Race of the Roses

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 is not to blame.  Under these conditions you have to manage around three intense turns, one which is a tight 107 degrees.  You must finish this intense five and a half mile course at a blistering speed of 2.5 miles per hour.

You are probably asking yourself, “What daredevils would risk their lives doing this?” The answer is, the brave souls who drive the floats in The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. The drivers get by without seeing because they have a spotter on top of the float that communicates with them via radio. The observer tells the spotter when to turn and how fast to go. If the drivers have to slowdown 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 knows it’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 these flowered 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 rules prohibit that. They need to boast a lot of power because the floats are usually around 120 feet long and over 100,000 pounds.  The gas tank in these is approximately 50 gallons and a float will usually 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 that they cost around $300,000 will.

Happy New Year    

"C" You Later Low Gas Mileage

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

It appears that Toyota is going to give the fuel pumps in their new Prius C a huge break.  These fuel pumps are going to have a nice and relaxing job, since the new Prius C is supposed 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 the best city fuel economy of any hyrbids that do not plug in.

The car was introduced last week at the Tokyo Motor Show as the Toyota Aquas, but it will be officially introduced as the Prius C in the states next month at The Detroit Auto Show.  The cost will be somewhere around $21,700.  The car will have a 1.5 liter four cylinder engine to go along with its electric motor. The total horsepower of the vehicle is going to be around 98.  This is about 40 horsepower less than the normal Prius and the Prius V.   

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

Happy Holidays to Me

All of the gifts have been unwrapped, the food has been eaten, and your family and friends are slowly heading back to the parts of the country they all visited from. But in all of the holiday chaos you may have forgotten to treat someone important with a gift this year: yourself. Don’t worry if you’re having trouble with your turbocharger or fuel pump. It’s the end of the year and every car dealership has some great deals to land you behind the wheel 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 offering up to $5,000 cash back on many of their new models if you buy before the New Year. If you have your eyes set on a car that’s a little out of your price range for purchase, there is probably a leasing option available to get you in that driver’s seat. Just to name a few, the new 2012 Lexus IS can be yours for lease 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 take a Prius for a test drive, which are leasing as low as $219/month.

These prices are just deals stated on company websites. Once you’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 great time to take advantage of these deals. I know many people who have driven off the lot in a new car at a fraction of its price, especially those 2011 models left behind. And hey, after all the shopping and preparing you’ve done for every one else in the past few weeks, you deserve it. 

I Wanta, The F&M Evantra

Do you happen to have a trip planned to Tuscany anytime soon?  If so, go ahead and add another destination to your Navigation System.  Enter in the town of Pontedera to your list of stops and pay a visit to F&M Automotive.  While you are there you may want to purchase a new ride, lose your Navigation Unit and got lost on the Italian roads, because F&M has produced something to rival the other Italian greats.

Look out Ferrari, Lamborghini and Vespa, there is a new Italian indulgence entering the arena. Faralli & Mozzanti, better known as F&M, have unleashed the Evantra.  The Northern Italian Company has outdone themselves with this handmade creation.  The car boasts a 3.5-litre flat-six engine that comes in either a 329hp naturally aspirated version, or a high performance twin-turbocharged 587hp version.  The high performance version can go from zero to 62mph in 3.7 seconds.  By the way, it also looks remarkable.

This project was first known as “Mugello,” but later changed to Evantra.  Evatnra is the name of an Italian goddess of immortality. With the dangerous speeds that you can reach in the Evantra you better hope that you are indeed immortal.

F&M will only manufacture five of these bad boys a year and the first one will roll out in about six months. They have not mentioned anything about pricing yet, although I’m sure that it won’t be cheap.  You may just have to hang on to that rental Fiat with the navigation system.

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

A few years ago the regulatory commissions for car companies decided that all companies must meet an emissions standard across their entire range. This means more than just making cars that use efficient oxygen sensors and engine control module units, this means econo-box cars from all builders. This regulation is not a big deal for companies like Porsche and Lamborghini since they are owned by VW. The issue really falls on companies like Pagani and Aston Martin, companies who only make fire breathing supercars. The solution is to 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 a Toyota iQ with a fancy dress. Now I don’t know about you but to me there should never be an economy Aston Martin.

The Cygnet is a $18K Toyota that has been dressed up and looks to hit the US market at more than $40K, is it worth it? Well the Cygnet does get quite the rework when Aston Martin get their hands on it. The engine is beefed up…slightly but is still a hyper mileage 4 banger. The exterior gets some 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 hand crafter interior pieces and exterior trim work together to create an amazing transformation into an Aston Martin.

