If your nonprofit organization is looking for a way to bring services to people with limited access to transportation, you might want to think about used buses for sale. These school year heroes and mainstays of public transportation can serve needs that extend far beyond their usual routes. Here are four programs that use buses to improve life in the community.
Mobile Art
Philadelphia’s Portside Art Center offers children a safe place to explore their creative side after school. During the day, their brightly-painted ArtsMobile bus provides art classes to schools that can no longer provide them. This mobile solution lets students and teachers use art to experience their regular curriculum with a new perspective, without requiring the use of limited school resources.
Getting a fix on spaying and neutering pets
Because their religion prohibits them from driving cars, Amish pet owners often find it difficult to transport their animals to the vet for spaying or neutering. The result is an overpopulation of cats and dogs in the area. Now a mobile clinic brings the vet to the pets, providing affordable spay/neuter services and rabies vaccinations. The Geauga Humane Society offers this service both to the Amish community and to low-income households in their area. Hours and locations of service are selected to mesh with the customs in the local community.
Mobile meals for students during summer vacation
Many children receive free meals at school, ensuring that they have the nutrition they need to be able to learn. Schools continue to offer the program during the summer months, but not all children can get to the school at that time. In the Arizona town of Marana, the children don’t have to go the meals. The food comes to them in a converted school bus-cum-diner. Patrons get to enjoy their breakfast or lunch in a comfortable, air-conditioned seating area. Meals are free for children under the age of 18. Those over 18 pay just one dollar.
Cleanliness and dignity for the homeless
In San Francisco, Lava Mae is using buses as mobile hygiene stations for the homeless. The specially-equipped vehicles follow a set route around the city, offering guests a hot shower and private toilet facilities. Visitors are greeted at check-in and provided with everything they need to clean up. These 20-minute sessions provide the homeless a measure of comfort and dignity that they may not be able to find in traditional shelters.
Buses provide a self-contained way to get services to those who have trouble reaching your facility. They can be customized for almost any function. Best of all, there’s no need to pack and unpack supplies and equipment. The bus can be kept in a secure location, ready to offer help and hope whenever and wherever it is needed.
If you have a new Jeep, and want to have fun taking it off-road and on deep woods camping trips, then you are going to want to outfit it with some accessories. Even though a stock jeep is already equipped for some rugged terrain, there are some extra after-market parts that you should consider. After all, once you get off road you don’t want to find that you need an accessory that you don’t have.
Rooftop Lightbar
A rooftop lightbar is a row of lights that are bolted onto the roof of your jeep. They are made of circular halogen lights. From a distance they might look like you have installed 5 separate circular lights to the roof, but they are actually all connected to a single metal base. This base will be bolted onto the front of the roof, or in the case of a soft-top jeep, the front rollbar. The wiring will need to be channeled down the side of the car and connect with the electric system. This involves drilling into the frame, so it’s something best left to professionals. You can buy the lightbar from an online source and then bring it to a body shop and have them install it.
The reason you want a lightbar on the roof is to help illuminate the road when you’re driving at night. On backwoods roads, off-road areas, and in areas where you will drive when going camping there is going to be a lack of overhead roadlights. This means you will need extra light. Otherwise you risk driving into a ditch, or into a tree.
A Battery Operated Winch
You don’t want to end up in ditch, but sometimes you can’t avoid it if you’re driving off-road. If it does happen and you don’t have the proper equipment, then you might be stuck. Road service won’t be easy to come by if you’re deep in the woods. You can’t simply call AAA and give them vague landmarks because they will need accurate coordinates in order to be able to find you. So you will need to get yourself out of the situation. In order to do this you will need a winch. This is attached to the front of your Jeep and has a retractable cable. This cable can be pulled out and secured around the trunk of a tree in front of the vehicle. Then the winch is activated, and it pulls your Jeep towards the tree and out of the ditch by retracting the cable.
When you are in the process of shopping for a new car, one of the most important aspects is financing the car. This is when you ensure that you are not overspending on the car and are able to pay for it each and every month. Here are three important things to consider when financing your new car:
Skipping Zero Down, Zero Interest, or No Payments for a Year:
Many dealerships will advertise to their customers that if they buy today, they will be eligible for either zero down on the car, zero interest for a certain amount of time, or no payments for a year. Although this may be tempting, you should consider skipping out on the deal. This is because even though it sounds like you are saving money, you really are only saving money today. Over time, you are still going to pay the same amount and you may even end up paying even more each month than you would with a regular car loan. Of course, if you are willing to pay a bit more later down the road, you may consider this option if you are in a rough spot financially at the moment. For example, if you cannot save up for a down payment, then this may be the best option if you need a car quickly.
