It’s Car Stuff

Back during the late 1970s, Volkswagen began to realize that they had a bit of a problem on their hands: the VW Rabbit/Golf was a fine vehicle, but it lacked an important body part which many American drivers desired: a trunk. Yes, the hatchback craze never did quite well in the US market as motorists couldn’t get used to having all of their personal stuff covered over by what resembled a tarp. Instead, sales of competing sedans kept Rabbit sales down until VW decided to develop a second model, the Jetta, to fill the gap. What was originally a model based on the Rabbit has now been transformed into an amazing mid-sized sedan in its own right. Read on and we’ll take a look at how the Volkswagen Jetta transformed the middle of VW’s line up.

At first glance, if you viewed the original Jetta you would have insisted it was nothing more than a Rabbit with a trunk slapped on the back of the car. In reality, it was. Not until 1985 when the second generation Jetta came out, did Volkswagen attempt to separate the two models to create distinct model lines. Although some base engine offerings remained the same, the new Jetta was longer and wider than the predecessor, enabling it to be categorized as a mid-size car. Indeed, the Jetta was so popular in the North American market that it easily outsold the Rabbit for many years. Today, the Jetta shares some components with the larger Passat instead of the smaller Volkswagen EOS.

The amazing thing about the current Jetta is its price. Most mid-sized cars start closer to $20,000 while VW has made certain that the Jetta is competitively priced to compete with similar models from Hyundai, Nissan, and Toyota. With a starting price of about $16,500 the Jetta comes with such nice to have features as: power side mirrors with blinkers; an independent rear suspension; a gas powered five cylinder engine; 8 way prog Keep reading →

Automotive detailing can be one of the most important jobs at vehicle dealerships or detailing shops. Whether a detailer is preparing the vehicle for a sales display or getting it ready for its new owner, it’s sometimes that first impression of the vehicle that makes automotive detailing so significant.

Good automotive detailers will know the areas on vehicles that a bad detailer can miss. Areas such as door jams, window seals, and engine cleaning are signs that you got a good detail job. Trade-in vehicles that need to be detailed are perhaps the most important as a good detail can affect its retail value. No one wants to buy a used vehicle, no matter what the performance quality, if it hasn’t been detailed properly.

Soiled upholstery and carpet stains can also prevent resale value but using the right products can show a drastic improvement if done correctly. Tobacco or smoking in a vehicle are no longer challenges for the good automotive detailer. Various manufacturers are now producing machines such as Ionizers that when placed in a vehicle for a small period of time can take out the effects of smoking smells.

Automotive detailing products are important. Products or mitts that can scratch, wear out the paint, or dull chrome should not be used and a good automotive detailer will know which products to avoid.

Automotive detailing product salespeople who promote their products and claim they are the best visit many dealerships. Beyond what products auto detailers are using, a customer should look at the detail shop or detail area. Is it clean? Are the products organized, or are the detailers running back and forth, sharing products, or worse, leaving the detail area looking for their equipment? Check them out for cleanliness and accessibility of the automotive detailing items they use-are they nearby?

A good automotive de Keep reading →