Today’s automotive market is one that fluctuates considerably dependant on fuel and insurance costs, single ownership to family-orientated needs, as well as functionality. No matter what age, income bracket or individual needs, mid-sized sport utility vehicles are becoming more common than ever before. SUV’s have their very own type of consumers that can range from new, younger owners ready for travelling, through the growing family years and right up to retirees who desire a vehicle that can give them the versatility that they are looking for in a vehicle.

The differences between compact, mid-size, full-size and even crossover sport utility vehicles are subtle, depending on the make and model that you are in the market for. Typically as you move up the scale for SUV’s the cost, passenger room, towing capabilities and engine power increase. When shopping for a sport utility vehicle, you will want to be sure you know exactly what you require from the vehicle so that you are sure to get one that has the potential to fill all of your needs.

Specifications; The Jeep Grand Cherokee of today’s automotive market is considered a mid-size sport utility vehicle that includes a number of standard features. The WK Jeep Grand Cherokee model entered into the market in 2004 including Quadra-Drive II four-wheel drive. Engines available are the 3.0 and 3.7 litre, as well as the 5.7 a 6.1 litre Hemi engines. The 5-speed automatic transmission is standard on all 2005 and later models. The later 2008 models of the Jeep Grand Cherokee received minor internal and external changes, redesign of the headlights, the grille, wheels and fascia, and the lower portion of the front bumper is now removable to enable further off-road use.

Additional Features; Just as any other vehicle in the market today, additional features in pre-determined packages are available to customize your Jeep Grand Cherokee specifically to your own tastes. Quick Order Packages include leather interior, glass electric sliding sunroof, heated driver and passenger seats, heated door mirrors, remote engine starter and even a 12-volt power outlet. Other customizations include an Electronic Infotainment System for a display screen with DVD/VCD, rear controls, wireless headphones and a Navigation/Rear Back-up camera. For those who require towing capacity, a Trailer Tow Group Package can be essential, including a tow hook, weights and even a power steering cooler.

Pricing; Depending on the year and specific model of Jeep Grand Cherokee that you are looking for, the final cost for your vehicle can be significantly higher or lower than you might have first budgeted for. Used Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles can start anywhere from $29,000 and up for any number of vehicles purchased either at a local dealership or through a private seller. New models available strictly from a dealership can start from the mid $40,000 and grow to over $50,000 dependent on additional features and customized packages. For some the options for purchasing a new vehicle with manufacturer’s warranty is a major selling point, while for other buyers, you may still be able to find a used Jeep Grand Cherokee with plenty of warranty still available for the next buyer to utilize.

For many consumers, a sport utility vehicle can provide not only adequate transportation in terrain that is less than perfect, but also the seating capacity and storage space that is desired by a number of owners. Built on a light truck chassis with the option for 4-wheel drive or off-road capability, many SUV’s are capable of towing much the same amount as a pickup truck with the storage space of a current market minivan.

If it is a crossover SUV that you are in the market for, then the Land Rover Freelander may just be the one for you. Using the features of a minivan and a sport utility vehicle while it still has the feel of driving a car, consumers are attracted to the crossover SUV due to its compact nature and many benefits of space and versatility. There are many different options for those in the market for a compact; crossover SUV and the Land Rover Freelander can fill your needs for the perfect off-road vehicle.

Specifications; The Land Rover Freelander is the second generation of Land Rovers and was debuted in 2006 at the British International Motor Show. Also referred to as the LR2, this line of Land Rover vehicles has evolved from its predecessors, using only a 4-door model and a 6-speed transmission. The 3.2 litre engine with 230 horsepower is now standard in the LR2, which is now manufactured and assembled at Halewood, England near Liverpool. Making sure that this generation of Land Rovers has improved ground clearance and greater off-road potential, this model compares slightly better than the competition from BMW or Audi models. The quality of the interior has improved with this generation of models and added a number of safety features as a standard.

Additional Features; First sold in the United States in 2007 as the LR2, the 2008 version was referred to as the LR2 HSE. With added side trim and 19” wheels, standards include the 230 horsepower 3.2 litre engine from Volvo and the 6-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive. It has an Alpine 440 watt 14-speaker surround sound audio system and touch navigation screen options referred to as the Technology Package for those looking to add to the interior options of their new Land Rover Freelander. The Cold Climate Package is available which features a heated front windshield, heated front seats with two heating levels, and a heated windshield washer jet. If it is the Lighting Package that you are looking for, you can include Bi-Xenon headlights, Adaptive Front-Lighting, memory system for the driver seat and exterior mirrors as well as the approach and puddle lamps.

