Some Of The Factors To Consider When Buying A Sports Car
Filed under: Sports Cars

Many people with a fat wallet and a large bank account find themselves pondering what they can spend all their money on. Answer is a brand new sports car that can run the quarter mile in under 11 sec that’s what I would spend my money on.

Here is how to look at buying a brand new sports car, the good ways and the bad ways.

People who are obsessed with sports cars can find every reason why to buy one and every reason why they shouldn’t own one. Some of these pros and cons are listed below.

Sports cars not only fit the lifestyles of the rich and the famous but with every person with a bit of money and wanting to spend it on a nice ride. Many of these sports cars come stock with horsepower going over 500 some with way more like Lamborghini’s or Porsche’s.

Small sporty convertibles will depreciate in value of the years and will get down to worth less then when you bought it. This really depends on the car; Corvettes from the sixties are worth way more now than they were then.

People who love spending all their money on these types of cars can choose between coupes or convertibles I personally like imports over anything I would take a Supra over a high end sports car today. That is a turbo Supra of course.

Most sports cars with an automatic transmission, like most other vehicles, will be worth more than the ones with a standard transmission. There are some exceptions with true sports cars and with sports cars that really need the ability to benefit from the torque that comes from using a manual transmission.

A lot of sports cars are prone to having problems, some of their parts are exotic and may be hard to find. When or if you buy a sports car never expect to get back what you paid for it. These cars are just another way to get around. Many become garage babies and are never run.

Of course driving an expensive sports car means paying a lot more for gas because they usually have the motor with a v-8 or v-12 which will get you about 15 miles to the gallon if you are lucky. This is also a good reason why more people should drive an import, good gas mileage plus high performance.

On the other side of the table though sports cars are already fast when you buy them, but like they say you can make a car as fast as your billfold is fat. That is the beauty of imports, over exotics. If you don’t have the money for a 300k factory vehicle you can always spend a tenth of that and have one probably just as fast with the right mechanic.

admin @ 5:05 am
Sports Car Innovators
Filed under: Sports Cars

The history of American sports cars is the story not only of machines, but also of the men who made and drove them. There have been many key players in the development of the modern sports car, but some stand out as truly significant figures.

Among those innovators to remember are Alexander Winton, Zora Arkus-Duntov, and John DeLorean. Each made a lasting impression on the sports car scene.

Alexander Winton

Alexander Winton was the first truly successful automotive magnate in the United States. His cars participated and excelled in virtually every major racing and touring event of the late 1890s and early 1900s. Winton cars were perceived as the model of American automotive engineering.

Winton’s success and belief in his vehicles led him to accept a challenge from an upstart from Detroit named Henry Ford. In a much-ballyhooed 1901 contest, Ford and Winton squared off in one-on-one race.

Winton’s Sweepstakes racecar suffered from mechanical problems during the contest and his two-cylinder, 28 horsepower racer finished a distant second to Ford, who found his career revitalized after the publicized victory.

Despite often being remembered as the man who lost to Ford, Alexander Winton was a true American sports car pioneer and laid the groundwork for many manufacturers who followed in his footsteps.

Zora Arkus-Duntov

After World War II, American manufacturers began to produce readily available sports cars, in contrast to the limited production, high-dollar versions from earlier in history. After Ford made a splash with the Thunderbird sports car, Chevrolet sought to capture its share of the growing market with the 1955 introduction of the Corvette.

The Corvette, whose distinctive appearance was brought to light be famous designer Harley Earl, was a beautiful package containing a ho-hum gift. The car had a two-speed automatic transmission and a standard Chevy 6 cylinder engine. Sales stagnated.

A Russian migr and Chevrolet designer named Zora Arkus-Duntov took the reigns of the Corvette project after its second lackluster year. He redesigned the new Chevy V8 to fit in the Corvette and replaced the automatic transmission with a sportier 3-speed manual tranny. His design changes vaulted the Corvette to fame and admiration.

Arkus-Duntov continued his affiliation with Corvette, ushering it into its heyday as the most respected and admired American sports car.

