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Finding information about past, current, and future car offerings used to be a task that involved wading through countless glossy magazines, perusing bulky sales brochures, shifting through inky newspapers, and skimming through a host of other print material of varying sizes and depths. How many of us have subscribed to 2, 4, or even 5 or more publications just to get the latest information about our favorite cars? Today, thanks to the internet, there are a host of sites available to learn more about your classic and to take a look at concept cars. I will list some of my favorites here; I hope that you will enjoy scrutinizing them as much as I have.

The Detroit News – I doubt that there is a single newspaper in the USA that matches the depth and breadth of coverage that The Detroit News provides on a daily basis about the automobile industry. It certainly makes sense that they are the leader, given that the Detroit area has long been the bastion of American automotive might.

Car and Driver – One of my favorite print magazines shares a lot of useful information right online. My favorite feature is their break down by make and model of every single car on the market. C&D even gives visitors full access to some really great road tests they have performed on a whole host of vehicles. Very informative: www.caranddriver.com

Auto Blog – Some of the best and most honest information can be read through this particular blog site. Vehicles of every stripe and persuasion are covered; breaking make/model information is shared, and readers are quick to add their personal comments. Sometimes the responses are hilarious, while other times they seem politically charged. No matter, the information given is certainly useful:

Edmunds – Good information on current models and they seem to have a grasp on upcoming offerings too. Compare what they write about future models and they generally have the best “off the record” information of anyone:

Car Survey – Similar to the Auto Blog, Car Survey allows users to blog in information about their vehicle. If you own a ’74 Monte Carlo, an ’83 Fairmount, or a ’95 Intrepid, then comments about your make/model are featured by owners who have the same car as you. A good place to trace the history of specific models, foreign and domestic too:

Assorted Sites – Lastly, several smaller sites dedicated to specific car brands such as allpars.com can be extremely helpful as well as are certain commercial sites touting car parts. I also regularly refer to various car clubs and automaker sites for detailed information.

So, what is the best part of conducting research on the internet for car information? Well, two actually: it is both fast and it is usually free. Now, Google your way over and find out all the information you need about your cabriolet, your pocket rocket, your off-roader, or your minivan. Everything you need is right at your finger tips and certain to pique your interest.

With the average price of a new vehicle passing $25,000, it's easy to fall into the trap of believing you have to spend a small fortune to drive anything worth writing home about. Unless you're all about impressing your friends, neighbors and co-commuters with the size of your monthly payment, the entry end of the market is filled with a higher concentration of cool cars, trucks and SUVs than ever.

After putting together a list of all the vehicles available for less than $18,000, the editors of Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com then picked the 10 coolest. Instead of reporting based on vehicles' Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices (MSRPs), the list is based on each model's New Car Blue Book value, the price buyers are typically paying in the market. Your actual payment will be determined by the down payment on the vehicle and the finance rate.

The Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000

• Toyota Yaris-With a long history as a best-seller in Europe, the Toyota Yaris migrates to the U.S. as the least expensive vehicle in the Toyota lineup. Sporting unusually cool styling, Toyota quality and a 34/city and 40/highway MPG rating, the Yaris' value more than exceeds its under-$12,000 starting price.

• Scion xB-The xB has proven to us that, these days, it's cool to be square. Not only does its slab-sided styling set it apart, but its boxy dimensions also mean this diminutive and fuel-efficient vehicle is a surprisingly commodious hauler of people and stuff.

• Dodge Caliber-Caliber changes the small-car game by offering a larger, more flexible interior filled with way-cool features like an air-conditioned storage bin to keep drinks cold, rear speakers that flip down to project outward from the open tailgate, a 110-volt outlet for powering small electronics and a self-charging flashlight.

• Kia Sportage-When buying your first SUV, bang-for-the-buck is a very cool thing to find. Pricing out the Kia Sportage is almost fun when you get to include a sunroof, a great stereo and a tire pressure monitor all for under $16,500.

