It is believed that a car is an extension of one's self. The rich and the famous take this belief to heart and so they purchase premium vehicles, which make them the envy of the common man. The meaning of luxury cars varies depending on whose point of view is being considered. For the masses, anything beyond their price threshold for a car is considered a luxury car. To the privileged few, it's about the brand.

There are car brands that conjure up images of sports cars zooming around a racing circuit burning rubber, while other brands are much more connected to royalty and the ruling class. Automobile manufacturers like BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar, and Mercedes Benz have car models that specifically target wealthy individuals. The pricing scheme is rather oppressive, but such is the appeal of prestige cars, at least to the insanely rich.

It is a given that cars that command high prices between $60,000 and $100,000 are beyond the reach of the members of the middle class, so the most they could do is gawk and dream of cars that only a few people have the resources to own. But beyond pricing and social class status, luxury cars are pretty much the same with vehicles in other segments in terms of usability and drivability. The difference is largely in safety features and customization. Safety has always been an important factor in deciding on which car to buy. Evidently, the more safety features in place, the higher the standard retail price.

While an ordinary entry-level car would have one or two airbags, prestige cars are very well cushioned in case of accidents. There are cars with airbags all around to ensure the safety of the driver and the passengers. Of course, no one would argue with this kind of built-in safety feature, but it does further create a disturbance in the price points. It has to be emphasised that safety is not just limited to sticking plenty of airbags when they get the chance. More often than not, luxury cars are the first to introduce safety features that would make other cars pale in comparison.

To keep cars under the prestige category, more features are added that are not necessarily needed in a car, but they do make things much more appealing to the prospective buyer. The addition of nifty gadgets is considered discretionary and not an outright requirement to keep the vehicle moving. There is this perception that these features make the car more important and more valuable.

These additional features include voice-activated GPS, back up camera, monitor, and USB ports. Although some of the high-end cars have these as optional features, prestige cars list them as standard features. It goes without saying that cars with loaded features tend to be regarded highly by both manufacturers and prospective buyers. This is even more pronounced if the features are related to safety and security. When it comes to safety, luxury cars are considered the safest in all segments.

If you've ever been on the road for more than about ten minutes, you know that there are a LOT of different types of trucks out there. Not including the consumer trucks that you see on the road and can buy at your local dealership, the number and variety of commercial trucks and trailers on the road at any given moment is actually a little bit staggering. Here's a look at just some of the various types of trucks you can encounter when out on the road.

Flatbed Truck

As the name implies, these trucks have a bed without any sides or top, allowing for the carrying of cargo that isn't vulnerable to the elements, most notably construction equipment. Flatbed trucks are also useful for carrying loads that are an unusual size or shape that wouldn't fit into a trailer with sides or a top and are extra helpful as they can be loaded and unloaded from any angle.

Box Truck

If you've ever moved yourself using a Uhaul or like service you've been behind the wheel of a Box Truck. While typically on the body of a publicly available truck, some of the larger ones can be built on more commercially driven vehicles. These trucks are great as they allow people to move large items or a high volume of items that a normal car, truck, or van couldn't normally support and are available to rent for personal use for various amounts of time.

Refrigerator Truck

When perishable items need to be moved they're stored in a refrigerator truck. Unlike a simple insulated or ventilated truck, refrigerated trucks have an active cooling device in the trailer to maintain a safe temperature for the items inside. Cooling devices can be anything from a portable AC unit or dry ice to some combination thereof. The key part of a refrigerated truck is their ability to maintain a temperature that will prevent whatever perishable cargo is inside from spoiling.

Lowboy Trailer

These truck trailers are unique because they have two step-downs in height. While resembling a flatbed truck, the lower section of the trailer allows lowboys to carry loads that are taller than the usual restrictions since they sit lower to the ground. These are commonly used to transport commercial construction equipment when the required path will require going under overpasses or through tunnels that a normal truck wouldn't be able to pass underneath.

Tanker Truck

Usually sporting the name of some gas or oil company on the side, these trucks are easy to spot with their large, typically rounded tanks used to transport fuel sources for delivery to gas stations and other commercial establishments that require high volumes of fuel.

