13 Aug 10

OB-JO350_ipl2_E_20100812170047Introducing a group of faster, more powerful vehicles is component of a broader plan to strengthen Infiniti’s identity within the market. It also helps make Infiniti a better match for other luxury manufacturers that have high-performance divisions like BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

The new car, a hopped-up version from the company’s G Coupe, uses the tried and true combination of large engine, large brakes and firm suspension to turn an everyday car into a hotrod that seems prepared for the racetrack. The IPL G Coupe has a 348-horsepower engine and either a seven-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed stick shift. It is expected in dealerships in December.

Over the last 10 years or so having a high-performance division has become a de facto requirement for luxury vehicle makers who anticipate to be taken seriously. BMW continues to be selling effective M-series cars in the U.S. because the 1980s, AMG has been souping up Mercedes Benz vehicles for decades, first as an independent shop and later as a unit from the car maker. Even Cadillac has gotten to the act with its brawny V series.

Infiniti includes a reputation as a builder of fast, sharp-handling vehicles which are fun to drive, but its following is little. Within the eyes of numerous buyers the brand fades into the background of oddball names and look-alike styling that pervades the auto industry. Revised styling across its vehicle lineup and the addition of speedier IPL models in meant to attract the attention of drivers who may otherwise appear only at European manufacturers.









21 May 10

Vehicle rentals aren’t only a handy method to travel although on vacation, but additionally a excellent way of attempting out a vehicle prior to purchasing it. I desired to check generate 3 various vehicles prior to purchasing a single of them. Nobody I realized experienced what I desired therefore i couldn’t borrow a single. A 10 moment check generate straight down the road and back again just was not likely to cut it when investing more than thirty thousand bucks on the vehicle.

Admittedly it was not my concept, but my moms. She advised discovering an exotic vehicle rental organization and also have every vehicle to get a evening or so to discover out what they are truly like. Seeing as I truly couldn’t provide myself to invest the cash without having getting a correct check very first, this really is what I made the decision to complete.

The contenders wherever BMW Z4, Volkswagen R32, and Nissan 350Z. All had been quite quick vehicles, having a significant cost tag which can be why I desired to generate them alone. I did not want a salesman frowning at me each and every time I planted my foot about the floor or attempted to determine how quick it could corner. These vehicles all required pushing to evaluate their features and no dealer within their correct thoughts is likely to allow a check pilot loose on their devices.

So the lookup started. Out arrived the Yellow Pages and Google and following a few several hours of phoning close to I experienced a Z4 along with a 350Z. The Volkswagen was tougher to arrive by. There had been lots of Golfs close to, but I currently realized about individuals, I desired the four wheel generate and also the V6 to perform with. I couldn’t discover a single to conserve my existence therefore i went ahead and booked a evening using the 350Z and also the Z4 for two times following that.

The 350Z is really a beast, a thirsty beast. All that energy arrives in a cost, 300bhp in the price of an typical 17 miles per gallon. A little bit of the downer truly whenever you think about each the BMW and R32 get close to 30 miles to some gallon. However the ride was amazing. It arrives having a good stereo but I in no way utilized it. I drove for that complete evening using the windows open therefore i could hear the engine. That was my soundtrack for that evening. A V6 symphony that brought a smile to my encounter as quickly as I could plant the foot and melt away aside.

A few times later on it had been time for that Z4. A BMW 3 liter roadster with 261bhp coming from your rear wheels. An additional vehicle having a excellent soundtrack which i experienced amazing enjoyable in all evening. Like using the Nissan, it arrived having a good stereo, but I did not even turn it on. I experienced the roof straight down and also the pedal straight down as a lot as feasible. I loved that vehicle so a lot which i purchased a single the following evening.

I may have loved the R32 a lot more, but I did not obtain the chance to generate it. Absolutely nothing beats a roadster in Florida anyway, particularly a single a small little bit various such as the BMW. Vehicle rentals aren’t just about families, or holidays. They could be a great deal a lot more than that if you’ve the creativity.









25 Aug 09

Flying is slowly becoming a pastime of the wealthy, just like it in the fifties and sixties. With the increase in fuel prices, failures of airlines and the general malaise of the travel industry, it’s no surprise that many of us are going on “staycations” or driving places more. Even though the increased fuel prices affects motoring too.

If you are planning on driving instead of flying this holiday, and are planning on renting a car to do it, then we have a few tips to help you save some money. Spending a little time and effort preparing and researching the best deals will save you time and money when it comes to the holiday.

First tip is to research. Use the internet to compare prices and deals and weed out the most expensive. The car rental business is a cutthroat one, and there will always be a company trying to better all the others with a special offer or deal. Bear in mind the time of year you’re going, the type of vehicle you’re going to need and how far you plan to drive. All these factors will influence the cost of the hire. Researching, and booking online should ensure you get the exact car you want, booked in advance. All of the details will already be in the company’s system so the check out process should be much quicker. Just make sure you read all of the small print and take all the required documents with you when you go.

It’s also worth checking to see if your own insurance company will cover the rental. This can often cost much less than having the car rental company’s own insurance and offer automatic CDW or Collision Damage Waiver, which renters charge for.

Before signing the contract, read it carefully. Some companies are not above adding small print that ends up costing money. Don’t leave yourself open to a surprise when you try and return the car. Make sure things like excess mileage, cleaning costs and any other charges are clear and you’re happy with them before putting your mark to paper.

