Some Car Buying Tips

Car shopping would be funner if I were buying one of these.

I absolutely hate car shopping. Most people are surprised to find this out since they just assume my automotive infatuation makes car shopping a joyful experience. When I clarify why I hate car shopping everyone just nods and smiles to themselves, because they know what I'm talking about.

I hate car shopping not for the test drives, the kicking of tires, etc. What I hate is the money end of it. While there are a few dealerships out there that are pretty honest and straightforward with customers, there are unfortunately enough shysters out there that the car buying experience can be pretty miserable. It makes buying a car a completely stressful experience, where one wrong move can cost you thousands of dollars without giving you anything extra in return.


After many vehicle purchases and many painful hours spent in car dealerships, I am passing my knowledge of car shopping on to you all. This is by no means the end-all list of car shopping tips, but rather some useful items that can help save you some grief. Feel free to leave a comment if you have any tips of your own or want to share your car shopping horror stories.

Now, for the tips:

Know what you want before you get there. If you walk into a dealership or peruse the lot and you haven't done some research, you need to make a solemn promise to yourself that you are not going to sign any papers or talk anything about finance that day. Test drive some vehicles if you aren't sure what you will like, but don't mix that visit with your visit to actually purchase a vehicle. Do thorough homework at home on the Internet about the vehicles you are considering to help you narrow down what you want. When you go to a dealership to buy a vehicle, you need to know exactly what make and model you want, plus all of the options you would like. NEVER ask a car salesman, no matter how honest he seems, what kind of car you should get or to help you choose between two different cars you are considering.

Set a time limit and  stick to it. Car dealers often like to make you wait for hours on end. It's a device they use to wear you down so you don't put up as much of a fight over all the extra crap they will throw on your sales contract. If you are being made to wait around too much, leave. Seriously just get up and walk out. You might even want to tell them you only have so long. But don't let them hurry you up into a deal right then, because that's when you can agree to things you should not. Instead, tell them to write up the sales contract and give you a call when it's ready. Then you can go back at your convenience and review the contract. This puts you in the position of control.

Leave if you are getting jerked around. I've done this a few times with dealerships that try to play games or go back on their word about something. If you haven't signed the purchase agreement you can leave at any time and they are powerless to stop you. If a salesman starts chasing you, then is an opportune time to give them your final demands as you continue walking to your car. In the event they offer to "fix" the deal for you, let them know there is a time limit to make it happen or you will leave again. Sometimes the dealership will let you leave but then later in the day or even a few days later you will receive a call from the sales manager. Again, this is your moment to negotiate for what you want, so go for it.

Always cite a reason for a lower price. If you feel that a price offer on a car isn't fair, you need to have done your homework to know exactly why. Is there a competing dealership offering a better price on the same car? Is it a used car with high miles or damage on it? If you can cite a reason for a low ball offer on a car, the dealership employees will know you are educated enough to know the true value of the vehicle and they will often cave in to your request.

Never concentrate just on monthly payments! Too many car shoppers look exclusively at the monthly payments for the vehicle they are interested in. BIG MISTAKE! Negotiate the car's total purchase price before you ever talk about monthly payments. Dealers will often get you to concentrate on the monthly amount as they jack the total purchase price up. There are plenty of ways to shrink a car's monthly payments, like extending the life of the loan a year. Keep your eye on the prize and get the total purchase price hammered out first, then check that price when you sit down to sign the sales contract.

Shop around before you buy. Once you hammer out a purchase agreement with a dealer, stop right there and tell them you need to sleep on it. NEVER purchase the car right then. Most contracts are good for a few days, so use that time to shop the competition. Tell them what kind of a deal you are getting at the competing dealership and ask if they can beat it. If they can produce a more competitive deal (again, without making you wait forever) then go with the best option.

Use the Internet to shop. Some dealerships will actually offer better prices through increased incentives for buyers who shop online. Not only that, but talking to the sales staff online helps decrease the pressure you would normally feel sitting in the showroom. You can even slow the sales process down to several weeks, giving you time to mine all kinds of information about dealer incentives and buyer reward programs from the sales staff.

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2013 BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe

At the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2013 BMW and Pininfarina have created a very special coupe.

The design team of BMW and Pininfarina will present as part of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2013 their first joint project, the BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe.

