When Style Meets Performance: Exotic Cars 101

Searching for a quality luxury car will inevitably bring anyone to the rather apt adjective, exotic. Exotic food or exotic beauty may be more clearly defined, but what really makes for an exotic sports car? Sleek and Elegant Design Part of what makes an exotic sports car is the vehicles streamlined, sleek, and smooth designs, all of which serve functional purposes to the overall performance of the car albeit being so highly aesthetically pleasing. Indeed, even exotic sports car makers know emphasis that car enthusiasts and racers put on design per se. After all, owning an exotic sports car in contrast to owning a car is, in itself, a status symbol. This status is endowed not only by the make of the car but also the style and visual appeal. In fact, companies like Ferrari even employ design houses to come up with their car designs. Design powerhouse Pininfarina, for example, designed the 2002 Ferrari ENZO. Breakneck Speeds While design is one of the considerations of many car enthusiasts, the primary characteristic that by-far differentiates a sports car from the rest is its acceleration and maintainable road speed. When it comes to sports cars, its all a matter of speed, speed, and more speed. A pretty car wont cut it if it cannot deliver the exhilarating ride that is expected of every sports car. Exotic cars are continually challenging the rate at which a car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. Designs are beginning to be shaped from the engineering needs of the car, in order to suitably deliver a new record speed. As of the moment, the 1994 Dauer 962 LeMans continues to reign with 2.6 seconds. However, with the likes of the 2002 Ferrari ENZO being designed based on the specifications of making a fast car, expect faster sports cars in the near future. One-in-a-Million Indeed, exotic sports cars arent the type that mass produced and you cant but then off-the-lot. Part of its exotic appeal is the fact that you can only have a certain number of models made available for sale. The rarer and more difficult to acquire, the greater a cars exotic value. Its in the Name Most cars dont need visualization to be called exotic, they just are. These would include your cult sports car classicsyour Porsche, your Ferrari, your Lamborghini. While an exotic sports car may be subjectively defined over a huge stratum, its safe to believe that these qualities are more or less held in commonality by any definition. At any rate, one look at a car may be enough to give you a clue.

Customize It!

When we talk about sports cars, we imagine models from Jaguar, Porsche, Chevrolet, Lexus, Cadillac and Pontiac. But sports cars can be custom-made too! Quality replicas, as most people call them, can pass for those really nifty sports cars parading along a ritzy street. What are the other things one needs to know about custom-built cars? Here they are: 1. Roadster or Coupe? Whether the driver wants his car to be roadster or coupe, companies that custom-build cars can adjust to the choice. 2. The Big Kit Okay, before customizing, one must have this important tool: the kit. Companies like Quality Roadsters provide kits and packages to turn a bland car into a wow-worthy one. From the car's frame to other materials and features, these are all provided to ensure maximum performance. As for the frame, the driver must take into consideration if he is going for the round tube or the square one. He must remember that round tube frame is lighter and tougher. On the other hand, a square tube frame is very easy to design. It can be stylish but not rigid or it can be rigid but not stylish. Body-wise, the driver must choose a dimensionally-able car, with longer foot boxes and impressive fiberglass. The driver must custom-build it to the point that when he drives the car, it seems as if he is not driving the body, but the chassis. The driver must also take note of the suspension. He must stay away from the independent rear suspension from Jaguar as it is harder to maintain. He must stick to a custom-built car with suspension materials similar to that of Mustang GT's. While replica industries usually make their own suspension, others just stick to the excellent-performing ones available on the market. As for the engine, it is best that the driver goes for the one from Ford. Operating at 400-hp 302 V8 with transmitting power coming from a T-5 five speed, this engine qualifies as one of the better ones that can fully support a custom-built sports car. Other car accessories like air-conditioning, overflow tank, cooling fan, shroud kit, fuel injection systems, wiper system and oil filter relocator must also be carefully and systematically selected. A custom-built sports car will really spruce up the driver's lifestyle as it reflects his personality. He just has to be sure that the replica industry he has chosen will take care of him.

