Category: Ford

  • Top 10 Strangest New Car Features

    One of the most exciting things about new car launching is when the anchorperson announces all the new features a new car has. Often, we will hear some interesting yet practical new car features, which attract you to buy the car. However, we will also hear some weird car features that are way ahead of our time. In other words, these car features are not really practical to be used. Read through the top 10 strangest new car features here and you may notice that your car is actually having one of these weird features.

    Top 10 Weirdest New Car Features

    These are some of the strangest features offered by car makers to tempt their customers. You can say these features are cool, weird, strange, or bizarre.

    1. Openometer in a Mini Cooper Convertible

    Openometer Mini Cooper convertible
    The newest Mini Cooper convertible has something that other convertibles don’t have, the “Openometer”. Openometer is a gauge that records the time spent driving with the top down. This features has been around since the 2010 models. Openometer, we leave the rest for you to comment.

    2. Bear-Proof Sunroof in a Nissan Qashqai

    Nissan Qashqai Bear-Proof Sunroof
    The newest Nissan Qashqai features a bear-proof sunroof. The brochure reads: Sun roof can withstand the weight of a bear without breaking. What if the area you are living has no bear?

    3. Refrigerator in a Hyundai Equus Ultimate

    Hyundai Equus Refrigerator
    When you buy a 2013 Hyundai Equus Ultimate, you get a standard refrigerator fitted to the center console of the rear seat. You can put beer or can drinks into the fridge before you begin your journey. A mini-fridge? Yes.

    4. Dog Friendly Package in a Honda Element

    Honda Element dog friendly package
    In 2010, Honda offers every Honda Element buyer the Dog Friendly package. Obviously, this feature is to target Honda fans who love dogs. Dog friendly package costs $995 and the package comes with a custom-fitted, soft-sided crate with a built-in, spill-resistant water bowl. It also has an electric cooling fan mounted in the cargo bay and a portable lamp to give your pets access to the crate.

    5. Active Perfuming System in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class

    Active Perfuming system Mercedes-benz
    The 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offers their consumers a “Active Perfuming System”. This feature costs $350 as an option. You can turn it on or off or control the intensity (low, medium, or high). There are four types of fragrances to give your car a brand new smell: Freeside Mood (light citrus), Nightlife Mood, Downtown Mood, and Sports Mood. The question is, would you want to spend $350 to buy cologne for your car?

    6. Picnic Table in a Honda CR-V

    Honda CRV picnic table
    For those who used to purchased a brand new Honda CR-V in 2001, you should be able to remember that a picnic table is part of the car. This is a Honda picnic table, it is designed to be attached to the floor in the cargo of the car. See also: Honda CRV problems.

    7. Gentlemen Functions in a BMW 750i

    Gentlemen functions
    Gentlement functions is a feature that allow BMW 750i driver to increase the leg room for rear passengers. When you select the function from the screen, the front seat will move forward to allow more leg room for the passenger behind. The feature is not weird, but hey, Gentlement Functions?

    8. 400 mph Top Speed Key in a Bugatti Veyron

    top speed key
    You will never know there is a “Top Speed Key” if you don’t own a Bugatti Veyron. It is the fastest super exotic sports cars that is capable to reach a top speed of 400mph. However, you need the “Top Speed Key” to unlock the car to its fullest power otherwise the top speed will be remained at 250 mph. This key will lowers the suspension of the car as well as open the rear spoiler for better aerodynamic.

    9. Glowing Speakers Lights in a Kia Soul

    Kia Soul LED speakers weird features
    Start your Kia Soul and play some songs. You will see the lights surrounding the speakers pulse and glow according to the beat of the music. Without doubt, it is fun for certain people but it is weird for some too. Do you really need that flashy lights? OMG!

    10. Adjustable Dashboard Lighting in a Ford Mustang

    Ford mustang dashboard lights
    Ford Mustang is one of the coolest muscle cars of all time. However, it becomes not cool if the gauge cluster can be tuned to different colors. Do you really need a red light gauge to make your car go faster? Last but not least, don’t forget to check out the weirdest old car features.

