Saturday, February 14, 2009

compare car insurance

Car Insurance is the biggest and most competitive insurance subject in the marketplace. Any number of insurance companies like Tesco Car Insurance, Direct Line Car Insurance and Post Office Car Insurance assure customers old and new that they can offer cheap car insurance to any and every driver, either by providing low cost car insurance or by offering to compare car insurance quotes from any number of companies.

The needs of car drivers and the type of insurance needed varies. Some know which car insurance groups their car falls into and will search for car insurance quotes this way. Others might look for short term car insurance policies for a holiday or short trip. And it stands to reason that we're all searching for budget car insurance in these harsh times when money can be tight.

If you're currently trying to compare car ionsurance quotes, our consumer reviews may show you what to expect from your car insurers. And, if you've renewed your car inruacne, why not send us a review of your insurance broker?

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Classic Car Insurance

In America today, less that half of collector cars on the road are insured with classic car insurance. These policies have been available for a long time, but many people do not know about them. Most people have a regular insurance policy with high premiums and restrictive policies. You won't get that with classic car insurance. Standard premiums can be at much as 500 percent higher. Why pay that much for such a limited amount of coverage?

There are a few different types of coverage that you have with classic car insurance. There is actual cash value that gives you the book value of the car on a claim, the state value that lets you state the value of the vehicle for coverage, and there is the agreed value that guarantees all of your money back in the event of a total loss. This is the only policy that will not depreciate over the years.

If you are wondering what is considered a collectible vehicle, it may be hard to define. There are many different types of cars that are collected these days, so to find out if your beauty is considered a collectible, you will want to contact a classic car insurance carrier in order to see if your car qualifies for this great insurance.

Finding the Very Best Classic Car Insurance

Before you start hunting for a classic car insurance company for your car, you need to find out first how much the true value of your car is. Getting the true value can sometime be tricky. Bear in mind that an insurance company will want to know how much insurance you want on your car so you need to know the true value of your car.

The value of classic cars can vary and it can be greatly increase based on its uniqueness, its model, its present condition, its age and its history. If your car has some really great history attached to it which can be verified, you can fetch a handsome price on that car. To determine how much is the true value of your classic car, bring your car to an appraiser who works with classic cars in your locality. The classic car appraiser should be able to give you the true value of your classic car.

After determining the market value which is the true value of your classic car, you may now start hunting for a classic car insurance company. First you should call those well known classic car insurance companies. Ask these classic car insurance companies for insurance quotes depending upon the true value of your classic car. When comparing insurance quotes from all these classic car insurance companies, pay close attention to the features of the policy and the cost. Make sure that the cost of the insurance is well justified. You do not really want to pay more money than you should on your car insurance.

How to find Cheap Auto Insurance Rates in California

Every Californian wants to find a cheap car insurance service ; however, the toughest part of life in California is that rates are generally high due to the higher traffic; therefore, it takes a bit of effort to find cheap prices. CA is known to have one of the highest premiums in the USA and other.
Here’s how to find cheap California car insurance rates:
First of all, it is vital that you compare quotes of many different companies. By limiting yourself to one or few companies, you decrease your chances of finding a cheaper rate. The way to find cheaper California auto insurance is by simply playing the numbers game until you find ones you can afford. The reality is that prices vary widely within insurers and each driver has to do a bit of homework. So should you go company to company for a quote comparison? NO!

Internet makes comparing quotes really easy. OnlineAutoInsurance.com allows visitors to complete a fast questionnaire to instantly get back numerous quotes from top companies. Contrary to getting quotes one-by-one, this way you don’t have to repeatedly answer the same questions of fill out repeated forms.

Pointers to keep in mind while shopping for CA insurance:
If you want your car to be legal in California, it has to be insured. But the law states that you only require liability insurance. This is the coverage that pays for the bills of other person involved in an accident, if the fault was yours. It also provides money for the medical bills of the passengers of that car and helps compensate for pain, suffering and damage. The minimum liability coverage to have in California is $15,000 for injuries of a single person, $30,000 as a combination for injuries of all people involved and $5,000 to cover the vehicle damages incurred.

There are some other coverage that you can take to further increase the limit of your policy. A collision policy pays for the repairs of your car, even if the fault was yours. This is better in case you have a new and expensive car. Money can be saved if you can increase the deductible you pay. A personal injury protection insurance policy is done to claim money for the medical bills for you as well as other passengers in your car. If you have a health policy then it may be better to not have automobile “medical” covered. An uninsured policy makes sure you get all the money you have to pay if you are involved in a hit and run case or if the insurance policy of the other driver is unable to meet your expenses. Many people drive without having insurance so it is always better to have this kind of a policy.

Buying car insurance

Buying car insurance is one of these things that can drive you crazy. We need it because it is mandatory to have insurance if you drive, but getting it can be a frustrating process. Some people have an agent they know and trust. Others use the yellow pages and hope for the best. Then there are all those car insurance TV commercials with each company claiming to be the best and having the lowest rates. Finally, you can go online and try your luck there. In fact, that's often the best option. Why? Because it's the easiest way to do an online auto insurance comparison.