John DeLorean

A brash young auto executive at Pontiac named John DeLorean had an idea. He could take the under performing Pontiac Tempest, make a few minor exterior alterations, outfit it with a big and powerful V8 engine and upgrade some of the other components. His revitalization effort turned the lowly Tempest into the Pontiac GTO the car that sparked the muscle car era in America.

DeLorean’s efforts to build better and more interesting sports cars continued as he opened his own auto company. He introduced the stainless steel DMC-12 sports car later popularized in the Back to the Future movies. The innovative vehicle was never a hot-seller but was an inspiration for countless future designs from other automakers.

admin @ 5:05 am
Your Sports Car’s Color
Filed under: Sports Cars

If you are buying a new sports car, you may have the opportunity to select its cover from the ever-growing palette provided by auto manufacturers. When selecting a color for your sports car, there are a few factors one should consider.

Individuality may be more of a concern for some than it is for others. If one is seeking an original, or individual look for their sports car, they may be interested in the results of the annual DuPont car color survey. Every year, the survey examines each class of passenger automobiles and finds out which colors are most commonly chosen by consumers.

Based on the results of the DuPont survey, you should avoid a silver paint job if you are trying to stand out in a crowd. Silver has been the most popular color for sports cars each of the last two years and one out of every five sports cars purchased is silver. Those seeking a unique look may also want to think twice about going with red, blue or black color schemes. These three hues were the next most commonly used colors. In comparison, the number of yellow sports cars and green sports cars combined would still only equal approximately half of those sold with a red paint job.

There are few things that are researched as much as consumer habits. Not only are popular colors evaluated by research teams, they have also examined resale values for cars of different colors. Paint schemes that are particularly unique, it appears, are harder to sell used. Of course, this is not surprising. Thus, if you are preoccupied with eventual resale concerns, you might want to pick one of the more popular colors so the sports car will appeal to more prospective buyers.

If you plan on driving the sports car as a primary vehicle or with great regularity, you should consider your environment and usage habits when picking a color. For instance, one who must access a dirt road regularly should probably reconsider a desire for white or similar light hues. Alternatively, a light color might be perfect for someone living in a sunny climate and is more concerned about heat retention and paint fading than with showing a little dust.

When determining which color best suits you and your sports car, there is one factor you should not take into consideration. There is a venerable urban legend that claims car insurance is pegged at higher rates for those driving red cars. Proponents of this myth claim the insurance companies determined those who drove red cars were more prone to accidents and they accordingly increased rates. Today, there is absolutely no evidence to support the red paint insurance story. So, don’t let the fear of a higher insurance premium dissuade you from buying a candy apple red sports car if that is your desire.

One should, however, consider the available interior packages when picking out their paint color. Generally, a dealer will recommend a complimentary color scheme, but many of us have seen cars with interior/exterior color combinations that were anything but flattering. Don’t neglect to consider the look of the interior and the exterior together. Will the red paint really compliment the gray interior or neutral brown interior better? Make sure you put together a combination you will enjoy.

One of the great things about buying a new sports car today is the flexibility it affords you. Gone are the days of cookie-cutter cars with few options and limited paint schemes. Today, you can assemble your car to your custom specifications, including the paint job. When picking your color, be thorough in your thinking and you are likely to end up with the perfect sports car.

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admin @ 5:04 am
Rent Sports Cars – The Options
Filed under: Sports Cars

Are you looking to rent sports cars? Do you know that there are several options to get into a sports vehicle. Now you can discover what you need to get into a sports car. Join me as we take a look.

There are several ways to get into a sports car. Here they are, and then we will get into detail:
* Buying A Sports Car
* Joint Ownership
* Renting Sports Cars

* Buying A Sports Car
Buying a sports vehicle is the first option. This can be a great idea, especially if you can afford it. Afford it, the next option is to get a kit car. These are great ways to get into a great looking sports car for much cheaper!

For many though buying a sports vehicle is the best. One option if you don’t have all the cash in one go, is to buy on finance. A car loan is a great way to get the car you want.

