Buick Enclave: A New Generation SUV

By Kyle Hanson

Buick has launched its new model SUV for 2008. This is the Buick Enclave that was launched last May 2007. The Buick Enclave shares the new GM Lambda platform as with other SUVs like GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse and Saturn Outlook. This new model is based on the Buick Centieme. It replaced past Buick SUV model like the minivan-based Rendezvous, the truck-based Rainer, as well as the Terraza minivan. Buick Enclave is a full-size luxury crossover SUV.

The Enclave can accommodate at least 7 passengers; instead of a standard chair it has an optional second row bench that can add extra seating. It almost has the same platform and mechanical underpinning with Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse. But this also comes with a standard front -wheel drive with an option of an all wheel drive.

The Enclave also shares power trains with its Lambda siblings. On its first year of production, the Enclave was powered by a 275 hp (205 kW) 3.6 L High Feature V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. And according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency this direct-injection engine is praised for offering a broader torque curve, bringing fuel economy to 17 mpg-us (14 L/100 km; 20 mpg-imp)/24 mpg-US (9.8 L/100 km; 29 mpg-imp) for FWD models and 16 mpg-US (15 L/100 km; 19 mpg-imp)/22 mpg-US (11 L/100 km; 26 mpg-imp) for AWD models. While the 2009 model, have 3.6L V6 SIDI (direct injected) VVT with 286 hp (213 kW) and 255ft. lb (346 N.m) of torque standard.

Lambda vehicles are built at GM's new Delta Township Assembly plant near Lansing Michigan, and production of the Enclave commenced on 11 April 2007, with its first vehicles reaching certain dealers by the end of the month. It's first model debuted with a starting price of $32,790. GM also stepped up the warranty, with 5-year/100,000-mile power train coverage compared to Buick's normal 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper basic warranty.

Enclave was considered the largest unibody vehicle because it is 1 inch (25mm) longer than its Lambda siblings. It is also praised because it manages to maintain its dynamic nature of unibody construction without changing its conventional body-on-frame. It is also one of the quietest vehicles available in the United States, and is also praised for the quality of its interior design. This maybe the best vehicle GM ever made. Many love this SUV because of its good looks.

Weighing almost 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) with all-wheel-drive it has been considered too heavy. And it is also often criticized for its 6-speed transmission, which results to its uncertain downshift. But on 2009 the power train was even more competent and with more abundant torque. - 21392

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Good Credit Report is the Most Important Measure

By John Slidenger

Borrowing money is very tough in this economic environment but it's not impossible. If you have good credit scores, you will still get a good rate and be able to buy a house or your dream car. Here are several ways which you can accomplish this.

Believe it or not, credit monitoring services are actually a good way to make sure your credit stays high. There is usually a charge for it, but these companies will check your credit, and if it changes, send you an email about it so you can deal with it if it's not an authorized use.

The government has made it law that the credit report agencies need to give you a free report every few months. This not only allows you to stay on top of everything within your credit report but also give you a chance to dispute any changes to it in a timely manner. Just make sure you request it because it won't be automatically sent to you.

One way to keep your scores high is to keep your credit utilization rate low. What this means is that if you have a maximum credit of $10,000, don't use it all up! Since lenders may check your credit at any time, it doesn't matter if you pay off your balance every month because at the time that they are checking it, your balance may still seem high.

Every time you apply for credit, they will ding your credit report. If there are too many within a short period of time, the score will be affected because no one with a good financial picture will keep apply for credit. If it's not absolutely necessary, space out your applications so it doesn't look suspicious!

Use all your credit cards because having cards canceled on you is not a good sign that you are a good borrower. This will in turn lower your score.

Remember to apply for a few credit cards and have some lines of credit available even if you don't need it. I used to only have one card and one day I was denied for my business credit card because they told me I only have 1 credit card and haven't shown that I can pay off debt, even though I have tons of cash in my bank account.

Even though too much debt will curtail the total amount that you can borrow, having them will help increase the chances that you will get approved because lenders know that someone who have multiple forms of debt are used to paying them and won't freak out when the bills arrive in the mail. - 21392

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How to Get a Great Deal on Cheap Car Insurance

By Paul Amador

Everyone needs car insurance, there isn't really anything you can do to avoid getting it. However, you can avoid getting expensive car insurance. There are lots of things you can do to insure that you get cheap car insurance for your car.

Insurers consider a number of different things when they are deciding how much to charge you for your car insurance. Of course, not all of these are things you can chance. You can't change your age or your gender, for example. However, you can change some of the other factors that they consider. If you follow all of the traffic laws and avoid getting tickets, your good driving record will be likely to lead to cheap car insurance.

There are some other steps that you can take in order to minimize the cost of your insurance. Many companies offer the customers that have used them for a long time some sort of discount, and you can also get discounts if you place multiple types of insurance with the same insurance company. As to see if either of these discounts are available through the company you use since this could save you some money on your insurance policy.

Insurance Companies Try to Retain Customers by Offering Extra Discounts

If you ask your insurance agent what other types of discounts are available that might be able to help you get cheap car insurance, you might be surprised to hear about discounts for things like being married and being a homeowner. There are all sorts of interesting discounts out there to try to help companies keep customers, and it never hurts to ask about what is available.

