Rolls-Royce, one of the most expensive luxury cars in the world, has a fascinating history behind it. Next time you wonder why it is considered a “royal car,” try to remember the following:

• The Rolls-Royce is one of the few cars with many parts still built by hand. This includes the radiator grille, which takes a full day of work and is done without specific molds or measurements. The engine itself is also put together entirely by hand. In the Silver Spirit model, each glass part of the car is polished by hand with the same kind of stone used to polish optical lenses.
• The first Rolls-Royce cost $800. If you can find one of the original models, you should expect to pay at least a quarter of a million dollars for it.
• 60 percent of all Rolls-Royce ever produced are still running.
• Rolls-Royce factories have their own vocabulary that workers must use when referring to the cars. For example, cars are said to “fail to proceed” rather than “break down.” Managers and owners are referred to by their first initial, rather than a full name. Sir Henry Royce started the tradition when he insisted to be called “R” by everybody, even on written memos.
• John Lennon’s own Rolls-Royce, the Phantom V. Chassis 5VD73, had some unique adaptations, including a Sterno Radio Telephone (in 1965!), a backseat that converted to a double bed, a portable refrigerator and a TV. The car was also custom painted in yellow, with lots of colorful flowers, following the inspiration and look of a gypsy caravan.

Get a second opinion. Sounds like medical advice? It’s actually not that different. If you trust your mechanic, then by all means go ahead and have the repairs done. But if this is your first visit and the mechanic is suddenly finding lots of little extra problems you didn’t anticipate, consider moving on and asking somebody else to take a look.

Get a different estimate. Even if the first mechanic is quoting a price for a single repair, ask other places what they would charge for the same thing. If your car is drivable and the problem doesn’t need to be fixed right away, make your way to other shops and see what estimates you get.

Be wary of “additional repairs needed.” Your mechanic may truly find something else that needs to be fixed when inspecting your car… or you may be getting charged for incidentals that don’t really need any attention. Rather than agreeing to lots of extras, get the basic problem fixed and then have the car inspected by an independent mechanic to see if there’s truly anything else that needs attention.

Learn the basics. Knowing how to change your tail lights or how to replace your windshield wipers can save you tons of money. You can usually buy small parts on your own and replace them in just a few minutes.

Take care of your car. Keep the tires with good pressure so they don’t add stress to the engine. The same goes for stuff you keep in the trunk of the car but you don’t really need. Added weight makes your car work harder. Change the oil as often as indicated and have your car inspected in time, so you can be aware of any problems that arise.

1. Leaving things in the trunk. Some companies will allow it, some won’t, but whatever is packed on the trunk is not covered by your warranty, so if it’s gone or broken, you can’t ask to be reimbursed for it.
2. Not shopping around for lower prices. You can save a lot of money by reading the fine print and see if there are specifics you can do without.
3. Signing upon delivery without inspecting the car first. If you sign the release form and discover damage later, you won’t be able to stake a claim, even if you have a warranty in place.
4. Choosing open carriers for expensive cars. Yes, enclosed carriers are more expensive, but if you have a classic or customized car, you don’t want it exposed to the elements.
5. Counting on a specific delivery date. Times and dates are estimates. Ship your car earlier than you need it so you can be sure it will be there in time.
6. Thinking shipping is too expensive to be bothered with. It’s not. In fact, it’s usually cheaper than driving the car yourself and certainly cheaper than hiring a private driver to do it for you. It’s also safer.

The Batmobile, known to industry insiders as The Tumbler (produced by Wayne Industries), is a real car. While previous Batmobiles were barely screen illusions, the one appearing in the Dark Knight is not only very much a running car, but one that can shock even the most fanatic car racers out there.

PRODUCTION
While the Tumbler was specifically designed for the movie, the car industry says they are now considering producing a handful of them, on special order, for those who can afford the price tag (at least a couple of million dollars).

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

• Size: 15 feet long and 9 feet wide
• Weight: 2.5 short tons
• Acceleration: 0-60 in 5.6 seconds.
• Engine: 5.0 liter Vauxhall/GM engine capable of 500 horsepower.
• Tires: 4×4 tires standing 44 inches tall. Instead of axles, the tires are mounted on independent suspension elements.
• Other specs: the car can jump 30 feet in the air (courtesy of the most powerful engine in the planet) plus stand 30-foot falls because of its special suspension system.

APPEARANCE
The Batmobile was raced on Silverstone raceway in August 2008. The car completed a full lap at top speed.

If the earlier entry featuring the 5 most expensive cars left you feeling daunted, here is the opposite end of the spectrum.

Chevrolet Aveo: $9,455

The four-door, manual-transmission, 1.6-liter engine car is truly one of the best bargains in the market. Lots of little extras included in the basic price as well, such as air-conditioning, four-speaker sound system, tinted glass and stainless exhaust.

Kia Rio: $9,740

Same specifications as the Aveo, plus a really good performance at 27 miles per gallon.

Hyundai Accent: $9,999

Three-doors and great cargo access made the Accent a winner among those who mix city and country life. Features side airbags and lots of perks, such as modified bumpers and deck lid.

Toyota Echo coupe: $10,245

The Echo has a retro look, with a high tail and front instruments that are more centered than usual in coupes. The cabin is roomy (especially for backseat passengers) and the car has a very good fuel usage standard. The car is not longer being produced as of 2008.

Mitsubishi Lancer: $13,990

Available in both 4-door station wagon and sedan forms, this is one car with many options. The standard model is a 4-speed automatic, but a 5-speed manual is also available. It has a 2.0 L 4G94 engine and FF layout.