Happy Holidays to Me

All of the gifts have been unwrapped, the food has beeneaten, and your family and friends are slowly heading back to the parts of thecountry they all visited from. But in all of the holiday chaos you may have forgottento treat someone important with a gift this year: yourself. Don’t worry if you’rehaving trouble with your turbocharger or fuel pump. It’s the end of the yearand every car dealership has some great deals to land you behind thewheel of a new car.

Almost every manufacturer is offering financing as low as 0%on new purchases as well as cash back options. Chevy and Ford particularly are offeringup to $5,000 cash back on many of their new models if you buy before the NewYear. If you have your eyes set on a car that’s a little out of your pricerange for purchase, there is probably a leasing option available to get you inthat driver’s seat. Just to name a few, the new 2012 Lexus IS can be yours forlease at $329/month, or you can drive away in a new Nissan Maxima for$279/month. If your new year’s resolution is to go green you might want to takea Prius for a test drive, which are leasing as low as $219/month.

These prices are just deals stated on company websites. Onceyou’re at the dealership there is always wiggle room to get those payments to better fit your price range. If your car’s on its last leg, it’s a greattime to take advantage of these deals. I know many people who have driven offthe lot in a new car at a fraction of its price, especially those 2011 modelsleft behind. And hey, after all the shopping and preparing you’ve done forevery one else in the past few weeks, you deserve it. 

Will Technology Kill the Joy of Driving

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In the last few years the idea of a self-driving car has hit the scene in a big way, claiming that if we were to take out the human element traffic accidents and deaths due to those accidents will be decreased significantly. This all sounds great for the day to day grind in traffic, just imagine getting up at 5 am getting ready for your hour long commute to work. It sounds pretty horrible, what if you could go back to seep in your car? Now that would be great! On the other hand knowing the way the government is they would make it so that cars are all controlled by a massive traffic controlling computer. Now I don’t know about you but I for one enjoy the feeling of pressing the pedal and hearing the turbo spool up. Feeling the press into the seat by the extra horsepower from that turbocharger is a great sensation. I love driving maybe not in traffic but when the road is empty it is a great thrill to be behind the wheel.

The joy of driving is an interesting thought, on the one hand yes it is tedious getting on the highway and doing the day to day thing. On the other hand get on a curvy road and let rip (following the speed limit of course) is a great release. There are roads in the US alone that people travel from all over the world to drive on, The “Tail of the Dragon” on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina is just such a road. Now why would people come from so far away for a road? Well the joy of driving is exactly why there is nothing like handling the curves at a good clip with the wind in your hair and felling car pitch as you hit switchback after switchback. The Feeling of the acceleration and G forces as they pull you left and right in the seat while you control your car through each intricate section of this amazing drive that winds through the mountains. Yes there are some downsides, like the fact that you can crash your car at any moment. There is even a “Tree of Shame” which is a big tree at the beginning of the road where you hang parts of wrecked cars that have been crashed in the course of the drive. Each year the tree is emptied and it only takes a few months to be covered all over again.

On this tree can be found pieces of cars and bikes, from the cheapest Honda Civic to a head light from a Ferrari Enzo that was totaled 2 years ago it is all there. This may all seem a bit insane but it all comes back to the love of driving and the need for speed. The best way to put it is… no matter how the technology changes we will all find a way to make ourselves happy. For those of us that love speed we all want one thing, please don’t take our joy away by making only computer controlled cars.

The First Audi R8 GT is Delivered to One Lucky Customer

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This year we have seen our share of turbocharger andsupercharger using uber cars flowing into the automotive market. Despite gas hitting well over $4 a gallon it is more and more likely that the super rich just don’t care. To be honest neither would I, The Audi R8GT is a prime example of what a gas guzzling monster can be. With 0-60 in 3.8 sec and a top speed touching the super car holy grail of 200 mph it will be a contender for the coolest car of the year.

Only 333 of these cars will be created and not many of them will ever see the light of day, a car release like this is a collectors dream. The first person to receive the new GT did not tell his plans for the car but one thing is for sure it is not a trip to soccer practice. The one fact that is always good for a laugh is the fact that cars like this hit almost 20 MPG which is far better than the SUVs that most soccer moms are sporting nowadays.

Now my opinion of supercars is swayed a bit, always been a sports car kinda guy but who can say they don’t want something like this beauty in their drive way. The Chassis on the R8 is so well built that Porsche has decided that their next 911 will be based on it. This of course means that the 911 will finally be a mid engine…finally.

A Lamborghini Aventador VS a Ferrari 458 Turbo...Dream Cars Head to Head

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We all love a good race and we all love supercars, the only thing we love more is a modified supercar. Unlike a normal car with a turbo or super charger strapped to it supercars are purpose built machines that are for one thing only.....Speed! The trend of modifying a car is not just limited to Honda's with a fart can on the back of it....the need to make things fast spans all ages. Carroll Shelby is 90 and he is still supercharging mustangs and making cars that rival the Bugatti Veyron in top speed.

There are not many of us who can afford to even look at a Ferrari 458 much less think about adding a turbo system to it once we get it. Usually the people who can afford that kind of thing are not really in the mind set to do it. After all 1% of the population hold 99% of the wealth and that that does not leave the rest of us with much. Recently Underground Racing released a video of their twit turbo Ferrari 458 Vs a Lamborghini Aventador where both cars are sporting 700HP as a bit of promotional material.

