Since movies have been shown the car has featured heavily in them.
The film Bullitt released in 1968 starring Steve McQueen although probably not the first film to feature a car chase was undoubtedly one of the original car movies of all time. Audiences were stunned by the intense and dramatic footage of a Ford Mustang and Dodge Viper screaming through the streets of downtown San Francisco.
Many movies have featured dramatic car chase scenes. In 1971 The French Connection, a thriller about two NYC cops in the narcotics bureau starring Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider. The film featured a thrilling car chase through busy streets of which the film is ultimately remembered for.
You would be mistaken to think the only reason cars would ever feature in movies would be for the sole purpose of an exciting car chase. You would of course be wrong as many films have not only included cars in them but the car itself has been the main star.
In 1964 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang a book by Ian Flemming was first published. The book was later made into classic movie with Dick Van Dyke in the lead role but of course the real star of the movie was the car itself. The movie was essentially for children but it is one of those films that is entertaining for the whole family.
In 1969 we saw three mini's weaving through the traffic jammed streets of Turin in the fabulous The Italian Job starring Michael Caine. The red white and blue mini's were without doubt the stars of the movie which was latter remade in 2003 and starred Mark Wahlberg.
In 1983 John Carpenters Christine was released. This was a story of a possessed regenerating car hell bent on killing. Arnie Cunningham played by Keith Gordon finds a Plymouth Fury in need of restoration. As Arnie rebuilds Christine he begins to change himself transforming from a shy type to arrogant.
Possibly one of the most enduring and lovable of all cars in the movies is Herbie. Sporting the number 53 Herbie a Volkswagen Beetle has made five movies dating back to 1969 with his latest outing recently in 2005 starring Lindsay Lohan. The comical exploits of Herbie have won many peoples hearts with the main plot lines being David and Goliath natured.
Today cars in movies are still big box office draws. Pixar have recently released a movie witch features only cars in the line up. The animated adventures of Lightning McQueen voiced by Owen Wilson are hilarious and not too be missed.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Car Security Tips From the Pros
Chop shops are a booming business today. Vehicles are constantly being stolen, the professionals carrying out the thefts taking the cars to be stripped down and sold for parts. Auto theft isn't about joyrides anymore and stealing cars is a lucrative crime. The owners of every make and model are at risk, not just those owning high-end luxury cars or fancy sports models. Police are working on the problem and here's some of things you can do to protect your car from being stolen.
The first anti-theft measure involves the driver and not the vehicle itself. Experts suggest that, while having a spare key for your car is always a good idea, hiding an extra key somewhere on the vehicle isn't the best thing to do. There are several versions of magnetic lockboxes on the market where spare keys can be attached on the undercarriage of the vehicle or hidden somewhere in a garage, but those who are in the know say hiding keys is asking for trouble and suggest the wise car owner keep extra car keys in his or her wallet.
It sounds simple but the best advice is to lock the doors and roll up all the windows every single time you leave your vehicle. Some statistics have shown that a lot of vehicles are stolen when someone leaves their car running for a minute while they run into the store. This increases the chance of your car being stolen because the thief was given a perfect opportunity. It is also a good idea to avoid parking in unlit areas or near fences or other objects that could hide a thief as they break in. Installing some motion sensitive lights for the driveway is another great way to deter thieves.
Some of the more bold thieves will follow you into a parking garage and lurk until you have left your vehicle alone. Experts have suggested that after you pass through the entrance gate that you stop until the gate has closed behind you. This will deter even some of the most diligent thieves.
Some smaller communities across the U.S. have started auto theft programs to help decrease crime. One of these programs puts a special sticker on your car that allows police to stop and question the driver of the car during the early morning hours, the most common time for auto thefts. I have also seen some more creative theft deterrents. Some people engrave their driver's license number on their stereo equipment so that if it is stolen, solving the crime and recovering any lost goods is much easier.
Auto theft can cost a small fortune in repairs to your vehicle and can also be inconvenient, as you have to find another method of transportation while police try to track down your car and find it. You'll also have to wait for the garage to inspect the car and carry out repairs, and haggle with insurance companies about the claim. Prevention is best, and making sure your car is as safe as possible will help from having it stolen in the first place.
The first anti-theft measure involves the driver and not the vehicle itself. Experts suggest that, while having a spare key for your car is always a good idea, hiding an extra key somewhere on the vehicle isn't the best thing to do. There are several versions of magnetic lockboxes on the market where spare keys can be attached on the undercarriage of the vehicle or hidden somewhere in a garage, but those who are in the know say hiding keys is asking for trouble and suggest the wise car owner keep extra car keys in his or her wallet.
It sounds simple but the best advice is to lock the doors and roll up all the windows every single time you leave your vehicle. Some statistics have shown that a lot of vehicles are stolen when someone leaves their car running for a minute while they run into the store. This increases the chance of your car being stolen because the thief was given a perfect opportunity. It is also a good idea to avoid parking in unlit areas or near fences or other objects that could hide a thief as they break in. Installing some motion sensitive lights for the driveway is another great way to deter thieves.
