Automotive

Prices in the Holiday Rambler motor coach line range anywhere from under $100,000 to over $400,000. The Holiday Rambler Ambassador come in at just less than $200,000 for a model with no upgrades, making it one of the less expensive models. So, if you are looking for a diesel pusher, and you don’t have a lot of money to spend, you can rest a little easier knowing that there are lower priced options out there and the Holiday Rambler Ambassador is one of them.

In the Ambassador you will find some features that are upgraded from the lower priced motor coaches such as hardwood cabinetry and crown molding. The countertops are laminate, which is a lower cost option than some of the solid surface and Corian countertops you see in the higher priced models. You can choose from 5 color schemes that are utilized on both the interior and exterior of the Holiday Rambler Ambassador.

The floor plans on the Ambassador are about 40 feet in length on the exterior. This gives you quite a bit of room to use for storage space. There are pass through compartments under the cabin, but they do not have the motorized shelves that some of the other higher priced models have. So, if you are willing to do a little more work to load and unload your RV you will be fine.

Slide outs can give any motor coach some much needed extra living space. Each floor plan on the Ambassador has multiple slide outs and a 30 inch slide out on the bedroom. This is something that you should look for as an option in any RV you are looking at.

One of the better features of this RV is the one-piece windshield which is called Panaview. This allows for unobstructed views of the road.

Julie Jacobs writes articles about RVs, and how to finance them. For more information about any driveholidayrambler.com/ Holiday Rambler visit driveholidayrambler.com.

Known in Japan as the Axela, the Mazda3 is assembled and crafted by the Mazda Motor Corporation. The vehicle is actually based on Ford’s global C1 Platform that was developed by Volvo and was shared with the latest European Ford Focus and Volvo S40. Mazda carried out the vehicle’s chassis development, however, when it came to its suspension, this part was done by Ford.

In the United States, the Mazda3 is made available in two trim levels – the “i” and the “s”. The “i” has a 2.0 liter engine, meanwhile the “s” has a 2.3 liter engine. The latter has updated the vehicle with a stronger engine and includes in its list air conditioning, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote keyless entry, height-adjustable driver’s seat, power windows, door looks and mirrors. The sedan under the “s” trim has a crisper handling with its larger tires. The Mazda3 is actually powered by an assortment of vehicles because it all depends on the market. The engine used in Japan is different from that used in the United States, and of course in Europe.

Rolling off the assembly line, the Mazda3 rolled into view on December 8, 2003. What is standard for all trim levels is that each has a five-speed manual transmission. However, optional is a four-speed automatic for very much larger engines. The vehicle has been very well-received in all markets. Come 2004, it was actually recognized as the best selling car in Canada.

The newest Mazda3 on the market combines the best qualities that its predecessors – GLC, 323, and Protégé – had. Taking the compact class car to an entirely new level in terms of refinement and quality, the Mazda3 has introduced a fresh and confident vision to a segment that has left customers of other brands wanting and craving for more. The new vehicle brings along with it promises of a memorable driving experience, and a whole new redefinition of style, build-quality, and performance in its own segment. Akira Tanioka, Mazda 3’s program manager states, “The Mazda3 is the best designed, best-engineered, and most fun-to-drive C-segment (compact) vehicle in the current market. It truly does exceed our most demanding expectations.”

The Mazda 3 “i” and “s” is a sedan with a personality all its own. It owns the traditional three-box design however, this time around, taking a step further with dynamic proportions and taut contours. This then produces a refined yet sporty look, without sacrificing interior volume. It also has a long wheelbase, short overhangs, a short but high rear deck, and a compact-looking cabin that delivers a coupe-like design. This is exceptionally a good choice for customers who are looking for an aggressive yet sophisticated sedan.

Unmistakably a Mazda, the new Mazda3 brings along with it the Mazda way of styling and functional intelligence. Its exterior has a design that suggests dynamics and strength, along with a presence that shouts out the exciting, fun-to-drive character that the vehicle has. Its interior has been designed and crafted to evoke excitement and delight with top-of-the-line interior functionality and easy comfort.

centerautoparts.com Mazda Parts and Mazda Auto Parts

centerautoparts.com/auto-body-parts/mazda-3-parts.html Mazda 3 parts

—————————–

Kimberly Meyer is an expert when it comes to automotive issues. She is the manager of her own car parts manufacturing company. This 33 year-old maiden is also a talented writer.

