Tata Nano Review

TATA NANO is the latest and cheapest car India. Tata introduced this car during January 2008 and priced Rs 1 lakh (approximate US$ 2500), which makes it the cheapest car in India available as of now.

Stylish and comfortable

TATA NANO, designed with a family in mind, has a roomy passenger compartment with generous leg space and head room. It can comfortably seat four persons.

With a length of 3.1 metres, width of 1.5 metres and height of 1.6 metres and with adequate ground clearance, it can be effortlessly driven in busy roads and cities.

Fuel efficient engine

TATA NANO has a rear-wheel drive, all-aluminium, two-cylinder, 623 cc, 33 PS, multi point fuel injection petrol engine.

TATA Nano Features

. All sheet-metal body, strong passenger compartment
. intrusion-resistant doors
. seat belts
. strong seats and anchorages
. tailgate glass bonded to the body
. tubeless tyres
. lower pollution level than two-wheelers being manufactured in India
. rear-wheel drive
. all-aluminium, two-cylinder, 623 cc, 33 PS, multi point fuel injection petrol engine
. performance controlled by a specially designed electronic engine management system
. length: 3.1 metres
. width: 1.5 metres
. height: 1.6 metres
. 4 seats
. 4 doors

The above cool features of Tata Nano will make it the people's car, as dreamed by Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group and Tata Motors.

Tips For Cold-Weather Motorcycling

1. Consider riding after daylight savings time ends

Many motorcyclists decide to store their vehicles for the winter, once daylight savings time ends. Exposing themselves to the frigid temperatures and precipitation of winter seems too much of a hassle. However, with the right gear and information, you can equip yourself for cold-weather riding.

2. A warm body is your destination

Your chief goal for cold-weather riding should be to maintain a warm body. In particular, you want to avoid experiencing hypothermia. Hypothermia is a condition in which your body's temperature drops below the minimum point required to function properly. Shivering is one of the first symptoms of hypothermia. When you experience it, some useful remedies include drinking a cup of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc., or getting indoors.

3. Handle wet clothing properly

When motorcycling, it is common for either the elements or precipitation to dampen you clothing. However, never let them dampen your spirits. You can take certain steps to fight the war against dampness. The first plan of action should be to change your wet gear as soon as possible. Wet gear will become virtually useless against the relentlessness of icy-cold temperatures.

Secondly, factor in how wind chill temperatures will influence your damp gear. While riding, the chilly effect of wind kicks in at 30 miles-per-hour. At this point, the wind that whips past your body makes the air feel colder than it actually is. Thus, the wind, when combined with wet gear and cold temperatures, can exponentially increase the likelihood of hypothermia. When in doubt--change!

4. Choose the right gear.

Buying Used Vehicles - Beneficial or Not?

Cars come in various sizes, colors, models and makes. They each have different brand names like Nissan, Mitsubishi, Kia, Toyota, Daihatsu, Mazda, Honda, Mercury, Hyundai, Ford, BMW, Volkswagen, Subaru, Daewoo, Mercedes, Chrysler, Rolls Royce, and many more.

Consider that vehicles have nationalities as well. They may be Japanese, American, Korean, German or any other. These vehicles also grow old, just like people. Unlike people, their birthdays don't seem to be a matter of celebration. When classifying cars, you will find that they fall under the categories of used or new.

Your personal preferences really decide whether your next car should be new or used. Some people may have had a good or bad experience with their previous used cars, although smooth salesmen and women call them "reconditioned" instead of "used."

One of the best things about purchasing a used vehicle is that it will cost you a lot less than a brand new one straight from the factory. Its not necessary to put more money into one to to have it.

If you prefer a used vehicle, make sure you're not buying someone else's problem! To be sure a car has been well cared for, ask for a maintenance history.

You should get advice from friends and family when choosing a used car. You have to make sure that it is still in the proper condition even though it is already used. You should feel fortunate if you can buy a used automobile from a person who looked after it responsibly.

