Product Reviews Net » cars http://www.product-reviews.net Information on the latest gadgets, technology, news and product reviews Sat, 26 May 2012 11:39:50 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Top 10 Stolen cars 2011: Find out if your car is at risk http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/08/04/top-10-stolen-cars-2011-find-out-if-your-car-is-at-risk/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=top-10-stolen-cars-2011-find-out-if-your-car-is-at-risk http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/08/04/top-10-stolen-cars-2011-find-out-if-your-car-is-at-risk/#comments Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:11:16 +0000 Gary Johnson http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=138470 No matter what type of vehicle you own or drive, there is nothing worse when you find it has been stolen or broken into. Luckily because of technology auto theft is decreasing but the problem still exists. Today we have an article looking at the top 10 stolen cars, and you can find out if your car is at risk.

The amount of vehicles stolen in the US during 2010 was the lowest in any year since 1967, but the National Insurance Crime Bureau has released its annual list of the most stolen vehicles. Coming in at number ten is the 1999 Ford Taurus, which is the only American made sedan in the list according to MSN Autos.

The car was popular with thieves in places such as North Carolina, Missouri, and Illinois amongst others. The Taurus is not the most exotic car ever made, but will appeal to criminals who want to keep a low profile.

At number nine is another Ford, but the 2002 Explorer in areas such as Nebraska and North Carolina is further up as the fifth most stolen car. A rare luxury car comes in at number eight is the 1994 Integra, and because of the age of the car it’s easier to steal. The vehicle is the fourth most stolen car in California. The 2002 Dodge Caravan is at number seven but in some areas such as Ohio it’s the most stolen vehicle.

It may the second most stolen vehicle in Texas, but the 2004 Dodge Ram is at number six in the NICB list. The vehicle is more modern but it is still popular among car thieves. While the 1997 Ford F-150 comes in at number five, this can be put down to the amount of the vehicles that are purchased each year. At number four sits the 1999 Chevrolet Silverado.

Although its getting a bit old now, but the 1991 Toyota Camry is very popular among thieves putting it at number three, this is because they last a long time and are often stolen for their parts. The rest of the top three is made up of the 1995 Honda Civic, and top of the tree was another Honda, the 1994 Honda Accord. Almost 52,000 Accords were stolen in 2010, with over 44,000 made in the 1990s.

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/08/04/top-10-stolen-cars-2011-find-out-if-your-car-is-at-risk/feed/ 0 RV Driving tips: 2011 checklist for the journey http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/07/07/rv-driving-tips-2011-checklist-for-the-journey/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rv-driving-tips-2011-checklist-for-the-journey http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/07/07/rv-driving-tips-2011-checklist-for-the-journey/#comments Thu, 07 Jul 2011 18:54:13 +0000 Alan Ng http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=136293 If you are planning on going on a road trip this Summer armed with your trusty RV caravan vehicle, it’s a good idea to check out a list of some of the most useful RV driving tips that we have compiled for you.

As most of you are properly aware, driving your RV to an unfamiliar destination is one of the most popular activities for families to take part in during the Summer each year in the US.

However, those with limited driving experience of RV vehicles can often get put off by the sheer difficulty of handling such a large beast, although like everything – it gets easier when you have picked up the learning curve for it.

The good news, is that you’re not alone and there are several guides you can read online which can help you in your quest to become an RV master in the driver’s seat. One such guide we’ve picked out comes courtesy of TheCampingSource, as they have compiled a list of guidelines in summary format which you should look through before heading out on your journey.

A few examples of RV driving tips include adjusting all vehicle mirrors before setting off, and also ensuring to check mirrors when changing lane – common sense you may feel but you’ll be surprised how many accidents are caused by drivers failure to check mirrors when changing lanes.

Another important factor that you’ll need to consider is the weight of trailer or pop-up tent that your vehicle can tow without causing strains on the vehicle. You can find out exact details on the weight you can manage in the instruction manual of your vehicle.

While you should take these ideas on board when preparing for your RV trip, an actual checklist that you can print out will really help you in this situation. Over at RVersOnline, you’ll see that they have compiled a list of equipment that you’ll need to obtain for your trip, as well as a checklist for the passengers to overlook in relation to the safety of the driver.

The article continues to list useful information which you will find very handy and as we mentioned above, it’s definitely a good idea for to print this page so you have quick access to it whilst out on the road or preparing to head out on a trip soon. Take a look at it and let us know what you think.

Are you set to go on an RV adventure soon? Let us know if you have any tips for our other readers.