Think about it: we do comparison shopping for just about everything else. First you figure out what you want, and then you see where you can get it at the best price. There is no reason why it should be different for car insurance. Yet, most people don't compare car insurance for a variety of reasons. Their agent may only represent a single company. It's too time consuming to go through the whole process of calling up different agents and getting quotes. Or the quotes you're getting aren't for the same coverage. If you do online car insurance comparison, you don't have those problems, and here is why:

Online you are the boss. Once you've found a reputable website that offers insurance comparison shopping you can request quotes for exactly the coverage you want. Each insurance company will be bidding for the same and so the rates are directly comparable. This way you know what you're getting and there won't be any nasty surprises as can happen when you sign up for a lowball offer.

However, there are other advantages to online auto insurance comparison shopping. You're not only getting quotes, you can even compare the companies that do want your business. The site I used not only presented me with quotes within 30 seconds of submitting my data, but also produced a side-by-side comparison of the four insurance companies with all the important information.

The comparison shows ratings by A.M. Best about the financial stability of the insurance companies, when they were founded, where they are located, how you can make your payments, and customer service hours of operation. It also shows what kind of online access you'll have (like viewing policy information, reporting claims, etc.) and what the earliest date is for your policy to become effective should you choose them. It also shows how long each company will take to get you proof of insurance, and that can be very important if you need to act quickly.

5 Steps to Filing Your Auto Insurance Claim

1. Evaluate whether or not you should file a claim: Did you know that just when you call your insurance company with a question about possibly filing a claim it is often recorded on your insurance record? It is important to keep your insurance record clean and one way is deciding whether or not you should file a claim. It doesn’t matter if the accident is your fault or not, you should ask yourself first if you can pay for the damage. Simply put, if you can pay for it yourself without financial hardship, don’t file the claim.

2. Fill out your This worksheet, which when you click on the title is provided for print-out, will help you keep track of the information you will need to file your auto insurance claim. It is important to get every detail of the accident documented and to try to find witnesses that would be willing to talk to your insurance company to back-up your story.

3. File the claim ASAP: You will want to file the claim as soon as possible with your insurance company. Even if it is not your fault, your insurance company will handle the claim process as your advocate.

4. Prepare for a possible call from the other insurance company: If there is a dispute between the two parties in the accident, you may get a call from the other driver’s insurance company asking for your version of what happened at the accident scene. If this happens make sure you document everything you say and the name of the customer service agent you talked too.

5. Finally, getting your car fixed: If you had body damage to your vehicle this is when you will finally get it fixed. After your claim is approved, you will likely get a call from your insurance company about sending an insurance adjuster out to assess the damage or asking you to send your car to a pre-approved shop to get it fixed.

Buying car insurance

Car Insurance Quotes | Car Insurance | Cheap Car Insurance | Auto Insurance

Auto insurance is a primary need for all vehicles. Your vehicle is barely insecure when it has not been insured; nobody knows what happens next in today’s flying world. Along with your own security your car ought to be insured. Now you can easily get your car insured online because it will save your time and money at the same time. Our online portal provides you to get insured your car today at http://cwik.com. Our car insurance quotes are suitable to your car and pocket at the same time.

Our online quotes are far better in pricing to safeguard your car than any other online space. We have car insurance quotes to suit all of your subsequent needs to keep your car up to date. Online quotes will differentiate our pricing at reasonable low rates from all other online insurance companies. We have the cheapest car insurance quotes to fill the blank-space left by other insurance companies. We ascertain the fact that your car no matter where met with an unwanted or unexpected damage our services will reform it to perfection.

Subsequently in order to have cheap car insurance you may contact our online space at any time round the clock to secure a meeting for the insurance of your car. As soon as you have secured a quote for your car you will not fall short to get your car repaired any time. You have the facility to compare prices and than take a final decision. To provide your car with safeguard is our chief responsibility.

Car insurance is most important in any comparison with any other available service. We assure the guarantee of lifetime adherence. From repairing to the adding some bucks to original cost of your car. We have established such facilities which empower you to protect your assets. Our prime importance is always directed towards the betterment of generation next facilities. Wherever you may go, you will find quotes and pricing cut throat but we assure you the supreme safeguard with row-breaking cheap services. Our services are unique and singular. Once you acquire the service you will always come to be served with open confidence.

In today’s competitive standards your car needs pivotal importance. We have arranged all the essentials to guide you through the process. The process is simple and straight. Select a quote that suits your pocket add to cart conventional service. No body knows the future but every body has chance to secure it by planning for it with rational consideration. Our utmost is inclined to comfort you with fine services. Our all service all mainly targeted to make you able to compare all the quotes with any quote available online and then select the one.

Everything available needs insurance these days due to scarcity of roads and everything. Your car, therefore, requires to be insured to drive it confidently wherever you want to take it to. Before our online portal you did not have much confidence about insurance services because most of the services did not produce much for the customers. They did just offer partial services at high prices. Resultantly we felt the pressing need to stay online for 24X7 to ensure you the guarantee to protect and secure your car with our sheer interest to give you the easiest and conveying service at cheap rates.

The Truth and Lies About Your Car Insurance

If you are a newbie in insurance policies, it is best to be educated on the subject. There are many myths and realities in dealing with insurance companies. It is necessary for you to have a general idea about such insurance rates so that you won't have problems later on.