If you will not be able to check on the necessary parts that you have to examine prior to your purchase of the used car, you will certainly suffer a great headache. The engine made noises that suggested it required a check up or repair. You had better check on it first.

It seems to wrap up like this. Used cars give you joy and sorrow, but mostly agony. Think about it carefully if you choose to purchase another one.

First, it is not that practicable to buy a used car particularly if you can help it. If you're not a good home mechanic, it will be very frustrating. No need to rush out and purchase a new vehicle, unless you find owning one is something you have to do.

The second step it to evaluate how convenient it has been, if it has been at all. The fact is, there is forever the opportunity that it can convey to you mainly if it is in its proper condition. You will just bear the headache if you cannot use it anymore because of your several complaints about it.

Get Your Free Car

Do you want a free car?

Or maybe you would like to get paid for driving?

Would you like some of the best models?

Wouldn't you mind a little advertisement for a free car?

If you have a positive answer for those questions then this article will help you.

So in order to get a free car and get paid over three thousand dollars a month for driving it, this is what you have got to do. So first thing is you must find a or some sponsors these people will help you get your car and will pay for it providing that you allow them to print a small advert on your car. Then you just sit back and relax and let the money flow in.

But how do you find the sponsors on your own? I had the same question. I was told to review this company and what they simply did was I paid a few dollars ,and when I say a few I am talking about thirty dollars, and they got me a sponsor and a free car I honestly couldn't ask for more. People who live near me simply thought that I was rich as they didn't see the advertisement and surely must have been overwhelmed. It was great also a brand new Mercedes is must better to drive then a Old car is you must all agree keeping in mind that the Mercedes was a sports car. I was in my element and I am sure that you will be to!

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Fighting the lack of movement

What do you think we do most often in our everyday life? Eat? Sleep? No, we sit. We sit in the office and in the car, at home and in a cafe. And that is troubling. Apart from the fact that scientists have proved that sitting is the most unnatural and harmful position for a human body, constant sitting contributes largely to the lack of movement rated as one of the most serious health hazards of modern big city life. A seaside vacations a perfect chance to stop sitting and start moving. One can swim, jog, play ball games or ride beach bicycles. The latter are available for rent and purchase in a wide range of types to fit any taste, age or budget.

One can choose from a variety of wheel sized, basket colors and materials, bell tones, cup holder kinds, rack types and so on. Regular bicycle riding has a positive effect on the vascular system and lungs. It helps to build muscle, stay fit, healthy and attractive without exhausting workout si in the gym. It lets one admire the picturesque surroundings and breath in the crystal-clean air, especially if one rides at the seaside. kids cruisers lets even the youngest ones participate.

Toyota Venza

Toyota is not a name that even a single boy in the street would have never heard to. This is the reason that Toyota is becoming more popular now days. With the increase of market value of Toyota, its name is the most reliable and trusted. Toyota is the name that anyone can trust with closed eyes because Toyota has proved itself as the name of quality. It has already introduced a wide range of spectacular cars all setting a new example for its rivals. The Toyota Motor Corporation mainly focuses on the progress of the manufacturing and production of their products in the automotive market. This is the only reason why Toyota remains unopposed in terms of market profitability compared to its competitors or rivals.

After Toyota Camry, the Toyota motor corporation is going to launch a new car next year which is 2009 in January known as Toyota Venza which will undoubtedly be a great success. As we have to discuss Toyota Venza, so despite the marketing spin, the Venza is surely going to be a strong competitor against the likes of the Saturn Vue, the Dodge Journey, and the Ford Edge.

If we talk about the Edge, the Toyota Venza's front end looks almost like a Ford beak turned up at the edges in a smile. As Toyota Venza is the upcoming model which is the most awaited car in the market. Mostly like other cars, the Toyota Venza has seating for only five passengers which are almost common. To add to its credit, it is larger and more nicely trimmed than Toyota's Matrix. Think of it as a shorter, sleeker Highlander.

