The FCX Clarity hydrogen car is now available for lease from participating Honda dealers for Southern California residents who live in Santa Monica, Torrence or Irvine.

The FCX Clarity lease runs at$600 per month which includes maintenance and insurance costs. Honda is currently limiting the lease to residents who have access to fueling service areas.

The 270 mile range car runs off a hydrogen fuel cell and is refillable at designated filling stations provided by Honda. Honda has also partnered with Plug Power Inc. to develop a Home Energy Station which is small enough to fit in the home owners garage.

This is the question you should ask yourself the next time it comes down to repairing your car after an accident. For cosmetic problems the choice is obvious: get it fixed. But structural damage may run into the thousands and the repairs may not be up to standards and may cause future problems or the safety of yourself and your family.

How do you know that it is best to repair your car or just total it? Just ask collision expert Chuck Russo at http://www.iwantmycartotaled.com. He has more than 30 years in the body shop business and knows all the right questions you should ask your body shop and insurance company to make sure the repairs are done correctly.

It’s a membership site, but for $40 (pre-launch) it could save you thousands or even get you a new car!

If you’re a Motor Trader you’ll know more than anyone just how price sensitive the automotive industry can be. And as Motor Trade Insurance is likely to be one of your companies biggest outgoings paying the right price for your Motor Trader Insurance is going to be vital.

Whilst the UK has benefited from a pretty stable financial environment in recent years with rising house prices, low interest rates and many companies making money there now maybe signs of a change. During 2006 interest rates rose steadily and with 1 rate rise in 2007 already (and with more forecast as the year progresses) there is every chance that there will be less disposable income in the UK economy.

So what will this mean for consumers and Motor Traders?

Well for consumers it could mean they have less money to spend on new cars, second cars or indeed on the servicing and repair of existing vehicles. There is also every chance that as value for money becomes more of an issue they will shop around to secure the best price and service.

And when Motor Traders Insurance policies come due for renewal there is every chance they too will start looking around to secure the best deal on their Motor Trade Insurance. And if indeed money is an issue it is very easy for companies in the motor industry to opt for the cheapest is best option. After all, isn’t one type of Business Insurance pretty much the same as all the others?

Well for Motor Traders in the UK I would urge you to proceed with caution as whilst low cost motor trade insurance is available from many different insurance providers you don’t want to leave yourself in a position without the right level of cover or the right insurance excess (or deductable).

For many motor traders the best option to take when buying motor trade insurance for the first time or when their current motor trader insurance comes due for renewal would be to consult the services of an insurance broker. An insurance broker who specializes in motor trade insurance can search the market to find you the right cover at the right price so you not only save time – but you also save money.

In the event of you needing to make a claim they can also help you get the claim settled quicker and more favourably. A good insurance broker should give you advice and make sure you only pay for the insurance cover you need and want.

Whether to buy a new car or buy a used car is often times the first decision that needs to be arrived at before you can actively begin perusing purchasing your next vehicle.

Let’s take a look at some tips, pros, and cons when it comes to making this decision.

First of all, having been in the automotive business for many years, I almost always lean toward finding a good used car that fits what I am looking for. For me, I believe that used cars offer the best value for your dollar. In most cases, you’ll find used car departments are much more used to and willing to negotiate the price that they have posted on the car. From a negotiating standpoint, most used cars won’t have all of those superfluous dealer ‘add-ons’ stuck on the window either that will just never do.

In the automotive market, used cars will most certainly come with a lower initial price tag than a comparably equipped new car. And not only will the price be lower, you may also find that so is your cost to insure the used car as well as the tags, and taxes. Depreciation being what it is; means that with a car a couple of years old, the biggest depreciation hit has already occurred. And from a tangible perspective, you may have a better chance of getting those upgrades you’d like to have on the used car that you couldn’t otherwise afford going with the new.

Yet, with all of this, buying a used car isn’t for everyone. Finding a used vehicle that fits one’s entire car buying criteria can be a tough exercise in balancing what you want with the value versus risk inherent when it comes to used cars.

Not so many years ago, reliability was a major concern when purchasing a used car… and rightfully so. Today however, reliability problems are a fraction of what they used to be. Today’s vehicles, when properly maintained will easily go for 100,000 miles and it’s not uncommon for vehicles to be motoring along as they approach 200,000 miles or more. And with all of the information now available online, the risk factor is again reduced even a bit more.

Even though more reliable today, buying a used car for people means buying a car that is probably out of its original bumper to bumper warranty. This alone, is enough to repel many potential car buyers back to the new car side of the dealership.