Car insurance is needed by people who want to be assured that their cars won't experience distress, especially when the time comes and they get into an accident or anything else. There are things in this world that you have to be aware and to prepare for. This is why it is vital to assess and choose the most affordable and most reasonable price for your car insurance.

Hence, it is true that the insurance quotes reflect the cost of certain automobile- related expenses. In fact, there are many explanations on how the increasing cost of such insurances is accumulated.

Each year millions of people get into car accidents that involve personal injury. With this type of incidents, the typical price range of such treatment is around $6,000 to $9,000. Thus, this can easily turn into tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the type of car.

This problem is actually joined by the trouble of increasing claims of automobile injury, which are currently as much as 30 % in some states. These dilemmas can turn into the new car insurance holder's burden of additional payments or premiums.

Moreover, another reason for this is the legal expenses that the company needs to pay due to the fact that an average jury award for vehicular liability cases are continuing to rise and can put up the pressure on auto insurance rates.

An average liability can cost from about $187,000 up to $269,000. This was the estimated record from the year 1994 up to the year 2000, respectively. Thus, the number one cause of death for people ages 1 up to 34 is car accident.

According to the United States Department of Transportation, these deaths cost more than $150 billion annually. People who are under the use of prohibited drugs, alcohol abuse, high- speed driving and are not using a seat belt are the leading people who are at risk of such an accident. Auto repair has also increased because of the rapid advancing age of technology, along with construction and design that have now become a must in this era. Automotive innovations and repair costs have increased tremendously and thus, higher car insurance may ensue because of this.

Hence, there is a notion that red cars cost more insurance. This is not true. Colour is never a determinant factor in calculating one's car insurance rate. The factors that are important are the year, model, body, type, engine size and the age of the car. Even if you have a cheap car but you have a large engine, or it is an unusual model, it might cost a lot to have it insured as compared to a more expensive small car.

Then again, you will pay for a lesser amount in comprehensive coverage, which can cover the damage that is usually brought about by vandalism, hail, fire or even animal accidents. There is also a case, in which, two speeding tickets can make your car insurance rate go up.

Plus, it is also not true that every car insurance company can charge anyone on any way they please. Despite the increasing expenses of this company, they still have a way of covering all the damages and they also have regulators that review their customer rates.

It is also important to take note of the amount of your car, where in, it's insurance will most likely have a relative cost to. This is due to the fact that some companies shoulders only a minimum amount and will not cover certain accidents. Of course, this will result into a lawsuit but they will not include all the damages. So, it is wiser to read your terms and conditions.

Thus, if someone drives your car and there is an accident, you will still be the one held responsible. You will be financially responsible for the accident. In most states, the car insurance that covers the accident is considered the primary insurance holder, which means that the insurance company is the one that should pay for the damages. Hence, there are cases that it is not enough and the driver's insurance is the next in line to pay for the remaining damages. This is primarily why you need to know the car insurance policy in your state, as well as the laws that go hand in hand with it. States and even countries differ in policies politically and geographically.

Aside from this, there are also other factors that are being considered for car insurance rates. Of course, your rate won't be the same as that of your neighbours. Your age, nature of your work, driving record, type of vehicle and marital status are all considered. This can really vary depending on the company's standards. Sometimes, your charge can go down when you turn 25 because this is the time when car accidents go down. The extremes of ages, like that of a teenager and that of the forty year old individual is where the accident rate is at its highest.

Lastly, there is a so called rental reimbursement that can cover and pay for your rental car. This is for cases, wherein, you are on vacation and you just rented a car that resulted into an accident. This will help drivers pay for the damages to the car but this still depends on the limits you selected. Having more than one insurance policy is not really money- saving technique. In fact, it is more expensive. Most of the time, you can save your money by getting the best rate available in one company. Thus, if you want different types of insurance like that of the auto and homeowners insurance, you can look for another company that can give you the best deal. At times, you will get better deals from different insurance companies.

Car insurance is a way of preparing yourself for some stressful moments while driving your car. Getting one doesn't mean that you are already assuming that you will encou7nter car theft or car accidents. Getting car insurance is a lot like accepting the reality that these things happen and that it is best to be prepared. This is better than not having a car insurance at all and end up paying more, just because you decided is best not to have one. Since car insurances these days have death or disability insurance for the driver or owner of the car, it is a lot like caring for your family and loved ones by leaving them with nothing to worry about.
Since there are many car insurance agencies these days, it is best to assess each one and check which has been in the industry for a long time. You can also check with friends for referrals. This is actually the best thing to do as compared to believing in advertisements and flyers.

Choosing to Get Classic Car Insurance >> NEW<<

Those who own classic cars know the love, care and attention that go into taking care of these cars. Whether you drive it around or not, it is still a good idea to get classic car insurance that is made special for those who own classic cars. One of the reasons to get classic car insurance is because the classic cars are quite expensive thus it is more prone to thief compared to other types of cars. Since classic cars are more expensive and are exposed to higher risk of thief, getting a regular insurance coverage may not really be enough to protect your classic car.