Pricing; The costs for the Land Rover Freelander can vary slightly depending on where you are located and any specials that may be offered at your local dealership or through a private seller. Keep in mind that additional packages will change the end-selling price, as with any new or used vehicle that you purchase. Starting in the mid $30,000 range for brand new, the LR2 is comparatively priced and boasts many additional features that can make your decision even easier. If it is used you are looking for, the LR2 models hold their value quite well. Even though they may be priced slightly higher than those competitor’s models, you can still be assured that you are getting a quality vehicle from Land Rover.

For almost ten years now, Ford has sold a special line of heavy-duty pickup trucks known as the Super Duty Series.  Larger and heavier, the F-250 through the F-450 commercial and industrial pickups have more powerful engines, transmissions, and much higher cargo hauling and towing capacities than regular, light-duty pickup trucks like the F-150.  The 2008 line up contains a few improvements over the previous year's models, including a new diesel engine and a few new special features.  This article will give shoppers a quick summary of what to expect from the 2008 Ford Super Duty Series.

The baseline gasoline engine is a 5.4-liter V8 that puts out 300-horsepower (220 Kw) and 365 foot-pounds force (495 N·m) of torque.  An upgraded gasoline 6.8-liter V10 model is available that puts out 362-horsepower (270 Kw) and 457 foot-pounds force (495 N·m) of torque.  Both gasoline engines come in 5-speed manual or automatic transmission.

The diesel engine is new this year.  The new 4-valve Navistar 6.4-liter V8 Power Stroke twin-turbo engine commands up to 362-horsepower (270 Kw) and 457 foot-pounds force (495 N·m) of torque.  This replaces the previous problem-prone singe-turbo Power Stroke engine.  The new Power Stroke diesel engine utilizes Ford's Clean Diesel Technology, which includes piezo-electric fuel injectors and a sophisticated Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) system.  Ford claims their Clean Diesel Technology reduces emissions by over 90%, putting it on par with gasoline engines.

The Ford Super Duty Series have some the highest cargo hauling and towing capacities among current pickup trucks.  The Ford F-250 can haul 3,000 lb (1,400 kg).  The Ford F-340 can haul up to 5,800 lb (2,600 kg) and tow up to 9,200 lb (8,700 kg), making it possibly the most powerful commercial truck available on the market.

The Super Duty Series has three cab options and two truck bed lengths to choose from.  The Standard Cab, the smallest, is a two-door cab with seating room for two to three people.  The extended Super Cab has two regular doors and two rear-hinged reverse-opening rear door, and seats up to six passengers.  The Crew Cab also seats up to six people, but has four full-sized doors.  The Super Cab and Crew Cab models can chose from either a 6 ¾-foot (2-meter) or 8-foot (2.4-meter) truck bed, while only the 8-foot bed is available for the Regular Cab.

The Ford Super Duty Series also include a number of useful and helpful features.  Concealed slide-out side steps and rear tailgate swing-out handgrips make climbing in and out of these big trucks quicker and easier.  Another option is a storable truck bed extender gates, which can be used wither to extend the length of the truck bed to the end of the tailgate, or to section off parts of the truck bed.  When not being used, they can be folded into the sides of the truck bed.

Almost all Ford Super Duty trucks have an integrated trailer brake control system, four Upfitter Switches for operating heavy equipment, and roll off the factory line ready for towing.  Consequently, the Ford Super Duty Series have become quite popular with weekend adventurers need to haul RV trailers, boats, and race cars.

Finally, new this year is the Rapid-Heat Supplemental Cab Heater, which in winter can quickly heat up the pickup cab until the engine has warmed up enough to handle the job.  Unfortunately, this feature is only available for diesel engine models with automatic transmission.

Bucket / Boom Trucks; Boom trucks are used in different industries and can be easily spotted when you walk down a road. One of the industries that use it is telephone companies when their workmen are repairing or fixing a pole. The bucket trucks are used to lift and lower workers to places that are too far for ladders to reach.