The Toyota Venza's maximum towing capacity is 3500 pounds, which is powerful enough for a vehicle such as that it blurs the separation between the RAV4 and the Highlander, Toyota's car-based SUVs. Toyota Venza’s interior is well managed and quite spacious very much like the typical Toyota fashion. It will be giving a comfortable and luxurious journey to one who will get the lucky chance to be seated in this car. Toyota Motor Corporation is working quite hard on this manifestation of their company, and is expecting a lot from its launch.

Do Supercars Need Super Cleaning?

Imagine then that you have spent a Kings ransom on a supercar, a car that mere mortals could only dream of and by the time you shown all of your friends, you (or your chauffeur) need to clean it.

So, what car cleaning products do you use to make the paintwork look like new again without causing the ubiquitous swirl marks and fading commonly associated with traditional car washing? Because Supercars are special cars, special care must be taken to keep them clean. The trick is not to be scared of cleaning your supercar.

Paintwork: The first step is a routine washing to remove dust, road grime, and other contaminants. The second is a more thorough cleaning process to prepare your car's paint for a protective coating (such as wax).

Supercars should always be washed by hand - never by an automated machine like you'd find at a petrol station. Taking the time to wash your paintwork correctly will pay off with fewer scratches and swirl marks in your paint. When washing, you'll need a few simple items: a hose with an adjustable spray nozzle, a wash mitt, a bucket, and some soap. Sheepskin wash mitts are a good choice for cleaning your supercar, but don't settle for synthetic sheepskin. Natural sheepskin lasts longer, holds more water, and is safer to use on your paint. Be sure that your wash mitt has been thoroughly cleaned since the last time you used it. Pine needles, rocks, sand, and other debris that may be tangled in your wash mitt will scratch your paint.

"The soap you choose when washing your car is important. Don't use household dish soap or other abrasive cleaners. Use a specialty car cleaning product which is designed to remove dirt and road grime without damaging your paint" says Jonathan Copping of speciality car cleaning supplier Croftgate "Make sure your bucket is clean, put some soap in, and then squirt your hose in the bucket to create some suds."

"If a shady location is available, it's best to wash your car here. This will help slow the drying process and allow you to manually dry your car to eliminate water spots," he continued.

"Before you start washing, be sure you give your car a light rinse with the spray nozzle. Use either a mist setting or a gentle shower setting, but don't squirt your paint with a spray nozzle at full strength. This light rinsing will remove any loose dust and dirt, and will lessen your chances of scratching your paint with the wash mitt."

Infiniti used: have a luxury car

Infiniti is the most desirable car of the season. Infiniti car has secured an over the top reputation due to the production of high quality, reliable wheelers that refuse to sacrifice performance excellence at any level for routine practicality. Every car freak longs to have this car. Great heed is paid to the comfort level and durability. This car possesses all such facilities which a luxury car must possess. But, it is a fact that not everyone can afford to but Infiniti. This is the reason why people cannot afford to buy Infiniti, so they can opt for Infiniti used car.

Infiniti used car is the best option, which one can avail if he lacks some funds to buy the fresh one. While deciding on the purchase of Infiniti used car, one has to follow certain points that are essential for a satisfying deal. The first and the foremost task is to find a suitable lender. The lender must be reliable and must be efficient in his task of providing best used cars. There are numerous dealers who earn business by dealing in these cars. Thus, finding a dealer is not a Herculean task. One can get all the details regarding the provision of these cars through internet. There are many websites on the net from which one can get all the details regarding the Infiniti used cars. Searching online is a time saving and effort saving process. It is a hassle free option, as the customer does not have to go around all the places to avail the details about the car.