"The attractive thing about working with Pininfarina, is that you again get a different, very specific views on issues such as luxury and exclusivity. Because especially for these issues is Pininfarina has always been and proves again and again fine feeling and special refinement. In them we have found the perfect partner to make this vehicle concept take shape, "explains Karim Habib, Head of BMW design.

"The result of this cooperation is much more than the sum of its parts." said Fabio Filippini, Head of Design at Pininfarina, more. "If two such experienced and traditional brands to realize a common vision created something completely new and exciting. This mutual respect for the identity of the other entity at any time was formative for cooperation."

With the Gran Lusso Coupe, the two manufacturers have shown how a luxury coupe of the future might look like without that is lost in the DNA of BMW design. The BMW kidney leans in the direction of the Gran Lusso Coupe and quoted as the typical BMW "shark nose" even more, giving more momentum to the vehicle from the side.

The elegant lines of the big coupé makes the car both petite, also act as a very brawny, depending on which perspective you look at it. The game of flowing lines and striking beads, the designers particularly well done.

Thus, the elongated side game then ends in a slender tail that both the typical BMW L-shape shows with very narrow LED lights, but also the typical Pininfarina design includes.

The 21 "alloy wheels and the V12 logo are also embossed details of the elegant coupe. Very luxurious, the interior is designed in the finest leather with exclusive wood also contains as advanced electronics, in the form of LED lights for the headliner or a navigation system.

Even though the Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe is just a single piece, it shows how elegant and modern at the same time would fit a big coupe based on the BMW 7 Series.

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2014 BMW 6 Series M Sport

BMW offers for all body variants of the 6-series now a particularly sporty M Sport Edition.

As of July is for customers of the BMW 6 Series M Sport Edition. With harmoniously coordinated design features and a particularly high-quality equipment features, the M Sport Edition models combine maximum driving fun with sporty looks and exclusive interior.

The M Sport Edition is available for all three body styles (coupe, convertible and Gran Coupe). Visually recognize the M Sport Edition of the M Sport package, which among other things, an M aerodynamics package, 19 "M light alloy wheels, LED fog lights, black painted calipers, BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line, exhaust tailpipes in dark chrome and the adaptive LED headlights contains.

Inside, it then continues as sporty and luxurious, and you get sports seats in Alcantara / leather combination, an M leather steering wheel, M door sills, a head-up display, upholstered in nappa leather dashboard, navigation system ConnectedDrive with 10.2 Inch display, HiFi system Professional with up to 16 speakers, Park Distance Control and a rearview camera.

Upon request, the 6 Series M Sport Edition models can also be ordered in the previously available only for the BMW M6 models "Sakhir Orange Metallic" paint scheme.

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The Evolution of Fast and Furious

The new Fast and Furious movie is coming out on May 24th, and so in the spirit of the movie I wanted to talk about the evolution of franchise.

When the first movie came out I was in college and was swamped with homework, trying to balance a social life, etc. I knew vaguely of the movie but that was about it. It wasn't until the movie came out on DVD that I saw it and was intrigued by its portrayal (however unrealistic) of the tuner world. I had experience modifying cars and was adding onto my car at the time, so that made the movie that much more interesting to me. Of course the cars in the movie looked pretty ridiculous, but that was a thing among some tuners at the time (kind of like with donks now). Some of those zany looks were a way to ruffle people's feathers and for the tuners to thumb their nose at them. And of course the scene where the Supra "smokes" the Ferrari further infuriated many automotive purists that solemnly and foolishly believed a Ferrari would win any race by virtue of the prancing pony slapped on it.

That first movie inspired many, many poser racer bois to start slapping huge aluminum wings and coffee can exhausts onto the economy car that used to be mommy's. In a lot of ways it cheapened the tuning scene. This cheapening, I feel, became even worse with the completely cartoonish and disappointing second movie, 2 Fast 2 Furious, which I unfortunately saw on opening night (complete with a Supra car show in the parking lot). Anyone who had a modified car that was not a Corvette or better came under quite a bit of fire from all over the place. We were the cause of idiots who raced on busy city streets, we were the source of the stolen car parts market (never mind that the market existed before the movies), cops tailgated you on the road for no reason and so forth.

