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Interesting car information and thoughts from our team.

November 20th, 2008

Getting Inside Some of the Hottest Cars

High-end cars can be like Chinese porcelain vases. You want to touch these autos but are too afraid to break them. The same can be said about cars such as Ferrari and Lamborghini. You look at the car and your jaw drops in awe. You’re itching to get inside and turn the wheel, sit on the comfy seats, and experiment with the controls, but you’re scared that you may scratch the car.

If you ask people what the hottest and most beautiful cars for them are, expect to get many different answers. That’s understandable since different automobiles possess varying qualities and features. Plus, we all have different taste in regards to the best sports cars. Some of us like classic cars, others just like fast cars, and still others prefer hot new cars.

Caranddriver.com compiles some of the hottest cars in town. Here are some of the cars you may drool over:

Audi R8

Produced in 2007, this was the first mid-engine sports car for Audi. The R8 is an impressive car. It features a beautiful interior and comes equipped with cool features: a 7-inch monitor that comes with the audio system, anti-theft alarm, xenon lights, LED rear lights, vehicle noise compensation system, rear view camera, acoustic parking system, and a radio/navigation system.

The sports car interior is designed beautifully. Its steering wheel is similar to other Audi sports cars. The interior can be trimmed in leather. Two people can be comfortably seated inside while the back offers enough space to store luggage.

The Audi R8 is an all-wheel-drive vehicle. It has a V8 engine that produces up to 420 horsepower. It is a beautiful car, priced in the range of the Porsche 911 and the BMW M6.

Mercedes Benz CLS 550

The 2009 Mercedes Benz CLS550 is equipped with a 382 horsepower, 5.5 liter V8 engine similar to the Mercedes Benz E550.  It has some changes from its previous model such as a four-finned grille, larger side mirror, and rear lights. There is a new voice control system, Linguatronic, installed in this model.

Pontiac Solstice Coupe

The Pontiac Solstice Coupe, which was a shelved plan by General Motors, has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that creates 173 horsepower. Despite the slight changes in its body and style, it is still similar to the older Pontiac Solstice especially in terms of fuel economy, braking, acceleration, and handling.

This automobile has removable panels placed over the driver and passenger’s head. The roof has aluminum brackets that support it. While the roof has some additional support materials, the body style has a small increase in curb weight. It also has a flat cargo floor and sufficient storage compartments.

Porsche Cayman S

Unlike the old Porsche Cayman, this new model has a higher horsepower 3.4-liter engine that provides 295 horsepower. With this kind if engine, you can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 5.1 seconds. The design of the Cayman allows it to have a firmer road grip even in high speed.

It’s similar to the Porsche Boxter in some ways. The difference lies in storage. The Cayman has two storage trunks, one in the front and one in the back. Aside from that, its back storage area is larger since it doesn’t store a folding roof.

Buyers have the option to have a Cayman that comes with any of these features: active suspension management, sports chrono package, automatic climate control, surround sound system, parking sensors, self-dimming rearview mirrors, and rain-sensing wipers.

ZIBE features a large selection of many new and used cool, classic, and hot cars for sale. Start browsing today.

November 19th, 2008

Car Safety from 1930 Until Today

ZIBE blog experts have found that based on statistics, road traffic injuries account for about 25% of worldwide injury related deaths. Improvements in roads and automobiles have helped decrease that number somewhat in recent years. History shows us car safety improvement milestones that have been made over time in efforts to further increase automobile safety.

  • 1930 – The use of seat belts and  padded dashboards were promoted by plastic surgeon Claire L. Straith and physician C. J. Strickland.
  • 1934 – The first barrier crash test was performed by General Motors.
  • 1950’s – Mercedes-Benz crash tested prototypes to great extent.
  • 1958 – The World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations was established by the United Nations. This set the standards internationally for body advancing auto safety. Seatbelts and roll cage construction were two of the safety inventions that were brought into the market.
  • 1964 – The first rear-facing child seat was developed by Volvo.
  • 1966 – The Department of Transportation, otherwise known as DOT, was established by the US government. Automobile safety was one of its purposes.
  • 1984 – The first law requiring seat belt use in passenger cars was passed in New York state. This law was then adopted by all 50 states afterwards.
  • 1986 – Volvo introduced the first break light that did not share with the rear light. This feature became federally mandated in the United States for cars released in 1986.
  • 1988 – Volvo installed a head protecting airbag. This was made standard in all new car models.
  • 2004 – New tests were designed to test the risks of new cars and SUVs by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). One car got a 5-star rating, the Mazda RX-8.