The idea was to show the amazing speed of the 458 after adding the kit seeing as the Aventador can do 0 - 60 in less than 3 seconds. The final result of the race is pretty stunning since the Ferrari blows the doors off the Lambo. This may not be a fair comparison in so eye since this is a stock car vs a modified but in this case it is ok. The Lamborghini is designed to be as fast as possible so if you can out run it you are doing something right. Check out the video on youtube to see the results for yourself and not to mention get to drool over 2 beautiful supercars.

Diagnosing Issues With a Turbo Before Failure

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Most of the time when a turbo begins to fail there are some pretty noticeable signs but what are they?Turbochargers are very simple but complicated parts, basically just an air pump. Turbo units work by using the exhaust pressure to spin the blades on the exhaust side and in turn that spins the intake blades. While that may seem simple it takes some serious engineering to make it work perfect. The signs and causes of turbo failure are easy to catch if you know what to looks for.

Failure and Cause:

A turbo begins to burn oil:

Bad seals in the housing or too much pressure inside the oil system can be a common issue. When the seals in a turbo are low quality or have worn out over time they will begin to allow the oil to pass through and be pulled into the engine. High pressure inside the oil system in a car can also cause oil leakage, the pressure must go somewhere and the seals in the turbo are usually the first to go.

The vehicle is making no Horsepower:

There are a number of reasons this can happen but we will concentrate on the turbo related issues. I boost leak would be the first, any space where air can escape from the pressurized part of the intake is considered a boost leak. This will cause the vehicle to mix too much fuel since some of the air that was expected is not getting to the cylinders.

Too much back pressure can also kill horse power and can usually be caused by some sort of blockage (yes the old banana in the tailpipe) impeding the flow of exhaust gasses. The air has to go somewhere and it will usually stall the motor or blow out the seals on the exhaust side of the turbo. This is very dangerous to the motor.

The Turbo is whining under boost:

Whining can be caused by oil starvation or boost leaks, which can sometimes be mixed up.  Hope for the latter since a boost leak is simple to fix. Oil starvation will cause whining since the bearings are grinding against each other and metal on metal is not a good sound. This sound also means that your turbo is on its last legs and you need to stop the car. Turbo bearings can only last a few minutes at best without proper oil flow. Not only do the bearings need to stay lubricated but they also use the oil for cooling in many cases.

Many a mechanic will just tell you the turbo is bad to make a sale on parts that are not needed, so know your questions when you arrive. If someone says the turbo is bad ask why, protect yourself by knowing why it failed. When you know what the real issue is you can keep it from happening again, you might even be able to save thousands since the only real problem was a $3 seal instead of a $3000 repair. If you don’t know people will take advantage so be sure you are the one in control of your car, on the road and on the lift.

"C" You Later Low Gas Mileage

>You know who worked really hard this year and deserves abreak? You’re fuel pump, that’s who.  Youtake for granted all the hard work the fuel pump assembly does for you.  Without it you wouldn’t get to work, or getto the in-laws for the holidays.  OK, somaybe in the second example we wish the fuel pump would stop working so wecould skip the in-laws. Nonetheless, they deserve a break.

It appears that Toyota is going to give the fuel pumps intheir new Prius C a huge break.  These fuelpumps are going to have a nice and relaxing job, since the new Prius C issupposed to get 83 miles per gallon. That’s a little bit better than the standard Prius model.  According to Toyota the Prius C will get thebest city fuel economy of any hyrbids that do not plug in.

The car was introduced last week at the Tokyo Motor Show asthe Toyota Aquas, but it will be officially introduced as the Prius C in thestates next month at The Detroit Auto Show. The cost will be somewhere around $21,700.  The car will have a 1.5 liter four cylinderengine to go along with its electric motor. The total horsepower of the vehicleis going to be around 98.  This is about40 horsepower less than the normal Prius and the Prius V.   

You will be able to buy this miniature Prius thisspring.  And, Toyota is forecasting that alot of you are going to buy it.  Theyexpect to sell 12,000 a month in Japan and hope to have a 20 percent increasein global sales this year.

Rules of the Highway That All of US Should Follow

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Anyone who has ever been on any US highway for more than 2 min can tell you that they are set up to be efficient and get you there fast. With a good wheel hub and bearing assembly they will be as smooth as they are long. So why are there to many clogs, Why are we waiting in stopped traffic on a 6 lane highway?

One of the main reasons we all have to wait really has to come down to bad drivers. While it is true there are accidents that block lanes of traffic, on the average most of us are waiting for a very different reason. The “fast lane” which is actually supposed to be the “passing lane” and it is intended as such. In some states the police have really begun to crack down on people who are violating this outside lane. It may seem like these are implied that you should follow but in truth it is law that the left lane is for passing only. The reason the highways get clogged up is because people try to stay in the left lane for as long as possible then just shoot for their exit in a few hundred feet.  This kind of act will cause drivers to have to slam on the brakes to avoid the culprit and hence cause a wave of slowing cars.  In my opinion it is a great act for cops to write tickets for passing lane violations, maybe it will make my commute home a bit quicker.

Of course there are always other factors to account for traffic jams, there are parking issue and just the sheer number of cars if an area is not set up to handle them. Another act that police should “crack down” on is line cutting. We have all been there waiting at a highway entrance for 15 min in line, right as you get to the source of the back-up someone in the passing lane cuts in. They barge their way in and think it is ok, we all had to wait…why do you in your KIA not have to? Making this kind of move does not make you smarter than everyone who is waiting in line, it makes you “that guy” and you don’t want to be that guy.

