Cars and Transport Articles
posted on 14 December 2012
Global warming is no longer a local issue. Countries all over the world are trying to prevent this phenomenon in whatever little way they can. So it was not a surprise that the local authorities decided to give tax sops to those companies who use low emission vehicles for the transportation of their employees. Companies who wanted to avail of this tax benefit called as company car tax budget were required to furnish the necessary papers stating that the vehicles that they are using for transportation of employees have low emission. Being the head of finance when I came to know about this tax benefit I saw an opportunity to save my company some money. We already had brand new vehicles which were recently purchased. All these vehicles came with a low emission certificate. So I knew that I could claim these benefits for the company. We sold off our old vehicles and bought new ones so that we could claim tax benefit and this was done by many other companies also. The authorities were happy with the response and they still continue to offer this tax benefit. |
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posted on 17 October 2012
I have had a roller coaster car buying experience. I knew my luck with cars was not great from the start. Whether you're looking to buy a Vauxhall, BMW, Mercedes, Ferrari or a humble Fiat 500, buying a car is fraught with danger.
My very first few cars were given to me which I was thankful for but I didn't have much luck being able to keep them. Between transmissions, radiators, and many other issues I inherited, it was time to start buying my own cars. The problem with that is that I went to a family member's car dealership. The majority of the vehicles that I have purchased have been through him and even though he works with me on payments it has gotten me into a world of trouble. My most recent purchase through him was about five months ago. About a month and a half ago I was involved in a car accident and my car received about $1800 worth of external damages. The number one issue that caused me was not the external damages that the other party's insurance company willingly sent me a check to have fixed. The issue is that every car that I have purchased through my family member has had massive amounts of engine work that ends up needing to be taken care of and this vehicle was no exception. The engine was about to need replacing and that would be a minimum of $2000 to repair. I took the insurance check and started car shopping. Another issue I have is with my credit. I had made a lot of bad decisions when I was younger and it hinders everything I purchase. I went out one day when I had a day off of work and started at one end of town and checked each car lot I came across. The problem with bad credit is that these businesses want more money down and more every month on your payments. It takes shopping around to find the best deal. I tried calling places to find out if there is a way that I could be approved with little down. The response that I would get was basically the same for each business. They would want me to come in and give them my information so they could figure the numbers and see what they can do. Don't fall for that tactic. Every time a car dealer looks up your information he is checking your credit and for every business that checks your credit your credit score is lowered each time. Knowing that, I had to step up my game. I went to over 20 car dealerships that are in my area. The first question that I would ask once I arrived was "Do you work with bad credit?" Asking that up front avoids wasting your time and theirs. If they really want your business they wont frown on bad credit. With the economy the way it is everyone has a blemish on their credit. Everyone has had to cut back on something. Finally after an all day search I found a dealership where I saw the perfect car for me. It was the only one on the lot that stood out and felt like it called my name. I spoke to the sales person and was upfront about the price range I needed to stay in and about my credit problems. I went back and forth with them on monthly payment price. That is something that dealers can adjust to make more affordable monthly but you cannot take their first offer, you have to bargain with them. If they wont bargain then you don't need to do business with them. Finally I was able to talk them down to the price I wanted and walked out with a Lexus RX300. I have never owned a car this nice. Its all about bargaining with the sales person. Make them realize that they will lose your business and if they don't care then that should be a red flag that you don't want to deal with them anyways. If they at least try to come down and they just cant go as far as you would like keep in mind that they are willing to try to do what they can for you. You can see the true colors of the type of business you are working with just in the way they act. Show them you are the one paying and that puts you in control but be understanding as well. I think the hardest part of all of this is that even though I have a new car I still owed money on the last car. I wasn't able to trade it in since it wasn't worth anything and I owe so much. I'm stuck with it until I have it payed off so I can trash it. I have never dealt with anything like that. |
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posted on 4 October 2012
Most of the time you get letters from your local tax office for numerous things. You ned to keep a record of your car tax dates so you can budget your money to pay. Car taxes change from year to year all according to the way they figure it. Sometime they go by the year of the car and your cars emissions. So if you have a newer car and it has low emissions, then your car taxes will be cheaper. They do that on purpose because no one wants a car on the road that has blue smoke coming out the back. You usually get a notice in the mail when your car taxes are coming close to being due. It is sad that taxes have gone up. Have you been thinking about getting a new car? Maybe now is the time, and you will lower your taxes. With the economy the way it is and not going to get better anyway soon, if you can save money in the long run, then you have no choice. |
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posted on 10 August 2012
Being a van driver can bring you into all kinds of situations, depending on whether you use the van for your work or pleasure. Most van drivers tend to be "van proud" and the kit out their vans with all kinds of accessories, including van wheel trims and the like. It seems like a very satisfying job.
However, on a funnier note, I remember a situation on the television several years ago: you saw a van driver coming up the road and parking in front of a house. He rang the doorbell and told the lady of the house they had her ordered piano in the back of the van. Not a large piano, just the ones you see in western movies a lot. She let them in and the next shot was of a person driving the van away and putting a replica van in front of the house. The only difference was that the piano was just a few centimeters larger than the doors of the van. Suprisingly, they could not get it out. A discussion followed on how they had gottten it in then. In the end, they even removed the van doors, but nothing worked. The reaction of the van driver when he learned he was pranked was not very positive. Whatever, at least the public had a good laugh. |
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posted on 29 February 2012
I love motorbikes despite never have ridden one, nor having the desire to own one. I do sell airoh helmets in a motocross shop, and not only love the bikes and accessories we sell, but I have a huge respect for bikers who come across as friendly and intelligent. Motorbikes look like efficient ways to get around, and can be customized the way you like. There are only three drawbacks to motorcycles, and these are the fact that the driver is unprotected, they cannot haul loads and too many motorcyclists are jerks. I know of two such motorcycle riders who like to do nothing but ride aimlessly up and down the lane on a Saturday night. Their motorcycles are loud and the only way you can get a break from the noise is to lie there and wonder when they’ll return, because they do this over and over again. At times like these I imagine laying trip lines across the road and watching in glee as those motorcyclists crash. These are bad thoughts, I know, but you try trying to get some peace or sleep and having fools disturb your peace. There’s nothing you can do about it, because by the time the police arrive, they are long gone. One of these days, someone with a nice pile of stones and very good aim will just happen to be in town when they are, but for now all one can do is wait. |
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