Tuesday, October 30, 2012


The bad news for Fisker continues. Among the many victims of Hurricane and then Tropical Storm Sandy are approximately 16 brand new Fisker Karma extended-range hybrids that were parked in Port Newark, New Jersey.
An eyewitness told Jalopnik (which like the rest of the Gawker websites, continues to be down after Sandy drowned its data center but is broadcasting temporarily from this site), that the Karma sedans “first submerged in a storm surge and then caught fire, exploded.”
Pictures taken on location by the unnamed source show several examples of the $100,000+ luxury sports car burned to the ground.
The cause of the fires remains a mystery for now, but we did contact Fisker and will provide an update as soon as we hear back from them.
The Karma has been the subject of multiple fire investigations, the most recent of which concerned a parked car that spontaneously self-combusted in California in August.
Update: Fisker just sent us the following press statement about the New Jersey incident:

October 30, 2012 Holding Statement
"It was reported today that several Fisker Karmas were damaged by fire at the Port of Newark after being submerged in sea water during Superstorm Sandy. We can report that there were no injuries and none of the cars were being charged at the time.


We have confidence in the Fisker Karma and safety is our primary concern. While we intend to find the cause as quickly as possible, storm damage has restricted access to the port.
We will issue a further statement once the root cause has been determined."
Story Credits: Carscoop
Photo Credits : Jalopnik
 


 

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Modern classics to buy now - before they skyrocket in value


Coulda, woulda, shoulda is a popular refrain among those who watch televised auctions like Barrett-Jackson and Mecum. Those of a certain age can remember when million dollar-plus Hemi ‘Cudas were $3K used cars. The kicking of one’s self multiplied by 500,000 or so backsides when one of these cars crosses the auction block on prime-time TV registers on seismographs. Is it too late? Are all of the good ones mega valuable already? Probably not. Here are five performance cars all built within the last 20 years that have a fair shot a big-time appreciation.
  1. 2002 Pontiac Trans Am Firehawk: Sadly, the beloved Trans Am kicked the bucket (along with the Camaro) in the 2002 model year. And while the Camaro is back with us, the Firebird Trans Am is homeless, given that Pontiac expired in 2009. At least the T/A went out with a bang rather than a whimper. The ’02 Firehawk had a whopping 345 hp and was produced in very small numbers. That end-of-the-line status combined with rarity and high performance should prove intoxicating to future collectors. Its current price of approximately 20 grand will seem like a gift 20 years from now.


  2. 2000 Mustang Cobra R: Overshadowed by the Shelby Mustangs built on the latest generation (2005-present) Mustang, the 2000 Cobra R has yet to be surpassed in many ways. For example, unlike the newer Mustangs, it sports an actual independent rear suspension that makes the car corner nearly as well as its 385 hp quad cam V-8 will propel it in a straight line, and real attention was paid to making it lighter in weight. Only 300 units where built —all with side exhaust — and in the tradition of cars like the L-88 Corvette, it totally lacked street amenities like A/C and even a radio. Already starting to appreciate in value at around $40,000, when these are $250,000 cars, don’t say we didn’t give you a head’s up.
  3. 1993 Mustang Cobra R: Sort of the bookend to the 2000 Cobra R, the ’93 was built in far different times. The automotive performance recovery was just starting to solidify after the end of the malaise era (1973-87) when the ’93 Cobra R was introduced. Like the 2000 Cobra R, it was race-oriented and came without radio, A/C and — most importantly —without a warranty. Just 107 were built, and it’s a sure bet that a good number of those got soundly thrashed back in the day. Survivors in good condition are excruciatingly rare.

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  4. 1993-96 Mazda RX-7: The last generation of the RX-7 was a twin-turbocharged, lightweight and gorgeous sports car.  For a number of reasons — not the least of which was the fact that the target market couldn’t afford the insurance — the car never sold in large numbers in the U.S. Vintage Japanese cars are  currently a hot little niche in the collector car world. Cars like the RX-7 and the next one on this list will be among the most desirable future collectibles.
  5. 1993-98 Toyota Supra Twin Turbo: A bit bigger and heavier than the RX-7, the last iteration of the Supra to date showed that when it was so inclined, Toyota could compete with nearly anyone on the planet in building kick-ass, ultra high performance GTs. Capable of 0-60 in less than five seconds and with world class brakes to haul it down, the big Supra is revered by the “Fast and Furious” crowd. It’s already the Holy Grail of Japanese performance cars of its era and, sadly, this has led to the demise of many examples — too much car for inexperienced drivers of limited judgment.  The sky is the limit for future appreciation.

