Which cars get the most tickets?

We've all heard the theory that red cars and sports cars are more ticketed than sedans or those painted in any other color. (I should know. I used to own a red Eclipse!)

A recent study by auto analytics firm, Quality Planning, found that sportier cars are likely to be owned by aggressive drivers, who are more likely to be ticketed.

It also found that it's not just teenagers and young adults who're pedal heavy, so are older drivers.

There's also a list of cars (makes and models) on MSN Autos that top the ticketing charts. (Ha! My Eclipse isn't on there!)

Is it a bad idea to allow EVs on the roads?

The EV or electric vehicle has been heralded by many as possibly the best alternative to petrol-driven cars.

But while some governments protect EV makers, citing job creation and revenue, industry experts say allowing widespread use of EVs on the roads might not be such a good idea if competition by makers isn't advancing new and improved EV technology as time goes by.

What do you think?

Photo from Travelismo

Prepping Your Car for Winter Driving

If you’re from California and you have to relocate to someplace like Maine for a new job in December, you’re in for quite a ride!

Winters can be cruel up north and when it comes to prepping your car for cold weather and winter driving, it’s essential that you know enough about winter driving safety to protect your car from damage and yourself from harm.

It’s a good idea to have a local mechanic check your car for winter driving safety.

A fully-charged car battery in good working condition is essential for winter driving safety, so make sure to test your battery and charging system.

Brakes are another key factor in winter driving safety; you should have them thoroughly checked and tested.

If your vehicle’s coolant level is low, just add an equal solution of water and coolant to maintain the required antifreeze capability.

If you don’t know a good mechanic yet and are concerned about winter driving safety, ask your auto shipper if they can recommend somebody.

Carmoza’s customer service line is there before, during and after your car relocation to help adress your concerns. We’ll never leave you out in the cold.

PHOTO CREDIT: GlassUSA.com

This post also appeared on Carmoza's blog on the Carmoza website

Auto Shipping to Cold Climates

If you live in Miami and you’re starting a new job in Boston next month, you’ll need to prepare your car for auto shipping to ensure that it arrives at your destination intact.

Here are some basic guidelines to follow when prepping your vehicle for auto shipping:

• Remove all personal items from the vehicle. The automobile shipping company is not responsible for them or for any damage they may cause to your vehicle while in transport.
• Never leave your alarm system on.
• Make sure that your car has a quarter tank of gas before auto shipping, so it can be driven on and off the trailer.
• Check the tire pressure to ensure safe loading and unloading.
• Loose items and accessories like antennas should be secured and car covers removed.
• For auto shipping to a cold climate, ensure that your car’s antifreeze levels are within factory specifications to protect it from the cold.

This post also appeared on Carmoza's website blog.

The Auto Industry in America: New Hampshire

In our quest to be the best national auto transport company out there, we researched the history of the automotive industry in virtually every state across the U.S.

And we've found that almost every state has some kind of tie to the industry. Check out this first in a series of posts on The Auto Industry in America, starting with New Hampshire.

We hope you find it as fascinating as we did!

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Brief Background
New Hampshire is ranked 46th in size and 41st in population in the U.S. with a total population of 1.3 million residents. One of the 13 original states, New Hampshire reached statehood in June of 1788 as the the ninth state.

The capital is Concord and the largest city is Manchester. New Hampshire is also known as the Granite State for its self-sufficiency and geology. The state motto of "Live Free or Die" is emblazoned on all license plates in the state.

New Hampshire offers residents and tourists many recreational attractions, such as snowmobiling, skiing, hiking, summer cottages, motorsports events held at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and Motorcycle Week--a popular event for motorcyclists.

While tourism is an important industry for New Hampshire, so is producing rubber and plastic products, machinery, and electrical equipment, along with its agricultural output including apples, eggs, dairy products, cattle, and nursery stock.

The Auto Industry in New Hampshire
Framingham Assembly plant--in Massachusetts rather than New Hampshire--provided hundreds of jobs for New Hampshire residents.