One must choose that dealer, who has years of experience and can offer you the one, which you just need. One should know that purchasing Infiniti used car is a one time investment as it is a luxury car. So the deal must be such that there is no scope of any compromise. One can definitely demand for everything in this car. One must always go for those cars that are a few months old. This ensures that one can use the warranty facilities and have an assurance of better quality facilities. One must check out that the price offered by the provider of the car must be at competitive. Before purchasing the car, one must ensure about the features of the car with the dealer and must check out the efficiency of the car by taking a test drive.

Infiniti used car not only focus on the color, mechanism, space and look but pay equal attention to safety, environment and high technology. A premium ride with perfect ambience and safety to the buyers is what Infiniti works on. Buying an Infiniti is by no means a loss. This is because there are years of service and hard work that is put on a single car. There is a never ending range of new innovative designs. This car claims to deliver unswerving experience. These cars are made after years of labor so there is no means of loss in purchasing this car.

Why You Should Buy Japanese Car Parts From Japan

Have you ever thought of importing Japanese car parts? I'm sure you would have realised by now how expensive performance car parts are, but what if you could import quality car parts without having to spend too much?

Most of the time it's not the actual car part that costs a fortune, it is the mark-up that retailers add on to all of the prices. It is possible for Japanese car part retailers to lift up the price because Japanese manufacturers have been among the most reliable ones over the past 10 years and there is a lot of demand for performance car parts from Japan.

So how can you buy performance car parts at a fraction of their cost?
A good way to do that is to "bypass" the retailer and get your car parts straight from the source: buy your car parts from Japan. When you import Japanese car parts you can save a lot money, sometimes up to 70% on the most in demand car parts.

It is also an easier process to find the exact item you are looking for when you import it from Japan. Whether it be a Mazda, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Nissan, Subaru, Mazda or any other Japanese model. You can easily get pistons, boost controllers, coilovers, connecting rods, air-line compressors, fenders, etc.

Do not worry, you do not have to book your next ticket to Tokyo to buy any of these Japanese car parts: browse through an electronic parts catalogue where thousand of car parts are instantly searchable to find the part you are after.

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Only The Best Protection For Your Engine

The engine is undoubtedly one of the most important parts of your Honda vehicle. The engine is the auto part responsible for burning fuel to power your Honda vehicle’s impressive performance. Because of the engine’s importance in your vehicle’s operation, automakers naturally manufacture protective auto parts for your Honda’s engine. No auto part does the job better than the Honda Hood.

Shielding your engine from harmful environmental factors is the main purpose of your Honda Hood. To do this properly, Honda Hoods are made of quality metal sheets. This ensures that your car’s engine is safe from exposure to rain or mud, which may affect the engine’s operation. For a tougher structure, the Honda Hood is produced with outer and inner panels. The outer panel is part of your Honda’s exterior, while the inner panel provides extra strength. This structure guarantees that even if the outer panel suffers impact from minor collisions or debris, the inner panel continues the function of guarding your engine. Honda Hoods are also useful if you want to check on your car’s engine, since the Honda Hood can be easily lifted away from the vehicle’s front end.

You don’t have to worry about the Honda Hood’s visual appeal, either. Honda crafts its Honda Hoods to complement your vehicle’s design. However, if you want to take your car’s aesthetics to another level, you can furnish your Honda Hood with accessories like hood scoops, nose protectors, and hood spoilers. More than enhancing your vehicle’s over-all look, these accessories can also act as the Honda Hoods’ defense against scratches and chips. You can easily get these accessories and your own Honda Hood from our site. We also offer these auto parts at discounted prices, so you won’t miss out on this opportunity to give your engine only the best protection.

Land Rover celebrates sales success

Last November, for the first time in its 59-year history, Land Rover drove through the 200,000 sales barrier. Its global sales reached 205,717, or 27 per cent ahead of the same month last year, putting the company on course for its third successive record sales year.

"This is a significant milestone in Land Rover's history and puts us on a firm footing as the marque approaches its 60th anniversary. Our sales achievement has been driven by exciting new products with improved environmental performance. Confidence is high - Land Rover is firmly in the black with our revamped product line that will continue to be prized highly by our target market," said KIG's sales and marketing manager, Kent LaCroix.