Then my project car was totaled out by some complete idiot driver, plus I was married and had a kid. So I stopped really playing with cars out of necessity. The third Fast and Furious movie came out, Tokyo Drift, and I didn't see that one until it came out on DVD. Honestly it was an improvement on the horrible second movie, but like the two previous movies it still leaned heavily toward tuner cars or "ricers" as some people are fond of calling them. The series introduced the world to the drifting movement, which then inspired all kinds of idiot kids trying to drift on roads or in busy public parking lots which of course often ended badly (just like in the movie).

It wasn't until the fourth movie that the franchise took an interesting turn. Sure there were some tuner cars in it, but instead of just one or two American muscle cars there were several. Why nobody tapped into the muscle car scene before baffles me. The new movie brought a different dimension to the series, and it was a huge success. The fifth movie built on that momentum, plus introduced some exotic vehicles (like the Koenigsegg CC) to make even more people feel included.

So the series has evolved quite a bit. The one major scene or segment I feel hasn't been truly represented is the European tuning market, specifically the Germans. It looks like the cars in the sixth movie will include some British speed demons, but why aren't there GTIs, a C63 AMG, M6 or even an S60R? There have been a few Euro vehicles in the series, but most of them have fared pathetically, like Jesse's Jetta in the first movie.

Maybe there will be a seventh movie (I think they're going to keep making them until Vin Diesel is behind the wheel of a Little Rascal). And maybe in the seventh movie we will finally see a bunch of German muscle cars. That would be fun. The evolution of the series has kept it going, because if in the fourth movie there were just a bunch of newer tuner cars with a rainbow of paint jobs I think that would have been the death of it all. So if anyone involved in the production of the Fast and Furious movies reads this, you should go for some German flavoring in the next movie; plenty of us would pay to see that.

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2014 BMW 3 Series GT

With the BMW 3 Series GT will now start the third body style in the 3 Series. Compared to the 3 Series Touring 3 Series GT offers more space for passengers and luggage. When the outside did he gain length of 200 mm, the wheelbase has grown by 110 mm.

Also, the height growth of 81 mm is instantly recognizable. Here, the 3 Series GT alone acts considered very dynamic and graceful. Only when you see him in a direct comparison with the 3 Series Touring, you realize how big it actually is.

Despite its size, the 3 Series GT from every perspective is very pleasing and is not as clumsy as the BMW 5 Series GT, which also boasts an exquisite space, but its dimensions presented very massive.

In a first exit we were able to learn the qualities of the new BMW 3 Series GT. At the first encounter a fall, the higher seating position in comparison to the other 3 versions. The increased by 59 mm seating position gives an even better overview of the traffic, but it still increases a comfortably higher than SUV. Especially for older people, this middle size between sedan and SUV certainly a good solution.

The instrument panel is similar to that of the other 3-body styles and is used in a clear and well-made. While the driver and passenger are lifted equally well regarding space as the Saloon and Touring, to the rear passengers opened an unusually generous amount of space.

Even when the driver and passenger have grown in size, in the rear there is still so much space, as it is otherwise known only from business class flights overseas. The 3 Series GT thus advisable also very good as chauffeured saloon. Even the head freedom is despite the coupe adhere line leadership also in the rear compartment very good.

Very generously dimensioned luggage compartment is also that can even outdo that by Touring. With a storage space of 520 liters, the GT-boot is 25 liters larger than that of the Touring. Standard also opens the tailgate electrically. The rear seats can be folded with one hand from the trunk, and then follow up to 1600 liters of storage space.

Generous storage under the boot floor not only provide plenty of space for odds and ends, the luggage compartment cover has been given a specially designated place.

Of course in a BMW not only the space is important, even driving pleasure should not be neglected. In a first exit we could have the diesel with 184 hp and the top model, the 335i with 306 hp gasoline engine drive.

Who can speak more to the mind than the heart, which will be completely satisfied with the 320d GT. The 184 hp (135 kW) 2.0-liter diesel has a torque of 380 Nm, which he keeps ready 1750-2750 r / min.

Combined with the fast switching 8-speed automatic transmission of the 320d GT sprints in 7.9 seconds from 0 to 100 km / h, and is up to 226 km / h. On average, he should be content with 4.9 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers, which he is also very economical.

Despite its length of 482 cm can be moved with great agility of the BMW 3 GT. Thanks to a weight distribution of 50:50 it fits perfectly on the road and also allows high cornering speeds without the passengers would get scared.

Even sportier then of course the 335i already may have almost the performance of a sports car with its 306 hp (225 kW). Its maximum torque of 400 Nm delivery of the 3.0-liter 6-cylinder 1200-5000 r / min.