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/07/07/rv-driving-tips-2011-checklist-for-the-journey/feed/ 0 How to sell your own car with an Android and iPhone app http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/07/03/how-to-sell-your-own-car-with-an-android-and-iphone-app/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-sell-your-own-car-with-an-android-and-iphone-app http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/07/03/how-to-sell-your-own-car-with-an-android-and-iphone-app/#comments Sun, 03 Jul 2011 11:54:36 +0000 Daniel Chubb http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=135952 When It comes to selling your car most people know the traditional ways, which include advertising boards in local stores and newspapers, but in 2011 there are ways to do this that reach a much wider range of buyers. You can do this online and with some of the latest technology, including applications.

For those of you that want to know how to sell your own car with an Android and iPhone app, we aim to give you a few pointers. These include some well-known apps for brands you may also know, and also a few lesser-known apps. The first app we found is called “Copart Sell My Car”, and this app is one of the best we found. Feedback from users so far is very positive, some people had offers within hours of listing their car for sale, and others found that their fears of selling a car were not needed. It’s hard to believe some of the feedback about this application, some reports on the iTunes page claim offers within minutes.

The well known Cars.com have an app for both iPhone iOS and Android OS, which aims to help those looking for a vehicle or selling one. You can share listings with friends, find maps to dealerships, view photos of the cars, and use filters to find vehicles based on your preferences.

AVUS Mobile is another app for iPad and iPhone that helps you sell a range of things, and this ranges from a family pet and real estate to used cars. You can place ads right from the app and have options to mange your car listing, even the ability to upload photos. The advantage with using a mobile app is being able to easily access the items your selling from almost anywhere, which then connects you to buyers who are also looking anywhere any time. Some of the built in functions make websites look last-gen.

We had an email a little while ago about a new app for the Apple iPad that transforms car buying and selling, which makes the process really easy for car sellers and buyers. The new system is said to be the auto industry’s first system that is truly intelligent for online advertising. The app is called “MAX for Selling Elite iPad”, and can be found on the iTunes Store here. The app was updated to v1.2 just a few days ago, and includes real time updates and an improved photo experience.

Try the above apps and let us know if you use any for selling your car, and how you get on. You can also try selling your car on the popular auction site eBay, and one great way to do this is by using the eBay iPhone app and eBay Android app.

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/07/03/how-to-sell-your-own-car-with-an-android-and-iphone-app/feed/ 0 World’s biggest trucks: Video shows Terex Titan up close http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/06/30/worlds-biggest-trucks-video-shows-terex-titan-up-close/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=worlds-biggest-trucks-video-shows-terex-titan-up-close http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/06/30/worlds-biggest-trucks-video-shows-terex-titan-up-close/#comments Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:30:48 +0000 Alan Ng http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=135744 Have you ever wondered what one of the world’s biggest truck looks like? Well, we can tell you that it is currently located in Canada and goes by the name of the Terex Titan. We have a video of the beast to show you now, letting you see just how big it really is.

And it’s as huge as it gets in terms of truck sizes. The Terex Titan is located in Sparwood BC, Canada and eats monster trucks for breakfast. Weighing in at 22ft, 7 in tall and carrying a length of 66 ft 9 in, it was actually built by General Motors and carries a hefty US$1.5 million price tag along with it.

We’re not sure we dig the color scheme of the Titan, but who cares when you can command the road in one of these mammoths. Right now, the Titan has become a popular tourist attraction amongst vistors to the Sparwood BC area and a video we have to show you below lets you see the side and front views of the vehicle from a tourist’s perspective.

Amazed at how big it is? If that excites you, you may also be interested in a variety of other vehicles which belong in the ‘world’s biggest trucks’ category. These include trucks such as the Caterpillar 797, the Liebherr T 282B and the Bucyrus MT6300AC – all of which wouldn’t look out of place in a Transformers movie. We had to mention that since most of the world is now in Transformers fever with the third movie hitting theaters right now.

Below we have included a series of images of each truck mentioned above, so you can take a look for yourself and decide which one you think looks best. Personally, I think the Bucyrus MT6300AC looks pretty awesome, as it has a certain element of style to it, compared to the Terex Titan which looks a bit boring boring you have to say. However, the Liebherr T 282B looks very nice as well, so that’s definitely a close second after the Bucyrus.

Have you ever visited the Terex Titan in Canada? If you have been lucky enough to experience the beast up close and personal, let us know what you think of the vehicle compared to other huge trucks you’ve seen on your travels.