One last aspect of highway driving is to remember that all cars are equipped with mirrors that face to the rear of the car so you can see what is behind you “USE THEM!!!!”. Moving your eyes in the direction of the mirror is not a hard thing to do. Yet no one seems to be able to handle this small task, it will save you from damage costs and maybe personal injury. Not to mention it will save me from being run over by you, cause I don’t  know about you but I like making a trip without being hit by other drivers.

Red Light Cameras, Should They Stay or Should They Go.

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In most major cities in the last decade traffic cameras have become a normal site. A dizzying array of lights and cameras in the middle of an intersection designed to capture illegal maneuvers. Now these cameras are not there to tell you that the wheel hubs bearing or cv axles on your car need to be changed, no they are there to make money. Well that and encourage people not to run the lights. In a recent poll of US cities that use red light cameras, it was determined that most people agree with having them.

There is nothing more infuriating then waiting at a light for a few minutes and after yours turns green some moron runs through the light, almost hits you and then drives off like they did nothing wrong. The whole time you are thinking to yourself “where is a cop when you need one” well with the cameras, there is a cop at every intersection. We see the flash and we think yes….got em. Then the ticket shows up in your mailbox! What?! But it is because the automated system identified your plate instead of theirs. So maybe the system isn’t perfect but it works most of the time.

Any system has ups and downs but the number of drivers who would run lights in major intersections has been cut down for sure. It sure is not worth the 3 min of your time to run a light when the fine could be as much as $500 and a few points on your record. In the end traffic cameras are a brilliant way to control traffic without having to post 10 officers at the intersection. Personally I can think of a few intersections that could use them and I bet you can too. In Asheville NC where Patton Ave meets Liecester highway at least 15 people run the light ever time it changes. There are hundreds of accidents are caused every year because of that. There are thousands of intersections are just like that in the US that need something to help with red light runners.  

The Amazing Auto Auction that is Barrett-Jackson

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Every few months the automotive sales goliath that is Barrett-Jackson rears its head. This even is not like a mechanics special auction where all the cars need a new diesel injector or diesel fuel pumps, no these are classics. Well not all of them are classics, some are future classics.

Barrett-Jackson is a traveling auction that specializes in high end cars that private collectors and dealerships are looking to sell but would never reach their full potential if sold on a lot. Over the years this auction has seen cars from complete concepts to extreme race cars to the complete body off numbers matching restorations that fetch millions. Barrett-Jackson is basically every little boys dream car buffet we all had a car poster on the wall, for me it was the Countach.

The money that people are willing to throw down to get some of these rides is almost as impressive as the cars themselves. Some cars have cleared the 3 million mark and others don’t even hit the reserve, it all comes down to the buzz around a specific car. Unlike police auctions or estate sales this auction widely advertises the cars that are for sale and lets potential buys get all the info about the cars as well as documentation that proves numbers matching. Some cars sold have unique background such as movie cars or even classic James Dean driven cars. People will pay good money for cars that have a history and Barrett-Jackson is where these cars are sold. In other words if you have a classic car with a good history and you are looking to sell then this auction is the place for you to sell that car. 

Mini Releases Some Not so Mini Models

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In the 1960s the Mini Cooper drive by Paddy Hopkirk won the world rally a number of times proving that skill and great handling were all you need. Well all you need for a rally victory at the time and it astounded the racing world. How could a car with no supercharger or turbocharger be able to take world rally victory? The Mini was amazing in the fact that it could keep its speed up through the corners due to its light weight and amazing driver. The original mini was just that….mini it was small but yet had good space inside and could park almost anywhere.

In the year 2000 the last version of the original Mini rolled off the line and hence signaled the end of the mini lineage but the end was not to be. The New Mini as it is known rolled off the line and became an instant hit, the car sold in millions. The New Mini hit the million unit mark in just 6 years of production and sales have not slowed down since. While the Mini is now built by BMW it has maintained the spirit of the original while acquiring a ton of modern safety equipment.  In the past 2 years Mini has begun to expand the brand and released some new models into the automotive world.

The Mini Cooper convertible was the first release which looked great and for some reason has a gauge to tell you how much you have driven with the top down. Strange as that is, even more so is the fact the Mini had customer sign a contract that they would drive with the top down a certain number of miles in the first year. This of course was all about marketing and letting people see the car in the “Wild” and then go buy one of their own. Next was the Mini Clubman that is pretty new 2011 model year new in fact. The clubman is a 5 door version of the Mini…it’s a bit longer but maintains the look and feel of the Mini. The latest offering from Mini is called the Countryman and while it looks like a Mini in spirit it is a bit too large for my taste. The whole idea of a mini is that it is well….mini and the country man is not a small car by any means. So if people like the Countryman then it may just keep the mini spirit alive for the larger car enthusiast just like the New Mini did for the super mini lover. 

The Aston Martin Cygnet, It May Have the Badge but Should it

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A few years ago the regulatory commissions for car companiesdecided that all companies must meet an emissions standard across their entirerange. This means more than just making cars that use efficient oxygen sensorsand engine control module units, this means econo-box cars from all builders.This regulation is not a big deal for companies like Porsche and Lamborghinisince they are owned by VW. The issue really falls on companies like Pagani andAston Martin, companies who only make fire breathing supercars. The solution isto sully the name of the company by creating something completely out of character.In the case of Aston Martin they have created the Cygnet, this is basically aToyota iQ with a fancy dress. Now I don’t know about you but to me there shouldnever be an economy Aston Martin.

