Archive for July 2010
Car Audio, Video & You
06/07/2010 | 
Author There are some who consider buying a car is more important than buying a house. After all, a car provides mobility, and could help one to earn while a house is considered by some as a dead investment (I could imagine hearing howls of protest from our friends from the real estate business.) After all, buying a car as a business tool is capital, while buying a house to live in, is expense. But this is an entirely another story.)
If you are one of the former, then you would agree that besides keeping your car in optimum performance, it would not hurt to put some comfort in it, right? OK, you may call this part already as an expense, if you wish. I’d call this as ‘tool upgrade’ (with a straight face here.)
‘OWNING’ YOUR CAR
Let us say, you bought a pre-owned car. Mostly, the first things owners of a newly acquired car would do, besides putting it to a joyful ride, is to put in some stuff, accessories, or ‘blings’. This process is called ‘claiming ownership’. You know, it’s yours, and to prove it, you do put in your ‘markings’. It’s almost like a brief but sweet turn-over ceremony of sorts (often private no one around would notice.) This is usually done immediately after payments are done and just before you happily and triumphantly drive ‘your’ car out of the car dealer’s. This personalization of the car could be as simple as removing that pine-shaped car freshener to something major as repainting the entire body work.
CAR AUDIO SYSTEM
Installing a decent audio system could be one (if not the most) of the best ‘personalization’ you could do to your car.
By decent, we don’t mean giving your arm and leg for it. You can easily put together one with less than $1000. You can easily find bargains over the internet for a good head unit with a CD player, amplifiers, equalizer, replacement for the factory speakers, and sub-woofers, etc. You may want to invest on a professional technician to ensure you get the best resulting sound quality. But if you are the more adventurous type, you may DIY.
CAR VIDEO
If you opt for those kick-ass video kits, you are assured of quality and satisfaction but you must be prepared to shell out about $500. If you wish, you can also buy cheaper by buying the different components separately. You can buy an in-dash monitor for a little more than $50, and an equally cheaper DVD player. Just make sure you have a qualified (if you are not comfortable doing it yourself) technician to install the components for you.
YOUR CAR AUDIO, VIDEO AND YOU
Besides emphasizing the usability, convenience, and efficiency of your car, we should not disregard the main reason for its existence: you. A car could also provide some measure of comfort for both you and your passenger. A good audio system could help ease up a long and tiring trip. Driving the wife for groceries? You could park in the shade and wait in the car watching your favorite DVD. Tired of endless ‘Are we there yet?’ questions from impatient and irritable kids on a long drive? Pop in a Hannah Montana DVD or High School Musical movie and these will keep your kids occupied backseat, you’d even forget they’re there.
Mark Robinson writes for Auto-Loans.GuideFin.com. Visit his website for information about used car loans.
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Comparing the Used Lexus SUV RX300
The Lexus RX300 is the most sought after luxury SUV and with good reason. This model is so popular today because it is now very affordable and continues to stand the test of time in performance, reliability, and design. But with 5 years of models to choose from, you’ll want to make sure that you choose the year model that you’ll enjoy the most.
One of the greatest benefits of buying used is that consumers have the opportunity to see how various year models performed after being road tested in every day life. The longer a model is in production, the more time that carmakers have to respond to consumer feedback and perfect the model. In this article, we’ll look at the variations and recalls for each of the RX300 model years to help you choose the right used Lexus SUV.
Lexus RX300 – 1999
The RX300 is the original Lexus SUV and the one that the public instantly fell in love with. Lexus doesn’t consider the RX300 an “SUV,” but a crossover vehicle; something between a luxury auto and an SUV. In fact, the low range gearing of the RX300 makes this used Lexus SUV more of an “all weather, on road” wagon as opposed to an off-roading style SUV. For a used SUV with true off-roading power, Lexus offers the LX470.
Recalls for this 1999 model
·Exterior lights (2006): Certain CK Motorsports exterior lights sold as replacement lamps for are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108
·Headlights (1999): The headlights and taillights may not automatically illuminate in low ambient light when the headlight switch is placed in the “auto” position.
·Brake Tube (1999): If one of the dual brake lines fails when the driver applies the brake, the vehicle will feel unstable
Lexus RX300 – 2000
The 2000 year model Lexus SUV RX300 is very similar to the 1999 version in both design and performance. In fact the only difference you’ll find in the year 2000, is a trailer hitch. You may find some 2000 used model Lexus SUVs with a satellite based navigation system as this was an optional add-on for this year.
Recalls for this 2000 model
·Exterior lights (2006): see 2006 exterior light recall for 1999 models.
