Archive for July, 2011
July 31st, 2011 | 
Author: Cherish That Used Mini
I’m about to write an article on Used Mini’s and already I’m chastised for using the wrong term!
Apparently the term is ‘Mini Cherished’. What is the difference I ask myself?
Open any used car magazine and there will be used Minis for sale in various degrees of condition and age. Speak to any Mini owner and you will find that their vehicle has been cherished for many years. Many of them are given names by the owner to personalise them strange but true.
The Mini has been in production since 1959 and is still going strong. Spares are still available and restoration projects are going on all over the world tucked away in garages and barns as enthusiasts ongoing projects.
Races are organised throughout the year at Brands Hatch and Snetterton with categories such as Standard Mighty Minis Super Mighty Minis and Xtreme Mighty Minis for the hardened racers. Miniworld owners club arrange events throughout the year such as the British Mini Fair set for January 2008 which will include trade stands pride of ownership display club displays and competitions.
Festivals shows meetings and action days are structured well in advance and the London to Brighton race set for May 2008 promises to be the event of the year.
So it is apparent that Mini owners don’t just view their vehicle as a means of getting from A to B. They truly cherish them and take every opportunity to show them off. In fact owning a Mini comes with a whole social structure of its very own.
But if all Minis are cherished what of the Mini Cherished official label?
BMW have taken over the production of Minis since 2001 and therein lies the cut off point for Used Mini. Owners of this treasured little car that makes such a big impact everywhere it goes now have the choice to market their Mini through Mini Cherished.
The Mini Cherished Programme won the Used Car Scheme 2006 from Auto Express magazine for their service to Mini owners. All Minis advertised through this site have had a full health check carried out by official Mini technicians. If the car is not up to the standards that keep Mini up with the best the technicians will fix it with genuine Mini parts ensuring its 12 month MOT and MOT cover. All paintwork and trim will be restored to suit its age and mileage and a full valet will be carried out.
A full service history as well as an independent vehicle history with mileage checks accompany an unlimited mileage minimum 12 month warranty. Mini Cherished will offer advice on optimum tyre replacement and treatment as well as their own emergency service. They can also arrange test drives and help to obtain insurance quotes.
And just for fun Mini Cherished offer access to the MINIstry of Ownership. This is an exclusive area which can offer information on fun events chat rooms route planning driving tours and financial assistance. Accessories can also be obtained to personlaise your cherished Mini perhaps avoiding the need for a name!
About the writer: Expert Mini enthusiast Shaun Parker looks into the Used Mini market. To find out more please visit http://www.coopermini.co.uk/
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Checklist For Those Looking For A Used Caravan
Once you have seen the magazine pictures and realised how much fun caravanning can be it is hard to resist the urge to fork out for a caravan straight away. It may not however be worth buying new right away; after all you may not fully understand the world of caravanning and a new caravan will be expensive. At this point you should probably consider looking at a used caravan as a more affordable and worthwhile option.
When you are looking at used caravans there are certain things you must remember so you do not get hoodwinked into buying a disgraceful example of a towed home. What follows is a checklist of the problems that can regularly occur in a caravan and issues that should be studied in detail before any purchase is made.
First and foremost the biggest problem a caravan faces is damp; this is especially true when looking at used caravans. It is important to check all of the corners the bed boxes and lockers thoroughly for signs of damp and moisture. A useful tool that can be used for this purpose is a damp meter available at most home and DIY stores. Check the sturdiness of cupboard and door handles by giving them a strong pull; loose fitting can sometimes mean that damp has got into the caravan. If there is a problem with damp this used van is probably worth walking away from; you can sometimes end up paying twice as much for repairs than the original price.
As part of the damp prevention come the seals. A caravan may have many different types of seals used in its construction. The three most common of these seals are acrylic silicone and oilbased. Ask the former owner or the dealer when the seals were last replaced; the lifespan of some seals is twenty years but others will only last five. Poor seals mean s that damp will ingress into the caravan easily. Check for rust on frames and screws and any damaged bits of sealant the price of a new seals throughout the outfit can be as much as a thousand pounds.