Friday, October 26, 2012

CS Motorsport's TRD Tundra Concept is Quite Simply, a Fisherman's Dream - Carscoop

CS Motorsport's TRD Tundra Concept is Quite Simply, a Fisherman's Dream - Carscoop



Fishing is a sport, or if you prefer, a recreational activity, loved by many people around the world, and as with all sports, it requires various items of equipment, which is where Toyota comes into the picture.
Set to make its world premiere at the 2012 SEMA show on October 30, is what the Japanese carmaker calls the "Ultimate Fishing Tundra" concept and which was developed by Bassmaster Elite Series pro angler and renowned builder of custom Tundras for anglers, Britt Myers. The 38-year old fishing champion, who owns North Carolina-based CS Motorsports, used a 2012 Toyota Tundra CrewMax as the base for his creation that has been turned into an angler's dream truck. The most impressive addition to the Tundra is a retractable box that features an automatic, motorized delivery system found at the rear end of the vehicle. Myers explains: "It has a bed-area tackle storage system that looks like a Bass Pro Shop aisle... with tackle, reels, rods and even a refrigerator." The prototype also gets a roof rack system with special LED lighting for fishing rod storage. Finished in a matte paint job, the truck has been toughened up with bull bars, custom made bumpers, a TRD Big Brake Kit, a 12-inch suspension lift, huge Nitto 38" x 15.50" x 20" Mud Grappler tires, a Warn 16k winch system and running boards. The interior of the Tundra also received some love by CS Motorsports, which replaced the rear bench with two bucket seats and custom built a fiberglass console that extends from the dash to the rear cab wall with built-in video monitors and subwoofers. Under the hood, Myers and his team gave the stock 5.7-liter V8 gasoline engine some extra oomph with the addition of a TRD supercharger and exhaust system.










Thursday, October 18, 2012

12 Cars That Will Go 200,000 Miles — or More

12 Cars That Will Go 200,000 Miles — or More

A decade ago, the impossible became the status quo: Cars from nearly every brand were routinely making it well past the 100,000-mile mark and chugging along respectably toward a second 100,000. Today, among new or relatively recent models, 200,000 miles is to be expected. But which vehicles are most likely to be truly viable after passing that milestone, not as embarrassing relics, but as proud workhorses possibly capable of hitting the 300,000 mark?

Honda Accord

 
Though our choices are based on a wide range of data, including reliability ratings for used and new vehicles and insurance-based maintenance records, some of the models best-suited to go the distance are to be expected, such as the Honda Accord, a sedan that for decades has been consistently among the most durable. Just last year, the owner of a 1990 Accord racked up 1 million miles.
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Toyota Camry 

 
It was Japan, undeniably, that turned longevity into an industrywide priority, and Toyota has carried that tradition further than anyone. With its low breakdown rate and uncanny ability to stay drivable, the Toyota Camry has been the best-selling car in the United States for the past decade. And ubiquity has its benefits; more models on the road means that it's easier, and cheaper, to find replacement parts.
 
 

Volvo C30 

 
"With some cars, it becomes more effective to just say, 'OK, this car's done,'" says Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and market analyst at Kelley Blue Book. "Volvo is one brand where it makes sense to just keep replacing parts. Those vehicles are just so fixable." The most dependable Volvo is the C30, which cracked Consumer Reports' list of the 10 most reliable vehicles as recently as 2010.
 
 

Ford F-150

 
 
Though it's unclear just how well Detroit has closed the quality gap with Japan, Nerad makes an exception for full-size pickups. "They're throwback designs — big steel frames and tried-and-true 6-cylinder and V8 engines. It sounds clichéd, but they're built to last," he says. The Ford F-150, America's top-selling, famously reliable truck, is a solid choice
 

Honda CR-V

 
 
For the long haul, a full-size SUV is a gamble. They aren't standouts in terms of durability, and anyone still rumbling around in a Hummer knows how quickly consumer tastes and gas prices can shift. Crossovers, however, aren't going anywhere, and neither is the CR-V; it is rated the most reliable 4x4 by Warranty Direct
 

Volkswagen Passat

 
 
Durability isn't necessarily one of Volkswagen's strong suits, but in terms of looks alone, the brand tends to age gracefully. "Sometimes, today's trend is tomorrow's disaster," Nerad says. He points out that bold designs from, say, Kia and Hyundai could backfire 10 years out. "Volkswagen is much cleaner, more classic, in its styling," Nerad says. The Passat is as timeless as a VW gets, a roomy, solid performer that promises to never embarrass.
 

Toyota Yaris

 
 
Without a doubt, there are slicker-looking, better-driving hatchbacks. But the Yaris trounces competitors such as the Fiat 500 and Volkswagen Golf in reliability. And in a 2012 J.D. Power and Associates study of used-car reliability, the Yaris was the highest-ranked subcompact, beating out the slightly higher-priced Honda Fit and Scion xD. The Yaris is the little car that could — or will.
 

Subaru Forester

 
 
Certain kinds of powerplant complexity are potentially bad news down the line — overly tuned engines, for example, or the small, "mild hybrid" electric motors showing up in General Motors' eAssist models. But Subaru's famous all-weather, all-wheel drive is easily maintained, a trait backed up by the Forester's track record of repairs both rare and reasonably priced (compared with other crossovers). The Forester's consistently high safety marks should also inspire confidence, even as it ages.
 
 

GMC Sierra HD

 
Though models such as the Toyota Tundra tend to score well in reliability studies, Nerad gives the advantage to Ford and GMC. "American full-size trucks are built a little more robustly. It's almost overkill, in the amount of material in them and the strength of those materials," he says. The Sierra HD's road-oriented handling is a good fit for a truck that, after 200,000 miles, has no business splashing through muddy creeks.
 
