Want to drive a free car? Want to get paid for driving your own car?

You think - it is not possible and it is SCAM. But actually it is possible.

OK, there's a little more to it. However, there's enough truth in it and enough potential opportunity to make it worth a serious further look. There are companies who do exist and people like you get paid or drive their free car everyday.

You will ask - How can it be? Well, in short, you agree to drive a car that displays advertising for a company's product or service. Since you do the advertising, you get a free car to drive or get paid to drive your own car.

These arrangements are typically not handled directly by the company selling the product or service, but by an marketing or advertising company hired by the product/service company. Some of these marketing and advertising companies provide brand-new vehicles, some offer almost-new vehicles from their fleet, others may pay you to drive your own car.

The company "wraps" the car in an easily-removable paint-safe vinyl film that contains an attractive graphic ad that promotes a client company's product or service. For example, the ad might promote a cell phone service or a new restaurant in town.

Some ads might cover the entire vehicle (looks great on SUVs, minivans, PT Cruisers), some only partially, and some only on side or rear windows. Don't worry, you can see just fine through windows that have vinyl ads applied.

The company offering the product or service pays the advertising company, who pays you to drive your own car or provides you a free car with the advertising already applied.

The amount you get paid, or whether you get a free car, depends primarily on three factors:

1) Number of miles you drive per month

2) Where you drive

3) Where you park

In other words, you're selected according to the number of people who will potentially see your wrapped vehicle in an average day.

You'll be paid more and have a better chance at a free vehicle if you drive lots of miles and drive in a heavily populated and high traffic area. In some cases, you may be asked to drive a specific route every day. The more people that have a chance of seeing your car as it's being driven or where it's parked, the greater your opportunity.

If you only drive a few blocks to a part-time job, back and forth to school in the suburbs, or just to church on Sundays, you probably won't qualify for this kind of program.

It's not too difficult to figure out whether or not you might qualify for one of these cars-for-free programs when you consider the objectives of the advertisers. They simply want their ads to be seen by as many people as possible in a specific area.

To take part in all of it You have to be at least 18 years old, have a drivers license, and have a good driving record. You pay for insurance and, in some cases, for maintenance, especially if you drive your own car.

New cars aren't always available and you may not be able to drive the make/model of your choice. However, depending on the company, you may have enough choices that you can find something that you like.

You may or may not be able to select the ad that goes on your car or the duration that the ad stays on the car. Of course, if you don't like the ad program, you can turn it down and wait for a better one. Most ads are attractive and well designed so that you wouldn't be embarrassed to be seen with it.

Keep in mind that the "free" car belongs to the advertising company, not you. At the end of the agreement, which could be as much as five years, you give the car back.

Also remember that the ad stays on your car 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can't take it on and off. If this is your only car, you must be prepared to drive the car everywhere you go — to weddings and funerals, to work, to school, to the mall, and everywhere else that you drive.

Competition for free cars is very heavy, outstripping demand in many cases. It may take up to 90 days to get accepted into a program. Therefore, you have to be well qualified and patient in your attempt to land one of these deals. Free is not always easy.

But, for a free car, it might all be worth it.

How to sign up? There are many companies, in many different locations in the U.S. and other countries, that use this form of vehicle-based advertising. Some companies only advertise in a specific city or advertise certain types of products. Some provide new cars, others only pay you to advertise using your own car, and some do both. Some do full-car wraps, others may only do spot ads.

Therefore, the best way to find the companies that would work best for you, where you live and drive, is to "subscribe" to an information directory that lists all such advertisers. These directories are compiled and provided by companies who specialize in this kind of service. There are a relatively small number of these companies, who can be found on the Internet, in newspaper ads, and in auto-related magazines.

There is typically a one-time charge for the directory subscription, usually about $30, and usually with a 90-day money-back guarantee.

Since the directory is always changing and being updated, make sure you get a lifetime "membership" if possible, and that all future updates to the directory are free.

With the list of advertising companies and contact information, it's up to you to apply for their programs. Some directory companies offer help with the application process, although you should not pay extra for this service. And you should not pay extra for a "premium" listing or to be placed at the "top" of the list of applicants.

Be honest and provide accurate information in your application. Most companies will check your credentials. Of course, there are no guarantees that you'll be accepted or that you'll find a deal that you like, but completing an application is a small investment of your time for the chance at a rewarding possibility.

Where can you get more information? The following companies listed below provide free-car and drive-for-pay program directories. The directories include programs in the U.S. and other countries all over the world.

Subscribing with more than one company might be somewhat beneficial but, generally, it should be expected that one company's directory will be much like another's.

thefreecar.com

freecarindex.com

freecarsolution.com

forfreecars.com

Classic Volvo in Koenigsegg style

The company was founded in 1994 by Christian von Koenigsegg. Its profiles is world class super cars. Their first car - Koenigsegg CC prototype - was first publicized in 1996. It took them four years to present the full production prototype. It was shown at the 2000 Paris Motor Show.