To make sure that your classic car is fully protected, you should always buy adequate classic car insurance for your car. The good thing about a classic car insurance is that it allows to you ensure your vehicle based on its true value rather than stated value. Yes, getting classic car insurance may be a bit costly but if you really want to safeguard your car against theft, accidents and the likes, getting classic car insurance is a must.

esure.com Car Insurance

Green Lighted: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

Green Lighted: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

The Raptor gets the green light and breaks down the gates.

By Todd Lassa

The rap about "street trucks" like Dodge's Ram SRT-10, Chevy's Silverado SS and Ford's own F-150 SVT Lightning is that they handled and performed well...for trucks.

In designing a performance version of Ford's iconic pickup, Special Vehicle Teams chose a different direction for the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor. Widen the body of a Supercrew, redo front and rear suspensions, tweak the four-wheel-drive calibration and make it an off-road capable pre-runner.

The Raptor also gets a new truck engine, a 6.2L, two-valve (for better torque characteristics than multivalvers) overhead-cam V-8. Tuning isn't final, but SVT says the oversquare engine will be rated about 400 hp and about 400 lb-ft of torque. The engine was an on-again, off-again project known as the Hurricane V-8. Its official name is simply "6.2," and Ford will not use it in any other F-150s, so it's mainly a Super Duty truck engine that might also be used in whatever is left of the Expedition and Lincoln Navigator lines.

From the A-pillar forward, the Raptor has unique sheetmetal from other F-150s and is bereft of a Blue Oval badge in the grille. SVT widened the track by 7 in., and so its 5.5-ft box is unique to the Raptor as well. Height is up 2 in.over a standard Supercrew. It has new, internal bypass shocks, designed by Fox Racing Shox for a smooth ride on-road that stiffens up when the driver reaches high speeds off-road. Fox's new shocks are designed to do what external bypass shocks do, without the packaging problems. The Raptor has new leaf springs and shocks, new front upper- and lower-A-arms, and a new, wider, thicker-walled rear axle.

First Test: 2008 Toyota Tundra TRD Supercharged

2008 Toyota Tundra Trd Supercharged Front Passenger Three Quarters View

First Test: 2008 Toyota Tundra TRD Supercharged

The Sports-Car-Eating Truck from Texas That Rumbles to 60 in 4.4 seconds

By Thomas Voehringer

Photography by Brian Vance

2008 Toyota Tundra Trd Supercharged Front Drivers Side Rolling View

Truck guys take a lot of guff for driving gas-guzzlers that rarely get used for what they're designed to do. Well, bite your tongue car weenies 'cause this Toyota pickup does exactly what it's built for -- speed. Sure, there's been other regular-cab sport trucks like Ford's SVT Lightning and Dodge's SRT-10 Ram, but this Tundra stomps 'em both, handily, in the 0-to-60 test by almost a half second. The Tundra dashes to 60 in 4.4 seconds making it faster than your car, if you're driving a Mustang GT (5.1), Dodge Challenger SRT8 (4.6), Jaguar XF SC (4.90), Audi S5 coupe (4.5), or BMW 135i (4.6), and as fast as our long-term 2006 Porsche Carrera S.

2008 Toyota Tundra Trd Supercharged Passenger Side Burnout

What's going on? Where's this truck been? Essentially in pieces in the Toyota Racing Development parts bins. What we have here is a stock 5.7L Tundra regular cab SR5 pickup fitted with accessories from the TRD catalog. Only a couple of bolt-on parts transform an already hefty Toyota 5.7L V-8 engine into a screaming banshee. The rev willingness of the stock 5.7 adds greatly to the package. The Eaton Twin Vortices supercharger and cat-back dual exhaust are the heart of the upgrades allowing the air and power to flow freely at the rate of 504 hp and 550 lb-ft of torque. Yee-hoooo! The whir of the supercharger is reminiscent of the old Lightning's, but the kick feels more linear and consistent. Power is on tap almost immediately without a slam-bang delivery. For the sake of civility, the tip-in is controllable, if you exercise restraint. But after a couple of head-snapping launches, it's nearly impossible to avoid exorcizing the tire tread instead. On the freeway, passing involves little more than a brush of the accelerator for pinpoint lane changes usually reserved for sports cars. Street truck aerodynamics aren't condusive to high-speeds with 0-to-100 mph times comparable to those of the Porsche Caymen and old S/C Yenko Camaro.

First Look: 2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck

2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck Front Three Quarter View

First Look: 2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck

We Don't Know the Name-But the Face Rings a Bell

By Allyson Harwood

For a long time, rumors of a new El Camino or Caballero have been flying fast and furious. Despite Chevrolet's and GMC's histories with car-based pickups, Pontiac will be the brand that receives this truck first for 2010. Those lusting after the Holden Ute, the original Australian model, will finally get a chance to drive this ultra-fast pickup. When it comes stateside at the end of 2009, the G8 sport truck, based on the same platform as the Pontiac G8 sedan, will come with the G8 GT's 361-horsepower, 6.0-liter V-8 with gas-saving Active Fuel Management, backed by a six-speed automatic. Everything from the B-pillars forward is the same as in the sedan, so it would make sense for that car's V-6 and perhaps its high-performance V-8 to follow. (The G8 is available with a DOHC 3.6-liter, 256-horsepower V-6 and, for 2009, a 402-horsepower, 6.2-liter, LS3 small-block V-8.)

