Tips To Decoding your Car’s VIN Number?

A car's vehicle identification number (VIN) is the automotive equivalent of
human "DNA".

It sets their vehicles apart from the millions of vehicles out there. In later years it is reflected in 17 digit characters. It displays a car's uniqueness and heritage and provides a form of factory to scrap yard identification. It can be used to track recalls, registrations, warranty claims, thefts and insurance coverage. Each character or digit has a particular purpose.

Tips to understanding your vehicles serial (VIN) number

They are as follows:

• 1^st character- Identifies the country in which the vehicle was manufactured.
  For example: U.S.A.(1or4), Canada(2), Mexico(3), Japan(J), Korea(K), England(S), Germany(W), Italy(Z)
  
• 2^nd character- Identifies the manufacturer. For example; Audi(A),
  BMW(B), Buick(4), Cadillac(6), Chevrolet(1), Chrysler(C), Dodge(B),
  Ford(F), GM Canada(7), General Motors(G), Honda(H), Jaquar(A), Lincoln(L), Mercedes Benz(D), Mercury(M), Nissan(N), Oldsmobile(3), Pontiac(2or5), Plymouth(P), Saturn(8), Toyota(T), VW(V), Volvo(V).
  
• 3^rd character- Identifies vehicle type or manufacturing division.
  
• 4^th to 8^th characters- Identifies vehicle features such as body style, engine type, model, series, etc.
  
• 9^th character- Identifies VIN accuracy as check digit.
  
• 10^th character- Identifies the model year. For example: 1988(J), 1989(K), 1990(L), 1991(M), 1992(N), 1993(P), 1994(R), 1995(S), 1996(T),
  1997(V), 1998(W), 1999(X), 2000(Y)------2001(1), 2002(2), 2003(3)
  
• 11^th character- Identifies the assembly plant for the vehicle.
  
• 12^th to 17^th characters- Identifies the sequence of the vehicle for production
  as it rolled of the manufacturers assembly line.

Understanding the cars vehicle identification number has become very popular with car collectors for new and old vehicles alike. Collectors can confirm a vehicles uniqueness, collectability and date of production. Consider this- owning one of the last cars off the assembly line for a certain year or model or how about owing one of the first 50 of a new model off the assembly line. Car collecting has become an immense world wide hobby/business and knowing how to read and understand a VIN is a very important aspect.

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Vintage , Classic, Collectable Cars

In a sense, insuring a classic auto is like insuring any other kind of antique. You see, a classic car may be often made of irreplaceable parts.

To get an idea of the situation lets look further!

When you need to file or make a claim on your 1993 Cavalier, the claims adjuster has a little book that that tells him how much the car is basically worth. Combine that with calls to some local car dealerships and the estimates for repairs and .............bingo..........you know where you stand! Or pretty close!

But the value of your 1967 Corvette may be a bit harder to determine, especially if you've put a lot of work into the car. That's why it's often best to hire an appraiser when you decide to take out a collectable car policy. Before you do so, though, shop around to see who will provide this kind of policy and even if your car qualifies. Different companies have different standards , rules, conditions and claims procedures. Some will only provide coverage on a special rate for a car over 25 years old. Some may not provide coverage to operators under 25 year old.   Some policies may seriously restrict the use and type of use the vehicle may have. For example- parades, car club activities(if you're a member) yearly mileage

Some insurance companies offer riders or endorsements that let you add the vehicle to your regular policy and and some companies have separate policies.

Ask your broker these questions:

1) How old does my car Have to be?
2) Is this a stated value or agreed upon value?
3) Do I need to hire an Appraiser?
4) Do you need to approve the Appraiser I hire?
5) How often can I use My car?
6) Are their restrictions?

But with all these questions and hard work come some serious advantages!

Price for example.

You'll usually pay less than a regular auto policy with the same value vehicle because the insurance company usually recognizes and expects that you will use the car in a certain manner and care. Every day use is gone. They become good weather , sunny day vehicles. No snow storms! No icy roads! Less risk ------less cost! But quite often the limited use is a key factor. Not driven to work every day regardless of the weather helps keep cost down. The vehicle is usually stored in a locked garage at home and the chance of theft is often reduced this way as well.

At a first glance, it may seem a bit unreasonable for an insurance company to tell you how to use, when to use, and where to store your car. But, most owners of these vehicles take these precautions anyhow.

It seems the last thing they want to do is get damage to their"baby"!

It pays to appraise your car on a regular basis!
A collectable car doesn't depreciate it increases or ..."appreciates" with time!

Ask any owner.....they appreciate....... their beauty!

 

Mini Van Mania Hits Canada!

Say Good bye to the days of the station wagon and hello...............to the minivan!

The all purpose vehicle that revolutionized the auto industry in the mid - 1980's topped a quarter million sales for the first time in Canada last year. The minivan's popularity took off in 1984 with the introduction of a Chrysler model that offered more room but still fit in a garage. It turned into a spectacular success with Canadian sales surpassing 100,000 in 1989 and 200,000 in 1997. Now, more than a dozen models compete in the segment.

Statistics Tell The Story!

Statistics show sales and leases of new minivans across the country jumped almost 24,000 or 10.5% to a record 251,673 last year! That outpaced the over-all vehicle market which climbed 8.1% to 1.5 million vehicles leased or sold.

Today, minivans represent 16% of the Canadian market and only 8% of the United States market. The minivan has evolved into more than family vehicles.

For example older people who like to travel and motorists

active in sports and outdoors are active buyers of the   vehicles .What has driven the market also is the competitiveness of manufacturers to get their share of the market. This competition has brought affordable pricing to this vehicle segment. Research shows Canadian households on average own 1.6 vehicles while American households have 2 vehicles. U.S. statistics suggest the popularity of minivans in the U.S. peaked in 1998.

It is believed that new minivan buyers are generally coming from the compact car category and are looking for more room and uses in a vehicle for their families that compacts can't provide.

In fact,

three auto makers produce minivans in Ontario, Canada.

1) Daimler Chrysler produces the Caravan model at the world's biggest minivan plant in Windsor

2) Ford assembles Windstars in Oakville and

3) Honda makes the Odyssey model in Alliston.

Quarter million leased or sold last year!!!