Somewhere along the peaceful roads of Geneva, James Bond drove his Aston Martin DB5 leisurely. His relaxed mood masqueraded the inherent danger that surrounded him. Of course, knowing Bond, he wasn't on vacation. Rather, he was on a mission, tracking down a notorious smuggler.
But out of the blue, a 1964 Ford Mustang swept by, overtaking the Aston Martin as though it was parked still.
Bond downshifted and revved up his engine to match the pace of the Mustang. He did so, not because he was out there to prove the brute strength of his car, but because the driver of the Mustang was an irresistable woman that suited Bond's liking.
Upon noticing that his focus was centered on chasing the woman rather than chasing the criminal, Bond gradually lifted his foot off the throttle. "Discipline 007" he told himself "Discipline".
Bond parked his car, went outside and positioned himself at the side of the hill. He had a perfect view of his target. But during his reconnaissance, a shot was fired: the source was at the summit. The bullet narrowly missed Bond who instinctively ducked for cover. Bond looked towards the source of the gunshot. To his surprise, he saw the Mustang; and that attractive woman who was getting ready to scram.
Bond dashed to his DB5 and pursued the Mustang. At that moment, it was Aston Martin vs. Ford.
Die hard fans of the James Bond films will immediately recognize that the scene depicted above was from Goldfinger which premiered in 1964. The fans should also know what happened next: The DB5 shredding the whole right side of the Ford Mustang thanks to the modifications that Q fitted in the Aston Martin.
Of course, in a British movie, the British car will naturally triumph over the American car. But biases aside, there was no denying that the cars of cinema were given some sort of personality. The cars projected the romance of adventure. In essence, the cars that tailored cinematic standards were practically classified as stars. Indeed, the Aston Martin DB5 and the continuous line of Ford Mustangs are still cemented deeply in pop culture.
Nowadays, movies attempt to glamorize certain cars like the old days. To a certain degree, cars do get 'star' attention. The latest Bond movie Casino Royale, showcasing the DBS, is proof that the trend will never end.
However, despite decent screen emphasis, I feel that exotic cars in cinema fall short of the glamor of their predecessors.
The DB5 was iconic during its day. The DBS however, never had the same type of reception. People may argue that the DB5 showcased cool gadgets while the DBS didn't.
Maybe so. But the V12 Vanquish in Die Another Day also showcased an extensive array of gadgets (it turns invicible for crying out loud). But the Vanquish still did not receive the type of reception that graced the DB5.
Perhaps it's because times have changed. Back in 1964, sports cars were a product of passion exuded by their manufacturers. The cars displayed a very distinctive personality.
Nowadays, the cinematic car's glamorous image is rigidly scripted into corporate marketing plans.
In Goldfinger, Aston Martin was Aston Martin and Ford was Ford. During the time of Casino Royale however, Aston Martin was still owned by Ford (Although even after the sale, Ford still owns $70M worth of Aston Martin shares) that drove through streets crawling with Jaguars and Land Rovers (which happened to be products also owned by Ford).
Watching the DBS in Casino Royale, I couldn't help but notice the subtle advertisements that continually popped up. Yes the DBS looks kick-ass, but it was still 'just' one of the tools that advertised the corporate giant known as Ford. In a sense, the DBS was never truly segregated from the Jaguar S-Type or the Land Rover. The DBS seemed to be the lead choir member singing the same tune that the Jaguar and the Land Rover sang.
- the song of "FORD!!!"
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Minimizing Risk in Car Loans
For most people, buying cars straight out is just too impractical; not with all the other expenses involved in daily living. A person may choose to save for the amount of cash required to buy a car. Such an option is risk free. However, saving takes time. And for a lot of people who need a car now, availing a car loan becomes the preferred option.
However, like all kinds of loans, a car loan has some considerable risk involved. After all, a car is not truly yours until the loan is completely paid off. Until that time, the consumer still faces the possibilty of losing the vehicle.
Searching for the right car loan however greatly minimizes the risk of losing your car.
What is the right car loan? One that has reasonable rates that you are sure you can pay for. But of course, one must be diligent in searching the most reasonable deal whether it be for a brand new car or for a used car. No one needs to go through unnecessary anxiety after finding out that you could have gotten the same vehicle for a lot less.
However, choosing the best car loan may still not be enough. There are times when fortuitous events happen. With such events, what was once a reasonable loan may suddenly be unaffordable. Hence, it is important to be aware of refinancing car loans. Refinancing loans can be a good way to compensate for the unwanted effects of unforeseen/unexpected circumstances by changing payment terms to consider the present state of the customer. A good refinancing offer may help a person fulfill payment obligations and therefore allows the person to keep the vehicle.