Pontiac isn't pretending this is a real pickup, but does claim the G8 sport truck will offer the performance of a sporty coupe and some of the function of a light truck. We don't know yet if the model is truly capable of either, but Pontiac estimates a 5.4-second 0-to-60 time (which could be as low as 4.7 with the GXP engine) and a maximum towing capacity of 3500 pounds.

Despite the commonalities in front, this isn't just a truck shape plopped onto a car's body. The wheelbase is longer-adding four inches onto the sedan's-and overall length increased by six inches. In addition, Pontiac claims the body's structure was reinforced with more than 60 new parts, helping bolster it for use as a truck. Equipped with independent suspension with electronic stability control, the pickup has four-wheel disc brakes (twin-piston calipers in front) with ABS. Other standard safety gear includes StabiliTrak, tire-pressure monitoring, and six airbags. It will initially be sold as a regular cab, with one bed size and rear drive. The bed, which comes with a composite liner and soft tonneau, is 6.2 feet long and holds roughly 43 cubic feet of gear. Max payload capacity is 1074 pounds. The truck rides on either 18- or 19-inch wheels, with a choice of summer or all-season tires.

The cabin comes with the same amenities as the G8's tilt/telescope wheel, standard four-way-adjustable cloth seats (six-way leather optional), power controls, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, driver info screen, five-speaker 230-watt Blaupunkt radio/CD/MP3 system, 6.5-inch display, and Bluetooth connectivity. You can stow 8.5 cubic feet of gear behind the seats-that's more than we'd expect in a regular cab-and there are also two covered storage bins under the bed floor.

2010 Pontiac G8 Sport Truck Rear Three Quarter View

First Drive: 2010 Kia Soul

Economy Car Wrapped in a Candy Shell

By Allyson Harwood

Those who were disappointed with the upsized and redesigned second-generation Scion xB may have a new vehicle to consider. The 2010 Kia Soul, introduced as a concept at the 2006 Detroit auto show and teased for the last nearly three years, contains the fuel efficiency and smart interior packaging of the first xB, wrapped in a likeable, edgy body unlike anything Kia has ever sold here before.

North American buyers will have a choice of engines: a 2.0L four at launch and a 122-hp, 1.6L later on. The larger I-4 comes with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic, the smaller is only offered with a manual. The front-drive Soul will be available with four trim levels: Soul, Soul +, Soul ! (exclaim), and Soul sport, and though pricing hasn't been announced (expect that at the Los Angeles auto show later this month), Kia hinted the MSRP will be highly competitive. When the Soul goes on sale in North America in March 2009 as a 2010 model, we expect it to start around $15,000-$16,000 and top out at $20,000.

2010 Kia Soul Triplet Front Three Quarters View

At first glance, the Soul looks much like the concept, except that the Peter Schreyer-designed production version is now much more car and much less crossover. Based on a reinforced, stretched version of the Rio platform, the car is cute and instantly likeable and comes in eleven colors (eight at launch) with names like Alien and Dune (Euro-spec cars have much more charming paint colors like Tomato Red and Vanilla Shake). Like the Scion, a strong emphasis is being put on the potential for customization and accessorizing this car. Several options are offered, including a red and black interior, beige and black hound's tooth seats and similar accents on the tailgate and hood, several wheel choices, different bumpers, stereos, and body mods; what we don't know yet is which of these features will be available in the United States.

We spent some time behind the wheel of a Soul + (2.0L, 142-hp four), with the five-speed manual transmission and 16-in. wheel and tire package. The engine provides plenty of power for a vehicle this size, feels significantly quicker than the first-gen xB, and will probably outrun the Fit in a straight line. But it's somewhat unrefined and noisy (which, considering the price point, isn't a serious problem). The five-speed helps eke out all of the power the Soul has to offer -- which is good, because peak hp is at 6000 rpm), but we'd expect the automatic transmission to be perfectly acceptable (more on that once we get to try it). What we don't understand is why the company didn't use a five-speed automatic instead of a four. The five would be more competitive with its rivals, would provide even better fuel economy than the estimated 31 mpg for the 2.0L, and fifth gear would almost definitely be welcome at higher speed.

Road Test: Overbilt F-650 Extended Crew Cab

2005 Ford F 650 Overbilt Extended Crew Front Left View

Road Test: Overbilt F-650 Extended Crew Cab

The ultimate toy hauler: Overbilt has created a monster

By Allyson Harwood

Photography by John McGann, Thomas Voehringer, Brian Vance

This is a bad-ass truck. If that description offends you, it's guaranteed the truck will, too. This creation started life as a 2003 Ford F-650, and, after a few months' work, was transformed into a one-of-a-kind hauler. It's easy to presume that a truck this big, with this much attitude, was designed simply to get attention. But this monster was built for a specific reason, and, as you might imagine, it gets looks wherever it goes.

