Top Market Cars

Archive for September, 2011

New Rideshare Website Is Ideal For College Students

The stereotypical college student is just getting by financially. In many cases students cannot afford cars due to more pressing needs such as beer for students over 21 only of course and trips to Cancun for spring break. Many if not most American college campuses have very limited parking. This prevents many students who may otherwise be able to afford a car from having one on campus.

Both financial limitations and campus parking shortages result in many students not having cars. While those students may find it easy to get around campus by foot or bicycle students without cars rely on others when venturing very far from campus. This leads to bulletin boards full of requests for and offers of rides to various places as classes end for the semester or for summer and during spring break.

Fortunately with large colleges and universities there are usually enough students traveling to the same area that most students are able to find rides. This is especially true in large state universities where thousands of students travel to their homes within the state. However bulletin board rideshare matching leaves something to be desired.

Bulletin board rideshare matching involves poring over many postings very few of which are relevant to any one student. Further even if a student finds a match it is unlikely that it is the most efficient available. There has to be a better way. As with so many other things the Internet has made rideshare matching much easier more convenient and more efficient. RideshareOptimizer.com matches riders and drivers based on schedules and allows drivers to minimize their driving time and distance by finding the riders requiring the shortest detours from the drivers main path.

RideshareOptimizer.com accomplishes this task by first finding riders and drivers whose trips have similar schedules origins and destinations. It then calculates the difference in distance and travel time between each drivers origin and destination and the distance and travel time involved in picking up and dropping off a rider. Drivers are presented with a list of potential riders ordered by additional time or distance required. Similarly riders are presented with a a list of potential drivers also ordered by additional time or distance required.

About the writer:  Kent Basson is the originator of RideshareOptimizer.com free online websites that help commuters form carpools. He works to help for those who want information about best rideshare websites commuter parking lots Instant carpooling ride sharing best carpool website formal carpool realtime carpool Rideshare Websites Park and Ride Lots. For more detail visit: www.rideshareoptimizer.com

Best Buy Or Not The Kia Sedona Is Worth A Look!

The minivan market is a crowded segment of the automotive industry led by stalwarts Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town amp; Country but also joined by Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey. It is a tough market one that General Motors and Ford have left but also occupied by smaller but still important players including the Kia Sedona.

For the Kia Sedona one of the newer players in minivan market this vehicle has received a lot of positive press lately thanks to several awards given over the past few years.

Most recently the Sedona received a “Good” rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety IIHS; a fivestar crash safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA; and just recently was named as a Consumers Digest “Best Buy” a recognition for the second consecutive year.

“It is an honor to have Sedona recognized yet again” said Byung Mo Ahn group president and CEO of Kia Motors America KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia KMMG. “Being named a ‘Best Buy’ by Consumers Digest goes to the heart of Kia Motors’ commitment to offering consumers valueminded and comfortable vehicles with outstanding safety features.”

Introduced in 1999 the Sedona is marketed almost everywhere as the Carnival but in the United States and Great Britain the Sedona name prevails. While some markets offer a 2.7L V6 gas engine or a 2.9L V6 diesel the U.S. Sedona comes with a 3.8L V6 and is paired with a fivespeed automatic transmission. Sister automaker Hyundai sells a version of the Sedona which they call the Entourage.

The second generation Sedona which is now on the market offers both Long and Short Wheel Bases; stock safety features such as six standard airbags dual advanced front and front seatmounted side air bags and fulllength side curtain air bags for all three seating rows; a fourchannel foursensor antilock brake system ABS; electronic brake distribution EBD; a traction control system TCS; a brake assist system BAS; and a tire pressure monitoring system TPMS.

But when compared to minivans from Toyota Honda and Chrysler just how does the Sedona shape up? Clearly the quality leaders are the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey while the Sedona is behind both the Dodge and Chrysler minivans in overall quality. Check Consumer Reports and other nonbiased consumer and car publications to compare price initial quality and long term customer satisfaction.

About the writer:  Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in Cary North Carolina. Matt is a contributing writer for Andy’s Auto Sport an aftermarket supplier of quality parts including custom Kia Sedona lambo doors and Kia Sedona mufflers.

Do You Know How To Inspect A Used Car?

It seems you have looked at every used car in your area and have finally decided on that one special gem to purchase. Before you plunk down all your change you need to make sure this little jewel is worth what you are willing to pay and the used car salesman is willing to accept.

Here are a few tips that you can use for an “on the spot” inspection of the vehicle:

1Body damage this is a little tricky to determine but you can do some checking. Open the hood and trunk and inspect the paint edges feeling to see if it is rough. Look for overspray on the inside of these areas and also make sure the paint inside the hood matches the outside of the vehicle. Stand in front of the car at each corner and look down the body line of the vehicle checking for waves. Open the doors and look for overspray or a paint line on the door jams.

2Engine and transmission pop the hood and look carefully at the engine and do not be fooled by a clean compartment. Look at the belts and hoses the air filter; check the oil and transmission fluid by sniffing it. If you smell smoke that could indicate problems. Start up the car and listen to the engine for knocks and metal noises; put the transmission in gear does it clunk or go smoothly. Look under the vehicle for leaks if you find water don’t worry that’s just the a/c.

3Electrical start the car and turn on all the electrical features making sure everything works properly. Windows should roll up smoothly and quick door locks should function the a/c should blow cold the heat should heat and always check the windshield defroster if it smokes or has a funny smell the heater core could be bad. Make sure the wipers work properly as well as the horn turn signals hazards and headlights.

4Test Drive make sure to check all functions of the moving vehicle including the brakes steering suspension engine response and transmission. Before you take off look at the tires and inspect the wear and tread depth. If the tires have scalloping or damage you should get the dealer to replace them prior to purchase.

5After the Test Drive turn off the car pop the hood checking for temperature issues and smell. Also get back down again and look under the vehicle checking for any residue on any surfaces.

6Before you buy take the car to a trusted mechanic and have them go over it as well. Ask for receipts and service or repair invoices as well.

If your potential car purchase lives through all that scrutiny then buy it. If it fails a few tests you will need to determine the potential costs you might incur and if you really want to buy a vehicle with possible problems.

The bottom line is it is next to impossible to determine if a vehicle is good or bad but you can decide whether or not it is worth the risk of buying.

About the writer:  http://www.autocarreview.com