The Cygnet is a $18K Toyota that has been dressed up andlooks to hit the US market at more than $40K, is it worth it? Well the Cygnetdoes get quite the rework when Aston Martin get their hands on it. The engineis beefed up…slightly but is still a hyper mileage 4 banger. The exterior getssome new body panels and a coat of paint that would make a show car jealous.The interior is reworked with DB9 level leather and wood. Impressively handcrafter interior pieces and exterior trim work together to create an amazingtransformation into an Aston Martin.

The question we have to ask is…has it worked? Is thisvehicle an Aston? In a word, no…even though hours and hours of hand crafting havegone into this car it is no Aston. Look at it this way, you are out to dinnerwith a date and she asks what you drive. Proudly announcing “I have an AstonMartin” but after dinner walking out to the parking lot may be an embarrassingevent.  In the end an Aston Martin is allabout insane style and the Cygnet just does not fit the bill…the $45K bill. 

What's Your Number?

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Even if you have no idea what turbochargers, an alternator, orany other mechanical part of your car does, odds are you know that your oilmust be changed regularly. But the question is, how regularly? Most people, includingmyself, would say once every 3,000 miles or roughly three to four months. I don’tknow why that number is ingrained in my mind, but it seems to have become the generalrule of thumb for most automobiles for quite some time.

The state of California, however, has decided to fight againstthis assumption with their new “Check Your Number” ad campaign. The purpose ofthis campaign is to encourage drivers to check with their car's manufacturer beforeheading over to Jiffy Lube for their next oil change. With today’s advancementsin technology, an oil change every 3,000 mile can be excessive and they want everydriver to check for the recommendation specific to their vehicle. Some BMWvehicles, for instance, don’t need an oil change until they’ve driven another15,000 miles! These drivers could be changing their oil up to four times morethan necessary, wasting both money and oil. Other cars pushing the 3,000 mile benchmark are the Toyota Tacoma only needing an oil change every 5,000 miles and the Chevy Malibu at 7,500 miles.

The campaign is actually a clever one because not only willit save drivers money and time, it helps protect the environment and conserveresources. If Californian drivers alone started changing their oil according tomanufacturers’ specifications, oil demand would decrease by about 10 million gallonsa year. Now I know you’re all curious about what your number is, so head over to checkyournumber.org to find out. Ijust found out “my number” is 10,000 miles, making me feel MUCH better abouthow lazy I’ve been when it comes to changing my oil.

Back Up into Your Back Up Battery

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One of the worst things is when your phone runs out of power while you’re in the middle of something really important, like posting a witty remark on your friends Facebook profile. Just imagine how much worse it would be if your car did the same thing during an even more vital activity, such as listening to your favorite song on your cd radio. At least with phones you have the option to buy those bulky power packs that extend your battery’s life. Only if cars had something similar… oh wait, it looks like it they may be on the way! Feel free to now play that song as loud as you can on your cd radio.

Those crazy engineers at Swiss Think Tank Rindspeed have conjured up The Dock+Go. This device would hook up to the back, and look like an extension of your vehicle. The biggest difference would be the third axle and extra set of wheels. The Dock+Go would increase your driving range with either an extra gas tank or set of batteries. Rindspeed has also dreamt up the idea of putting an oven, or a complete tool box in different models of the Dock+Go.

Currently they have modeled the Dock+Go to fit on the back of a Smart Car. Most people would say, “if someone wanted a bigger gas tank and more storage, then why not just buy a normal size car instead of a Smart Car and The Dock+Go?” Most people would say this because they are right.

As of now the Dock+Go is just an idea. Rindspeed does not actually produce any of the incredible things they think up… so lazy.

The Spectra 341 Challenge Hits the Mountain for Another Run

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Every year there are thousands of motorsport challenges that occur all across the globe but none are as scary for a drive as a hill climb. The idea of motor sport is a simple one, more control and more speed equals a better time. Drivers push their cars and the parts like the wheel bearing assembly and wheel hub assembly to the limits to make the car get through the course as fast as it can. Hill climbs are the kind of races that make heros or tragedies. During a hill climb the track is usually a road that is not designed for racing, in fact most of the time it is a standard road throughout the year and for one or two day it is transformed into a mecca of speed.

The Spectra hill climb is a relatively new race in fact this year’s running of the races marks the second annual event. True 2 times is not a legacy but it may just be the beginning of one. The list of cars that attend this even are as different as nascar and Formula 1. The track itself is a 5.2 mile stretch of highway that runs through a mining town in the middle of the Nevada desert and has no guard rails or safety barriers.

The fastest time last year and this year was run by the same man in the same car, Lou Gigliotti piloted his ZR1 to a time of 3:14. This time is amazing because a good time on the mountain is considered a 3:41 so to cut 23 seconds off that time is quite the feet. The road is called the Nurburgring of America, probably by people who have never been to Nurburgring before but it is still a good comparison.  Both of these tracks have extremely complex layouts and they both test a drivers ability to its max.  The amazing thing about this race of the Nurburg is that there is no safety on the road itself if you go off it could be a 500ft drop for the driver. For anyone who wants to it is a great idea to take a look at some of the incar videos to get an idea of just how scary this drive really is. Not to mention how crazy the drivers have to be to do this event. 

