Car Guru asked:


I get paid to sell self-drive holidays to Australians, to encourage them to take to the open roads and explore new territory behind the wheel of a rental car. I have a confession to make. I can’t actually drive.

 

Now I haven’t deliberately kept this from my employer, it wasn’t mentioned in my interview nor was it in my job description alongside having excellent communication skills, the ability to work as part of a team or to meet deadlines in a fast paced working environment. It was neither an essential nor desirable attribute.

 

I have never lied about it, but I do avoid voluntarily giving out this information about myself. I’m almost 25 for goodness sake! Kids I used to babysit have got in the driver’s seat before me. I guess I just haven’t got around to it in 7 years. I’m used to the convenience of city living and not needing to be able to drive.

 

So while I am cruising comfortably on my P plates in my car rental marketing career, I have yet to get my Learners licence to drive. The irony of the situation was pointed out to me at a recent industry function when I was talking to a marketing guru from an airline. He asked me what kind of car I drove and I said quietly that, actually, I can’t drive. “What!” he exclaimed “You work for a car rental company and you can’t drive?!” True. But, I said to him, you work for an airline, can you fly a plane?

 

You see, what I try to market or sell is not driving. We don’t sell the idea of jumping into a rental car, the exhilaration of putting the key in the ignition, turning on the engine and…well, whatever it is that comes next.

 

No, we try to sell the idea of freedom, the thought of having independence and flexibility on holidays, exploring new places, making memories and having a good time. We try to inspire people to visit places off the beaten track and discover new things.

 

So does it actually matter that I can’t drive? Do you think dog food marketers have actually tasted what they’re selling? Exactly.

 

I have travelled around the world and I have been in cars lots of times, often simultaneously, so I know the feeling of having the wind in your hair, good music in your ears and a smile on your face. I know the excitement of visiting new and foreign lands and the joy of travelling around, not being in a cramped Greyhound bus or overcrowded non-air conditioned train.

 

I have just been in the passenger’s seat, not the driver’s, that’s all.

 

Having said all that, I know that I need to learn to drive. Will I finally take the plunge and learn? Yes, most definitely, in part to aid my copywriting, to gain independence and well, to see what all the fuss about.

 

Yes, there’s all that and also that promise that my partner made about getting a shiny new Yaris when I do finally get my license. Now that is an incentive to learn.



Farrand

Michael L asked:


What car or car company makes cars with a sportshift option. Or a sequential sportshift. It is when you have an automatic car, but can kind of be a manual car. What companyies maked cars with this option, or comes standerd.

Terese

Car Guru asked:


An Australian man has just won a settlement in a landmark age discrimination case against an Irish car rental company after being charged an extra fee for being over the age of 70.

Anthony White tried to hire a car in Ireland 2 years ago when he was in his early seventies and was charged a EUR25 fee. He was also told he would not be able to rent a car on his next visit as he would be over 75.

White took his case to Ireland’s Equality Tribunal who ruled in his favour that the policy amounted to age discrimination. Irish Car Rentals Ltd has since changed the rule and says the decision will now be made on a case-by-case basis involving assessments of age, health, driving record and insurance coverage.

A senior driver surcharge is pretty common with car rental companies - you may have read a previous blog here about it (Too Old to Drive A Rental Car?) Some suppliers charge extra if drivers are over a certain age, others have a maximum age limit for renters and some require additional documentation (like Irish Car Rentals are now doing). The surcharge is applied to cover higher insurance premiums as older drivers as seen as higher risk.

Does this case mean we may see an end to senior driver surcharges? Is it age discrimination to charge older drivers more as they are seen to be a higher risk?

In that case, surely it is also age discrimination to charge someone under 25 a young drivers fee since they too are seen as a higher insurance risk and more likely to have an accident?

In the case of Mr. White, he has been driving for 50 years and felt it was unfair to blanket all older drivers.

I do agree with this and think the company’s new policy is fair – it depends on each individual’s circumstances and not their age. Will other car rental companies follow suit? We’ll have to wait and see.

Final thought – one article I found about this was entitled “Old Man wins age discrimination suit against Irish rental car company” - “Old Man”? Surely that is age discrimination in itself?!



Esme

just me<3 asked:


Im 16 and about to buy a car in 2 months, im graduating and going to college in california and i live near georgia so im not to close. so i need a car thats good for traveling, im looking into buying a car like a jeep grand cherokee or something that size but a smaller car would do to. any suggestions?

