Traffic Weavers - Why bother with all the lane changes when you’re only gaining one or two car lengths. You’re cutting people off and making us very irritated. I think it’s funny when someone is driving behind you and they think they can get ahead of you so they change lanes to get around you but get stuck behind someone going slower than you. I laugh so hard at this.
(3) Light Turns Green And Nothing – HELLOOOOO GOOOO!!!
(4) The No Reason Passer – If you’re going to pass me then you better not start driving slower than I am. What’s the point of that?
(5) I’m Officially Blind – Ok, I got it Mr. I Drive the Tallest Truck I Can. You win. I have been clinically blinded by your headlights. I give up.
(6) The Snail / The Bullet – I think this pretty much sums it up, ”Have you ever noticed that anyone driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?” – George Carlin
(7) Widespread Panic – Ok look, I’ve given you plenty of room to get over in front of me, what are you so afraid of? I’ve seen hamsters be more aggressive.
(8) Oh Will You Look At That – Was it imperative that you take a quick few second look at that poor guy being pulled over by the police. You’ve backed up traffic for miles. Eyes forward FOCUS!
(9) The Permanent Blinker - You must be a real treat. You’ve just given more than one person on the road a complete psychotic breakdown as they are driving. Way to go!
(10) The Ones That Enter The Parking Lot – And then proceed to drive at the pace of a turtle. It’s ok to go faster than 2 mph. Trust me.
Although terrible driving may seem inevitable…RESIST!!! DON’T BE THAT GUY!
Is Gap Insurance something you really need? I know my answer, but I thought I’d just google it and see what others thought…I found this post in the very first link I tried. It’s from a random automobile forum: “I had gap on my wife’s car that was totaled and thank God we did.
The price on her car dropped like a rock after 9-11 and about 6 months later some jerk totaled it. I have gap on 2 cars right now and it cost me $4.56 a month. Seems like a small price to pay every month but could end up providing a lot of coverage.”
The more I looked around, the more accolades I found on the benefits of Gap Insurance and here’s why. I’ll make it simple. So, you’ve just bought a new car at $40,000. The minute you drove it off the lot it depreciated in value according to your insurance company. So, now it’s worth $30,000. You wreck that car and the insurance company gives you the $30,000 for it, but now you still owe a remaining $10,000 on a car that you aren’t even driving because it’s been totaled. Unfortunately, this happens all the time to people, but it wouldn’t happen if they had GAP insurance. See, GAP insurance will insure you for the difference between what you would owe on a vehicle and what an insurance company says it’s worth. So in other words, you would be 100% covered if you were in an accident and now you know why it’s imperative to get GAP insurance.
*The one and only reason you might not want GAP insurance on your new car is if you paid for it with cash and don’t owe anything to the bank.
When searching for GAP insurance, research all of your options because there are a few different ways to obtain it. You can get it through the dealership, your insurance company or in some cases, the bank will roll it into your loan.
Let me know if you have any experience with Gap Insurance and if YOU have any advice.
I decided to rifle through my glove compartment over the weekend and found pretty much everything I’ve been missing since I got the thing. Receipts for forgotten purchases, papers from the mechanic, business cards, a 100 year old pack of gum and yes, a left sock. “I wondered where that went?” Needless to say, I had my work cut out for me. What did I need? What could get thrown out?
“No, you don’t need that semi-melted peppermint”, I had to keep telling myself.
So, I did a little research and I found this helpful list at nationwide.com. It outlines the 10 most useful things for your new car glove box. Feel free to modify this list to fit your lifestyle, I just thought it was a really good starting place…thanks Nationwide!
The crucial stuff
Critical medical information. Write down any medical conditions, medications and allergies for each family member in case you’re involved in an accident and can’t communicate these important facts yourself.
Emergency contact numbers. Write them down, and while you’re at it, add them to your cell phone and put them in your wallet, too.
Pen and paper. If you’re in an accident and need to exchange information, you’ll have something to write with – and on.
Proof of insurance. It’s the law almost everywhere in the United States. But don’t store the car’s title (keep that at home) or registration (keep that in your wallet) in your glove compartment.
Owner’s manual and recommended maintenance schedule. So you can figure out what those weird symbols on the dash mean.
The convenient stuff
A flashlight. To help you find that dropped french fry under the passenger seat.
Napkins/travel wipes/tissues/hand sanitizer. After touching the gasoline hose at your next fill-up, you’ll be glad to have something to wipe the odor off your hands.
High-energy snacks. Stash a few granola bars in the glove box so you can last through an extra-long rush hour.
Plastic grocery bags. Smash a few into a zip-top plastic bag and use them for trash as the need arises.
Lint roller. If you have pets, you know you can never have too many of these.
Who can add to this list? Is there something missing? Let me know! I’d add a Tire Pressure Gauge to the crucial stuff. Maybe even fuses! You never know what Pennsylvania roads have in store for your car.