  • Best Used Cars under $10,000

    Looking to buy an inexpensive yet reliable used car? Check out the top 10 best used cars under $10,000 dollars here. These cars are chosen among hundreds of different types of cars available in the U.S, UK and Australia. They are cheap to drive in terms of low running costs such as cheap spare parts, low yearly insurance costs and road tax. Of course, most of these cars come with good gas mileage (miles per gallon) and good safety rating too. Before you begin, you might want to go through our Car Buying Guide.

    Toyota Camry (6 Years Old or Older)Toyota Camry used cars

    A brand new Toyota Camry costs MSRP from $22,970. However, you can get a 6-7 year old Toyota Camry under $10,000 in the market. The name “Camry” is as popular a household car name as you will find. Six or seven years old Camry, it is highly recommended if you are looking for a five-passenger sedan with budget under $10,000. It is good for short or long distance drive.

    Honda Civic (5 Years Old or Older)

    Honda Civic used cars
    Thanks to its superb fuel economy (44/47 mpg) and appealing performance, the Honda Civic has been one of the most popular compact cars sold in the America since 1973. Price wise, a new Civic is under $20,000 but a 5-year old Honda Civic is exactly below 10 grand. Inside, the dashboard is made with high quality material and it definitely looks new even it is a used car. See also: 2012 Honda Civic.

    Nissan Versa (2 Years Old or Older)

    Nissan Versa used cars
    The Nissan Versa is one of the best choices for those who want a close-to-new car. A brand new Nissan Versa Sedan costs around $12,000, thus, you can get a 2-year old Nissan Versa for under $10,000. The Versa is available in sedan and hatchback and both body styles come with first-rate fuel economy, comfortable interior, high resale value, affordable, low running costs, cheap car insurance and more. With all these good ratings, the Nissan Versa is one of the best used cars under $10,000 dollars for anyone.

    BMW 3 Series (8 Years Old and Older)

    BMW 3 Series used cars
    The BMW 3 Series offers a large amount of interior space and great fuel efficiency. It is broken down into 320i, 328i, 328d, 335i and ActiveHybrid 3 models. A brand new BMW 3 Series Sedan costs more than $30,000 but you can get a 8-year old BMW 3 Series just under $10,000. Well, the only drawback with the BMW 3 Series is the short-lived outlook.

    Ford F-150 (6 Years Old or Older)

    used Ford F150
    Regardless of Ford F-150 Regular Cab, SuperCab or SuperCrew, a 6-7 year old Ford F-150 costs under $10,000. Thanks to its reliability and powerful engine, millions of F-150s have been sold in the United States and worldwide. Without doubt, it is one of the best used cars under $10,000 for those who are hunting for a superb all-around truck or pickup truck. See also: Ford F150 Repair Manual.

    Ford Mustang (6 Years Old or Older)

    Ford Mustang used cars
    With a 3.7-liter V6 engine under the hood, the Ford Mustang is probably the fastest cars under $10,000 dollars budget. This is a great option for those who want a fast car with limited budget. The only draw back is the gas mileage is not as good as the other cars in this list because that’s the price to pay for a 300 horsepower car with 270 pound-feet of torque.

    Chevrolet Colorado (5 Years Old or Older)

    Chevrolet Colorado
    With the same budget, you can also consider a 5-year old Chevrolet Colorado. You can consider Chevrolet Colorado Extended Cab, Regular Cab or the Crew Cab. This American-made compact truck comes with a reasonable amount of hauling capability. It could be a value buy for those who need a truck for basic work. Three words – cheap, big, and good.

    MINI Cooper (5 Years Old and Older)

    Mini Cooper
    The Mini has a long story to tell but you only need to know the changes within the past 5 years because that’s between the buying budgets. With $10,000 or less, you can get the second generation Mini which is R56. The Mini Cooper R56 is available as a two-door hatchback car but it seat four people. With 29/40 mpg, the Mini Hardtop is ranked no 8 in the best gas mileage car list. What you buy is not just comfort and amazing fuel economy but also a superb handling that couldn’t find it in other cars.