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

One Shell of a Mustang

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

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

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

If restoring just one Mustang is not enough for you, three other Mustang shells are also available; 1965 Convertible, 1967 Fastback, and the 1969 Fastback.

What's Your Number?

Even if you have no idea what turbochargers, an alternator, or any other mechanical part of your car does, odds are you know that your oil must be changed regularly. But the question is, how regularly? Most people, including myself, would say once every 3,000 miles or roughly three to four months. I don’t know why that number is ingrained in my mind, but it seems to have become the general rule of thumb for most automobiles for quite some time.

The state of California, however, has decided to fight against this assumption with their new “Check Your Number” ad campaign. The purpose of this campaign is to encourage drivers to check with their car's manufacturer before heading over to Jiffy Lube for their next oil change. With today’s advancements in technology, an oil change every 3,000 mile can be excessive and they want every driver to check for the recommendation specific to their vehicle. Some BMW vehicles, for instance, don’t need an oil change until they’ve driven another 15,000 miles! These drivers could be changing their oil up to four times more than 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 will it save drivers money and time, it helps protect the environment and conserve resources. If Californian drivers alone started changing their oil according to manufacturers’ specifications, oil demand would decrease by about 10 million gallons a year. Now I know you’re all curious about what your number is, so head over to checkyournumber.org to find out. I just found out “my number” is 10,000 miles, making me feel MUCH better about how lazy I’ve been when it comes to changing my oil.

The Deadly Smartphone

You may have just replaced your Wheel Hubs or Bearing Assembly. Maybe you put on new tires, windshield wipers, or new headlights. After all, we’re approaching winter quickly and in many places that means tough driving conditions such as icy roads and darker nights. Even after such maintenance there may still be something compromising your safety while driving, and according to the NTSB, it’s your cell phone.

I’m definitely guilty of having used my cell phone while driving whether it was to answer a call, send a quick text message, or check an incoming email while sitting in traffic. It’s actually kind of hard to avoid with today’s smart phones. They buzz in your pocket every time someone makes a comment on Facebook, every time CNN posts a new story, and at random times throughout the day if you’ve made the mistake of teaching your mom how to text. However, I do agree that as they get more and more sophisticated, they get more and more dangerous to use while driving. The NTSB revealed that at any given moment, about 13.5 MILLION drivers are on hand-held phones. This past year alone about 3,000 people died in the U.S. due to such distractions, and the NTSB is calling for a nationwide ban on using cell phones to any degree while driving. And yes, this includes hands-free devices.

We’ll have to wait and see what this recommendation brings as the NTSB doesn’t actually have the authority to pass the law themselves. Many people think this would be just another way our government is over-abusing their right of control, while others think this is a reasonable measure. Should there be a compromise considering how many people use their phones for directions and other features? What about Pandora! And is talking to someone through a hands-free device any different than talking to someone in your back seat? I guess we will all find out shortly. What do you think?

The Dodge Viper is Coming Back....Sorta

Since Viper production was halted approximately a year and a half ago, America has been without a standout muscle car. Stateside muscle car enthusiasts have been as lost as a senior citizen trying to operate a navigation system.   Well, there is now a light at the end of the tunnel.  Dodge just made an announcement that will ease those motor enthusiast worries.  No longer will they feel as directionless as a navigation system missing its SD card.

The Viper is indeed actually coming back, but it will not be a Dodge.  It will be an SRT Product.  This is the second brand since the Fiat takeover that has been splintered off from the Dodge name.  The first was Ram Trucks.  It is an interesting move to separate Dodge, Ram Trucks, and now SRT from each other.  I’m not quite sure what they are trying to accomplish.  It could be a dumb and we could look back in a few years and ask ourselves, “what were they thinking?” or we could look back and think, “what a smart move?” Either way, I am just happy the car that epitomized American muscle in the last decade will be back on the prowl, or should I say, “slithering back on the streets.”  Come on, you knew there was no way I would get through this whole thing without a bad snake joke.

Another great benefit of this announcement is that it will be sending people back to work; 150 people to be exact.  The SRT Viper will be made in the Conner Plant in Detroit, Michigan.  According to Dodge’s press release, the jobs were first offered to current Chrysler hourly employees who previously worked at the plant.  The first Viper is expected to roll out the doors  in late 2012 as 2013 models.

What Does a 5 Star Crash Test Rating Really Mean

Recently the Fait 500 has been getting a lot of press due to the 3 star rating given by the NHTSA but 4 Star by the IIHS. The Fiat really is an unusual car for the US using some new age tech in the power steering rack and power steering pump not to mention the rest of the car. The issue is that these two organizations use similar tests but they are different enough to reveal some serious issues.