Currently further motor vehicle safety advancements are being made in terms of car safety measures and precautions. The hope of reducing, if not totally eliminating, harmful effects brought about by car accidents remains an important goal. Amidst all of our technological progress, one thing remains the same: vehicle safety should always come first.

November 18th, 2008

Economy Cars: This Title Says it All

These days, people are being extra careful in choosing their next vehicle. They want a car which is cheap yet very reliable. Style and economy don’t usually go together but with the sudden popularity of economy cars, things have certainly changed. Lately, ease and security are quickly turning out to be high priorities as well.

Economy cars are vehicles specifically designed for low cost operation. They are cars that use engines which save fuel and are generally small and lightweight. Technology equipment such as electronic engine management has also become present in these cheap cars, improving both fuel economy and performance. The earliest economy car produced was the Volkswagen Beetle.

To point out what makes economy cars economical, it would have to be their engines. Many economy cars sport a diesel fuel engine, diesel fuel being the cheapest fuel in the US market today. Theoretically speaking, diesel engines and gasoline engines are just about the same. Both are internal combustion engines which convert the chemical energy found in fuel into mechanical energy. Their main difference is the actual conversion. Gasoline engines have historically been quieter and cleaner, but that is now not always the case.

Many people began to realize the advantages of economy cars with diesel engines when cleaner fuels were introduced, steadily gaining approval of the masses. An example of a clean diesel fuel is bio-diesel. It is manufactured from alcohol and vegetable fat. These fuels are clean with low emissions. Clean diesel means “Hello, cleaner air”! An example of one of the best cars that uses this type of fuel is the Ford Focus.

In conclusion, economy cars have slowly been gaining popularity over the years. One of the factors that has contributed to this is the presence of diesel engines that economize fuel with nature-friendly attributes and great manageability. ZIBE.com offers an extensive collection of economy cars. Start browsing new and used economy cars online today at ZIBE.com.

November 17th, 2008

Buy a Green Car, Help the Earth, Save Money!

Buying a car usually means contributing to one of the strongest forces against the environment: pollution. The fumes add to the smog hovering above us. Oil spills can bring damage to our water supply. These add to our global climate promoting global warming which, in turn, will give us more trouble in the future. Cars impact the environment from the time they are being made up until they are disposed. This makes you think. Should you not buy cars at all? Not necessarily. You can buy green.

“Green cars” is the term for more environmental friendly cars as opposed to traditional all-petroleum vehicles. These cars are usually smaller and lighter, using less energy. However, to go green, there are also some measures people can do to reduce their consumption of energy. Cars can use biofuels instead of petroleum fuels, using renewable energy. Drivers can enhance fuel economy by removing unnecessary items that add to the weight of the car. Drivers can also consolidate trips by planning and carpooling.

Numerous green cars have already been introduced into the market. Hybrids are good examples. Hybrids are partly electric and partly petroleum powered cars. Examples of these are the Toyota Prius, Ford Escape Hybrid, and Toyota Camry Hybrid. They have better gas mileage, cleaner emissions, and help you save money. They can be a bit more expensive to buy, but you can often get your money back in 5 years or less thanks to the better fuel economy.

Biodiesel is also an option you can take. This is a clean, carbon-neutral fuel that is vegetable-based. It should run in any diesel car or truck with no engine modifications required.

Electric cars are also gaining popularity. An example of an electric car is the Dodge Zeo. These are cars that run on an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine. The car has an electric battery that needs recharging between uses. There are also hybrid cars with batteries that can be charged externally. These are called the plug-in hybrid vehicles. These are just some of the types of cars that are more efficient and have better fuel economy than most conventional cars.

Clearly, there are already choices out there for the environmentalist in you. Considering the savings in fuel, another reason to buy one of these cars would just be the savings over time. Buying a car does not necessarily mean you will be harming the environment. With the right practices and the right green car, you not only get convenience and comfort, but you’re helping the earth as well.

November 15th, 2008

Buying Convertibles: Getting your money’s worth

Times are changing. Everyone seems to have something to do and many people want things done fast. Many people are drawn to convertibles, and as you know convertible cars are fast cars. Convertibles are status symbols which emanate money, power, speed, and leisure.