However, like all kinds of loans, a car loan has some considerable risk involved. After all, a car is not truly yours until the loan is completely paid off. Until that time, the consumer still faces the possibilty of losing the vehicle.
Searching for the right car loan however greatly minimizes the risk of losing your car.
What is the right car loan? One that has reasonable rates that you are sure you can pay for. But of course, one must be diligent in searching the most reasonable deal whether it be for a brand new car or for a used car. No one needs to go through unnecessary anxiety after finding out that you could have gotten the same vehicle for a lot less.
However, choosing the best car loan may still not be enough. There are times when fortuitous events happen. With such events, what was once a reasonable loan may suddenly be unaffordable. Hence, it is important to be aware of refinancing car loans. Refinancing loans can be a good way to compensate for the unwanted effects of unforeseen/unexpected circumstances by changing payment terms to consider the present state of the customer. A good refinancing offer may help a person fulfill payment obligations and therefore allows the person to keep the vehicle.
Car Buying as Easy as Gran Turismo?
The Gran Turismo franchise is all about one thing: collecting cars. You do so by winning races. The more races you win, the more credits you earn. The more credits you have, the more cars you can buy.
The game has a simple premise. Yet, the simple nature of the game still managed to consume hours and hours of people's lives. Car collecting is an easy hobby to get into.
Unfortunately, car collecting is also extremely expensive. Unless you rake in money like Jay Leno or Simon Cowell, collecting vehicles will remain a dream lived only in the virtual world of video games.
In GT, your cars earn you money. In the real world, a car will cost you your money. You need to pay for registration tax, gas, maintenance, insurance and what not. For the common non-professional driver, a car can really be heavy on the pocket.
But there is still some good news however. Despite the expensive nature of buying and owning prefered vehicles, cars can still be readily available for the common person. The key is to manage your funds wisely. With the right deal, you can own the vehicle that you'd like without necessarily feeling the brunt of the expenses associated with the cars.
The question therefore is what is a good deal? If you are searching to buy a new vehicle, or have questions on the different options available for purchasing a vehicle, then this is the perfect place for you.
The game has a simple premise. Yet, the simple nature of the game still managed to consume hours and hours of people's lives. Car collecting is an easy hobby to get into.
Unfortunately, car collecting is also extremely expensive. Unless you rake in money like Jay Leno or Simon Cowell, collecting vehicles will remain a dream lived only in the virtual world of video games.
In GT, your cars earn you money. In the real world, a car will cost you your money. You need to pay for registration tax, gas, maintenance, insurance and what not. For the common non-professional driver, a car can really be heavy on the pocket.
But there is still some good news however. Despite the expensive nature of buying and owning prefered vehicles, cars can still be readily available for the common person. The key is to manage your funds wisely. With the right deal, you can own the vehicle that you'd like without necessarily feeling the brunt of the expenses associated with the cars.
The question therefore is what is a good deal? If you are searching to buy a new vehicle, or have questions on the different options available for purchasing a vehicle, then this is the perfect place for you.
Max Mosley, Max Scandal
It wasn't long ago when Lewis Hamilton became a victim of racist remarks of a few Spanish fanatics in Circuit de Catalunya. During the height of the scandal, the FIA took a strong stance against such abuse by pressuring the local organizers to deal with the matter and prevent future racist acts. If the Spanish Organizers failed to do so, then Spain risked losing one of its Formula 1 events in this year's calendar: either the Spanish GP in Circuit de Catalunya or the European GP in Valencia.
The FIA made it clear that the sport of Formula 1 had no place for any sort of racial abuse.
Unfortunately for the FIA, its president, Max Mosley is now caught up in an even more sensitive racist scandal. Caught by a hidden camera, Max Mosley was allegedly seen engaging in a Nazi role playing orgy session with five prostitutes in a London Apartment.
The whole allegation is controversial enough. But when you consider Max Mosley's father, Oswald Mosley, who according to the Times of London was the former leader of the BUF (British Union of Fascists) and whose wedding was attended by no less than Adolf Hitler, the scandal becomes outrageously shocking and ridiculously tabloid friendly.
Indeed, even passing comments from leading Formula 1 figures like triple champion Sir Jackie Stewart, 1979 champion Jody Scheckter and Martin Brundle as well as various Jewish groups show the ever-increasing pressure hounding the FIA President.
What does this news contribute toFormula 1? According to Formula 1 chief Bernie Eccelstone, nothing really. He downplayed the issue by telling The Times that the news should not affect the sport because the report was about a personal matter: "Assuming it's all true, whatever people do privately is up to them."
But then again, any issue involving the FIA president DOES affect the sport. As an organization that took such a strong stance against the racial acts in Spain just a few months ago, such controversy is like a slap on the governing body's integrity. A damaged reputation limits the organization's influence in monitoring the events in the sport.
