10 Cars to Look Out For in 2009 (Part 2)

6. Aston Martin One-77: The Aston Martin One-77 will be a completely customizable car. Prospective buyers will be in control of every aspect of production of their car. Want more seats? done! Under the hood will be a 7.3 liter V-12 cranking out 700 horsepower, pushing the car from 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds to a top speed of 200mph. The body will be completely hand crafted out of aluminum and will sit on a carbon fiber chassis. However, only 77 cars will be produced, hence the name One-77. Oh yeah, and it’ll cost about £1 million.

7. Tesla Model S: Tesla is a new North American car company, located in California. Its first car was the Tesla Roadster, which was released in 2008. As with all Tesla vehicles, the new Tesla Model S will be a completely electric car (not a hybrid). It’s a 4-door sedan that can go 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, charge up in just 45 minutes, and can get either 160, 230 or 300 miles on a single charge (depending on the battery pack chosen). The new Model S will also be half the price of their first car. Don’t expect to see this puppy until 2011 or later though.

8. Chevrolet Volt: Although technically not a hybrid, the Chevy Volt will have a 4-cylinder gas motor to generate power for the electric motor. This gas generator will not be directly connected to the wheels though. The Volt will be able to go 40 miles on a single charge, but on a full tank of gas the range can be extended up to 600 miles. Chevy has a lot riding on this car, as it has been going head to head with Toyota on hybrids and electric vehicles since it lost to the Prius.

 

9. Ford F-150 SVT Raptor: Ford plans on releasing an SVT (Speed Vehicle Team) version of the Ford F-150 called the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor in 2010. It will be released with a 5.4 liter Triton V-8 with 320 horsepower. After release, another engine package will be available with a 6.2 liter V-8 capable of pushing 400 horsepower. Its wheelbase will be 7 inches wider than other Ford F-150s and it will be the first street truck to use internal bypass shocks (manufactured by Fox Racing Shox). A modified version of the truck will also compete in the Baja 1000.

 

10. Saleen S5S Raptor: Most noted these days for making the Saleen S7, the company is making a new vehicle, designed by Dave Byron from ASC Creative Services, dubbed the Saleen S5S Raptor. It will be a 5.0 liter supercharged engine producing 650 horsepower and going 0-60 in just 3.2 seconds. And the best part – it will “only” cost $185,000 (that’s $400,000 less than the S7). It’s also designed to run on E85 ethanol.

10 Cars to Look Out For in 2009 (Part 1)

1. Chevy Camaro: Chevy stopped making the Camaro in 2002. That wouldn’t last very long. Expect the new 2010 Camaro to hit showrooms in the first quarter of 2009 with a base model 3.6 liter V-6 that puts out around 300 horsepower. If that’s not enough there’s also a 6.2 liter V-8 SS model with 422 horsepower that gets 16mpg in the city and 25mpg on the highway. And yes, it’s the same Camaro they showcased in the transformers movie as “Bumble Bee.”

2. Cadillac CTS Coupe: The four-door Cadillac CTS got great reviews and won many awards when it was released in 2003. It has even been credited with rejuvenating the Cadillac brand name. Now Cadillac is going to create a two door coupe version, originally expected in fall 2009 but now pushed back until sometime in 2010.

3. Audi A7: Not much is known about the Audi A7 except that it will be based on the Audi A6 and that it could be in production as early as 2010. It is basically Audi’s response to the new “four-door coupe” craze that Mercedes Benz started in 2004 with its CLS-Class. Although it is a four door sedan it resembles a two door coupe and, of course, comes with all the Audi luxury items.

4. Lotus Evora: The Evora will be Lotus’ first new car since the Elise debuted, 13 years ago. It will also be their first 2+2 seater (all other Lotus’ were just 2-seaters). It will come equipped with a mid-mounted 3.5 liter V-6 that will produce around 280 horsepower. Lotus will also increase the size of the car and make it easier for taller people to get in, and out of, the vehicle.

