:Wise Money Tips

The use of golf carts have been historically associated with leisure at golf carts and short haul journeys in southern states. Due to the popularity of this, the increase of this kind of use may spread across the country

However, a huge concern from authorities is a higher accident severity rate as a collision with another vehicle such as a car or truck would cause serious effects for the golf cart driver and passengers. One research paper has found that golf car injuries are steadily increasing but due to rising gas prices and affordability of electric golf carts over cars - the excitement of owning a golf cart continues to levitate at a high rate.

Using golf carts on the streets is legal in Iowa and Florida. However Other methods include insisting golf carts display signs of a slow moving vehicle and putting babies in baby safety seats when they are in the passenger seat.

The number of people looking to buy golf carts for sale has also shot up and experts predict that electric golf carts will be a common method of environmentally transportation across the country in the future. To find out more about golf carts for sale, a good site to read is golf carts guide

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In many nations water is brought into urban areas by truck because there is not enough annual rain flows to provide the amount of water needed for the population. In the United States we do not have this problem for the most part although some cities in the US, not many, but a few have completely run out of water during drought periods.

If we have areas of continued severe drought due to climate change in the United States we maybe forced to deliver water by rail or truck to large population bases. Is it safe to do this? Well, trucks move a lot, but with proper baffling systems to haul liquid, yes indeed it is possible. Of course hauling liquid is tricky in any case and drivers would need to be specially trained. Training could be crash course made possible for all truck drivers and therefore already in place, always ready to rock-this is possible. Since it would in an emergency and not everyone runs out of water at the same time, it happens slowly.

In the event of a breach of a large Dam such as in NM, CO, NV, yes it would be quite serious quickly and gearing up if you already had the tankers under a contract to lease immediately would not be hard to secure equipment. It would only take some savvy pre-ready trucking companies to get this done. Water is life, so regulations would be suspended and FEMA would pay for the immediate needs until chaos slowed, big bucks, plus you are helping Americans stay alive.

In 2003 there were border cities out of water in WY-NE-CO. Outside of Billings MT they ran out of water when fire season was coming, they may not have even be able to fight the fires for fear of running out of water? Lots of water issues, slowly creeping up on us and the weather control we are still not very good at, as we have problems turning it off and getting the water-rain where it is needed.

In big events people need food and water, not just food. You could haul in plastic one gallon containers in the refers, which you would anyway and of course truckloads of water in that fashion, but it would not be feasible considering the needs and demand in such an event. It is for this reason we need a drought plan or FEMA plan to truck in large amounts of water in case we need it in a hurry. Consider this in 2006.

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

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As an entry level wagon, the 2005 Suzuki Forenza offers budget-minded
buyers a spacious wagon with a good supply of standard features. But
as a debut vehicle, it’s also unproven in the resale market and has
shortcomings that ideally define its position in the marketplace.

My weekly test drive was the LX wagon, one of 10 available Forenza
models in 2005. The 2.0-liter, 16-value, 126-horsepower engine has a
four-speed automatic transmission, the only option.

The vehicle has good mileage estimates for its class, and the
wagon accelerates adequately in city driving scenarios. But it’s sluggish
and needs a full-throttle jolt on the steady highway inclines or in a
quickly needed lane-change situation.

The Forenza wagon isn’t particularly quiet on the open road and the ride
quality is marginal, with bumps easily felt and the overall feel a little stiff.
But as an economically priced wagon, the Forenza also has several
features that warrant its consideration.

The vehicle’s exterior is designed nicely, with a contoured body,
alloy wheels, fog lamps, and a power tilt slide sunroof. My test vehicle’s
test color was listed as “Fantasy Black,” and the exterior was
complemented by cloth light gray seats.

Several passengers mentioned that while Forenza looks small from the
outside, they were surprised by the interior spaciousness. One 6-foot-2
friend sat in the back seat and had more than a one-inch clearance. He
said the headroom was more than he’s had in the back seats of some
SUVs.

The same is true from the driver’s seat perspective. As a 6-foot driver, I
had good head clearance and leg room. The spacious interior extends
to the cargo area, which is wide, easily accessible from the back seat
and has a convenient hatchback style entry.