After that it took two years to make a dilivery. So in 2002 at the Geneva Auto Show first customer recieved his CC8S. In 2006 Koenigsegg introduced the CCX, but in 2007 - first green super car in the world - the CCXR, which is a bioflexfuel version of the CCX.


In the company works swedish auto engineer Mattias Vöcks. His day job is also his hoby. He unbelievebly loves these orange asphalt carnivorous. But there are something that he loves even a little more - the classical Volvo cars. Fortunately to Mattias, Koenigsegg management has authorized him in his free time to play with his hobbies. He creates old Volvo into quick and breathtaking super car.


First time when the world heard about Mattias Vöcks was in 2006. In time when he presented the classic 1967 Volvo Amazon, which looked like a hotrod and had 600 horsepower engine.


Now Mattias Vöcks has told that he is preparing a new Volvo explosive, which will be built on the basis of 1961 Volvo P1800 coupe. Now on public has came some of design studio Vizualtech made images so it is posible to see what Koenigsegg engineering masterpiece will look like.


The author of the project has noted that he had to changed classical P1800 proportions to achieve the desired power, aerodynamics and manageability. The car front end has had to extend about 70mm to mount 4.4-liter V8 engine with a turbine and it will reach around 600 horsepower.

Audi A6 Allroad quattro

The new Audi A6 Allroad quattro is developed on the base of current generation of Audi A6 Avant, just like the first generation. From the stock A6 the difference is air suspension, different bumpers, different grill, quattro Four wheel drive and other elements already in the stock model.


First-generation Audi A6 Allroad quattro appeared in 2000. It remained as the only car of this class. It was so, because the ideology like Subaru Outback and Volvo XC70 were not its direct competitors, since they were smaller and cheaper. At the time the Audi brand direct competitors BMW and Mercedes-Benz were more focused on the SUV's - X5 and ML. Soon Audi did the same with Q7. However Audi also made a new A6 Allroad quattro.


The biggest diference in exterior from stock A6 are chrome details on the body. Interior of Audi A6 Allroad quattro is an analogue to the stock A6. About its offroad charasteristics tells plastic caps that protects it from scratches. However, unlike the previous generation model, these plastic elements are painted and gives elegance to the car. Despite the relatively large potential maximum clearance (7,3 inches), Audi A6 Allroad quattro with its silhouette looks more like a traditional wagon.


Audi A6 Allroad quattro 3.2 FSI Tiptronic dynamics are good. 255 horsepower engine allows to make 0-60 in 7, 7 seconds and reach 150 miles an hour. If 255 horsepower is not enough, there are 4,2-liter V8 engine with 350 horsepowers. Also there are available two diesel engines - 2.7 with 170 hp and 3.0 with 233 hp.

MINI John Cooper Works

If other manufacturers has to generate new marketing techniques for serving sport hatchback, then the John Cooper Works legend speaks for itself. John Cooper is a motorsport legend who created the automotive legend - the MINI Cooper. Small, cheap and at the same very quick Cooper was so successful that its now-classic version, that with minor modifications it was able to stay on the production line 40 years and also won several prestigious sport competitions. In 2000 legendary British MINI as well as Cooper trade mark were purchased by BMW. And they started the production of the new version of British super mini. However, with the end of production of the classical model, John Cooper did not leave the car scene, but created the John Cooper Works company.


Originally John Cooper Works changes for Mini were offered only as a separate set for installation at a local dealer. Only in 2005 the sets were available right from the factory. This was so successful that in 2007 BMW decided to buy the John Cooper Works company and gained full control of it.


Last year was presented and soon after that came to trade John Cooper Works modifications to the updated MINI Cooper S (similar upgrades are also available to MINI Clubman S). The most sporty version of this 1.6-liter engine power increased from 175 to 218 hp and maximum torque - up to 260 Nm.


MINI John Cooper Works, which is available only with six gear manual transmission, does 0-60 miles an hour in 6.5 seconds, which is about 0.6 seconds faster than the standard Mini Cooper S.

BMW Alpina D3

BMW Alpina D3 fills the niche in between the 320d and 325d, meanwhile Alpina acquires a wider audience for their products. It is equipped with four diesel engines and a range of sporting accessories, while maintaining top-fuel economy figures.

BMW Alpina D3 is equipped with diesel engine, which is taken from the BMW 320d. Alpina engineers installed a larger turbine, more productive injector nozzle, sport exhaust system and changed electronic engine management. Consequently, the engine develops 200 horsepower and 410 Nm maximum torque at 2000 rpm.