    Toyota Corolla (5 Years Old or Older)

    Toyota Corolla best used cars
    We have seen the Toyota Corolla in the U.S. since 1968. With almost half a century in the business, the Toyota Corolla is one of the most wanted cars regardless or new or used cars. Consumers on a budget definitely love the Corolla because it is inexpensive, reliable and fuel efficient. A five-year old Toyota Corolla Sedan is just right below ten thousand dollars. Also, the Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car in automotive history and therefore it is chosen as one of the best used cars under $10,000 dollars.

    Mazda 3 (4 Years Old or Older)

    Mazda 3 used cars
    For $10,000 you can get a close-to-new Mazda 3 compared to other cars in this list. A 4-year old or older Mazda 3 Sedan or Hatchback can be purchased under $10,000. No doubt the Mazda 3 is a small car but you will love the sharp handling. It is an affordable and practical car for teens or for those who just need a car for short distance use.

    You might be able to find your next car in the top 10 best used cars under $10,000 list above. Read these tips if you are buying a used car because there are too many things to learn especially if this is your first time buying a car. Also, read the best cars for teenager if you want something else. Instead, if you have a question about buying your next car, share your comment here.

  • Top 10 Best Selling Cars in China 2014-2015

    This is the list of top 10 best selling cars in China from 2014 to 2015. The ranking is based on search index provided by China’s leading search engine, Baidu. Therefore, the list of best selling cars in China is 99.99% accurate as Baidu is used by millions of Chinese car buyers almost every day. Among the top 10 highest searched car brands, we don’t see any Chinese car brands although there are about 48 Chinese car makers in today’s China. Also, we don’t see any British car manufacturers in the list too. So, what’s in the list? Are there any car brands Americans love? Yes, there are some and let’s take a look at the list here.

    Best Selling Cars in China

    best selling cars in China

    1. Volkswagen

    If you happen to travel to China, especially big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, you can see Volkswagen almost everywhere. Volkswagen is known as ??, pronounce as Da 4 Zhong 4 in Chinese, which literally means “Public”. No surprise! It is really used by public.

    2. Kia

    Kia is ranked number 2 for 2015 with 722,902 searches. It is the earliest known Korean car brand founded in 2000. Thanks to the fuel saving technology on all Kia cars, this brand is growing very fast over the years.

    3. Toyota

    It is Toyota, still need further explanation?

    4. Audi

    With 538,359 searches, the Audi comes in number four. For sedan, the Audi A4L, A6L, A3, and A8 are most popular. For SUV, the Audi Q5, Q3 and Q7 are popular in China. As for Audi sports cars, the Audi R8, Audi TT and TTS top the list.

    5. Ford

    One of the longest American car brands Ford comes in number 5 with 528,338 searches. Ford Motor Company is one of the biggest car makers in the world and it is not surprise to see the people in China love Ford.

    6. BMW

    The German car maker BMW has 507,004 searches in first and second quarter in 2015. BMW fans in China mostly buy BMW 3 Series, 5 Series and 7 Series for sedan cars. BMW X1, X5, X3 and X6 are made for SUV lovers. As for sports cars lovers, the BMW i8, BMW Z4 and BMW 1 Series are quite popular in China.

    7. Peugeot

    Peugeot is the only French automaker appears in the list of top 10 best selling cars in China. Peugeot logo is a standing lion and it was founded in 1858 as a bicycle manufacturer. Peugeot 408, 508, 308S, 2008, 3008, 4008 and the RCZ are a few most wanted Peugeot cars in China. See also: List of car brands.

    8. Honda

    Honda is one of the longest car brands in Japan and it is not surprise to see many of them on the road in China. Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Honda CR-V, Honda XR-V, Honda HR-V and Honda Civic Type R are those common Honda cars you can see in China. The Honda Civic Type R is loved by younger generation who would bring the car to racing track.

    9. Hyundai

    Other than Kia, Hyundai is another Korean car maker that enters the China market. The Hyundai ix25 and ix35 are two very popular SUV in China.

    10. Mercedes-Benz

    Mercedes-Benz, the pioneer in automobile history has 417,338 searches in Baidu. There are A to Z of Mercedes-Benz models available in China and people definitely love it due to the safety features. Mecedes-Benz A class, Mecedes-Benz C class, E class, GLA class, GL class, M class, R class and the special Mercedes-Benz SLS, you name it.