Check With Your Bank:
Although it’s convenient to apply for a car loan at the dealership since it’s the place you are shopping for a car anyway, you should still get more than one financing option to be sure you are getting the best financing possible. This is why it’s important to take the information of the car that you want along with the financing plan you received from the dealership to your bank to determine if they can provide you with better terms, such as a lower interest rate. This way, you are saving as much money as possible on the car.
Look For Additional Fees:
When the dealership is putting together the pricing for your vehicle, be sure to scratch off anything that you don’t want included with your vehicle. For example, the dealership may provide rust protection or window protection. Although this is nice to have, you may not actually need it. Be sure to think over the additional fees to determine whether or not you do want it included. If you drive often, then these additional protection fees may be worth it. However, if you are in a tough spot financially, then paying these additional fees may make it challenging to pay for the cost of owning your car.
When you consider these three things when financing a car, you can be sure that you get the best financing terms for you as possible.
Even though some people seem to swap out vehicles every few years, buying a car is actually a really big investment. You are taking on the responsibility of a new auto loan and often committing to long-term payments. However, shopping for a vehicle can leave you somewhere between excited about getting a new ride and anxious or overwhelmed by the whole process. If you are planning to shop for a new car, there are a few simple rules you should follow to cut out some of the frustration.
1. Talk to your lender in advance. – Instead of going to look for a vehicle and then visiting your lender, it is always better to go see your lender first. It can be frustrating to find something you really like only to go to the lender and be turned down for a loan. When you go find out how much you have to work with first, it will make shopping for something a much less time-consuming feat that has no guesswork involved.
2. Make a list of what you want in a new car. – When you initially arrive at a new car dealership, one of the first questions a salesman will ask is what it is that you want in a new car. Explaining to every sales person your list of mandatory attributes over and over can just prolong the process of finding what you want. Sit down with a pen and paper and think about what you want from a new vehicle and jot these items down. When you’re shopping, just hand over your wants in written form and the salesman can point you in the right direction. For example, you could already have answers to questions like:
3. Talk to your insurance company before you accept an auto loan.
Once you have tracked down a car you want to make your own, call up your insurance carrier before you go back and accept the loan for your new car. It is a common mistake for people buying a new car to take out a loan and then find out their insurance rates will be drastically jumping with the new car coverage. Your insurance company can give you a quick estimate of how much your premium will change with the addition of the new vehicle.
click here for more info on auto financing.
Buying a car can be a stressful experience for first-time shoppers because a car is likely one of the more expensive and important possessions that you will own. Unfortunately, first-time car buyers may make some mistakes during this process that severely compromise their experience. By making sure to keep the following few car buying tips in mind, you will be in a position to help ensure you get the most from this purchase.
Avoid Individual Sellers
It can be common for individuals buying their first cars to simply try to get the lowest price possible. As a result, they may attempt to purchase from an individual seller. While these individuals may be willing to part with a car for less than a dealership, there can be no way to know the condition of the car. As a result, you may easily be purchasing a car that was poorly maintained or that is experiencing other defects and problems. By buying from an established dealership, you can help ensure that you are only buying cars that have been inspected by experienced professionals to ensure that they are free of serious mechanical issues.
Get Loan Approval Before Shopping Around
When shopping for a car, it is critical for you to know how much you have to spend. Unfortunately, it can be a common mistake for individuals to start looking for a car before applying for an auto loan. By being approved for a loan before you start shopping, you can know exactly how much money you can spend on this purchase, which can prevent you from suffering the disappointment and wasted time of trying to buy a car that you can not finance.
Consider Opting For A Certified Used Car
For those that are on a strict budget, a used car may be the best option. However, it can be common for some car buyers to assume that they can not get a used car with warranty protection. Fortunately, this is not the case because manufacturer certified pre-owned cars have been through a rigorous examination and repair process to make them as close to new as possible. In addition to this work, these cars are often covered by a manufacturer backed warranty, which will be honored by any authorized repair facility. While this type of used car may cost more than a standard used car, these protections can make the price difference worth paying.
