The Ford Raptor, You Break, You Buy

Recently Ford has released some amazing new models to the public that has swayed many new buyers to take an interest in the company. In fact their new line of cars has an extreme or performance version in almost every model line-up. From the turbo charger equipped Taurus to the Super charger equipped Raptor their line-up is sporting some pretty amazing credentials now. While the Taurus is more of a wolf in sheep clothing the raptor has nothing subtle about it, in fact even in the adds it is shown jumping through the desert. The problem is most of the buyers are not reading the manual.

While the Raptor may be a mean off road truck made to take more abuse then most people can throw at it, there are limits to its ability. More and more claims of frame damage have been flooding into Ford’s SVT division and the amazing thing is it’s not fords fault. It is understandable that people would be mad about breaking a $50K truck but there has to be some responsibility taken when you break something.  These trucks use a suspension travel of about 14 inches and can take some serious hit but when you hit a jump that for says can be done at 60MPH at 90…well that’s a different story. The suspension will max out on the landing and then the bump-stops are the last line of defense to stop the trucks energy. Once the Bump-stops are maxed, the chassis begins to take the brunt of the force and it will bend to release the pressure. 

Lawsuits have sprung up under this issue and it doesn’t look like they will get very far. If you are going to claim you were going to fast is to make sure your buddy was not filming from behind you and putting the video up on Youtube. So far SVT’s official statement points out the obvious, if you broke it…you fix it. That may sound harsh since every one of us wants to get out and thrash one of these trucks right to the limit. This whole issue wraps back to an old saying in the racing world “if ya can’t afford to fix it , you can’t afford to race it” and this holds very true for this whole situation. 

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars, Clarity for the Future

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. 

Are Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars, Clarity for the Future

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. 

Blogautoparts Car of the Week

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.

Art Cars…a Great Way to Make a Statement.

Since the earliest years of racing competitors have tried to make themselves stand out. In the early days finding a loin cloth made from an exotic animal was the best way to catch the attention of the cave man crown and in modern times not much has changed. Having a crazy and eye catching paint scheme can be just as good as a huge supercharger or turbo. BMW instituted a “Art Car” program years ago to give artists a chance to decorate some of the world’s fastest cars with eye catching layouts.

Art cars we originally raced when the first one was produced in 1975 by Alexander Calder for auctioneer Herve Paolain. Since then the art car has become more of a publicity stunt that a race car. May artists have had their hands on art cars over the years but the list of BMW art cars is a short one indeed. Artists all want to be one of the select few to make an art car entry to the BMW family and even Andy Warhol put his touches on one of these amazing machines.

In recent years the art car movement has become a world-wide phenomenon with even Fiat getting in on the action with a few of their new 500 cars getting the treatment. Local artists in the private sector have begun to make “art cars” of their works and designs. One of the most interesting cars that has come from this movement is the Sharpie Lamborghini, this is a Gallardo that has been completely covered in graphics. Graphics that were all done free hand with sharpie markers, making one of the most unique and interesting layouts ever seen on a car. One thing is for sure…as long as there are cars there will be artists to make them look unique and personalized.

                                                                                                                                                     

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

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.  

Get the Upper Hand on a Car Lot

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.