This General Motors plant opened in 1947 and the first vehicle produced there was a Buick. The plant was shutdown in 1989. But at one point, it was the largest automotive manufacturing plant in the U.S.

Tiremakers offer new tread designs and compounds for winter

"When preparing your vehicle for winter, most people think about getting the battery tested, installing new wiper blades and having plenty of windshield-washer fluid on hand. Those are all good habits. But if you live in a cold-weather part of the country, installing a dedicated set of winter tires is another thing you should consider."

Read more by Auto Week's Johnathon Wong HERE.

Skid Masters: Top 10 all-wheel drive vehicles for wintery weather

"The prospect of winter driving can be daunting for car owners who don't have the right set of wheels for the job.

"When confronted by a treacherous snow-covered road, you could suddenly feel like a hockey player who's skated onto center ice in a pair of roller skates."

A look at top 10 all-wheel drive vehicles for winter roads via MSN Autos.

Ride like royalty for less

Thank goodness for competition!

Because thanks to competition in the auto marketplace, technological advances and consumer watchdogs, auto makers are producing reliable, attractive, safe and well-equipped cars that spill into the luxury car price range--for less.

There's no need to spend beyond your means to cop a good ride. Check out these MSN Auto picks.

2011 Model Year Overview

A look at the new and refreshed cars, trucks and SUVs coming soon.

Much to the surprise of consumers--and maybe even some dealers--the auto industry survived the meltdown of 2009.

And with automakers reporting increased dealer traffic, new optimism has brought on a wave of new models just on the horizon.

Take a look at the latest vehicles coming down the pike for the 2011 model year, via MSN Autos.
PHOTO CREDIT: Aston Martin

Is ugly the new cool?

"How could something so awkward looking be approved by so many people?"

While car enthusiasts might find the Nissan Juke's looks off-putting or bizarre, it looks cool to a younger consumer that views the automobile as more of an appliance — or Nissan hopes they do.

A closer look at some not-so-pretty rides and their puzzling appeal via MSN Autos.

10 outrageous SEMA rides

When the wild side goes too far, you get these rad rides. Check out these from the recent SEMA Show via MSN Autos.

Corporate relocation and car shipping

You’ve worked hard, got the promotion, and now you have to move to the head office.

And if the head office wants you next month, even if it’s on the opposite side of the country, you’ll need the services of a dependable auto relocation company to get your car to your new home when you need it.

You may not know it, but automobile relocation is a popular choice for a growing number of busy executive and other professionals who rely on their cars in whatever city they currently call home.

A trustworthy auto relocation company like Carmoza will happily supply you with a free quote for a stress-free door-to-door auto relocation that fits your schedule.

Remember to have all of your auto paperwork and the details of your itinerary on hand when speaking to customer service from your chosen auto relocation company. Get clear answers to all of your questions and request a checklist to prep your car for auto relocation.

To make sure your car is adequately insured for damages during its transit, always review the auto relocation company’s insurance policy carefully and, if necessary, ask about additional insurance coverage options.

SEMA!

Sadly, the Carmoza team's not at at SEMA this year. And following all the sweet rides on Twitter isn't helping that wistfulness either! But at least we'll be at NADA, right?

Anyway, Automotive.com has coverage of the Auto Show from Motor Trend. Read recaps from the auto show floor, and browse their photo gallery to view concepts, new releases, and more.

It's the next best thing to being there...

The skinny on the extended warranty

"Your vehicle is a major investment. With an Extended Warranty you are protecting yourself from the unexpected cost of mechanical breakdowns.

"One major repair often ends up costing as much, or even more than the entire cost of the warranty. An Extended Warranty will ensure that your Vehicle is always in the best mechanical condition."

More from AutoBuyersAdvice.com on why it might be a good idea to invest in an extended warranty and what to look for when buying one.

10 cars overshadowed by their successor

"It's an automaker's job to improve on previous models, but sometimes they get it so right that the previous generation is completely overshadowed."

With the help of readers, the Jalopnik crew put together a list of the ten cars overshadowed by their successor.

For a full list, check out the article on Jalopnik.com

PHOTO CREDIT: Angel Alvarez