Terex Titan

Bucyrus MT6300AC

Caterpillar 797

Liebherr T 282B

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/06/30/worlds-biggest-trucks-video-shows-terex-titan-up-close/feed/ 1 2011 Hyundai Elantra Review: Best new car for under $20,000 http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/06/16/2011-hyundai-elantra-review-best-new-car-for-under-20000/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2011-hyundai-elantra-review-best-new-car-for-under-20000 http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/06/16/2011-hyundai-elantra-review-best-new-car-for-under-20000/#comments Thu, 16 Jun 2011 01:48:48 +0000 Alan Ng http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=134696 If you are thinking of picking up the recently unveiled Hyundai Elantra vehicle, you’ll probably want to check out this brief review of the 2011 car that has already been published. The car was first introduced at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show but now critics are starting to have their say on it.

A brief summary of the Elantra has been made by the guys over at TheWeeklyDriver, and according to them, they think that the 2011 Hyundai Elanta is probably the best car out on the market at the moment, for under $20,000.

Their reasons for this are it’s exterior styling, great leg room both in the front and back seats, unique design around the wheels, an ideal screen position and generally good system quality all round.

A few key facts about the car include an acceleration of 0-60 mph in 8.5 seconds, 138 horsepower, antilock brakes as standard and 40 mpg fuel economy when driving on highways.

However, they’ve also listed their distastes with the Elantra and they include not coming with a spare tire, and the fact that it doesn’t have a sunroof facility. If you can overlook these two areas, then chances are you are going to be very impressed with the model. Check out their article above for the full lowdown.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for prices for this model in Australia, you’ll find the following guide over at CarAdvice useful. We’ve also included a video from the 2010 Los Angeles Car Show which takes a look at the 2011 Elantra in closer detail, giving you a better idea if it’s the right motor for you or not.

Are you thinking of picking one up?

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/06/16/2011-hyundai-elantra-review-best-new-car-for-under-20000/feed/ 1 Best summer road trips: 2011 vehicles with attitude http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/06/13/best-summer-road-trips-2011-vehicles-with-attitude/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=best-summer-road-trips-2011-vehicles-with-attitude http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/06/13/best-summer-road-trips-2011-vehicles-with-attitude/#comments Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:15:21 +0000 Alan Ng http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=134297 If you are planning on going on a Summer road trip this year, and are thinking of buying a vehicle which is appropriate, you’ll probably find the following guide helpful which lists a series of vehicles which are ideal for the best Summer road trips.

We previously informed you of car maintenance tips that you should be aware of before heading out for your Summer trips, but now we have information on the types of vehicles that are best suited for the adventure.

One such vehicle is the 2011 Mazda2 Sport which is currently available for under $15,000. Features include a fuel economy of 29/35 mpg for respective city/highway factors, while it also features five-speed manual transmission as well. You can choose optional upgrades on the Mazda2 sport, but these will bump up the price, so it’s not advised if you dont want to pay more than $15000 for one.

Another car to consider is the 2011 Nissan Versa S sedan, another car which is under $15,000. Unlike the Mazda2, the big advantage on the Nissan Versa is space, as you’ll have enough room to pack all your essentials inside – a crucial component of planning your Summer trip.

If you want to see some more vehicles which are ideal for Summer road trips, head to the list over at MotorTrend. We’ve included videos of both vehicles mentioned above so you can take a look at them in closer detail.

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/06/13/best-summer-road-trips-2011-vehicles-with-attitude/feed/ 0 Fuel economy tips for 2011: US Government guidelines http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/06/13/fuel-economy-tips-for-2011-us-government-guidelines/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fuel-economy-tips-for-2011-us-government-guidelines http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/06/13/fuel-economy-tips-for-2011-us-government-guidelines/#comments Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:35:01 +0000 Alan Ng http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=134298 We have brought you various information in the past about how to save money on your car and which types of vehicle are specifically designed for fuel economy, but now we have some tips which come straight from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency.

They have come up with a series of steps for the average driver to follow, complete with useful diagrams to back up their recommendations, making it easier for the reader to digest.

Their first tip is to drive efficiently, and they have divided this into sub categories with information on driving sensibly, observing the speed limit, removing excess weight from your vehicle and using cruise control and overdrive gears.

Next up is keeping your car in good shape, and to do this you’ll need to ensure that your engine is properly tuned and that your tires are properly inflated. There is also some very useful tips on checking which type of oil you are using, and also evidence that changing your air filter can save money on fuel in the long run.

Two other important areas to consider in terms of fuel economy are commuting and travelling. Deciding when to travel to work and avoiding peak traffic times can often be the difference in saving a lot of money on fuel each month.