So you have right from the start a huge thrust to. The power is transmitted to the rear wheels perfectly. In just 5.4 seconds from standstill to 100 km / h top speed is electronically limited to 250 km / hr.

The driving pleasure is increased even when providing the driving experience switch to Sport mode. Then accelerator response, shift points, steering and suspension in milliseconds to be completely tuned for sportiness. For the driver, the immediate, and the still earlier brave 335i GT turns into a wild bull, just waiting to get his discharge. Even at high speed out of the twin turbo engine depends on the gas and still willing to provide significant intermediate sprints.

A perfect workmanship and high material quality are of course given in both models. The 3 Series GT is definitely a very interesting alternative to the other body styles and stands out well from other vehicles in its class.

Of course for the 3 series GT are also many options available, which can be used individually decorated his car. In addition to the design line "sport", "Luxury" and "Modern" are also the M-package design, a host of driver assistance systems, such as an adaptive cruise control, leather seats and the finest 8.8 "navigation system Professional.

Available is the new BMW 3 Series GT in mid-June, 2013.

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2015 Acura NSX to be built in Ohio

The new 2015 Acura NSX successor to the legendary "Nippon super sports car" is rolling in Ohio (USA) from the tape.

70 million U.S. dollars invested the world's largest engine manufacturer into a new, 17,000-square-foot Performance Manufacturing Center, which is being built on the site of the former North American Honda logistics facility.

The plant - now the third car of Honda factory in Ohio - is located in close proximity to a subsidiary of Honda R & D Americas, Inc., where the NSX will be developed. Also, the Marysville plant of Honda of America Mfg.., Inc., and Honda Engineering North America, Inc., a developer of new production technologies, are in the neighborhood.

In Performance Manufacturing Center about 100 highly qualified employees will work, which is currently still working in other Honda operations in Ohio. The drive train of the NSX is assembled in Ohio - in the engine plant in Anna.

For the development of the new NSX, which will be traveling in Europe as Honda and in the U.S. with Acura logo, an international team led by Honda R & D Americas in Los Angeles (California) and Raymond (Ohio) is responsible. It is now led by Ted Klaus, chief engineer at Honda R & D Americas, and Clement D'Souza, assisting Chief Engineer at Honda of America. Together they bring the NSX for series production and prepare its production starting from the year 2015.

To drive the Acura NSX provide a V-6 engine with direct injection means and the innovative sports hybrid SH-AWD ® (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) system. The package is intended to create a new driving experience, while offering both the Supercar typical dynamics and excellent environmental properties.

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ABT Audi R8 V10 2014

Who the thoroughbred sports car from Audi is still not fast enough and individually, for the ABT now offers the ABT Audi R8 V10 2014.

The Audi R8 V10 comes standard for over 525 hp (386 kW), but obtained from the ABT 10-cylinder engine out even more. By ABT-power performance to 600 hp (441 kW) is brought, the torque grows to 550 Nm.

Thus equipped, the sports car sprints in just 3.5 seconds from 0 to 100 km / h, and is up to 320 km / h. To provide an even better driving behavior while the ABT suspension springs and an adequate lowering.

But also in visual terms that ABT has come up with something to make the Audi R8 V10 even more dynamic. The ABT front spoiler in carbon fiber, a new front grille, a rear apron, a rear spoiler and side skirts also in carbon fiber tail pipes and ABT R8 V10 appear to be more individual in ABT-trim.

Absence may also not ABT Sportline wheels in 19 "size, available in two different versions. Prices you do not have called, each vehicle is fully adapted to the customer's request, and so prices also vary for the ABT R8 V10.

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Lamborghini Egoista Concept

On the 50th Anniversary of Lamborghini chief designer of the Volkswagen Group, Walter De Silva, created the Lamborghini Egoista Concept.

On the 50th Birth of Lamborghini has brought a very special gift to Sant'Agata Bolognese, the Lamborghini Egoista Walter De Silva. The design of the individual piece is a mix of the best design elements of the brand, a fighter jet and a UFO. Reports can be seen in the upper vehicle no aerodynamic appendices, but in the built-in body profile aeroflaps which automatically engage in response to the driving conditions.

Two horizontal tail flaps enable themselves to enhance vehicle stability at high speed while ensuring a range of scale-like, arranged on the back of the hood louvers to the inflow of cooling air to the 600 hp V10 engine.