5. Nissan 370Z: Nissan is replacing its 350Z with a new car – the 370Z. It will be about 90 pounds lighter and comes with about 30 more horsepower. It is powered by the same 3.7 liter V-6 that is in the Nissan G37, producing 332 horsepower. Buyers can chose between a seven speed automatic or a six speed manual. The six speed manual will be the first vehicle to offer synchronized rev matching downshift. Basically it matches the throttle with the engine speed to create smoother shifting.

Psychology of Color

Why does a red car make you want to drive faster? Why are people dressed in black so intimidating? Would that same person be intimidating if they were all dressed in white? It’s strange how something so simple as a color can entirely change the way we think about something. Whether you’re marketing something or just redecorating your home, knowing the psychological effects of color can make a huge difference. Here are a few colors and how we react to them.

White: In most countries the color white is associated with purity, cleanliness and safety. Doctors usually wear white coats for these reasons and brides wear white to symbolize innocence and purity. White rooms appear to be more spacious. In some eastern countries the color white resembles mourning and grief.

Black: This is the color of authority and power. It can signify evil, dominance and mystery. In some cases it can be submissive and in most countries it signifies death.

Red: This color has been shown to increase heart rate. It creates excitement and intensity and is associated with love, warmth and comfort. It is also associated with intensity and anger. The color red draws attention and brings strong emotions.

Blue: The opposite of red. The color blue has been shown to lower heart rate and create a feeling of calmness and relaxation. it can also create a feeling of sadness and loneliness. Studies have also shown that people are more productive in blue rooms.

Green: The color of nature. It also represents money, good luck, generosity, learning, fertility and envy. It brings a feeling of calmness. Guests waiting to appear on television shows often wait in a “green room” to calm their nerves before standing in front of an audience. It has shown to reduce stress and is subconsciously reminds us of the peacefulness of nature.

Yellow: A cheerful color. It has proven to stimulate the brain and bring out creative thoughts. The color yellow, however, is a very reflective color and can cause strain on the eyes. It can also create feelings of frustration and anger. Although it is a cheerful color, people are more likely to lose their tempers and babies tend to cry more in yellow rooms.

Purple: This color is associated with royalty, wealth, luxury and sophistication. It is known to relieve shock and fear and help with relieving emotional disturbances. It is also a feminine color associated with beauty, spirituality and compassion.

Orange: A positive color. It is an energetic combination of yellow and red that brings feelings of warmth, ambition and enthusiasm. It also relieves feelings of depression and self-pity and promotes good health.

Pink: A very sexual color. it is associated with love and romance and sparks curiosity.

Brown: An earthy tone. It brings feelings of strength, stability and a sense of belonging. It is a masculine color that implies genuineness and a sense of security. In India the color brown resembles death.

How to Save $1,000 Each Month

Ever since I was a kid I’ve been fascinated with money and all of the beautiful things it can buy. When I was young it would buy me candy. When I was a teenager it would buy me beer. Now that I’m grown up, it goes towards phone bills, car loans and a mortgage. And with the current recession weighing everybody’s enthusiasm down it’s getting harder to make ends meet. Now, what most of the younger people don’t realize is that there is a recession about once every 8-10 years. It’s kind of like a speed bump where you’re cruising along, not really paying attention, and then it hits you and you say to yourself: “where the hell did that come from?” A recession works kind of the same way. Everybody is making lots of money, spending it as if it grows on trees, not keeping track of their budgeting, spending outrages prices on things they don’t need, and taking out loans when they’re already in debt. And then we all get slapped back to reality. It’s a vicious cycle. The thing that separates the winners from the losers is paying attention to where your money is going. So here are 10 ways to make that dollar count.

1. Save More or Earn More: The first thing I want to point out is what most people overlook: Earning more money. Why not work a second job if you can. It could be as simple as getting a crappy, part-time dishwashing job in a kitchen at night. No matter how much you save or how high your savings account rate is, that extra two or three hundred dollar paycheck will make a HUGE difference.

2. Start a Business: What better time to start a business. There are tons of qualified workers out there without a job that would be happy to join you. That same person who would have stuck their nose up at you a year ago just might take you up on that offer to start a new venture with them. They might even bring some of their old co-workers with them. Capitalize on the opportunity before someone else does. But keep your current job just in case it doesn’t work out.

