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Andrew Mrozinski's Archives

I’ve read, talked and given advice about cars for as long as I can remember. I’ve driven old Beetles and broken Audi’s. When I was a teen, my dad had an Alfa Romeo GTV6. He let me drive it. Once. The sports car bug was already creeping over me but the Alfa cemented it. I’m a car enthusiast, plain and simple.

Buying Guide: Apocalyptic SUVs

April 17, 2019 by Andrew Mrozinski Leave a Comment

The apocalypse may not be upon us but a classic SUV are today’s hot collectible car.

What vehicle will pull you out of a potentially bad situation? Is a flood on the way? Are fires burning out of control? Is the zombie apocalypse upon us? Hollywood story lines aside, is there a vehicle that can save you from a potential disaster in the making?

You bet there are! With that in mind, here’s a list of potential trucks to keep in mind as you shop for your apocalyptic SUV.

Toyota Land Cruiser

The classic Land Cruiser is known for its bullet-proof reliability and steadfastness. The first generation Land Cruiser began production in 1951 and is the longest running series in Toyota history.

The J40 or 40 Series was built from 1960 to 1984. It’s jeep-like slab-sided styling is easily one of the most desirable among Land Cruiser aficionados. To find one today in excellent condition and fully restored can cost you as much as $30,000. But with a little searching you can easily find vehicles in good condition for much less money.

Land Rover Series II & III

Land Rover’s story is somewhat similar to the Land Cruiser. Inspired by the Willys Jeep, Land Rover came about following World War II with the introduction of the Series I. Production began in 1948 and ended 10 years later when the Series II was launched.

The early Series II and III models are the most recognized as classic Land Rover’s, playing a large role in the European military, Australian outback as well as Hollywood.

The Land Rover series will be more difficult to find in the States, with some available fully restored at auctions around the country. Again, values can push $30,000 but less-than-mint models can be found in need of some simple restoration.

Ford Bronco

Interestingly enough, the first Ford Bronco was considered a compact, not unlike some of today’s crossovers. Because of the Bronco’s small size, it proved popular among off-roaders.

The first generation Bronco was built from 1966 to 1977. It sold well in its first year, with nearly 24,000 vehicles produced. Competition was fierce with other manufacturers, particularly with Chevrolet and their full size Blazer. In 1973, Ford made some much needed upgrades to the Bronco with a larger 3.3-liter straight six and available automatic transmission. Sales jumped to over 26,000 but still could not compete with the Blazer.

The early Bronco’s are the most desirable among collectors and can be priced around $25,000 for a restored vehicle. Search for one with the larger straight six but in a condition you can afford and be willing to do some restoration work yourself.

Chevrolet K-5 Blazer

The original K-5 Blazer was introduced in 1969, much to the chagrin of its competitors. Buyers flocked to the Blazer due to luxury-like features such as air conditioning and an automatic transmission. Sales launched from only 4,900 trucks in 1969 to over 44,000 in 1972.

At its launch, the Blazer was 4-wheel drive only, with a 2-wheel drive sold in 1970. Chevrolet offered two straight six-cylinder engines and two V8’s. As the Blazer evolved, the obvious styling changes came with the front grill, with dual and single headlight configurations. Shop around for the grill and engine option you want. Aftermarket parts will help you build the Blazer you want. Expect to pay nearly $15,000 for a fully restored truck.

International Scout

International Harvester succeeded at becoming the defacto SUV with the introduction of the Scout in 1961. Similar vehicles produced after it used the Scout as the model from which to build the truck to compete with it. Many succeeded but the Scout continues to have a strong following.

The upside when shopping is the vehicle went virtually unchanged after the introduction of the Scout II in 1971. Production stopped in October, 1980, with over 530,000 Scouts produced.

Surprisingly enough, a restored Scout can be valued as high as $20,000. But with so many produced and a little research on your part, you should be able to find one to build your off-roader.

Jeep Wagoneer

The Wagoneer line of vehicles from Jeep are considered the precursor to today’s luxury SUVs. With niceties such as air conditioning and automatic transmissions, the Wagoneer easily outclassed early trucks from International Harvester and Land Rover.

Built from 1963 to 1991, it is the vehicle with the third longest production run among cars produced in the U.S. Because of this record, there are plenty of Wagoneer’s on the road or sitting idle in a lot somewhere.