Range Rover, powered by a diesel V8 that delivers a 32 per cent fuel improvement on the petrol version it replaced (it is installed in the compact Freelander II as well), has driven sales across the world. The success of Land Rover's models peaked with even more awards for the Discovery 3, delivered by the British magazine Planet 4x4. Range Rover was voted overall runner-up - just 4.1 per cent behind the Discovery 3, and Range Rover Sport and Freelander 2 both scooping class wins.

"With the top three overall places in 2006 and a clean sweep of class awards this year, Land Rover is getting it right at just about every level. One tester after another was wowed by the Range Rover's class, the Sport's style and the Discovery's practicality," said Alan Kidd, editor of Planet 4x4 magazine.

"But what I think Land Rover can be particularly proud of is that this result comes in a competition where scores for off-roading meant almost nothing - and value for money counted towards almost a quarter of the total mark. It would be easy to write this off as a series of victories for the most expensive machines ... but, in reality, it shows that with Land Rover, you really do get what you pay for," he concluded.

Not one to rest on its laurels, Land Rover has developed a new concept vehicle that is based on trends they feel that this new buyer wants. Called the LRX, is not slated for immediate production. But it is quite a departure from LR's traditional boxy styling cues. It has put a wheel at each corner of the chassis, still retains traditional touches but has applied these appliqués in a way like never before.

Where the old template woos you with old-world civility and charm, this new concept hits you in the face with modernity. It is real swoopy. As the company prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary during 2008, the three-door LRX, with its more compact size, lighter weight and sustainability-focused technologies, clearly addresses the needs of a changing world.

LRX is described as a cross-coupe and dramatically extends the scope of what Land Rover represents. Though 149 mm (5.9 in) shorter than the Freelander 2/LR2 and 205 mm (8.1 in) lower, LRX was conceived as a premium car, designed to appeal to new customers in the luxury and executive sector - those who want many of the benefits of a 4x4 and the presence of a larger vehicle, but in a more compact package.

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Rental Cars - One of the Best Values on the Road

What if you could find a used car that you knew had been well maintained the first year of its life - regular oil changes, brakes and other parts inspected often? What if that year-old car also came with an additional warranty and a 7-day repurchase agreement?

Actually, this scenario requires no imagination. Today's used car buyer has access to a wide selection of these types of late-model, high-quality certified used cars via car rental companies.

Used rental cars often are some of the best buys in the used car market. These vehicles, while driven by multiple motorists, receive much more care than the average consumer-owned vehicle. While many used car buyers understand the advantages of a used vehicle over a new car (especially the depreciation tied to new vehicles), they may not consider the benefits of purchasing a used rental car. In 2003, 1.7 million rental cars were sold in the United States. Many were passed directly to auctions and onto used car dealerships. However, tens of thousands were selected by rental companies for their own resale businesses. These vehicles represent the "cream of the crop."

For instance, most of the vehicles on Enterprise Car Sales lots are chosen from Enterprise Rent-A-Car's fleet of more than 700,000 rental and lease vehicles. This presents a great opportunity for used car buyers to buy a quality used rental car - and all the advantages that come with the purchase.

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Tata launches Rs 1 lakh car, Nano !

Tata Motors Ltd, India's top vehicle maker, on Thursday unveiled the world's cheapest car, the Nano, which will be priced at 100,000 rupees ($2,500).

Following are comments on the car from industry executives and people at the Auto Expo in New Delhi, where it was unveiled.

Jagdish Khattar, Former Managing Director, Maruti Suzuki:

"The car is good to look at. There is a space in the market between two-wheelers and the 800 (Maruti's small car). It will be a success if they deliver what they promised. And I see no reason why they can't."

Ramesh Suri, Chairman, Subros:

"The best thing is that they have kept the price at levels promised at concept stage. It is good to look at. I can't say about the driving experience as I have not taken a trial."