To check out cars for sale, visit a dealership such as Woody Sander Ford.
Whether you are in need of a new car, truck, or a few used Harley motorcycles, if you are going to need an auto loan to get it, you will want to make sure that you are prepared to fill out that application. To help increase your odds of getting approved for the financing that you need, you will want to check out the following tips.
Have Your Insurance Policy Ready
If you do not already own a vehicle, you may not have a current auto insurance policy. However, in order to become approved for a loan and complete the purchase contract, you have to be able to show proof of auto insurance. Generally, this needs to be a full coverage policy so the lender can receive the money that they are owed in the event that you become involved in an accident that totals the vehicle. Contact an auto insurance company and explain that you need proof of coverage so you can purchase a vehicle. They will help you get the proof you need and then once you have selected the exact vehicle that you are purchasing, you can update the insurance company with the vehicle information.
Think About Who Can Co-Sign For You
While you might want to obtain an auto loan on your own, you may not be able to. In some cases, you may be denied for the loan unless you can find a co-signer. In other cases, you might be approved on your own, but because of a shaky credit history you might be offered an interest rate that is much higher than if you were to have a co-signer who has excellent credit. Instead of waiting to be denied for the loan so you can scramble for ideas on who to ask, you will want to talk to friends and family now. This way, you will already know ho your co-signer can be if you find that they are needed.
Clear Up Your Credit
This means that you will want to take a close look at your credit report and pay off any small debts that you can afford to pay off. The sooner you do this, the sooner your credit score will be changed to reflect the payments that you have made. While you are reviewing your credit report, you will want to scan it for any errors that may be lowering your score. Old debts that should have dropped off, fraud accounts, and inaccurately reported payment histories are just some of the things that can hurt your credit score. Make sure that you are reporting such problems to the credit reporting agency as soon as possible. This way, they will have plenty of time to look into the problem and resolve it before anyone reviews your credit for an auto loan.
With those three tips in mind, you should be well on your way to getting approved for the auto loan that you need.
Most Toyota dealerships sell parts and supplies for used cars. If you are a Toyota owner, this is definitely the place to go to ensure you get factory certified parts. This is even true when it comes to touch-up paints. Many car dealerships sell generic touch-up paints. But the chances of finding the perfect match for your make and model are rare. Also, these paints are as high quality as the factory paints. This article is a basic guide to using factory replacement paints for fixing small rock chips on your Toyota.
Preparing the Chipped Spot
When you buy the replacement paint, you should also pick up some auto sandpaper sponges. Try using a 1000-1500 grit sponge for this first round of sanding. This is super smooth paper that helps prep the surface before painting it. By slightly rubbing the sponge on the chip, you can create a surface with consistent smoothness. This will rough up the car paint so the new paint sticks better. By creating a consistent surface, the paint will absorb more evenly, leaving behind a consistent finish. It is very important that you use a wet rag to wipe down the area after sanding it. This will remove any fine dust from the surface. You don’t want this getting caught under the new paint.
Painting the Chip
Some touch-up paint cans come with a small brush attached to the lid. These are very easy to work with as long as the chip is about the size of a penny or smaller. Spray paint is only better if you plan on painting larger areas (like a whole bumper). After painting a coat, you will need to sand down the surface with a finer grit sponge. For instance, a 2000 or higher should suffice. Light sand the painted area to help it blend in with the rest of the car. Repeat the sanding after applying a second coat of paint.
At this point, your chip will probably be completely hidden and you won’t have to do anything else. However, there is a chance that your new paint won’t have the exact sheen as the original paint. This difference is often minimal and is usually only noticeable on larger chips. Regardless, you can buff out your paint with a wool attachment for a power drill. Also, waxing your car usually helps minimize the different tones.
For bigger chips you can’t fix on your own, ask local Toyota dealers for recommendations on where to get body work done.
Although the price of gas may have gone down, it’s still a good idea to shave some cash off of your gasoline expenditures. There are several ways that you can do this, including good car maintenance and repair. Here are some ways to save money on gasoline.
In short, there are plenty of ways that you can help your vehicle run more efficiently, saving you gas money each month. An auto repair center like Benchmark Motors INC is a great resource for improving your car’s performance, and a bit of short term maintenance can end up saving money in the long run, especially in terms of gas mileage.
