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Archive for August, 2010

Bear with me as I step back in time to formulate what I believe are three terrific American built performance cars: the Ford Mustang, the Dodge Challenger, and the Chevrolet Camaro. Currently, only the Mustang is in production with the Challenger coming back by 2009. GM hasn’t committed to building the Camaro just yet, but the company is likely to make a decision in favor of the car and its sibling, the Pontiac Firebird, by this summer. So, what is it about American performance cars that set them apart from the rest? In one word: muscle. Read on as I compare and contrast these three vehicles and share with you my feeble attempts to explain the culture behind the cars.

So, you think I forgot the Chevy Corvette and Dodge Viper when talking about performance cars? No, I did not. Both models are performance cars as well as race cars. On the other hand the Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro are mass produced performance cars with muscle. There is a difference in the way a typical race car handles, rides, and performs vs. a muscle car.

Typically, a muscle car was a coupe version of some of the larger cars that were pervasive on U.S. highways in the 1960s and 1970s. The Mustang and Camaro, however, were designed separately [although they both heavily borrowed parts from other models] and these “pony” cars were a category all to themselves. For comparison’s sake, they join the Dodge Challenger, a performance version of Mopar cars of its time. All three were compared by critics of that time and all three will once again be compared in a few years when production has been ramped up.

Ford Mustang -– Step back in time with me to April 1964 to an era when America was heavily involved in the space race, Lyndon Johnson was president, and General Motors ruled autodom. Ford, for its part, had been nipping at GM’s heels for years, but the failed Edsels of the late 1950s had cost the company dearly. Still, it was the time of the New York World’s Fair and Ford used the fair and television technology to promote its newest offering, the Mustang. A 2+2 coupe borrowing parts from the Fairlane and Falcon, the 1964 ½ model was the first one sold and is widely credited with being the best introduction of a new vehicle ever. With a V6 engine standard and V8 optional, the all new Mustang quickly broke sales records and has been a hot seller ever since. Indeed, with the introduction of the “retro” look Mustang in 2005, the car once again has spawned interest in the muscle car segment as both DaimlerChrysler and General Motors craft competing models of their own.

Dodge Challenger -– After the success of earlier muscle cars including the Dodge Charger and Plymouth ‘Cuda, the Dodge Challenger was launched as a 1970 model. The car borrowed heavily from the ‘Cuda although the sheet metal was somewhat different and the wheelbase was stretched by a couple of inches. Because the muscle car era was in decline at the time of its introduction, the Challenger lasted only five model years before it was cancelled. The concept Challenger currently on display at many auto shows is based on the 1970 design and is the talk of message boards and blogs across the nation. Look for Hemi powered engines as being favored by many owners; the car is likely to share some technology with the current Magnum wagon and Charger sedan.

Chevrolet Camaro — GM was asleep at the wheel when the Mustang came out. It took nearly three years before the company could respond and when it did the Camaro and Pontiac Firebird were the result. Although both cars sold well over the years, neither one could match the Mustang’s sales levels and by the time the last cars were sold in 2002, production dropped to a trickle. Still, the end of the Camaro after 35 years has stirred renewed interest in the name and thanks to the retro Mustang, the entire muscle car category is growing once again. Look for a 2010 Camaro to be the first Camaro since 2002; a ragtop version is also being considered.

So, just who can be expected to purchase a muscle car these days? People just like me: middle aged men who grew up with the original models. In addition, a whole new generation of younger drivers tired of the “me too” look of so many of the compact cars out there. Muscle cars of today are so much different from earlier era cars as they incorporate the look of the originals while harnessing today’s technology. Thus, fuel savings will be decent without sacrificing performance: a true win-win situation.

No, I cannot wait to see a Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro lined up at a traffic light waiting for the light to turn green. A new muscle car era is upon us and for that I am very excited.

Knowledge of a thing can always be of great help, especially if your planning of purchasing one.

Brief History
Invented by Clayton Jacobsen II, Jet Skis are the first of its kind. Kawasaki became the pioneer in the industry and they were the first to release and mass produce the vehicle. Later during the developmental stages, Kawasaki released the model JS-400 with 400cc two-stroke engines. This event then lead to the eventual success and recognition of the new vehicle in the sports world.

Description
Depending on the model, a jet ski can accommodate one to four people. Initially developed as a personal watercraft, jet ski has now evolved into a sports and transportation vehicle.

The one-person model initialized its popularity which later caused manufactures to mass produce similar watercrafts to cater the growing market.

Originally, the design was meant for crouching and standing on a platform roughly located at the rear of the equipment. However, innovation caused newer models to provide the flexibility of varying positions through the use of engineered designs. Add to it the steering column that allows vertical and horizontal movements. All these added to the rider’s freedom of movement and whenever necessary, wave actions.

The jet propulsion system, being the main reason why jet skis are called was the most innovative addition to personal watercrafts. This happens when the water is driven into a tube attached in the craft and is then ejected in the rear, thus the jet effect.