• Chevrolet HHR-As cool as the 1940s-style exterior is, the Chevrolet HHR is equally cool for its efficient use of space and worthwhile features like remote start and the increasingly requisite iPod connector. It offers hauling ability like a compact SUV, yet it handles like a car.

• Ford Fusion-Size does matter, so getting a well-styled, contemporary midsize sedan with the roominess and comfort of the new Fusion is cool. Even better is the unexpected level of equipment for the price, including remote keyless entry, tilt steering wheel and cruise control.

• Nissan Frontier-Utility is in, and nothing's more utilitarian than a pickup. The Frontier backs up its sharp styling with excellent ride and handling.

• Mazda3-Available as a hatchback or sedan, the Mazda3 is a deft one-two punch to the compact-car segment. We can't decide which model we like better, but the combination of fine driving dynamics, upscale interior and arresting looks make this a "cool cars" list repeater.

• Honda Civic-You know how U2 were cool, then in the mid-90s they weren't so cool, and now they're as cool as ever? Well, the Civic has traveled a parallel path to regain its stature as arguably the finest economy car ever built--and cool once again.

• Scion tC-If you're cool enough to appreciate it, the slick styling and fashionable features in the tC deliver Lexus-like technology in an affordable package. This year, the improved audio features stand out, including steering-wheel gauges and iPod connectivity.

Maintaining or restoring the “looks-like-new” condition of their automobiles is a consuming interest for most car owners. Most owners are interested in preserving their investment, and in enjoying the full use of their vehicle as long as possible. Other owners are interested in restoring a vehicle to the best condition possible in order to sell it or get a good trade-in value. Still others are attempting to restore a vehicle as a hobby, joining the many proud owners of classic and antique vehicles. These consumers want quality automotive cleaning products that will enable them to refurbish their autos quickly, with as little effort as possible. One particular problem, especially with older vehicles, is how to clean automotive upholstery. Is it different from furniture upholstery? Can the upholstery be cleaned in place or must it be removed? Is it necessary to use products that are uniquely for these interior automotive fabrics?

Even new vehicles can become soiled. A misplaced cup of coffee, a forgotten and melted crayon, a wad of gum tracked into the car on the driver’s shoe, or a sick puppy can present a daunting cleaning problem. If the problem was neglected when it was fresh, or if it was only partially cleaned and then allowed to age with the car, it may be extremely difficult to remove. It is always best to deal with stains immediately.

By and large, the same product that will clean a leather or vinyl chair should work on a leather or vinyl car interior. Automotive carpeting should respond to the same techniques as household carpet, depending on the fibers used. The same can be said for fabric upholstery. Therefore, the first step in cleaning your car’s interior is to determine what it is made of.

Second, try to determine what may have created the stain. This step may be difficult if the stain has been there for a while or if you have just acquired the car. Spilled cola and grease may leave stains that are similar in color, but they would respond best to different types of spot removers. It is important to choose the correct automotive cleaning products for the job or stain.

Unusual stains should be dealt with first, before an attempt is made to clean and refresh the entire interior surface. Gum or other, similar, sticky substances need careful handling. There are products available now that will freeze them in place, changing their chemical composition, and thus allowing for easy removal by scraping them away.

Other messes, like the above mentioned crayon, also need special handling. Crayon is wax based, but also has pigment. Its removal may need two steps and two entirely different products, depending on how badly it has melted into the fabric. A product specially formulated for crayon removal is a good first step.
Sugar-based food and drink spills on fabric, even old ones, can be removed with a good spot remover. This step should be followed by a thorough steam cleaning. If these stains are on the stitching of vinyl or leather, they may respond to the spot cleaner alone. Grease-based stains should respond to being blotted with a good degreaser, such as Formula 21 Grease Stain Remover.

