By Glenn Nutsey

One of the best things about my job is that I occasionally get to drive some new car demos and this week I had the chance to get behind the wheel of the infamous Renault Clio.

Since its launch in 1991, the Renault Clio has become one of the most popular superminis on the market, breaking numerous sales records and winning a host of awards including European Car of the Year. The latest Clio is now its third generation, boasting a fresh new style and more space than ever before.

Exterior Style:

The new Renault Clio has a striking exterior design with sleek lines and the familiar 'Renault face' as seen on the Megane, Scenic and Laguna. The latest model is larger than its predecessor, boasting more boot space and rear passenger leg room than ever before. It is available as a 3 or 5-door model, both identical in dimension. My model was the entry-level Extreme model in Mercury silver which came equipped with 15'' alloy wheels, manual air conditioning, front fog lights, CD/MP3 player with fingertip controls.

On first appearance, I was quite impressed with the design of the Renault Clio. Granted, it isn't the sportiest supermini on the market but it isn't the ugliest either. Back in the day, the Clio used to be a predominantly 'female' car but I think the new exterior design has changed that. The striking Volcano red and Extreme Blue paint colours give the car a distinctively masculine appeal and more men are choosing to invest in a Clio than ever before.

Interior Design:

Inside the Clio Extreme, the interior was pretty basic with the dashboard, gear lever and door trims all in plain black. The seats were kitted out in 'Papeete' cloth upholstery in black and grey and the carpet floor was in plain back with fixings for tailored car mats should you wish to invest in a set. The stereo was the standard CD/MP3 which is fitted in the entry model but was easy to navigate and gave reasonable sound quality. The stereo can be controlled via the steering wheel mounted controls, located just behind the indicator. The seats were comfortable and easy to adjust.

Overall, I found the interior of the Clio comfortable and practical. Most of the driver features are within fingertip reach including the handy trip computer which displayed the fuel consumption, fuel tank figures and service information. I was a little disappointed that in today's age, Renault haven't fitted a MP3/Aux input as standard on the vehicle - why not? Other than this, the Clio gave a comfortable ride for both driver and passengers.

Power & Performance:

Behind the wheel, the Clio offers a smooth and comfortable ride with impressive fuel economy. The steering was light and responsive and the handling was sharp. The 1.2 16V petrol engine I was driving offers 75 bhp and CO2 emissions of 139 g/km. Fuel consumption is at a reasonable 47.9mph.

I found the Renault Clio a nice car to drive. It was quick to pull off at traffic lights and was more than suitable for city driving. I will admit that I found the engine a little noisy when reaching higher speeds (i.e. on the motorway) but I'm assuming that a bigger engine would help resolve this issue.

Overall the Renault Clio is a nippy, compact car ideal for city living. On the road prices for the entry-level model start from £11,040.

By Greg Mitchell

Car covers are protective gears for your car. It is a thin piece of fabric that gives protection to your car in many different ways. It also protects your newly paint job from detrimental elements such as dust and rust.Your car and its contents is ensured to be safe from theft.

A theft who tries to steal cars would usually enter the car quietly and quickly. Once they got inside the car, they would start the engine and get on the road. Their actions are very fast so they won't get caught and in just a matter of seconds, your car is gone. Which is why car covers are good in preventing theft. If the theft tries to pull it off and then throw it on the ground without hesitance, this would be suspicious to other people.

Car covers can be customized as well depending on the preferences. Being customized may protect both the exterior surface and interior parts of the car. A thief cannot view the internal parts of your car such as the type of stereo equipment and other valuable things inside. In this way, thief will not be tempted seeing things that can be stolen from your car.

Customized car covers can be added with cable accessories and locks so it would be difficult for thief to do the stealing. The ornaments will not only be a good prevention of theft but will also secure your vehicle. The name of the owner can be also be written or marked on the covers.

The added cable accessories are usually covered with vinyl. It is also designed with features that will not harm the paint or other parts. All types come with solidly tie down loops and reinforced grommets. The grommets are located midway lengthwise on the and about two inches from the bottom. To install the cable and lock, move the cable through one of the grommets, beneath the car, and then through another grommet. After this, you can now close the lock for the security.