Some of the more bold thieves will follow you into a parking garage and lurk until you have left your vehicle alone. Experts have suggested that after you pass through the entrance gate that you stop until the gate has closed behind you. This will deter even some of the most diligent thieves.
Some smaller communities across the U.S. have started auto theft programs to help decrease crime. One of these programs puts a special sticker on your car that allows police to stop and question the driver of the car during the early morning hours, the most common time for auto thefts. I have also seen some more creative theft deterrents. Some people engrave their driver's license number on their stereo equipment so that if it is stolen, solving the crime and recovering any lost goods is much easier.
Auto theft can cost a small fortune in repairs to your vehicle and can also be inconvenient, as you have to find another method of transportation while police try to track down your car and find it. You'll also have to wait for the garage to inspect the car and carry out repairs, and haggle with insurance companies about the claim. Prevention is best, and making sure your car is as safe as possible will help from having it stolen in the first place.
Buying Used BMW Cars from an Authorized Dealer Can Save You Money in the Long Run
The growth in used car marketplace has been accelerating each year as American's appetite for leasing new cars outstrips historical trends of purchasing cars with four and five year car loans. The move towards leasing creates a predictable cycle of used cars hitting the market. Most leased cars are returned to the dealer within 24 and 36 months from the origination date of the lease.
The leasing phenomena has changed the dynamics of the used car marketplace by injecting quality pre-owned cars that often have low mileage and excellent service records. Many readers may remember the days when a used car lot looked like a collection of "misfit toys" from the popular animated cartoon movie. Today, a used car dealer strives to find quality low mileage cars with no history of accidents, abuse or stress to the car.
The certified pre-owned (CPO) BMW program is an example of taking the used car buyer seriously. BMW created a certification checklist that all used cars must pass in order to be qualified as a CPO car. If a BMW is still covered by the original warranty and passes the CPO checklist, BMW adds a two year /50,000 mile additional warranty to the original warranty. As I learned about this program, I was amazed to see resulting BMW used car warranty you can get from a BMW dealer.
For example, if you purchased a certified used 2006 BMW 525i with 23,000 miles from an Authorized BMW dealer; there would be approximately 3 years left on the original warranty. The three years is based on the balance of the BMW new car warranty; four years or 50,000 miles.
If you purchase the used BMW 525i from an authorized BMW dealer and they sold the car in the CPO program, you would receive following mileage warranty:
Original Mileage Warranty Remaining: (50,000 - 23,000) = 27,000 miles
Additional Mileage Warranty: 50,000
Total BMW Used Car Mileage Warranty: 77,000
You can drive the car 77,000 miles and still be under the BMW warranty program. If you don't drive many long distances, you would also have a five year warranty on the car (3 years from balance of original new car warranty + 2 years from CPO certification) so you can rest assured that your used BMW vehicle will deliver many years of driving pleasure.
When buying a BMW used car or any used car, research the warranty programs from each manufacturer. With an ample supply of quality pre-owned BMW cars on the marketplace, it pays to buy the car from an authorized BMW used car dealer. Sellers on popular auction sites may have a slightly better purchase price, but what is the cost of downtime, repairs and service that an additional 50,000 miles could bring to your BMW used car?
The leasing phenomena has changed the dynamics of the used car marketplace by injecting quality pre-owned cars that often have low mileage and excellent service records. Many readers may remember the days when a used car lot looked like a collection of "misfit toys" from the popular animated cartoon movie. Today, a used car dealer strives to find quality low mileage cars with no history of accidents, abuse or stress to the car.
The certified pre-owned (CPO) BMW program is an example of taking the used car buyer seriously. BMW created a certification checklist that all used cars must pass in order to be qualified as a CPO car. If a BMW is still covered by the original warranty and passes the CPO checklist, BMW adds a two year /50,000 mile additional warranty to the original warranty. As I learned about this program, I was amazed to see resulting BMW used car warranty you can get from a BMW dealer.
For example, if you purchased a certified used 2006 BMW 525i with 23,000 miles from an Authorized BMW dealer; there would be approximately 3 years left on the original warranty. The three years is based on the balance of the BMW new car warranty; four years or 50,000 miles.
If you purchase the used BMW 525i from an authorized BMW dealer and they sold the car in the CPO program, you would receive following mileage warranty:
Original Mileage Warranty Remaining: (50,000 - 23,000) = 27,000 miles
Additional Mileage Warranty: 50,000
Total BMW Used Car Mileage Warranty: 77,000
You can drive the car 77,000 miles and still be under the BMW warranty program. If you don't drive many long distances, you would also have a five year warranty on the car (3 years from balance of original new car warranty + 2 years from CPO certification) so you can rest assured that your used BMW vehicle will deliver many years of driving pleasure.
