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July 8, 2014 zoomvroom Car Culture, Car Reviews, New car info

The Twenty Best Cars for Summer!

Summer is a great time of the year. Should you happen to live near the beach or somewhere where you can cool off, go there! Enjoy summer! That’s what I’ve been doing! Have fun! Anyhow, I have compiled a list of the top twenty cars for summer. Some of these cars are great for tearing up your favorite isolated canyon road. Others are great for getting to that one remote spot that your Porsche 911 just can’t go. Others are great for driving long distances. Some of those cruisers have big, loud V8’s so you can take opportunity of every inch of open highway and tunnel. Some of these cars are convertibles, others are, well, I shouldn’t spoil it for you!

Jeep Wrangler: The Jeep Wrangler is a staple of summer. Should you live near a beach where you can drive on the beach, nothing beats driving a Jeep with the top down, the windows down, and listening to your favorite music. Nothing, absolutely nothing can beat the feel of a Jeep in it’s environment. The Wrangler can be ordered as a two-door Jeep, or a four-door Jeep, if you need that extra space. It’s got truly staggering off-road capability, timeless looks, and a thriving aftermarket. Plus, there are many models of the Wrangler with varying price ranges for everybody! Plus, you can’t buy a Jeep and leave it stock. It’s just not what the Wrangler was intended for.
Buick Enclave/Chevy Traverse/GMC Acadia: Either of these three GM Lambda-class crossovers is an amazing SUV for a family. They get decent mileage considering their intended function, have plenty of space for everybody, have one of the best rides out there, and have powerful engines! We own a 2013 Enclave, and, man, I LOVE it! It’s got all of the bells and whistles that I could ever imagine, and then some! It’s spectacular on long road trips or doing light off-roading. It just soaks up the bumps and is unfazed by anything. It’s got superb visibility, and a bunch of safety nannies like blind-spot monitoring for those times when you just can’t see in that one spot, and got plenty of space and gadgets for every single person inside it’s sumptuous cabin. I just can’t say enough good things about the Enclave! If you’re on more of a budget, look at the Chevy Traverse. The Acadia has much more truck-like looks, and is thus more intimidating when it comes up on your six. That’s not to say that the Enclave isn’t. It’s got a big ol’ honkin’ chrome grille that looks like it’s itching to eat small animals. The one caveat that my dad has about it so far is the fact that a panel on the door gets dented easily on long road trips. Other than that, I couldn’t want anything more out of the Enclave. A job well done, GM.
Dodge Challenger/Dodge Charger/Chrysler 300: Chrysler/Dodge’s fullsize sedans and coupe are big, cushy cars that have been substantially updated. The Challenger is great for those who want classic American looks, and a bunch of street appeal. The Charger is good for those who need the extra rear seat space. The 300 is good for those who crave that extra bit of luxury. If you opt for the Challenger, any of the available models are fun cars, but if you road trip a lot, get the Challenger R/T with the 5.7 liter HEMI V8 and the six-speed manual. If you don’t drive stick, don’t worry – the superb 8-speed automatic is there for you! With the Charger, get the Charger SRT8 – it’s a sleeper! It does look intimidating, but the SRT8 model can scoot on the straightaways and the corners! None of the Chrysler/Dodge cars are battleships in the corners, but the SRT8 models have a tweaked suspension and a potent 392 cubic-inch HEMI V8 (6.4 liters). Get the Chrysler 300S for looks and comfort. It gets rid of or blacks out most of the chrome that the 300 is known for, which makes it absolutely intimidating and beautiful. The white paint is the best option for the 300S – it makes the blacked-out chrome stand out! Plus, it comes with the powerful 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and the sweet 8-speed automatic. Even the Challenger is able to swallow two large coolers, a duffel bag, and at least one small suitcase. The backseat is large enough to take two full-size adults with ease, with three in a pinch.
Ram 1500 EcoDiesel: As if the Ram 1500 wasn’t a good enough truck to start off with, Ram decided to put a small diesel engine into the popular Ram 1500. Not only is this a good idea, but it’s a good choice for those who haul or tow a lot, but don’t want to have to step up to a massive 2500-series pickup. Plus, diesel engines are great for road tripping. The Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is the only half-ton pickup on the market with a diesel engine. There are plenty of options available for the Ram 1500, many of which can send the price rocketing up well past $50,000. It only comes as a crew cab with a six-foot bed or a five-foot bed, with 2WD or 4WD. It comes with an 8-speed automatic standard, so you never have to worry about surfing that tsunami of torque. If all of that wasn’t good enough for you, think about this – the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel was Motor Trend’s 2014 Truck of the Year. It’s a repeat winner, as it won the 2013 TOTY as well.
Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG: AMG is and always has been known for making radically fast, fun cars with gobs of power. With emissions regulations tightening every year, automakers are increasingly turning to turbochargers for performance and fuel economy. The SL63 AMG has two massive turbochargers that make it an absolutely fun monster to drive, according to the grapevine. Plus, who wouldn’t want to be swaddled in some of the finest leather on the market, along with the latest technology? The SL63 looks absolutely evil and menacing in the triple black color, especially after sunset. Even though it only seats two people, why not take a friend or the spouse, or even one of your kids (or your kid) out on a long, scenic drive. The SL63 is great for high-speed cruising, but it can hold it’s own in the twisties.
Ford F150 SVT Raptor: If you’re an outdoorsy person who likes to take a lot of stuff with you when you go camping. The Raptor is basically an off-road racing machine for the street. It’s a big truck, though, but that doesn’t diminish the amount of fun you can have with this truck. It’s the vehicle that I would take to get to my beach house right on the beach in Hawaii! Or anywhere, for that matter. It seats six, so it’s perfect to take the family or a few friends anywhere you want to go. Think of it as a Jeep for those who need space.
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray: The Corvette Stingray is one of the most praised new sports cars out on the market. It’s finally America’s sports car. It’s also finally a true sports car. It has a seven-speed manual, and for 2015, an 8-speed automatic. It comes as either a convertible or a coupe with a targa top. It may only seat two people, but that’s what a sports car is supposed to seat! It’s got an engine note somewhere in between the thumping roar of a diesel V8 and the shriek of a NASCAR V8. It’s beautiful sounding. Plus, it comes in many beautiful colors, and the green color makes it look like it came from Italy. It’s a good car to take a road trip in, especially with the comfortable sport seats. You no longer are uncomfortable when you get out of a Corvette.
Ram 2500 Power Wagon: The Ram 2500 Power Wagon is basically the pickup that Jeep should have built. It may be big, but that just means that you can take more stuff! It’s got the burly 392 HEMI V8 (a slightly detuned version, but the same engine in all of the SRT products), 4WD, a beefy Aisin 6-speed automatic, and Dana-style locking axles front and rear. Oh, and it’s got a pretty nice interior for a truck that is meant to take you dirty places. This is the truck that I would use as a getaway truck when the apocalypse hits. It also comes in some pretty cool colors like red with cool white graphics. Think of it as a heavier-duty Ford F150 SVT Raptor.