There are four main things to watch out for when buying the best convertibles:price, speed, manageability, and appearance.

Price. Convertibles can be pricey but they don’t have to be. ZIBE.com has a selection of convertibles where you can get amazing deals. Being able to look for more affordably priced used convertibles with only the touch of your fingertips is the benefit of living in the digital age. Hence, people can now have high-end convertibles at affordable prices.

Speed. Speed is definitely a huge factor for many people when looking for a good convertible. What good is a convertible when your grandma’s sedan can outrun you any day? The Mercedes Benz SL65 will show you the speed you only imagined in your dreams about owning a convertible.

Manageability. Manageability is attributed mostly to great suspension, providing excellent handling and steering stability. Handling is the car’s ability to corner, brake, and accelerate. Suspension controls the car in general. Manageability is a must when buying a convertible. Road isolation, road holding, and cornering are features specifically created to further enhance the convertible experience, making them safer to ride even at a high driving speed. The Jaguar XKR convertible is a good example of a convertible that handles well.

Appearance. Appearance is a big factor when it comes to any kind of vehicle. When people think of convertibles, they think of tiny, top down spiffy cars commonly in fire red, midnight black, or electric blue. Convertibles are two-seater cars with a retractable top. They also can come with leather interiors, impressive sound systems, high-tech GPS systems, and power for everything from steering wheels to windows to locks. When it comes to looks, the Ford Mustang is a pure classic beauty.

ZIBE offers a wide selection of new and used Aston Martin, BMW, Ford, Jaguar, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volkswagen, and other convertibles for sale with excellent prices, speed, manageability, and appearance.

November 13th, 2008

Trucks: BIG, Bold, and Beautiful

“The bigger, the better,” some say. The bigger your house is, the nicer it is to have more room. The bigger your savings, a brighter future you’ll get. The bigger your responsibility gets, better opportunities arise. The bigger your salary is, the more you can spend. However, in the automotive world, is this also true? Is bigger really better?

As a new era dawns, trends change and so does society. We are now living in a world wherein many things are automated and objects just seem to get smaller and smaller. Examples of these are: mobile phones, computers, and digital cameras. With technology comes portability, but smaller is not always the way to go. Sometimes, bigger is still better.

The word “truck” came from the Greek word “torchos”, which means “wheel”. They say “trucks” in North America but in the United Kingdom and Ireland, they are called “lorry”. In Australia and New Zealand, a small vehicle with an open back is called a “ute”. “Pick up” and “truck” are reserved for larger vehicles.

A truck was designed to be big, bold, and beautiful for many reasons. For one, it is meant to carry heavy loads. A truck is also meant to carry goods and materials in large quantity. Many kinds of trucks are built to travel on any kind of terrain.  Often trucks have gigantic wheels that give them off road capabilities. These heavy lifting and all-terrain features make trucks stand out, literally and figuratively.

Trucks are popular with big companies that require such strength. They can have a powerful kind of menacing presence, giving them the upper hand on the road.  Several big-time manufacturers such as Nissan, Toyota, Ford, GMC, Chevrolet, and Dodge produce trucks.

Most trucks run on a four stroke intercooler turbo engine while huge off-highway trucks operate on locomotive type engines. Other trucks run on engines created by third parties. Some of these are CAT, Cummins, and Detroit Diesel. Only Volvo and Mack trucks run on their own engines.

Both automatic and manual transmissions with synchronisers are available for small trucks. However, bigger trucks use manual transmissions without synchronisers.

For companies that need heavy lifting and for those that need a bigger space and storage capacity, trucks are a great choice. They always have been. Trucks are made to be big and bold for functionality and use. These are also the traits that make trucks stand out in the crowd. You can find many types of new and used trucks for sale on ZIBE.com.

November 12th, 2008

How to Enjoy Long Trips as One Big Happy Family

What comes to mind when you think of family cars? Commonly many of us think of wagons and minivans with moms doing the driving and half a dozen children strapped inside. That’s a general misconception of family cars that happens at times. If you do extensive research, you’ll find out that many family vehicles of today are actually SUVs and hatchbacks. The term family cars originated from Europe describing normal sized cars that are fitting for family use whether they are for long trips or used as transportation for bringing the kids to school.