Ask for Quotes from Many Different Companies

For whatever reason, different companies charge different amounts for the same insurance. In order to find cheap car insurance you really need to check with a number of different companies to find out how much they would charge you. You would be amazed at the different prices you are given! This is the best way to find a good deal on anything. You should always do a comparison shop. There are websites available to help you do this quickly and easily without entering the same data over and over.

Even if You Have a Great Policy, it Doesn't Hurt to Ask Around

You might have used the same company forever and know that you already have the best deal they will give you. Don't get stuck in a rut and stay with them just because you always have, check around and you might be able to find cheap car insurance with a different insurance company that will save you a lot of money over the course of the year. It won't hurt you to ask other companies how much they would charge, and it could potentially help you out a lot. - 21392

About the Author:

The car insurance business is in real turmoil. This presents a very real opportunity to you. The author, Paul Amador, invites you to explore how you can save yourself hundreds of dollars on auto insurance. Visit insurancefaqcars.com and get, absolutely free, up to ten insurance quotes from major insurance companies.

The Proper Way To Rent A Car When You Travel

By Chris Linch

The primary thing I have to say about renting a car is make certain it is worth it. Some cities renting a car is of no value. You might not be able to drive, and if you can drive you might pay so much for parking each place you go that it would be worth it to pay a cab that doesnt have to park.

Take Las Vegas for example, unless you are traveling out to the Grand Canyon or something, there is no point in renting a car in Vegas. You can take a cab about everywhere or walk. Plus they have the tram that will transfer you all over the strip, or the double decker busses that take you from the Strip to Down Town.

If you are going to rent a car try not to do it at an airport. This is where you will pay the most money for them. See if somebody will pick you up at the airport if you rent a car from them. Most places will and it will save you money. Some are even directly across the street from the airport and half the price.

Find out if there is public transportation available before you spend a bunch on a rental car. A lot of tourist cities will have transit accessible to tourists that is much cheaper than renting your own car. Keep in mind it is not just the price of the car we are looking at, but how much will you need to pay to park it each place you go.

Even if you do rent a car, you dont really want to drive it everywhere. If you have to pay 12 dollars to park somewhere, and a cab ride is only 5, you will still want to take a taxi even though you have a car.

Check on your vehicle insurance as well. Most of the time your policy will encompass you in a rental car, and most credit cards underwrite rental cars as well. I never buy the insurance for car rentals I think that is one of the major rip offs there are. Your auto policy will also protect you in a rental car, for the most part, just check with your insurance agent.

When you travel make sure you are taking into consideration all costs when renting a hotel or a rental car so that you do not spend more than you have to. You can usually rent cars cheaper the same place you book cheap hotels. - 21392

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If you are looking for Cheap Hotel Rates or other travel savings or information, visit Chris website. He is published all over the net providing travel information to consumers.

Using Hydrogen For Cars

By Adrian Fletcher

With gas prices soaring to outrageous levels every possible replacement or alternative to our dependence on fossil fuels is being closely evaluated. and this extend to the highly financed energy commissions through to the everyday consumer looking to get more mileage from their gas tank. Hydrogen for cars not only offers us the opportunity to explore new energy horizons, it also opens up tremendous possibilities for us to improve the way we travel altogether.

Research into hydrogen fuel is quickly proving it's potential as a leading resource to replace fossil fuels. It is a naturally occurring element that is found in many things including water to many products you will find in your garden. Its abundance in nature means it has a great potential and is seen as a valuable resource that can be tapped into to meet the growing demand for a cheap, clean and reliable source of energy.

The methods for the production of hydrogen for cars vary greatly, but all are more efficient and cleaner than fossil fuel production. For example a refinery for gasoline production that would require three hundred billion gallons of water to produce gasoline, would be require one million gallons of water if it were producing the same amount of hydrogen.

A gallon of hydrogen for cars costs half the price of a gallon of gasoline and improves fuel economy by more than two thirds. Hydrogen fuel generates lower engine operating temperature and there is no emission of hazardous fumes by its use.

A big problem hindering the production of hydrogen-fueled vehicles is the lack of available hydrogen fuel. In the future, home hydrogen refueling stations may become a realistic possibility, but they are not currently affordable for most people.

If cars ran only on electricity that was generated on board via hydrogen fuel, we would see a new horizon in vehicle design. The equipment needed for propelling a car would be far more basic, and much smaller--thereby eliminating the problem of design limitations. Some such limitations involve having to account for a heat-producing engine, as well as bulky floorboard configurations which are required for driveline equipment currently.

Hydrogen for cars will become more cost effective as hydrogen production increases, creating a new era of energy consumption. Using hydrogen will decrease society's dependence on fossil fuels, an added benefit for the environment. The reality is that gas prices will not retreat much from this current high mark, which will only increase the pace at which hydrogen fueled cars and the equipment needed to make them a reality develops. - 21392

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For unbiased consumer reports on the leading water for gas conversion kits visit http://waterforgasreports.com, including a report on Gas4Free for car.