 
 

Toyota Sienna

 
The choice between a Toyota Sienna and a Honda Odyssey is a toss-up. According to TrueDelta, which collects maintenance data from drivers, both minivans hit the shop less often than the Chrysler Town & Country. The Sienna is the smarter choice, though, because of its simplicity. The Odyssey's high-tech features, such as built-in Wi-Fi and satellite TV, not only bump the sticker price, but foretell pricey repairs to come.
 

Ford Mustang

 
 
Is it possible for a car to not only survive old age, but to become sexier with each passing decade? Nearly any car can weather the decades in a garage, but the Mustang has a shot at achieving vintage glory while in heavy rotation. The car's V6 and V8 engines are sturdy, workmanlike powerplants — nowhere near as breakdown-prone as those found in Porsches or BMWs — and this year, J.D. Power and Associates rated the Mustang highest in initial quality in its segment.
 

Honda Civic

 
 
The cars most likely to outlast the rest are the ones you'll barely notice. We're thinking of cars such as the compact Civic; it is practically designed to be invisible. Again, the trick to an extended lifespan is simplicity. The Civic Hybrid and natural-gas-burning Civic GX are sustainable-tech pioneers, but if the finish line is 300,000 miles away, the plain, gas-burning Civic wins the race
 
For more information on any of the vehicles, click the links below:
 

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Wild Boar Jeep ready for six-wheeling fun


If you were seeing double it would be an 8x8. This is real.
Because sometimes four wheeling just isn’t good enough, Wild Boar products has created the JK6 Wheeler custom Jeep.
The California-based accessory specialist has stretched the frame of the four-door Wrangler and added a second Dana live axle in the rear. The two are connected by a 2.5-foot collapsible driveshaft that allows for full articulation, and power from the stock 3.6-liter V6 can still be sent to the front wheels providing 6x6 drive.
Designed for long distance off-roading, the JK6 has a 65 gallon gas tank providing a range of over 1,000 miles and can be customized pretty much anyway you want it. The company is currently in talks with the Alaska State Police to build a few of them as wilderness patrol vehicles.
Prices start at $69,000 and the sky’s the limit from there. You can even get a roof top tent in case you need a nap.
A thousand miles is a long way to go between rest stops

Friday, October 12, 2012

Hottest new cars


Bolt-performance Nissan GT-R
He is the quickest man in history, and it is one of the world’s quickest cars.
Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt has teamed up with Nissan to create the Bolt-performance GT-R. The all-wheel-drive 542 hp coupe is capable of sprinting to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds.
The one of a kind gold-painted and trimmed supercar features Bolt’s signature and will be auctioned on eBay to support the Usain Bolt Foundation.
As the automaker’s new “Director of Excitement,” Bolt is also helping to develop a run of limited-edition GT-Rs tweaked to his liking that will be on sale soon. You may never know what it feels like to walk in his shoes, but the seat of his pants is a different story.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Vehicle of the Month Sponsored by Auto Emporium

VEHICLE OF THE MONTH



When we think of the perfect vehicle, many images come to mind… we immediately think about the color, make, model and style this dream vehicle would have. We ask ourselves, how would I look in this vehicle? What will my friends think? Is it the perfect vehicle for my needs? Selecting the perfect vehicle can be a difficult and time-consuming decision to make.

When we image a perfect vehicle for a female, we often stereotype and imagine a cute smaller car with a bit of character. This edition of VEHICLE OF THE MONTH breaks that stereotype when we meet this young Latina who looks minuscule next to her automobile. Originally from Torrance, CA. Yecenia and her family moved to Oregon when she was six years old. Her family decided that they would call the Rogue Valley home seeing it would be a great environment to pursue the American dream. Yecenia and her family have lived in Southern Oregon for over twenty years where her parents have spent most of their time working in the agriculture industry. She attended the Phoenix-Talent school district ultimately graduating from Phoenix High School in 2006. Since 2006 she has been a part of the leading company producing guitar pics and other products, Steve Clayton, INC. Yecenia began her employment as a general labor worker and has become a vital employee for the company where she has taken on many additional task, including graphic design, managing printers, endorsing bands, and supervising employees.

This "small giant" of a lady is the owner of this enormous yellow automobile with a four-inch lift suspension… it is a 2004 Hummer H2. Yecenia tells us, "People are always surprised to see me driving my Hummer because you seldom see a young girl like me driving such a big vehicle." She bought the Hummer in 2006, she tells us that she bought it because it seemed nearly perfect, "The color and the space it provides really caught my eye." When we think of the VEHICLE OF THE MONTH, we often think that it will be an automobile that has been customized to fit the client’s preferences, when in reality that is not often the case. For instance, Yecenia she kept her Hummer in nearly the same condition she bought it in, she tells us, "It was very new at the time I bought it, I just needed to add a sound system and someday I would also like to raise the suspension on it." So now we know, ladies also like giant vehicles, as long as they have a little character that is.



Owner: Yecenia Mena

Vehicle: 2004 Hummer H2

Motor: V8 6.4L

Color: Yellow

As published in the October issue of REVISTA CAMINOS