Quality used cars from Hertz

Most of us know of Hertz as a reputed car rental company. However, not many are aware that Hertz also sells exceptional used cars as well.

If you are looking for a great deal on a car in the US, check out the Hertz Rent2Buy® programme for high-quality, used rental cars at really competitive prices. Their website allows you to have a unique shopping experience, by being able to compare a variety of models. Check out Hertzcarsales.com to take advantage of this new way to "car-shop." Hertz has a large selection of used cars for sale by owner, so your ideal car is never out of reach.

Also don't forget to take advantage of a 3-Day Test Rental, which gives you time to see how the car really feels on the road. You can try out the car for 3 days at a special low rate which will be waived if you decide to buy the car.

Call 1-888-674-3309 for additional information and questions!

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Hyundai Genesis best upscale sedan

According to new test results from Consumer Reports, out of a test group of 10 upscale sedans including the the Chrysler 300C, Hyundai Genesis, Toyota Avalon, and Acura TL, the Hyundai Genesis came out at top of the CR’s ratings with an Excellent road test score of 92. The car has been on top of the list of upscale sedans since 2009. The 2012 model has a softer, more comfortable ride; a stronger direct injected V6; and a more fuel-efficient eight-speed automatic transmission improving the overall mileage.

A surprise was the Revamped 2011 Chrysler 300C which scored an “Excellent” overall road test score of 80, up from 64 for the previous model. According to David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center in East Haddam, CT “The 300C’s quick, muscular 5.7-liter V8 engine is now complemented by responsive handling and a more comfortable ride.” He further added: “And, thanks to a major upgrade, its roomy interior is now quieter, more luxurious, and has improved visibility.”

A disappointment was the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, a fuel-efficient family sedan, which scored only 69, a full 20 points below the previously-tested and more popular conventional Sonata GLS.

On the other hand, the all-electric Nissan Leaf scored a respectable 78 points. The Leaf is quick, very quiet, rides comfortably and is easy to get in and out of. However, the limited driving range of only about 75 miles per charge, and the long time it takes to recharge (about 6 hours on 240V) are the main drawbacks.

The full report is available to subscribers of www.ConsumerReports.org and in the November issue of Consumer Reports.

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GE Joins Hands with Nissan

GE and Nissan has announced a joint, two-year R&D collaboration to speed up the creation of a reliable charging infrastructure for electric vehicles like the Nissan LEAF.



They plan to focus their resources on two key research areas:

1. integrating electric vehicles with homes and buildings and
2. investigating EV charging dynamics and the future impact on the electricity grid once millions of EVs are on the road.

I found it really interesting to learn that 25 percent of the world’s electricity is generated or distributed by equipment designed and made by GE,;

For more information read the complete GE Report.

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Modified Mini at Antartica

Came across this interesting article in the Mini blog about a modified Mini - the Mini Trac at Wilkes Antarctic Base in 1965 .

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Appearance Improvements for Your Vehicle

Every driver has a vested interest in keeping his or her vehicle in the best-looking shape possible. Whether it’s for keeping up appearances or prepping the vehicle for resale to a potential buyer or a used car dealer, the way a car looks matters. If you are unsatisfied with the current condition of your car’s exterior, consider pursuing several of the following upgrade ideas, many of which may help enhance the aesthetics of your vehicle. After all, if you’re going to be caught driving something on the road, you want it to be something that makes a positive impression at first glance.

Lighting
Poor lighting may be dangerous when driving, but it can also be disastrous to a car’s appearance. Cars with dim headlights and broken tail lights don’t inspire much confidence for potential buyers, and they can make a car appear prematurely older than it actually is. From yellowing headlight casings to malfunctioning tail light bulbs, you’ll want to replace any car lighting components that can cause a dent to your vehicle’s reputation. For easy headlight upgrades, try HID headlights, which can be customized by color and which also shine much brighter than a typical halogen headlight array. For tail light modifications, go with bold and modern LEDs.

Grille
The front grille on a car may be a rather small component in comparison to much larger pieces on the car’s exterior, but the grille is the focus of many people’s attention as they pass by your car. That’s because the grille sits front and center on your car, making it a pristine visual centerpiece when properly cared for. If your car’s front grille has been damaged in an accident, or simply just hasn’t aged well, you can replace it with plastic, billet or stainless steel grilles.

Windows
Windows that are scratched up, cracked, or just really dirty (dirty to the point where taking the car through a car wash isn’t enough to clean them) aren’t going to help you sell your car, and certainly won’t make a positive impression as you continue to drive it. For easily impressive windows, try using a window tint kit. Dark windows increase the privacy of your car’s inside space while also making your car look more upscale on the outside, so there are benefits abound from this single upgrade. Just don’t forget to apply each tint evenly before going forward. Also do not forget to check the legal requirements in your area.

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The VW up! family

The up! is the new city car from Volkswagen and had it's World premiere at the 64th International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt. VW also showed off 6 concept cars in the up! family of cars. This includes the buggy up! and up! azzurra: specially designed for the world’s beaches as well as the cross up!, GT up!, eco up! and e-up!

The up! will be launched in the UK in Spring next year 2012. However, they are opening up for orders from October 2011.

For more information about the up! concept cars, click here.

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Fisker unveils the Surf

Fisker Automotive recently unveiled the "Surf" at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The car is styled by former Aston Martin and BMW chief designer Henrik Fisker.

The car is a finished production model rather than a concept car and it's also Fisker's second model to go on sale. The company's first car, the Karma, which was launched earlier this year has generated more than 4,000 orders.

Fisker Automotive has been producing electric vehicles with extended range since 2007. BMW has signed an agreement with the company whereby the German car company will supply Fisker with engines and other components for future Fisker models.

Fisker was formed in 2007 and has raised 1.5 billion dollars worth of investment, with 1500 people employed worldwide.

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