This post is for those of you who have terrible time with getting from Point A to Point B. Now we all weren’t born with the superior navigation skills of Magellan or Columbus, but with the modern technologies of today, getting to your destination is just the push of a button away. Subaru has realized this and together with TomTom has included navigation option for the 2011 Forester. Below you’ll find the details according to Edmunds.com.
Subaru has announced that it’s offering a portable navigation system as an option on the 2011 Forester 2.5X Premium. Available as the $595 TomTom Navigation option and tied to the $500 All Weather Package, it will cost $1,095 total to add the portable nav system.
For that you get a removable nav system with a 4.3-inch LCD touch screen, while the car comes with Bluetooth for hands-free phoning and wireless music streaming built-in, iPod integration and a USB port. There’s an option to add a back-up camera as an accessory, with the TomTom nav’s screen serving as the display. And traffic info is also available via a subscription. But could you get some or all of these features for less money from the aftermarket?
You can get a TomTom portable nav system with a 4.3-inch screen for as little as $130 and a Bluetooth speaker phone that does hands-free and wireless streaming — and is voice-activated — for under $100. Adding an Audivox all-in-on back-up camera system costs as low as $163. So for under $400 you can have all of the features the 2011 Subaru Forester’s $595 TomTom Navigation option — and you don’t have to buy the $500 All Weather Package to get it.
Of course, you don’t get the integration that the factory option offers, and you’ll have extra wires running around your Forester’s interior if you go the aftermarket route, But you’ll save quite a bit of cash and you can carry the portable nav, Bluetooth speaker phone and even the back-up camera from car to car.
Regardless, it’s good to see automakers giving car buyers more nav options these days, including portables and lower-priced in-dash systems. The only thing that’s missing now is smartphone nav-app integration, though that’s coming soon.
Subaru drivers have and inherent sense of adventure and the GPS option in the new 2011 Forester is an option I think probably all of them would love to see become available across the Subaru line up. If you are in Bedford, PA and wanting to take a look at it yourself, feel free to swing by and check it out.
Yes, I know the picture above is cute and light-hearted, but the topic is probably one of the most serious I’ve written about to date. In Bedford, PA, in the time it takes to purchase a gallon of milk or loaf of bread, a hot car could turn into a death trap for a small child. Even as summer comes to an end, experts say that within the first 10 minutes, the temperature in an enclosed vehicle will rise an average of 19 degrees. Even when the outside air temperature is only 70 degrees, the interior of a car can reach 120 degrees, and a baby cannot handle the heat. They have a very immature respiratory system and they don’t have the ability to repel heat.
Consequently, their organs shut down fast. It’s a recipe for disaster. In fact, there is no safe length of time to leave a child alone in a car.
The hints from the video for reminding you that your child is in the back seat are good ones. I wonder when the automobile industry will address this by engineering sensors to alert you that your baby may still be in its car seat?
On a side note concerning the car seat, if you are in the area, swing by and we’ll show you how to install and anchor the car seat properly. Improperly secured car seats are also a leading cause of injury among children.
I think I’m mildly obsessed with the Corvette ZR1. First it was the ZR1 vs a Navy F/A 18 fighter jet. Needless to say, I’ll bet you can guess who won that one. However this drag race is a little more fair. The Porsche is lighter, but has less HP. Who do you think will win a half mile race? Check out the video and find out.
Now if this was a mile track, there’s no doubt in my mind that the ZR1 would have dominated this race. Alas, my beloved ZR1 wasn’t as quick off the line as I thought it would have been, still 0-60 in 3 sec is pretty respectable.
Interested in a Corvette? If you are in Bedford Pennsylvania swing by and take a test drive…It will be one that your won’t forget.
Something that you guys may not know is that I love to fly. I have my pilot’s license and have been flying for years. So, you can understand my excitement when I stumbled across this video. Now I know it’s a few years old, but that doesn’t change how cool this video is. Plus, it’s a good way to kill 17 minutes.
Best line of the video. “I’ll bet I creamed him on gas mileage.”
The ZR1 isn’t for everyone, its price point is up there and the handling may be too much for the average Joe to..well…handle. However, if you are looking for a Corvette in Pennsylvania, ZR1 or not, I’m sure I can put in the cockpit of one. As for a F/A-18 Hornet? Well, you’re on your own with that one.
This is one story that should make Geeks worldwide jump for joy! Apparently Hyundai and Steve Jobs have a common interest: Communication Technology. Is the inclusion of an iPad a marketing ploy or just outright common sense? He’s an article I found at MotorAuthority.com that may shed some light onto the reasoning for this, admittedly, high-tech bonus.
We’ve driven the 2011 Hyundai Equus a few times, and have come away impressed with the Korean automaker’s first take on traditional, full-size luxury.