Shinzo Nakanishi, Managing Director of Maruti SuzukI India LTD (speaking before the unveiling): "We cannot make a cheaper car. We don't know how to make a 1-lakh car unless we sacrifice something. We won't go below the 800 in our product line-up."

Maruti Suzuki's mini 800, priced at nearly double the Tata car, was the cheapest in the market. Asked about the impact of the Tata car on Maruti's sales, Nakanishi said: "There may be some impact."

Anand Mahindra, Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra LTD (speaking before the unveiling):

"I think it's a moment of history and I'm delighted an Indian company is leading the way."

Venu Srinivasan, Chairman & Managing Director, TVS Motor CO:

"It is fantastic, outstanding engineering. It helps redefine the sector in the country. It has established new grounds."

P. Sam, group head, Marketing and Sales, Yamaha Motor India Sales PVT LTD:

"The 1-lakh rupee car is not going to impact our potential customers. Our customers would buy our products for the sheer joy of riding."

Onkar Kanwar, Apollo Tyres LTD:

"I congratulate Tata. He has delivered what he promised."

Ashok Singh, Constable, Delhi Police:

"It is a dream come true. I look forward to buying that car. My wife will be really happy."

G. Colquhoun, Reader in manufacturing systems, School of Engineering, Liverpool:

"This is an important step for Asian markets. I look forward to this car being introduced in European markets."

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Car Foram

• Maruti Concept Car “A-Star” At Delhi Auto Expo
• Proton To Enter Indian Auto Market
• New Luxury ‘Scorpio First’ From Mahindra & Mahindra
• Honda Civic Hybrid Car in 2008
• General Motors Electric Car In २०१०

BREAKING NEWS.

1- Tata Motors has launched two new commercial vehicles, Magic and Winger, aimed at the small rural and urban passenger segment. Magic is the passenger version of the Tata Ace and the Winger is a maxi-van, a version of the Renault panel van Traffic.

2- Tata’s Rs 1-lakh dream car is getting ready for roll out. The car is in fact ready and is undergoing tooling and testing

3-Hyundai has its brilliant success in the Santro versions and the Acent - its embarrassment forever in the Elantra, and decent successes with the Sonata, Sonata Embera and the Getz. Given below are some choice stories from which were extremely popular when we published them. Do go through them; there may be something you have missed.

4- Hyundai hopes that the CNG Santro will take on Maruti's LPG cars

5- The Maruti Suzuki Escudo will be the replacement for the venerable old Suzuki Grand Vitara in India, price, photo gallery and pictures, expected launch

6- Diesel Maruti SX4 not on the cards, Maruti says no diesel version of the SX4 for the time being.

Kit Cars

Cruising along a deserted beachfront you glance in your rearview mirror and realize that you are being overtaken by an elegant old car — a 1937 Jaguar SS-100 Roadster. Or is it?

Further down the road you catch up with the car when it stops at a service station to fill up and you get a chance to talk with the owner. She graciously opens doors and pops the hood and talks with you about the fiberglass bodied Squire, a 1937 Jaguar SS-100 replica car sold by Auto Sport Importers, Inc., in the 1970s.

According to Arthur Stahl, on "The Squire SS-100 Registry" home page, "The Squire SS-100 is an almost exact, full size replica of the 1937 - 1939 Jaguar SS-100. The car was commissioned by Auto Sport Importers, Inc. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and made by Automobilli Intermeccanica in Trofarello, Italy between 1970 and 1975, reportedly by Fiat technicians who were moonlighting evenings and weekends."

Replica cars were assembled by the manufacturer and you purchased a completed car which was made to look like a vintage car model such as a 1937 Jaguar SS-100, 1927 Bugatti 35B, 1929 Mercedes-Benz SS, 1939 Alfa Romeo, 1935 Auburn Boattail Speedster, 1934 Frazer-Nash or any one of a number of replica cars that were produced.