Like other trucks, boom trucks come in different sizes and shapes, all which are designed to make work easier. Some major companies that use bucket trucks are those dealing with electricity. When line men use the trucks, they are able to work in a comfortable and safe manner especially when they are dealing with concrete or steel poles.
Commercial Pickups; Commercial pick ups come in different weight categories and are one of the most popular customizable vehicles. There are more than six pick up brands for users to choose from. Some of the popular brands include Chevrolet from GM, Dodge from Daimler Chrysler and the Ford. Other popular pick ups are from Nissan and Toyota.

Dump Trucks; Dump trucks are used to carry and transport loose material like gravel, sand or dirt that is used for construction. They usually have an open box bed that is hinged to the rear and is operated using a hydraulic system. The box can be lifted to deposit any contents that were carried in it to the ground just behind the dump truck.

There are different types of dump trucks like superdump truck, articulated dump truck, standard dump truck, transfer dump truck and others. Some of the well known dump truck manufacturers include Iveco, Nissan, Mitsubishi Fuso, Scania and others.
Emergency And Fire Trucks; Emergency and fire trucks are specially made trucks that are used to fight fires by transporting fire fighters to the scene where the fire has started. They also have other equipment like water and oxygen equipment. There are many types of emergency and fire trucks. Some of them are fire engines, water tenders, rescue units, and others.

Other Heavy Duty Trucks; A truck basically carries a load by itself, that is, it has no trailer. Trucks are divided into different categories. Heavy duty trucks are trucks that weigh 15,000 kg or more. A heavy duty truck may sometimes pull a trailer and this will increase its weight to over 36,000 kg. Such trucks are used for transportation of very heavy goods like cars, big machines, and so on.

Other Light Duty Trucks

Light duty trucks are usually those trucks that weigh below 1,815 kg. Some of the vehicles that fall under the light trucks category include minivans, vans, pick up trucks and sports utility vehicles. Light duty trucks have a lower fuel economy when compared to cars. The light trucks are use mostly for personal use
Other Medium Duty Trucks; Medium duty trucks fall in the category between light weight trucks and heavy duty trucks.  The trucks are mostly used for transportation. However, there are other trucks that have been specially made to do certain tasks like mixing and transporting concrete.
Medium trucks carry average cargo that is not as heavy as those carried by heavy duty trucks.  They are faster than heavy duty trucks and use fuel more efficiently.

Tow Trucks;Tow tucks are available in different models and sizes. They are mostly used to tow vehicles that have broken down or to recover cars that are not on a drivable surface.

Towing services are usually provided by emergency road service operators. Some of the equipment that tow trucks carry include booms, hooks , chains, flatbeds, self loaders and wheel lifts.

Utility / Service Trucks;Utility vehicles are usually used by mechanics or persons operating a repair business to go on site where a vehicle needs repairs. The vehicles have a number of tools that are used in servicing and repairing vehicles. Utility trucks may be modified to fit a person’s specification and are usually medium duty trucks.
Van / Box Trucks;A van or a box truck is a vehicle that can carry slightly more passengers but not as many as a mini bus. Some of the uses of vans include carrying luggage from hotels and airports and helping mobility-disabled people to move from place to place. Van or box trucks are a popular means of transport for many people and companies. Vans can carry a bigger number of people and cargo.

When looking at the modern four-stroke petrol engine that is manufactured today, typically it is an internal combustion engine that has been designed to run using petrol, or similar fuels. There are a few variances from engine to engine depending on the type of ignition system that is housed in your engine and the type of ECU or Engine Control Unit that helps control the operation. With this style of petrol engine, fuel and air are pre-mixed before the compression injection, which allows it to run at a much higher speed but does limit the compression, which can adversely affect its efficiency.

You can find a modern four-stroke petrol engine in a variety of common places such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, aircraft, and even construction machinery along with many other power-driven applications. The four-strokes itself refers specifically to the intake, compression, combustion and exhaust strokes that are required during operation. These movements will occur during two crankshaft rotations per working cycle, or the movements of a piston in the cylinder itself during this time period.

First patented in 1854, the four-stroke engine was initially the creation of Eugenio Barsanti and Felice Matteucci. Afterwards a prototype was introduced along with the French engineer Alphonse Beau de Rochas conceptualizing it back in 1862. Today it is commonly known as the Otto cycle due to the German engineer Nicolaus Otto, who with help devised the first functioning four-stroke engine. These specific types of engines use spark plugs and consist of adiabatic compression, which uses heat addition at constant volume and adiabatic expansion and rejection of heat at constant volume.