Jeep CJ

The “Civilian Jeep” or Jeep CJ’s roots can be followed all the way back to World War II and its direct ties to the Willys Jeep the military used.

The CJ-5 and CJ-7 are the most well known models, thus the most sought after by trail runners. The CJ-5’s short wheelbase helped it climb tight spots but was also unstable because of it. The CJ-7 corrected this trait with a longer wheelbase. Other CJ-7 upgrades was the addition of Quadra-Trac, a new all-wheel drive system as well as some creature comforts such as an optional hard top and leather seats.

A Jeep CJ in excellent condition can be valued over $15,000. But with it in production for so long, there are many available that can be improved with minimal work.

Willys Wagon

The Willys Wagon is easily forgotten about but can be argued as being the first popular SUV, introduced in 1946 as the first all-steel station wagon. It was widely accepted by the buying public which, by complete coincidence, was on the move to the suburbs following World War II.

Bearing the true characteristics of the classic station wagon, the Willys was built until 1965, with a total production of about 300,000 vehicles. Finding one in good condition may be tough but could be worth the effort to restore or at least make drivable.

Classic SUV roundup

Truth be told, the trucks listed here have actually seen an increase in value in recent years. If you have an old-school SUV in the family, it may not only be a great escape vehicle but an investment as well. The upside to owning any of these vehicles is how easy each is to work on. Parts are readily available, especially from the aftermarket where the engineering done is more durable and longer lasting.

Find your favorite classic SUV and get the restoration clock turning. You’ll feel comfortable knowing you’ll be ready for your idea of the end of the world.

Filed Under: Auto News Tagged With: Buying Guide, SUV

Driving safely in the rain

April 15, 2019 by Andrew Mrozinski Leave a Comment

Driving during downfalls can be dangerous, even for skilled drivers. If you’re a new driver then it can even make you too scared to drive. If you are still taking Driving Lessons Sunderland then you should ask for a lesson when it is forecast to rain. That way, you have a professional in the car with you to make you less nervous. When visibility is affected and the roads get wet and slippery, your vehicle can become difficult to control, which could mean a crash has the potential to happen, whether it’s your fault or not. A jacksonville car accident lawyer, or a local one, will need to be contacted in this instance, to go through with you what happened and gauge a legal outcome.

FBD Insurance have provided some top driving tips for tackling torrential rain safely this season.

Check Vehicle Before You Set Off

Before you even go anywhere, make sure your vehicle is safe to use. Do basic engine checks, check for chips in the windshield and go to www.glass.net/windshield-repair if find one, check your tires (more on this later), and make sure there aren’t any warning lights. If you know something is wrong with your car then don’t set off on your journey until it’s sorted.

Slow down

Reducing speed will also decrease your stopping distance. It will allow your car pass through puddles smoothly, without spraying pedestrians or other road users. Driving at a safe speed will help you avoid “aquaplaning” or water build-up under your tyres, so you maintain maximum traction and steering ability on the road.

Allow sufficient distance

Your stopping distance on a wet road can be more than on dry roads, so give yourself plenty of time to stop. At a minimum, you should follow the 4-second rule to allow safe distance from vehicles in front. Take particular care when driving behind trucks and lorries, as the spray from larger vehicles can be blinding to other drivers.

Maintain visibility

Good visibility is crucial for driving in poor weather. Use dipped headlights during the day so you are easily seen on the road. Fully functioning heating and air conditioning is also important during heavy rain, as you will need to demist your windows to prevent them from fogging-over.

Check your tyres

Make sure your tyres are in great condition and that they are perfectly inflated for good traction with the road. To maximise safety, a tread depth of at least 3mm on every wheel is best. When threads are worn there is nowhere for water to go and your car will effectively be “floating” on the rain.

Windscreen wipers

If your windscreen wiper blades don’t clear the glass in a single swipe, replace them. If they squeak or skip across the window as they wipe, it’s time to start considering a new pair.

Avoid cruise control

Cruise features work well in dry conditions, but when used in rain, the chances of losing control can rise. To prevent loss of traction, you may need to reduce the car’s speed by lifting off the accelerator rather than breaking. This cannot be accomplished when your cruise control is on.