Cars are major investment. Car covers are not only great for saving theft but it is also a great protection for elements that are harmful to the external surface of the car such as birds, rain, and dirt. With the additional ornaments of cable accessories and lock system, your car will surely be protected from prying eyes of thieves.

By Victor Davidson

Driving a smart and smooth vehicle is a matter of pride. Individuals love it when they find great admirers for their transports. It feels really awkward when the most amazing unit is moving on road but with a creepy brake sound. This not only embarrasses the driver but also irritates other people around. Occurrence of such a situation implies that its time to look for an auto part store. The person is left with two possible measures either to go to a retail store or to browse an online outlet which can provide with all kinds of parts.

The online approach to buy all kinds of auto parts is the best. It has numerous advantages over others which make this method truly beneficial. The warehouses for such stores have not to be located at various real estate places. It can be easily accessible to regions which are highly populated. So, while looking for such outlets and their warehouses, not much consideration has to be taken by individuals. Moreover, there are various franchise outlets of these entities which provide finest units to customers within a short time span. This convenience is offered by online stores only.

There are diverse kinds of online outlets which provide various assortments of auto parts to their clients. Generally, these entities can be classified into two distinct categories. The most common among all is the company which keeps stocks of all kinds of units crafted by various brands. In such a company, a consumer can look for varied brands for a single type of part. This provides ample number of options to the client. The reason for which one brand displays units of other also is price mark up strategy. They target the audience by making their own creations obtainable at comparatively low cost.

There are other outlets that provide all kinds of car parts of their own creation. Numerous types of units are crafted by experts of the company. In this case, there is no mark up price and the store has to create its own mark up value for a unit. In such situation, the brand sells its products at much lower rates in order to earn huge gains. They specialize in products which have diverse applicability. This implies that one part can be fixed in several vehicles. Car accessories like brakes, struts, hub bearings, struts assemblies, and other similar devices are presented by them.

Online entities deal with all kinds of car parts. In addition to this, consumers can also find various sorts of interior and exterior accessories for vehicles. People can find exquisite floor mats, seat covers, steering wheel covers to accessorize their automobile. While exterior accessories like car bars, bug deflectors, grille guards, license plate and others can also be obtained. These are the finest in quality offering great utility. All of them have been crafted with cutting edge style that can make cars look a real masterpiece. The best fact about them is that they offer all such units and services at rates that can fall within everyone's means.

By Christine Calingo

If you own a vehicle and you would like to make it more beautiful, then spice it up with automobile accessories. These days, every vehicle owner does just that. It's also a way for you to add that personal touch onto your vehicle especially if you are first time owner.

Filling it with accessories would make it a stand out from all the rest. It can also carry your personality that way.

So how can you use accessories for your vehicle?

Well one way to do this is to change the exterior part of your car or just modify it a bit. You can choose is colors, add some car stickers, and even attach some additional and new chrome bulbs to make it sleeker than it already is. There are also side lenses which you can attach on your side mirrors. You can add a few neon lights and even provide some texture on your car's interior. Just make sure you plan these things ahead of time so that if you are to outsource the work, the professional will know exactly what to do with your vehicle. The same goes for internal modifications. Aside from giving your car a physical face lift, you can also enhance its internal features.

Some of the ways in which people enhance the internal part of their car is by means of adding some cushions or changing the seats entirely. Some also add embellishments on the seats. There are also those who are willing to splurge and add some gadgets inside the automobile.

By Luara Simpson

Buying a new a car is an exciting process, though one needs to do a lot of homework, and carry out extensive research to get the best deal, and not get cheated in any manner. The process consists of few simple steps. If these are carried out properly, one can buy the car one desires, at the suitable price, or alternatively even avail a deal consisting of a price that is even lower than expected.

Step 1
To purchase a new car begin by narrowing down the list of cars one wants to purchase. Finalize on two or three of the makes and models one likes. For doing this, visit trusted sites and check out the safety rating of the particular model.

Step 2
Make a final list of the probable options one is likely to consider seriously i.e. sedan (4 doors), coupe (2 doors), wagon etc. This should be decided on the bases of the actual price of the model.