Once all the unique stains have been dealt with appropriately, give the interior a thorough, all-over cleaning, depending on the upholstery type. Leather and vinyl can be cleaned with a specially formulated product such as Fuller Vinyl and Leather Cleaner. Built-up grime on older seats may also respond to washing with a good degreasing product such as Fulsol All-Purpose Degreaser. Fabric seats and carpets should be able to handle a thorough steam cleaning. Care should be taken to not get the fabric too wet. Because the upholstery and carpet cannot be removed to dry, work slowly in small areas, and only dampen the surface enough to remove the soil. Leaving the doors and or windows open for a while after the cleaning is complete may also hasten the trying time. Check with the manufacturer before treating or steam-cleaning antique fabrics.

With a little pre-planning and care, and with the right automotive detailing products, you can become an expert in how to clean automotive upholstery.

An automobile finance is easy and even with less than perfect credit automobile financing or auto loan is beneficial for several reasons.

The procedure to buy a car from a car dealer would be simpler rather than walking directly into a company. Car dealers arrange for some useful services of automobiles loans and automobile insurance. Dealer financing is probably the best route for a low interest car loan as they deal in large volume. If you are not satisfied with the car finance provided by your dealer you can always opt for automobile refinancing.

Car Loan financing requirements

There are certain requirements that one should meet to finance an auto loan. It’s very important that the value of your vehicle exceeds the amount owned. An upside –down auto loan consist of owing more than a car’s worth. In this case, you cannot refinance the car loan.

If possible, try and reduce the amount owed on the car, and then finance. This will involve increasing your monthly payments. Furthermore, financing options only apply to vehicles less than five years old or more. Secondly, the balance owed on the loan must be at least $7500.

How Does the Auto finance Process Work?

Auto financing or auto loan is simple both means same. To begin, contact your current lender and request a payoff balance. Next, complete an online application with an auto loan finance company. When applying for an Auto loan, you must include detail information about your vehicle and loan amount. In some cases, you may be asked to include the vehicle identification number on the application. If applying online, approvals are instant.

Selecting Auto Loan finance Lender

It would be advisable to refinance for an automobile loan through different lenders. Hence, you should devote some time and energy to comparing lender rates and offers. Do not accept the first offer received. A hasty decision may cost you more money. Instead, request online quotes from three to four lenders, and carefully review offers. Pick the lender that offers the most savings.

Buying a car is the second most prestigious thing after buying a house. There are two ways you can buy a vehicle – you can either approach an automobile dealer or do it yourself. The procedure to buy a car from a car dealer would be simpler rather than walking directly into a company. Car dealers arrange for some useful services of automobiles loans, automobile insurance, automobile warranty, automobile refinancing and so on. Dealer financing is probably the best route for a low interest car loan as they deal in large volume.

Automobile dealer are the bridge between automobile manufacturers and customers. They are primarily engaged in retailing new and used cars, sport utility vehicles and passenger and cargo vans. If you decide to complete the trade of buying the car by yourself you might actually land up paying more than the actual price of the car.

There are different dealers for different types of purchases mainly

1.    Independent dealer: Independent dealer is a dealer who deals in used vehicles only. They derive revenue by selling used private automobiles. Independent dealer is far more flexible and offers unbiased and professional advice about proper vehicle selection.
2.    Franchise dealer: Franchise dealer can sell both new as well as old automobiles. While selling new automobiles they have to enter into an agreement with the manufacturer. Franchise dealers have decreased in number however their sales volume has increased.
3.    Wholesale dealer: A wholesale dealer is a dealer who buys and sells at wholesale from other licensed dealers. The license permitted to a wholesale dealer does not allow him to sell on retail basis anywhere.

If you’re in look out for an automobile dealer, you can easily access vehicle review, view pictures of vehicles; compare models and prices of different dealers. Automobile dealers increasingly use the internet to market new and used cars. Many websites also allow consumers to research insurance, financing, leasing, and warranty options. As a result, consumers are generally better informed and spend less time meeting with salespersons.

In days gone by, the thought of placing a bug shield on your car simply meant finding a tacky looking navy blue mesh net and draping it across the front of your car. Besides looking awful, these earlier shields were poorly fitting and bulky. Bugs still got through and little good came out of having one on your car. Fortunately, innovative manufacturers have changed all of that. Let’s examine the current crop of auto vent shields [bug shields] out there and see how one can protect your car.