* Joint Ownership
Another option is joint ownership. This can be a great idea especially if you are flexible. If you need the car today, it might be a problem!

What group ownership is, is that it allows several people to own the car. The result is that the group decides when they need the car, and each has the car equally throughout the time of owning the car.

This can be a great way to get a sports vehicle and not have to worry about if you can come up with the entire cost. For some it means getting into a top sports car easily, though this can be a problem, especially if you all want the car on the same dates!

* Renting Sports Cars
What is the other option? Rent a sports car! Renting is always great because you don’t have to worry about buying and you don’t have to worry about having to make sure the car is available when you need it. Renting allows you to get into the car, and if one place hasn’t got it, somewhere else has.

For a minimal fee, you can be in the front seat of the latest and greatest. Many people choose this option.

admin @ 5:04 am
Sports Cars
Filed under: Sports Cars

Stylish, sexy, sleek, streamlined, spirited and speed demon are all words used to describe sports cars, which are essentially two-door automobiles that are designed for high speeds, great power and smashing good looks. The manufacture of the modern-day sports car began only after 1945, when the economy started booming, technology developed dramatically and better roads were being built. They came in various shapes like convertibles, roadsters, coupes, grand tourers and sedans. Sports-car lovers are either devoted to timeless classics that have been souped up for current times, or are trendsetters looking for the latest kind of exotic car.

From powerful purring beauties like the Mercedes Benz SLK 350 to thundering thrillers like the Ford Mustang V-8, you can choose a sports car that matches your personality. In fact, sports cars are as much about personality as they are about performance – smooth aerodynamic bodies of carbon fiber, chrome pipes and fittings, rich leather upholstery, wide wheels, shiny wooden panels and snazzy paint jobs.

Different brands of sports cars adopt different principles of design. Some cars may be light in order to achieve greater acceleration, others may boast of extremely powerful engines for better car handling and performance, while still others may stress safety and comfort rather than style. The majority of contemporary sports cars have front-wheel drives as opposed to rear-wheel drives, which were more common in the earlier generation of sports cars. Many cars also have the engine in the center, driving the rear wheels, which is unique to sports cars. In these cars, the engine is placed behind the driver, at the middle of the chassis. Porsche is the only sports car that has the engine mounted at the rear, driving the rear wheels. This aspect is a crucial part of car design, as it affects the maneuverability or handling of the car, which is critical at high speeds.

The most well known brands today are Ferrari, Porsche, Lotus, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Triumph. Companies which manufacture other cars also make some sports models; prominent among these are Ford, Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet, Mitsubishi, Mazda, and Nissan. Today, the design and manufacture of sports cars is becoming more specialized and competitive, with newer, more attractive designs and a higher degree of technical sophistication being utilized.

admin @ 5:04 am
Tips on How to Buy a Used Sports Car
Filed under: Sports Cars

Sometimes the best things you have bought have been second hand, maybe you bought it from a car boot sale, this is the same when it comes to buying a sports car. You may want to buy a sports car for the pleasure of owning one or you may be a car enthusiast either way it is a great deal of fun.

When you go to look at a the car you need to think if you can afford a brand new one or a used one. Most people would love a new sports car but in reality its just going to be very unlikely that you can afford a brand new one so you will have to start looking for a used car. You need to get the whole idea of what a new car is going to look like. Buying a used sports car is all about getting value for money so you need to set out your needs and wants preferably before you jump in with both feet.

When you look at buying a used performance car you need to think of a budget that you can afford comfortably, there is no point having to work all hours god sends so that you can afford to only put a few miles worth of fuel in it. I normally would scour through the online classified ads first and see what the general prices were for the sports car I had in mind. This would give you the general feeling of what to expect to spend.

When you go and look at the sports car you need to look at the car very closely, I think it’s always best to bring someone who knows a lot about cars and if you don’t know anybody pay someone to check it over first. This way you have “piece of mind” that you are buying the best possible car for your money and you shouldn’t end up buying a bad used car. Remember a car that has full service history will back up claims that it has been well looked after.