Picture a man and his wife taking their kids up for a camping trip to the nearest park a good four hour trip from their home. When you have two rowdy little boys and a toddler, being on the road for more than an hour can be a real challenge. In this case, it would be a good thing to own one of the best family cars of this generation.  The Dodge Grand Caravan is perfect for such a family. This minivan has side-curtain airbags. When out on the road, the safety of your family is the number one priority and Dodge Grand Caravan features will really put your mind at ease on these long road trips. Camping equipment and the considerable luggage people may carry on camping trips can easily be stored in the back of the minivan thanks to its generous storage space. You can fold the third row to maximize the space while the kids are securely strapped in the second row. With all the chaos going on at the back of the car, i.e. bickering and food fights, you’ll appreciate the little pop up tables that are handy for the toys and other effects kids love to carry around everywhere they go. Parents will also love the dishwasher-friendly removable cup-holders and grocery bag hooks ideal for on the spot picnics inside the car. This minivan also has heated chairs for when the weather gets a little too cold. The best thing though is that the ride is really stable and quiet, which is important especially when the kids need to take a nap in the middle of the trip.

Driving a comfortable, spacious, safe family car makes long trips less stressful for the kids as well as for the grownups. This can help families achieve maximum quality time.

November 11th, 2008

SUVs: The WHYs and HOWs of their Success

This is a world where practicality is important. As far as cars are concerned, style no longer precedes comfort, cost no longer precedes suitability, and design no longer precedes performance. Nowadays, it’s all about suitability and functionality.

When we speak of suitability, we take into consideration the spaciousness, the cargo capacity, the longevity, and the endurance of both the car’s exterior and interior. When we talk about functionality, we mean the mileage, the performance, and the engine capabilities. When we talk about suitability and functionality, we can only have one thing in mind: the Sports Utility Vehicle, commonly known as the SUV.

The SUV is a cross between a light truck and a minivan. It has a towing capacity similar to that of a light truck but has the passenger capacity similar to that of a minivan. SUVs are built for off road and are usually equipped with four-wheel drive. They have a sporty look but have the functionality of a family car.

Here are a few reasons why SUVs have made a mark in society:

Space – SUVs are equipped with more than enough seating capacity. They also have extra luggage and carrying space in the back. This concept was created with the notion that owners may want to store different types of sporting equipment, gear, or any type of luggage for that matter. Despite their sporty look, the interior of an SUV is roomy enough for any family. They operate like a family car but definitely do not look like one. The Cadillac Escalade gives proof to this, having the best interior known to SUVs.

Four-wheel drive – SUVs are also equipped with the four-wheel drive feature that gives you better control of your vehicle in extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain or snow. Better control means less chance of accidents. The Nissan Xterra is one SUV that is praised for its off-road capabilities.

Structure – They say size adds strength and gives you power. This is proven true by SUVs, with the Chevrolet Tahoe as an example. Due to its massive size and high frame, buyers are drawn to this car. It presents a much safer ride due to its size and the metal surrounding it, which will help protect the occupants in cases of collisions. Its high frame gives drivers a better view of the road and the other cars. The driver feels safer and less vulnerable driving this than driving a smaller vehicle.

If you’re looking for a vehicle that provides style, seats a good number of passengers, and performs impressively, you need not look farther. There is a vehicle that can deliver all of these: the SUV. They’ve made a mark in society and they’re definitely here to stay.

November 10th, 2008

Save Gas With These Fuel Efficient Autos

With inflation bearing down upon us, one’s fuel consumption should be taken into serious consideration. With this in mind, choosing which car to get becomes a far more important decision. There’s no need to worry though. The following are the top fuel efficient cars.  Each one can definitely help you save fuel and money.

  1. Toyota Prius – This is a five-seater car with an excellent interior and a spacious cargo area. It is available in two trims: the base and the touring editions. It is capable of 48 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on highways. This car has become the most popular hybrid vehicle ever since its release in 2001.
  2. Honda Fit – This is a five-door hatchback car also released in 2001, making it one of several minicars introduced in America. It is called the Honda Fit in Japan, China, North and South America but it is known as the Jazz in Europe, some parts of Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East. This car is available in two trims: the base and the sport. The base model is capable of 28 mpg in the city / 34 mpg on highways for manual, and 27 mpg in the city / 34 mpg on highways for automatic. The sport version, on the other hand, can achieve 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on highways.
  3. Honda Civic Hybrid – With an exterior that looks exactly like that of the regular Civic, it is not easy to tell that this car is a hybrid. It runs on a 1.3 L, iVTEC, 4-cylinder engine that is capable of 40 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on highways. You may have to pay a little bit more for a Civic Hybrid, but with its efficiency and environmental benefits, it’s definitely worth it.
  4. Smart ForTwo – This may be the smallest car, having only front seats and a small trunk in the back. Don’t knock it for its size though. This small car runs on a 3 cylinder, 1 liter engine capable of 33 mpg in the city and 41 mpg in highways.
  5. Toyota Corolla – This is a compact car that has become popular since its release in 1996 and has become the best selling model worldwide since 1997. Its exterior is well-trimmed and its interior is made for comfort. It is capable of 28 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on highways.