3. Invest in the Stock Market: What better time to start investing. Don’t know how? Learn it! Most experts are predicting that the recession is coming to an end and the market will start to regain its losses within the next year. Once the markets go back up it will be too late and all that potential earning will be gone. Stick with the big companies that you know and that can tough it out. Even if the markets continue to slide for a bit, they will eventually come back. And when that happens everybody will be investing their money back into the market, driving your stocks up.

4. Lower Your Car Insurrance: Insurance companies profit on one thing: your money. So why pay a high insurance rate when you don’t have to? Schedule a meeting with your insurance company and see what they can do to lower your insurance rate. I recently turned 25 and that put me in a new insurance bracket. I scheduled a meeting to get my rate lowered and, even though my current contract had 10 months left, they updated my profile and I immediately got my rate lowered by $150/month. If I hadn’t set up that meeting my profile wouldn’t have been updated until my 10 months were up and my contract was renewed. A savings of $1,500!

5. Use the Debt Snowball Method: Many people have no idea what a debt snowball is. Yet it is the most common method used by experts for eliminating debt. It is factored into a budget plan. All available funds for paying off debt are used as follows: You make a list of your loans and order them from least amount owed to greatest amount owed. You make all the minimum payments, but for the loan that you owe the least amount on, you pay as much extra as your budget allows each month. After the lowest debt is eliminated, you take whatever the payment was on that loan and combine it towards your payments on the next highest loan (including any extra money you were paying). You continue this until all your debts are paid. One exception to this rule that I like to use is paying off loans with outrageous interest rates first, such as student loans.

6. Save on Gas: Lets start with your vehicle. You can save a considerable amount of gas if you stop speeding and try to keep the RPM down. Also try to anticipate traffic patterns, thus avoiding slamming on your brakes every 10 seconds. Next is your home. If you’re using natural gas for heat make sure your furnace is up to date. If it’s old, get a new one. You’ll save money on the efficiency of a newer furnace. Replace the air filters every 1-2 months. Turn down the temperature on your water heater and install a low-flow showerhead. When washing clothes, use cold water as often as possible and only wash full loads. Use weather stripping on windows and doors you don’t use in the winter time to reduce cold air drafts.

7. Make a Shopping List: Decide what you are going to buy before you go to the store. Avoid impulse buys and browsing around. Keep an eye out for sale items, cut back on the brand names and don’t be afraid to use coupons and customer rewards programs. Try to buy fresh foods instead of pre-made meals. It’s healthier and it costs less. Also consider buying bulk items of the things you use the most.

8. Save on Electricity: Keep an eye on your electric bill. Is it running a bit high? Try installing energy efficient light bulbs an turn off any appliances and electronics you aren’t using. Turn your computer off at night. When cooking try to cover the pots whenever possible. This will heat up and cook the food faster.

9. Don’t Waste Money: Get rid of any magazine subscriptions or club memberships you don’t use. Try to avoid running late fees on bills or movie rentals. All those fees add up more than you would think. Try bringing a lunch to work instead of buying fast food. This will save you about $5/day or $150/month! Try drinking more water. It will curb your appetite, it’s healthy and it’s free. Something that could save you a lot of money is learning basic auto mechanics and other Do-It-Yourself projects. Simple things like changing the oil on your car, replacing light bulbs and topping up fluids yourself can save you a lot of money. Also knowing what your mechanic is talking about and being able to spot when they are trying to rip you off is a good skill to have.

10. Make a Budget Plan: Make a Budget Plan: Probably the most important thing that everybody should be doing already. Make a spreadsheet, or just keep track of what you are making and what you are spending. Try to allocate funds into categories such as bills, savings, and leisure. Make sure you keep track of everything spent, including trips to the convenience store and that $1.50 you spent on coffee this morning. Make sure you are also putting enough money away into a savings account and/or an emergency account in case a major, unexpected expense occurs. And most importantly, put aside a certain amount each week for yourself to have fun with and for personal spending.