On the other hand, a "kit car" was exactly what it sounds like. It came disassembled and you put it together yourself, usually using an engine and frame that you already owned. Volkswagen "Beetle" engines and frames were inexpensive and very easy to obtain. For higher powered models you found a wrecked Chevrolet Corvette and pulled the engine. The kit came with instructions on how to modify nearly any engine and frame to accept the body and a few weeks (or months depending on your level of expertise) later you were showing off your new car. Companies such as Almquist helped you with advance preparations with their "Plan-A-Car" information packets (B17094).

Kit cars might look like vintage classic cars, but they also showcased designer's concepts of what a luxury sports car should look like. Names such as Aquila, Astra, Auriga, Banjo, Condor, Fiberfab, Gazelle and Invader, among others, bring to mind low slung roadsters, many with gullwing doors, the dream cars of many young men and women.


In the 70s, when sportscar prices were rapidly rising, people who dreamed of owning one suddenly found that they could not afford to buy, or drive, their dream cars. Kit cars which were sold on a small scale in the 1950s and 60s suddenly became a very popular means of driving a "look-alike" and having a lot of fun.


On the other hand, a "kit car" was exactly what it sounds like. It came disassembled and you put it together yourself, usually using an engine and frame that you already owned. Volkswagen "Beetle" engines and frames were inexpensive and very easy to obtain. For higher powered models you found a wrecked Chevrolet Corvette and pulled the engine. The kit came with instructions on how to modify nearly any engine and frame to accept the body and a few weeks (or months depending on your level of expertise) later you were showing off your new car. Companies such as Almquist helped you with advance preparations with their "Plan-A-Car" information packets (B17094).

Kit cars might look like vintage classic cars, but they also showcased designer's concepts of what a luxury sports car should look like. Names such as Aquila, Astra, Auriga, Banjo, Condor, Fiberfab, Gazelle and Invader, among others, bring to mind low slung roadsters, many with gullwing doors, the dream cars of many young men and women.


In the 70s, when sportscar prices were rapidly rising, people who dreamed of owning one suddenly found that they could not afford to buy, or drive, their dream cars. Kit cars which were sold on a small scale in the 1950s and 60s suddenly became a very popular means of driving a "look-alike" and having a lot of fun.

Lexus LS 430

Good points: Easy to use GPS, engine, room, features, quality build

Needs improvement: Feels disconnected from road, trunk opening Okay, the base car sells for about $170,600, but ours had $20,000 in options। Naturally, we had to see if they were really worth it. They were. This is a car fast enough to make a fool out of most sports cars and still gets gas mileage that borders on 22 mpg in mixed driving. The backseat offers the most comfort of any car we have ever tested. To that we had an easy to use navigation system, front seats that both heat and cool you, sunroof, a Mark Levinson sound system that can knock your socks off, Dynamic Laser Cruise Control, power rear sunshade and side shades, power door and trunk closers, rear-obstacle-detection system, leather seats, Lexus Link to get help when you need it, rear air conditioning, rear radio controls, rear-seat power adjusters, rear-seat cooler box, self-adjusting air suspension Plus 17 inch chrome rims, a 290 horsepower engine with 320 pounds of torque, five speed transmission, driver's computer, antiskid/traction-control system, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, head-protecting curtain side airbags, selectable Euro-Tuned suspension and more. You get the idea. The Lexus LS 430 is loaded. But even the base model has dual-zone climate control, a 14-way power driver seat with memory, cruise control, a power tilt-and-telescope steering wheel, auto-dimming mirrors, an in-dash CD changer and a power trunk closer.