Convertible Incredible

What can be more appealing than driving a convertible? Convertible sports cars, with their sleek and sophisticated looks, are much in demand in the market. For someone who is hoping to snag his own top-down, here are some of the models he needs to consider: 1. 2005 BMW Z4 Sure, this baby is expensive - hey, it's a BMW - but its dynamics and features pretty much explain the price. This German sports car makes a statement as it speedily cruises along the highway. 2. 2005 Audi TT High-performance, power-engined and invigorating, the 2005 Audi TT always garners an excellent rating in car reviews. With its awesome windscreen, roll hoops and headlamps, the driver cannot go wrong with this one. 3. 2005 Chevrolet Corvette Over time, Chevrolet Corvette has proven itself with its remarkable power. Now in its sixth generation, the 2005 Chevrolet Corvette is smaller than its older counterparts, but better. With a horsepower of 400, it can go from zero to 60 mph per hour in four seconds. Unbelievable! This makes the Corvette a staple in any summer. 4. 2005 Lexus SC 430 The Lexus SC 430 is inspired by, no less than, the French Riviera. This car can go from coupe to a raging roadster in a span of 25 seconds. It is stylish, glamorous and powerful. 5. 2005 Mazda Miata This model is pretty affordable for its look and power. This is very dependable and dynamic and it will knock the driver off his feet. With its reactive suspension and immense horsepower, this convertible sports car is one for the books. 6. 2005 Volkswagen New Beetle Charming and cute like any other Beetle, this monster-engined convertible promises an adventurous ride on those lazy summer afternoons. 7. Jaguar XK8 Convertible Great design, awesome interior, and technologically-advanced, this convertible can bring out the best in every driver. Its speed can go up to 155 mph per hour and the acceleration? Zerp - 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds. Now that's truly incredible! 8. 2006 Cadillac XLR This is a top-of-the-line convertible sports car, which promises "capacity like no other." It is almost $78,000 but who cares? This is probably the best in the market now. 9. 2005 Chrysler Crossfire Roadster Test drive this car and see that it is more amazing than its previous version. All these convertible sports cars are undeniably worth the money and the effort to maintain them.

Find out the best way to buy a sports car

Find out the best way to buy a sports car First, before going to a car dealership, buyers should already have an idea of the type of sports car they will be looking for. Do they want a convertible, a two-seater, a mid-engine sport car, or a luxury sports vehicle? These are questions prospective car buyers need to ask themselves before they start their search. This will make the selection process much easier. Buyers need to do their homework It would be best for prospective buyers to do some research ahead of time. Read car magazines, talk to friends and memorize information on those sports vehicles buying guides that they might be interested in buying. Don't forget to surf the net to get the latest news and information about the various models of sports cars that are on the market. Compare prices Pay a visit to a number of car dealerships. Look for special deals and discounts that they might be offering. This way a prospective buyer could get the best possible deal by comparing prices. Budget If money is a concern, prospective buyers should set a limit on how much they are going to spend, and stick to it! Insurance premiums for sports cars tend to be relatively higher. This is reason prospective buyers need to set aside a portion of their budget for insurance. They always need to take into account the cost of: maintenance, operation, and repairs. Timing is everything The best time of the year to purchase a new sports car is near the end of the year when car dealerships are holding their annual end of the year sales. This is when dealers try to get rid of old models and try to replace them with new ones. The car dealerships offer especially low rates that they would not normally offer during these end of the year sales. So it would be best for customers to take advantage at this time. Warranty The warranty is an important part of your decision when buying a car. It is a part of the cost that customers pay for when they make a purchase, they must be sure that the terms of the warranty are satisfactory. Buying a new sports car doesn't have to be a big headache. It can be fun and exciting, as long as buyers know what they are doing. This is why they need to prepare ahead of time, before going on a car hunting expedition so that they can own the sports car of their dreams.

How to Get a Cheap Sports Car

When buying sports cars, the buyer must not only assess his needs and preferences, but more importantly, he must put everything in the context of his budget. Sports cars are generally priced not less than $15,000. However, there are some options available for buying cheaper but valuable sports cars. Auction An enthusiastic buyer may want to check out the local auctions that are held in his area. Some good sports cars can be bought cheaply in these auctions. However, the auction arena is not made for the faint-hearted buyer. Just like any other kind of auction, it is a stressful and fast environment. One must attend a couple or more auctions before actually trying to purchase a car from this kind of activity. Another downside of auctions is that there is no opportunity to test the car. In auctions, people buy cars "as they are." Car Exchange Auto Exchange Centers may offer you the best cars at very reasonable prices. Buyers might want to do a little Internet research since car exchange centers do advertise their merchandise on the Internet. Remember that the market for cheap sports cars is a buyers' market, which means that you hold the aces when negotiating prices. Private Seller Buyers may also look for private sellers of sports cars. Some people need quick cash in cases of emergency so they are forced to sell their precious cars at very attractive prices. Be aware and watch out for such quality deals. The problem with dealing with private sellers is that once the purchase is made, the buyer is left on his own. He cannot run back to the seller to complain. Good Models that no one wants There are good sports car models out there that are being taken for granted by the market. Because of trends in sports car demand, some of the good ones are being left out. This is a good thing for buyers who are looking for value for their money. Some Jaguar, Austin-Healey and Morgan car models are out there, up for grabs at great prices. Sports cars are luxury cars, but that does not necessarily mean that they should be expensive. Maybe the best things in life are not for free, but you can get good deals to get them. But at the end of the day, quality should be the main aspect that a buyer must look at in purchasing a cheap sports car.