Since we’re poverty-stricken Apple fanboys, too, we geeked out over the announcement earlier this year that the Equus would come standard with a 16GB, WiFi-enabled Apple iPad, which houses the Equus’ owners’ manual and connects owners to schedule service appointments via the Web.
A few mixed messages later, we’re bringing you the first photos of the iPad at work in the Equus, courtesy Hyundai CEO John Krafcik. Krafcik saw our (now updated) Equus Third Drive story, where we’d reported the iPad would not fit in the glovebox or in some secret area inside the Equus’ cubby-filled cabin. Here’s Krafcik’s proof that it does, even when tucked inside a nifty iPad case. (Etsy? Coach? I need this.)
The iPad also fits in the Equus’ seatback pockets, which means it doubles as an entertainment device for backseat passengers not wowed by the sedan’s eight-inch flip-up LCD entertainment system. And it slides into the side bins in the front doors, though it’ll be plainly visible there.
There’s still the question of how the iPad will stay charged, if it’s sitting unused for weeks on end in the car, and how that will affect owners who need the manual sporadically. And will owners be able to swap the WiFi model out for a 3G version, to stay connected in the nearly-ubiquitous cellphone data band?
Last question: does Steve Jobs get a free Equus, since it is pretty much the nicest iPad case on the planet?
The Nicest iPad Case on the Planet
Now I want one! If you have any questions or comments, leave me a few. If you are in Bedford Pennsylvania, swing by and take the iPad for a spin…uh, I mean the Hyundai Equus for a spin.
I’ve always wanted to do a “How To” list. If there’s one thing I know about, it’s buying and selling new and used cars. So here it is, the insider’s secret on “How-To-Buy a Used Car”
The one thing to always remember is that it won’t be a bargain if you have to spend a ton of money on repairs, so learn how to spot a lemon (buying from a reputable dealer is a great first step). However, you’ll still want to follow this list regardless of who you buy from.
To complete this How-To you will need:
Time
Patience
Diligence
Step 1: Figure out how much you can spend
Figure out how much you can spend—either in cash or in monthly loan payments. Tip: Don’t forget about the costs of owning a car, like insurance and maintenance.
Step 2: Research models
Research the models you’re considering. Car information websites will help you compare both the performance and long-term reliability of various cars.
Step 3: Locate car
Locate a car that you want to check out. Search used car lots, classified ads, car dealerships that sell pre-owned vehicles, and special used-car publications and websites.
Step 4: Ask seller about condition
Probably NOT a reputable guy.
Ask the seller about the general condition of the car, including mileage, extra features, and whether service records are available.
Tip: If you’re buying the car from an individual, ask if he or she is the original owner and the reason for selling the car.
Step 5: Inspect & test-drive
Inspect the car and test-drive it. You want to make sure that it performs well, runs smoothly, and feels right.
Tip: Don’t let the seller rush you through the test-drive.
Step 6: Find out if warranty included
Find out if the car comes with a warranty.
Tip: If a warranty isn’t included, have a mechanic inspect the car for you. Let the seller know that the sale is contingent on a professional inspection.
Step 7: Get vehicle history report
Get a vehicle history report from one of the companies that sell them online. See if the vehicle has been damaged in an accident or flood—and if the odometer may have been rolled back.
Step 8: Find out worth
Find out how much the car is worth by consulting online used car guides or visiting the library.
Step 9: Negotiate
Negotiate. Using the market value of the car as a guide, make an offer on the low end. Don’t be afraid to walk away.
Tip: If you’re trading in your car or having a dealership arrange financing, negotiate the price of the car before you discuss trade-in value and financing to assure you get the best deal.
Step 10: Close the deal
Close the deal. If you’re buying from a private seller, make sure you get the title. Register your new vehicle with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.
Tip: If you’re buying from a dealership, they will handle most of the paperwork for you. Just make sure you read any contracts or paperwork carefully.
Step 11: Drive home
Drive home in your snappy new ride.
As always, if you have any comments, suggestions or questions leave me a note, or if you’re in Bedford, Pa, just swing by..
I am a fourth generation auto dealer. My family has been selling and servicing cars ever since my great grandfather, who was a blacksmith in Cambria County, Pennsylvania became a Ford dealer in 1909. I wasn’t too sure about getting into the business myself, but after graduating from Notre Dame with a degree in Chemical Engineering and extra graduate study in engineering at Penn State, I decided to commit full time to the car business around 1977.
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I am a fourth generation auto dealer. My family has been selling and servicing cars ever since my great grandfather, who was a blacksmith in Cambria County, Pennsylvania became a Ford dealer in 1909. I wasn’t too sure about getting into the business myself, but after graduating from Notre Dame with a degree in Chemical Engineering and extra graduate study in engineering at Penn State, I decided to commit full time to the car business around 1977.
By thefamilygarage