    1. Chevrolet
    2. Buick
    3. Changan
    4. ChangCheng (Great Wall Motors)
    5. Nissan
    6. Mazda
    7. BYD
    8. Porsche
    9. Chery
    10. Land Rover

    Buying a car? No experience? Don’t know what car to buy? Check out our Complete Car Buying Guide for free.

  • Free Ford F150 Repair Manual Online (PDF Download)

    Here you can download free Ford F150 Repair Manual. This is an online version of Ford F150 repair manual and it is only available as PDF file. Therefore, you will need to download Adobe Reader in order to open the PDF file on your PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad or any Android tablets. As this is a free version, there are no additional costs will occur. You don’t have to pay for this repair manual but you still have to pay for the car parts. What you need to do is download this repair manual and show it to your mechanic. With the help of a Ford F150 repair manual, your mechanic will knows what’s wrong with your car and able to pinpoint which parts need to be replaced. This will definitely save you a ton of money on repair.

    Basically, there are a few Ford F150 Repair Manuals available in the market today. Most of these repair manuals covering what a Ford F150 owners need to know. For example, routine maintenance, tune-up procedures, engine repair, cooling and heating problems, common air conditioning problems, fuel and exhaust, emissions control, check engine light, ac recharge hose, oil capacity, brake system, power steering problems, ignition, transmission fluid, transmission replacement cost, ac compressor fuse location, overdrive not working, suspension, cabin air filter, electrical systems, wiring diagrams, blend door repair, temperature display, bed dimensions, coil pack, navigation system, headlights, blower motor assembly, how to install a leveling kit on a Ford F-150 pickup truck and many more.

    1. Ford Pick-ups (2004 thru 2014) Haynes Repair Manual

    Ford F150 repair manual
    Haynes Repair Manual Part Number #36061

    The Ford Pick-ups Haynes Repair Manual covering Ford F150 2WD and 4WD pick-ups with gasoline engines from 2004 through 2014. This repair manual is based on a complete teardown and rebuild. It does not cover F250, super Duty or diesel model.

    Click here to download Ford F150 Repair Manual Online for Free.

    2. Ford Pick-ups (1997 thru 2003) Haynes Repair Manual

    Ford F150 repair manual online
    Haynes Repair Manual Part Number #36059

    The Ford Pick-ups Haynes Repair Manual (1997 thru 2003) has almost everything you need to know to repair any Ford F150 built in between 1997 and 2003. This repair manual comes with many easy-to-follow photos and step by step guide. Instructions are very clear and it definitely helps you to do a job quicker and cheaper. Besides, it also tells you the Ford F150 towing capacity.

    3. Ford Pick-ups & Bronco (1980 thru 1996) Haynes Repair Manual

    free Ford F150 repair manual
    Haynes Repair Manual Part Number #36058

    This is the Free Ford F150 Repair Manual you need if you own an earlier Ford F150, Ford Bronco or any Ford full-size pick-ups in between 1980 and 1996. Ford Pick-ups & Bronco (1980 thru 1996) Haynes Repair Manual comes with a lot valuable short cuts and detail step by step guide with photos. It guides you to diagnosis the problem of a Ford pickup truck and provides you the best and cheapest solution.

    4. Chilton Ford F-150 Pick-Ups Repair Manual (2004-06)

    free Ford F150 repair manual online

    The Chilton Ford Pick-Ups 2004-06 Repair Manual is Chilton’s Total Car Care Repair Manuals. This manual covers U.S. and Canadian models of Ford F-150 Pick-ups. Model years from 2004 to 2006 are packed in this book. Downloading this repair manual is the first step in repair as it also comes with wiring diagrams. All the repair procedures are supported by detailed specifications, photographs, and exploded views.

    Apart of basic maintenance and repairs, you can also download free Ford wiring diagrams for all kinds of Ford cars including Ford Taurus, Ford Mustang, Ford Focus and etc.

    Haynes has published a few more repair manuals for Ford Pickups over the years since Ford F150 was launched. They are often regarded as the most needed repair manual for Ford owners.

    Have something better than the Haynes repair manual for Ford cars? You may use the Contact Us feature to send us your free repair manual if you have one. PDF, Microsoft Word or any files are welcome.