When you buy a car from a dealer you face an important decision between the two major types of dealer: a franchise dealership and an independent dealership.
While a franchise dealer will sell only vehicles produced by one or in some cases a few manufacturers, an independent dealer is not affiliated with any manufacturer.
The following are five big reasons why your best move when shopping for a vehicle is to buy from a franchise dealership:
Select from all the models available from your favorite manufacturer
If you have a favorite vehicle make and you know you don’t want to buy a vehicle from any other manufacturer, you should definitely buy from a franchise dealer. This way, you’ll not only be able to choose from any model offered by your favorite manufacturer, but you’ll also be able to purchase that vehicle in any color or with any options package you prefer.
Speak with salesmen who are experts in the vehicles they’re selling
A salesman working at an independent dealership is not going to have detailed knowledge of any on vehicle make. On the other hand, a salesman working at a franchise dealership is likely to know the answer to specific questions regarding the different models offered by a particular manufacturer.
At franchise dealerships, you can expect specialized knowledge of your favorite vehicles on the market.
Enjoy exceptional service
One of the biggest benefits of buying from a franchise dealer is the service advantages that are offered along with the purchase of a vehicle.
You’ll be able to take your vehicle back for service when you buy from a franchise dealer. Also, the mechanics working on your vehicle will have expertise in servicing vehicles from the specific manufacturer of your vehicle, so your vehicle will get the best possible maintenance service.
Have the opportunity to buy new
If you’re looking for a new car dealer, you basically have no choice but to buy from a franchise dealer. Franchise dealers offer new vehicles straight from the manufacturer.
On the other hand, independent dealers typically can only get the vehicles they sell from vehicle owners looking to get rid of their cars. Therefore, independent dealers typically only sell used vehicles.
Have trust in the company’s reputation
When a dealership is connected with a vehicle manufacturer, the manufacturer knows that its reputation is on the line. Manufacturers make sure that their franchise dealers deal squarely with customers so that their reputations are not compromised.
On the other hand, an independent dealer’s reputation is just that- the individual dealer’s reputation. You’re taking a risk when buying a vehicle from an unknown independent dealer.
Buying your first RV can be exciting. Whether you are purchasing it for summer vacations, weekend getaways, or for full- or part-time living, you need to be prepared with a solid list of wants and needs. Ask yourself the following questions before you begin shopping to increase your chances of choosing the perfect RV.
How do you plan to use the RV?
This is by far the most important. Decide up front how you mainly want to use the RV. Is it simply for weekend fishing trips to nearby destinations, or will you be using it to tour the country? Will it be a home base for city tours or a substitute for a vacation cabin in the woods? Knowing your primary use will help you answer the next question.
What type of RV will fit your needs?
RVs fall into three main categories – motorhome, trailer, or popup. Motorhomes are further divided into three classes – A, B, and C, with A being the fanciest and C the most basic. Opt for a motorhome if you are planning for long trips or a lot of time on the road. Class A motorhomes are a favorite for those that RV permanently or semi-permanently. A travel trailer is ideal for destination vacations, such as a week in the woods or camping near town since you can disconnect your car and use it to plan day trips from your home base. For simple weekend trips where you plan to be outdoors most of the time, a pop-up or small tear-drop trailer may be all you need.
Do you need transportation on site?
If you opt for a motorhome, you will need to consider your transportation options. For most people, this means hauling a car or motorcycles on a trailer behind the motorhome. This will add to the cost of your purchase, since you will need to get a car dolly that works with your model of car. If you aren’t sure if this is in the budget, it may be better to opt for a trailer instead – but only if you have a vehicle that can haul the trailer. A class C camper van is also an option since these are easier to drive around sight seeing than a full size class A model. You can always upgrade to a motorhome or a larger motorhome later.
Visit an RV dealer or go to an RV show in your area to see all the options available.
I have known my wonderful husband for the past eleven years. I first saw him at my cousin’s wedding. When I first laid eyes on him, I immediately knew I wanted to get to know him. His bright smile and handsome face captivated me. One of the first things I learned about him was his love for automobiles. Because he likes all types of vehicles, he can’t decide what kind of car to buy. Therefore, he has been searching for the right one ever since I met him. Are you having difficulty choosing a new vehicle to purchase? On this blog, you will discover the ways an experienced car dealer can help you select the vehicle of your dreams. Enjoy!