Step 3
Visit the dealers website and choose the option of "design my own vehicle". Search for your favorite interior as well as exterior colors, and also choose the features which one desires in the car. After this, find the dealers cost of the car by taking the help of directions available on the website. This information is very useful and important so it is recommended you take the necessary prints outs, or paste it in a word processor or similar software by taking a snapshot and pasting it in for future reference. Further one can also add the desired accessories, and follow the same process to determine the cars cost. By doing this for every car, one would actually realize weather one still wants the particular car one had in mind, or go in for some other model.

Step 4
Take a test drive of each model having the required features one is interested in. For example if one wishes to drive a four door, make sure that the dealer does not let one drive a two door model. Ride the exact model you are interested in. Cars with the same make but different year of manufacture can differ to a great extent in their designs. Also find out from the dealer the lowest prices available for ones "must have' preferences. This can also be found out from the sticker on the cars window.

It is recommended to be polite but firm while negotiating with the sales person regarding the price and the features associated with the desired car. Buying a new car is a big investment, and hence one should take all the time one wants before reaching to any decision. Clarify the deadline of the purchase to the salesman, and also that the purchase will only be done where the best price is available. An individual should not get pressurized to buy the car the same day, one can always postpone the purchase. Avail a quote of all the best prices offered by the sales person for the individuals preferred options. If the quote is not available, make the necessary notes for the purpose of comparing the prices.

Step 5
Search and avail an internet quote by surfing different websites. Search for all the cheap new cars for sale. Generally these sites give the quote of the basic models without the accessories or added features. This is the time when one must use the earlier research carried out. Save these online quotes and call up these online dealers to avail the prices of ones preferred accessories. Note all this down.

Step 6
By now one has finalized on the car one wants. One should go to the nearest dealer with all the related paperwork. Show the sales person the lowest available quote one has got online, and ask for a better offer. If not, then at least a quote equal to the existing one. If the sales person agrees, and is ready to add some freebies which one prefers as a compensation for the price difference, be ready to buy the car! If the sales representative does not agree, then go to the dealer who has offered the best quote on internet. This can save you a considerable amount of money.

By Reshma Rangaswamy

Everyone will have a liking towards something in life like rock stars, movies, gadgets, etc. There will also be a group of people who has a liking for cars. If you have someone special, who loves cars then your woes about what to buy them for a gift is almost solved.

There are so many things that you can buy them during the shopping season or for his birthday or anniversary. Car lovers, mostly men as it's a man thing, can be gifted so many accessories for their cars and anything you buy for their loved cars will definitely bring the smile on their face. If you are looking for some car gifts for men, here are some of the most common ideas that you can choose from.

One of the most common gifts for car-lovers is cleaning kits for the car. They will be ready to do anything to keep the car shining and neat. These car polishes and cleaners will never go waste and will definitely be used. These kits include items that will keep the interiors and the exterior of the car in perfect condition. Leather wipes, anti dust sprays, body cleaning wax are some of the products that can be included in the list of such gifts.

Another most commonly used accessory that you can gift for car lovers is a GPS. It is a modern technology device that makes driving to new and unknown terrain a lot easier. Just give them a GPS and I am sure they will ask you to pack your bag for a long drive. You can get them in all prices ranging from $100 onwards. So the more money you can afford the more will be the features on the gadget.

Music accessories in the car are another most sought after car gifts for men. You can gift your loved ones an iPod docking station, iPod stands or a wireless connector for any mp3 player as such. You can also look for cell phone connectors, chargers, holders etc.

Driving a car and talking on phone is dangerous as well as against the law. So if your loved one has a habit of talking on phone while driving, you must consider the car Bluetooth kit. This will help him to talk without having to hold the phone in hand. You can find a good and cheap one if you search on the net.

By Jason Helferich

In the automotive aftermarket, one of the most upgraded items in any car is the stereo. Car owners of all ages often choose to upgrade their stereo first. The first step in upgrading the stereo is changing out the head unit or deck. The head unit is the control center for the entire stereo system and is the piece of the equipment the driver uses to control the system. There are many options and add-on accessories you can add to any head unit and it is good to consider which of these you may be interested in prior to purchasing the head unit.

