Premier Guarding

One way of getting rid of an old car is to donate it to a local charity. Some well-known places that accept cars as donations are the Salvation Army, Goodwill and Trees for the Future. However, this list is in no way exhaustive so always check with your local charities, however big or small.

Once donated to charity, cars are treated one of two ways:

1) Charities can sell the cars for whatever monetary value they can get. It this case, they can sell them to a dealership or opt to for direct sale to prospective buyers.

2) The charity also has the option of keeping them. These cars are then used to transport persons or equipments. In the event that the charity promises not to sell the car, it is required that this intent be disclosed to the donor (you). They may subsequently face penalties from the IRS if they do sell it. Read more…

The Vauxhall Astra has become a firm favourite with UK Police forces. Vauxhall has now introduced new technology to help officers use their time more efficiently and help prevent crime as well respond more quickly. Launched at Milbrook last week was a new Vauxhall Astra fitted with a Panasonic Toughbook CF-19, market-leading, rotating screen, convertible notebook, which sets a benchmark in rugged mobile computing. The custom Astra is aimed at field-based professionals who need access to WiFi and 3G broadband. Dick Ellam, Vauxhall Special Vehicles Manager, said: “The Astra has long-since been a trusted model within the police, which is why we have opted to make this feature available. Toughbook rugged mobile computers are already in use by several police services across the country, and are proving to be a revolutionary resource to police; at a time when spending cuts are rife, a device that enables the force to save time and money will be invaluable.” This new technology is highly valuable to the Police force because historically logging a crime report was a lengthy process and would usually start with a home visit.

The officer would then have to take notes in a notebook and then write up a crime report. Typically, the report would then be faxed back to the office to a crime input team who would then have to type it up. The Toughbook fits into a docking station, which is mounted in the glove box of the Vauxhall Astra. The Toughbook can be easily removed and this allows the laptop screen to be viewed in both upright and downward positions. A similar laptop system can be added to a Vauxhall Zafira in Camberley as it too has become a favourite amongst the UK Police force. Read more…

Back in 2000 when I was looking for my first car, I decided to buy my Subaru because it was neat and compact, with a small engine and low running costs. I was just out of university, struggling along in my first job, and the second-hand three-door little car was the best I could manage at the time.

Although I’ve since moved on from that job and am now paid a respectable salary, out of some bizarre kind of loyalty to my first car – which, in all fairness, has never caused me any great problems – I refused to sell my Subaru and kept it as its value depreciated and it became less and less practical. But since it continued to run, I also reasoned that there was no reason to look for a new car, employing the maxim, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ I don’t do many long journeys so didn’t feel justified in shelling out for a new car, with all the the associated financial and environmental costs. I figured I’d just run it into the ground and hold onto it for as long as I could. Read more…

Among the many new cars and concept vehicles that were rolled out at the 2009 New York International Auto Show, the Acura ZDX created some of the most buzz. What Acura calls a four-door sports coupe, visitors to the show have named it one of the most impressive looking new vehicles among scores introduced, a true game changer for the Acura brand.

The ZDX was designed to include rousing styling, contemporaneous luxury and fastidious refinement. Featuring aesthetic curves, an aggressively raked roofline and conspicuous fender flares, the ZDX embodies the design traits found in a coupe, sedan and sport utility vehicle. Read more…