Beware of skidding

Your goal should be to prevent a skid from ever happening, so that you never find yourself trying to recover from one. However, if you do feel your car beginning to skid, it’s important not to panic:

  • Stay calm and grip the wheel with both hands.
  • Continue to look and steer in the direction you want the car to go.
  • Avoid further sudden braking or acceleration, which might worsen the skid.
  • If breaking is what caused the skid, ease gently off the breaks and back onto the accelerator to correct it. If acceleration caused the skid, ease gently back off the accelerator.

Driving through water

Avoid driving through deep water by following the highest section of the road. After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brakes over a short distance to dry them off. If you can’t see where you’re going to emerge from the water, or the road is flooded, find another route.

Plan ahead

Watch weather reports and road conditions prior to a long-distance drive or before driving to isolated areas. Take your time and give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination safely.

If the conditions are too bad, don’t take the risk. Delay your trip or consider an alternative method of transport.

If you have no other option than to drive please ensure that your Car Insurance is in date. If you need a quote on Car Insurance why not consider FBD Insurance.

#AD. In the interest of disclosure and transparency, the syndication of this article has been provided and paid for by FBD Insurance.

Filed Under: Auto News

The Best Features Of The Ferrari 488 Spider

January 22, 2019 by Andrew Mrozinski Leave a Comment

The Ferrari 488 Spider is one of the most popular and sought after supercars in the world. It is stylish, beautiful and instantly recognisable as a Ferrari. If this is a supercar that you are interested in purchasing, carry on reading to find out more about the stand out features that it offers.

The Steering Wheel

One of the most exciting features of the Ferrari 488 Spider is that you can quite clearly see the influences of Formula One tradition and technology. The steering wheel of the Ferrari 488 Spider is what stands out to most supercar fans, as the traditional stalks have been replaced with mounted buttons or switches. This sleek design provides a modern interior that’s both practical and stylish.

The Manettino

For those who may not be familiar with the word, Manettino simply means little switch or little level in Italian. This is the steering wheel mounted drive mode controller in your Ferrari and this was first launched with the F430.  

Gauge Cluster

The gauge cluster in the Ferrari 488 Spider also works as your infotainment system as there is no central infotainment screen. To the sides of this centre analogue tachometer are the configurable screen, where you’ll find a separate control panels. The screen on the right-hand side is your infotainment screen, while the screen to the left-hand side is the driver information screen.

The infotainment screen is operated using this centre stack mounted control panel. The drivers screen will show the condition of your car including its turbo boost levels, your car’s driving mode and your lap times, if you’re out on a track day. To operate this left screen, you can use the panel which is found between your steering wheel and your door. You will also spot the pit button which is the switch for cruise control.

Options to Upgrade

One of the main selling points of the Ferrari 488 Spider is that there are so many irresistible upgrading options. Scuderia Car Parts have outlined the key upgrades that you can implement that will tastefully enhance your Ferrari 488. Some of these upgrades include addressing the sound of the 488, adding the Capristo Carbon Fibre Rear Diffuser and lowering the ride height. If you’re interested in these upgrades, that’s something that Scuderia Car Parts would be able to assist you with.

The Interior

If you are familiar with Ferrari supercars, then you will know that previously their interiors have been a little sparse in amenities. The Ferrari 488, however, is stunning with the entire cabin covered in soft leathers and expensive carbon fibre accents.

Convertible

Of course, opting for the Spider version of the Ferrari 488 means that you can enjoy the exciting convertible roof feature. This allows you to let the sunshine in simply be pressing one button and this will fold away your electronically operated hardtop roof.

As you can see, there are plenty of beautiful features that make the Ferrari 488 a fantastic purchase, plus with the option to make your own customisable upgrades, you can make this supercar even more unique to you.

Filed Under: Auto News, Branding, Reviews Tagged With: 488gtb, Ferrari

The Best Place For Buying The Part You Need Now

December 27, 2018 by Andrew Mrozinski Leave a Comment

A car is a piece of equipment that we use every day. It requires good maintenance to prolong its useful life. It is the same as when the car is in production including the car parts. The manufacturers take great care when using things like industrial heating to ensure perfect conditions for the making of the car. When it comes to maintenance, to be committed is an understatement because proper maintenance does not only make your car’s life extended, but it will also assure you that your car is in the right condition to be driven.