The headlight system of the Lamborghini Egoista shows similarity to the position of an aircraft including red light and a green roof on the left to the right. As a parallel to the cockpit of a fighter jet also be seen, which offers only a person place and all around the driver / pilot is designed around.

All elements were kept as futuristic as already presented the exterior appearance of the Egoista. In addition to board a glass dome is tilted forward, also a feature of fighter jets.

The Lamborghini Egoista is definitely an eye-catcher, although he can not produce any more in common with the delicate and curved shapes of the first Lamborghini models. A place in a science fiction blockbuster could easily definitely get the Egoista.

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The Automotive Market Needs a Convertible Minivan!

Chop that top!

 A good friend of mine contacted me today to gripe about how there are no convertible minivans on the market. With the weather warming up, us minivan drivers get to watch with envy as the good people of the world cruise by in their convertible Mustangs, 911s and Sebrings (okay, I'm not really jealous of that last one). If I want the wind to whip through my hair (or what is left of it) I have to roll down my window, which is just plain rough. I want to put the top down on my luxury cruiser minivan and roll hard on the way to dance lessons.

Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet

Apparently my friend wasn't aware of the fact that Nissan produces a convertible version of the Murano, called the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet. The great thing about the CrossCabriolet is its huge trunk, even with the top folded down. Not only that, but it has a folding hardtop and all-wheel-drive meaning it can be driven year-round for mad shopping trips. The bad news is the Murano CrossCabriolet has the highest percentage female ownership out of any newer vehicle in the United States, according to a source I cannot recall now (bad writer!). I guess that's only bad if you are a guy, like me.

But back to the convertible minivans. You know, as I've said over and over I never thought I would own a minivan. But they are incredibly practical vehicles when you have kids, with a low step-in height, large door openings and huge cargo capacities. Do you have any idea how many strollers I can fit in the back of mine at once? It's crazy. Still, I would like a little bit of impractical fun, and a convertible van would provide a smidgen of that impractical fun.

But the technical side of me knows a convertible minivan would present some serious mechanical issues. First off, such a large folding roof would use a pretty complicated folding mechanism, which would take some fancy engineering. Not only that, but where would the top go once it's folded? There isn't exactly a trunk in a minivan. And then there are those pesky, practical sliding doors that would look pretty weird without a roof on the van.

Of course Germans are good at tackling such engineering issues. Volkswagen has their badge-engineered Routan that is a Chrysler abomination. This problem could present the perfect excuse for Volkswagen to reinvent the minivan in a format that would allow for a Cabriolet version. They could even offer a TDI version of the van using the same engine as the Touareg.

One huge advantage of a cabriolet minivan: when it gets crazy as it often does in minivans, mom or dad only need to fold down the top and hit the freeway. The whistling wind would quiet everyone down and force junior to hold on tight to his Avengers hat. I think that feature alone could help Volkswagen or whatever automaker brave enough to make a convertible minivan sell at least 200,000 models in the first year of production. Automakers lately are carving out all kinds of interesting niches in the marketplace, but this one so far has been untouched.

Now I'm off to catch a plane to Wolfsburg so I can sell the VW board on my excellent idea.

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Legendary hot rodder, Dean Jeffries, dead at 80.

Perhaps best known for much of his work that was claimed by George Barris, Dean Jeffries was one of the most legendary men in automotive culture. He was the complete package. He was a metal worker, a painter, a designer, a car builder, stuntman. He did it all. I mean, where do you begin?

Jeffries was born in Lynwood, California in February 1933. He had dreamed of attending the Art Center in Pasadena, but instead of doing well in school he gravitated toward cars like most teens do, learning from his  father who was a mechanic. While stationed in Germany during his stint in the Army, he learned the art of pinstriping from a furniture and piano striper, and upon returning home to California, he continued to learn from Kenneth “Von Dutch” Howard. This landed him a  job as the in-house pinstriper for George Barris. Along the way, he learned how to shape metal, as well, and began to take the customization of his clients’ cars further; during that time, he not only striped James Dean’s infamous Porsche 550 Spyder with the nickname “Li’l Bastard,” but also built Chili Catallo’s 1932 Ford three-window coupe, the one that the Beach Boys used on the cover of their Little Deuce Coupe album.

