Pontiac's days are coming to an end

These days you wouldn't think twice about buying a brand new car and these thoughts circulating around the United States really has been crippling the worlds car industry. From gas prices, reliability, and the economy the reasons to not purchase a new car, truck, or SUV are good enough for people to stop trading in and getting the best wheels on the lot.

Recently Pontiac has been declared no more. GM has decided to let Pontiac go due to the current crippled state of GM's status. Pontiac, which was started in 1926, was a true car guy company up until around the 90's. Around then the company started making not so hot, second hand GM cars. Rebadged GM's vehicles without effort of improvement. Although recently the company just started to individualize itself with the bring back of the GTO, the sports car Solstice, and the new popular G8. All this will not matter due to the cycle out of the production line in 2010. Farwell Pontiac!

Obama to give $2.4 Billion out of Stimulus for Electric Cars

Obama announced about a week ago that he was giving $2,400,000,000 for the advancement and growth of electric cars so we can have them on the roads faster in a mass produced fashion. Plain and simple. Hopefully it works, cause I want one.

2010 Tata Nano: World's Cheapest Car

On march 23rd, 2009, Tata, a new indian car company, has released the world cheapest car, the Nano.
It seats 4 adults, has a 33 horsepower mid mounted engine, manual transmission, 4-door hatchback, and get this...the price starts at $2,000 flat. It comes in 3 versions, each of which come with more features such as air conditioning, two tone comfort seats, more color options, and little things like fog lamps, spoiler, and a cup holder.



For about $2,000 you get a car, not much of one, but a car. Although it isn't being sold in the US, yet, the Tata is opening eyes and raising eyebrows, not in a good way necessarily.
One argument on-lookers have about the Nano is the fact it is so cheap, many people will buy the car. Too many. Which leads to the fact that it runs on crude oil gas so many consumers will purchase the Nano and have no concern for our enviroment.



I personally would love to start a performce Tata Nano shop with motor swaps, wider wheels and tires, etc. Ill call it... Tata Tuners(tap-tap its mine) or something like that.

Maintenance in a Bad Economy

Now that we are near depression with the current economy drop most car owners are prolonging their maintenance to save money or they just don't have the money to fix them. Well I am going to give you tips on how to save as much money as possible in these tough times.

Firstly, you can pretty much do everything on your car a mechanic can do if you just have the right tools. Tools like: a large or full ratchet set, a car jack, screwdrivers, funnel, and some time.

The list of do things you can do on your own (or with one other) will most definitely save you hundreads to thousands of dollars.

Easy do it yourself maintenance:
- Change your oil
- Inflate your tires
- Change all other fluids (window washer, radiator, brake)
- Seal any simple mechanical leaks (gas tank, oil pan, transmission) go to auto parts store and get JB Cold Weld or and automotive sealant.
- Change your air filter
- Clean excess gunk from wheels wells and brake area
- Replace battery
- Put on new bumpers
- Put on new head lights and tail lights
- Replace weather stripping

Harder do it yourself maintenance:
- Change your alternator
- Put on new gaskets *If not done right leakage will occur*
- Change engine belts *timing is VERY important, or you will destroy your motor**
- Replace suspension **Alignment required**
- Replace muffler/ exhaust system *welding set needed*
- Replace transmission *car jacks, and airgun + friend needed*
- Replace engine *car jacks, airgun, proper guide, and friend(s) needed*
- Painting warn/ sunfaded exterior trim *painting experience required, and painters tape*

ask if you have any questions, thank you

The Parent Automotive Buying Guide

When it comes time, most parents are to either assist their teenager on their quest to buy a car, or buy a car for them. I myself have been through about every possible outcome and I am now writing this buying guide for parents so the process can be as easy and painless as possible.
Before I start I want to let you know I have been through 2 cars and on my 3rd. I have purchased through craigslist and autotrader. I have had to deal with scammers, flakers, liars, and crooks. I have totaled a car in the snow, I have had a car broken into, and I am currently dealing with a car that I was lied about to. I have been through insurance with my dad, and talked to plenty of repairmen and do much of my own work on my cars as well. I am going to research my own car and go through the steps to ensure you may do the same.

First, you should establish if you son or daughter is a good driver. I know this is hard to judge, but observe carefully because that can determine the fate of the car in the near future as they get used to driving. It also will determine how they treat the car(dings, maintenance, etc.) This can be where you determine what kind of car they are allowed to have as well if it be luxury, truck, economy, sports, etc.

For my example I have picked out these 4 vehicles. All of which you may want your teenager to drive.

1999 VW Beetle - 76,000 Miles 5-speed manual $4900


1997 Toyota Corolla - Automatic $2395


1995 BMW 525i - 5-speed manual $5,600


2000 Ford Mustang - 117,100 Miles 5-speed manual $5000

I have chosen a "cute", commuter, luxury, and sports car for the guide.

***Look out for modifications or custom parts. If a car may have them make sure they are either reliable or done by a professional.***


Helpful Links:
- www.autotrader.com
- www.craigslist.com
- www.vehix.com

Secondly, you must research, research, research. I recommend that you sit down with you child soon before or soon after acquiring their license that you narrow down to a list of suitable cars then research, research, research them. Look at the categories of gas mileage, reliability, parts price, and owner reviews. You should get on google and find forums on the top choice of cars and read around. As well as looking for any recalls on those vehicles simply via google with a example search like "1997 Ford Mustang recalls." Also research how easy it is to replace parts and how expensive repairs are. See if you can't do it yourself to save money. This way you don't have to deal with a potentially disappointing automobile.