The growing population is leading to more road accidents and truck damage. A custom bumper for your truck will help minimize front end damage to your truck and protect your life and your families. What is a custom bumper? It is an aftermarket bumper that replaces your stock, chrome bumper. Stock bumpers are made to absorb impact and sensor your airbags to go off in an accident. This leads to the front end of your Truck to collapse, crushing your radiator and in worst cases your entire engine.

With a custom bumper installed your truck becomes a moving tank. Aftermarket bumpers are mounted to your frame, adding additional support to the bumper. Unlike stock bumpers, custom bumpers are made of solid steel. Typically welded both inside and out for added strength. Therefore, instead of absorbing impact, they push through the impact. Leaving your truck radiator and engine intact. Most importantly, your cab becomes much safer in the even on a front end collision.

In a perfect world, we wouldn't need to protect ourselves from other drivers and wildlife. However, life is unpredictable. There have been testimonials from customers with Ranch Hand bumpers showing the damage done to vehicles after hitting deer at high speeds. Although unfortunate to the animal, the custom bumper had virtually no damage and zero damage to the truck. If the Ranch Hand bumper had not been installed, the truck would have been totaled and the driver in the hospital.

There are many different types of custom bumpers that are available. Typically, there are three different versions including a base model, a full grille guard model and a pre runner model. The base model custom bumper looks much like a stock bumper but is much stronger like stated above. If you want a stronger truck and a mean look without adding a complete grille guard the base is the way to go. The pre runner model is similar to the base bumper but has a bullnose bar that sticks out. The pre runner bumper is great for adding additional lighting to your ride. The most protection comes from the full grille guard custom bumper. This bumper incorporates the base bumper and complete grille and headlight protection. Plus, like the pre runner model you can add auxiliary lights.

If you are really into customizing your truck, you may want to paint your bumper to match your factory paint. Most custom bumpers come with either a base unpainted finish or a strong black powder coat finish. A powder coat finish gives the bumper a rugged, mean look and ditches that stock chrome look. Work trucks, off-roading machines, daily driver trucks and custom trucks can all benefit from a well built front end. Obviously, a well built front end starts with a strong bumper.

Those unusual types of pickup trucks are those that have been lifted up on four ultra-large, super-sized wheels. They are the most iconic, memorable type of pickup trucks, and they were popularized in the 1980s with radio commercials that featured a loud, booming, echoing, resounding voice and encouraged people to come out to these rallies.

A pickup truck that has been modified this way, though, is not so strange. It's really just a pickup truck with huge wheels and suspension. They're used in competition and as a form of popular sports entertainment, and they are not really driven on the road, but some modified and tweaked cars are driven on the road. These kinds of pickup trucks are seen alongside motocross, mud bugging, tractor pull, and robot fighting, and they often pull out huge crowds that want to see them crushing, running over, demolishing, and breaking other cars.

A super-sized monster truck show is an unforgettable event. They will usually crush the series of smaller cars underneath its gargantuan tires, and the smart cars and other tiny automobiles are totally demolished. Since these trucks can run over most man-made barriers, they are equipped with special Remote Ignition Interruptor switches to prevent any accidents from happening. The audience members have to be kept safe in case a driver loses control of his vehicle. Some events have just one driver, but that's not really as exciting. Most of the events feature two drivers that are racing simultaneously against each other over symmetrical lines of cars. The loser is eliminated in a fashion like a tournament. The losing driver usually has his car completely destroyed with dynamite, fire, a crushing device, or a huge explosion. This adds fuel to the fire, pun intended, of the audience's excitement and engagement with the competition.

In recent times, a lot competitions have closed with a "freestyle" event. It is sort of like figure skating with big pickup trucks, and the drivers are able to select their own course and obstacles to choose from. Drivers will often try "donuts", but these don't work very well. Wheel stands and jumps are also common fare. Other obstacles are sometimes put on the track like school buses and small airplanes.

Pickup trucks that have been modified a little like this are the largest form of pickup trucks there are. They are some of the most massive and indelible trucks you'll ever see, and the impression they leave will linger for a long time. Don't hesitate to go to a large lifted truck show if you ever get the chance.

In America, we often here the phrase "The Big Three" when talking about the auto industry. This phrase refers to the three largest domestic auto makers in the US. The leader of this group is Chevy; there are more used cars on Americas roads today that have been produced by Chevy than of the other two (Ford Motor Company and Chrysler Corp.) combined.