Depending on your car, you may have a few options on the size of radio you choose. "DIN" is the terminology used to describe the physical size of the radio, a single din unit is 2x7 in size and a double-din is 4x7. Most cars come with one of three size factory radios a single "DIN", a double "DIN" and a "DIN and a half." Many late model cars come with a double din sized stereo or the ability to add one. Some cars come equipped with a "DIN and a half" radio or even a single "DIN", but have the ability to add a double din unit without major modifications, other cars do not. If you take a tape measure and measure the face of your factory radio you can determine what size radio you are going to need. Doing some research online can also help you determine if you are able to install a double din radio in your car.

Once you have decided what size head unit you would like to purchase, you will have to make choices on a wide variety of other options. Some of these include:

Video Features

One of the first decisions to make when purchasing a head unit is to decide whether you want a head unit that will play video or not. This decision will help narrow down your choice for a head unit. If you do decide to purchase a head unit that will play video, there are three varieties you can choose from: the flip-out single din, the double din, or the single din with a tv built in. The flip out style features a 6.5" or 7" tv with either touch screen controls or buttons on the side or bottom. The radio will motor out from the dash and then flip up for the driver to see the screen. A double din also features a 6.5" or 7" screen, touchscreen controls, or a row of buttons either on the side or bottom or a mixture of the two, having a touch screen plus other buttons on the bottom or side, but is flush in the dash board. A single din with a built in tv is a standard size din radio, typically with a 2.5"-4" tv built into the face.

Navigation

If you have selected to use a head unit that will play video, you may have the option of adding on-screen navigation to that head unit. You may also have the option of purchasing a video deck that also has built-in navigation. Installing navigation generally requires a disk or hard drive and an antenna you must mount on the outside of the car to track your position. If you plan on adding navigation, it is generally more expensive to add a video head unit that will allow on-screen navigation than to purchase a hand-held navigation. However, the looks and ease of use with having it built in to your radio is well worth the extra cost.

RCA Pre-Outs

A RCA pre-out is a jack on the back of a head unit that allows you to connect signal cables or RCA cables to, to transfer the sound from the head unit to the amplifier. The number of RCA pre-outs your new radio will have is an important feature to look for. Many high end radios will have 3 pre-outs: one for a front stage amplifier, one for rear stage amplifier and one specified for a subwoofer amplifier. If you plan on building an extensive stereo and using a 4 channel amplifier for your mid-range and high sound, 3 pre-outs is the only way to go. It will allow more adjustability and make tuning the amplifiers a breeze.

Subwoofer level control

Having the ability to adjust the level of the subwoofer amplifier through the radio is a feature many desire. This allows you to slightly change the gain of the amp through the radio, preventing you from having to get in the trunk or where your amplifier is located to adjust it. If you desire this feature, select a radio that has a subwoofer level control, which can be signified by a seperate RCA pre-out labeled subwoofer, or SW.

Wattage of Radio

The wattage of the radio is the amount of power the head unit supplies to the speakers. Most radios will be labeled "45x4" or "50x4"; this simply means 45 watts for each of 4 speakers, or channels. What you have to understand is the 45 or 50 watts is what is supplied to your speakers at peak moments in a given song, not throughout the entire song. The rating that is more important is the RMS rating. RMS simply refers to the nominal power, which is the amount of power your speakers are supplied with at all times, which on most head units is between 15-18 watts.

Ipod/MP3 Player

In today's music world, everything revolves around one thing: the Ipod or MP3 player. Many consumers in the market for a new radio are simply looking for one that will allow you to play an Ipod or MP3 player through, as they may not have the option of adding it to their OEM radio. There are a couple different ways this is accomplished on an aftermarket radio. You can purchase a radio with a dedicated Ipod connection on the back or one with an auxiliary headphone jack on the front or the rear. The advantage of the direct connection is that it allows you to pull up your playlists, songs, and artists through the radio; it does not require you to have the Ipod or MP3 player in your hand to select a song. The other option is the auxiliary jack, which can be cheaper to connect. All that is needed is a headphone-to-headphone cable, but it requires you to select songs on your Ipod, adding another step and another distraction to a driver. A direct connection to your radio is the only way to go. The add on wireless modulators you might see in the store offer terrible sound quality and will annoy you with their problems rather quickly. These can range from interference issues, to bad sound quality, to possibly no sound at all. They use a wireless signal to transfer sound to your radio and in the process will pick up the noise from any and all electronic devices in your car. You may be required to purchase an add-on module or cable to allow you to connect your Ipod or MP3 player.