Gas Mileage Site: www.fueleconomy.org

For my 4 example I have found the following recalls by simply googling the make, model, and year, then having this website as my resource.

99' VW Beetle
http://www.internetautoguide.com/auto-recalls/09-int/1999/volkswagen/beetle/index.html

97' Toyota Corolla
http://www.internetautoguide.com/auto-recalls/09-int/1997/toyota/corolla/index.html

95' BMW 525i
http://www.internetautoguide.com/auto-recalls/99-int/1995/bmw/5-series/525i-sedan/230/index.html


00' Ford Mustang
http://www.internetautoguide.com/auto-recalls/09-int/2000/ford/mustang/index.html


Third, time to go out and evaluate your options. This is when you start looking at the Kelly Blue Book value of the top choice vehicles and visitng the seller. When you get to the place of meeting or dealership make sure to be ready with a lot of questions. Bring the Kelley Blue Book and the ad in print form for safety.

You should be asking question like:
- Why are you selling it?
- What problems have you had?
- How often do you drive it?
- What kind of mileage have you had?
- How fast do you drive?
- How far is your commute?
- Whats the farthest the car has traveled?
- Are you willing to negotiate on price?

While this is going on make a very detailed inspection of the car. Look at and test everything. See if the windows roll down, see if the radio/ speakers work, inspect under and in the engine for leaks, listen and see how it runs(listen for knocks, and look for smoke), test the electronics, look for signs of leakage around windows and trunk.

For my 4 example cars I went out and looked at each individual car and inspected them:

99' VW Beetle - It was in good condition, a true used car but very very suitable for a high school driver. No major problems, little things like near worn tires, minor ding on front bumper(no paint missing). The seller was very truthful and confident of their answers. Mechanically ran fine.

97' Toyota Corolla - It was pretty old but still very practical. Gas mileage superb. Everything worked, minor moisture leakage on right rear passenger window(easy fix). Seller was a sales man so hard to get a true answer knowing he had never owned the car.

95 BMW 525i - The car looked to be in amazing condition, had very few dings for its age. The only thing that did not work well was the CD player and the passenger power seat. Leather was worn(expected) and Seller was very honest and admitted to all the problems.

00' Ford Mustang - The car was in good condition, not amazing. The car had very few dings, faded headlights, and the fan ran kind of off par. Seller was not very honest and had left out that the brake pads were near dead, oil was soon overdue, and tires were in need of changing. Other then that a pretty good car.

Ask for a test drive, if the seller refuses or wants to test drive it them self that is a warning sign.
Another warning sign is unclear information or a lack of knowledge of the car.

***At this time retrieve the VIN#*** (you amy need this later for a Carfax report) Carfax tells you all recorded history of accidents, branded titles, milage, etc. CAREFUL look for gaps in the report as that may lead to a bad vehicle.
www.carfax.com - $30 unlimited 1-month VIN reports.

Fourth, you have to be set on you decision. After going through everything and getting used to the car you have your eyes on make sure to go through it again and look at similar car. This is important so you can base you choice on multiple examples. Look at what you are willing to compensate on for price or color. Things like A/C, power windows, power locks, alarm, no CD player, rear legroom, rear seats, trunk space, MPG, car condition. All of those things can just be luxuries and be left out of your decision.

Fifth, you must buy the car. At this point you should have ran through everything on the car you have your eyes set on. Make sure you are getting what you have put this work into for a good price. Remember that taxes will bring the price up after the purchase. After everything is paid for you may want to bring it to a trusty mechanic of yours and have a good look thorugh just to be sure its ready for the road so you teen can commute to school everyday.

For my 4 examples I have chosen the 1997 Toyota Corolla for its gas mileage, parts/ repair costs, reliability, and price. Remember this is my example, not necessarily what you should buy.


*Note: All sellers did not want pictures taken of them or when present*

Remember DON'T GET RIPPED OFF

For your Green: 2 Sexy, 2 Expensive: Bentley Continetial Supersports

Bentley has released the details on their new E85-biofuel powered supercar. It has a W12 engine (V12 in other words..) pushing 621 HP. It can hit 60 MPH in just 3.7 seconds and tops out at 204MPH. The car also has a 70% reduction in C02 emissions. Mile per gallon ratings haven't been released yet but expect them to a have an improvement over the regular Bentley Continetial. The car also has been lightend up by removing the rear seats and adding some carbon fiber components hear and there.

Obama not to give up on Detroit

We all know by now that Detroits auto manufacturers are not in very good shape...at all. the new bailout plan for 750 Billion ( with a B) will obviously be shifted a bit towards the automakers of America. Reason being its one of our largest industries and oldest. Obama does not want to give up on the current struggle that the auto makers have been facing ever since the economy had plummeted as well as the ever changing gas prices.
Recently new President Obama, at his speech to the joint session of congress, said "we are committed to the goal of a re-tooled, re-imagined auto industry that can compete and win. Millions of jobs depend on it. Scores of communities depend on it. And I believe the nation that invented the automobile cannot walk away from it."