The power that is outputted by a modern four-stroke engine is directly related to its speed and is limited by the material’s overall strength. Where such components as valves, pistons and connecting rods can suffer acceleration forces at high RPM’s, physical breaking as well as piston ring fluttering will cause power loss or even damage to the engine itself. When piston rings ‘flutter’ and oscillate vertically within the piston grooves that they are encased in and the seal is compromised, there is loss of cylinder pressure and power and contact can result in severe damage.

The ECU, or Engine Control Unit of the modern four-stroke petrol engine is the electronic control unit that determines the quantity of fuel, ignition timing and other necessary aspects to operate that are monitored through the engine sensors. The ECU workings include other such operations as the control of idle speed, variable valve timing and valve control in order to complete regular operations. ECU modules can be found on both automatic and manual transmission petrol engines and have similar functions depending on the specific type of engine.

There are programmable ECU’s that you can find on the market today which do not have fixed behaviours for your engine, but rather can be programmed by a user for the desired outputs. Typically, these programmable units are required when there have been significant aftermarket modifications to your four-stroke petrol engine. Engines that have modifications including changes to the exhaust system or others will need a programmable ECU in order to provide appropriate control for these new modifications for smooth operation of your four-stroke petrol engine. While wired in, these programmable units can be mapped with a laptop computer while the engine is running.

If you want to get a Ford Ranger, you'd better do it soon.  Ford keeps threatening to discontinue this product line, and the 2009 Ford Ranger may be the last of its kind.

As the Ford motor company has fallen on harder financial times, they seem to have focused all their engineering ability in 2009 on redesigning the Ranger's big brother, the F-150, to hold on to its market-leading position.  The Ranger, on the other hand, has been neglected and exploited for some time now, slowly becoming outdated and obsolete… and this may its last year.

The 2009 Ford Ranger is essentially the 2008 Ford Ranger with a Class III trailer hitch.  Its choice of engines has shrunk from three to two.  The two choices are either a 143-horsepower (hp) 2.3-liter V4 engine, or a 207-hp 4.0-liter V6 engine.  Although the V6 engine has solid acceleration, the V4 Ranger has always felt underpowered.  The traditional middle choice, a 148-hp 3.0-liter V6, has been discontinued.  In terms of engine power and performance, the Ranger still trails behind its competitors.

Both of the surviving engines are available in either manual or 5-speed automatic transmission.  The standard, of course, is two rear-wheel drive, but 4-wheel drive versions are available for those who want to go off-road.  Maximum towing capacity for all models is almost 5980 pounds (2712.5 kilograms).

In terms of cab styles and truck bed length, the Ranger retains its limited choices.  There is the Regular Cab, which only seats two, and a Super Cab which theoretically seats four.  In reality, the Super Cab has only two fold-down, rear-facing jump seats which are really only comfortable for children on short trips.  The Ford Ranger's competitors, however, offer larger cabs and more comfortable rides.

Super Cabs are available only with a 6-foot (1.8-meter) truck bed.  Regular Cabs over either a 6-foot (1.8-meter) or 7-foot (2.1-meter) truck bed.  It must be acknowledge, however, that the Ranger's 7-foot (2.1-meter) truck bed is still the largest available in the compact truck market.

Unfortunately, many of the drawbacks of previous Ranger models have not been addressed.  Although it has earned good safety scores in government crash tests, it lacks safety equipment that has become standard in its competitors, such as side curtain airbags and stability control.

The handling and braking remain too truck-like.  Modern consumers of compact pickup trucks are looking got for a smooth rids and a quiet engine rough, the Ranger engine remains rough and its handling stiff and choppy.

Fuel economy, meanwhile, remains essentially unchanged since the Ranger was last redesigned in the early 1990s.  Fuel consumption range from 21 miles per gallon (mpg) (34 kpg) in the city or 26 mpg (42 kpg)on the highway for the 2.3-liter V4 Ranger with two-wheel drive and manual transmission, to a meager 14 mpg (22½ kpg) in the city or 18 mpg (29 kpg)on the highway mpg for the 4.0-liter V6 Ranger with automatic transmission in four-wheel drive.