USB

Another option for listening to your MP3's or portable music on your car stereo is a USB connection. Some radios will have a plug on the back while some will have a jack on the front of the radio. You can load a lot of music on a small zip drive and then just plug it in and go.

Bluetooth

As more and more states require a hands-free kit to talk on your cell phone while you drive, this may be something you can't skimp on. It is far easier, and usually cheaper, to select a head unit that will allow you to run all your accessories through. In this case, you purchase an add-on bluetooth interface and the radio itself will act as the hand-free kit and automatically interrupt music when your phone rings. You will need to mount an antenna in the car's interior which will pick up your voice during a phone call, and you will hear the person you are talking to through your car stereo.

CD Changer

If you use a CD changer or plan to, you may be able to directly connect it to your radio and select your songs on the changer through your radio. This prevents you from having to have a separate lcd screen and controller to choose your songs. Purchasing a separate CD changer would be required.

HD Radio

An HD tuner allows your radio to pick up high definition versions of local radio channels. The programming is generally the same, you just get a higher quality signal. A separate tuner is required to pick up these stations.

Sirius/XM, Satellite Radio

Many drivers today use satellite radio as their primary source of listening pleasure. These subscription services feature commercial free music channels and censor free talk radio.

These services offer up to 200 channels and have very good programming. Truck drivers and folks who travel a lot especially like satellite radios as it allows them to pick up the same radio stations no matter where they are. A radio that is set up for satellite radio allows you to play the music directly through the radio and control all your options through the radio. This prevents you from having a separate tuner for your satellite radio and makes using it that much easier. An add-on tuner and a paid subscription are required to tune in to these channels.

Once you have decided on the features you are looking for in your radio, happy shopping. Many of the name brands in car audio, including Alpine, Kenwood, Pioneer, JVC, Sony, Jensen and many others will offer head units that offer some or possibly all of these features. Picking the proper head unit that will allow for the easiest integrations of your current or future accessories, including Ipod, satellite radio, bluetooth, etc., is essential. By making the right choice first, you can set it up where you can control all of this through the radio and not have a separate Ipod adapter, satellite radio tuner, etc. This will allow you to have a much more streamlined system and allow for a good, clean finished look in your car.

By Jessica S Taylor

Aftermarket automotive parts and accessories can be hard to find, especially at a reasonable price. What most shoppers end up doing is buying a few products from this store and a few from that store, and hope that they get what they need in a reasonable about of time. Unfortunately, there are very little websites that cut out all of this unnecessary searching, waiting and ultimate disappointment.

There is a wide variety of aftermarket parts and accessories on the market to choose from, and no two consumers are alike in what they are searching for. While some people focus on the exterior of their vehicles, others focus on the interior, and still other will choose to enhance the look under the hood.

Some of the popular manufacturers of include, Bully Dog, MimoUSA, AIT and Greddy, the issue when finding aftermarket parts and accessories is twofold. First and foremost with many shoppers is finding the right price for their personal budget, whether that is thousands of dollars or only fifty dollars, and second is finding an establishment that they find to be trustworthy..

By finding the right website, one can possible save hundreds on products such as vertical doors, torque plates and nitrous kits. Whether one is a tuner, ricer or just an occasional customizer...the world wide web is an endless resource to find all of the products that they may be searching for. Additionally, some consumers have chosen to utilize auction-style websites in an effort to find the most competitive prices. On auction sites, consumers can often find aftermarket parts and accessories well below their normal retail value.

Some things to contemplate when considering a particular products from a website:

* Shipping time
* Reputation in the form of customer reviews
* Customer service

It seems as though consumer's choices regarding aftermarket parts and accessories for their vehicles is not a matter of what to buy, for this is a personal preference, but truly a matter of where!