Stock BMW Alpina D3 obtains the original design aerodynamic body kit with Alpina recognition marks, 18-inch wheel-drives (for an extra charge - 19-inch), a dual exhaust system, sports seats and steering wheel.

0-60 it does in 7.4 seconds and the maximum speed reaches 148 miles per hour. However, disconnecting the electronic stability system - both the draft and the exchange rate stabilization - BMW Alpina D3 disappoints. It is not posible to drift or make a burnout with it. Of course, it is frivolous but it should be posible. BMW Alpina D3 will be suitable for someone who wants a car with sporting equipment and the origin, but at the same time wants to drive it everyday and not to think about lap times on the race track. But the best thing about it is that BMW Alpina D3 makes 40 mpg, so with one tank it is able to go up to 621 miles.


Stock model costs about 47'000 dollars. This car is also available as Coupe and as Touring.

Volkswagen Scirroco

Until now Volkswagen Scirroco associated with an old car for young people. Although they are already been well used, however, both first-and second-generation cars are still able to present their drivers with good dynamics and interesting design.

Volkswagen engineers managed to bring it back in presenting the concept of Iroc. The Iroc-base new Scirocco was presented last year in March at the Geneva car exhibition. Exactly the same places where 34 years ago was presented the first generation Scirocco.


German engineers has managed to preserve the characteristic features of the concept in the real model. Car is longer, lower and wider than the Golf, and, most importantly, does not look like it. Massive front bumper, which includes the giant black hole for air intake, as well as irregular headlamps clearly indicates the highly aggressive nature of this car. Scirocco seems wider from the rear than it is in reality.


Unfortunately the car interior is a disappointment. Attractive Iroc design elements have been switched to Volkswagen standard design solutions, which are derived from other VW models in most cases. It's not bad but pretty boring. The car's steering wheel is deeply profiled, exactly the same as the Cache up equipment seats.


Cheapest version - 1.4 TSI (122 horsepower) is offered only with 6-gear manual gearbox. More powerful versions 1.4 TSI (160 hp), 2.0 TSI (200 hp) and the 2.0 TDI (140 hp) can be selected from the 7-gear DSG gearbox and 6-gear manual gearbox.

All Scirocco versions includes sports suspension already in stock. It is hard so response to the rotation of the steering is sharp and precise. Also the stock versions are equipped with electronic stability control system (ESP).

Aston Martin One-77

After numerous concept presentations, Aston Martin has finally presented the first fully completed one-77. New British supercar presentation was held at the exclusive car show Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in Italy. The concept car exterior design was already seen in pictures, but now it was posible to see the car interior.

There will be made only 77 Aston Martin One-77, and each car will cost at least 1,8 milion dollars. Very soon they will make the first custom-made copy. All the small series production will be completed by the end of the next year. Moreover, as Aston Martin representatives have pointed out, each car will be made in close conjunction with its next owner, and the manufacturer will use its best efforts to be sure that none of 77 unique cars is coming into the so-called profiteers hands.


Like F1 racing car, the One-77 design is based on the ultra-light and highly resistant carbon fiber moncok (continuous body structure). At moncok there has been attached the four wheel doble lever suspension and it is almost the same as it is on F1 racing car, where the vertical suspension is converted into horizontal. It is also the first time when a street car has recieved DSSV technology, which allows to adjust damping characteristics very precise whitout removing the suspension elements off the car.


The One-77 engine is also unique. Although it on Aston Martin popular 6.0-liter V12 engine's base, its capacity has increased to 7.3 liters, meanwhile the engine weight has been reduced by 25%. In the result the engine has more than 700 horse power. The car also has specially developed six-speed automatic gearbox.


Aston Martin One-77's maximum speed exceeds 2oo miles per hour, while acceleration from 0-60 miles per hour will take around 3.5 seconds. For stopping the car it has carbon-ceramic composite brakes to minimize the brake fluid heat system.

Holden Torana GTR-X, a car which never got to the production line

When you see a picture of this car it is hard to say that it has been developed 40 years ago. Clean and straight lines are still the reason to consider Holden Torana GTR-X as a very beautiful car. And for us it is hard to imagine that a car like this have been developed in Australia.


In the middle of 1969. the Australian branch of General Motors engineering department was given a task of developing small series sports car that would be cheap enough in the production. Moreover, as the basis for this car is needed to be used existing components of the available models.

And so in 1969. The Holden Torana GTR-X was born. For the base of creation of this car was used the serial car GTR-Xu, which was derived from the Vauxhall Vivas model, which was very popular in Europe in sixties. The two seated Torana GTX-R was planned to be equipped with 3.0 liter six cylinder raw engine, which developed 160 horse power and 285 Nm high torque. Wheel power was transmitted to the rear wheels with a four-speed manual transmission.