When you are buying a used car you probably should not expect the bodywork of the sports car to be in perfect condition a few minor scratches and dings is what to expect and don’t get me wrong there is a lot of cars out there that are in perfect condition!! Just remember dings and scratches are only cosmetic and will not effect the performance of the sports car and they are easily repaired.

The test drive is very important firstly you need to be able to feel at home with the car and even if it is the best looking car you have seen you still need to be able to fit in it which is very important. So try and do all sorts of situations in the car accelerating braking corning cruising speed and make sure you are perfectly happy with the car.

These are the main important things to consider when buying a sports car. If you follow these simple tips you will stand a good chance of buying an absolutely fantastic sports car and bets of all it will be great value for money which will only ever put a smile on your face.

admin @ 5:04 am
Where to Find the Best Sports Car Hire
Filed under: Sports Cars

By definition a sports car is equipped with two seats, has a low center of gravity and a front mounted high performance engine. I believe to be a true sports car in the old sense of the word it must be a soft top. I think the true sports car originated in Britain with models such as the Austin Healey 3000, MG B GT s and Triumphs of the fifties and sixties. These two seater sports cars were a revolution in motoring. Generally built with folding soft top, two seats and a throaty 4 cylinder engine they gave drivers of the day the thrills they had been looking for.

Today Sports cars have evolved to be affordable accessible and practical. The original cars of the fifties and sixties were badly fabricated, they had awful handling, poor reliability, were very slow compared to today’s standards and didn’t stop well at all. The sports cars of today are fun nimble and will be sure to bring a smile to your face.

Some sports cars today even have rear seats; sometimes referred to as a 2+2 these seats allow you to car 3 additional passengers but generally speaking aren’t particularly comfortable over long journeys. Sports car hire in Spain is best suited to a couple traveling abroad looking for fun on the open road. If you intend to take a road trip or want to travel in style with a loved one there is no better feeling than putting the top down and heading out across the beautiful Spanish country side. With the breeze in your hair and the burble of exhaust notes behind you the road becomes your friend.

Taking a road trip in Spain couldn’t be easier you aren’t even restricted to return the car to the same place that you hired it from. If it suits I would suggest starting at one airport and ending at another. There will be very little difference in costs and this way you won’t have to back track or see any thing twice.

Sports cars today range from things like the now defunct TVR s or the increasingly popular Mazda MX5 even BMW and Porsche build cars which fall under the category of sports car if you are feeling wealthy or want to turn heads as you cruise the streets and boulevards of Spain try hiring a Porsche Boxer or BMW Z4. These cars are top of their game and offer the driver unbeaten control and driving experience. A trip though Spain in a Sports car is sure to leave you with memories that will last a life time.

Travelling to your final destination can also save you money; if you fly to a relatively small airport outside of the main cities this will save you money you can then travel on in your hired sports car, eliminating any need for costly airport taxis. The Mercedes SLK, Peugeot Cabriolet range and Audi A4 convertibles are widely available throughout our Spanish destinations. They are more expensive than the very bottom range vehicles but this is because they cost more to buy and more for the hire companies to insure. Although a bit frivolous the memories and feeling you will get driving a sports car during your stay are immeasurable

When hiring a specialist sports car it is always best to book early, make reservations as soon as you have your holiday booked. By doing this you will get the cheapest quotes and ensure that your sports car is ready and waiting for you the moment that you pass through arrivals in Spain. You won’t have to wait to fill out lengthy documents you can simply collect your keys put the roof down on your sports car and hit the open road. Don’t forget to take a good CD of driving songs!

admin @ 5:04 am
The Art & Spirit of the Exotic Sports Car
Filed under: Sports Cars

Anyone who has seen the Lamborghini Reventón or the Aston Martin DBS knows that unmistakable feeling. It’s the thrill & the allure of the exotic sports car, overhauled & updated for the 21st century. Since their inception, sports cars have continually pushed the boundaries of both engineering & art. These are the cars that exemplify speed, power and beauty.

