25% of Americans Couldn’t Afford a US$2,000 Car Repair Bill

The former American Automobile Association, now known by its acronym AAA, is probably the most recognisable organisation of its type in the world.
And with some 52 million members, it’s also one of the world’s largest if not the largest automobile associations in the world.
Suffice to say, when the AAA speaks, the world listens. In a recent telephone survey of 1,009 adults in the continental United States, the AAA found that 12.5% couldn’t cover a US$1,000 (€701) car repair bill and 25% couldn’t cover US$2,000 (€1,402) car repair bill.
Additionally, 50% of those surveyed are holding on to an older vehicle until the economic climate improves and 25% have neglected repairs or basic maintenance on those vehicles over the last twelve months. Doing so, the AAA says, can greatly increase the risk of major and costly repairs.
Marshall L. Doney, AAA’s VP for Automotive and Financial Services explains:
“Economic conditions have taken their toll on many Americans resulting in them neglecting their cars and leaving them at increased risk for very expensive repair bills. Many Americans rely on their cars for their livelihood and losing access to them could be financially devastating during an already troubling economic time."
"It’s important for drivers to not only continue to maintain their vehicles, but also have a financial emergency plan in place should they be faced with a sudden unexpected auto repair bill,” continued Doney.
Of those who can afford the US$2,000 repair bill, 38% said they would pay with their savings account, 20% said they would pay by credit card and 11% would have to borrow money from friends, family, their retirement fund or home equity to pay it.
Things are a little less grim for those can afford the US$1,000 bill. 46% said they would pay with their savings account, 22% would pay with their credit cards and 14% would need to borrow money.
Such bills are not unheard of with older vehicles, especially those that have been mistreated or improperly maintained. A transmission repair can cost anywhere from US$2,000 (€1,402) to US$4,000 (€2,804) and engine repairs can exceed US$5,000 (€3,506).
Similarly, major brake repairs or a new set of tires can pull US$300 (€210) to US$1,000 (€701) depending on the make and model.
All in all, the AAA survey should give owners of older vehicles something to think about in the coming months or years of ownership.

 

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Video: Man Sinks Porsche Boxster into a Lake

Now here is something you don't hear about every day. A local businessman's new Porsche Boxster was discovered paritally submerged in a lake at the Parque Ecológico (Ecological Park) in São Paulo, Brazil on Friday, July 29.
Brazilian news site TV Sol found the owner of the car who told reporters under the condition of anonymity that he was driving through the park when lost control of the Porsche ending up into the lake.
And here's where the story gets slightly twisted as TV Sol also reported that eye witnesses placed the owner of the Boxster at a local restaurant the same night calling a cousin on the phone and telling him to "Throw the Porsche into the lake of the park".
Scroll down for the video news report.

VIDEO

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Van Bumps Ferrari 360 Modena Spider into the Sea after Brake Failure

When it comes to exotic sports cars like the Ferrari 360 Modena Spider and accidents, more often than not, mishaps are the result of speeding or bad road conditions, sometimes even both.
But that's not the case here as the Ferrari Modena Spider pictured half dipped into the sea was actually parked on the road when this accident occurred.
The incident took place at the Croatian island of Pag located in the northern Adriatic Sea on Monday morning when the driver of a van bumped into the Ferrari pushing the drop-top model into the sea.
According to the local media, the driver of the van said that his brakes didn't work.
For more pictures of the incident, check out the links below.

 PHOTO GALLERY

 

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This is What Happens When You Keep Your Eyes on the Girl

The title of this post is pretty much self-explanatory, but if you insist here's the skinny: a man riding his scooter on the road spots a young and apparently attractive woman dressed in a knee-high dress walking on foot.
And as it surely has happened to so many others, one quick look didn't satisfy our protagonist's curiosity (or possibly admiration) so he let his guard down and turned his focus away from the road to get a 360 view of the young woman… See what happens next after the break in the security camera footage.

VIDEO

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