Regardless of the fact that such is a private matter, or if whether or not the whole session was 'just a joke', such a tactless act merits no acceptable excuse. People in positions of power have to be more careful and mindful on what they do and say because their actions resonate and affect others more than the average person. Such is the sacrifice of a public figure.
If such reports are true, then there will be no option for Max Mosley other than resign.
The FIA made it clear that the sport of Formula 1 had no place for any sort of racial abuse.
Unfortunately for the FIA, its president, Max Mosley is now caught up in an even more sensitive racist scandal. Caught by a hidden camera, Max Mosley was allegedly seen engaging in a Nazi role playing orgy session with five prostitutes in a London Apartment.
The whole allegation is controversial enough. But when you consider Max Mosley's father, Oswald Mosley, who according to the Times of London was the former leader of the BUF (British Union of Fascists) and whose wedding was attended by no less than Adolf Hitler, the scandal becomes outrageously shocking and ridiculously tabloid friendly.
Indeed, even passing comments from leading Formula 1 figures like triple champion Sir Jackie Stewart, 1979 champion Jody Scheckter and Martin Brundle as well as various Jewish groups show the ever-increasing pressure hounding the FIA President.
What does this news contribute toFormula 1? According to Formula 1 chief Bernie Eccelstone, nothing really. He downplayed the issue by telling The Times that the news should not affect the sport because the report was about a personal matter: "Assuming it's all true, whatever people do privately is up to them."
But then again, any issue involving the FIA president DOES affect the sport. As an organization that took such a strong stance against the racial acts in Spain just a few months ago, such controversy is like a slap on the governing body's integrity. A damaged reputation limits the organization's influence in monitoring the events in the sport.
Regardless of the fact that such is a private matter, or if whether or not the whole session was 'just a joke', such a tactless act merits no acceptable excuse. People in positions of power have to be more careful and mindful on what they do and say because their actions resonate and affect others more than the average person. Such is the sacrifice of a public figure.
If such reports are true, then there will be no option for Max Mosley other than resign.
Introduction
It is a known fact that cars are part of our everyday life; deeply integrated into the post-modern culture. On their own, cars fit stereotipical cliche's used to define established traditions of present civilization.
Why?
Because cars encompass both of what society classifies as good and bad.
For instance, cars are objects of necessity and vice.
A car can be an object that simply serves a need for the benefit of society: eg transportation. It can also be a fashion statement that feeds on the instictive vanity found in some people who constantly feel the need to prove their own individuality.
It is a product of masterful human ingenuity, and creativity (599 Fiorano springs into mind). But it is also a product of human tragedy (safety flaws that brought about countless untimely deaths).
Cars have been the tool that introduced modern day heroes (Juan Manuel Fangio, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Gilles Villeneuve, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and the like). But cars were also tools that defined tragic figures (James Dean, Liberace)
The abundance of cars has become one of the leading issues of the problem of unsustainable development (pollution and the ever-scandalous tobacco ad campaigns associated in motor sports). But cars are also the stage that highlights the future (since some cars show the promising efficiency of hybrid technology and solar technology).
The bottomline is that cars are everywhere and they affect everyone either in a positive or in a negative way.
This blog basically attempts to tackle such diverse issues: whether it be the practical (issues related to buying and/or selling cars), entertainment (the world of motor racing) and even the virtual (video games and on-line gaming).
You name it. If it's about cars, chances are, what your looking for is here.
Why?
Because cars encompass both of what society classifies as good and bad.
For instance, cars are objects of necessity and vice.
A car can be an object that simply serves a need for the benefit of society: eg transportation. It can also be a fashion statement that feeds on the instictive vanity found in some people who constantly feel the need to prove their own individuality.
It is a product of masterful human ingenuity, and creativity (599 Fiorano springs into mind). But it is also a product of human tragedy (safety flaws that brought about countless untimely deaths).
Cars have been the tool that introduced modern day heroes (Juan Manuel Fangio, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Gilles Villeneuve, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and the like). But cars were also tools that defined tragic figures (James Dean, Liberace)
The abundance of cars has become one of the leading issues of the problem of unsustainable development (pollution and the ever-scandalous tobacco ad campaigns associated in motor sports). But cars are also the stage that highlights the future (since some cars show the promising efficiency of hybrid technology and solar technology).
The bottomline is that cars are everywhere and they affect everyone either in a positive or in a negative way.
This blog basically attempts to tackle such diverse issues: whether it be the practical (issues related to buying and/or selling cars), entertainment (the world of motor racing) and even the virtual (video games and on-line gaming).
You name it. If it's about cars, chances are, what your looking for is here.
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