The simplicity of using Internet map sites could spell the end of driving around lost. More than just showing street maps, these sites provide complete driving instructions to get you from Point A to Point B, including mileage and time data, whether you’re heading across town or across the country.

Just print and go!

For a completely different view of the lay of the land, pull up a satellite map view, where you can zoom in on your rooftop, if you so desire. This bird’s eye view shows the topography of an area, and is just plain fascinating, if not useful. Many of these sites include theme maps that give you climate or population information, traffic conditions, and even gas prices for a given area. Internet map sites are interactive, intuitive and so simple to use that getting lost is no longer an option.

Top Maps & Directions Searches

• Google Maps
• MapQuest.com

This is a video document showing how to seize an engine under the Cash for Clunkers program…After draining the engine oil the vehicle is filled with approximately two-three quarts of salt/water/silica mix. The vehicle is then started and runs untill the engine seizes.

I've spoken with several dealers concerning the cash for clunkers program and this video sums up the "cash for clunkers" suspension in great detail.

It is true the program is successful and will use allotted funds. But the situation is more sophisticated that that.

First, because of the popularity, there is a huge backlog of paperwork. The 20-page application requires data from various sources and in many cases takes days to complete. Dealers continue to sell cars while they wait for all the information required. One of the many hold-ups is the fact dealers must disable the 'clunker' with two quarts of a special sodium silicate solution before the car crushers can give them a required signature. However, many dealerships have run out of this solution or have not received it. If dealers continue to advance people the CARS credit, on faith the government will refund them for destroying a car, their cash flow will soon be depleted.

Second, the CARS dealer website — where dealerships submit applications — cannot handle the traffic. Dealers continuously report website crashes rendering them unable to submit their application. This increases the amount of time dealers must wait before they receive their rebate check — depleting cash flow.

Third, worry is building in dealerships because many applications for the rebate are being denied after the car deal. Some on this blog have expressed outraged after dealers have called them back demanding the customer make up for the denied CARS rebate (up to $4,500.00) or else they would have to return the car. Some have already had their trade-in cars destroyed. (Related: Sortable Cash for Clunkers Car List).

Rebates have been denied for an untold number of reasons; including a blank field in the 20-page application.

So you see, even if the government institutes an emergency funding guarantee, the cash flow problems, from an inadequate structural setup, remain.

Watch:

2009 VW Tiguan. Billed by Volkswagen as the GTI of compact SUVS, the sporty Tiguan offers roughly the same compact dimensions and fuel economy as the industry leading Honda CR-V, but in a package that is decidedly more sporty and upscale. While the Tiguan offers features unavailable on the CR-V, such as a manual transmission and a massive full-cabin glass panel sunroof, it also costs significantly more. In fact for the price of the entry-level frontwheel-drive Tiguan, consumers could pick up a nicely equipped CR-V EX with all-wheel drive. Still, the 200-horsepower turbocharged Volkswagen Tiguan has many desirable features, including a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system capable of real off-road adventures. 

Volkswagen Routan. Those who are familiar with the Dodge Grand Caravan and the Chrysler Town and Country may recognize their similarities to the Volkswagen Routan. In terms of technology, comfort, features and even driving dynamics, the Routan is a near copy of its Chrysler counterparts. And yet careful stylistic changes and material upgrades give the impression that the VW Routan is a more premium product than its domestic counterparts. 

Volkswagen Rabbit. After a two-decade absence, the Rabbit has returned to Volkswagens lineup. As both a replacement for the popular Golf and spiritual successor to the popular Rabbit of the 80s, the new Rabbit carries on VWs tradition of selling fun, practical hatchbacks. 

More than just a Golf with a bunny badge on the back, Volkswagens newly resurrected Rabbit offers an array of upscale safety and convenience features, sporty road manners, a high-quality interior and attractive styling. In spite of its high level of content, the Rabbit manages an impressively low sticker price.

Volkswagen Passat Sedan 2.0T. In a segment dominated by capable but often uninspiring competitors, the Volkswagen Passat stands out as a mid-size sedan with a uniquely German charm. Distinctive styling and road manners born of the autobahn give the Passat a level of panache not found in the typical family sedan.

With a near luxury-level interior, an attractive exterior and both sedan and wagon body styles, the Passat proves to be a fashionable and practical alternative to more mundane family sedans.

It seems like just yesterday when the sight of a New Beetle driving down the road created a stir, but that was more than ten years ago.

Volkswagen Jetta. The concept of German engineering might seem like a simple marketing ploy but there is actually something to it. Driving privileges for Germanys fabled autobahn arent limited to the fastest, most expensive cars. Relatively inexpensive cars like the Volkswagen Jetta travel the autobahn, too. 

Unsurprisingly, the same engineering philosophy that makes the Volkswagen Jetta suitable for the autobahn also makes it pretty darn fun to drive. America car buyers have known this ever since the Jetta was introduced to the US in 1980. Now in its fifth generation, the Jetta continues to offer German style and handling at a price accessible to the common man. 

We pit the much-anticipated Chevy Camaro SS against its strongest competition: the Ford Mustang GT and the Dodge Challenger R/T. Join as we head to the hills east of San Diego to find out which one we liked best.

Camaro SS: $30,995 / $31,490
Challenger R/T: $30,945 / $38,270
Mustang GT: $28,845 / $34,330

View the Lowest Possible Price from local dealers with this insider process — it's how to get the price not published in papers 

Introduction to the Process: The plain truth is that car salesmen deserve their poor reputation.  Sure, they are friendly, but behind the scenes all they see is money. Everybody knows the reason: The more money they can get out of you, the higher their commission. Sure they have a right to make a fair profit. But most of the tactics they use to get money are not fair and transparent. I should know — I was a car salesman. This articles shows you the brain-dead way to get a fair price for a car.

WHY AM I SHARING THIS PROCESS?

About a year after I quit my job as a car salesman, I too, was cheated at a car dealership. I admit I did not follow this brain dead formula. Call it pride or overconfidence — but car salesmen and women are good. Very good. If someone in the business could get cheated, it can happen to you. I'm sharing this information party out of revenge. But it's good advice. If this experience of mine did not happen, you probably would not know this easy process for getting car prices.

THE PROCESS: Power of Competition

Follow These Five Easy Steps to Make Dealers Compete 

Gather information: If you do not know your credit score — and you plan to finance a new car — it is essential you obtain your credit report. Get your free credit report and score.
 

Get your trade-in value: If you are going to trade a vehicle in, it's highly recommended you get an independent valuation. Get your free trade-in value for your current car.
  

Get competitive pricing: Obtain online car pricing points from at least two dealerships — use the Autos.com free service to get competing prices from multiple dealers for car prices with NO obligation.

• You will get an email with your car car prices.
• Reply to the dealer(s) with the higher prices, and kindly tell them another dealer beat their price. 
• The dealers with the higher prices will respond with a better deal — and often with a much lower price.
• Tip: Before you make an appointment, ask the dealer via e-mail or phone if the price you got on the Internet was the 'out-the-door-price.' These magic words will give you the price after dealer fees, taxes, rebates and incentives. 

Financing: You should apply for a loan before you enter the dealership. If you have a good relationship with your bank, you should contact them for your loan. You can also get quotes from loan brokers: If you have a credit score above 620, apply for a loan here. If you have a credit score below a 620, you should apply here.

Independent Quotes: It is essential you obtain independent quotes on the following services. Too often the dealership charges too much for services you can obtain on your own. (Optional).

• Extended Warranty: Get a free no-obligation quote to extend your warranty coverage.
• Car Insurance: Get a free no-obligation quote on car insurance for your new car from multiple services. May the lowest price win.