Jeep Grand Cherokee: Any version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee is amazing, but the version with the EcoDiesel V6 or the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 is amazing. Either of these engines are great for highway cruising, and both get decent, if not good fuel economy. It’s got a bladder-busting 700+ miles of range with the diesel, which more than makes up for the high cost of diesel today. The SRT8 version has the 392 HEMI V8, AWD, sport seats, and handles like a barrel full of fun. It’s also passed Jeep’s rigorous off-road tests with flying colors, thanks to the standard air suspension. Well, maybe not flying colors, but it passed.
Cadillac CTS VSport: It’s got an efficient, yet quick twin-turbocharged engine, a 6-speed automatic transmission, available AWD for those who need the grip in the snowbelt, heated/cooled/ventilated leather seats, amazing color choices, and, is, quite simply, one of the best cars that one can buy. While it may be a couple of years before we see a 3rd-generation CTS-V, the CTS VSport will easily tide us over. Plus, it looks absolutely gorgeous in any color or setting.
Ford F350 Platinum: This is probably one of the most luxurious trucks that one can go out and buy. It comes standard with leather, navigation, heated front seats, mirrors, and even optional heated rear seats! It comes with either a powerful 6.2-liter V8 or a thundering 6.7-liter “Scorpion” diesel V8 making 800 pound-feet of torque! My dream F350 Platinum would be a 4X4 Crew Cab in red with the diesel, and just about every option available! Why sacrifice for less luxury? Plus, you can tow up to 30,000 pounds in sumptuous comfort!
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500: With a howling, screaming, yelling 662 horsepower out of an amazing-sounding 5.8-liter supercharged V8, the Shelby GT500 is the S197-generation Mustang to get. Ford claims a top speed of 200+ mph, Motor Trend has seen 197 mph and still pulling, so I see no better way to find out the top speed than to take the GT500 to the Autobahn and see what it can really do! Or, take it to legendary NASCAR superspeedways like Daytona International Speedway or Talladega International Superspeedway. Or, take it to Indianapolis Motor Speedway and check it out there. Better yet, take it to all three! Or, you can simply tour Route 66 in it.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter: I recently had the chance to drive a Sprinter, and, surprisingly, it was astonishingly easy and fun to drive! It was a 12-seater van with a big air-conditioning unit on top, and the smaller 2.1-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel. Truth be told, I’d get it the same way, as there really isn’t any need for the bigger 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6. The four-cylinder engine gives it plenty of oomph, and according to the owner, it gets up to speed quickly, even with a bunch of people in the back. The smaller engine gets up to 25 mpg on the highway, as well, so fill-ups are far and few between. It’s got amazing visibility, thanks to the short, sloping hood and the gigantic greenhouse. The one downside is that the sliding door is on the passenger side only, and looks like a guillotine coming towards you when it’s going downhill.
Mazda MX-5 Miata: The Mazda Miata is a cute little roadster meant to put the biggest smile ever on the driver and passenger! It’s formula is simple and has been proven true for decades. It’s got a manual transmission, light weight, a fuel-efficient, relatively powerful four-cylinder engine, two seats, and enough bells and whistles to keep you satisfied. Plus it gives you and everybody who sees one a big, goofy grin. You can’t beat that! The Miata is just instantly likeable and fun. It’s a hoot to drive on a track, but driving it hard on a road with a lot of straight areas will not get you up to 150 mph. It’s the curvy parts of the road where the Miata will embarrass many cars triple it’s price. Plus, it’s extremely affordable, comes with a lot of inexpensive options, and is reliable. Why mess with that? British roadsters from the 1960’s and 1970’s had that formula except for reliability in spades. It’s what made them so popular.
Cadillac ATS: The Cadillac ATS isn’t Cadillac’s flagship. It doesn’t need to be. But, it was Cadillac’s second best-selling car last year to the Escalade. It’s the most affordable new Cadillac, and to this day, driving a Cadillac means success. It starts off at around $34,000, so it’s in reach of a lot of folks. The model that I would want is a 2.0T with the Technology and Luxury packages. That’s all that I would really need. Should you want more, Cadillac is more than happy to sell you more expensive options.
Ferrari FF: It’s the first Ferrari ever with AWD, so you can travel in the snow, do light off-roading (gravel roads and the like), and take three passengers in comfort and beauty. It’s got a V12 making 651 horsepower, a quick-shifting 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, and Ferrari’s Haldex-based AWD system. One of the few downsides is that you are heading into unknown territory because of the AWD system. Another downside is that the infotainment system is based off of an already-dated Chrysler system from circa 2011. If you can live with the FF’s faults, it’s a great car. But, that’s true about any car.
Dodge Durango: This midsize SUV is quite possibly one of the best vehicles ever for a road trip. It simply pushes any road imperfection back down into the road. It can seat up to 8 people comfortably and still carry a good deal of luggage. It comes with two powerful engines; a 3.6-liter “Pentastar” V6 or a 5.7-liter HEMI V8. Either of these engines are extremely good, reliable, economical engines, but I think that the best engine is the Pentastar V6, as it provides enough power for freeway driving, city driving, hilly driving, and towing. If you tow a lot, go with the 5.7-liter HEMI V8, otherwise, stick with the Pentastar V6.
Bentley Continental GT V8 S: Bentley made a massive resurgence in 2006 with the new Continental GT. Since then, it has morphed into the Toyota Camry of Beverly Hills. It now has a powerful W12 engine or a powerful V8 engine. The W12 engine is great, but it adds a lot of weight to the front, and drinks gas like beer on a Friday night. The V8 is a fabulous engine that doesn’t sacrifice too much performance getting the 5,000+ pound Continental GT V8 S up to speed. Plus, it comes with an amazing 8-speed automatic. Since the V8 is far lighter than the W12, it makes the car handle much better. It shaves almost 250 pounds from the engine difference alone. Overall, weight savings are close to 500 pounds, so the Continental GT V8 S is obviously the weapon of choice for track days or windy roads. It’s got a cushy ride when cruising, so you’ll get there in comfort. Then, you can unleash the twin-turbocharged fury that is the GT V8 S.
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible: This is the most powerful Chevrolet Camaro convertible ever. It makes 580 horsepower from it’s supercharged LSA engine, which is just a detuned version of the 638-horsepower LS9 motor found in the beastly C6 Corvette ZR1. It’s got either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. Getting the convertible eliminates the bunker-like visibility that the Camaro coupe is known for, plus you get a nice tan driving a convertible. It has some pretty big, cool wheels, an exhaust note that sounds like it belongs to a Top Fuel Funny Car, and looks that are pretty amazing, if I say so myself.
Honda Accord Hybrid: This is Honda’s second attempt at building an Accord Hybrid. So far, it seems to be more successful than Honda’s first attempt from 2005-2006. It’s got decent power, plenty of inexpensive, good options, and a base price that is affordable to many. I’m sure that it is a good interstate cruiser because it has a powerful four-cylinder engine with Honda’s VTEC technology, a CVT, and an electric motor that helps boost power when the gas pedal gets pushed in more than 50%. I’m also positive that it’s good around town, because the gas engine doesn’t kick in until you’re going above 35 mph. It’s got a range close to 650 miles, so you’ll have to go to the bathroom before the car needs to get filled up.