Trista

Causeway Cars asked:


Causeway Cars, the leading auto dealers in Manahawkin, New Jersey, has carved a niche in the automotive world with its commitment for providing the customers with highly professional and world-class service for all their motoring needs. The dealership has been in the automotive business for over 37 years, houses a wide collection of vehicles from top car brands in the world such as Ford, Suzuki, Lincoln, Jeep, Nissan, Mercury and Honda. They offer top-notch service and stock genuine spare parts and accessories.

Those who reside in and around Chatsworth, Cologne, Berlin, Atlantic City, Birmingham, Forked River, Toms River, Lacey, Little Egg Harbor, Tuckerton, Bayville, Beachwood, Long Beach Island, Seaside Heights, Manchester, Lakehurst, Barnegat, Waretown, West Creek and New Lisbon and cities within 40 miles radius of Causeway Cars can avail the top-notch service provided by them.

The website of the dealership with its advanced sophisticated features makes the process of car purchasing simple, easy and hassle-free. The customers can order parts and accessories, and even schedule a service appointment using the special features of the website. The research and virtual brochure features of the website drive you closer to finer technical aspects of the vehicles and helps you view the vehicle of your choice in every possible angle.



Marshall

Amit Kothiyal asked:


If you want to buy cars that have been used, you should be very careful in choosing genuine cars. Usually, a lot of companies and garages advertise for used car sale, but you’ve got to be very careful with the choice that you make. Used cars are cheap cars no doubt, but they can come with a lot of defects and technical problems and therefore, you must see to it that the car that you choose is free of all defects. It is good to take a car expert with you for selecting an affordable car(s) before finally purchasing it. The dealer will not be able to deceive you in anyway regarding the car that he/she is selling you in the presence of a person who is well conversant with the sale and purchase of used cars.

You can select discount cars that have been used but still in good condition from some of the genuine websites available on the Internet. They have information about a wide range of discounted car. You need to make your choice known by selecting your preferred model from the dropdown list. You can filter your search by placing your desired price range. Before purchasing used cars you should always verify their credentials. They should have proper registration numbers and other details. You can specify a lot of other features such as, the body type, the year of manufacture, the kilometer range, the transmission type, the color preference etc.

Used cars are being increasingly opted for owing due to their low prices, but they should be purchased only from reliable sources. Otherwise, it is better to go for new cars which run a low risk of having any defects. Many dealers of used cars sell wholesale car(s) too.

How to choose used cars?

Used cars are being increasingly opted for these days, because they are highly affordable in today’s world. But you should be very careful in selecting the dealer or the agent from whom you buy the car. There are a lot of genuine dealers but the number of fraudulent ones is also quite high. It is always better for you to take a car expert with you when you go for selecting your used car because the dealer does not usually get a chance to deceive you in front of a person who has good knowledge about used cars and the used car market.

The Internet has a large number of websites that give you a lot of information about used cars. Some of them have vast databases of used cars from the entire country. You can choose a car of a desired model, price range, year of manufacture, transmission, mileage, color specifications, and other features. You should always be careful about choosing cars and ensure they have the proper credentials. The cars should be registered. If you can get a used car that is free of defects it maybe a good buy, otherwise a new car is always a better choice.



Gerrard

asama asked:


I want to know how the car overtakes a bike even when both are traveling at a same speed.I will put my question in a easier way.

Ex:A bike and car travels at 60mph starting at the same point and time . My question is whether both will reach 60miles after one hour simultaneously?. I know obviously car will reach faster than bike. Whats the reason behind this ??

Kindly answer my question.

Melinie

dana l asked:


My husband works in a job where he has to transport clients in his car who are unclean and don’t take care of their hygiene. Some of them are even street people. My husband does use a car seat cover to protect the seats. We are having a baby in three months and I am very concerned about transporting our baby in our car. We can only afford one car and it is a part of my husband’s job to have clients in his car. Any suggestions to take utmost care in prevention of germs or infections via car. Many thanks for any suggestions.

Kalle

carazoo.com asked:


We have cars of different sizes and height available in India. Selection needs to be made from several different size cars like - small car, tall hatchback, sedans, saloon, luxury cars, and large cars. A consumer has for choices of car, color, accessories and other attachments made in to the car after purchasing a brand new car.

Comfort plays an important role. A tall person could find himself cramped in small car, a short driver could find the steering wheel positioned too high for comfort; an uncomfortable seat may hamper visibility and several other problems.

Q: How does one find out which car suits you?

A: Sit inside the car and try it out.

Here are some guideline that needs to be followed when selecting a car-



Sit in the front seat and backseat to check out every detail. Check out visibility, seat comfort, driving comfort, headroom, legroom. Check out if these things put you to comfort the buyer at ease immediately. Never get carried away by the loud advertising by the dealer and manufacturer. Ultimately, what matters is the comfort of the car owner.