Alfa Romeo: The Grandfather of Exotic Sports Cars

Alfa Romeo first began producing racecars in Milan, Italy in 1910. Their first endeavor, the HP 24, turned some heads with its superior speed and handling. Chief Designer Giuseppe Merosi worked on all Alfa Romeo models from 1910 to 1923. When Merosi retired, racecar driver Enzo Ferrari persuaded Vittorio Jano to leave Fiat and take over Merosi’s work.

In 1925, Alfa Romeo unveiled the P2 Grand Prix Car, Jano’s first car with Romeo and widely considered the first “supercar.” The P2 was powered by a straight-8 cylinder supercharged engine, and placed first in 14 Grand Pix races between 1924 and 1930. Today, the P2 Grand Prix is considered one of the most rarified of the collectible antique cars, with less than a dozen still intact.

This year marks the return of Alfa Romeo to the United States. Their current sports car, the 8C Competizione, is stunning with its sleek lines, 4.7L 6-cylinder engine & a top speed of 181 mph. This car is destined to send ripples throughout the US market.

Ferrari: High Performance, Luxury Cars

After racing Alfa Romeos in the 1920’s & 30’s, Enzo Ferrari decided that he wanted to build his own racecars. He prototyped a few models in the 1940’s, but it wasn’t until after World War II that he found success. Notably, Ferrari’s exotic sports cars took first place in the Formula 1 World Championships, 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Sportscar Championships throughout the 1950’s.

Ferrari’s Gran Turismo series remains its most successful lines, with the 2007 599 GTB Fiorano bringing even more luxury and innovation to the table. Patrons of the Ferrari Club of America cite performance as the primary reason for purchasing a Ferrari over other collectible cars.

Lamborghini : Exotic Sports Cars for a New Generation

Ferruccio Lamborghini had a successful business building tractors in Italy before his eyes turned to the exotic sports car. And it wasn’t a love for performance that stirred his fire, but a disdain for Enzo Ferrari.

According to Lamborghini’s family, Ferruccio purchased a Ferrari 250 GT in the early 1960’s and was unhappy with the handling & response of the clutch. He brought it into Ferrari’s factory and met with Enzo Ferrari to voice his concerns. Ferrari was immediately upset with Lamborghini’s complaints so he mocked Lamborghini and sent him away. Lamborghini went home, dismantled the car and discovered that the clutches installed in Ferraris were from the same manufacturers he used for his tractors. He installed a new clutch and vowed to create a higher-quality, luxury sports car than Ferrari.

While Lamborghini has countless models that produce awe and wonder in car enthusiasts, it’s the 1974 Countach that remains their most iconic. Designer Marcello Gandini, then just beginning his career, placed his focus on style over aerodynamics. With its scissor doors, sharp lines and low, wide frame, the Countach raised the bar for Lamborghini. The Diablo, the Murciélago, and even the 2008 Reventón follow in its wake.

Aston Martin: Unforgettable Collectible Cars

Britain’s Aston Martin was founded by Lionel Martin & Robert Bamford in 1914. They designed exotic sports cars and drove in competitions, but it wasn’t until David Brown became managing director of the company in 1947 that they were able to establish themselves as a maker of high-quality, high-performance sports cars. They introduced the DB line (DB standing for David Brown) in 1950, and many of their models have become synonymous with antique and collectible cars.

Newer DB models include the luxurious DB-7, which was designed by Ian Callum and produced from 1994 to 2001. This model won the Jim Clark Award in 1995, and remains Aston Martin’s most successful car to-date.

admin @ 5:03 am
Own Your Dream Sports Car at an Affordable Price
Filed under: Sports Cars

Want to take a race with wind! Not a bad idea at all; only you need to have the right sports car to give you company. Cars are the most passionate possessions in the boy’s toy’s list especially when it comes to throwing challenge to the wind. So how do you find your dream sports car that gives you the height of joy at the top speed, yet comes for an affordable price? Well, here are a few useful tips to find out your sports car without burning a hole in your pocket.