Yes Sir! I drove a 1948 Studebaker, my very first car. All I can say is, “It was transportation”. You had to look twice at it to tell whether it was going forward or back. If you saw the simulated propeller, you knew it was the front of the car. As a kid, you take what you can get, with the money you have.

After I started working at Knott’s Berry Farm, I could afford to get a little better car, and I found a beautiful used 1951 Oldsmobile, 4 door. I gained a little more respect with the Olds. The car was in great shape, and turned out to be a fast car, for the time. We all liked to race, when the opportunity presented inself. We found place in the orange groves and marked off a quarter mile. We had to get the races over in a hurry, beause the noise of the cars were sure to draw a police car. And, of course, on the weekends we took the old cars to the organized quarter mile track. We were’nt quite as fast there as the guys that were really into cars.

In Iowa, where I started growing up, kids with cars liked to lower the back end. In California we liked to lower the front. I don’t think cool was in back then. We all had our pride in what we drove. Once a week we got together and worked on the old cars. One friend drove a 1946 Ford Coupe and everyweekend we put gears in his transmission. No one ever drove and dirty car. We washed and waxed them more than we need to, and the really nice paint jobs stood out, like a shiny new penny.

Now, just think back Grandma & Grandpa. Don′t you enjoy telling your grand kids about the cars you’ve had through the years and the things you did with the cars and in them.

I have pictures that I saved over the years and really enjoy attaching them to emails. After the Olds I drove a 1954 Ford for a while. Then I got my first sports car. It was a 1952 MG TD. I loved to drive the little car, with the top down. It was fun. But, 50 MPH was as fast as it would go. It took a long time to drive it from Camp Pendleton to my parents home in Santa Barbara, at the time. Old highway 101 back then was 3 lanes and not the safest road to travel.

Then came my true beauty that was really fast. It was a 1958 Plymouth Furry. When I bought it, it was painted brown and had a red interior. Metalic paint was just beginning to get popular and I painted it a beautiful metalic red. It was a 2 door hardtop, and I redid the interior with red tuck & roll upholstery. It was the first car I owned that would do 120 MPH.

Now, doesn’t that bring back some pleasant memories that you can share with friends and your grandchildren in emails??? Cars were apart of our life, when we were kids in the 50′s.

John Leatherby
bluewaterlane.com bluewaterlane.com

The Spec-1 R Suomy helmet is a premium motorcycle helmet. But, like any helmet, it has its drawbacks. Read on to learn the strengths and weaknesses of the Suomy helmet.

The Suomy helmet is offered in a wide variety of graphic styles. The detail and finishing on the helmet is superb. You can’t wear one without drawing compliments. The bad side of this, is that you’ll constantly worry about dropping it or scratching it.

The light weight of the Suomy helmet is one of the biggest draws. The helmet is noticeably lighter than its competitors. You’ll appreciate this on longer rides when neck fatigue would normally set in.

There are a couple of drawbacks to the Suomy helmet. Noise is an issue. This helmet lets in a fair amount of road noise. You’ll want to consider a pair of ear plugs if you go with this helmet, especially if you’ve got aftermarket exhaust.

Changing the shield is also not as easy as it should be. Shield removal requires a special tool and takes a few minutes. Not a big deal, but something to consider. According to Suomy, this is a “feature” - the shield will not pop off in a crash.

This helmet is also at the high end of the pricing scale. If you shop around, you can find a good deal, though. I like to use MCGearDeals.com. They have a listing of the

If you are a new RVer, or if you are in the market for a new RV, RV shows are a great place to start your research. RV dealers come from miles away to attend RV shows. When you attend an RV show don’t be afraid to ask questions about the RV dealership and the products they have to offer. Not only will you find a good selection of RV dealers to check out, but there will be every make and model of RV imaginable too. RV shows are a great place to do some comparison shopping too. Keep in mind that RV’s are available in entry, mid-line, and high-end models. When comparing prices, make sure it is apples to apples. One RV may look like another one, but you need to compare the options, construction, equipment and features they both have to offer. If you are in the market to buy an RV you should have some idea of what your needs are, what you want, and how you plan to use the RV. This is extremely important. Here are a few things to consider before you buy at an RV show.