The interior of Forenza seemingly has one general theme - simplicity.
Radio controls and other instrumentation are easy to use and have a
straightforward design. The instrument panel numbers have retro-style
lettering, and the back panel has an attractive light green tone when
illuminated. Another nice feature is the dashboard design. Its textured
pattern looks like (and feels like) the surface of golf balls - if they
were black.

The Forenza, like many vehicles, has remote keyless entry, and its
functionality is fine. But the high-pitched noise heard upon closing is
reminiscent of a rodent in pain.

Considering its designation as a compact wagon, the Forenza has a
good supply of standard features: air conditioning, cruise control, AM/
FM/CD (eight speakers), tilt steering wheel with remote stereo controls,
60/40 split folding rear seats, power windows and locks and heated and
power mirrors.

The car’s one optional feature is its antilock brake system, which adds
$500 to the suggested retail base price of $16,649. Destination and
handling boost the price another $545 to $17,694 - a strong argument
for consideration among economical buyers.

And finally, while Suzuki may not yet be ready to battle its more well-
known competitors on several levels, the manufacturer’s 7-year,
100,000-mile power train warranty and 24-hour roadside assistance
can’t be easily dismissed.

Suzuki Forenza Wagon 2005

Safety features — Driver and front seat passenger side airbags,
front seat passenger front airbags; 24-hour roadside assistance.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) — 20 mpg (city), 28 mpg (highway).

Warranty — Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles;
Powertrain 7 years/100,000 miles; Corrosion, 3 years/unlimited miles.

Base price — $17,694.00

James Raia, a journalist in Sacramento, Calif., is the author of the
syndicated automotive column, The Weekly Driver Review, and co-
author of the e-book “How To Buy A Car Without Getting Ripped Off.”

To read more car reviews, visit: The Weekly Driver Review

To subscribe to James Raia’s free electronic endurance sports
newsletters, visit his web site: http://www.ByJamesRaia.com

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The 2005 Ford Mustang Convertible has begun production this week at Ford’s Auto Alliance International (AAI) plant this week. At the Job One Celebration, Car and Driver editor-in-chief Csaba Csere presented the 10Best award to AAI President, Phil Spender. The new Mustang convertible received the Best Muscle Car accolade.

“To succeed today you need a car that’s hitting on all cylinders. It has to deliver style, quality, utility — even if only a little bit — as well as performance and value,” said Csaba Csere, editor-in-chief of Car and Driver magazine. “Mustang does all of that, and that’s why we selected it to our 10Best list as Best Muscle Car for 2005.”

Csere made this statement before Ford employees at the Auto Alliance International (AAI) in Flat Rock, Michigan - the Mustang’s new home. Csere also praised the new Mustang’s quality and reviewed its history dating back to April 17, 1964, when the first model went on sale.

“Back in the ’60s that car cut across demographic bounds,” said Csere. “It was an affordable car, and everyone could buy a Mustang. But you saw a lot of Mustangs in the driveways of very rich people because the car was cool. The new Mustang has the potential for doing that as well. But it has to have a certain level of quality and refinement, and this car has achieved that. After touring the plant this morning I can see how that happened. This is a thoroughly modern facility that totally keeps track of the quality of the car.”

Matt DeMars, vice president of Vehicle Operations, in accepting the award said that, “We’ve known for a long time we had a hit with the 2005 Mustang, and while customer excitement, and recognition like making Car and Driver’s ‘10Best’ confirms what we always knew, it is still very gratifying,”

Compared to other coupe-derived vehicles, the 2005 Mustang Convertible has a more rigid body structure and is more solid. This was achieved by engineering it in tandem with the coupe. The result is the most quiet and solid drop top Mustang has ever produced, according to DeMars.

AAI President Phil Spender said the Mustang would begin shipping to dealers immediately. In addition to the new Mustang Convertible, AAI builds the Mustang Coupe and three body styles of Mazda6. Ford Motor Company invested $700 million in the plant last fall. It is now a flexible facility capable of building half-dozen vehicles on two platforms. AAI houses a new body shop with 380 robots and flexible tooling, as well as an upgraded stamping operation. Major upgrades to the final assembly area include programmable platforms that hold the car’s body on a scissor lift that can be adjusted to the operator’s height making it more ergonomic.

