Automotive News, Car Videos, Columns & Articles
December 2, 2011 by Davor

Why Exotic Cars Are So Expensive To Insure

There is nothing better than rolling up in a new car, which is not only sensational to look at both on the road and the track, but also has the added bonus of being rare and exotic compared to cars in a similar group that would be more commonly seen. Although some of these cars are truly exceptional machines, and offer excellent performance and an amazing driving experience, some of the joy may be wiped away when the insurance bill for the vehicle arrives.

There is no doubt that the insurance rates for some of the more stunning vehicles can be truly jaw dropping, and in some instances can be enough to pay for a reasonable Ferrari Italiacar simply by the insurance costs, but this is not to say that the more exotic cars aren’t worth the cost because sometimes it can be an amazing investment, and offer so much more from the driving experience that it is worth the additional cost.

It is important, however, that those who are looking to buy exotic cars are aware of the costs which may be incurred by purchasing the car along with just the price of the vehicle itself, so if money is a problem then checking out some insurance quotes before actually buying the car might be a smart idea.

One of the main reasons that the insurance premiums are so high for more exotic vehicles is actually related to the cost of repairs to such vehicles. Because of the rarity or parts for sports cars or other imports, it can be more expensive to actually get hold of these for repairs, and it can also be harder to find a specialist mechanic who is qualified to repair such cars.

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September 28, 2011 by Davor

My Favorite Cars: #5 The SSC Aero

American sports cars have always had a certain reputation for sheer power, and when it comes to considering what is delivered in the SSC Aero, there is nothing here to dispel that myth, with the highest specification model in the range actually boasting the title of the fastest production car in the world, with a top speed recorded of over 256 mph. However, it isn’t just pure grunt that has made the Aero so popular, but fortunately it is also a very attractive car too, which makes the overall package a much more appealing proposition.

One of the things that makes the Aero such a good car is that it hasn’t actually been designed purely to achieve speed, although this is certainly one of the priorities that has been at the forefront of the minds of the production team. ssc aeroGood handling and an attractive design have made the Aero a very attractive car to look at, and the innovative butterfly style of doors are also good for the overall look of the car, and make for a more dramatic exit when parking up at the kerb.

Another of the features that has made the SSC Aero a popular production car is that it avoids going for the more traditional driver aids such as traction control and ABS brakes, and actually lets the driver take full control of the vehicle, and make a very pared back sports car that is definitely at the forefront of performance statistics.

At the forefront of the promotion of the SSC Aero are the achievements in terms of the top speed, and they have competed with the Bugatti Veyron over recent years, and succeeded in taking the Guinness Book of Records verified title in 2007, but although 256 mph is exceptionally fast, the manufacturers themselves believe that the top end models in the Aero range have the potential to go even faster, with muted whispers of 300mph as a potential target.

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June 5, 2011 by Davor

My Favorite Cars: #3 The Porsche 911

When it comes to iconic sports cars, there is nothing that is more easily identifiable and enduring than the Porsche 911, and although it is a model which has been manufactured for close to 50 years, it is a car, which is as relevant and desirable today as it was back in the 60s. There have been so many great variants of the Porsche 911 over the years, and both cabriolet and souped up versions have also been produced to great acclaim, but the balance between performance and good looks is where the 911 has become great, and helped to develop an almost unrivaled reputation.

The curving bonnet and circular headlights are still the most noticeable features about the design of the car today, much as it was in the 1960s, but although today’s 911′s certainly look somewhat sleeker and more stylish, there is no denying 911 Targa S Porschethat even the models produced back in the beginning still look good. The design has really changed very little in terms of the overall shape of the car, and the distinctive look of the 911 from the front is still identifiable when comparing the original models with those that have just rolled off the production line.

One of the things that many people forget about the Porsche 911 is that it can actually boast quite a significant racing pedigree, with models having achieved success in races from the Le Mans 24hr race all the way through to events such as hill climbs and even rallying have seen the distinctive 911 beating off the competition. Most people will simply think of the 911 in its road going incarnation, but it is worth remembering that there is plenty of sporting expertise that has been used in developing these sport cars.

Because of its traditional design and the stylish desirability of the car, the Porsche 911 has appeared in large numbers of different TV shows and movies over the years, and many fictional characters have found themselves behind the wheel of a 911. The car may have developed a reputation during the 80s especially as a car for those who like to draw attention, but it is still a vehicle that has so much to offer the driver both in terms of the experience and the handling of the car.

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April 22, 2011 by Davor

My Favorite Cars: #2 The Audi R8 Spyder

When it comes to sports cars that not only perform on the road and on the track, but also look good, one of the main things that many people will look for is a convertible option, to enjoy the wind in their hair behind a very good car. This is what the Spyder version of the Audi R8 delivers, and both in the V8 and v10 ranges of the car there is a Spyder variant for those who are looking for the convertible option.

The Audi R8 is certainly one of the most popular and attractive sports cars to have been developed and sold in the 00s, and being of German origin it also offered a lot in terms of the specifications of the cars to go with the good looks, Audi R8 Spyder Backsidebecause after all what is under the bonnet will have a large impact on why people actually choose the cars they do.

Both engine options for the Audi R8 have plenty to offer the driver, with the 4.2 liter v8 providing plenty of power for swift acceleration up to the top speed of 187 mph, with the larger 5.2 liter v10 version adding an extra 10 mph to their top speed, leaving it verging on 200 mph. While its fair to say that most Audi R8′s will never be taken up to those speeds, having such performance under the bonnet is certainly an attractive prospect, and combined with the cabriolet of the Spyder options makes for a very attractive package.

One of the interesting things about the Audi R8 Spyder, indeed all the variants of the R8 is that the Audi group is also under the same umbrella organization as Lamborghini, which has led to the gearbox transmissions in the R8 actually being sourced from Lamborghini, and offering paddle change options as well as the more traditional manual transmission options.

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February 15, 2011 by Davor

My Favorite Cars: #1 The Ferrari Testarossa

When it comes to the ultimate in eighties sports cars, there is no doubt that the Ferrari Testarossa is a car which sums up so much about the era and the way in which style was advancing at the time, and it certainly was the most desirable sports car of its generation. There are few cars which Ferrari Testarossareally sum up everything about an era as the Ferrari Testarossa today, and the design which was used for the car is one which still has the ability to turn heads today, over a quarter of a century after the original came off the production line.

The biggest thing about the Ferrari Testarossa that stands out when comparing the car with its peers is that it was such a modern and forward looking car, and was really the first vehicle to have such obvious intakes as the ones which can be seen in the doors of the car. Combine this with the traditional sleek and stylish approach that Ferrari have taken over recent decades, and it was a very attractive car indeed. Following on from the BB512 model, the Testarossa was a two seater sports car that was really only designed to turn heads and look good, but it also managed to be a very good car in its own right.

One of the main things that take the Testarossa from simply a good car that had a lot of good highlights to an exceptional car that stays with people for years is the performance and enjoyment to be had from driving a car. Even when compared with the modern cars, the 4.9 liter engine has a very good note to it, and delivered a very good 0-60 mph figure of 5.2 seconds, boasting a top speed of 180 mph.

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