* What type of RV is best suited for you and your family?

* What type of floor plan will work best for you and your family?

* What price and payment will comfortably fit in your budget?

* Do you plan to travel cross-country with the RV or is it going to be set up at one location and left there?

* If you’re going to be towing the RV is the tow vehicle capable of handling the weight of the RV and do you have the proper hitch work to safely tow it?

* How many people will be in the RV and what are the sleeping requirements?
* Is there enough seating space?

* Do you need a slide-out(s) for additional living space?

* Is their enough outside storage, and are the storage compartments large enough to accommodate what you plan to take?

* Is there enough closet, cabinet and drawer space for all of your personal belonging?

* Are there enough cabinets and drawers in the kitchen? Don’t forget about the pots and pans.

* How much counter space does it have in the kitchen? Is it enough?

* Where is the dinette table in relation to the range, oven and the refrigerator? Does it make sense?

* How does the bed feel when you lay down? Is it long enough and wide enough?

* Are there windows where you want windows?

* Can you reach the microwave?

* Is the A/C ducted throughout the unit? If not will it cool the entire unit?

* Do you prefer a split bathroom where the shower is separate, or a bathroom where everything is together?

* Is the bathroom big enough? Can you stand up in the shower and sit on the toilet?

* How much fresh water can you take with you? Is it enough?

* How large are the gray water and black water holding tanks?

* Are they large enough for the way you plan to use the RV?

* How much LP gas does it hold? Is it enough for how you plan to use the RV?

* If you want a motorhome drive it before you buy it.

* Do you need a generator?

* If equipped with a TV where is it located in relation to the seating arrangements?

* Do you need a phone jack?

* Does the RV have an awning? If so, where is it situated, does it interfere with any storage compartments or windows etc?

* How long is the warranty for on the RV? Do you need extended coverage to protect your investment?

* How is the RV constructed?

* If you’re buying a motor home do you want gas or diesel? Which type is more practical for how you plan to use it?

This is just a partial list, but it should help you make a more informed decision before you purchase an RV. Another important consideration is the options on the RV. When a dealer orders an RV they order the options that they feel will help sell the RV based on their experience. On the other hand they can limit the options to make the price more appealing, but it may be some options that you really want or need. Sit down with a sales person and review what options are on the RV and what options are available. If you found a floor plan that you really like but it’s not equipped the way you want talk to the dealer about ordering one for you. Do not rush into anything. I know that waiting is difficult, but remember slowww down, it will be worth the wait to get the RV you really want.

Happy Camping,

Mark

Copyright 2006 by Mark J. Polk owner of RV Education 101

RV Expert Mark Polk, seen on TV, is the producer & host of America’s most highly regarded series of DVD’s, videos, books, and e-books. rveducation101.com/ www.rveducation101.com/

Sign up for your free “RV Education 101″ Newsletter rveducation101.com/email/ rveducation101.com/email/

Truck-mounted snow blowers affix to the front of a pickup or sport utility vehicle. Drawing power from the vehicle engine, a truck-mounted snow blower can eat a path 7 feet wide and 3 feet tall, throwing the snow 40 feet in any non-backwards direction. With its 2-cylinder, 4-cycle, 27-horsepower gas engine, a truck-mounted snow blower carries the same amount of power and force of six full-size push units. It’s no wonder people have been using them religiously in mountainous and rural areas since 1980.

The snow blower manufacturer Hanson is credited for first introducing pickup truck-mounted snow blowers; Hanson continues to be the only manufacturer actively marketing them. Based on a long tradition of tractor-mounted snow blowers, Hanson truck-mounted snow blowers are powerful, solid, and efficient.

If you’re thinking about buying a truck-mounted snow blower, there are some things you should consider first.

A truck-mounted snow blower weighs 800 pounds. Your truck or SUV must weigh at least half a ton, preferably ¾ or a full ton, to support its weight.

Your vehicle must be a 4-wheel drive and have automatic transmission because at low speeds, operating a manual transmission and the snow blower simultaneously can be very difficult.