June 29, 2014 zoomvroom Uncategorized

Dodge is Going to Be It’s Own Performance Brand

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is currently in the process of announcing a new five-year plan that will see many of the vehicles currently in the Fiat/Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram/SRT either discontinued or overhauled between now and 2018. Some brands will also be integrated, with SRT (Street and Racing Technology) being integrated into Dodge, just like it was before 2005. Dodge will become the performance brand, just like it was in the 1960’s, 1970’s, and 1980’s. This repositioning will mean that the SRT Viper will once again become the Dodge Viper (I never did get used to saying Dodge Viper)! Various SRT models outside of Dodge like the Chrysler 300 SRT8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 will be discontinued by the end of the 2015 calendar year. If you want either of those two cars, get them NOW. Current Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis will be in charge of the integration, while current SRT boss Ralph Gilles will still oversee Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep design and Dodge motorsports.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne said of Gilles, “I want to thank Ralph for his dedication to the SRT brand. Under Ralph’s leadership, the SRT brand expanded its vehicle lineup to include more highly customized models and received numerous automotive awards and distinctions.” That’s all completely true. Ralph Gilles has worked like an animal to transform the SRT brand into something that can compete with the likes of AMG, M, and Porsche.

Dodge will lose its place as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ mainstream brand. Instead, Chrysler will take over that place, just like it was in the 1960’s, 1970’s, 1980’s, and 1990’s. Dodge will be repositioned as a sporty brand stuffed to the brim with musclecars, sporty crossovers, and the Viper.