Unlike bug shields of yesteryear, today’s shields have kept up with current technology; updated design changes have yielded a group of shields that custom fit your vehicle as well as looking attractive too. Unlike previous one-size-fits-all models, current shields curve with the contour of your vehicle’s hood for a precise fit. In addition, an auto vent shield can do the following:

Protects your car from road debris. Small stones or garbage kicked up on the interstate can mar your hood or even smash your windshield. A custom fitted bug shield can send harmful objects up and over your vehicle and out of harm’s way.

 Protects your hood from bug splatter. The leading edge of your vehicle’s hood seems like a magnet to bugs. Take any long road trip, especially in the summer months, and by the time you reach your destination your finish is marred by bug juice, some of which is nearly impossible to remove. Imagine the costs you will incur by turning in your leased vehicle with a hood marred by bug splatter or pock marked by stones.

Bug shields are generally available in a smoke color or in a paintable polycarbonate surface for further customization. This material is, by the way, able to withstand road debris and unlikely to crack when it deflects a stone out of harm’s way.

Of course selecting a Toyota bug shield or Ford bug shield takes a bit of research to find one that is right for your vehicle. Auto Vent Shields, a wholesaler of quality shields recommends Lund bug shields and Ventshade bug shields as both manufacturers are noted for producing high quality and durable products that are affordably priced.

Whichever brand you choose, select one that is custom crafted for the make and model of your vehicle in order to achieve the best fit and to provide top protection. For a small cash outlay an auto vent shield provides the protection that every vehicle should have.

Fads come and go, sometimes on a whim, other times because of outside forces.  Here at the halfway point of the new millennium’s first decade, car culture has sure taken some interesting turns.

Those of you who innocently took a test drive of a plain-Jane Nissan Altima when it was new in 2002, floored it, and nearly sprained your necks upon discovery of 240 horsepower, may have suspected that the standards of speed had risen a tad since the 90s.  Turns out that was only the beginning.  Nowadays, the Volkswagen Passat raised that same family car bar to an excessive 280 horsepower.  We have little $30,000 Mitsubishis that can leave Camaros for dead.  The 500-horsepower Dodge Viper suddenly seems ordinary, and the once-acclaimed Acura NSX is a joke.  Whether or not you’re a speed freak, there are two trickle-down benefits: the minimum standard of horsepower has risen from 55 (Geo Metro) to 103, and very few cars in any segment are truly underpowered anymore.  Not a bad development.

Cars just won’t stop growing.  Every redesign has to be bigger than the last one; the new Toyota RAV4 is 14 inches longer than the last, and current Civics now dwarf Accords of years past.  It’s an inevitable force of marketing; no one wants to pay the same money for less car, right?  Bigger also means heavier; our cars pack more pounds than ever.

And there’s no rule that contradictory trends can’t coexist.  Apparently Americans expect their cars to compete with the speed of sound while also using less gas than their walking shoes.  The Toyota Prius hybrid heads into its third year with unsatisfied demand, a long line, and a price premium.  All this despite an ample supply of the perfectly serviceable Corolla at the same dealers.  No automaker wants to be caught with their pants down, and all are rushing to market with a hybrid, even if it means using systems developed by competitors (Nissan’s Altima will use Toyota hardware).

We seem to want our cars with more stuff and more personality.  The 90s banality in our styling is gone, even on the most banal cars like the Accord and Camry.  And notice how almost every car has power windows and locks standard, and how even the Kia Rio comes with six airbags and a powerful stereo.  Is it any wonder that the average car now costs $28,000?

Speaking of “cars”, we may be moving toward the day when that word will again apply as a general term.  SUVs are suddenly for the foolish.  They always have been, but now everyone seems to know it, too.  Ford’s Explorer and Expedition are going down the drain, and the Excursion has already expired.  The bigger the SUV, the bigger the sales drop.  Little cars are selling better than ever, even old-timers like the Sentra and Neon.