Jeffries also did work for Caroll Shelby. He painted the first Cobra as a favor to Shelby. He sympathized with Shelby’s effort to get the car done on a budget. “The body was a disaster, all heliarced and torched up. I had only three days from start to finish. I asked Shelby what color he wanted, and he said, ‘Any color you want.’ So, not knowing if it was right or wrong, I painted it pearl yellow because I had heard on TV that yellow stood out the best.” Shelby would later provide Jeffries with a Weber-topped 289-cu.in. Ford V-8 and four-speed transmission for Jeffries’s Mantaray, an asymmetrical single-seater based on a 1939 Maserati 8CTF Grand Prix chassis.

After leaving Barris' shop. Jeffries set up shop in Hollywood. This attracted plenty of celebrity clientele and made way for jobs creating and customizing cars for the movies and for the stars, including the Monkeemobile, the Chrysler Imperial based Black Beauty from The Green Hornet television series, and the Landmaster from Damnation Alley. He didn’t restrict himself to Hollywood cars, however: He also designed and manufactured the Kyote Volkswagen based dune buggies and built a number of custom and concept cars for Ford Motor Company, including a gullwing-door show car called the Cougar, the Falcon Python show car, and the Ford GT40. He also did some construction and painting for several Indy Car teams. 

Jeffries also worked for a while as a stuntman. During the production of Honky Tonk Freeway in 1980, Jeffries performed a jump stunt with a truck in which he broke his back. He also performed stunts in The Blues Brothers and Fletch. What he will mostly rememberh him for if not through his cars then through his feud with George Barris, brought on by Barris’s habit of taking credit for Jeffries’s work throughout the years. “He couldn’t put a dent into something, never mind taking one out, but he’s a hell of a promoter, believe me,” Jeffries said. Barris retorted that he couldn’t “control what magazines write and who they list as the designer and builder.”

Jeffries remained very active in the industry until about five years ago and still maintained a shop in Hollywood. 

Source & Photos: Hemmings Motor News & The Jalopy Journal

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Tesla Model S. The best car. EVER

In some news out of left field. The folks from Consumer Reports have come out an announced that the Tesla Model S is bar none, the BEST car they have ever tested. Interesting because of the fact that it is a full electric car. But that's also one of the biggest reasons why CR says it's the best. Styling is uniquely Tesla, and looks like nothing else on the road. Inside, a 17 inch touch screen panel controls just about everything in the car. Now how it is better than say a VW Jetta TDI?

Well, I'm not sure other than you can take the Jetta on long road trips. The Model S can handle say Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Longer trips are possible thanks to a network of supercharged charging stations that can charge the battery from empty to half full in about a half hour. However, expect a full charge to take 12 hours using normal 240 volt home electric. That can be cut down with an optional charger from Tesla that takes about 5 hours to recharge.

Sticker price for the Model S comes in at a hefty $90,000 give or take a couple hundred bucks. And lets face it. Frankly, it's not a Prius, and that's why we like it. Even though we still prefer our cars to suck gas, not electricity.

So, while it may not fit the need for everyone, it's pretty darn close for some. Unfortunately, for those of us here in Pittsburgh, and the rest of Pennsylvania for that matter. There are no Tesla dealers. There is a service center in Philadelphia, but the closest dealer is in Tysons Corner, Virginia which is just outside of Washington D.C. That is partially due to Tesla's troubles with their store style of dealer system that has the national and state dealer associations up in arms. And that's not to mention the other financial troubles that have hounded Tesla.

Here's hoping that Tesla sticks around for a while. 

Source: Consumer Reports, Tesla Motors.

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Creative Car Badging

I always wince when automakers engage in badge engineering, when a car is given new badges and maybe a few exterior pieces to make a different "model." As much as I would like to say that only automakers engage in badge engineering, unfortunately some car owners do the same thing.

Why do people put some wishful badges on their car? You know, like the Honda Civic owners in the United States who slap a "Type-R" badge on the trunk lid. Is it that these people think the badge will add horsepower or trick everyone into thinking their car is something it's not?

The other day I ran across one of the most creative badging jobs I've seen on a car in a while. It was on an old Dodge SRT-4, a car that posts some respectable output figures but in stock form is lacking in handling characteristics. Apparently the owner of this SRT-4 felt inclined to slap a Viper badge on this car's nose. Was it a joke? It made me laugh, but sadly I doubt it. Does the guy think the average person would think his car was a Viper? Most people know that a Viper looks like but sadly probably wouldn't recognize its badge. Or maybe the guy tries to claim he crammed a Viper's engine under the hood.