The 2005 Mustang Convertible is but another testament to Ford’s continuing legacy of excellence and innovation in the auto industry. As in all Ford models, a Mustang Convertible will experience automotive technology at its best. This experience is further enhanced by efficient maintenance and preservation. A great and secure way to maintain a vehicle is by installing only excellent quality parts purchased from reputable auto parts stores. In the past looking for a trusted parts supplier takes more tme and effort.

Fortunately, the internet makes shopping for parts a lot easier. There are dozens of sites that offer Ford parts. But a buyer must be cautious when choosing where to buy Ford Parts. It is best if they stick with a trusted and reputable auto parts store such as Parts Train, one of the leading online auto parts stores today. Check out http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByVehicle/FORD and browse their wide selection of proven, high-quality Ford Parts, specifically Ford Mustang Parts.

Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa and has a knack for research on cars and anything and everything about it. She works full time as a Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers in the country today.

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Driving a Ferrari has always been a dream of mine. I am
unfortunate that I remember Danny Wild driving his red Ferrari
around Europe in the Persuaders on TV back in the early 70s. But
then when you do get to drive one, you realise that they are
only designed to be driven one way, and that’s fast.

But of course with speed limit, kids, other drivers on the road
you will find that only a very small time can be dedicate to
driving a Ferrari as it should be. In fact much of the driving
you would do is totally unsuitable for a Ferrari. OK I will be
honest with you, I don’t own a Ferrari but I have driven one. I
hired a car and drove it around a racetrack as it was designed
to do, which a qualified instructor of course. This has totally
changed my perception of why people must own a Ferrari.

I cannot now see any reason to own one at all, except as a
status symbol. Nothing comes close to driving this super car
around at 150mph, so much legal fun it’s amazing, but driving it
at 30mph just seems so much of a hassle. Then my driving
instructor came up with some facts. He said add up the cost of
buying your Ferrari then add on the insurance, add on your
yearly running costs in including servicing, tyres etc.

Then he said calculate how many hours you would actually get to
drive your car. Then calculate how many hours you would drive
the car as it should be driven. In both cases you get a
ridiculously high hourly rate to own a car. So much so that to
hire one like I did with professional instruction becomes a
bargain.

So I have readjusted my dream, I will stick with my comfortable
road car but when I fancy, to the racetrack I will go in the
full knowledge I am getting a better deal than the rich and
famous. There are many track deals around the UK stating from
£99 why not give a try and see if your dream changes.

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Audi broke the mold when its concept TT car was presented at auto shows around the globe during the mid1990s. Named for the prestigious annual “Tourist Trophy” race held on the Isle of Man, the TT is based on the same platform which powers the Volkswagen Golf and the Skoda Octavia. Making use of anodized aluminum and a “bumper free” exterior, the TT coupe was unlike any car of its time when the first production model was released in 1998. Today, the TT continues to garner awards and win praises from Audi aficionados. If you like the current model, just wait one year and you will witness the release of a TT that goes well beyond the pale.

When talking about the TT, there are actually two models involved: one being a coupe, the other a roadster. Shortly after the coupe’s introduction in 1998, the roadster version was released the following summer. Both models were originally powered by a 20 valve inline 1.8L four cylinder engine, however in subsequent years each model received a more powerful version of that engine while a 3.2L V6 was introduced as an option during 2003. The TT is powered by its front wheels, but Quattro all wheel drive is available as well.

Audi’s success with the TT has helped it to cautiously develop its second generation model. Nearly a full decade after the original model made its debut the follow up TT is being readied and will go into production in 2007. The new TT will feature the following attributes:

Longer and Wider: Slight changes in its width and length will be incorporated into the new model. Expect more cabin room for added interior comfort.

Aluminum and Steel: The new TT will be made up of aluminum in the front and steel in the rear to encourage a better weight balance.

More Power: The 1.8L I4 engine will be replaced with a 2.0L I4 engine. The 3.2L V6 will still be offered, producing 250 horsepower. A six speed manual transmission will be standard equipment.