This is due to the fact that not only does Chevy produce cars under more brand plates than the other makers but they have a much longer expected life span that the other makers on the whole. The Chevy Cavalier is a very popular model among used car buyers, that is also one of the best deals that you will be able to find. This car has had a long standing record of being reliable and safe and is a great alternative to those how might be interested in buying a Ford Focus, which is a lot harder to find used.

The Ford Focus is, as mentioned, remarkably similar to the Chevy Cavalier, but is not as easy to find as a used car. This is also a car that is not as reliable as the Chevy model, but still can hold its own when being compared to other cars in the same category. The Focus has a record of being safe and economical, but is prone to breakdowns. Nevertheless the popularity of the focus remains high.

The Dodge Neon is another of the great American built cars that enjoys a popularity among used car buyers. The Neon is a car that has earned its accolades, when it first debuted (made by the now defunct Chrysler plate Plymouth, along with its sister vehicles the PT Cruiser and the Prowler) many people considered it a bit of a joke. This was due to its small size and limited features package. While this car has had some problems in the past, there are a lot of people that see this car as being a great used car option due to its wide availability and low price.

No matter why you are making the choice to drive an American used car, you are sure to discover that they are a great value and will provide you with many years of reliable service. You do want to take the time to do your research before you make any purchase decision and, always make sure that you look at the overall safety record of a particular model.

An American used car is one of the better decisions that you can make when the time comes to purchase your next vehicle. American made cars keep their value, offer comparable features and have very good safety ratings. An American made car is cheaper and last longer than the foreign counterparts and service is more readily available for them when needed. They are a great choice no matter how you look at it.

Few things in life are comparable to driving a luxury vehicle considered at the top of its class. We often hear the saying "Money Can't Buy Happiness". Perhaps it can't buy you happiness per se, but it sure can get you in the cockpit of a V12 engine car with an interior lush enough for the Queen of England herself! Here is a list of the top luxury car brands in the automotive market.

Mercedes Benz- This is the first brand that pops into most people's minds when they hear the term "luxury car". Many studies have shown that this is the brand that most consumers equate with prestige and quality. For 2011, Benz has given its E-class trim a makeover with new sleek angular headlights and a more contemporary and sleek look. It is rather interesting to observe that many older C-class models are being utilized as taxi cabs in many European countries. This is testament to the durability of Mercedes engines; some of the engines on the taxi cabs have approached a few hundred thousand miles! Lots of young Hollywood stars opt for Mercedes; pop sensation Britney Spears has been often seen causing mayhem in the streets of L.A in her white Mercedes SL65 while actress Lindsay Lohan has been involved in an infamous car crash in her black SL65. The 2011 SL65 sports a V12 engine and an incredible 604 HP with a hefty MRSP of approximately around $199k. That's a lot of power to outrun the paparazzi with!

BMW- Their sporty autos are known as "The Ultimate Driving Machine" and this is no exaggeration. The difference between BMW and Benz is that the first is engineered to be performance oriented while the latter is aimed towards driver and passenger comfort. BMW's usually come with a stiff suspension and ample of hp. The best selling model by far is the 3-series, which offers quality performance, handling and power at a competitive price in the entry-level market. The 335 model comes with an engine that puts out an incredible 300 HP and 300 lb feet of torque. My personal favorite has to be the top of the line 7 Series, which oozes power and class; the 2010 model boasts a eight cylinder engine with 400 HP.

Aston Martin - Their cars are so chic and sophisticated that international man of style James Bond can be seen driving numerous Aston Martin's in the Bond movies. Remarkable stand outs in the line include the Vantage V12 (which offers an impressive twelve cylinders for top power!) and the new V8 Vantage N420 roadster which is a fast and gorgeous convertible with beautiful curves, smooth fluid lines and a total of 420 horsepower.

Infiniti - Infiniti is the luxury spin-off line of Nissan. Infiniti is pretty new on the market when compared with the traditional German players but it's already making a significant impact on the market due to its gorgeous and high performance cars. The manufacturer is noted for its high performance IPL line which is a more affordable alternative to Benz's AMG line and the M3 series from BMW. The advantage of an Infiniti vehicle is that its service and repair costs tend to be typically much cheaper than its German Rivals. In general, Infiniti is also more competitively priced when compared with BMW and Benz. A stand out is the top of the line M56 which comes equipped with a mighty eight cylinder engine and 420 HP, with the AWD model starting at around $60k.