In the tests Torana GTX-R was able to reach 210 km per houre. The 160 horsepower engine in those times was a very good achievement. But the most important character was the Torana GTX-R weight. It was 1043 kg (2300 pounds) only, which made it possible for this car to ensure comparable dynamic performance.


Car body was mostly made of fiberglass, and its design provided the unusual purity of lines for those times. Similarly the style was retained in interior where all required gages were placed in a simple design aluminum panel. In addition, the vehicle occurred some quite revolutionary solutions for sixties - ergonomic seating with high back and very good lateral aid, as well as a height adjustable steering wheel.


Torana GTX-R was already very close to get on the production line and there were built several models for pre-production tests and even had a video advertisement. But after all the company decided not to produce it. They were not convinced of the project's financial success.

Gemballa Tornado 750 GTS

To most of us a SUV and a fast sports car might seem as two completely different things, but the Porsche developing Cayenne Turbo has proved the contrary. But to go even further tuning atelier Gemballa tries to make the supercar out of the German manufacturer SUV. Latest Gemballa preparation is limited, only 50 vehicles will be delivered to costumers from the upcoming series of Tornado 750 GTS.


Gemballa intention to make a SUV a real competitive super car once again is quite serious this time. It is so because at first their engineers are reducing the weight of the car. Tornado GTS 750 is about 250 kg lighter than the stock Cayenne Turbo. In addition, diet does not necessarily imply an ascetic sports interior - Tornado 750 GTS interior is a combination of sportingly elegant Alcantara leather and carbon fiber.

Another and very important factor in ensuring a decent super car dynamics is the engine. Gemballa professionals have increased its power to 750 hp, but the engine torque now reaches 1050Nm. After this Gemballa Tornado GTS 750 is able to accelerate to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, but its maximum speed is 300 km / h.


Adjustable suspension, which is designed exclusively for this edition of Cayenne, allows it to adjust the clearance in range of 2.5 inches. Exterior has been changed by 22 inch wheels covered by 335/25 size tires. But for stopping the Tornado it carries huge brake discs (diameter: 420mm front and 380mm rear) with six-piston brake clamps.

And at the end there is another one thing. It is the factor that Gemballa Tornado GTS 750 brings super car status - car price is around 500 thousand dollars.

Hartge BMW X6

German tuning atelier Hartge have made their tuning program for BMW X6 SUC (Sports Utility Coupe). Vehicle now can have some visual adds and also some new technical improvements for more driving fun.

"Hartge" developed "BMW X6" aerodynamic body kit is made of lightweight polyurethane plastic, which includes the original design front bumper with wire mesh air catching holes, decorative thresholds and rear bumper with diffuser. It has carbon casings for the side-mirrors too. Sporting shape concludes a 22-inch wheels and a set of sports springs that lowers the overall ride height by up to 30mm.


Initially, technical improvements will be made available to "BMW X6" variant "xDrive35d" for the three liter biturbo diesel engine. The engine have benefited from a bit of ECU (Electronic Control Unit) tuning. Its power has increased from the stock 286 hp up to 328 hp and the maximum torque - up from 428 lb-ft to 498 lb-ft, which is already available from two thousand revolutions per minute. Add to that it gets better fuel economy than stock and is actually lighter. Later the 3.0L diesel engine from the xDrive30d will get pumped up to 275hp (+40hp) and 441 lb-ft (+115 lb-ft).

Despite the mass of 4409 pounds it makes 0-60 in 6 seconds, which is a second better than stock. Since Hartge has disabled the factory set for maximum speed electronic limiter, the improved BMW X6 diesel will be able to reach the top speed of 159 MPH.

Full program by „Hartge” will cost you 38'000$. So maybe there will be ability to reduce the 38'000$ asking price and just supply the powertrain upgrades.

Tata Nano: Worlds cheapest car available!

The low-cost Tata Nano from India is on market since 9th of April. It's supposed to be the car that will change the car market in the whole world. Can you imagine a car for 2500$? Even if it only has a two stroke 623 cc (38 cu in) engine, no power steering, no power windows and no air-conditioning? It's something we can't imagine. But now you can buy it. Of course, you'll be able to buy it only if you live in India. The rest of the world will need to wait a bit. In 2012 it will be sold in Europe. Till the first sales Tata will have to meet Euro 5 emission regulations and crash standarts. It's not the easiest job to do because car has no airbags and it consumes a lot of gas. Of course if Tata wants to have success in Europe the car has to be much more comfortable as it is in India. It has to have at least power windows and air conditioner. So in Europe they won't be able to sell it for 2500$. In India Tata showrooms are full of potential buyers. We will se waht will happen in Europe in 2012. And they are talking something about US too.