By Terry Bolton

Five different models of the 2007 Chevy HHR offer subtle differences in auto parts and accessories. Consider this a friendly guide to the world of Chevy HHR accessories. All the information about auto parts and accessories for these vehicles can be found at your local Chevy dealer or online, but this article is a good place to get you started.

The LS is the basic model and the lowest price. As such, the HHR accessories on this vehicle are fewest. However don't let this deter you. You get a lot for what you pay for and there are plenty of add-on options. The Chevy HHR accessories included in the LS are a 149-horse power ECOTEC engine, remote keyless entry, power locks and doors, AM/FM/CD stereo system, and remote vehicle starter system available when you purchase the automatic transmission instead of standard. Some notable auto parts and accessory options are OnStar Navigation, four wheel antilock braking system, side impact air bags, MP3 player, and XM satellite radio.

The next step up from the LS is 1LT. This model sports the same standard HHR accessories as the lesser-priced LS model, but includes sixteen-inch custom-spoke painted silver metallic wheels, an eight-way power driver's seat, thirty-six AM/FM radio presets, and MP3 player. The 1LT also has the same accessory options as the LS but with the addition of some wonderful features such as fog lamps, rear spoiler, sunroof, leather seats and steering wheel and a larger ECOTEC engine. The Chevy HHR 1LT is a more luxurious ride with more power and comfort than the LS.

The Panel LT is the next evolution in the HHR series. This model is very similar to the 1LT, with the obvious exception that there are no side windows behind the driver and passenger seats. The duty of this kind of vehicle is mostly for cargo, and the standard Chevy HHR accessory options are geared towards that job. Among the standards included are 175 horsepower ECOTEC engine, seventeen-inch painted aluminum wheels, gas-charged shocks and suspension, storage compartments in the rear floor, and rear power outlet. Optional auto parts and accessories for the Panel LT are leather interior, sunroof, and electronic traction control to stabilize the vehicle.

Next, we have the top of the line model: the Chevy HHR 2LT. While most of the standard auto parts and accessories on the other models are included on the 2LT, there are a few HHR accessories exclusive to the 2LT alone. The 2LT comes with four-wheel ABS brakes and an eight position adjustable driver's seat. For the ultimate in listening pleasure, the 2LT is equipped with a seven-speaker Pioneer sound system. Another addition is a rear view mirror that automatically dims for daytime driving.

The final model of the Chevy HHR series is the 2LT Special Edition. This vehicle includes all the options of the 2LT but with curb appeal added to the mix. The standard auto parts and accessories include seventeen-inch black chrome wheels, black chrome exterior package, fog and head lamps with smoked lenses, black roof side rails, leather steering wheel, and exterior colour-keyed running boards and accent stripe.

If you're looking for a sharp car at a reasonable price, the 2007 Chevy HHR has plenty of options for a wide range of budgets. From the five different models available, you will be sure to find the Chevy HHR with the auto parts and accessories you are looking for, and you'll have a car that rises above the rest.

By Thomas Morva

Unique car seat covers are essential car accessories for making the interior of a car attractive. They have a special place among car accessories as they enhance comfort and driving pleasure. A car seat cover should ensure comfort under all conditions and they are necessary for all those who want to maintain their car in impeccable condition. They are unique in the sense of having extra value, function and utility, and are considered special features of various cars. Most unique car seat covers have visual appeal as they provide a snug fit with no sagging ends. These seat covers are tailored to fit over the seats of the cars.

Manufacturers providing unique car seat covers incorporate several ingredients to make them unique. There are many manufacturing units offering unique car seat covers of various materials and sizes. High quality unique seat covers are available in standard universal sizes as well as custom patterns for most vehicles. They come in a wide variety of fabrics, designs, patterns, styles and colors. Seat covers are available in neoprene, poly, cotton, tweed, and nylon.

Like simple car seat covers, unique car seat covers protect the original car seats from dirt, liquid, stains, food and other elements.

Unique car seat covers are obviously more expensive than standard car seat covers available in the car accessory showrooms. A common car seat cover may cost about $30 to $70 depending on the finish and the material with which it has been made. But in the case of unique car seat covers, they will be more expensive.

Increase in the production of unique car seat covers implies that car seat covers are today not just a matter of security, but also a matter of vehicle enhancement.