As you know, if you are looking at buying a used car, you are probably looking at a car that is outside the factory warranty or at least would have very little remaining. With no warranty you’ll be on the hook to pay for any needed repairs out of your own pocket. However, the biggest expense for most all cars today are the things that aren’t covered by any manufacturer’s warranty anyway; items such as brakes, tires, alignment, batteries, etc.

Of course nobody can guarantee that you won’t encounter a lemon. No matter what the make and model, no manufacturer can produce a vehicle that can withstand years of neglect and/or abuse. Always, always, always give the used car a thorough inspection both by yourself and a qualified mechanic; doing this will catch most problems that may be looming on the horizon.

When it comes to financing the purchase of a used car, you find that the going interest rates will typically be higher than new car rates. This is definitely a piece of the puzzle you’ll want to check out. There is no rule of thumb as to what the difference in the interest rate will be between the two because there are just too many determining variables involved such as; the economy, rebates and incentives involved on the new car side, your credit, length of financing, and even the type of used car you’re looking at. Be sure to crunch the numbers for both sides.

With used cars, insurance can save you some money as well because you’ll typically pay less for your insurance on a like model from a few years past. The reason is simple; less cost of replacement for the insurance company and used cars are generally not high on the stolen lists.

And finally, (the latest) safety features could be a concern if you’re looking at used car (particularly if you’re going back a few model years).

All in all, if the touch, feel, and smell of a new car, isn’t a top priority for you, I think you’ll find that a well thought out used car purchase you can get more car and features and still be within your budget.

By Mike Cain

The MGF, designed and produced by Rover, is a small mid-engined sports car, with a soft top roof and plenty of boot space. Despite this, it is not renowned for its practicality, but if that is what you are looking for then you are missing the point of the MGF - it is intended to be fun to drive and something of a head turner. The driving position is quite low to the ground, which means when the top is down you get a unique driving experience, it is ideal for the summer months. It grips the road well and has good balance when driving, which is just as well with a 0-60 time of just 8.5 seconds. It responds immediately to the slightest touch on either the accelerator or the break, roaring into life with a great burst of energy, yet slowing quickly without much effort.

However, the slightly cramped cabin (especially when the roof is up) and hard body styling makes for an uncomfortable time when taking in long journeys or negotiating bumpy roads and sharp corners. The plastic rear windscreen means is liable to cloud up, and can become creased and folded where the roof has been put up/down many times. Frequent problems have also been reported with head gaskets on the older models, and this is a common cause of breakdowns.

Second hand values have stayed quite strong, due to Rover restricting the supply, and cars can be picked up from around £3,500 for a 1995 model and upwards, and it proves relatively cheap to run. Fuel consumption is good, at around 38.4 mpg, and with an insurance group of 9/10 cover is cheap as well.

Production is due to begin once more in 2008, courtesy of Nanjing Automobile, at the old Longbridge plant in West Midlands, as well as in their yet to be completed Chinese factory. The MGF is expected to go back on sale in 2009.

All in all the MGF is a fun sports car, with great style and personality, suitably cosy and enjoyable during the winter, and a fast, thrilling ride in the summer sun. —————————————————————-

Gas powered Scooters are making a comeback as the preferred mode of transportation.

No longer are they just for kids. Gas powered scooters are rapidly taking over as the preferred method of transportation to work and school. They are economical, can maneuver through tight spaces and with a gas scooter, you can take short-cuts that an automobile can not.

Gas powered scooters are also known as mopeds which is a two-wheeled (normally) low powered vehicle. In most states its small size and low power output allow it to escape many of the licensing, insurance, and driver restrictions placed on motorcycles. However, be careful of the true description of moped.

a. A moped is traditionally defined as a motorized 2 wheel vehicle that is part human and part motor driven. A moped has pedals so that it can be propelled by human power. As you can see, gas powered scooters do not fit most states definition of moped.

Don’t fret though, a gas scooter used properly will not get you into any trouble in most places. If used responsibly and traffic laws are obeyed, most law enforcement won’t touch you.

Gas scooters were first introduced in the mid 1950’s. The first design was little more than a bicycle with an engine mounted on it, it was called a cyclemotor. The cylcemotor can still be seen on the road these days in the form of electric bikes.

One reason some people have a gas scooter is to circumvent loosing a driver’s license. Many states don’t require a driver to have an operator’s license if they are over eighteen years of age, sixteen in some states. They also don’t require insurance and registration.