Begin with the used cars

The most practical way of buying your car for most affordable price is to go for a used sports car. You can look for the classic sports cars like Fiat or Triumph, which can be restored back to their old glory for little price. These pre owned cars will help you to save on your sports car budget without cutting down on your adrenaline rush at the time of wild driving of a sports car. Owning and driving sports car become really enjoyable when you know where to find the most lucrative deals. There are two surefire ways of finding your dream sports car at an affordable price.

Online auction

Ask around and most of the auto enthusiasts will let you know that the best place for finding your dream sports car is the internet auto auctions. If you really want to strike it big, then take a virtual journey through the online auction of eBay Motors— the largest online auction in the world. The vast range of comparison that you can experience here is really amazing. But the best thing about eBay Motors is: you can strike gold here by taking the advantage of some real good bargains.

However you should take notice of some important areas like shipment and model number before entering into any sort of commitment.

Deals through friendly car mechanic

One way of grabbing a great bargain is forging a rapport with your local car mechanic. He is the best person to supply you with valuable information about fabulous deals at an unbelievable bargain. Informing beforehand your mechanic about the sports car you are looking for will definitely help you to come across the sports car of your dream. The mechanic is a person to rely on so far as buying a used car is concerned because the mechanic has worked on the car and he knows the exact condition of the car.

Sometimes the car owners fail to foot the bill of the car repairing and in that case the mechanic gets back his money by putting the car for sale. This situation can offer you a particularly lucrative deal as it allows for great bargains.

In case you do not happen to find the sports car of your dream in pre owned market, keep an eye on the advertisements put up by the car dealers; sometimes car dealers offer big rebates and huge discounts that make for a really lucrative deal. Grab these offers to become the proud owner of a brand new sports car that won’t make you break the bank.

admin @ 5:03 am
Used Sports Car Buying Made Easy
Filed under: Sports Cars

Don’t we all dream of owning a sports car? Although buying a used vehicle does not come with a “new car smell,” owning a vintage sports car is a fantasy for a lot of us. Better yet, there are great advantages to buying a used sports car.

There is something special about buying an older model sports car. Many older sports cars are even collectibles and their classic style holds great value. Sports car enthusiasts recognize quality and seek to preserve it.

There is never a guarantee you are going to purchase a winner as opposed to a lemon, there are many things you can do to increase your chances of success. The two most important things you can do is research and investigation. Do your homework first, look into the type of sports car you would like to purchase first. Then, when looking at used cars make sure to really investigate the car before making an offer.

Start your conquest by researching the car of your choice. The first place you should look is Kelly Blue Book to determine the estimated value of the sports car you want to buy. Then ask around about the car, maybe a local mechanic, or a friend with sports car knowledge. The internet is an outstanding resource as well. What kind of problems does the car experience? Find out what you need to look for when inspecting the car for yourself and what kinds of questions you need to ask the salesman and a mechanic. It is also important to look at numerous resources to determine an appropriate price the make and model of the car you are researching.

Developing a notebook with questions and notes is a handy tool. This way you can bring your notebook when looking at used cars. You will know what questions to ask about the car and appear organized to the seller.

The next step is investigating the real live car. You have a good idea of what to expect and what to look for when looking at used sports cars, now it is time to put your research to work.

Ask the current owner for service records, or even invest in a vehicle history report on the internet if it is not provided. Ask lots of questions about the car you are looking at and find out everything you can possibly think of.

Now is the time to take a close look at the car itself. First check the condition of the car, inside and out. Look for problem areas that you wrote down in your research. If you are not a car expert, have the car checked by a trusted mechanic. Often they will give it a once over for free or minimal charge. This could save you a lot in the long run. Note areas that need fixing and about how much it is going to cost you. Consider this when looking at the price tag of the car.

Take the car for a test drive. Look for any issues with the transmission. Are there any other things you should be looking for indicated by earlier research? Beware of sellers that do not let you take the car for a test drive or to a mechanic for a check up, they are probably trying to hide something.

Finally, if you are happy with your inspection and all other reports show that the car is in good condition, it is time to make an offer. Consider any problems noted on the car and what needs to be repaired when making an offer on the sports car.

If everything works out, the research and investigation you did will be well worth your time and effort in the long run.

admin @ 5:03 am