Race of the Roses

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Imagine having to deal with heat reaching up to 120 degrees,and there is no AC Compressor to help you. Even worse, your visibility is at zero and the window motor regulator isnot to blame.  Under these conditions youhave to manage around three intense turns, one which is a tight 107 degrees.  You must finish this intense five and a halfmile course at a blistering speed of 2.5 miles per hour.

You are probably asking yourself, “What daredevils wouldrisk their lives doing this?” The answer is, the brave souls who drive the floats in The PasadenaTournament of Roses Parade. The drivers get by withoutseeing because they have a spotter on top of the float that communicates withthem via radio. The observer tells the spotter when to turn and how fast to go. If the drivers have toslowdown or god forbid stop, it is frowned upon. When it comes to the heat, they just have to deal with it. If it gets up to 120 degrees an alarm will go off and the driver knowsit’s time to get out of the float and grab a root-beer float to cool down.

In case you were thinking about purchasing one of theseflowered monsters here are some specs. Most floats are powered by the likes of a V-10 truck engine.  There is no diesel option, as parade rulesprohibit that. They need to boast a lot of power because the floats are usuallyaround 120 feet long and over 100,000 pounds. The gas tank in these is approximately 50 gallons and a float willusually go through 30 gallons during the parade.  That’s just a little over 5 miles per gallon.There is no suspension, so expect a rough ride. If none of that deterred you from still wanting one, maybe the fact thatthey cost around $300,000 will.

Happy New Year    

The Lexus LF-LC Photos Leaked

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Are you having some car problems?  Is your starter giving you issues?  Does it seem like Mr. Fuel Injector calledin sick?  If everything car related hasjust got you feeling like you want to trade in your vehicle for a razor scooterhold on a second.  Here are some picturesto make you go to your car happy place.

Photos of the Lexus hybrid super car currently called TheLF-LC have been leaked onto the internet. This thing looks like it could eat aPrius.  The vehicle definitely fits intothe sharp and youthful demographic which Lexus has been aiming for in the pastfew years. The car was designed at Calty Design Studio in Long Beach, and theyget a huge pat on the back from me. The edgy lines and distinctive grill aresure to attract a large crowd when it is unveiled at the American InternationalAuto Show in Detroit on Monday. 

Even though a few pictures were leaked there are still manymysteries about the supercar.  What we doknow is that it is a four seater, it’s a hybrid, and it looks amazing.  The rest of information out there right nowis just speculation.  Considering thatthe LF-LC shares a very similar design to the LF-A, it is forecasted that theLF-LC will provide similar power.  Toyotahas a history of giving their concept cars codenames that clarifiespositioning.  It is a guess that LFstands for Lexus Future, and the LC means LS Coupe.  This crazy hybrid could go on sale in 2015under the name LC600h.

Get the Upper Hand on a Car Lot

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Shopping for a new car can be an exciting but stressful experience, what options, what color, what is the best year…just a ton to consider. The main issues to address are of course what do you want in a car.  Dealers will tell you what they want you to want in a car, not what you really need or even what is good for you. Telling a customer who has kids they need a car with a car navigation system and car stereo with DVD capability is common. That is nice but not something she needs to pay $3000 extra to have when its a option. Before ever setting foot in a car dealer it is a good idea to do some research.

From the moment a buyer walks onto a lot, dealers are watching everything they do and checking out what they drove when they entered the lot. What people need to realize is that the dealer is the enemy, not as much in the “at war” way but more in the opposing team sort of way. The whole idea is to score more points than them.  In the end the dealer will be making money off you and it is your right to try and spend as little as possible. Many new and used car buyers seem to believe that the car salesman is their friend but big smile or not they are only there to get your money. The idea here is that if they are going to get your money make them work for it.

There are a few things that an informed consumer is going to want to know and use as some great bargaining chips. Always do a nation-wide search because the prices may be different in other locations and you can use that as a way to swap the cost of the car. Find out how long that particular car has been on the lot and how long the average sale is for that model, if they are slow moving models know a few hundred dollars off for getting the car out of their space. Cars that sit on a dealer lot depreciate just like the one in your drive way, just remember all the tricks dealer use to degrade your trade-in can also be applied to the car you are buying. Last, remember you are in charge. No matter how far along you are, until you sign on the dotted line you can stand up and walk out the door at any point. This is the single most powerful weapon you have, if you leave they get nothing so they will give you a better deal just to get your money. Just like a telemarketer you can always tell a dealer that they are not wanted and don’t forget to negotiate your trade as well. If they offer you $6000 right away, push for $7000 and last but not least once they have made their final offer be sure to ask for even more of a discount.  

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars, Clarity for the Future

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There are many alternative fuels hitting the market some of which are more interesting than others. Vehicles using a fuel pump that pushes grain alcohol or car using electric generators attached to the wheel hub bearing but not all of these ideas will succeed. Most new technology will fall by the waist side and be over shadowed by others. The hydrogen initiative is one of the ideas that will most likely see a lot more attention in the next decade. Not only is hydrogen clean to the environment but it also means that the only byproduct of a vehicle powered by hydrogen is water and we can all use more of that.

In the attempt to get more efficient cars on the road many car companies and technology rims have tried hydrogen fuel cell cars with varying degrees of success. Honda has had one of the most “in the news” version of this car which is called the Clarity which is basically a civic but under the bonnet it houses a secret. A hydrogen fuel cell power plant that can be fueled just like a gasoline motor but the emissions are leaner than the air in the city where the testing is being done…LA.