This same tube in jet skis is also capable of moving horizontally from side to side, which helps a great deal during steering actions.

The power system of jet ski, being the ideal one for personal watercrafts features safety and speed. External propellers can’t be found so riders need not worry on this part.

While jet skis have become the generic name for personal watercrafts designed through following the general outlines and use of the first jet skis, it would still be good to note that Jet Ski is the trademark of what Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. have produced some decades ago. The term Jet Ski is also commonly used for personal water craft versions which are equipped with handpoles, such as the stand up jet skis.

For Rent Options
Because buying a jet ski means taxing your pockets, there had been a common consensus among dealers and customers to have jet skis available for rent. This action allows many to enjoy the sport while not exhausting bank accounts.

Ever wonder why Suzuki scooters are very popular in the market? Here are some reasons why a lot of people are very satisfied with their Suzuki scooters.

Excellent Design

Suzuki scooters are known for their stylish designs that come in bold colors like blue, gray and black. It is evident in their sleek bodies and fantastic engines that can provide both a comfortable ride and an exhilarating performance. These scooters have a stepped seat and an adjustable backrest that will keep the rider comfortable through long distances. Suzuki scooters are also good for two. They have concave floorboards that would give both the rider and the passenger ample leg room. Suzuki scooters also have an impressive suspension as well as an aerodynamic fairing that will provide the rider with a lot of protection from the wind.

Suzuki scooters also come with a lighted underseat storage compartment as well as three other front compartments that are within the rider’s reach. Not only does it provide comfort during trips, it conveniently stores the rider’s things in strategic locations. The front compartments can hold keys or change that the rider can easily access when he needs it. The underseat compartment can hold bigger items as well as things that he would like to secure.

User-friendly and Efficient

Suzuki scooters have liquid-cooled engines that do not make a lot of noise and can offer strong acceleration. They also use an advanced fuel injection system that can make it easy to steer. Even better, they come with an automatic clutch and v-belt that would produce a smooth and effortless acceleration. It also has a great set of breaks that will never let the rider down. Using this scooter will also lessen gas expenses. It has a mileage of 75 miles per gallon. With the increasing price of gasoline, this should be a very big consideration.

Durable and Reliable

Most of the people who have used Suzuki scooters are very satisfied. According to these Suzuki users, their scooter has never let them down. Most of their scooters are more than two years old. And, they have traveled a lot of worry-free miles using these vehicles. Aside from a change of tire after around nine months of use, no other repairs have been done on their scooters yet. A lot of users also commended this product for having a very tightly capped oil gasket that does not leak at all. In fact, one user even mentioned that he could take his Suzuki scooter in the living room after use.

The best thing about Suzuki scooters is the price. With such a fantastic list of qualities, one will find the price too good to be true. It will literally give the customer a bang for his buck. Its 400 cc scooters, for example, cost as low as $6,000 which is very cheap when compared with the prices of other high-end scooters. With their low prices, impressive performance and beautiful designs, what more can one ask for?

The purchase of a motor home isn’t to be taken lightly. There are several different types of “motor homes” on the market and each one is different in size, features and price.

The best known type of motor home is the recreational vehicle. This is known as a Type A motor home. The roomiest of motor homes, the largest and therefore the most expensive. Motor homes come in sizes up to 45 feet. They come with all the luxurious amenities you could imagine. Some have washer and dryer, hardwood floors, granite counter tops, luxury leather furniture, plasma TV’s with satellite, custom stained glass and some even have large garden tub/showers. They range between $85,000 used and $400,000 for a new motor home. They generally get between 5 and 8 miles per gallon. Some of the newer larger models get around 5 miles per gallon. These sleep up to six people.

A Type B motor home category includes van campers and travel trailers. The van campers generally range from 18 feet to 22 feet in length and can comfortable sleep four. A fully contained van camper can have a shower, toilet, kitchen, TV, couches and beds. The beds are closer together affording less privacy. Most only have enough head room to allow for full standing in the center of the vehicle. Much smaller than the Type A motor homes they have less storage area. The van campers range in price between $43,000 and $70,000.

Travel trailers come in sizes 16 feet to 38 feet. The range in price from $6,000. for a used trailer upwards to $45,000 for a new travel trailer. You can generally find a fairly wide range of amenities in travel trailers. The larger the size the more you can sleep and the more likely you will be to have a private bedroom area.

A lot of travelers like the fact that they can park their trailer in a trailer park and take their vehicle touring the area. It does however take lots of practice learning how to properly drive with a travel trailer hitched to the back of your SUV.

Talk with friends and family who already own motor homes. One of the first things to do is to decide what type of traveling you and your family are most likely to do. Do you plan to spend one week vacationing in one spot? A travel trailer might be for you. Do you plan to visit a different spot each day, overnighting in different areas? Then a recreational vehicle might be for you. However, if the price of gas and the thought of filling up a 100 gallon gas tank on a vehicle that gets 5 to 8 miles per gallon isn’t for you, you may want to re-think the choice of a recreational vehicle.