A rough outline of the next few years for Fiat/Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram/SRT is below:

2015: Dodge Grand Caravan and Dodge Avenger will be phased out. Buy the Grand Caravan NOW if you want one! The Dodge Challenger, Charger, and Viper will all receive updates. The Charger and Challenger will receive a supercharger (it is still unclear on whether the 6.4-liter Hemi V8 will be the engine with the supercharger, or possibly a 6.2-liter Hemi V8 codenamed the Hellcat). The Dodge Durango will not receive any updates (it received one in the end of 2013.

2016: The Dodge Dart will receive a mid-cycle update, and it will receive an SRT-tuned version with AWD, a high-output turbocharged engine, and hopefully a manual transmission. I think that we’re all thinking autocross and rally, right?

2017: The Dodge Journey, the bland crossover infringing on the Grand Caravan’s turf, will receive an SRT variant with AWD and a turbocharged engine. I like that idea.

2018: New compact Fiat-based hatchback to be launched alongside new versions of Charger and Challenger.

That’s the next few years for Fiat/Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram/SRT. Except, it will be Fiat/Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram. Oh, Jeep is also bringing back the historic Jeep Grand Wagoneer name sometime in the next four years! I’ve always loved the look of the Grand Wagoneer, but a modern one gets me pumped up all over again! While some modern companies do convert Grand Cherokees into Grand Wagoneers, it’s just not the same.

I’m signing off for the week. Have a happy 4th of July, everybody! See you then!

June 28, 2014 zoomvroom Gifts for the Car Enthusiast

Our Lucky Winner!

The giveaway for the Roadkill hat is over, and we have ourselves a winner!

No, it’s not a chicken.

Our lucky winner of the Roadkill hat is…Mom! No, I did NOT rig the system! Congratulations, Mom!

June 24, 2014 zoomvroom Gifts for the Car Enthusiast

A Friendly Reminder!

Just a friendly reminder to those of you who have not signed up for the giveaway, enter! It’s as easy as commenting on this post and saying you want to be entered! It’s literally that easy! The giveaway prize is a Roadkill baseball hat, universal for all sizes! Because so few of my readers have signed up for the giveaway, I have extended the deadline until Friday! Remember, just leave a comment saying you wish to be entered into the giveaway! It’s that simple!

June 22, 2014June 22, 2014 zoomvroom Out N' About, Road Trips

Out and About in Sonoma County and Oregon!

It’s been a while since I published an Out and About in Sonoma County. However, that’s because I got some great pictures from Oregon AND Sonoma County! I hope you enjoy them! I will provide commentary on ALL of the cars – basically fun facts on them! I also got some pictures from Mother’s Day Weekend up in Redding, CA. Those are included as well.

This is my 300th post, so next week, I am doing a giveaway of a Roadkill hat! Every reader or subscriber MUST leave a comment saying that they wish to be entered in the giveaway. Remember, leave a comment to get a chance to win!

Oregon:

I'm simply in love with the Harley-Davidson themed paint! It really helps accentuate the beautiful lines on these old trucks. — I’m simply in love with the Harley-Davidson themed paint! It really helps accentuate the beautiful lines on these old trucks.

Are you a fan of a classic Vespa? This stunning 1968 Vespa was for sale for a meager $6,000! I was working on going 50/50 on it with my sister. It didn't work. It has a 1971 engine for a bit more poewr and reliability. The sidecar gives it a practical side... — Are you a fan of a classic Vespa? This stunning 1968 Vespa was for sale for a meager $6,000! I was working on going 50/50 on it with my sister. It didn’t work. It has a 1971 engine for a bit more poewr and reliability. The sidecar gives it a practical side…

This is probably the best Jeep badge that the world has ever seen. It may be a direct BMW rip-off, but whatever!

This simply amazing Jeep Jeepster Commando was probably the nicest Jeep that I have ever seen - I don't care if it's 2WD or not! — This simply amazing Jeep Jeepster Commando was probably the nicest Jeep that I have ever seen – I don’t care if it’s 2WD or not!

How's this for cool? I've never really seen a '32 Ford dirt track racer before, so this was a cool first for me! I wasn't able to get closer to it, otherwise I would have done a separate blog post on it! It was a very cool '32 Ford, though! — How’s this for cool? I’ve never really seen a ’32 Ford dirt track racer before, so this was a cool first for me! I wasn’t able to get closer to it, otherwise I would have done a separate blog post on it! It was a very cool ’32 Ford, though!

Sonoma County:

How'd you like this to be in your rearview mirror? Sorry if I just gave you nightmares...This 1971 Dodge Charger R/T is equipped with the 426 HEMI. It doesn't get much better than that! — How’d you like this to be in your rearview mirror? Sorry if I just gave you nightmares…This 1971 Dodge Charger R/T is equipped with the 426 HEMI. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Man, this is just one of THE best engines in the world! Let me tell you a funny story about this car and another car. Somebody in a 1949 Chevy lowrider tried to do a burnout. All he did was send a bunch of smoke out of his tailpipes. The owner of this fine triple-black '71 Charger proceeded to do a burnout without really having to try too terribly hard right through an empty intersection! — Man, this is just one of THE best engines in the world! Let me tell you a funny story about this car and another car. Somebody in a 1949 Chevy lowrider tried to do a burnout. All he did was send a bunch of smoke out of his tailpipes. The owner of this fine triple-black ’71 Charger proceeded to do a burnout without really having to try too terribly hard right through an empty intersection!