Gas powered scooters have several advantage that should be noted.

a. No parking spots required. Some gas powered scooters can fold down for easy storage right in your office, or you can tie it up at the door with the bicycles right in front of the buildings door or on the sidewalk.

b. A gas powered scooter is faster than the average electric scooter. They can travel at speeds up to thirty-five miles an hour.

c. Gas powered scooters can maneuver rather well – A gas powered scooter is a great way to move through traffic. They dart in and out between cars, especially gridlocked traffic. Imagine sleeping in an extra twenty-thirty minutes. With the time you save avoiding traffic, you can afford to. how smart are you?

d. Gas scooters have very cool body styles; some gas powered scooters look more like miniature motorcycles than scooters.

e. Gas scooters save tons of money - While the cost of gassing up gas powered scooters might seem expensive compared to the low cost of running an electric scooter, the mileage they get quickly makes up for the gallon of gas they require.

f. Maintenance is a breeze– A Gas scooter is easy to maintain. With a basic grasp of tools and a decent book about mechanics most people are able to maintain their gas powered scooters in their own garage.

The best thing about a gas scooter is the freedom to literally go just about anywhere. While you ride your scooter along the trail or the beach, you can go more places than most automobiles. Hop on your new gas scooter and get ready for a new adventure. Take a minute and smell the roses or take in the sights like never before. What more could you ask for?

If you want to explore all of Costa Blanca from Denia to Torreviaje, then you should definitely consider hiring a car. You will want a vehicle to travel around the region and see more during your stay in Spain. A car hire Alicante is one way to go and then take off from there to the other destinations.

You can choose between several different trusted car rental companies that operate from the Alicante airport in Costa Blanca. You can check out the prices at Centauro, Avis, Europcar, Auriga, Atesa, Hertz, and Sol Mar. All of these companies are inside the airport near the arrival area and can be accessed from both arrivals and departures.

To gauge what price you will be paying for a car hire, it will depend greatly on your needs and the time of year you are visiting. If you choose to come in the high season the prices will be more. The price will also be more if you have a large family or group of friends and you need to rent a larger car.

If you need to rent a car while you are already in the city then company will pay for your transportation to and from the airport to pick up your car. No matter where you are when you decide to rent a car, you will want to compare prices. You should check online or use a travel agent to discover the best price for your needs.

You can also save money by contacting the companies directly rather than the Internet alone. Many times there will be a local deal that you can’t get online, so you will want to compare. The staff should have someone who speaks English who can help you with your care hire. When you get the price you will want to make sure it includes insurance and anything else you may need.

If you want to make sure that your car will be there then you should definitely book it ahead of time. In the summer things can get full very quickly so you won’t want to wait until the last minute. You may also end up paying more for your car if you wait until the last minute to rent it.

You should consider any amenities that you want before you rent your car. If you are traveling in the summertime, then you may want to spend the extra money to rent a car that has air conditioning in it. The summer can be very hot and you won’t enjoy your trip if you are sweltering.

Insurance should be a priority when you are renting your car. You should know what your personal insurance covers and how much more insurance you need to buy to be covered while you are in Spain. Don’t skimp on the insurance it is too important in protecting you and your family.

Auto insurance is at its heart financial protection. You purchase insurance in order to prevent paying thousands of dollars in the event of a collision or other loss. Many different types of insurance are available, covering almost every conceivable means of loss or damage to your vehicle as well as others to which you may cause damage. Very few drivers need to purchase every single type of insurance, so it is helpful to understand each type in order to decide which ones you require.

Property damage insurance is sometimes known as liability insurance. This product is designed to cover damages that you may do to someone else’s vehicle. Your state sets a minimum amount of this insurance that you must carry but the state requirement is often quite low. If the damage you cause exceeds the limits of your insurance you could be sued for the difference. It is therefore wise to purchase as much property damage insurance as you can afford.

Personal injury insurance is usually required by law, though the required amount may vary by state. This insurance pays a portion of your medical bills (generally 80 percent) and a portion of your lost wages (usually 60 percent) if you are injured in an accident. Personal injury protection often includes a small death benefit as well. This insurance may cover your relatives or household members or even everyone in the car, depending on your insurance company’s policies and state mandates.

Bodily injury insurance is extremely important even though it is not required by many jurisdictions. If you are at fault for an accident that injures someone beyond the limits of his personal injury coverage, bodily injury insurance will cover the difference. Otherwise you could be sued for medical expenses.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If you are injured beyond the limits of your personal injury protection in an accident caused by someone who does not carry bodily injury insurance, what are your options? You could certainly sue him and likely win your case. However lawsuits are time consuming and expensive, and if he does not have the money to pay you might be stuck with an uncollectible judgment against him. Instead, your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage could cover your injuries. This protection is reasonably priced and will ensure that you are paid in a timely manner. Purchase this coverage if you can.