Crash tests are designed to do just what they say. They test the ability of a vehicle to take a big hit at certain speeds. The problem with this is that it does not give the total results that are needed to know how a vehicle will react in a real world crash. The placement of a crash in the car is what will really dictate how the safety features. The NHTSA and IIHS are both trusted to test vehicles but just the placement and the speeds used in the tests. In the case of the Fiat 500 it is more about the height of the barrier than anything else, at a low point the little fiat does fine but when higher it causes massive damage.

The issue with this small height change is that this car is meant for the US, and we all know that the US loves their SUVs. Not only do we love them but we are not willing to give them up even when gas hits $4 a gallon. They have high front bumpers and very heavy weight behind them, so for the car world it makes very dangerous conditions. A crash test rating may be 5 star but from a vehicle that is the sale height, a much higher one will impact in an area that is mainly glass. This means there is next to no protection at all for the driver. The main thing to realize about crash tests is they can only tell us so much and it is up to all of us to keep the roads safe. Keep driving distractions like cell phones out of our hands, vehicular safety is only as good as the accident that can be avoided. The best crash safety is the crash you never have. 

With all the New Sports Cars Coming for 2012 Which is Best?

Over the last few years the heard of new sports cars in the lower price range had become kind or thin. While the supercar world has exploded with lots of cars with a supercharger or turbochargers the rest of us had to make do with a 350z or nothing. In 2010 that all changed with the release for the Genesis Coupe from Hyundai of all companies. Now Toyota and Subaru have come together to give us the FT-86 which will be sold as the Scion FR-S and the Subaru BRZ. Mazda was also nice enough to bless us with the new Miata which is much better than it looks.

With all these new choices rejuvenating the sports car market and all in just about the same price tag which one is best? The way I am looking at this is only front engine rear wheel drive cars count. Not interested in the AWD Evo or STi since they are 4 door rally cars not sports cars. If the price range is mid 20K up to 32K the list is really limited to about 5 models. Yeah there are lots of used cars that can be purchased that fall to that price range after a few years but that also means the repair bills are still in line for a $60K car.

The 370Z tops the list in price sitting right at the $35K Mark and boasts the most impressive HP and maybe the highest trim level. The genesis falls into the range at the bottom price wise but it is a new comer and not many people trust that the quality is there in the long run. Honestly who can blame them since Hyundai has been making kinda low quality cars for years. The Miata is an amazing little car but it does carry quite the stereotype for the driver. Won’t mention what that stereotype for the sake of PC-ness, none the less it is a very capable little sports car. The problem is most of the major players have pulled out of the sports car race leaving the smaller companies to pick up the slack.

Toyota and Subaru combine forces to get the FT086 off the ground which seems to be all the rage but no one here is the states has really had any butt in seat time with it. Not only has no one logged seat time but no one knows the real price either.

This brings us back to the original question, which is…what is the one to buy? Well the Genesis is an amazing car but when someone asks what you drive…well it’s still a Hyundai. The 370Z is amazing but it is pricey and falls into almost the highest insurance class there, just below supercars. While the Miata is a bit small and completely impractical plus there is that other thing. The best way to look at this is, with the economy still in the toilet it may be a few years before the sports car rears its head again. So let us all just get Forza and enjoy some Xbox bliss…hell it’s safer anyway. 

Back Up into Your Back Up Battery

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.

Not Your Normal Tree Huggers’ Prius

Enjoying fresh air is one of those little enjoyments in life.  Taking in a deep breath of oxygen can revitalize the body and mind.  Having your oxygen sensor warning light come on in your vehicle can do exactly the opposite.  Each time the oxygen sensor on my car goes bad I want to sell my car and go live amongst the fresh air in the mountains.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I would have to get a vehicle. Maybe I would stick with the environment friendly theme and go with a Prius.  Actually, forget being friendly to mother earth. I would buy the new Prius GT300.

The Prius as a race car? No way! Ok, maybe a race to see who can transport the most granola on the least amount of gas, but not an actual race.  It took me a while to believe it, but it looks like Toyota is going to make a Prius that can compete in the Super GT Series.  That means they’re going to produce a Prius which has at least 300 horsepower.  Considering a stock Prius comes with an 80 horsepower electric motor and a 98 horsepower gas engine, the boys at Toyota have some work to do.

Now, is Toyota choosing the Prius as their Super GT car because they think it gives them the best chance to win, or are they trying to muscle up its image?  This question is up for debate.  I know that my perception will be different when I see one flying around corners at 200 mph, instead of crawling through a Whole Foods’ parking lot.

There’s buzz that Toyota isn’t the only one entering a hybrid into the Super GT race series.  Honda is reportedly getting the CR-Z ready to race with the big boys too.  With all this hybrid racing going on, who is going to have time to save the whales?