The Bodman family, which owns Ridge Route Collectible Cars, originally purchased the Ford to tow a two-car enclosed trailer to carry father Pete Bodman's personal collection of rare and classic Buicks. His son Kevin liked driving it so much, he was inspired to make a few improvements. Kevin's goal: Add a bed and extend the cab, and make it look like it came from the Ford factory that way. He did such an impressive job that people frequently ask him and his brother Jeff, "When did Ford start building that model?" As a result of the positive feedback, the brothers have started a business, called Overbilt Trucks.

Exclusive: International Commercial Extreme Truck

Exclusive: International Commercial Extreme Truck

Simply the Biggest: The International Commercial Extreme Truck (CXT) is here

By Mark Williams

Photography by Jeremiah Scott, Brian Vance

Remember that big yellow Tonka truck you got on your eighth birthday--the one you banged around in the backyard like it was indestructible? Well, International has built one you can drive. Weighing in at 14,000 pounds, measuring 22 feet from nose to tail, and standing more than nine feet tall, the International CXT is now the world's-largest production pickup truck, just waiting for the right buyer to come along who wants more than the standard one-ton dualie can offer.

Loyal readers may remember when we wrote about Big Red (September/October 2003), a monster pickup truck we found running around the International proving grounds. The corporate higher-ups told us the response to that story was so overwhelming, they decided to see if they could turn fantasy into reality and make a saleable version for the U.S. market.

2005 International Cxt Front Side Dump View

The CXT will be based off the 7300 severe-service platform and be offered in four-door and extended-cab versions, both with full-size eight-foot one-ton dualie beds. In fact, International, which already has a relationship with Ford as supplier of the successful Power Stroke diesels for the Super Duty line, will be buying the one-ton dualie beds straight from Ford. Although not a simple bolt-on, it is a perfect fit.

Clearly designed to look like a personal-use pickup, the 7300 chassis is typically sold by International for cement mixers, tow trucks, big-city snowplows, and construction-site dump trucks. And where the original Big Red was a Class-8 rig that required a special commercial license to operate, the CXT isn't. Although it clearly has many commercial-truck attributes, the CXT has a rated GVWR of 25,999 pounds. That just happens to be 16 ounces less than the GVW cutoff that requires a special license certification in all (but two) states for an owner/operator. Lucky us. What's not so lucky is that International will most likely make fewer than 300 CXTs in the next 12 months. That means these will be rare, possibly adding a premium to the $100,000 base price of the CXT.

That's right--$100,000.

Big Red: International Class 7 Crew Cab Pickup

2003 International Class 7 Crew Cab Pickup Front Right View

Big Red: International Class 7 Crew Cab Pickup

In a class by Itself, the International Pickup could be the world's largest crewcab

By Tim Barton
Photography by Paul Hartley and the author

The universe of vehicles is huge. There's a car or truck for every imaginable demographic and every possible application. Some industry pundits may conclude that new demographic segments are an invention of manufacturers on the lookout for just one more chance to create the perfect hybrid. You may recall the advent of the crew cab decades ago, which seemed to stretch the definition of pickup to its limits. An obliging public quickly made the crew cab a staple of the truck market.

And while the crew cab grew into itself and evolved into super crews and crews with dualies, development took it up and out from the typical pickup. International's hulking new pickup, affably described by some as a "pickup on steroids," cuts through the clutter. We recently had a chance to drive International's Big Red in the Arizona desert. Just as automakers define their markets to suit their customers, commercial-truck manufacturers define their vehicles to suit their utility-minded operators by offering different gross- vehicle-weight classes.

Road Test: SmarTruck III

2004 International Smartruck Iii Front Side View

Road Test: SmarTruck III

International works with the military and creates a monster

By Jason Watson, Mark Williams, Frank Markus

You say the Ford Excursion and Hummer H1 are too small? The heavy-truck folks at International may soon have just the thing. The company made two debuts at the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) show, one of which was this medium-duty truck concept, trimmed out as the SmarTruck III.

Dressed in military garb, complete with a hydraulic-hybrid drivetrain, night vision, and Star Wars-grade weaponry, the SmarTruck III is the third military variant sponsored by the National Automotive Center (NAC), which is the Army's official link to companies like Ford, GM, and high-tech suppliers of top-secret military technology. The SmarTruck I, introduced three years ago, was a Ford Super Duty designed to explore light-duty troop support. SmarTruck II was based on the Chevy Silverado HD platform, centering on communication, microwave technology, and laser systems. Both were modestly modified platforms from existing civilian vehicles.

2004 International Smartruck Iii Rear Fender View

Now comes the SmarTruck III, based on a brand-new International platform, specifically designed to handle heavier-duty responsibilities. In addition to the SmarTruck III, International also took the opportunity at the SAE show to promote its commercial variant of the SmarTruck III--a monster-tough, open-fendered, big-shouldered crew-cab pickup.

2004 International Smartruck Iii Headlight View

LCD headlights

The original idea for the SmarTruck III was to design a vehicle that meets military specifications, with development costs that could be spread over a high-volume vehicle sold to commercial and (possibly) retail customers through International's 1000 dealers. The concept truck places the mass-produced cab (two-door, four-door, and sleeper) from a Class-5/6 medium-duty chassis on a new and much lower-slung frame tailored to the 16,000-pound GVWR class. Lowering the truck allows it to be carried aboard military transport planes, and there are plans to offer the chassis with a heavy-duty four-wheel-drive system. We'd expect this platform could be popular with a few motorhome manufacturers as well.