Lastly, we’re going foreign, and fast.  The Big Three’s market share was 60% at the early part of this decade; that will stand at or below 50% by the end of it.  This is hardly a new trend, but its recent acceleration is alarming.  One thing for sure is that in terms of the players, the market has matured.  Only two major automakers set up American bases in the 90s (Kia and Daewoo), and the 2000s have brought none.

Cars can’t get bigger or faster forever, yet no one can stand still.  Hybrids are hot, but the long-term experiences remain to be seen.  What will become of all this automotive craziness?  Check back in ten years.

So, you want to have your car transported a specific location huh? And this is your first time? You must be tentative because you’ve never done this before and you don’t want anything to go wrong, especially due to the significant investment your car has been. Transporting your automobile doesn’t have to be a nightmare. A thorough understanding of how it works will help you ease your mind of the problems that may result of such.

1. Trailers

There are many transport trailer options, the most popular among these types is the open carrier transport. The open carrier transport, aside from being popular, is the least expensive mode of transporting automobiles. Usually, your automobile will be transported on haulers like the ones used to deliver new cars. These trailers have a capacity of eight to ten cars. They are around 80 feet long and 14 feet high. With their immense size they are limited to traveling on major roads that are free of possible obstacles such as trees and such. They are also limited to traveling on roads that can support its weight. These trailers cannot maneuver easily on tight turns.

This is a good way to transport automobiles - the only downside is that your car may not be that well protected against the elements, dust, and wear and tear usually associated with highway travel.

2. Enclosed Trailer Transport

This is by far the most expensive option but all that cost is worth it because your car will likely be in better shape than if it were transported via an open transport carrier. This type of transport is the best for rare, exotic, or expensive cars. Automobiles to be displayed during car shows are usually traveled using this type of transport. It provides the safest, most secure method of auto transport.

3. Self-Transport

There are other people who prefer to transport their vehicles themselves. This is the riskiest way to transport your vehicle, especially if you are unskilled in such operations. Usually this is performed by renting a trailer and driving the trailer yourself.

If you do choose this type of transport, you may want to learn more about the trailer and its operation. You should ask the owner for instruction and hints on operating such an automobile.

- Always discuss your automobile with the transport service before you agree to the terms
- Make sure the service knows what your car looks like, its dimensions, and possible problems that may be encountered when delivering
- Make sure everything is understood before closing the deal

4. Be aware of the pick up time and transport time

Pick up time is the amount of time it takes from receipt of the order to transport until your automobile is loaded unto the trailer. This time is usually 2 and 10 days. Transport services appreciate a three day allowance to find a trailer and assign your car to that trailer.

Transit time will take about 8-10 days. This depends on the destination and route taken. These trailers will usually carry about ten automobiles at the same time. And as me makes the necessary stops to deliver each automobile, he could use up a lot of time. So, it would do well to be patient during these times.

There are also deals such as guaranteed delivery and express service. These deals will make sure your car gets delivered earlier, but will cost much more. If money is no question, then by all means use every method possible to keep your automobile safe and secure.

There are a variety of reasons why you may have to may have to use an auto transport service to ship your car or truck, van or SUV, when driving it from place to place just isn’t practical or possible. Lucky, there are likewise a variety of ways which you can go about doing the transporting, based on your budget, or the urgency with which you need your car to arrive.

If you currently own a car and are in the process of moving, the most annoying thing to have to consider is how you’ll get your vehicle or vehicles from your current residence to your next one. You may be moving a great distance, or even overseas, and yet you don’t have the opportunity or time to move your car by yourself. Of course, you need your car at your new home, and you need it there as soon as possible, so you’ll have to consult an automobile transporter to ship your car from A to B. Most transport companies, whether they ship your car by train or by truck, have fully computerized shipping services, so that you can track the status and position of your car in transit, just in case you’re the worrying type.