More Models: The coupe and roadster will be introduced back to back with a third model, possibly a wagon version, also being considered for production.

Principal competitors for the Audi TT have been the BMW Z4 and the Mercedes SLK. The TT’s styling inspiration has found its way onto several other models including the Saturn Sky, Mazda Miata, Nissan 350Z, and the Pontiac Solstice. In all, the Audi TT has reinvigorated the roadster market and it appears that the upcoming TT will expand on that theme even further. This is great news for enthusiasts who want a unique and well engineered 2+2 car as part of their driving stable.

Copyright 2006 - Matt Keegan is The Auto Writer covering European, Asian, and American automobiles, parts, and accessories. Your Audi TT is a premium car deserving only the best parts and accessories. Whether you have an Audi TT Roadster or an Audi TT Coupe, all of the best buys on quality parts can be found right online.

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Lowboy trailers, also known as low bed trailers, are utilized for loading and transporting heavy equipment. The capacity for hauling starts at ten tons to 100 or even more. This is the ideal solution for hauling farm equipment, or construction machines such as tractors and excavators. They are designed to work well in field conditions for convenient loading and unloading heavy machinery and equipment.

There are many types of lowboy trailers available from leading manufacturers. The size and weight capacity needed should be determined by the specifications of the haul and what the continued use will be. They are also available in a variety of colors and custom paint jobs to suit individual preferences. Identify what field conditions will be present before deciding on the model best suited.

Fontaine makes a 46′ lowboy trailer with a capacity of 35 tons. This model includes ramps for easy loading and unloading of equipment. The same manufacturer makes a 55 ton model for heavier machinery. Lowboy trailers can be fixed neck or detachable with beaver tail or tilt bed options. Determine the conditions in which loading and unloading will occur to determine what options are best. Researching different manufacturers will allow ideal selection. Manufacturers such as Trail King, Talbert, Aspen and Liddell all make lowboy trailers.

Caution should be used whenever loading, unloading or hauling heavy equipment. Ensure the load is secure and attached correctly. Please also check local requirements for hauling and transporting as there may be permits or special licenses required. Hauling oversize merchandise generally requires a special permit.

Price of lowboy trailers widely varies depending on the specifications, year of the model and condition. However, these varieties are designed to be durable and many people find purchasing used equipment much more affordable. There are many variables in determining the type of lowboy trailer that is best. The length, well depth and weight capacity are of prime concern. Check the ground clearance to ensure it is suitable for the means of transportation and the unloading destination. Axles, wheels, brakes and tires should all be in good condition before purchasing a used lowboy.

http://www.usedsemitrailers.com

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When driving as work truck you must be aware that stopping distances are much greater than when driving an automobile. At the Departments of Vehicles in most States, they recommend the two second rule. Use a two second following distance in good driving conditions. Watch the vehicle ahead of you pass a specific mark: a phone pole, a mile marker, a fence post, any marker that is stationary. When the rear bumper of that vehicle has passed that marker, being counting to yourself: “One thousand and one, one thousand and two.” If your front bumper reaches the marker before you finish counting, you are following too closely.

We at veterans of the transportation industry recommend two and one half to three seconds. Four seconds is not recommended in metropolitan areas because someone will squeeze into the spot after one and one half seconds. It is not that we do not trust you the driver, we have just seen too many accidents.

If traffic is heavy or you are in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Don’t complain. Think of it this way. Those are all your customers. We love traffic, don’t you! Think about it, relax, slow down ad enjoy real job security.

There will be occasions in heavy traffic where you will be forced to slam on your brakes. It’s rather serious and eventually you’ll be put in a dangerous situation by another driver. Your adrenaline will increase your heart rate and you might have to clean out your pants. Watch out. Drive totally defensively. Always expect some one to do something out of the ordinary. Something stupid; something worthy of a place in the Darwin Awards Hall of Fame.

When you are going down hills don’t coast unless you are really low on gas. Save your brake pads/shoes. Use gears to keep your speed down. This will help you stop more quickly. Remember if your get into an accident in a work truck you are already considered at fault since you should know better. Stay alert, pay attention and please think about it.

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

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