2004 International Smartruck Iii Roof Lights View

Power comes from a new 4.5-liter V-6 24-valve common-rail diesel with twin sequential turbochargers, making 230 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. (This engine was originally planned for several Ford pickups, but was reconsidered last year when cost overruns became a significant issue.) International's Power Stroke V-8 turbo-diesel (325 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque), currently an option in Ford Super Duty pickups, could also be available at a later date. In addition, an air suspension that can kneel three inches from its standard right height or be lifted four inches (from the standard ride height) to ensure better off-road capability (on exceptionally wide trails) will also be available, but we're pretty sure it won't be able to go where a Hummer H1 with gear-reduction hubs, central tire inflation, and ultra-high ground clearance can go.

Downsizing the Military

Downsizing the Military

Quantum MP Hybrid could be our next jeep

By Frank Markus

Photography by the Manufacturer

Let's say, like most responsible off-roaders, youire a 'Tread Lightly!' type of outdoor enthusiast, but all the newsreel footage of those brawny Hummers traversing sand dunes or protecting the troops has you itching to don some automotive military apparel. Well, a unique Army/private-sector joint venture might have just the thing.

The rugged-looking, high-ground-clearance runabout you see here is a 50 mpg (or thereabouts) diesel/electric hybrid. The 2100-pound Quantum MP Hybrid is designed to do the unglamorous work of military police patrols, light hauling, and other workaday chores that need to be done on military bases, far from the front lines. A fleet of these inexpensive, low-speed vehicles would free up the go-anywhere, do-anything Humvees to engage in the types of missions pictured in recruiting brochures. The Quantum MP Hybridis civilian counterpart is aimed at similar duty in National Parks, resort communities, campus operations, airport surveillance, and anywhere else a neighborhood electric vehicle would be legal to useothat is, off-highway or on roads with posted speed limits at or below the vehicleis 35 mph top speed.

Civilian versions are powered by a two-cylinder, four-stroke 18-horse-power Yanmar marine diesel engine and a 10-horsepower GE electric motor working in paralleloeither power source can drive the car. The military version uses a revolutionary new two-stroke diesel engine (see sidebar) in series with two 10-horsepower GE motors. That means the engine functions strictly as a generator to charge a larger battery pack that drives the wheels. Sized to fit in a briefcase, the diesel generator makes seven horsepower and can be removed and used to power other electrical equipment.

Seating for four adults and a 500-pound payload capacity are claimed for the MP Hybrid, but given the modest power propelling all that mass, one can expect acceleration to be deliberate at best. Similarly, despite the knobby tires, four-wheel drive, and a four-wheel control-arm suspension with an impressive 10 inches of wheel travel, donit expect these little motors to accomplish major rockcrawling.

A simple composite body attaches to a rolling chassis with just six bolts, so it can easily be reconfigured with different bodywork or even fitted with light armor. California Motors of Camarillo, California, penned the design and built the prototypes, while Quantum Technologies is handling the engineering work to bring the vehicles to production.

First Look: International makes waves

First Look: International makes waves

A New Truck for commercial operators, could mean we'll see another pickup truck down the road

By Mark Williams

Photography by the Manufacturer

What happens when a medium-duty truck company wants to expand its sales? Two choices: you can make more models in segments you already have product, or you can seek out new segments with new products. Automotive history tells us the latter typically works better than the former, but International Navistar, long a household name in work-duty truck making, seems to be putting a new twist on this tried-and-true idea. It seems International will be adding a big-rig to its lineup that has the looks of one of the old mid-30s light-duty International pickup trucks (called D-Series) that were popular in the U.S. for hauling, toting, and carrying just about every known product sold in the U.S. The D-Series were functional and sturdy, with a wide toothy grille that vaguely resembled a streamlined locomotive. Squint a little and make it about twice the size of the original truck, and you begin to see how the first LoneStar design team got their inspiration. The LoneStar creates a new segment in the commercial truck market for International, and they're calling this new design look "Advanced Classic"--a blend of classic and modern aerodynamic shapes. But the outside isn't the only important aspect of this truck.

Because any truck drivers spend nearly 300 days on the road per year, driving, sleeping, eating and operating their business from the truck, interior design is extremely important. Understanding that, International collected input from hundreds of truck drivers and worked with the Carnegie Mellon School of Fine Arts to come up with one of the most efficient and comfortable interiors in the commercial trucking segment (see sidebar). Powertrain options won't be as innovative but will offer variety. International expects most buyers will want to purchase a 15.0-liter engine so both Cat C15 (525 hp) and Cummins ISX motors are available. In addition, if there's demand for a smaller 13.0-liter engine, Navistar's MaxxForce 13 will be an option as well. All these engines will be new-regulation EPA-compliant to produce near-zero emissions and offer up to a 15% fuel improvement over the previous models. That can translate into $10,000 per year for some of the long-hauler truckers.