There are some huge cars, which come with small interiors. The manufacturer will have mentioned the wheelbase to emphasize on size of car. However, when inside the car, the cabin could feel claustrophobic. The cabin may be too small for the owner’s comfort. The buyer may also find that it is small or very large to accommodate his/her family. When going to shop for a car, the buyer should prioritize his/her demands and comfort.

The size of the car is important way to gauge its target audience. But if buyer gets carried away by words, brand name and advertising, or else he/she could end up paying more for less. If the buyer is looking for a family car, it is best to take the family to the dealership and check its space. Never mind the dealer discomfort. It is best to test as many details as possible. If the car does not satisfy your comfort, do not go for it. Even, if it means giving up an intended car.

A car is a place where more people will be spending their time as traffic snarls increase in practically all cities in India. Check out if there is enough headroom, back support and leg space to stretch. Driving with a discomfort posture will render the driver fatigued, who will then have less concentration on road.

It is common for Indian buyers to go for a car because their friends and relatives recommended it. Though it’s a good parameter to check the car brand reliability, it is important to check if the required car meets your requirements. People consider small cars good for daily commuting and shopping. Ensure that the car you buy satisfies the buyer’s requirement first.

Short drivers and women drivers commonly complain about lack of visibility. In this case, find out if the car has high positioned seats or height adjustments options. Clear visibility of the road ahead is very important to avoid collision. Sit in the car and find out if the right and left corners of the vehicle are clearly visible. If the buyer feels that that visibility is unclear, then do not go for the car. It is a common practice among short driver has to place pillows on seats to gain higher seating position. This is dangerous. Pillows may not give the best thigh support required to depress pedal when encountering emergencies. In addition, seats with pillows do not offer the most ergonomic seating position and could cause physical ailments.



Conclusion

The buyer needs to keep in mind that the required model meets his /her demands for a car. The buyer should take time to evaluate each aspect of car driving comfort before going for the car. Do not fall victim to the pressure of the dealer to sign on the dotted line. It is not fun to be driving a car, which displeases later. So precaution is better than cure. The buyer must remember that the deal can wait but the best car alone can make its way to his/her home.



Ardelle

carazoo.com asked:


Car auctions are houses that deal into selling of used cars purely based on bidding. These houses have a huge variety of cars from various sources comprising bank repos, private owners, car dealers, and car mechanics, offering great bargains for savvy car consumers.

Every month, nearly about 1000s of cars become government’s property through foreclosure law. These laws are implemented on foreclosed cars, cars that are confiscated by banks or finance institutes in case the car owner fails to pay the installment. Unfortunately, there are many who fail to pay the EMI (Easy Monthly Installments) of the car purchased due to some or the other reason including loss of employment and economic recession. So, these houses gather a variety of used car models in an assortment of colours and variants. This huge number of cars at the auctions compels the government to sell off the car at cheap prices and recover the debt.

Infact, during this era of inflation, it is one of the best ways to get cheap and affordable cars. Car consumers may have to sacrifice on the make, model, and colour options, but in a massive collection of cars, they definitely get the car of their choice. Even a good, well-conditioned and new car, a car that is one or two months old, can be purchased at comparatively cheap prices form the auction.

All the auctions are organized by government agencies, banks, and lending organizations that don’t sell off the car because of profit margins but to recover the debt and get rid of property as soon as possible. These organizations feel that auctioning a car is a better option than letting the car fall into a waste and unmovable piece. That’s the reason why cheap deals are attractive and impressive at car auctions.

The best part of these auctions is that the cars are sold at a price people want. The entire process undergoes a legal procedure where in the auctioneer states a price and after that the process of bidding starts. An individual, who states the highest bid, gets the car at the price quoted by him.

Car auctions are divided into categories and are mainly classified into three types:



Police Auctions or Government Auctions: These are the most common types of car auctions that have been around for years. Many of the cars and other automobiles have been seized by the police department or government agency when the vehicle owner is able to pay its monthly installment. The same vehicles are offered to prospective car buyers at sale prices.

Online Car Auctions: The advent of internet and advanced technology paved way for online car auctions. Today, there are many car auction website on the net where nearly about one car is sold off on the highest bid every one minute. Within the comfort of home or office, car consumers can win a car auction at their desired price.

Public Car Auctions: These are considered to be good and profitable bargains. The complete information about these auctions is often advertised on television and newspaper so that the common man can have a chance to get a cheap car at his desired price tag.





Jo-anne