When buying a BMW used car or any used car, research the warranty programs from each manufacturer. With an ample supply of quality pre-owned BMW cars on the marketplace, it pays to buy the car from an authorized BMW used car dealer. Sellers on popular auction sites may have a slightly better purchase price, but what is the cost of downtime, repairs and service that an additional 50,000 miles could bring to your BMW used car?
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Traffic Calming - How Speed Bumps Save Lives
The commonest traffic calming device is the speed hump. Speed bumps, speed humps, sleeping policemen – whatever you like to call them, most people are all too familiar with them. Most of us reluctantly slow down when we see them – which of course, is the point. Some of us probably drive over them far too fast, and almost everyone dislikes them.
Surprisingly, the speed hump is almost as old as the car itself – the world’s first one was installed in the United States in 1906, while the first speed humps in the UK were introduced in the 1970s by the Wilson government. Today there are around 500,000 speed humps of various sizes throughout the UK.
The advantages of speed humps are clear. If used correctly, they are intended to slow vehicles down and potentially cause fewer accidents. Despite this, there are various claims that they actually cause more accidents as well being damaging to vehicles and people and causing greater pollution.
In recent years, speed humps have been in the news more than you might think. In June 2003, the London Borough of Barnet announced it was going to tear up every speed bump, because of driver complaints. And a Nottinghamshire village - which boasts 125 speed humps - voted by a 98% majority to remove all their humps.
Many drivers claim that they are so preoccupied with having to slow down for speed humps, that they are actually distracted to the point of not seeing other vehicles or pedestrians. However, ROSPA (Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents) points out that on average, 1 in 10 pedestrians will be killed if hit by a vehicle going at 20 mph, as opposed to 9 out of 10 killed if hit at 40 mph.
And if you don’t slow down in time, driving over a speed hump can be uncomfortable, if not actually dangerous - bus drivers in Sheffield have sued over back injuries while trying to navigate speed humps in the city. ROSPA is quick to point out that anybody hurt by a speed hump is simply driving too fast to begin with.
There’s also some evidence that cars, lorries and other vehicles can be damaged by speed humps. Sports cars and other vehicles low to the ground can easily be damaged, even if driving over them at the recommended slower speed.
Many lorry drivers in particular complain about damage to their vehicle. There have been numerous cases of loads being damaged – or coming off the back of the lorry completely. Experts also point out that a lorry that slows down for a speed hump and then accelerates afterwards is actually making more noise, using more petrol and causing more pollution.
So what is the future of the seemingly despised traffic calming speed hump? It seems as though we are stuck with them although legislation has meant that most speed humps in the UK are now less than 75 mm in height, to reduce vehicle damage. Perhaps Roger Lawson will get his way in the end – he recently submitted a petition to Parliament calling for the removal of all speed humps in the UK.
Surprisingly, the speed hump is almost as old as the car itself – the world’s first one was installed in the United States in 1906, while the first speed humps in the UK were introduced in the 1970s by the Wilson government. Today there are around 500,000 speed humps of various sizes throughout the UK.
The advantages of speed humps are clear. If used correctly, they are intended to slow vehicles down and potentially cause fewer accidents. Despite this, there are various claims that they actually cause more accidents as well being damaging to vehicles and people and causing greater pollution.
In recent years, speed humps have been in the news more than you might think. In June 2003, the London Borough of Barnet announced it was going to tear up every speed bump, because of driver complaints. And a Nottinghamshire village - which boasts 125 speed humps - voted by a 98% majority to remove all their humps.
Many drivers claim that they are so preoccupied with having to slow down for speed humps, that they are actually distracted to the point of not seeing other vehicles or pedestrians. However, ROSPA (Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents) points out that on average, 1 in 10 pedestrians will be killed if hit by a vehicle going at 20 mph, as opposed to 9 out of 10 killed if hit at 40 mph.
And if you don’t slow down in time, driving over a speed hump can be uncomfortable, if not actually dangerous - bus drivers in Sheffield have sued over back injuries while trying to navigate speed humps in the city. ROSPA is quick to point out that anybody hurt by a speed hump is simply driving too fast to begin with.
There’s also some evidence that cars, lorries and other vehicles can be damaged by speed humps. Sports cars and other vehicles low to the ground can easily be damaged, even if driving over them at the recommended slower speed.
Many lorry drivers in particular complain about damage to their vehicle. There have been numerous cases of loads being damaged – or coming off the back of the lorry completely. Experts also point out that a lorry that slows down for a speed hump and then accelerates afterwards is actually making more noise, using more petrol and causing more pollution.
So what is the future of the seemingly despised traffic calming speed hump? It seems as though we are stuck with them although legislation has meant that most speed humps in the UK are now less than 75 mm in height, to reduce vehicle damage. Perhaps Roger Lawson will get his way in the end – he recently submitted a petition to Parliament calling for the removal of all speed humps in the UK.
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