Collision insurance will reimburse you for damages to your vehicle if you are at fault. Collision coverage will pay up to the actual cash value of the vehicle less your deductible. If your car is financed you may be required to carry collision insurance. However the premiums are high and this product is not recommended for older low value vehicles.

Comprehensive insurance will pay for damage or loss to your vehicle from both theft and acts of God. Comprehensive coverage will pay up to the actual cash value of the vehicle less your deductible. This insurance is usually required if your car is financed but not recommended for older cars with a low cash value.

Many other options are also available, covering everything from medical payments beyond your personal injury coverage to a rental car while yours is being repaired. Most of these options are good to have if you can afford them but not necessary if you can’t. Always speak with your insurance agent if you have any questions or concerns regarding your coverage options.

Many parents will buy their teenagers their first used car shortly after they turn sixteen. Once mom or dad has helped their teenage driver find a good and reliable used car it is time to find car insurance that won’t cost them an arm and a leg for their new driver. New drivers will typically have higher premiums than older drivers who have more driving experience.

Even though new drivers are considered inexperienced, the premium that you pay doesn’t have to empty your checking account. In fact, parents can save a little bit of money by using their existing insurance policy. Many companies will offer “multi” discounts. This means that if the policyholder has more than one car on their policy, then they will usually get a discount on the additional cars. Other insurance companies will offer auto and home insurance together and this can make paying your insurance even easier. If you are adding a new driver and car to the policy you may receive multi-driver and multi-car discounts.

If the new driver has had a driver education course such as Driver’s Ed in high school, then you may also be able to receive a discount. Many schools offer these courses and if they do not, you may find them available through private companies. You can also take the course and receive a discount for both you and your new driver. Many insurance companies offer these discounts and because many states are requiring that students take these courses, then the situation is even better for you.

Some insurance companies also offer a Good Student discount. These programs award students by offering discounts to students who make good grades in school. If a student also takes a defensive driving course voluntarily, you may also be able to save by sending the certificate to the insurance company, as most insurance companies offer defensive driving discounts as long as the course was not a requirement for a speeding ticket.

Teens have higher accident numbers than any other age of driver. As they progress from being 16 to 17 to 18, their driving gets better as they gain experience. This is why it is important to be prepared for teen car insurance to be more expensive when they first begin driving. They are a higher risk because they tend to be involved in many more accidents. As a parent, you will need to expect to pay that higher premium, but as the teen becomes more experience you can expect that premium to begin dropping on a yearly basis. To make car insurance more affordable for your teen, you should be prepared to budget in that amount when purchasing them a used car.

Car insurance is also a good opportunity for students to learn responsibility. They should be able to help parents pay the premium through summer or part time jobs. They should also learn the effect that a traffic ticket or accident will have on their premium. They will also be able to see how being a good student allows you and them to save money on their insurance.

For more Car buying tips visit Atlanta Used Cars at http://www.UsedCarsAtlanta.us and Dallas Used Cars at http://www.UsedCarsDallas.us.

If you are in the motor trading business, then the most important aspect of your business is getting the best price possible. The only way that you can make money on your deals is if you get the lowest purchase price, the lowest repair prices (if needed), and the highest sales price possible. All of these things are very important for motor traders to be able to turn a profit. However there is one very important thing missing from this puzzle and that is motor trade insurance.

Motor trade insurance is very important in the motor trading business because it can protect the assets that you acquire, while you are driving them or not. If you do not have motor trade insurance then all of your profits can be lost very easily with one wreck, one stolen vehicle, or one bad storm. If you do have motor trade insurance, then you will be able to get sleep at night and not worry about your cars all of the time.

The hardest part of being a part of the motor trade industry is trying to keep your vehicles in good shape and in your possession. While you are driving the vehicle you can get into a wreck, while your car is at the shop it can be wrecked, and even just sitting on the street your vehicle can be wrecked, so you need to have some protection against damage to your car.

Also, a bad hail storm or tornado can occur and wreck your whole fleet of cars at once. If you have motor trade insurance, then you can protect your vehicles and make the repairs necessary to get the money back on the vehicles that were damaged during the storm. If you can keep your vehicles in good shape then you still might not be in the clear, because someone might steal your vehicle and then sell it. However certain types of motor trade insurance can protect you against this as well. All of these are good reasons to have motor trade insurance, but you have to find a plan that fits your specific business needs.