To make sure that your car will always run smooth, you need to maintain your vehicle in the best possible way. There are parts that need more attention than others, like how replacing the wiper blades is a more common phenomenon. Some can be downright hard to find so it’s a good idea to have a place where you get the motor supplies to need when you’re ready to replace them. Car owners are also expected to take good care of their tires and make it a habit to check the tire rotations, the air pressure, and alignment adjustments. With this being said, there may be times where you have purchased a defective auto part and have no realised. Sometimes situations like these can end badly. If you have experienced something like this, it may be worth getting in touch with a car defect lawyer to see what else can be done about this and help you take the necessary steps in getting your life back on track.

One of the most annoying parts in cleaning and maintaining your car is the maintenance of the alloy wheel. Even if you pride yourself as a careful driver, there would always be the time you’ll have to scrub grimes away from your alloy wheels. This step is a must, especially if you want to make your car look like it left the store just a few days ago. Unfortunately, there will always be a time when cleaning the alloy wheel will not do the trick anymore and you have to replace it.

There’s a lot of things to consider when buying a car part in the market. Would you buy the part that you need online? Would you consult a dealership service first? Or would you go into the more adventurous route and bet on alloy wheels found in the junkyard? All choices have pros and cons and your decision will likely be based in the situation you have.

BUYING ALLOY WHEELS FROM A DEALERSHIP

When it comes to buying new car parts, there is nothing that can beat buying in a dealership. There are pros and cons in this route, and it will all be listed down below.

The Pros

1. All new, quality assured parts.

When shopping for the best and high-quality car parts, you can count on dealers to have your desired alloy wheel. Because of their reputation to hold, they will only give you the best parts. They will even give their best to find your part if it is kind of rare.

2. Dealerships will take care about the fitting and other things.

When you go to dealerships for help, they will likely get all the folds ironed out for you. They will take care of fitting the alloy wheel and gets the paperwork done.

The Cons

1. You’ll have to pay gold for their products and services.

Quality products and services will cost you a lot. Be sure that you have a lot of savings when you ought for a dealership’s help.

2. The waiting game.

Based on the kind of alloy wheel needed for your car, you might need to wait for your product to arrive because there’s a big chance that what you’re looking for is not in the inventory.

BUYING ALLOY WHEELS FROM JUNKYARDS

If you have patience and luck by your side, you’ll likely have a good chance of finding a good deal on junkyards. There’s a lot of junk yards in Utah, Texas, and other states. You can successfully find one in each state if you look hard. Here are the pros and cons of buying used parts from salvage yards.

The Pros

1. Cheaper price

Just like with any other parts, buying in salvage yards will give you huge savings compared to buying parts in dealership shops. This option will truly turn the table when you need repairs on other parts of your car.

2. Availability

You don’t have to wait for parts to get to you before having your car fixed. The part is right in the junkyard. You only have to take patience and the right tools with you.

3. Chance for getting cheap spare tires and other good stuff

This one will be a good deal if you have a lot of cars. When you’re finished getting the alloy wheel you want, maybe you can also get that nice alternator, or maybe that mirror that still works fine.

4. Recycling is good for the environment

Just like in computers, recycling car parts will help the environment.

The Cons

1. It requires a lot of effort

Buying a used part from a junkyard is a win-win situation. You will save a lot, the junkyard will have income, etc. The only catch for this is that you will need to put a lot of effort and time to find your perfect part. Depending on your time frame and the rarity of the part you’re looking for, you might spend a lot of time for a repair. You could always work with an alloy wheel repair franchise and it might end up being cheaper overall. It would be best to try a range of different options to find the right price for your alloys.

Filed Under: Auto News

What To Do If Your Car Breaks Down

December 4, 2018 by Andrew Mrozinski Leave a Comment

Driveways, Motorways, Minor Roads & Dual Carriageways

In the Real World, things don’t always go to plan. Especially when you’re driving. Accidents can sometimes be entirely the other driver’s fault which is why it’s important to get cheap car insurance alrington that is both affordable and covers everything, in case you get into an accident. However, there are some things that you won’t be able to claim on your insurance – like breakdowns. That’s why today we look at the measures you need to take in the unfortunate event of a breakdown.