    Own a Ford Focus? Try to download Ford Focus Repair Manual online for free.

  • Best Six Speed Manual Transmission Cars

    Nowadays, there are lesser and lesser manual transmission cars on the road. For stick shift lovers, it is sad to see this situation because there are not much of choices as automakers are cutting down manual transmission cars due to the market needs and traffic regulations. However, it doesn’t stop some car makers to build good cars with three pedals. If you have passed old school driving classes (learning to drive a manual car) and have passions in driving six speed manuals cars, check out the delicious A-list of top 10 best six speed manual transmission cars you can go for.

    1. Toyota 86 a.k.a Subaru BRZ a.k.a Scion FR-S

    Toyota 86 six speed manual

    The Toyota 86 (also known as Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S in the US and Canada), is a rear-wheel drive sports coupes developed by Toyota and Subaru. This car is inspired by the legendary Toyota AE86 from 1983 to 1987. Under the hood, it features a 2.0 liter Boxer engine produces 200 PS at 7,000 rpm. Both manual transmission and automatic transmission are available but the six-speed manual transmission accelerates slightly faster. See how a Toyota 86 Drift.

    2. Mini John Cooper Works JCW

    MINI John Cooper Works JCW

    No doubt the Mini John Cooper Works GP is the faster Mini ever produced but the production is limited. In fact, six speed manual transmission car hunters can go for the Mini John Cooper Works (Mini Cooper JCW). Mini John Cooper works are bred for the track with a 208-hp turbocharged engine. The fun to drive this car is twice as much as the normal Mini Cooper and the handling is superb with a six-speed gearbox.

    3. Honda Civic Type R

    Honda Civic Type R

    Honda Civic Type R is Honda’s most powerful car that you would see on the road. It definitely makes everything work for your speed. The close-ratio six-speed gearbox is one great example of this methodology. The latest Honda Civic Type R is powered by a new direct-injection 2.0 liter turbocharged VTEC petrol engine with 306bhp and 400 Nm of torque. The engine red lines at 7,000 rpm and it is definitely one of the best six speed manual transmission cars you can get today. See also: Honda Civic: 100K km does no harm.

    4. Ford Fiesta ST Six Speed Manual Transmission

    Ford Fiesta ST

    The 197-hp Ford Fiesta ST will never let you down in any situation. Fun, power, handling or cornering, you name it! It is a fun-to-drive car with high quality cabin. Just like the Ford Focus ST, there is a six-speed stick located in between the front seats of the car. Both of them are the few six speed manual transmission cars built by Ford today. If you are looking for an economy small car that feels like a sport car, go for it!

    5. Audi R8 Six Speed Manual Transmissions

    Audi R8 6-speed manual transmissions

    The incredible Audi R8 comes with an excellent 7-speed S tronic transmission. However, Audi also offers R8 buyers a stick between the front seats. Moreover, you can pair this stick with either a 430-hp V8 or the crazy 525-hp V10 engine. Every shift to the manual gearbox will absolutely give you a “Click” feel.

    6. Subaru WRX STI

    Subaru WRX STI

    The Subaru WRX STI features a 2.5 liter that produces 305 hp. With such power that feels like a supercar, the Subaru WRX STI gives you 23 mpg highway and 17 mpg City. For people with the budget below $35,000 dollars, you can access to Subaru official website and use the Build Your Own WRX STI page to build a Subaru. For both Subaru WRX STI and WRX STI Limited, a 6-speed manual is the only transmission Subaru offers.

    Other Cars with Six Speed Manual Transmissions

    Some other three pedal six speed manual transmission cars that have good reputation: 

    7. Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 – The Cheverolet Camaro Z/28 offers not only maximum comforts but also maximum performance. Unlike some other cars in the list above, a six speed manual is the only transmission offered by Chevrolet.

    8. Audi TT RS

    9. Honda Civic Si

    10. Nissan 370Z NISMO

    11. Acura ILX 2.4

    12. SRT Viper

    13. Chevy Corvette C6 Z06, ZR1 and 427

    14. Volkswagen Golf R

    15. Ford Mustang Shelby GT500