Lexus RX300 – 2001
You’ll find lots of new features on the 2001 used Lexus SUV. 2001 is the year that Lexus focused on additional safety with features like a vehicle skid control, a brake assist feature, a 3-point center rear seatbelt, and child safety seat anchors. Other improved features on the 2001 year used Lexus SUV are an alloy spare wheel (earlier used Lexus SUV models will have a steel spare wheel), an enlarged fuel tank, and a redesigned grill. You’ll find some different options when comparison shopping the 2002 used Lexus SUV as well, such as all black leather trim, a wood steering wheel and gearshift knob, and heated seats with dual warmth levels. Earlier year models of the RX300 Lexus SUV also have heated seats, but offer only one heat setting.
Recalls for this 2001 model
·Exterior lights (2006): see 2006 exterior light recall for 1999 models.
Lexus RX300 – 2002
With so many changes in 2001, Lexus made only a few minor adjustments in 2002. In the year 2002 used Lexus SUV you’ll find all of the improved 2001 features along with an improved navigation system. The navigation system in the 2002 used Lexus SUV includes the ability to calculate multiple routes, has simplified graphics, and allows you to preview routes. Also added to this year’s used Lexus SUV is a faster computer and a dashboard screen for playing movies.
Recalls for this 2002 model
·Exterior lights (2006): see 2006 exterior light recall for 1999 models.
Lexus RX300 – 2003
The 2003 used Lexus SUV is identical to the 2002 used SUV, aside from being manufactured one year later. By 2002, Lexus had worked out the kinks in the RX300 design, added features in response to customer feedback, and successfully grew the RX300 into a top selling vehicle. You won’t find an RX300 used Lexus SUV beyond the year 2003. In 2004, Lexus concentrated on the RX330, the successor of the RX300.
Recalls for this 2003 model
·Exterior lights (2006): see 2006 exterior light recall for 1999 models.
Those in the market for a used Lexus SUV will find the RX300 to be a strong model and a great value. The classic styling gives any year of this SUV a look that remains stylish and attractive today. Recalls are very few for the Lexus SUV, with 4 of the 5 models being recalled only for replacement lights. Today, Lexus is still on the cutting edge of SUV design with its introduction of the RX400h, first hybrid SUV, in 2005. Best of all, any used model Lexus SUV has proven to stand the test of time in performance and reliability.
Author is a writer for A&G Select Imports who is authorized used
Lexus dealership. For more information you can visit http://www.AGSelectImports.com.
The Cheapest Way to Make Your Home Energy Efficient
With fuel prices soaring through the roof, people are making several changes in their lifestyle to lower energy consumption. With transportation, this has lead to electric and hybrid cars but there are home improvements that can cut your energy costs as well. For example, homeowners are starting to invest in more storm windows, new furnaces and programmable thermostats than before because they are energy savers that can help lower utility bills. Unfortunately, most people overlook the need for more insulation because it is hidden inside of their walls.
Insulation can make a huge difference in your home’s energy efficiency though; especially in the attic where a lot of heat is lost and gained. Insulation is graded on a scale of R-values. The higher you can bring the R-value in your walls and roof, the better protected you will be from the extreme temperatures outside.
Unfortunately, when homes are built, contractors are only required to use a minimal amount of insulation during construction. The result is a cold house in winter and a hot house in the summer. If you want to lower your heating and cooling costs, one of the best ways to do it is install additional insulation.
What if the home is already built?
You don’t need to tear down existing walls to install additional insulation because it comes in many forms. One of the most versatile and user-friendly products is called Cocoon Insulation. Since this product has been made from recycled newspaper, it is non-hazardous and light-weight. This makes it easy to handle and install. As a loose insulation product it can also be retrofitted into existing walls through small holes that can be easily patched and hidden.
Other Benefits of Insulation
In addition to improving energy retention, Cocoon Insulation can make your home a quieter place by blocking unwanted outside noises. It has also been treated to resist loose fire and insects. This means that you will be safer as well as more comfortable with Cocoon Insulation lining your walls.
Affordability
For the rewards that insulation provides, it is also a very affordable way to make home improvements. And, compared to buying a new furnace or replacing windows, adding insulation costs a fraction of the price. Adding insulation doesn’t take a lot of time either. Depending on the size of your home, you could have everything insulated in a couple of days. Most insulation products can be self-installed, but a few may require professional service.
If you would like to learn more about energy savers that you can use in your own home, visit Future Energy Corporation at http://energysavers.com/. They cover everything from windows, solar panels, insulation, heating systems and protective coatings. The author, Art Gib, is a freelance writer.