If this doesn't make you drool, then I don't know what will! This stunning 1970 Plymouth Superbird was SOOOOO cool! It was in the Limelight Green color, along with the Super Commando 440 cubic-inch V8. More to come on this iconic car. — If this doesn’t make you drool, then I don’t know what will! This stunning 1970 Plymouth Superbird was SOOOOO cool! It was in the Limelight Green color, along with the Super Commando 440 cubic-inch V8. More to come on this iconic car.

Yes, the Superbird really does make the iconic "meep-meep" from Looney Tunes - as does the Plymouth Roadrunner that the Superbird is based off of! — Yes, the Superbird really does make the iconic “meep-meep” from Looney Tunes – as does the Plymouth Roadrunner that the Superbird is based off of!

Redding, CA:

How's this for nice? This is probably one of THE nicest Corvettes that i have ever seen! It was all-original, so it has the punchy 283 cubic-inch V8 and a four-speed manual. Plus, it's got absolutely amazing looks. The only thing that isn't original is the wheels, but they went perfectly with the car. This would be an excellent car for touring the country with. One of these days I will do that in a classic car - I promise! — How’s this for nice? This is probably one of THE nicest Corvettes that i have ever seen! It was all-original, so it has the punchy 283 cubic-inch V8 and a four-speed manual. Plus, it’s got absolutely amazing looks. The only thing that isn’t original is the wheels, but they went perfectly with the car. This would be an excellent car for touring the country with. One of these days I will do that in a classic car – I promise!

June 10, 2014 zoomvroom Car Reviews, New car info, World News

The Ferrari LaFerrari is a Dream Come True…for a Lucky Few!

It should be worth mentioning to you that copious amounts of drool may ensue while reading this article. If you’re a numbers junkie, read ahead. If you’re an experience junkie, read ahead. If you’re a looks person, read ahead. Well, you got it. There’s something for everybody in this car, and this article! The 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari is the most powerful production Ferrari ever made. Yipe. It’s also the first hybrid Ferrari ever made. Yowza. It’s carbon-fiber tub (where the driver and passenger sit) is made from the same carbon fiber as the frighteningly fast Ferrari F1 cars, and it’s formed by the same team that makes the F1 cars. Wow. It’s name translates to “The Ferrari.” As emissions regulations around the world get harder, supercar manufacturers are forced to turn to alternative different forms of power. McLaren’s powerful P1 hypercar uses two turbochargers, an electric motor, and an already powerful 3.8-liter V8. Stuttgart fired back with an equally impressive salvo that is the 918 Spyder, which uses an insanely powerful naturally aspirated V8 with two electric motors. The LaFerrari is just as, if not more impressive. It’s pretty darn hard to beat a Ferrari V12 for power, reliability, and sound. All three of said cars are spiritual and literal successors to simply amazing hypercars from about 10-15 years ago. The P1 is the successor to the legendary McLaren F1 of the late 1990’s. The 918 replaces the controversial Carrera GT, the car that Paul Walker and Roger Rodas died in late last year. The LaFerrari replaces the stunning Enzo, named for Enzo Ferrari, the founder of Ferrari. But, we aren’t going to be talking THAT much about the LaFerrari’s rivals. The seats are bolted directly to the carbon fiber tub, which means that they are not adjustable. Ferrari tailors seat padding for each and every customer and their passenger. A small lever does move the pedals fore and aft. The flat-bottomed steering wheel adapted from the Ferrari 458 Italia Speciale telescopes and moves up and down. The LCD screen that is the speedometer and tachometer has a 9000 RPM redline, but the engine will briefly go to 9250 RPM. The V12 engine is pulled from the F12 Berlinetta, which means that it displaces 6.3 liters, and puts out a shriek like nothing of this world. It trades low-end power for a higher redline (the F12 stops revving at 8250 RPM, and the LaFerrari stops revving at 9000). It also makes 58 more horsepower (731 versus 789). The 161-horsepower electric motor that is bolted to the back of the equally fabulous seven-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission kicks in at low speeds and when the engine hits redline. There is no EV mode, as Ferrari estimates that the range from the batteries is under 6 miles, and Ferrari has no plans of adding more batteries or EV range. With a combined 950 horsepower, this car is more far more powerful than the 903-horsepower P1 or the 887-horsepower 918 Spyder. This means that the Launch button looks pretty dang tantalizing. Ferrari claims 0-60 in under 3 seconds, but won’t allow any major automotive media publications to gather data. A nice touch is the small plaque at the bottom of the steering wheel, which allows owners to put whatever they want onto it. The steering should be quick, as Ferrari says that the steering wheel will turn just under two turns lock-to-lock. That’s on par with an F1 car. Yet another Ferrari first is the electromechanical steering. That basically means that an electric motor boosts the steering in addition to the power booster. The rear wing moves up and down, yet Ferrari claims that it shouldn’t impede driver rearview visibility too terribly much. The flaps at the front of the hood lift up when the brakes are applied. Combine those two flaps with the rear wing, and the car can generate up to 800 pounds of downforce at 125 mph. The LaFerrari also has an active exhaust system. This means that there is a series of flaps inside of the mufflers to mute the noise when you’re not digging into the throttle. When you get into the throttle, the valves stay open for more noise. Another bonus – the electric motor’s high-pitched whine is drowned out by the wail of the V12! Yet another added bonus is the fact that every single piece of electronics in the LaFerrari don’t interfere with the driver, which means that the driver can drive as fast as they want to (on a track!) without having to fight all of the nannies. That’s a problem with most new cars. Give a driver a car with nannies that they have to fight, and it can lead to a horrible driving experience.

