The car. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness inCARnate. Let us celebrate our unalienable rights, in a TTAC kind of way.
In 1922, independent front suspension was pioneered on the Lancia Lambda and became more common in mass market cars from 1932.
Independent rear suspension became popular much, much later (possibly due to its widely unpopular IRS moniker), paving the way to fully independent suspension.
According to a study J.D. Power, 64 percent of new car shoppers use the internet for gathering information. According to the study, most popular are independent websites that provide in-depth reviews along with dealer invoice pricing, rebate information and transaction prices, followed by sites that offer news and reviews but don’t offer “inside” information.
Used car dealers around the country are organized in the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA).
Independent auto repair shops are seen by some as the savior that ends their dependency on expensive dealer service. Automakers and their dealers have a different opinion. Withholding repair information is a time-honored tactic.
Importing a vehicle to the U.S. can be a nightmare and can collide with a wall of standards, rules and regulations. An Independent Commercial Importer can smooth the way – for a little extra charge.
Road-side assistance programs by automakers (who want you in their dependent shops) or by insurance companies (who want you in cheaper, supposedly independent shops they prefer) gain in popularity. A site that advises immigrants seeking freedom and independence offered in the United States recommends “roadside assistance services from independent automobile clubs like AAA,” and to stay away from the insurance-provided program because “every time you use insurance company’s roadside assistance service, it is considered an insurance claim and will appear in your vehicle driving history. This will affect your insurance premiums with most insurance companies in the future.”
The Truth About Cars prides itself of its editorial independence. Even though we accept advertising, the ads do not influence our editorial content. We also believe in full disclosure. Any time we receive a car loan or travel considerations from a manufacturer, we state the fact in the review.
Last but not least, let us celebrate the fact that the automobile affords you the independence from walking, unavailable, unreliable or infrequent public transport. Please do your celebration at home, as too much revelry can cost you your independence at the frequent sobriety checkpoints that have become a holiday tradition.
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Good way of looking at Automotive independence.
July the 4th. Independence day. Or as we call it in the UK “The liberation of the UK”! ;O)
Even though we accept advertising, the ads do not influence our editorial content.
In the latest C/D, last year’s Audi just threw down this year’s 5 series. If I was into conspiracies, I’d say that the boys from Bavaria must be late on last month’s retainer. And I don’t even think Audi had an ad.
I’m shocked the BMW didn’t win. With C/D it’s always been BMW or Honda if they appear. In every. Single. Test.
BMW didn’t win?!? And in other news the earth’s core has been displaced off its axis and nonstop reports of severe weather have been coming in from all corners of the globe… better check my ammo stockpile, I thought I had ’til 2012 before all this would happen :)
Happy Independence Day everyone!
Ah, July 4th… a chance for us Canadians to blow more shit up under the guise of ‘celebrating with the Americans.’
I don’t have a lot of sympathy for drunk drivers, but that poor guy hit pretty hard. I hope he was OK.
Happy Birthday, USA! USA!
Independence rocks!
I was under the Drew Carey-influence impression that Cleveland is the city in Ohio most likely to rock. But, whatever.
Happy (quasi-)Birthday, America!
Holy shite, the prodigal founder returns! WTH are you up to man?!?
First off, I wish Ya’all {did I get that right?} a great Independence Day.
Canada Day was the first of July,so we are kind’a having a four day weekend,up here.
So we decide to do a day trip to our kids and grandkids,that are camping out at a Provincial park sixty miles east. Long weekend, and the first day of summer vacation,and the highway is busy. Drivers are weaving in and out of traffic. I’m doing 125 klm’s [75 MPH]in the center lane.Every description of vehicle,with the exception of those with U.S plates, is blowing by granpa in his Impala,like I’m standing still. Not an O.P.P. {Ontario Provincial Police} to be seen anywhere.
I take my exit off the highway,and lo and behold, two black and white Crown Vics and four police officers,checking to see if we have seat belts or I’m using my cell phones.
I enjoy a wonderfull day with my grandkids, drinking only Diet Coke and water and proceed to drive home. Five OPP cruisers nail me right outside the park, “have you had anything to drink today sir?” No, I answer.”have a nice day”.
Back on the 401, “Fu** the cruise control” I say. I’m doing 125 to 140. See if ya wann’a fu– with granpa in his Impala now guys. Not a Cop to be seen.
45 minutes later I pull into my subdivision. Two minutes from my front door, 6 Durham Regional Police Cruisers,a paddy wagon and a mobile breathalizer.at least 8 uniformed cops.
“We’re checking for drinking drivers” says the Cop who looks about 18, while sticking his head into my car.
I made it home,sat on my front porch with a cold one and thought,”There has to be a better way to use our Police resources”
What better way to celebrate. Took the’63 Polara out for a drive with the better half, went to a car show, interfaced with friends, had a cook-out, had a few beers, all-in-all, a good time was had by all. What better way to spend the founding of this country??
FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!
”There has to be a better way to use our Police resources”
I wish there were more checkpoints. Just in the Houston area this weekend we’ve already had 12-14 DWI related deaths. Only 50% of the time is it the drunk driver that gets killed.
That sucks.
I spent the 4th holiday, 7/1 to 7/6 in Mississauga ON partying with my old school BMW cronies. I was staying a 1/4 mile from the venue. I been doing it for 5 yrs. Those signs you guys put on QEW about driving 40 klics over, 10k $ and car seizure, scares this tourist into driving slow.