While this car may be the future in some people’s eyes others think the electric car movement others see the complete electric car as the way to go. Electric cars are a great idea in principal but the truth is their range is limited and it takes a good amount of time for the batteries to recharge. Anyone who has an EV will tell you that they must have a second car to take them on longer trips which kinda defeats the purpose. Hydrogen may just be the way to go but it is a bit too soon to know, also even the clarity has a $600 a month lease payment…a bit too steep for a Honda that is not an NSX Type-R. 

One Shell of a Mustang

>Are you lookingfor a starter project which is a lot more advanced than simply replacing yourstarter? Well then, I think you have something new to add to your Christmaslist.  Although, Santa would havea much easier time bringing down a new starter than what I am talking about.

DynacornInternational has produced an official Ford Licensed body shell for the 1967Ford Mustang Convertible.  For the shellto meet Ford’s standards it must outdo the fit, finish and quality of theoriginal. Ford has given this Dynacorn part their stamp of approval. Mustangenthusiasts are now able to construct or refurbish a classic.  The shell comes primed and ready to paint, sopaint it whatever color you want.  If youdesire you can turn into a “red shell” and throw it at your friend namedLuigi.

Although throwingit at your friend may be fun, it is probably a waste of $15,995. It may seem alittle bit pricey for just a shell, but chances of finding an original 1967Mustang to restore is not too probable. In thelong run you may actually save cash by purchasing this new shell instead ofconverting an original into working shape. Over 90% of the parts you need tocomplete your restoration can be purchased as new Ford reproduction products.  The shell is built so that one of theoriginal six engines will bolt in. However, it is not built to fit nicely under the Christmas Tree.

If restoring justone Mustang is not enough for you, three other Mustang shells are alsoavailable; 1965 Convertible, 1967 Fastback, and the 1969 Fastback.

What Kind of Car Can Be Bought for $7K

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Buying a new car can be stressful but a lot of fun with the excitement of looking at all the cars that you could get. Cars with in-dash navigation screen units and ridiculous car radio units that can blow your ear drums, cars with turbos, superchargers and huge V8s. Buying a car is all about personal preference, not all people are car crazy and sometimes they just want something to get them from point A to Point B. For those type of people there are plenty of Civics and Camrys out there. For those of us that are a bit more of a motor head there are lots of sports cars and muscle cars on the market for this price.

The list goes on and on with muscle cars and some sports cars, now for those of you who don’t know a muscle car is not and I repeat not a sports car. A Mustang or a Charger may have a huge engine but the geometry of the car is all wrong. A huge engine is not what makes a sports car, the ability to handle a corner at high speed and handle it well is what makes a sports car. One of the best examples of a good muscle car at this price range was a 1998 Ford Mustang GT in perfect condition with all the options and even garage kept.

The $7000 price range may seem to be a bit low for your dream car but the idea here is not to show that you can buy a dream car for that much cash. The idea here is to show that we can still have fun on the road without having to drop $50K on a dealer lot. The best way to say it is gear heads want to get out and have fun on the road feeling the car rocket you from zero to 60 in a few seconds.  The greatest thing about these cars is that they are use and being sold by a private individual who can be haggled with.  

When Will Those Pesky Flying Cars Arrive

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For decades now writers have been predicting a world where we would all drive flying cars, I think it was somewhere around 1995 for their arrival. Ha just Imagine what the car navigation system would looks like having to help you with 3d driving. The car stereo would have to be so powerful to drown out the sound of the motors that it would probably kill the car when the base hit. But honestly where are they? Does anyone remember a decade ago when the Moller Skycar was being tested? No, back in the early 2000’s there was a flying car that was almost ready for production and then boom…it’s gone.

After thinking about flying cars for a few minutes images of flying free through the sky pop into your head. Ahhh the freedom to go where ever you want without the need of roads, a luring thought indeed. It would be great to get in your car in the morning, no rush hour just up and you are there but ponder this for a moment. I think I may know why this never came to be or at least not yet. You ever see those people on the road swerving all over, reading the paper while talking on the phone and driving? Yep you know the one…well now they would be in control of something much more dangerous than a car.

Maybe the flying car has vanished not because the technology is not there but more because as people we can’t handle it.  Well maybe not all of us can, but for those of us who could wow that would be great. 

What is the Tire Pressure Monitor System

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Government regulations require all cars now to have tire pressure monitoring systems as original equipment. The question is what do these systems do…or better one is how do they work? Unlike a starter or an alternator the TPMS is a unit that is battery powered and has a 100% failure rate over a period of 10 years.

The system uses a sensor in each tire that contains an internal battery and sends a signal to a receiver in the vehicle. When one of these sensors detects a low tire pressure it signals the ECM and the check tire light will flash.

Every year it is estimated that there are over 40,000 accidents and 33,000 injuries due to tire issues. Not to mention more than 650 deaths are attributed to under inflation related issues so having a system that will relay potential issues is an amazing advantage. Aside from the safety issues the potential money savings is a big factor too. Not just for the driver but for everyone since a tire that is under inflated by 10% will cause a 1% drop in efficiency in performance. It is estimated that over 2 billion gallons of gas are wasted each year due to under inflation. This system has been standard equipment in normal passenger cars since 2007 and will be federally required after 2012 in all new vehicles.

This Years Pike Peak Hill Climb is in the Books

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In the world of racing there are few things that test a car and drivers skill and sheer determination more than an endurance race. The 24 hour at Nürburgring is a race that will test the endurance for even the worlds hardest drivers, but for sheer adrenaline nothing can compare to the Pikes Peak hill climb.  This hill climb is a race that is so intense it was featured in Gran Tourismo as a special stage and is one of the most grueling rally stages ever. This races tests cars to the limit not just what the cars drivers but the various components like the wheel hub and bearing assembly.