But before you send your car on a cross country or international trip, you’ll want to make sure you have it in tip-top shape, and get a thorough record of inspection that will make note of your car’s mileage, any noticeable dents scratches or nicks, any cracked glass, or other imperfections. Make sure that all is well covered and accounted for when you purchase insurance for your car, so that it will be made clear within the legal contract both you and the transport company will draft. This becomes important just in case any physical damage is done to your car during transport, so you’ll have proof and justification with which to hold the company accountable.

And then there’s the question of whether to ship your car by train or by truck. In person, of course, you’ll probably be flying to your destination, but if you were traveling on the ground you might choose train travel over car travel just because it’s the romantic thing to do. But your car doesn’t know anything about romance, so you’ll want to choose the fastest, easiest way to get it shipped so that you can minimize hassle. If you choose to go by train, the biggest inconvenience may be that you will have to pick up your car from the terminal they ship it to. That’s a problem if you want to get your car right to your new front door, or just won’t have the time to head out and pick up your car from the lot they’ve deposited it in. In this case, your best option is to go with shipping your automobile by truck, which, in most instances, can do direct shipment to a specific street address with a not unreasonable difference in price.

In case you need a specific date for delivery because you won’t be able to receive your car at any other possible time, then it is important to let the auto transport company you choose know this, as there may be a holding fee at their terminal.

For shipping overseas, obviously the same kinds of inspections and precautions need to be taken to ensure you receive your car in the same shape you left it. There’s nothing worse than finding out weeks after you’ve received your car that there’s a jagged scratch in the paint you didn’t at first notice, and which you can’t prove the company responsible for. So be cautious, be careful, and know just what you want from your automobile transporter.

Just as there are companies that specialize in moving the contents of one's home from point A to point B, across town or across the country, there are also companies who specialize in moving motor vehicles in the same manner.

We have all seen the auto transport semi-trucks that are used to move cars between automotive dealerships, and most of us have had to call upon a tow truck at one time or another. What most people do not realize is that they have other options.

When someone needs to move a broken car to the mechanic's shop, the towing service is usually the first service provider the individual will consider. Towing companies provide a valuable service to their clients, but given the cost of hooking up a car to the tow truck and moving it across town, an individual will seldom consider a tow truck service to be an economical means of moving a vehicle from one city or state to another.

The Challenges Of Moving Vehicles Without Professional Help

When one needs to move a vehicle several hundred miles, people seek out methods of moving the vehicle that will not require a tow truck service, due to the high cost of transport.

This writer has moved vehicles twice over three hundred miles, once by tow strap and once by car trailer hooked up to a pickup truck.

* Tow Straps Are Only For Short Distances

There is a very good reason why the packaging with a tow strap recommends that it should only be used for short moves. The first twenty miles were okay, and then the decision to move the car on the cheap leads to a nightmare scenario.

Moving down the freeway at 45 mph, with the lead car only twenty feet in front of your own requires absolute attention to everything going on around both vehicles --- remember, the back car provides the braking system for both vehicles. The need for absolute attention grows more difficult with every passing mile. When one adds the elements of freeway traffic, rain, cold, and a lack of power or heat in the back vehicle, the job becomes even more difficult.

* Car Trailers Should Not Be Hooked Up To Just Any Pickup Truck

The next time out, we rented a tow-hitch package and a tow trailer to pull behind a pickup truck.

People may be surprised to learn that not all pickup trucks are equipped to haul trailers. A standard pickup truck package is designed to haul a few hundred pounds of materials in its bed, but adding a trailer to the truck is beyond the manufacturer's original design specifications.

Pickup trucks that are designed for towing trailers generally have a stronger engine, bigger transmission, better cooling systems --- including oil coolers, and improved braking systems.

The first 125 miles went well, and then the pickup truck began to overheat, and we were forced to stop every twenty- to thirty-miles to let the truck cool down. Those last 175 miles required us to adhere to a speed limit of only 40 mph, and we still had to sweat every mile wondering if the truck could hold up under the additional weight load. The last 50 miles were the worst, as we slowed the truck to 30 mph to ensure that we were not going to destroy our truck in the move.