Truck-mounted snow blowers are compatible with most plow mounts, including Meyers, Western, Fisher, and other common brands. Before buying a truck-mounted snow blower, contact Hanson and tell them what kind of a plow mount you’re working with, just to be safe.

Truck-mounted snow blowers take their power from the vehicle engine. All the controls are wired into the truck cab, including the electric key start, choke, throttle, discharge chute rotation and deflection, and hydraulic snow blower lift. Imagine the power of having all these controls in the cab with you as you heroically clear all the snow from your neighborhood roads. They are also great for small road contracting businesses.

Three alternatives to truck mounted snow blowers are:

Truck mounted snowplows: If you live in a more densely populated area, you don’t want to be launching tons of road snow onto your neighbors’ walkways, driveways, vehicles, and pets. It’s usually better to get a plow, which merely pushes the snow off the road.

Tractor-mounted snow blowers: If you live in a rural area, a tractor-mounted unit is best. Chances are you have a lot of area to clear, so you’ll need the snow moving power of a tractor.

ATV-mounted snow blowers: The Snow Hogg (not to be confused with Snow Hog, a maker of snow tires) is a big snow blower that attaches to your all-terrain vehicle, making for one hungry-looking snow chomper. Smaller than a truck-mounted unit, but still more powerful than most push units, the Snow Hogg can clear a path 42” wide and almost two feet deep, with a chute rotation range of 210. The Snow Hogg weighs almost 400 pounds, but thanks to a built-in suspension and traction system, the machine only puts about 10 to 15 pounds of stress on your ATV frame.

e-snowblowers.com Snow Blowers Info provides detailed information about electric and truck-mounted snow blowers, snow blower parts, and reviews of best snow blowers. Snow Blowers Info is affiliated with original-content.net Original Content Web.

Riding a motorcycle is a fun, exhilirating experience for sure. But motorcycle riders don′t have a lot of protection that surrounds them when riding, and if something goes wrong and the bike goes down or it is involved in an accident, there is no outer shell to protect a rider like there is in a car. So what will afford the best safety for motorcycle riders to help in such situations? Actually, it’s the gear or apparel that they wear that can be their best protection.

Of course, motorcycle gear like helmets, leather jackets and pants, and gloves also contribute immensely to riding comfort as they provide insulation against the wind and road debris that may be encountered on the ride. But they do so much more.

Take helmets for example. Motorcycle helmets come in several styles and paint schemes, but they all are designed for the same purpose, to keep you safe. Whether you choose a full face helmet, half face helmet, shorty helmet, or other type of motorcycle helmet is a matter of personal choice and how much protection you are comfortable with.

Obviously, a full face motorcycle helmet affords the most complete protection, but make sure that you try one on first to make sure that you are comfortable with that kind of design first.

A shorty helmet is the least restrictive of all, and gives more of the feeling of the open road as you can really feel the wind in your face. But keep in mind that there is significantly less protection involved too.

Motorcycle leather is a biker’s best friend. Motorcycle leather can literally make the difference between an enjoyable ride and one that isn’t.

Also, if your bike goes down for any reason, there is nothing like a good “hide” to save your hide. Motorcycle leather can be the only thing between you and the road at that point, and you will be glad that you are wearing it. Just ask any biker who has experienced “road rash″ when their bike went down and you can quickly understand how valuable good quality leather apparel can be in such circumstances.

And one of the most sensitive areas on the body is the hands. They are also usually the first thing that a biker puts out in an attempt to cushion their fall in an accident. That’s when you would really be glad that you were wearing a good set of motorcycle gloves to help keep your hands safe from abrasion.

So if you ride motorcycles, be sure to stay comfortable and safe with good, high quality motorcycle gear and apparel.

Jim Johnson writes on many consumer related topics. You can find out more about motorcycles.the-source-center.com/index.html heated motorcycle gloves by visiting our motorcycle website.

With the issue of global warming taking on international importance in recent years, unsurprisingly the focus has fallen on car drivers, with cars seen as one of the major contributors towards global warming. Green cars have been held up as a potential solution, one that motorists should be embracing.

But are green cars actually green?

Firstly, let’s take pure electric cars. Unfortunately these electric cars are anything but good for the environment. The electricity that they run on is produced in power stations, where only 30-40% of the energy is converted into electricity. Transferring this electricity along electric cables then results in a further 30% being lost to heat energy. So by the time this electricity reaches an electric car a huge amount of the energy has already been lost. Good for cutting down inner city pollution but efficient it certainly isn’t.