With the choices above, choosing cars and saving money is easy.

November 7th, 2008

ZIBE.com is Your Gateway to Great Cars

During this time and age, you have technology on your side so there’s no excuse not to be able to do things efficiently and easily. We have also created a parallel universe of sorts on the Internet and it has made itself relevant in practically all aspects of life. Business transactions, for instance, have become commonplace online. While people used to approach doing trade via the internet with some trepidation, now you wouldn’t be developing your business to its full potential if it is not accessible online. This is why shopping online has become so popular. Like we’ve said, technology allows you to do things efficiently and easily. This statement is supported by ZIBE.com.

What Is ZIBE.com?

ZIBE.com is the most powerful car shopping Website on the Internet. It presents car shoppers a comprehensive listing of new and used cars for sale from car dealers across the US. ZIBE.com makes different car showrooms from all over the country accessible to shoppers. In effect, it serves both the shopper and the dealer, making it possible for both to conduct business with very little effort. It is truly a place where everybody wins.

Shopping at ZIBE.com

When shopping from the home page of ZIBE.com, you can specify make, model, and ZIP code. Once the search results are generated, you can filter listings according to trim, type, features, mileage, price, year, exterior color, interior color, transmission, or condition. Once you have a selection of cars you feel are worth looking through, you can then sort them according to certification, year, make / model, number of available photos, mileage, price, or distance. As you can see, ZIBE.com is determined to bring the relevant cars you would want to your car shopping experience for your satisfaction.

ZIBE.com’s Variety of Vehicles

ZIBE.com has almost every possible vehicle we can think of under the sun: from new to used, from economy to luxury, from compacts to commercial trucks, from classics to the latest, from the most popular to the most exotic, from domestic to foreign, etc. This is evident in the listings of car makes in the ZIBE database. In fact, another way of looking at cars would be to browse cars by make. Click on a make and you will be brought to a page listing the different models available from that carmaker. Click on a specific model and you will be brought to a page listing the different trims, and more. Make more selections and the results will be further narrowed down. At any time, you can view a selection of cars that correspond to the choices you made by clicking the link near the top of the page above the car photo. Besides browsing by make, you can also browse by city or state. This way, if the car you want is not nearby, you can find exactly what you need.

Sign Up for a Free Account at ZIBE.com

Account sign up at ZIBE.com is free. While most of the Website features can be accessed by both registered and unregistered users, those who have an account with ZIBE.com are able to fully experience everything the Website has to offer. For instance, saving your preferences under My Favorites is possible even without an account. However, you are limited to just 10 cars, which will automatically be deleted after 30 days. Somebody with an account, on the other hand, will be able to completely take advantage of this feature, being able to save as many cars as he or she wants for an unlimited period of time. A car will only be deleted from the list when it has been removed from the database or when the user deletes it himself or herself. Saving your searches is also possible with an account. Whatever your shopping process may be, this feature will come in handy, especially if you want to be thorough and take your time to decide. My Saved Searches allows you to pick up where you last left off so there’s no need to start your search from scratch all over again.

ZIBE.com’s Other Helpful Features

ZIBE.com also features relevant listings and statistics such as the Top 10 Most Popular Vehicles and the Top 5 Saved Vehicles. It also discusses different vehicles in the Vehicle Spotlight section. Like all good Websites, it has a frequently updated car blog with informative posts on all things automotive. ZIBE.com does not believe in limiting your experience to browsing and buying. All of these features exist with the intention of helping you gain so much more than a car. ZIBE.com is clearly passionate in its service.

Car shoppers need not look elsewhere. ZIBE.com is a one-stop Website with a tried, tested, AND trusted name. Go to the ZIBE Website home page and enjoy your ZIBE experience now.


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