When one takes the time to consider what might be required to upgrade their vehicle in order to ensure that it will survive towing another vehicle, the cost of the expensive tow truck becomes even more attractive. Fortunately, the standard tow truck service is not the only option available to consumers.

Moving Home And Family To A New Town

Most people who need to move a vehicle from one destination to another will be doing so because they are actually moving residences and work locations.

When moving across the country, it frequently makes more sense to hire a moving company to handle moving the household goods from one location to another. In addition, many people would prefer to have a similar option open to them for moving their family vehicles.

There are many reasons, beyond its low-cost, for which a family would consider hiring a professional automotive shipping service to help them move their cars and trucks to a new city.

No matter where one might move to in the United States, if that move covers a distance of more than 100 miles, then the distance might include long stretches of barren countryside, perhaps even hills, valleys, curves, and mountains. If one decides to drive to their new home, he or she will have to travel these roads they have never driven before, making the journey more perilous than a trip across town. Within these long stretches of roadway, local traffic mixes into the equation, making the road even more dangerous.

When families land in a new town, they will have to find restaurants and motels to stay the night. Many criminals prey upon people who seem out-of-place in a location. Travelers stand out in a crowd, and this makes them especially susceptible to criminals who target the weak.

Many people find an auto transport company to be an essential element of a safe move from one place to another. For that reason alone, the cost of the auto shipping can be well justified.

Beyond the safety aspect, many automobile owners would not want to add the potential wear-and-tear to their vehicles, in order to get their vehicles to their new home.

Hiring A Private Driver

Some people decide that the most economical way to get a vehicle across country is to hire a local driver to drive the vehicle to the new destination. On the surface, this seems a logical option, but when the risks and costs are considered, the option soon shows itself to be a poor choice.

For this option, an individual must find someone whom they trust to drive their car. The car's owner must provide this person the keys to the car, money for fuel, hotel rooms and food for the trip, and they must provide them money for the return trip home. The vehicle's owner must also provide insurance for this individual to drive the vehicle legally.

This nickel-and-dime approach to saving money could very well cost the car owner far more than it would have cost them to hire an auto transport company to move their vehicle(s).

Professional Auto Transport Services Provide A More Economical Solution

Auto transport companies bring a whole new element of safety and protection to the car's owner. From the time the Bill Of Lading (BOL) is signed at the pickup location to the time the BOL is signed at the destination, the vehicle is usually insured at full-replacement value, depending on the auto transport company. Some companies provide insurance with a deductible; better companies provide insurance on the vehicles they transport with no deductibles.

Depending on the circumstances of available time, the car's owner can choose to get door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal delivery. Door-to-door is often a better option, but it does require someone to meet the truck driver to sign for the vehicle at both the pick-up and drop-off locations. Of course, door-to-door delivery is sometimes controlled by the circumstances on the ground, which means that pick-up or drop-off might need to be handled down the street at a shopping center parking lot.

It is recommended that vehicles should be operational at the time of transport, but this is not an absolute requirement. Since non-operational vehicles require more physical labor to move and load, there will be additional costs for the transportation of inoperable vehicles.

Most cars are transported in open-air carriers, but it is possible to contract an enclosed auto transport carrier. Enclosed carriers can add additional protection to vehicles, most notably protection from paint damage due to road debris, but they are more expensive to contract. Open-air auto transport trucks can generally carry 8-10 vehicles, compared to the 4-6 vehicles that enclosed auto transport trucks are able to carry. As a result, the use of an enclosed auto shipping truck will result in a much higher cost of transport.

Improved Safety And Reduced Cost Makes Auto Shipping A Good Choice

When one is moving their family 100 miles down the road, the do-it-yourself approach may be the ideal solution for most families. But, when the move is even more distant, auto shipping will prove to be safer for your family and the cost of transport will be much less than any other option available.

Once a family has decided to hire a moving company to move their belongings and an auto transport company to move their vehicles, the family will be able to enjoy their own journey to their new home. Riding on an airplane can be a real treat for the children, and where available, a long, leisurely train ride can provide the family a scenic vacation trip to their new home.