Recently hybrid cars have been preferred, cars that contain both an electric motor and a petrol engine. The battery for the motor is powered by the energy generated from braking. When it comes to being ‘green’ these cars in theory offer many more environmental benefits.

In practice this isn’t necessarily the case. Consumer magazine Which? tested four hybrid cars by driving them throughout London. The results were disappointing, as mentioned by George Marshall-Thornhill, senior researcher for Which?, “Some of these should have performed much better.” And this is all without mentioning how to dispose of troublesome electric batteries.

Then there’s the cost of hybrid cars. The Toyota Prius is the most popular hybrid car and can be purchased for around £17,000. However, with fuel economy claims in doubt and 55% of people believing that green cars are too expensive, there is still some way to go before green cars arrive on a large scale.

The facts are that green cars use more energy to produce, are harder to dispose of, their fuel economy claims have been doubted, and they are simply too expensive. The age of the green car has not arrived yet.

Charles Cridland founded

What should a mobile auto detailing company charge to clean and detail at private homes? Well, this is a common question I get from small business owners who run mobile detailing companies and generally my immediate response goes something like this The prices will have to be your determination, but in your market you can go to competitors websites and ask neighbors and friends or call up a competitor.

In fact, I am not sure I would use our prices, because we (The Detail Guys) are very high volume and it takes while to get to that level, you will need to modify your sales letters and consider your local market for pricing. Change the prices to what ever you think best. Do not sell yourself too short in the beginning if you start giving away your services you will be sorry later, because generally most of your business will come from word-of-mouth.

Another way to get additional new customers is to try an ad in the Money Saver type direct mail coupon books? Skip the yellow pages unless you do a one-line listing and if you do. Then call yourself something like &quot@Home Mobile Detailing&quot for the phone book. If you already have a name then use two because it will show up ahead of everyone else. This is because Symbols come before numbers before alphabet is how the alphabetical listings work.

Staying competitive at private homes is important but travel time between clients is key especially if you have labor on the unit. Everything MUST be scheduled out, if you try &ampquot;Pizza delivery&ampquot; type service you need small areas and highly concentrated, then you can go for price, shut out the competition, use alpha-numerical pagers for dispatch and rock and roll after you lock and load. But that is a whole other game plan? Is that what you are thinking?

The best way to schedule it is

Weekly WashMonthly hand waxOnce per quarter Detail

On an automatic Credit Card charge. In this case stack the clients close together and have minimums, because you still need to charge something if car is gone and you show up. Remember cars are mobile like you. I hope this article will help in 2007 and you can meet your quest to be the best.

“Lance Winslow” - Online WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/ Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; WorldThinkTank.net/ WorldThinkTank.net/

We have a really big problem in the United States with police departments who cannot get enough policemen to fulfill their obligations to protect their cities. Why is this? Well, a few reasons really, you see after 9-11 the TSA Transportation Safety Administration and the DOT Department of Transportation started paying more money and actively recruiting.

This competition for qualified personnel made it tougher for the local police departments. Next the Department of Homeland Security was formed as an umbrella policing organization, which encompassed everything from Border Patrol to the United States Coast Guard and they added more people. This added more competition and now not only are the local police in trouble, but also the jails and prisons too.

Unfortunately the need for more first responders and police are also at issue and this means if you have a fender bender or someone steals your car, well you can forget someone coming out to take a report. Many are concerned. Is there anything we can do about this? Why yes there is and I am glad you asked; I have a proposal to run by you.

We need Traffic Accident Rectification Robots, these are robotic vehicles, which will come out in the event of an accident and take your report, take pictures and do calculations based on interviews from witnesses and evidence and determine fault and give you a printed report. Then take that information and GPS location and enter it into the massive police data computer.

This information you can take to your insurance agency and the police will have this available to be categorized and rated in the future for placement of additional road way warning signs and road repairs. If there are injuries then the robotic first responders will quickly come and pick up the damaged humans for repair. Consider this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” - Online WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/ Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance in the Online Think Tank and solve the problems of the World; WorldThinkTank.net www.WorldThinkTank.net/