If you’re interested in reading more, head to the official government website here. Alternatively, if you have any ‘fuel-proof’ tips which have saved you money in the past, be sure to share them with us below.

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/06/13/fuel-economy-tips-for-2011-us-government-guidelines/feed/ 0 America’s best truck stops and luxurious features http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/06/09/americas-best-truck-stops-and-luxurious-features/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=americas-best-truck-stops-and-luxurious-features http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/06/09/americas-best-truck-stops-and-luxurious-features/#comments Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:38:02 +0000 Alan Ng http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=133934 If you are a truck driver and are due to go on another long shift, but are not too clued up on where truck stops are in your planned destination, you’ll be pleased to know that we have an extensive list of America’s best truck stops, giving you plenty of time to prepare.

We’ve also got information on a few truck stops that provide a little luxury when you are tired after a long drive and want to relax a little. One such example is the truck stop in Ohio which is called 77 Gulliver’s Travel Plaza. It features private showers, a billiards room, lounge with cable tv, an electronic game room, a laundromat and even a hair and taning salon.

Alternatively, another luxurious truck stop location you can try is Sierra Sid’s, which is located in Nevada. This one is rather special as it apparently contains memorabilia from Elvis Presley, such as jewelry belonging to Presley’s father, and also four .45 handguns which Elvis was said to use.

If you’re interested in reading more about some luxurious truck stops across the USA, head to this report over at TruckInfo. If you are just looking for an A-Z of truck stops across 48 states in the US, you’ll find this guide useful from BigTruckDriving Jobs.

If you are a truck driver, let us know your opinions on America’s best truck stops.

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/06/09/americas-best-truck-stops-and-luxurious-features/feed/ 0 Summer car care tips and essential items for the road http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/06/09/summer-car-care-tips-and-essentials-items-for-the-road/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=summer-car-care-tips-and-essentials-items-for-the-road http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/06/09/summer-car-care-tips-and-essentials-items-for-the-road/#comments Thu, 09 Jun 2011 12:12:13 +0000 Alan Ng http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=133935 If you are planning on going on a vacation this Summer and aim to save money by driving, you should ensure that your vehicle remains in tip top condition in case any problems arise whilst on the road. We have a series of Summer car care tips for you to remember now, which you’ll probably find helpful.

It goes without saying, but if you haven’t sent your car in for a maintenance check up before you head out on the road, this is the first step you should take in ensuring your car is safe for you and most importantly, your passengers.

Another factor which may be a no brainer, is to check your air con. Imagine how you would feel if it suddenly stops working while you’re driving in 30-35 degree temperatures, nobody is going to like that.

Consider this a mini checklist as well, as any driver should have their lights, filters, oil, tires and windshield wipers checked first before starting your trip. These may feel like obvious things which you would never forget, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

If this article has helped you, head to Autoheroes here, as they include some emergency back up items that you should pack if you run into trouble.

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/06/09/summer-car-care-tips-and-essentials-items-for-the-road/feed/ 0 Affordable luxury cars for 2011: Alternative models under $30k http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/06/09/affordable-luxury-cars-for-2011-alternative-models-under-30k/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=affordable-luxury-cars-for-2011-alternative-models-under-30k http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/06/09/affordable-luxury-cars-for-2011-alternative-models-under-30k/#comments Thu, 09 Jun 2011 00:35:08 +0000 Alan Ng http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=133902 At the start of the year, we gave you a list of a few motors that are considered by auto critics as ‘affordable luxury cars’. Now though as we prepare for a hot Summer, we have a list of alternative models that you may be interested in picking up on the cheap.

We say cheap, but the models we’ve picked out are all available for under $30,000. Some of you may feel this is still expensive, but for a luxury car we think it’s very reasonable, and you’ll find out why with the first model.

The Acura TSX is available to buy now, priced at approximately $29,890. The first hint of luxury on this one is a a voice-controlled navigation system, while you’ll also be impressed with a 2.4-liter, inline four-cylinder engine that can churn out 205 horsepower.

If that doesn’t take your fancy, maybe you want to consider the Cadillac CTS which is available for the slightly cheaper price of $29,660. The 2007 model runs on a 2.8-liter, V6 engine that offers 210 horsepower and it’s main luxurious feaures are the sport-tuned suspension, XM(R) Satellite Radio and OnStar features such as hands-free calling and navigation services.

If you are interested in viewing a few more alternative luxury cars for 2011 including a Mercedes Benz under $30,000, head to the report over at Askmen for full details. If you have purchased what you think is a luxury car, let us know how much you paid for it, and what features it comes with.

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