May 31, 2014 zoomvroom Car Culture, Field Trips, Road Trips, World News

Richard Petty to Drive His 1967 Plymouth Belvedere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

Richard Petty is one of the foremost racing legends ever. He dominated NASCAR from 1964-1986. He was a brilliant, uncompromising driver who set so many winning records in NASCAR during his brilliant career that nobody except Dale Earnhardt ever came close to matching him. When asked of what his most iconic car was, many people will immediately tell you his 1970 Plymouth Superbird or 1967 Plymouth Belvedere are his most iconic car. More people will tell you that his Superbird is the most iconic car to ever race NASCAR. I’m inclined to agree. All of Petty’s Plymouth’s were powered by the legendary, versatile 426 Hemi. What I am here to tell you about is Petty will be driving his 1967 Plymouth Belvedere.

Richard Petty’s big, Petty Blue 1967 Plymouth Belvedere will be an amazing sight to see at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed. It’s going to be a change from the wailing Le Mans and F1 cars that populate the Festival of Speed. It was the car that Richard Petty drove in his most dominant season ever, 1967. Just next month, Petty and his big, blue, burbling Plymouth will reunite.

Petty’s 1967 Belvedere was actually a 1966 model redone as a 1967 model (it can get expensive to supply a brand-new car that hasn’t hit the market yet for one person to race). Normally, it lives over at the Petty Museum in North Carolina, but it has also been displayed at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. For the 1967 NASCAR season, Richard Petty was a force of nature. He was simply unstoppable. He won 27 out of 48 races entered, including a 10-race winning streak. That is a NASCAR record that stands to this day. It would be the second of his seven championships. His first championship was in 1964. Until 1967, Petty was referred to as “The Randleman Rocket.” After 1967, his new nickname was “The King.” I’m trying to resist the urge to make bad Hakuna Matata jokes…

While the full list of the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed invitees hasn’t been finalized, we do know that Indy 500 legend Al Unser will be driving his 1978 Lola-Cosworth Team Penske Indy car. We also know that Formula 1 legends John Surtees and Emerson Fittipaldi will be driving a Ferrari 158 and a McLaren M23, respectively.

Some other highlights of this year’s Festival of Speed: Sebastian Loeb will be attempting to set a record in his Pikes Peak-winning Peugeot 208 T16, and a timed supercar run of a prototype Acura Honda NSX.

On a sad note, Richard Petty’s longtime wife, Lynda Gayle Owens Petty passed away on March 25, 2014. She was 72. It was unclear for a few weeks on whether Richard Petty would come to the Festival of Speed. A quiet announcement on Petty’s website a few weeks ago said that he will be going to Goodwood. I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the entire Petty family.

May 27, 2014 zoomvroom Car Culture, Car Reviews, Tech Talk

The Most Driveable Classic Cars

Classic cars look great. They sound great. They all get thumbs up. Some of them aren’t very easy or fun to drive on a daily basis. But, that’s not to say that ALL of them are that way…