Whatever the reason, like I said it made me laugh, and hopefully it makes you laugh as well.

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2014 Toyota 4Runner

The 2014 Toyota 4Runner is a very popular model in North America. It is positioned between the Toyota RAV4 and the Land Cruiser, at least in terms of its size. Especially in young, outdoors-loving people of the 4Runner is very popular because it offers a good mix of functionality and sought-after styling.

With the new model year, which always starts according to the manufacturers in North America between early summer and fall, Toyota has now revised the fifth generation of 4Runners properly.

The front end has received bulkier bumpers and a slightly altered lighting design, and also the tail slightly revised and presented with LED tail lights.

Was changed and the interior, which has retained its generous space, but was made ​​more functional. New shelves, new seats, a new sound system (also available from JBL) and a new multi-function display are the most noticeable changes to the interior. Upon request, the Toyota 4Runner is also equipped with a 3 Row of seats available, so he offers up to seven people.

With the equipment, the customer between the SR5, the Limited and the Trail to choose from. Even the basic version has the 4Runner an extensive safety features, 17 "alloy wheels and air conditioning. The Limited then has been 20" alloy wheels and a 2-zone air conditioning, chrome trim and plenty of other goodies on board.

All versions are powered by a 4.0 liter V6 with an output of 270 hp. As standard, the 4Runner has also been a 5-speed automatic.

Customers can also choose between a 2x4 and a 4x4 version. Trimmed all the hard off-road use is the trail version, which is defined not only higher, but also has various systems for optimal management of difficult terrain.

He has, among other things, a Multi-terrain Select system, a downhill and hill-start assist and "CRAWL" control. Optionally it can be equipped with the KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System).

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Electric Cars Are Dropping Like Flies!

Is it just me or does the Coda Sedan look a little too much like an old Civic?

There are many critics of electric cars, especially people who work in the petroleum industry (that's slightly a joke, but only slightly). People cite the limited range of electric cars as a concern as well as battery problems, battery replacement costs, extra strains put on maxed-out electricity delivery systems, etc.

Well, these critics of electric vehicles should be having a party right now because it seems that electric car makers are dropping like flies. In case you missed the huge news from last week, Fisker Automotive is quickly moving toward bankruptcy. It seems that the company continued to tax money from the US government even though it knew that it was losing a massive amount of money with each Karma sold (insert joke about bad Karma here). Now Justin Bieber is going to have to find some new car he can have wrapped in chrome so the paparazzi has an extra easy time of tracking him wherever he goes.

To add to that bad news for EVs, now Coda Automotive has declared bankruptcy. Of course the question that everyone asked was who would be stupid enough to pay $40,000 for a Chinese electric car with no reputation to uphold, but that's beside the point. There are plenty of people who are declaring the death of the electric car at this very moment.

Of course there is still the Nissan Leaf, which was not selling very well until recently. And then there is the Tesla Model S, you know that piece of "vaporware" that the critics said would never come to pass. The Model S has racked up some serious awards and I've personally seen several on the roads here and have to say they look as good in person as in the marketing collateral. But apparently the electric car is dead.

Sure, Toyota backed out of a deal last year with Tesla to start making all-electric powertrains Some other automakers have also backed off of their EV projects. And some really big players like Daimler and Nissan/Renault have declared they are moving forward with hydrogen vehicles.Does this mean the electric car is dead?

If anything the electric car is showing more life than ever. These deaths are a necessary movement in the marketplace, the casualties of faulty planning rather than a faulty plan for powering vehicles. Evidence abounds at this, including the recent surge in Leaf sales as well as big automakers planning on releasing EVs in the near future. The Fiat 500E is coming soon, promising another inexpensive electric car as well as the Smart Fortwo Electric, to name just two. And Detroit Electric is back, although it remains to be seen just how well the automaker survives the next few years. 

As for those who fear that all these electric cars are going to overload the power grid, I have one thing to say: buy a solar array and take yourself off the grid. Problem solved.

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2014 Mazda CX-5 Diesel

Mazda has gone to the Mazda CX-5 late in the compact SUV segment, but more successful. With the new Kodo design and technology Skyactiv Mazda has brought the CX-5 is not only visually but also technically up to date.

