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After a relatively slow start, the storm season 2008 was one of the most destructive in recent memory. One of the statistics that’s not generally reported in such natural disasters is the number of cars that are damaged by the floodwaters, often having been completely submerged.

Three storms in September alone battered the U.S. and soaked hundreds of thousands of cars. The Atlantic seaboard was littered with flooded cars in the wake of Tropical Storm Hanna, while vehicles from the Gulf Coast, from Galveston to New Orleans, and all the way up through Indiana were soaked by Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike.

Let’s also not forget Hurricane Fay’s August assault on Florida and the floods that ravaged Midwest states like Iowa, Missouri and Illinois in June, turning thousands of vehicles in those states into waterlogged wrecks.

The number of flood damaged cars on the market more than doubled from 2002-2006 and these powerful storms are likely to result in even more being resold — often thousands of miles away from where they were damaged. A flooded car from Houston or Cedar Rapids, Iowa is more likely to wind up for sale somewhere in Arizona, New York or California than it is locally.

Despite the fact that most flood damaged vehicles from Hurricane Ike and other storms will be written off by insurance companies, some will make their way back onto the used car market, cleaned up and disguised as regular used cars with clean titles. Flood damage can be difficult to spot because typically there’s little physical damage; a car that’s been underwater literally will rot from the inside out.

Consumers shopping for a used car should be on high alert for signs of flood damage and potential fraud. Flood damage information is reported to Carfax from all 50 state DMVs.

Carfax also offers these tips to help consumers spot signs of possible water damage:

- Check the trunk, glove compartment, dashboard, and below the seats for signs of water damage such as silt, mud or rust.

- Examine upholstery and carpeting closely; if it doesn’t match the interior or fits loosely, it may have been replaced. Discolored, faded or stained materials could indicate water damage.

- Turn the ignition key and make sure that accessory and warning lights and gauges work properly. Make sure the air bag and ABS lights come on and go off.

- Test power and electronics systems such as interior/exterior lights, windows and door locks, radio, cigarette lighter, heater and air conditioner several times to make sure they work.

- Flex some of the wires beneath the dashboard. Wet wires will become brittle once dry and may crack.

- Take a whiff for musty odors or strong perfumes used to mask the smell of mildew.

THE Calibra is back! Vauxhall’s legendary coupé is about to make a welcome return in the shape of this sleek new sports car, Auto Express can exclusively reveal.

Replacing the much-loved and much-missed Calibra – the world’s most aerodynamic coupé when it arrived in 1989 – the model will sit above the forthcoming three-door Astra, set to debut at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

It will go into battle with a raft of desirable machines. With VW’s Golf-based Scirocco proving a hit, and demand for Peugeot’s 308 RC Z and Ford’s upcoming Focus-based two-door likely to be equally strong, the market for compact coupés is growing.

Thanks to a sleek body which mixes styling cues from the GTC Concept – seen at the 2007 Detroit Motor Show as a preview to the Insignia – and those of the new Astra, the car is set to take centre stage.

Along with the Astra Roadster (Issue 1,069), the compact newcomer will be the star of Vauxhall’s line-up, as the firm has put on hold its plans for a larger, Insignia-based coupé, in the style of the GTC.

So it carries a lot of hope on its shoulders – but, just like the original Calibra, it’s sure to turn heads.

Key to its appeal is the sloping roof, which gives the impression of a car that can slice through the air. The front boasts Astra-style headlights along with ‘sabre tooth’ vertical air intakes – a design feature taken directly from the GTC Concept – and a low splitter. Sculpted flanks and sleek tail-lights complete the distinctive shape.

Inside will be a 2+2 cabin, and it’s possible the Calibra could have a development of the GTC’s Flex4 arrangement, which allows the two seats in the back to slide fully forward, maximising boot space.

That would make it one of the most practical cars in its class. As with the Astra, the Calibra will sit on Vauxhall’s latest front-wheel-drive Delta platform.

But with a wider track and increased wheelbase – as you can see from this prototype (centre), which was disguised by a hatch body – it will provide better stability and traction.

Vauxhall’s FlexRide electronic damping system will be fitted as standard to flagship versions. This features Standard, Sport and Tour settings, letting the driver tweak suspension stiffness, throttle response and other variables.

Under the bonnet, power will come from a range of Astra-sourced engines, including a 157bhp 2.0-litre diesel and a 177bhp 1.6 turbo. A range-topping 2.0 turbo from the upcoming Astra VXR will kick out in excess of 250bhp.

The Calibra is still some way off, though. First, Vauxhall will launch the Astra three-door and estate, not to mention a new Zafira MPV. However, when the coupé finally does arrive, it will be an instant hit.

As we all know that the Automakers around the world have been in the news quite a lot recently. The future of the car industry is very much in doubt for sure. And since the economy is hitting most of us quite hardly in these days, I thought it’s about the right time to take a look at sites/online searching that help us find decent and quality used cars.

Many of the sites in this alphabetical roundup will provide the research and information you require before you buy a car. Others will allow you to find cars in your area or buy them right on the site. In Either way, they’re really worth a look.

Peter Vardy is one of them that provide useful information on every car they are selling, and cover almost the favourite cars we want, like used vauxhall, used BMW, used Mini. We can easily get a price from the website or even get a test drive. It is a nicely designed and user friendly site that might be useful. If you want to research vehicles, it boasts some useful information. In the current economy climate, it provide 0% interest rate on the car purchase which help us get rid of most of the concern. If you haven’t used the site before, you’ll want to try it out. The site features great information on used cars from a variety of automakers. Its research review page is a great resource on cars, one of the best elements of the site, makes it even more informative and useful. It’s well worth checking out when you perform your research used cars. For example, if you search USED BMW M3 07, you will instantly get a view of the car, any information you need will show to you.
Overall, Peter Vardy is the right place for you to find used cars or dealers that sell used cars anywhere in the uk.