1908-1927 Ford Model T: The Ford Model T, believe it or not, is actually a fairly driveable car. It’s light, small, and cute. It can keep up with city traffic, do some pretty decent off-roading (when the Model T was built, most roads were gravel or dirt), and in some configurations, seat up to 5 people. There are some downsides, however. Earlier Model T’s have crank starters, which mean that you have to crank it over by hand. Newer Model T’s don’t have that problem. If you don’t take highways, the Model T is a fun choice for taking long, slow trips.
1967-1970 Cadillac Eldorado: The Cadillac Eldorado was one of the whale-sized GM personal luxury cars of the late 1960’s. Power disc brakes were standard from 1968 on, and power steering was standard from day one. As for the engine, it’s hard to beat a Chevy big block V8. The standard engine for 1967 was a 429 cubic-inch V8 that was ditched for a massive 472 cubic-inch V8 in 1968. The 472 is a good, powerful engine that makes well over 500 pound-feet of torque. In 1970, Cadillac came out with one of the largest engines ever made – a 500 cubic-inch V8 that made about 400 horsepower and about 600 pound-feet of torque, as rated by GM. Dyno tests showed that it made about 450 horsepower and about 675 pound-feet of torque – to the wheels! That’s about 520 horsepower and 740 pound-feet of torque at the crank! The Eldorado is a big, cushy car that really meant success when it came out. To this day, nothing really shows success quite like a Cadillac. A fun fact is that former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has owned a 1970 Eldorado since the day he was elected President of the United States!
1947-1955 Chevrolet/GMC Advanced Design Pickups: These are some of the most hardworking, amazing trucks that the world has ever seen. They are literally bulletproof, and it’s amazing how easy to drive they are. From 1947-1954, Chevrolet/GMC pickups used a 216 cubic-inch inline six-cylinder engine called the Stovebolt Six. In 1955, Chevrolet introduced the 235 cubic-inch inline-six-cylinder engine called the Thriftmaster 235. The 3100 series (a half-ton pickup) came standard with a three-on-the-tree three-speed manual, with a four-speed floor-shifted manual transmission. Heavy-duty 3600 series (3/4 pickups) trucks came only with the four-speed. In 1954, a heavy-duty Borg-Warner three-speed manual was offered as an option, and GM’s new Hydra-Matic three-speed automatic was an option. The rear end in these trucks is either a 4.11:1 axle ratio in earlier trucks or a 3.90:1 axle ratio. The 3.90:1 is more road-friendly, as it allows for lower RPM in city traffic and highway driving. In terms of braking, it’s not much. Four-wheel drum brakes were standard for all trucks. Heavy-duty trucks came with a power booster, but not the light-duty trucks. Inside of these trucks, they are spartan by today’s standards. But, back in the day, their interiors were compared to those of passenger cars. The availability of the DeLuxe Cab with corner windows greatly improves visibility, and the DeLuxe Cab-only armrest and sunvisor for the driver are a nice touch. These trucks also had thicker floors and floor mats to make them quieter, and there is even room for some small tools underneath the bench seat. The 3100 and 3600-series pickups came standard with a column-shifted transmission starting in 1948, and the shift pattern was identical to every single Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Buick passenger car as a nod to driver ease of operation. The foot-operated parking brake is located in the far corner of the footwell so the driver doesn’t activate the parking brake when shifting! The cab and body is made completely out of steel, and was designed to be long-lasting. While some of these trucks are starting to rust, don’t worry – there is a thriving aftermarket JUST for that!
1966-1973 Volkswagen Beetle: The VW Beetle is one of the world’s most popular cars ever, and it’s a very driveable little car. The 1,600 CC engine has surprising pep, lasts forever, and gets good fuel economy. The VW Beetle from this era is bulletproof, cute, and easily restored for very little money. It comes in some colors that really make it look fun, like the creamsicle orange color! Some Beetles from this era were turned into Baja bugs that are lots of fun to drive, and they often have upgraded engines. A common engine upgrade is the 1,776 CC engine, which significantly boosts power without killing the engine. It essentially just puts bigger pistons and heads on.
1967-1971 Plymouth GTX: The Plymouth GTX was Plymouth’s full-size, more luxurious version of the Roadrunner. It had functional hood scoops, a chrome filler cap that looked like a NASCAR filler cap, and optional racing stripes. It had a heavy-duty suspension found in the Charger 500 and Coronet 500. The standard was Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth’s massive 440 cubic-inch V8. For an extra $546, one could step up to the legendary 426 HEMI, nicknamed the “Elephant Motor.” For 1968, the GTX received new styling and the new TorqueFlite 727 three-speed automatic transmission. For 1970, it received a massive redesign that included the racing stripes being removed and put on the lower part of the car. It also introduced the 440+6 (a 440 with three two-barrel carburetors), which could closely compete with the HEMI up to highway speeds. In 1971, the GTX entered it’s final stand-alone model year. The engine choices remained the same. It was also completely redesigned to look more like the Roadrunner. Emissions restrictions reduced horsepower in every engine except the HEMI. From 1972-1974, the GTX was a model on the Roadrunner, before being dropped.

Those are the best classic cars to drive every day, at least in my opinion. If you drive a classic daily, and it’s not on this list, tell me if it’s a good daily driver and why and I will do a part two of this blog post! I know that all of these cars aren’t as reliable or inexpensive as new cars, but they have character, something that many new cars lack.

For those of you still in school, good luck on finals, and get back to studying! Read up about cars AFTER finals are over! I don’t you want to fail finals because you were reading up about cars!

May 25, 2014May 27, 2014 zoomvroom Car Culture, Car Reviews, Field Trips, Out N' About, People's first car's and funny stories

A Cool Classic

A while ago, my dad introduced me to one of his business partners who just happened to happen to own a 1960 Jaguar MK9. Hmm…Maybe I just needed to see it…Well, I’m happy to report to you that it is, without doubt, one of the most breathtaking cars that I have ever laid my eyes on. Not only does the beautifully patina’d maroon and good paint look absolutely stunning. Oh, and if stunning looks and a spotless beige leather interior complete with Grey Poupon jars (you never know who might need them!) aren’t enough, this car used be Ike Turner’s car. So, this car isn’t just ANOTHER Jaguar MK9…

The story behind the owner of the car is an interesting one in itself. My dad’s business partner, Michael Page, used to be the bassist for Iggy and the Stooges, which was a band that opened for the Rolling Stones. Mike also played for Chuck Berry and other bands in the 1970’s. Mike now runs a small studio down in Southern California. When I asked Mike if he still played musical instruments, his reply was, “Naw, I’m content to listen to it now.”

