When it comes to car donations, you’ll find that it is a non-cash donation to a charity. You have two options when it comes to donating a car. You will find that you can simply give the car to the charity, in which, they will sell your car and turn it into money to help fund their cause. The other operation that you have is that you can donate the car to help the charity, but it is for the charity workers to use.

If you go with the second option and donate the car for them to use, you’ll actually get more value out of it. You will be able to qualify for a tax deduction and it will be much higher then if you were to give the charity the car to sell. You will need to file the appropriate tax papers, but you’ll want to keep in mind Read the rest of this entry »

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Ford Motor Company finally realized that if you want to sell a high-tech car, you need to put high-tech gadgets in the cabin. In truth, the highest tech feature about the 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid is still the hybrid power train. But the newest model gets significantly improved cabin electronics over previous generations.

The Mercury Mariner Hybrid and the Ford Escape Hybrid share the same platform, which includes body style, seating configuration, hybrid power train, and cabin electronics. The key difference between the two cars is that the Mercury presents a more refined style, sort of like the clothes you might wear out to a nice restaurant as compared to what you’ll lounge around in on a Saturday.

We’ve seen a lot of cars with a similar body style to the Mariner Hybrid recently, such as the Honda CR-V, the Mitsubishi Outlander, and the Suzuki Grand Vitara. All have a practical configuration, with four doors, easy access to the seats, and a rear cargo area that can be maximized by folding down the rear seats. The Mariner’s design is chunky, giving the car a rugged look, although the grille suggests the refinement the Mercury brand is supposed to represent.

The previous generation of Mariner/Escapes had a tiny navigation screen and a navigation system running off of CDs. The new Mariner Hybrid gets a DVD-based navigation system with a proper-size screen, plus an in-dash six-disc changer. Its hybrid power train remains the same as in previous models, using a version of Toyota’s Synergy system. This hybrid system is currently the best in the business.

Test the tech: Zero-emission driving
Because the hybrid system in the Mariner Hybrid can drive the car under electric power at low speeds, we staged a contest where CNET Car Tech editors Wayne Cunningham and Kevin Massy would see how long they each could keep the car going before the gas engine would start up. Each got their turn in the car, with a stopwatch keeping track of how long the car was under way.

We staged the contest on the east side of San Francisco’s Potrero Hill. We chose that location so each driver could take the car down the long hill of 19th Street in order to charge up the car’s hybrid battery pack before the start of each run. During the run down the hill, each driver kept the car’s regenerative brakes lightly applied, which sent electricity to the battery. A power-flow diagram on the car’s LCD showed the level of battery charge.

In the cabin
With its clean-looking interior, the Mariner Hybrid accomplished its mission of being the upscale brother to the Ford Escape. The aluminum-look facing that covers the center stack contributes to the clean, modern look. And we were happy to see a regular-size navigation screen in the center stack after our experience with the previous generation of this car.

Technorati Tags: hybrid, ford hybrid, 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid, sports car, hybrid car

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A worldwide recall for all Model T manufactured and are still in existence was announced recently by Ford the producer of high quality Volvo vent visor. The said recall does not involve any safety issues but is part of the fun to celebrate the 2008 Model T Ford Centennial T Party which is to be held at the Wayne County Fairgrounds and Exposition Center in Richmond, Indiana.

The event will last for a week running from July 21 to 26, 2008 and has a theme the “party of the century” for the “car of the century”. Around 15 million Model T cars were built between 1908 and 1927. It is estimated that there are still at least 500,000 out of the 15 million that survive. 1,500 out of the 500,000 surviving T models have reached as far Australia, England, and Norway. Next July it is also expected in East Central Indiana to celebrate the Ford Model T’s 100th birthday which will become the largest gathering of Model Ts since they rolled off the factory.

It is the Model T Ford Club of America that will host the Centennial T Party that will take its visitors back to the time when Model T was new. As part of the event are other events such as:

• Model T Car Show,
• a mock “recall inspection”,
• driving and challenge games, a swap meet,
• a series of Model T road tours along the Old National Road and to historic towns, a vintage baseball game,
• a period clothing store and fashion show
• a vintage airshow with WWI and pre-1930 planes
• stunt biplanes performing on one of the nation’s largest grass strip runways
• a visit to the nearby Model T Ford Museum
• a giant birthday cake

T party attendees will also get the chance to behold the T’s rare, common, and bizarre. Starting from the Model T campers and tent-topped Touring Ts, to ambulances, delivery wagons and even Model T snowmobiles, backcountry roads will be graced once again by the “car of the century”.

The first ever production Model T Ford specifically the 1909 model was assembled in Detroit on September 27, 1908, which is the time when most Americans had not gone more than 20 miles from home. It was Henry Ford’s vision together with his assembly-line techniques that produce the car that everyone can afford.

The 1909 Model T was sold for $825 during that time. Then in 1965, the Model T Ford Club of America (MTFCA) was organized. It is the world’s largest Model T club with over 100 chapters across the US, Europe, Canada, Australia, and Argentina. The MTFCA brings together people who share the same passion for the Model T’s history, evolution, and above all to celebrate the historic place that the T have in America.

Technorati Tags: ford, sports car, Model T Ford, Model T, MTFCA

About the Author:
Glady Reign is a 32 year old is a consultant for an automotive firm based in Detroit, Mi. she is a native of the motor city and grew up around cars hence her expertise in the automotive field.

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The early 2008 Ford Escape was due for a complete overhaul, but the 2007 model was pretty good so Ford just gave the new version more rugged styling, nicer interior and additional features.

The Escape has been the top-selling small SUV since its 2001 arrival, with more than 1 million sold. Carried over from the 2007 version are a rigid structure, decent room for five tall occupants, a large cargo area and good roadability.

Engines also are carried over, as is a gasoline/electric hybrid version.

Passing for Crossover
The Escape looks like a tough SUV, but is small and comfortable enough to be called a crossover vehicle. It drives like a good crossover, with quick new steering, neutral handling balance, good braking and a ride that is firm but supple—although it gets a bit jittery on uneven freeway pavement.

The entry gasoline-engine XLS, midrange XLT and top-line Limited trim levels are offered with front- or all-wheel drive without low-range gearing. So is the gas/electric Hybrid version.

New Rugged Styling
Ford made the new Escape look more like its larger Explorer and Expedition. It has a raised beltline to give its profile a stronger proportion of sheet metal to glass. And sculpted body surfaces provide more of a “Ford Tough Truck” appearance. Ford also raised the hood to integrate the higher beltline and gave it a “reversed crease” design.

Headlights sweep up toward the corners of the Escape and surround a large new grille. Available 17-inch wheels further toughen the overall look.

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