Most drivers don’t expect a breakdown, but the essential thing to bear in mind in these situations, is to stay safe. Be sure to contact your breakdown service provider or towing Boise company right away.

Here are a few simple tips to keep you, your passengers and other road users safe when your car breaks down.

Motorways & Dual Carriageways

By far the trickiest place to suffer a car breakdown is on a motorway or dual carriageway, particularly if you are in the outside or overtaking lane when the issue happens. The RSA has a list of recommendations which we’ve listed below;

  1. If you can, pull into the hard shoulder as soon as possible. Put your hazard lights and your side lights on and then point your front wheels away from the road.
  2. If you have a visibility vest, wear it. Visibility vests are relatively cheap and don’t take up much storage space so it’s a good idea to get a few and leave them in the car.
  3. Exit your vehicle on the left hand side, away from the traffic on the road. Be safe and stay away from the fast moving cars on the other side! Make your way up the embankment and if there is a barrier, climb over it if possible. You and your passengers should stay well away from the hard shoulder.
  4. Don’t attempt to make any repairs on the car, no matter how small they seem to be. Plenty of people have warning triangles in their car, BUT you should not attempt to place this behind your car on the motorway. There will be cars speeding by and it’s risky to even attempt it.
  5. Call the local authorities. If you do this from your mobile phone, they will need to know your location. If you use one of the roadside SOS phones on the motorway network, they will automatically know your location. Next contact your breakdown service.
  6. If the repair services can get you back up and running there and then, that’s great but be very careful when it comes to re-joining the motorway. You’ll need to build up your speed on the hard shoulder before merging into traffic. Be aware too though that other vehicles may have stopped on the hard shoulder. There are many breakdown cover services available online that offer insurance quotes for their services so that you are covered when you need it. You can search for a mechanical breakdown insurance quote online to find out which breakdown service is right for you.
  7. If for some reason you are unable to follow the above advice, you should stay in your vehicle with your safety belt securely fastened and switch on your hazard lights. Then, as above, call 999 and wait for assistance. You should also contact your breakdown service provider to let them know.

Following the right procedures can help you resolve breakdown issues faster than following your gut instincts. As you would probably know by now anything can happen on the road. It is always better to be prepared for such circumstances. Talking about precautions, always make sure that your car is insured and if it isn’t, a good place to start would be with Staveley Head, a reputed insurance broker.
National, Secondary & minor roads

If you break down on any road smaller than a motorway, you’ll need to do things a little differently to make sure you remain safe throughout. Sometimes it’s easier just to contact a company like Trolling Towing of LoDo in these situations rather than waiting for the repair crew to get to you. A lot of the time that’s the safer option too if you’re on small or back roads. Again, we’ve taken the advice of the RSA to give you the best information on how to handle the situation.

  1. If you can, pull over to a safe place. Some national roads have a hard shoulder, but if there isn’t one, pull over as far left as you can.
  2. Turn on your hazard lights and if the light is poor or visibility is low, turn on your side lights also.
  3. Although the cars will be passing a little slower than those on the motorway, you should still only get out of your car on the left hand side of the road. Again, it’s better to be safe out there in the real world, so avoid those unnecessary dangers and prevent any issues occurring.
  4. Put on your high visibility vest and place your Red Warning Triangle 50 metres behind your car to alert oncoming traffic.
  5. In contrast to actions on the motorway, no matter where on the road you breakdown, be it in the middle of the road in town or out on a narrow country road, you should get back in your car once you’ve put out your triangle. That’s the safest place to be.
  6. Once in your car, ring the Gardaí for assistance and then call your breakdown service provider to let them know.

Even experienced drivers might not know the above protocols for what to do if you breakdown, but now that you’ve familiarised yourself with them, you’re ready for any breakdown. All Liberty car insurance policies come with 24/7 breakdown assistance with Home Start as standard and it won’t affect your no claims bonus.

Filed Under: Auto News, Reviews

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About Me

Andy Mrozinski I’ve read, talked and given advice about cars for as long as I can remember. I’ve driven old Beetles and broken Audi’s. When I was a teen, my dad had an Alfa Romeo GTV6. He let me drive it. Once. The sports car bug was already creeping over me but the Alfa cemented it. I’m a car enthusiast, plain and simple.
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