There has been a great deal of interest in celebrity car photos of late.

Celebrities do not just own one or two or three cars like you and me, they own a whole line of cars.  Many of them specialty cars fetching a hefty price tag.  I don’t know about you but I enjoy looking at these celebrity car photos especially when they come from true car afficianados.

Well, one of those is coming up for auction at Christie’s soon.  Here is the story.

Steve McQueen’s Ferrari up for auction
National Post, Canada - Apr 27, 2007
By Caroline Valetkevitch. NEW YORK (Reuters) - A 1963 Ferrari once owned and driven by the late film star Steve McQueen is expected to fetch between $800000 …

I am sure if you can afford it, this is a car that would probably be in pristine condition.  If it isn’t, you could probably afford to make it pristine. 

Just thought I would share this with you this morning.  Celebrity car photos don’t normally get my attention, but this one certainly did.

read comments (0)

Car Maintenance and Repairs - Brake System

One area of your car that can alert you to pending problems is your car brake system.

When you are driving your car daily, always be aware of noises, sounds and feels. Do this when applying your car brakes.

Do the brakes make a noise when you apply the brakes?

If so, it may be time for a brake job. Verify this with your car mechanic. If you do need car brake repair, do not put it off. The results can be dangerous and costly.

Continuing to ride on bad car brakes can cause the brake pad rotors to wear and damage. The best scenario is having to repair or replace the rotor. The worst scenario, a car accident because you did not have brakes.

Do the car brakes scrape when you apply the brakes? Do you feel it in the steering wheel as well?

The brake rotors may very possibly be damaged. If it has just started, the rotors may be turned to correct the problem. That is, the rotors can be smoothed so they can continue to work properly.

If the brake rotors have been scraping for awhile, the entire rotor may need to be replaced. This can cost hundreds of dollars depending on how many rotors will need to be replaced.

Once again, do not play around with your brakes. I recommend you have your brakes checked at least every six months. More if your mechanic deems necessary.

read comments (0)

Check Car Brakes And Brake Pad Rotors

As mentioned on the home page, you must test drive every car before you buy it. In fact, there is a used car checklist of many items that should be checked.

When you take the car off of the used car lot, pay attention to small braking at low speeds. You want to feel nothing, but brake action. If you feel anything when you brake, it is cause for further brake checks. The brake pad rotors could be warped or damaged.

You also want to listen when applying your car brakes.

Do the brakes squeal or whine?

If so, it may be time for a brake job. Verify this with your certified car mechanic.

The car brake repair can be done after the sale. This is a car sales negotiation point with the used car dealer or a car for sale by owner. Price car brake repair jobs at your mechanic or Munroe or Midas and use this as a negotiating point.

Do the car brakes scrape? 

If so, the car brake pad rotors or brake rotors may already be damaged.   If it has just started, the rotors may be turned to correct.  That is the old brake pad material that is embedded in the rotor is removed.

If the brake rotors have been scraping for awhile, the entire rotor may need to be replaced.  This will cost a great deal more money than the brake job by itself.

Decision time is here.  This can be a car negotiating point or it can be a walk away.  You have to decide.  A certified brake specialist can give you more specifics.

If I was negotiating this, I would want the brake job done by the dealer or owner of the car before your purchase.  And, then I would have it verified before purchase.

Or, I would have my mechanic do the job with the stipulation the seller would pay for it.  I doubt the seller will go for this.

read comments (0)