When collecting your car, before you even get into it ensure the odometer says what the condition sheet says. Not implying that the company would attempt to rip you off, but mistakes can happen. If a discrepancy isn’t picked up, you will be paying for that mistake. The same applies to the condition. Ensure that any scratches, bumps chips or any other marking on the car is marked down on the condition sheet. Checking this before you leave the rental yard could also save you money.

Following these simple tips should prevent you spending money needlessly and protect you from any administrative mistakes or sneaky small print. Hopefully ensuring your holiday is as stress free and as enjoyable as possible. Car rental isn’t a complicated business, neither is it difficult to arrange. With a little research and attention before time it can be as easy as anything, and nowhere near as expensive as it may initially have been.









25 Aug 09

Car rentals can be more fun than you realize. They offer you the opportunity to try out new vehicles, drive something you couldn’t normally afford, impress someone on a date, or interview, or just generally enjoy driving a different car for a change. Renting a car doesn’t just have to be about business or holiday, and it doesn’t have to be a people carrier or SUV. The range of cars now available to rent or hire is immense. You can hire everything from a little Hyundai to a Ferrari or Aston Martin. Companies also lease American muscle cars from the Dodge Viper and Charger to the Shelby Cobra. You will pay for this privilege, but it brings driving one of these beauties within reach of most people.

Bear in mind that most rental companies won’t rent cars to anyone under twenty five. Insuring drivers younger than that is immensely expensive so most rental companies won’t do it. If you plan on having a rental car then you will need documentation. The requirements differ somewhat between companies, and states. In some states a valid driver’s license and credit card is enough, where in others you will need other forms of identity too. If you don’t have a credit card then expect to have to produce another form of ID. Damage waivers and deposits are taken by credit card so take enough cash to cover those. It will be returned if the car comes back unscathed.

You don’t need your own insurance for a rental car, but you can arrange cover with them if you like. The rental company will normally offer insurance as part of the package, along with the CDW, or Collision Damage Waiver. I would suggest taking the CDW, especially if you are renting an expensive car. It will protect you from having to pay repair costs if something happens. There are enough uninsured drivers around to make this a worthwhile expenditure.

The car rentals market is competitive enough that there are always deals around. Things like free upgrades, free equipment, unlimited mileage or discount on the hire charge. Be aware though of the potential charges like late returns or mileage if unlimited isn’t offered. This is often where companies will attempt to claw back some of the money they discounted from the rental fee. It is often worth spending the extra dollars on the fee to get unlimited mileage rather than potentially having to pay extra for the excess.

It’s worth shopping around to get a good price, but don’t forget the daily hire fee isn’t the only thing you need to look for. Remembering to take into account the excess mileage if the deal isn’t unlimited and factoring in the CDW will give you a truer idea of the daily cost of renting a car. Spending a little time researching and preparing will always pay off when it comes to the time. The time and money saved by preparing in advance will be much better spent when you have the car and using it for whatever you had in mind.









25 Aug 09

Car rentals are not only a convenient way to travel while on holiday, but also a great way of trying out a car before buying it. I wanted to test drive three different cars before buying one of them. Nobody I knew had what I wanted so I couldn’t borrow one. A ten minute test drive down the road and back just wasn’t going to cut it when spending over thirty thousand dollars on a car.

Admittedly it wasn’t my idea, but my moms. She suggested finding an exotic car rental company and have each car for a day or so to find out what they’re really like. Seeing as I really couldn’t bring myself to spend the money without having a proper test first, this is what I decided to do.

The contenders where BMW Z4, Volkswagen R32, and Nissan 350Z. All were pretty fast cars, with a hefty price tag which is why I wanted to drive them alone. I didn’t want a salesman frowning at me every time I planted my foot on the floor or tried to see how fast it could corner. These cars all needed pushing to assess their capabilities and no dealer in their right mind is going to let a test pilot loose on their machines.

So the search began. Out came the Yellow Pages and Google and after a couple of hours of phoning around I had a Z4 and a 350Z. The Volkswagen was harder to come by. There were plenty of Golfs around, but I already knew about those, I wanted the four wheel drive and the V6 to play with. I couldn’t find one to save my life so I went ahead and booked a day with the 350Z and the Z4 for two days after that.

The 350Z is a beast, a thirsty beast. All that power comes at a price, 300bhp at the cost of an average 17 miles per gallon. A bit of a downer really when you consider both the BMW and R32 get around 30 miles to a gallon. But the ride was awesome. It comes with a decent stereo but I never used it. I drove for the whole day with the windows open so I could hear the engine. That was my soundtrack for the day. A V6 symphony that brought a smile to my face as soon as I could plant the foot and burn away.

A couple of days later it was time for the Z4. A BMW three liter roadster with 261bhp coming from the rear wheels. Another car with a great soundtrack that I had awesome fun in all day. Like with the Nissan, it came with a decent stereo, but I didn’t even turn it on. I had the roof down and the pedal down as much as possible. I loved that car so much that I bought one the next day.

I might have loved the R32 more, but I didn’t get the chance to drive it. Nothing beats a roadster in Florida anyway, especially one a little bit different like the BMW. Car rentals aren’t just about families, or holidays. They can be a lot more than that if you have the imagination.