Now we have taken a closer look at the diesel, which is also the more popular engine. Standard equipment on board include ABS, ESP, six airbags, the City Emergency Brake Assist, a lane departure warning, lane change assist, cruise control, 2-zone automatic climate control, 19 "alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, a hill-start assistant, a high-beam assistant, tinted windows from the B-pillar, leather seats, fog lights, a rear-view camera, keyless entry and start system, and even a whole lot more.

Except for a tachometer, the red area starts earlier, the interior thus does not differ from that in the gasoline engine. The generous space can be as convincing as the material quality and design of the fittings.

Despite the many functions it is also quickly feel the dashboard, only some features will become apparent only after a study of the operating instructions. The one negative we also communicate with the diesel addiction of the vehicle, which is annoying even to the volume control on the steering wheel every time you print with a beeper. Was also not very loud defused the lane departure warning, which has the potential to bring dead back to life.

But much praise earn the generous shelves and the trunk volume, which may have 503-1620 liters.

Very practical is the anchoring of the luggage compartment cover in the tailgate. When you open the cover moves with the tailgate up, and you can load the trunk better, without having to first remove the cover manually.

For a positive surprise, the 2.2-liter diesel engine that can convince just after the first few meters, and has also shown during the test operation only at its best provides. With an output of 150 hp (110 kW), the CX-5 is located in the section of his class, yet offers above-average driving pleasure. Its maximum torque of 380 Nm, the engine 1800-2600 rev / min ready. It already is equal to the start, a lot of power available, and you can feel at no time a turbo lag.

That the diesel has a great departure, is also in direct comparison with the 10 hp more powerful gasoline engine. With a sprint from 0 to 100 km / h in 9.4 seconds, the 150 hp diesel by 1.1 seconds faster than the 160 hp gasoline. The top speed of both models at 197 km / h.

It may also convince the diesel in torque. Even if you are traveling at low speeds in a high gear, offers the CX-5 diesel have enough power for smooth acceleration.

Only when overtaking, it is advisable at this, a gear shift down to use the full force can. The very smooth automatic circuit can convince fans because the 6 speed can be sorted over short distances. The circuit is also very well translated, and tailored to efficiency.

Although we could during our tests the promised factory 5.2 liters per 100 kilometers, not reach, with an average consumption of 6.6 liters, the compact SUV but still be described as very economical. Who the fun factor, the CX-5 has neglected, which is sure to scratch the 6-liter mark.

But the CX-5 led with his stiff chassis and direct steering and over again to a more athletic gait. Chassis and suspension are aligned as sporty as it already promises a look. Here comes the comfort but also not too short and uneven ground are clever weggebügelt. Here, Mazda has again found a good mix that will satisfy both the comfort as well as customer-oriented sportiness.

The automatic four-wheel drive also ensures that the CX-5 in every situation brings the power to the road makes perfect. In addition to the advantages in the power distribution allows the four-wheel drive in combination with the higher body down that you get more good progress even off road.

Although the CX-5 is now not a hardcore off-roader, you get much further ahead than you would not put it past him by its sporty appearance. A visit to a remote mountain hut represents the CX-5 definitely not be a problem.

The new alignment of its models, Mazda has expertly hinbekommen definitely. The CX-5 is not only one of the most advanced in its class, it can also convince in any direction. Its spacious, yet modern interior like this, as well as the cultured and lively diesel engine, which also is also quite economical. That the sound insulation is also located at a premium level and the safety is not neglected, rounds the good impression we have gained from the Mazda CX-5 diesel.

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2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Price $51,995

General Motors has now announced the U.S. pricing for the new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Corvette Stingray Convertible and the known.

In Detroit, the new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray celebrated their world premiere, now the prices for the coupe and convertible were released - at least for the U.S. market.

the 450-hp Corvette Stingray launches in North America already at U.S. $ 51,995, the convertible version at 56,995 U.S. $.

This is not at the U.S. price for a stripped down version, there are already standard, the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system including a reversing camera, a Bose sound system with 9 speakers, a keyless entry and start system and the Convertible also has an electric hood on board.

Even with full facilities, such as the Corvette Stingray was on display at the Auto Show in Detroit, the sports car comes to only U.S. $ 73,360. Then the "3LT interior package" with full leather trim, the Z51 performance package, sports seats, carbon deposits, "Magnetic Ride Control", the "dual-mode" exhaust system and much more with it.

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