The race is so hard because it is a straight hill climb up one of the most difficult roads on the planet. Every year more and more of the road is being paved but the sheer altitude of the road makes it very difficult for the pavers to operate. In fact there is only about a 2 month window where the temperature ever gets high enough for paving to happen. About the paved area is a gravel and mud section that shifts and changes by the minute. Some drivers go just to finish the track and others go to break world records.

Even though when it comes to sports cars the last name we all think of is Suzuki they are able to make some amazing hill climb vehicles. This year was no exception, they built what they called a SX4 hill climb special but this car has nothing in common with the SX4 that is on the local lot. The Hill Climb edition is a twin turbo V6 mid-engine tube frame race car boasting all-wheel drive, in fact the only thing that makes it a “SX4” are the headlight stickers on the front. Think NASCAR Ford Taurus…yeah not a Taurus in anyway but more of a Taurus “theme”.

The goal this year for many of the teams was to get up the beastly mountain in less than 10 min. While most of the teams fell short of this due to mechanical issues the Suzuki team blew that 10 min goal out of the water with a 9:51. This is nothing short of the fastest time ever posted in a Pikes Peak event. The team of Rhys Millen fell short of the 10 min goal due to brake failure but Rhys was able to limp his car over line 7 seconds short of the goal. All in all a disappointing weekend for many of the teams but to honest it is a huge accomplishment just to make it to the top. 

Car Ads May be going over the top

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Car ads have always been the center of the automotive world, plus they let us know what we like. When is it that car ads go too far? Well not all auto ads tell us about the amazing car navigation system or car radio some may make claims like they can fix all the

problems in your life. We all know that when we climb into an amazing car we do tend to feel better about ourselves. The car companies believe that they have nailed down what makes us want them but has anyone really done that?

The truth…not really, car ads try but they cannot pin point one group and it may be time to try. Recently Honda has begun a campaign with the civic that seems aimed at individuality. Though this series was done by Scion about 10 years ago guess Honda is trying to recapture the feeling. KIA has apparently built a car that can drive on mars, that is if you believe their newest ads. You know the ones I mean…the one where the aliens steal the car away from Neptune. The car ads have always been over the top but it may have reached a point where the ad is more important than the car.

Land Rover may have nailed it down with their “you’ll feel safe inside” ads, if you have not seen them it’s worth a Google search. Why are these ads successful? Land Rover hit the nail on the head, they convey the message while not distracting from the core message. That message is “Land Rovers are safe” which is besides the fact that they are great looking trucks too.

Super car companies have fallen prey to the same vice as most of the others. The new Pagani is a amazing looking car but god are the ads just plain bad. If you are looking to buy a super car you want to see it going crazy not slowly cruising through the country side.

We all buy cars for different reasons but there is no reason for me to ever see a Camry sliding around a curvy road. Come on people it is time to go for your target audience! Camry equals reliable, supercar equals fun and SUV equals safe …these are things we all know. All I know is if I were god of the sea I would not be driving a KIA, though they are great cars nowadays.

We All Know How to Merge...or Do We?

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So many factors to count for what shall we do? That may be the way some of us are looking at merging into traffic. When it comes to merging it is still up to us to determine if it can be done safely, our car stereo or in-dash navigation screen cannot tell us how to do it. Because many of us rely on a nav system to get us anywhere, regular driving techniques have become a bit lax.

Merging is a important part of everyday driving an its one that many people are really really bad at doing. The idea is to seamlessly move from one lane to another in traffic and keep the flow of cars uninterrupted. It seems that many a driver believes that merging their vehicle is everyone else's problem. Just start moving over and everyone else should get out of their way. This is not true, you are the one who has to take responsibility for your driving.

When merging the main idea is to look using your mirrors and actually turning your head to make sure you can make the gap you are trying to enter. Driving along any freeway merging is needed when ever getting on the highway and usually when highways intersect not to mention anytime you want to pass. Merging is very common and one of the most used driving maneuvers that we use without thinking about it. So if we all use it so often why is it that day after day and night after night we sit in traffic for no reason? The answer is clear it bad drivers! Drivers who slam on the brakes after the merge, push their way on, other drivers who don't let people in or even worse the ones who speed up to block people from getting in. If all the drivers at an intersection were to allow one other driver to merge then the speed of a highway should only drop by a few miles an hour due to the fact that the merging car can meet the required speed with the on ramp. If it comes down to merging being the cause of many traffic jams...which it does, the "Smart guy" is the cause of many of them. This is the guy that sees a long line for an exit off the freeway and waits to the last second to cut over. They risk hitting the person who is already waiting in that line and also they slow down their lane by making people behind them panic break. It's a rude and obnoxious maneuver and it is also down right dangerous. To the driver who does this "you are not smarter than the rest of us, your just much more rude".

A drivers action on the road are going to dictate how the traffic flows on the freeway so think before you make your merge. If we all do it right, the drive will be smoother and nicer for all of us. If you are one of those people who thinks it is ok to cut the line of traffic, you should try it at the grocery store when waiting to check out and see what everyone around you has to say about that.