How to buy the cheapest sports car insurance policy

For most people a sports vehicle is the car of their dreams. The feel of a revving engine and their hair being swept back by the wind as their convertible speeds down on the highway, they feel is a prize worth paying for. But what if once they acquire the sports car of their dreams, and the thrill of victory dies when they realize that something has gone terribly wrong? They suddenly realize they have blown most of their hard earned cash on the purchase of their new vehicle, not leaving enough for the purchase of car insurance. This is when the hunt for a cheap sports car insurance policy begins! Some things to remember when looking for cheap sports car insurance: Shop around the internet for insurance rates Some of the cheaper sports car insurance rates can be found on the internet. Several insurance companies offer deals and discounts. There are also car insurance companies that offer free insurance estimates online. Factors in determining cost Sports cars that are driven in places that are considered to have high crime rates cost more to insure. Sports cars are known to be more often stolen than a non-sports vehicle. Their cost for repairs is relatively higher. This is why the insurance premium for sports vehicles are higher than average. But if a sports car is equipped with safety features such as car alarm, detachable stereo, and steering wheel lock - the cost to have it insured will be reduced. Compare prices Shop around for the cheapest sports car insurance policy. This way you will be able to compare the different deals and offers car insurance companies are offering. Customers would also know if they are being treated fairly, since they have a basis of comparison from different sources. It is also a factor how many individuals are to be covered by a particular insurance company. This is why it is imperative to look into different sources for the best deal. Different insurance companies offer different terms and agreements. There are numerous car insurance companies out that are less expensive sports car insurance. The key is to find those that are offering discounts and special deals for the specific model of car and one that cover the buyer's needs and specifications. This way the owning a sports car will be an exhilarating experience.

A Classic (Sports Car) Tale

Classic sports cars Those three words come up together to form an image of grandeur, speed and extravagance. For who can afford classic sports cars? Only the affluent of course! But for the average Joe who dreams of having his own classic sports car and hopes to know more about it, this article is meant to provide information on this amazing king of the road. First know the foremost brands of classic sports cars. 1. Lotus Lotus is famous for coming up with the Lotus Elise 11S, Lotus Elise Motorsport, Lotus Elan, Lotus Europa Twin Cam, Lotus Super Seven S4, Lotus Elan SE Turbo and Lotus Super Seven Replica by Birkin. 2. Austin Healey Sprite Only Austin Healey Sprite can come up with the Bugeye Sprite Race Car with an outstanding 250 horsepower! The 1960 Speedwell Sprite Vintage Race Car is another force to reckon with, as well as the 1962 Austin Healey Sprite MK. 3. Austin Mini Austin Mini boasts of the Mini Cooper that comes in excellent colors and for $13,000, it is quite a steal! 4. TVR The TVR has this elite collection of classic sports cars like the TVR Tuscan Challenge Race Car, TVR S2 Roadster, TVR Taimar Coupe and TVR 2500M. 5. Birkin Classic sports car is almost synonymous to the brand Birkin, as it is made famous with Louts Super Seven replicas and offers Birkin S3, Birkin C-S3 Street, among other roadsters that come with the Ford ZETEC engine, four-wheeled disc brakes and a heavy-duty aluminum body. 6. Jaguar Jaguar is the mighty classic sports car that men cannot get enough of. With the Jaguar E-type Coupe, Jaguar X-Type Track Car and Jaguar C-Type replica, this is the brand that really pushes classic sports cars several to the limit. 7. Triumph Jaguar-engined Triumph roars just as a classic sports car is expected to do. Classic models like the 1969 Triumph Spitfire MK III and 1960 Triumph TR3A stand for what Triumph is all about - sophistication and power. Here are some books that inform the reader on how to keep the classic sports cars in tiptop shape: "Classic Car Restorer's Handbook," "Fun and Profit Buying, Showing and Selling Vintage and Classic Cars," "Restoration of Antique and Classic Cars," "Budget Auto Restoration: Low Cost, Step-By-Step Tricks" and "How to Rebuild and Modify Your Muscle Car." The classic sports car exudes action and nobility. No wonder, it never goes out of style.