It may seem obvious but the door and lockers should be checked so that they shut properly and can be locked securely. Check over the hinges and whether the doors still fit snugly into their frames. It may seem a minor expense but finding replacement doors especially if the used van is somewhat old can be difficult. The same can be said for the windows and window frames; as an even more expensive outlay the price of new windows can start from around 180 pounds.
As important as the doors are the floors of a caravan. Check for any signs of sagging and any areas that may seem weak. The most important places to check are near the door around the kitchen and the living quarters as these are the areas used most frequently. If sagging is evident the usual procedure is to inject rigidity foam into the affected area to increase strength. This process is not cheap however and should be carried out by a professional if it appears the used caravan that you are looking at has faulty floors walk away.
The chassis and hitch mechanism should probably have been checked over already but pay particular attention to the easy movement of the mechanism. Ensure that lubrication is evident and the rubber gaiter that lies between the push bar and Aframe is in good condition. Checking that the chassis of the caravan is in no way bent or damaged it is the skeleton of the outfit and as such should be sturdy.
By following this checklist you should be able to find a used caravan to suit your purposes. There are plenty of good caravans out there and finding one is only a matter of time. With a little savvy and this advice years of caravanning pleasure should only be a short drive away.
About the writer: Travel expert Thomas Pretty looks into factors for consideration when looking at a used caravan for first time buyers.
Celebrate Las Vegas Weddings By Renting A Classic Car Rental
Nothing completes a perfect wedding than the befitting spectacle of the bride and groom taking off into the sunset. But a wedding set in Las Vegas takes more than the antediluvian riding off on a horse exit. In this city of glitz taking leave on classic car rental more than suffices.
Weddings like every other special occasion entail a sense of reverie. And a Las Vegas wedding is a great opportunity to go all out and make that dream wedding a reality. For in Las Vegas everything and anything is possible. A classic car rental can add that extra flair and glamor to your wedding. Being a dramatic departure from the ordinary a classic ride can accentuate that fantasy feel that you and your guests will surely have a hard time forgetting. And what a comforting fact it is to know that Las Vegas has one of the biggest classic car rental industries in the country.
Now imagine the sight of you on your wedding day descending from a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III. This is no everyday ride mind you for the Rolls Royce Silver Cloud was for a time the Hollywood emblem of the stars and the affluent lot. The name Rolls Royce itself already conjures up images of class and elegance which then may have seemed out of your league. But in Las Vegas a classic car rental of the same model can be had from select rental companies in the city. Now you get to ride with the stars and not to mention make a perfect grand entrance.
But if you are one to lean more on the wilder side of life and is looking for a way to loudly express your style don’t worry. Las Vegas classic car rental companies have a wide array of vintage car models to suit many preferences. A reengineered 1958 topdown Corvette perfectly compliments the energetic and modish side of you.
Why rent a limo and be just like everyone else? Las Vegas is a city for new experiences; and while you’re having your wedding here why not try out an exotic car rental as you and your hubby’s official ride. Exotic cars may be too loud for a wedding but if your tastes fall under fun and memorable go at it with a Lamborghini Gallardo or on an allAmerican Corvette Convertible.
It is a pleasure to note that Las Vegas exotic car rental and classic car rental companies come with special occasion packages. They can take care of chauffeur service and leave you hassle free from having to recruit a designated driver. But do remember to book a reservation. Being the Marriage Capital of the World Las Vegas car rentals may just have a busy schedule. Thus it is smart to play it sure and safe and to let your exotic car rental provider know ahead of time.
It is every bride’s dream to have a wedding that is different and memorable to her and her husband to be. And why not? A wedding is a special occasion that is meant to be remembered for more than a lifetime. Luckily Las Vegas is a city grasps that understanding of the importance of making one couple’s fantasy wedding a reality. And it is good to know that classic and exotic car rental companies are there to drive you to a dream come true.
About the writer: Las Vegas Exotic Car Rentals: From 1928 to 2008 we have the LARGEST selection of Exotic Classic and Luxury Rental Cars on the Strip! From Auburns to Packards Voyager Classics Car Rentals has the largest selection of classics available for rent anywhere in Las Vegas.