International Lonestar Front Grille View

If ever there was big-rig that wanted to take many of the creature comforts of the medium-duty or fullsize SUV vehicles and deliver that same level of convenience and luxury, this would be the rig. Just some of the details include a sophisticated roll stability program, traction control, standard ABS, a leather steering wheel, and Bluetooth hands-free adaptability. You can even get a plasma screen DVD player setup in the high-rise sleeper unit, along with a Monsoon stereo system with eleven speakers, a separate amp, and subwoofer. Even the dash layout looks like a cross between a Cadillac and Kodiak.

Roaming the World: Mercedes Unimog based GXV adventure vehicle

Where Does the World's Most Capable Adventure Vehicle Come From?

By Lazelle Jones

After reading an article in National Geographic in the mid-1980s about a vehicle built on an old 1960s Mercedes Unimog military chassis, Mike Van Pelt was inspired. It took 20 years to realize his dream, but once he built his own Unimog-based adventure vehicle, he and his wife ended up driving it all the way to the tip of South America.

Mercedes Unimog Global X Vehicle Rear Side View

Upon arriving home, they decided to start their own company, building Unimogs for like-minded world adventurers. We saw a production GXV unit at a Southern California outdoor show and went with the couple and their vehicle for a day at a local OHV park, so we could see for ourselves what this Global Xpedition Vehicle is all about.

This GXV is based on a 2004 Mercedes Unimog U500 chassis and is powered by a Mercedes 7.2-liter turbodiesel with a 16-speed Telligent Mercedes transmission. They are four-wheel drive with front, rear, and center locking differentials. GXV will switch to the next-generation Unimog chassis in 2010 or so, and the company will unveil the specifics of the new model later this year.

Mercedes Unimog Global X Vehicle Side View

The house or coach of the GXV is attached to the chassis frame with a three-point Kinetic mechanism that features two structural isolation bearings and one pivot bearing. What this means is that torque isn't transferred to the house/coach portion of the Xpedition Unit. With 20 inches of ground clearance, a set of steps is a must. In this case, a stainless aluminum stair system pulls out of a storage slot below the door and when lowered creates easy entry into the cabin. The truck also has a massive rear-storage compartment that you can reach without needing steps.

The Unimog unit has a GVWR of 26,000 or 33,000 pounds and an exterior cargo-carrying capacity of 50 to 70 cubic feet. Two fuel tanks hold a total of 110 gallons of diesel, the fuel source for everything on the coach that isn't electrical. One of the two important lessons Mike learned during the odyssey to Tierra del Fuego was that in some places of the world you cannot depend upon LPG as a fuel source for equipment (auxiliary generator, furnace, cook-top, water heater, etc). Unlike North America, the infrastructures for refueling LPG tanks in Central and South America aren't standardized, which means the LP fittings for them are unpredictable, holding an adventurer hostage when it comes to refueling. Going diesel made sense.

Nissan Enters Light-Commercial Truck Market - Car News

Nissan Quest and Infiniti QX56 manufacturing will move to Japan to make room at the Mississippi plant.

BY ALISA PRIDDLE
April 2008

Nissan shows its macho side with the announcement it will enter the light-commercial vehicle (LCV) market in North America with three new vehicles with Cummins diesels under the hood and ZF automatic transmissions channeling the power.

It won’t translate into an oil-burner in a anytime soon, but for those who call something with a steering wheel “the office,” this is good news.

Nissan has been a player in the LCV market globally—selling in 73 percent of the world’s markets—but North America has been a last bastion.

Three New Trucks in Three Years

The Japanese automaker will make up for it with the introduction of three new LCVs in three years. All will be designed specifically for North America and to be built at the Nissan plant in Canton, Mississippi, with the first one launching in the first half of 2010. Nissan is investing $118 million to prep Canton.

To make room, assembly of the next-generation and the will shift to Japan. The Quest is expected to be replaced by a vehicle based on the funky .

And the will not continue to share a platform with the (which will continue to be built in Canton), but rather shift to the global architecture used by the Nissan Patrol, a luxury SUV with cult-like status elsewhere in the world. The Patrol is built in Japan.

The LCVs will be sold through select Nissan dealers which will be designated as sales and service centers for the family of trucks that will all weigh in under eight tons. Those talks are beginning now.

Cummins will provide two diesels specifically tailored for the Nissan LCVs. Nissan says the engines will be made in the U.S. and meet 2010 EPA and CARB emissions standards.

Truck Insurance for Your Pride & Joy

Climbing behind the wheel and hitting the road evokes an undeniable sense of pride in many truck owners. But while that larger-than-life 4x4, decked-out luxury model or heavy-duty version with 360 horses under the hood may give you a real sense of power, buying truck insurance may leave you feeling deflated—if you do so without all the facts.

Heard the Secret?

Indeed, insurance for many trucks can be quite costly. But armed with the knowledge you need to get the right protection and the best deal, buying truck insurance can actually be quick and simple. You just have to know how to go about it.

So what's the secret to finding the right truck insurance for your vehicle? Knowing your options—and doing your research now, before you hit the road.

We're here to help you do just that. Read on for vital information about truck insurance from InsureMe, then get free quotes and save on your insurance!

The "Low-Down" on Truck Insurance

The price you pay to insure your truck depends on several variables, as noted below. By doing what you can to minimize risk for those factors within your control, you can lower your insurance rates by as much as 50 percent—or even more!

Within your control: