The model type with the least utility but most satisfaction is the sports car class. These cars come in several styles and types but one common theme is a quick pace and good road handling capabilities. Sports cars are usually more fun to drive than family and luxury cars and offer more fundamental transportation.

Think of a sports car as a small coupe or convertible body style that creates a driver friendly environment in the cockpit. Many sports cars offer manual transmissions so that drivers can be better connected to the engine and the road through more control over the car. Many sports cars that have been offered over the years could be considered minimalistic. Power steering, now standard on all cars, was only an option on most sports cars until the mid 1980s and early 1990s. Windows, door locks and seats were all manually operated to save weight. The lower a car’s weight the better the handling and the acceleration can be. Sports cars were usually powered by four and six cylinder engines, also to hold down the weight. A smaller engine in a lightweight car can provide just as much acceleration as an eight or twelve cylinder engine in a heavier car.

Although many companies have produced sports cars throughout the history of the automobile, many of the leading examples have been produced by European and especially British companies. The sports car era between 1960 and 1980 provided some truly remarkable offerings from manufacturers in Europe.

German Sports Cars

Porsche and BMW offered many sporting models. The BMW 2002 was produced between 1968 and 1976 and put BMW on the map as one of the leading sports car manufacturers. BMW also offered the 507 in the 1950s. This rare convertible was an alternative to many British roadsters of the era.

Porsche produced its 356, better known as the bathtub, until1966. The 911 was introduced in 1963 and eventually replaced the 356 in all markets. Porsche sports cars are known for their rear engine set up where the engine is placed at the rear of the bar, actually behind the rear drive axle. This creates a car with tendencies to over-steer but also to have great traction and handling abilities when the driving is mastered.
German sports cars do differ from the classic British roadsters in many ways offering an alternative to the quirky British machines.

First, individuals should make sure that their car has had a grease and oil recent. While most cars are recommended to have a grease and oil every 3,000 miles or every three months. Driver who have a vehicle that may require an oil change during a trip should have the oil change done before hand.

Second, drivers should have their vehicle inspected thoroughly. This can often be done while the vehicle is having a grease and oil performed on it. A certified mechanic should inspect the vehicle to ensure that it does not require a front end alignment, new brakes, a transmission repair or a recommended service. A vehicle that is inspected properly before a trip can often avoid having problems on the road.

Third, drivers should ensure that their vehicle has properly inflated tires. Having flat tires can cause a vehicle to spin out and lose control. Another important reason to have properly inflated tires is that driving over long distances with under inflated tires can reduce gas mileage. Drivers also should check the tread of their tire. Bald tires can cause serious control problems with a vehicle.

Fourth, clean your car. While you may not think that your car is dirty, a road trip can require a large amount of storage space for food, luggage and other items. Cleaning out a car also will make the vehicle more enjoyable to drive in as well as increase gas mileage due to the car being less heavy.

Fifth, know your route. Many travelers rely solely on a GPS. While a GPS system can be useful, it may also be a good idea to download a map of the route. After all, a GPS unit could stop working or could be stolen along the trip! However, with a map and a printed copy of your route, you will still be able to get to your destination.

Six, make sure your insurance is up to date and you have road side assistance set up on it. If you do no have insurance then you should definitely not be on the road. Go compare insurance quotes and get the coverage you need before you trip.

The car engine is the most important part. The engine is the life line of a car. If the engine doesn’t work then the car will not start or move. The engine must have oil in it. If there is no oil in the engine it will cause the engine to blow. A car must have an oil change at least every three months or every three thousand miles. If the engine needs to be repaired then it will cost a lot of money. An engine repair can be anywhere from four hundred dollars and sometimes more than two thousand dollars. The engine also has little parts such as the spark plugs. Spark plugs aren’t expensive to replace. A car should have a regular tune up at least once a year. A tune up will help an engine last longer. A tune up consists of changing spark plugs and the wires and checking all the fluids including the engine oil.

The coolant system is important. The anti freeze in a car makes sure a car doesn’t over heat. The anti freeze also helps a car stay at a steady temperature. If a car doesn’t have the right amount of anti freeze in it then it can cause the car to over heat. If a car over heats it will damage the radiator. A radiator is a very expensive part to have fixed. If a radiator is broken then that means the air conditioner and heating wont work.

Once the vehicle of your choice has passed your inspection, it’s time to start loading up and heading out. Before you hit the highway make sure you stop for a fill up, and reset your odometer so you can see the mileage you’re receiving. Always wear your seat belt when driving this ensures your safety in the event of an accident. When making a long road trip you should make sure you’re not tired starting out, if you become tired while driving it’s a good idea to pull over and take a nap, and then begin driving again once you are no longer tired. You should always drive safely; you can do so by following the speed limits, using your turn signals when turning or switching lanes, and leave a car length of room between you and the car in front of you. Make sure you turn your headlights on at dusk for your safety and the safety of others. If you need to look at a map or directions pull over, this can be very dangerous while driving, your full attention is no longer on the road if you’re reading directions or looking at a map.

You are sure to have a safe and enjoyable trip, if you obey all traffic laws, have taken every step possible to have a safe and properly functioning vehicle. Have a save trip and make sure you follow these steps when leaving to return home again.

Every car on the market has a manual that auto parts stores sell which tell you everything you need to know about fixing your car. From changing your tires to re-building your engine, the sky is the limit as to how far you want to go with this. Keep in mind though that repairs such as re-building your transmission or engine is better left to the professionals as they have the schooling and equipment to properly do those jobs. Your engine and transmission are the two most important components of your car and need to be taken very seriously.

Mechanics today, as mentioned earlier, go to school to learn their trade. With cars being more reliant on computer chips it is getting to where there is not as much that the average shade tree mechanic can do to their car. But there are still the basics that you can do yourself to save some money, and who does not want to do that? If you are mechanically inclined then tasks such as changing your spark plugs will come easy for you. Even if you are not though, they are very easy to learn.

There are many people who even make this a family affair. For example, while one parent is changing the oil, the other can be cleaning the interior while the kids wash the windows. Just because you work on your own car, it does not mean that it has to be work. It can be a fun family day for everyone.