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Filed under Car Quote Tips
By Daniel Urmann
Nowadays, there isn’t a home without a DVD player, but one of the latest and coolest ways to electronically enhance your life is installing one into your car! Car DVD players come in all different varieties and prices, but even the cheapest ones will send you into movie viewer heaven!
Steps:
1. Look for a car DVD player that you can afford. Car DVD players can be simple or very extravagant. Portable units that sit between the seats and plug into the cigarette lighter are generally more reasonable as opposed to a full-blown in-car theater system (from $100 to $3,000 and more).
2. Most people who are looking to add electronics to their vehicle will want to future-proof their purchase by choosing car DVD players. Anything else that is not as advanced will simply be outdated.
3. Inspect your car for the best place to install a car DVD player. You’ll want your car DVD player to take advantage of the best-quality inputs available.
4. Bring a DVD with you when you shop. There are three competing, incompatible formats: DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM. Even if a player says it takes your format, make sure to test it.
5. Buy an all-in-one car DVD player or individual components if your budget is small (under $250) and your needs are simple. An all-in-one unit includes a videocassette player (VCP) or a DVD player, speaker and screen.
6. Component systems tap into your vehicle’s stereo and pipe sound directly to headphones for quiet viewing. Most high-end car stereo retailers carry these systems. Choose a component system ($400 and up) where a single video source can run several screens, usually liquid-crystal displays (LCDs). The car DVD player screens can pop out of the dashboard, drop down from the car’s ceiling or mount in headrests.
7. Make sure any component system is expandable, so you can adjust your system in the future for more or different screens and input devices.
8. A diversity antenna, also known as a dual-antenna, is used for better TV reception when the car is moving and is recommended.
9. Making sure that your vehicle’s electrical system can handle the demands of a mobile entertainment system is very important. You may need a professional installer to determine this for you.
10. Remember that the audio encoding-Dolby Digital or digital theater system (DTS)-on the DVD itself is critical.
Tips: Car DVD players can also play audio CDs. If you burn CDs on your computer, bring along a homemade disc to test it.
-A laptop computer with a DVD drive can serve as an entertainment system for smaller cars with one viewer. Mobile entertainment systems are theft targets. Invest in a good car alarm.
Warnings: Front-seat viewing is illegal, not to mention idiotic while a car is in motion. Make sure to install your car DVD player in a proper place!
Daniel Urmann is a contributor and author for the website Just Car DVD Players.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
Filed under Car Quote Tips
Honda Accord Coupe 2005: The Weekly Driver Review
By James Raia
Just inside the guard gate, the world renowned 17-Mile Drive in Carmel, Calif., begins with a primarily downhill and often winding two-lane road to Pebble Beach Golf Links. The tree-lined route features lavish, oceanfront homes and a predominately forest-like setting along
California’s central coast.
It’s a perfect several-mile locale for drivers who like to shift through gears. And it’s not-so-surprisingly pleasant while doing so in the 2005 Honda Accord.
With its V6, six-speed manual transmission offering, the exceedingly popular model crosses categories. The Accord is listed as a midsize vehicle and it’s often compared to the Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry.
But the 24-valve, 3.0-liter, 240-horsepower coupe is just as much sports car as it is anything else. And it provides one more reason why the Accord – in its more than 25 varieties – is among the most popular and most often best-buy categorized vehicles on the road.
During my weeklong test drive, I drove the Accord Coupe round-trip from Sacramento to the Monterey Peninsula. The interstate portion of the journey included about 400 miles. I drove the aforementioned section of the 17-Mile Drive six times round-trip on clear, blue sky days and in heavy rain. It made little difference.
In all driving conditions, the Accord Coupe performed with confidence. Steering and handling is responsive and poised. Lane changes are smooth. While not as quick as other vehicles categorized as sports cars, the Accord Coupe accelerates well and finds its ways through gears more than adequately. Its 17-inch wheels further add to the tight road
feel. The Accord’s ride is also adequately quiet.
Like all Hondas, the Accord Coupe’s interior is designed in a straightforward manner. Gauges and all instrumentation are clean and used simply. The navigation system is likewise efficient and easy to learn.
Despite its coupe status, front-seat passengers have comfortable leg, body and head room. Back seat passengers (two fit comfortably) have easy access. Side rear-view vision is slightly impeded by headrests and side pillars. The driver’s seat, while comfortable for a six-foot, 185-pound driver, is void of the superior seat cushioning of high-end vehicles.
Standard interior features are plentiful: leather-trimmed seats, AM/FM, six-disc CD with six speakers, XM satellite radio, heated front seats, power window and door locks, illuminated visor vanity mirrors, cruise control, exterior temperature gauge, sunglass holder and well-
positioned armrests and storage compartments.
Finding fault with the Accord is difficult, but cargo room could be better, and average city mileage numbers aren’t special. Yet, the Honda Accord has built its reputation through the years for good reasons. It does everything well, and offers reliability and great resale value.
Whether a buyer opts for the base LX four-door, four-cylinder sedan, the EX V6 four-door sedan or the EX, V6 coupe, the sportiest model of all, it’s hard to improve upon the Accord or find any vehicle with more to offer for the price.
Safety features – Dual-stage driver and front passenger dual-stage front, side and side curtain airbags. Antilock brakes.
Fuel Mileage (estimates) – 20 mpg (city), 30 mpg (highway).
Warranty – Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Power train, 3 years/36,000 miles; Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited mileage
Base price – $28,880
James Raia is a Sacramento, Calif., journalist who writes about sports, travel and lifestyle topics as well as the automotive column, The Weekly Driver Review.
To read more car reviews, visit: The Weekly Driver Review
To subscribe to his free electronic newsletters, visit the web site: href="http://www.ByJamesRaia.dom">http://www.ByJamesRaia.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
Request a Free Dealer Price Quote on a 2005 Honda Accord
Filed under Honda, Car Reviews