A Classic Race Car than Can still Hold it’s Own

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Classic race cars are the inspiration for all the race cars of today so to ignore them would be a mistake. As my mom used to say “ignore the mistakes of the past and you will repeat them in the future”, hey it’s good advice. A prime example of this is the 787B created by Mazda over 20 years ago. While this car may use a fuel pump and fuel injectors just like other race cars of the time, it had one huge ace up it’s sleeve. It was unbelievably powerful for the weight of the car. It was powered by a rotary motor… and not just any rotary motor this one is a 4 rotor making close to 700 hp. This car not only stunned with its amazing looks and speed but the handling was just as amazing. As a result of this the car trounced the competition at the Lemans the in 1991 like no one had ever seen.

20 years later and this car could still be in competition with the other prototype cars that rule the track. This car was so fast that it was banned from the race and ruled to be “too fast” for this race.  What is it that we can really learn from a car that is 20 years old? The car may have been banner from the Lemans but it does not mean the technology has been scrapped too.  The 787 had an extremely low stance due to the fact that the motor was not relying on pistons that move up and down. The rotary motor could be mounted so low to the ground that the whole car barely topped the 40 inch level , infact if you ignore the rear wing it wouldn’t.
The 787 will be making a huge return to LeMans…maybe not in the way we would all like but in the classics race before hand. One thing for everyone is certain, this car will smoke the competition like it did years ago and original driver will be on hand for the event.

Shoe Horning a Huge Engine….Yes Please

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In the world of modern technology where a 3.5L motor can make 500 HP without any issue why swap in the 5.0L? Turbo and supercharger technology is quickly making up the difference that a huge engine makes, so it may seem like a dumb choice for the car builder.  The appeal of the big classic V8 in a car is the simplicity these car were basically run by simple computers that anyone with a basic knowledge could install. Many of the modern turbo motors are so complex you would need a degree in engineering to understand them…much less wire them.

Now if your over the age of 20 you probably remember the coyote strapping himself to a rocket and chasing after the road runner. The idea being the giant V8 is about the same, lots of power and no idea where you will end up. The popular Monster Miata swap is a great example of this, extremely light Miata and the motor from a corvette. When it comes to going fast with real speed it is all about “adding lightness” now that may sound weird but it is a phrase that many companies swear by.

Big motors are what American car companies have used for years to make their cars more interesting to the consumer.  Most Europeans cars are lighter and there for can use a much smaller motor, so the idea here is to take that lighter car and give it some crazy power. As car guys and gals we all know what to do to get our thrill of speed, sometimes we can go to the track. Other times we can go to the theme park and let a roller coaster make us scream for dear life but nothing gives the same thrill as building our dream machine. 

Use Common Sense on the Roads People!

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The streets of america are a rough place...no I am not talking about growing up on the streets, I am talking about driving on them. Yeah maybe you need a new air suspension strut or air suspension compressor but that is not what makes them a rough place. What makes them bad is the other drivers, yes that means YOU and me and everyone else around. Every person has seen the news story when they end with "this horrible crash could have been avoided" but what does that really mean? what can we take away from that statement?

Cars and trucks are basically weapons on wheels, they are 3000+ lbs of unforgiving steel. People tend to forget the responsibility that goes along with driving a vehicle, the government regulates guns and driving for good reason. Sure we have all had that phone call or text come in while sitting in traffic and answered it while driving. There are signs on the road, ads in magazines and spots on TV telling us all not to text and drive. Texting and driving is as dangerous as drinking and driving but most drives just ignore the dangers.

Most phones nowadays have a feature called voice text which will take what you say and translate it to text that can be sent. The feature will also read texts back to you for added safety on the road. Phones are not the only issue when  people are behind the wheel, laziness and ignorance play a huge role in accidents as well. Law enforcement will tell us that speeding is the cause of accidents and in some ways that is true but on average it is not. Accidents are just that accidents cause by mis-judgments of a situation or just not paying attention. "I swear i didn't see him there!" but the truth is you didn't look and this happens all the time. It is time for us all to take responsibility for our actions behind the wheel and make the driving world a safer place to be.

Blogautoparts Car of the Week

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When we think of awesome cars we usually think of Ferrari or Pagani but what about those amazing creations that people build for their everyday use. Cars with custom in-dash car navigation system units and car stereo units that are used on the daily commute and to pick the kids up at soccer practice. These cars must be great to look at and great to drive everyday but what makes a custom car? A custom car is not a car that someone went out and bought the pack of “flames” stickers for or a LED exhaust tip.  A real custom car is a ride that has been completely changed to be a creation unique to the driver.

Custom cars run the range from KIAs to Bugatti but they all have one thing in common they were built to make the owner feel special when they sit inside. Today’s entry is this BMW which was found at a local car show and is one amazing creation by the owner.  Wide-body, turbocharged and built to look like the grand touring car that BMW runs it is one interesting ride. With the CSL style hood it is implied that this car is one serious little racer. Another unique feature of the car is the paint scheme or at least the graphics which have a black and white scheme that continues throughout the entire car. A good color scheme is a sure way to make a car look great. Many a tuner has run into the issue where a great plan falls short because the overall package looks out of whack.

In this example the body kit was customized to add what looks like about 8 inches to the overall width of the car and a wing that demands down force. Exterior styling can be very difficult to get right especially if the wheels that are used are the wrong offset or the wrong style. Every day cars roll past with wheels that just look wrong but this car has done it right. Deep dish wheels and matching colors to the car make this one successful ride. This is one great looking car and hopefully it is a daily driver and not just a trailer queen, that way we can all enjoy it.