Mom's view: The LS is very large and feels like it. There is nothing cheap or flimsy about it. You know what you paid for and it makes you happy every day you drive it. The future is now as the LS offers laser-guided cruise control, sonar-based rear parking assist, a navigation system that uses satellites and a DVD database, and air suspension. This car borders on the unreal. Just gently push the trunk lid down and it closes itself, as do the doors. Of course, I would like it if they trunk opened more when you hit the release so you could get your fingers under the lid without getting dirty. The trunk space is quite adequate at 20.2 cubic feet trunk. Perhaps the most unusual feature on this Lexus, or any car anywhere, it the fact that the LS has two glove compartments to go with its excellent front storage pockets and centre console cell phone holder and deep cargo area.

Most impressive. Safety wise, the Lexus is loaded. You have crumple zones and steel reinforcements, seat-mounted side airbags and front air bags. There are side-curtain airbags mounted above the side windows, too. Of course, there are excellent xenon headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, ABS with brake assist that automatically applies extra force during emergencies, skid and traction control, and enough power to get out of tight situations. The only part I didn�t like of these features was the soft feel of the brake pedal. I really loved the way the outside mirrors automatically tucked themselves in when you put the car in park which is a real safety feature and reduces the chances for damage to the car from owners who throw their door open in parking lots. In other words, the LS is a very reassuring car to drive. This is also one of the ultimate highway cruisers, and its tight turning radius makes it easy to finagle the LS into the tightest of spots so getting around town is not as difficult as the vehicle�s dimensions might lead you to believe. Overall, this Lexus is a fine luxury car with a great warranty and its high resale adds to your peace of mind. I also had to admire the quality of its paint. It appeared deep, glowing, and faultless.

Dad's view: The car is luxurious, but the engine is the big news. You can get to 100km/h in well under 7 seconds, which isn�t bad for a 4000-pound car. More importantly, the variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) enables this 4.3-liter V8 engine and its 290 horsepower to earn ULEV certification. Handling is fairly cushy, although not soft on the sports settings. Finally, the car is loaded with special features such as the laser cruise control. You select how far you want the Lexus to stay from cars in front of you, the speed you want to go, and the Lexus does the rest. We travelled miles testing the system and it was marvellous, although a little frightening when you think that all you are doing is holding the steering wheel and the car is handling everything else. Generally, this is a smooth car that relaxes you and provides a reason why you work for a living. It is not as spirited as a BMW, not as cramped as a Jaguar, and is more conservative than an Infiniti. Perhaps it compares best with the expensive Audi A8L.

Young working woman's view: Spacious, elegant, classy, and does whatever you wish। This is a car filled with wants and it quickly spoils you with its sophisticated perfection. I loved the 22-gallon fuel tank that gave this travelling car its long legs and to go with its perfect highway manners. In town was another matter. The Lexus LS is a large car and needs its space whether parking it or in your garage. Although I admired the essence that Lexus has given its vehicles, I am also aware of the criticism that they have gotten for making cars that isolate you from the driving experience. To a degree, this LS does that. But after a hard day of work I really don�t want to feel the road or try my hand at finding the apex of a curve. I just want to drive home in comfort. The whisper from the engine, the five speed automatic transmission�s fluid gear changes, and the lack of wind noise are exceptional. That is where the LS is a winner.

College going male's view: I know I am young and should be attracted to the Lexus IS and smaller vehicles, but the LS 430 is my favourite car। I love the way it rides, the quality build and its quietness. The LS does not shout at anyone, it quietly, literally and figuratively, shows it excellent. For instance, the 0.25 coefficient of drag is unbelievable for a large sedan. There�s plenty of room inside for five, and the rear seat passengers are treated as royalty. The armrest features both storage and an instrument cluster that puts the passenger in control of the environment. In back there are heated seats, a compact disc player, and rear climate system. And there are other unique and useful items everywhere. The automatic climate system reads temperature sensors around the interior, and sun sensing articulated air registers deploy in particular areas as needed to cool the warmest parts of the interior. The centre outlets move to provide more uniform cooling ala the late Mazda 929. Even front side window glass has been treated to help repel water.

Family conference: The best real luxury car for the money. You need to see its features, feel its ride, and see its quality, but be aware of its tempting options.