Car and Accessories

Retro styled vehicles are all the rage today and Volkswagen’s New Beetle was one of the first of many of these types of cars to show up on the market. Given VW’s long running popularity, other long since retired models are certainly worthy of being copied, don’t you agree? The Karmann Ghia, the Thing, and the Scirocco are a few that come to mind, however they aren’t the ones slated for a comeback. Yes, VW’s famous “Bus” or Microbus is scheduled to return, to the delight of aging hippies everywhere.

Okay, first a quick test. Can you name some of the recent retro vehicles to hit North American highways lately? Besides the Volkswagen’s New Beetle, here are a few:

Ford: Thunderbird, Mustang

Chrysler: PT Cruiser

Chevrolet: SSR and HHR

To qualify as a true “retro” vehicle it cannot just borrow the name – like the Dodge Charger – instead, it must take its styling cues from a vehicle from another generation.

Enter the Volkswagen Microbus.

Yes, open up your cedar trunk and take out those wild looking tie dyed shirts, your cavernous bell bottom pants, and that pair of odd looking leather sandals. Let down your hair [if you have any left], grow a beard [gents only, please] and be prepared to step back in time to the days when the VW Bus was the people hauler of the day. Peace, love, and stop the war you say? If VW has its way then around 2008 a vehicle very similar in style to the Bus will once again be seen cruising the streets of Haight-Ashbury, Greenwich Village, and every freaky place you can think of, man! Just, groovy.

Featured at the 2001 Detroit Auto Show, a concept Microbus evoked all sorts of “ooohs and aaaahs” from visitors; it was this same type of reaction that has convinced Volkswagen to go forward with production.

As of this writing, there is a battle raging within Volkswagen-land as to how much the Microbus will incorporate the retro look. Seeing how the New Beetle succeeded in the US, but flopped in Europe will VW have the courage to stand tall and bring back the hippie hauler? Or, will VW cave in and produce just another run-of-the-mill vehicle that only hints at its past glory?

Time will tell, but my advice to VW is this: get it built now before us hippie dippy types are too old to climb into it.

Unless, of course, the Microbus can be outfitted with a wheelchair ramp.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Matt Keegan is a writer as well as an automotive fan. For the best Volkswagen cold air intakes, or for an AEM intake, or for an Airaid intake, shop the Race Pages today!

The purchase of a new car is a serious investment. It is best that you do your homework before purchasing a new vehicle, to avoid ending up with a vehicle thats overpriced or just not right for your needs. Luckily, with the help of the internet, you can do all of your research directly online from the comfort of your home.

Your first goal should be to figure out what type of vehicle is right for your family. Are you looking for a sports car, or do you have children and need a sedan, minivan or SUV? You need to consider how many seats you need and how much storage space for cargo. With todays rising gas prices, you may want to opt for the most fuel efficient type of vehicle.

In other words, carefully compare the difference in gas mileage between two types of vehicles before choosing the one thats right for you. A sedan will likely use much less gas than a minivan, and if you dont need the extra seats or cargo room, you can save a significant ammount of fuel cost over the lifetime of a vehicle.

Minivans and SUV’s use similar ammounts of gas, depending on the size of the vehicle. A mini SUV may be a good choice over a full size SUV, saving you money every time you fill up at the pumps. After you know what type of vehicle you are shopping for, you can focus on a make and model. Be sure to read reviews from existing owners, they often times can save you from purchasing something that isnt going to make you happy.

There are many excellent consumer review sites on the internet that have a wealth of information on what owners like and dislike about their vehicles. Here are a couple of sites to get you started: http://auto.consumerguide.com http://www.edmunds.com Many auto review sites also offer price guides so that you can know in advance what the vehicle of your choice is likely to cost you. Also, auto makers often offer price quotes directly from their sites. You can also find additional information, pictures, and sometimes video at the auto makers sites.

Once you have done all of your research, selected the make an model of the vehicles you are interested in, you can then go to your local dealership armed with all of the information necessary to make an informed buying decision. By researching vehicles online, you can save time, money and gain piece of mind.

You have to love car dealers. With the passage of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, car dealers are screaming about the tax benefits of buying these vehicles. Here�s the scoop.

Deductions and Credits

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 made a major modification to the tax benefits of owning a hybrid vehicle in an effort to entice businesses and individuals to pursue cleaner fuel uses. The primary switch was to move the tax benefits from deductions to credits. Specifically, the Act creates a credit that can be claimed by taxpayers who purchase one of these super fuel efficient vehicles.

Taxpayers can now claim a credit of as much as $3,400 per vehicle. This is a HUGE tax break because credits are subtracted from the amount of tax you owe, not your gross income. If you can claim a credit of $3,400 and owe $5,000 after figuring your tax, you end up paying $1,600. Anyway you look at it, this is a very powerful tax savings benefit.

There are a few problems with the new credit for hybrid vehicles. First, the credits only apply to vehicle purchases beginning January 1, 2006. If you purchased in 2005, you get to claim a pitiful little deduction covered later on this page. Deductions have much less impact on your taxes since they are applied to gross earnings.

Second, the credit amount is not set regardless of what dealers or the media is saying. As of February 10, 2006, the IRS hasn�t issued any guidance on the credit amount. When it does, the IRS will set a particular credit amount for each vehicle and model. In coming up with a figure, the IRS analyze how clean the vehicle is from an emissions point of view, the size and other things that a mechanic would understand. How an IRS agent understands these issues is beyond me, but such is life. Regardless, the IRS will be issuing the credit amounts for particular vehicles as we move through 2006.

If you purchased your hybrid in 2005, you do not get to claim a credit against the amount you owe Uncle Sam. Instead, you claim a deduction in the amount of $2,000 from your adjusted gross earnings. While this doesn�t have nearly the impact of a credit, at least you get something.

When looking to buy a new recreational vehicle think about what you would do if you were going to purchase a new car. You certainly aren’t going to take the first deal you’re offered. You certainly aren’t going to purchase from the first dealer you visit without comparing prices. You certainly wouldn’t go without any idea of the value of the vehicle beforehand. It is very important that you go armed with information when you’re thinking about purchasing a new recreational vehicle.

This is some serious cash you’re going to be spending and you want to get the best possible deal. Recreational Vehicle dealers must make a large profit on the sale of each vehicle. They don’t sell the numbers that car dealers do so they have to make the maximum mark up on each vehicle.

There are many sites online that can be a help to you with finding the actual MSRP (manufacturers suggested retail price) of a new recreational vehicle. Recreational Vehicle dealers, like car dealers, buy their vehicles wholesale due to the number they buy, they have a fairly wide profit margin generally 15% to 35%. The dealer price you see on the vehicle isn’t necessarily what he has paid for it with incentives he receives from the manufacturer.

Make sure that you visit at least three recreational vehicle dealers with the same or similar vehicle. When you’re spending potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars on a motor home you want to make sure you are getting the best deal. Deals do differ from region to region and from dealer to dealer. Don’t become attached to any one recreational vehicle. Again, when you’re talking potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars it’s a business deal and not one where you should wear your heart on your sleeve.

Remember, this is a new vehicle, and if you bypass this one the factory can always build another exactly like it. Make sure that you do a little research into the dealers after sales service. Many dealers are your best friends during the deal, but then lose interest in you afterwards. You will want to check with friends and family that own recreational vehicles and perhaps with the Better Business Bureau before you purchase. Also, RV blogs and forums are a good way to get information about a particular dealer.