On the other hand, the Ford Ranger's benefits also remain essentially unchanged.  The Ranger is a sturdy and dependable compact pickup truck, with an engine that promises solid, reliable performance.  The Ranger also remains one of the best compact pickups for off-roading.  Finally, against its competitors, the Ranger's price is still hard to beat.  In an age where compact pickups are slowly becoming family-friendly sedans with a truck bed, the Ranger remains a rugged work truck at an affordable price.

If you're looking for an affordable, nimble off-roader for weekend adventures, or a rugged, reliable, and economical work truck, consider the 2009 Ford Ranger.  For any other purpose, however, the Ranger's aging design makes just about any other compact pickup truck a better choice.

Understanding The Pennsylvania Car Insurance Options

As with anything in life, there are certain things that must be obeyed, such as the laws in Pennsylvania about auto insurance. Even though some people feel as though they should not have to pay for insurance unless they want to, all residents within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are required to have and to maintain automobile insurance. The Act 6 Amendments to the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law, otherwise known as 75 Pa.C.S.A. BB 1701 et seq. outlines the law in great detail.

Whether you are the driver of the car, the passenger of the car, or the owner of the car, it is vital to make sure that you understand the laws and regulations set in place within Pennsylvania concerning auto insurance and how it plays a crucial part in the event of an accident on the road. With the various types of coverage available to Pennsylvania residents it is a good idea to make sure that you understand how each work and what the benefits to each are.

When it comes to minimum coverage, it is important to know that each and every state has their own requirements. The minimum coverage that is allowed in one state may not be enough for what another state requires. It is the job of the resident of a state to make sure that they have the correct amount of automobile coverage at all times. Within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it is important to make sure that you are abiding by their laws and regulations in order to avoid future trouble.

The minimum coverage that Pennsylvania allows car owners to purchase is liability coverage. The liability coverage must have $15,000 in coverage per individual and $30,000 per incident. If you come across the term, "15/30" then this is what that is referring to. But just because this is the limit of what the state allows, this does not always mean that it is the coverage that you should count on. The liability coverage is something that will protect people in another car if you are at fault. If your car, you, or your passengers become injured due to your lack of driving skill or an act of nature which you could not avoid, you will not be covered. Because of this, it is important to make sure that you are looking into all of your options.

If you have a lot of assets to protect such as a large bank account, cars, vacation homes, and even a family home then you will seriously need to look over your options. The state allows for injured parties to go after your assets should the automobile insurance you carry does not cover their expenses. Their expenses could include but are not limited to: medical bills, car repairs, loss of wages, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering.

The best thing to get is full Pennsylvania Collision and Comprehensive Auto Insurance. This is the best of the best and the top of the line. It covers anything and everything under the sun that could go wrong with your vehicle, while you are driving it and even when it is sitting still. The collision part of the insurance covers you in the event you wreck your car into another car, home, tree, or anything else. If the fault was your own or the fault of weather conditions, the collision insurance will pay to repair all damages or pay for the total value of the car in it's pre-crash condition in the event the vehicle is totaled in the accident.

The Pennsylvania comprehensive part of the insurance is the part that will pay for damages done to your car from floodwaters, fire, hail, or even a fallen tree. These are situations that could come about without warning and in the middle of the night. There does not have to be a driver involved. This part of the coverage is simply to protect your car from nature, even when you are fast asleep.

If you chose not to go that route, then you are limiting your options and your coverage. Another thing that is important to remember as the state does not mandate that you have liability coverage for property damage even though it is highly advisable to have it. Say for example you hit ice or swerved too fast to avoid an animal and you hit a fence, a parked car, a swing set, or even a house. You are going to need a way to be able to cover that expense unless you want to give up all of your rights to your assets that you have worked so hard to obtain.

One type of coverage that is mandatory is that you have Personal Injury Protection coverage, otherwise known as PIP. This is a no-fault medical insurance for the medical bills that you would acquire in the event of an accident. The minimum coverage allowed by Pennsylvania state law is $5,000. The good thing is, no matter who is at fault in the accident, you will have some coverage for your medical expenses. This money is used to cover expenses before using your regular health insurance. If the amount of your medical treatment exceeds the amount of insurance coverage, that remaining amount is then to be turned over to the health insurance company.

Even though the amount of auto insurance the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a small amount, it is important to make sure that you are getting what suits your needs and best interest instead of just focusing on what limited coverage you can get away with having. There is collusion coverage, comprehensive coverage, under-insured motorist coverage and other types of insurance coverage's that would help to make sure that you are ready for the road and fully protected.

Make sure that you are keeping your insurance paid up to date and valid at all times. If you are caught driving without the state minimum coverage required, you could receive fines, points on your license, and possibly even the removal of your drivers license. As long as you are at the bare minimum required, and hopefully above that, you will be fine and are ready to head off onto the road and see where it takes you.

Derived from the 17th century French aristocrats, Concours d’Elegance stands for a Competition of Elegance.  This term was originally used for judging of carriages and horses that pulled them, but is now used in restored automobiles that have been taken beyond a factory standard. It is basically for a “cherried-out”, or mint condition vehicle.  You know- the kind that gets your attention from a long ways away.

There are several Concours d’Elegance held annually at several locations.  Many of these restored vehicles are not driven but short distances.  Most of them are trailered to the location and very seldom hit a street, to keep the tires clean and the paint from getting gravel pitted.

Concours d’Elegance is a standard of car restoration.  While an amateur restoration might restore a car to factory condition, very few amateurs compete in the Concours d’Elegance, as the standards are very high and the competition fierce between professional car restorers.

That is not to say that a hobbyist could not participate in Concours d’Elegance, they would need to get a particularly rare vintage car and possibly employ the help of professionals on anything they were unsure of during the restoration process. Most of the cars that fall into this Concours-class for competition are among the best restoration jobs done by the best professional restorers.

The body work and paint jobs on these cars are flawless, and the engine parts are so clean you could eat off of them. Concours d’Elegance grade cars are museum quality or held privately by collectors, typically.

Any replacement parts must all be the same production year, and most competitions require they are from the original auto manufacturer.  There are some competitions that may allow after-market replica equipment and replacement parts, though not many.

The judging is more demanding than normal classic car shows, and done by trained judges who are looking for perfection in the restoration and replacement parts, paint job, engine and every other way, in order to receive trophy consideration.

Concours d’Elegance is a class that most experienced car restoration buffs strive for.  Once they have tackled the disassembly and reassembly of a perfected car, a trophy in this type of competition acknowledges their expert knowledge in the car restoration field and these cars fetch much more money on the market than typical restored automobiles.

A trophy, vintage car is a prized possession, not suitable to be driven around, yet fully capable.  For this reason, it can be an expensive hobby or a very lucrative business asset, depending on your motivation. While normal car restoration is not a cheap venture, in some cases, Concours d’Elegance class restorations can be time consuming and must be perfect.

Many car enthusiasts and collectors participate in the Concours d’Elegance, in hopes of receiving trophy recognition on their restored car, to increase its market value.  Much like a purebred champion racehorse, these automobiles are the cream of the crop in the vintage, classic and restored automobile arena.

Competitions of Elegance are held on a national basis in Manhattan, Pebble Beach, Amelia Island and Meadow Brook.  A trophy place in one of these competitions can be the answer to a car restorer’s dream, and an acknowledgement of perfection.

A true car restoration involves putting a car back into the same condition it was in when first sold. Depending on the age of the car, this can become a daunting task. If you have a rusty old vintage car sitting in your garage, what might have started out as a hobby has become a full time job that can last several years.

Sometimes, car restoration may look easier than it is. Not only does car restoration involve the body, but also the interior, engine and other parts that make up the car.  On older cars, it can be hard to get original parts; many of them can’t be bought except at the junk yard. The older the car is, the harder it can be to get parts and for cars that are more rare it can be even harder to find replacement parts for. Many times you will find that you have to settle for aftermarket or remanufactured parts.

If the car has rust on the body, you may have to decide how you will eliminate it, either  by fixing it, replacing it or cutting out the area and replacing a portion of the body panel.  This may involve having an experienced body person do the work because replacing damaged panels may still mean you need a panel beater and cutting out a portion could mean a welder that would be experienced in making the piece fit unnoticeably.

There is more to car restoration than just painting the body and many car enthusiasts don’t find this out until they get started.  Once the body is straight, it will need to be primed and painted, but you need to be sure that the frame is straight, engine parts are complete and the interior is clean to add value to the car before you can call it restored.

When it comes to paint selections, it is important that you research the factory colors of paint that were true to the year of the vehicle. Other important details, like the hubcaps and trim packages are important details to restore a car to its original condition.  Meticulous detail needs to be taken to clean, paint and replace parts.  Many cars are first disassembled and then reassembled piece by piece for repairs, priming and painting.

If you want to get into car restoration, you can find plenty of information in the library or on the Internet.  There are many sources available depending on the level of restoration and the age of the vehicle.  Certain kinds of vintage cars have clubs that hold swap meets, car shows and are a great source for parts, advice and the standards that would be expected for a restored vintage car of that model.

Restoring a car can be a rewarding hobby, or way to make some extra money.  A car that has been restored to original factory condition can bring a profit as many vintage car enthusiasts want to own one, but don’t know how to restore them.

It’s a great opportunity to pick a new hobby or make extra money. You just need to pay attention to detail, and make sure you stick with original parts, paint colors and hire an expert to take care of any car restoration matters that are over your area of expertise.

If there is one thing you have to admit about the Ford Mustang, it's this: the car is a survivor.  For over forty years, this classic American sports car has weathered foreign rivals, corporate crises, and oil shortages.  Today, Ford is capitalizing on the Mustang's tradition and nostalgia value.  The 2009 Ford Mustang featured modern engines, power and performance while retaining an old-school look and feel.  Unfortunately, it also retains its old-school fuel economy.

The new Ford Mustang emulates the muscle car's glory days of the 1960s and 70s, right down to the sound of the engine.  Last year, for the fortieth anniversary of the 1968 movie Bullitt (including a famous car chase scene featuring a Mustang), Ford released the Mustang Bullitt, with trim and styling specially designed to resemble the 1968 Ford Mustang driven by Steve McQueen in the movie.  The Mustang Bullitt features a 315 horsepower (hp) V8 engine, sport-tuned suspension, modified exhaust, and upgraded brakes.

The 2009 Ford Mustang features only small, mostly cosmetic changes from the 2008 model, although major design changes and upgrades are expect with the 2010 model.  Among other minor tweaks, the Mustang V6 and GT have an updated interior trim, multicolored ambient lighting, and a fixed glass roof panel is now optional.

The Ford Mustang features three engines to choose from, the Mustang V6, the Mustang GT, and the Shelby GT500.  The Mustang V6 has a 4.0-liter V6 engine that puts out 210 hp and 240 pound-feet of torque.  Performance is respectable for the Mustang V6, but falls just short of the true muscle-car experience.  Furthermore, the V6 carries a high price for its performance.  The Mustang V6's fuel economy is 16 miles per gallon (26 kpg) for city driving—the same as Ford's Flex SUV.  In an age of high gas prices, the Mustang V6 engine doesn't quite give you enough bang for your buck.

The Mustang GT, however, is another matter.  This 4.6-liter V8 produces 300 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque.  It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (96.5 kph) in 5.7 seconds, and cover a quarter-mile (0.4 km) of distance in 14.3 seconds.  Finally, the GT500 is a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 engine reaching 500 hp.

The Mustang GT's fuel economy is only very slight worse than the Mustang V6 engine—15 mpg/24 kpg for the GT, as compared to 16 mpg / 26 kpg for the V6.  If you plan on buying a Ford Mustang, be sure to get the GT engine—you will get a lot more power and performance for roughly the same amount of fuel.

The Mustang V6 and GT come in either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission.  The Mustang Bullitt and GT500 are only available in manual transmission.  All engines are two rear-wheel drive.

Ford continues to use the Mustang's old-school solid axle rear suspension design.  Somehow, the engineers at Ford have managed to fine-tune this enough to still provide precise handling and a smooth ride.  This aspect of the Ford Mustang should not be considered a drawback.

As far as safety goes, four-wheel disc brakes and front-seat side airbags are now standard equipment.  Traction control and antilock brakes are optional safety features.  Sadly, stability control is not available.

Overall, the Mustang's power, performance, and timeless retro styling available at a reasonable price make it a tempting purchase.  Although not necessarily in the top tier of sport cars, the Ford Mustang is a very close second.  On the other hand, the classic look and feel went a little too far on the interior styling, resulting in a rather stark, industrial look and feel.  This, combined with the lack of stability control and low gas mileage, make Ford's competitors in the muscle car market look very attractive.