The story behind how the car ended up being in Michael’s hands is an interesting story itself. During Ike and Tina Turner’s long divorce, Ike parked the Jag on blocks in a back lot of Paramount Pictures for somewhere around 17 years. One day when Mike was walking in the back lot, he saw the Jag, was absolutely smitten, and made an offer on the spot. It was accepted. He then proceeded to, as he put it, “I stood on my head for about an hour with the guy from Paramount just trying to figure out what kind of engine was in it. Eventually, I saw a label that said ‘Chevrolet 350 C.I. V8.'” That means that the engine is a Chevrolet 350 cubic-inch small-block V8. The Chevy 350 V8 is a popular choice for engine swaps in Jaguars. It requires very little work to install, it has decent power stock (a LOT when it’s tuned), and it’s an extremely reliable engine. That can’t be said about any Jaguar engine. Just ask my uncle or grandmother. As a whole, a 1960 Jaguar is a pretty sturdy car. It’s made all out of steel (the only aluminum is inside), it’s got glass that could probably stop a bullet, and the tire treads wouldn’t look out of place on something destined to go off-road.

After Mike had owned the car for a couple of months, he decided to take it out for a spin on the freeway. When he got up to 55 mph, the engine was screaming at something close to 5,000 RPM, and he was playing tag with a bunch of tractor-trailers and grandparents. Not exactly my (or his) definition of fun. He got off of the freeway and went to the local transmission shop and had them install an overdrive. Now, the RPM’s are cut down to 2,500 RPM (most modern cars turn 1,800-2,000 RPM’s on the highway), and he can go up to 70 mph without worrying about killing the engine. The overdrive, Chevy small-block V8 and Turbo 350 transmission are the only parts that didn’t come with the car. That is, other than the tires!

Speaking of tires, the tires are modern Coker radial tires with big, tall whitewalls on them. If whitewalls are put on the right car, they can turn a show-stopper into a car that will literally make people’s heads turn right off their neck! That’s what my dad’s business partner did with this Jaguar. The whitewalls make this classic Jaguar look better than it did when it rolled off of the Jaguar assembly line in Coventry, England, in 1960. Not many cars can pull that off. Plus, the engine, transmission, and overdrive give a car that wasn’t really driveable before the engine/transmission swap driveability.

In terms of driveability, Mike says that it drives like a wallowy, new car. It’s got suspension technology from 1960, so it’s not the best choice to throw around a road course. With the stock engine and transmission sans overdrive unit, the Jaguar MK9 isn’t easy to drive unless you toodle around town. The stock engine was designed for people to take a slow, scenic drive of the British countryside, not for freeway cruising. Bring a car like that to America where there are vast expanses of freeways, and you’re essentially got a death wish. Mike essentially said the same. The stock three-speed manual has a stiff clutch, according to Mike, and three short speeds aren’t going to do you any favors when you’re cruising. The Turbo 350 transmission greatly improves the driveability factor. The Jag doesn’t have power steering, but it tips the scales at about 3,400 pounds, so you’re really not having to put THAT much effort into turning it. It does, however, have power brakes, so that does make it easier to stop it, even though there was no such thing as ABS back then. With the Chevy engine and transmission, plus the overdrive unit, Mike could easily drive across the state of California if he so wished.

His Jaguar doesn’t have thousands of man-hours put into restoring it to #1+ condition. It doesn’t have ABS, cruise control, or satellite radio like most modern cars. It’s a survivor car. Trust me, the Jag is perfectly fine that way. It’s got absolutely gorgeous looks before the paint, which accentuates the car’s looks even more. It has beautiful walnut wood varnished to an almost matte look. It doesn’t need to have hundreds of thousands of dollars to get best-of-show at every car show. These old Jaguars have a certain charm to them that very few other cars, classic or modern, can duplicate. They’re not absolutely cute like a Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite nor do they look like they were hewn from a block of stone like a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro. They have an understated elegance to them, plus that cute British charm. With the right paint colors on them, like gold and maroon, they can be quite a looker.

If you have a self-esteem issue, buy a Jaguar MK9 NOW! Nobody really lusts after them, so they cost far less than a 1960 MK2, which is also a good car for those with self-esteem issues. People will want to take pictures of themselves standing in or next to the car (#selfie), and Mike says that whenever he goes out, he literally has to either leave an hour just to talk to people, or park the car and run. I’d leave an hour. Running’s not my thing…

I’ve attached some photos of the Jag for you to literally drool over. As I’ve previously said, it’s one of the most beautiful cars that I’ve ever seen. It really looks stunning, especially with some light, but not too much. I’ve never seen it at sunrise or sunset, but I can only imagine how beautiful it is at those times.

Badges are awesome - just ask this car! — Badges are awesome – just ask this car!

Grey Poupon is a requirement for British cars, I guess... — Grey Poupon is a requirement for British cars, I guess…

Sorry about the view - it was the best that I could get! — Sorry about the view – it was the best that I could get!

Editor’s note: Mike actually played with Chubby Checker, NOT Chuck Berry! My apologies!

May 21, 2014 zoomvroom Car Culture

The Seven Most Significant Carroll Shelby Cars Ever!

Carroll Shelby was a guy who built cars the way that they should be built. This meant that every single Shelby creation was a masterpiece. He is best remembered for the 1963-1966 Cobra, but he also built many more cars that are noteworthy. The racer-turned-chicken-farmer-turned-respected-tuner was an amazing guy who did much, much more than make fast cars go faster. After his heart transplant, he started a foundation. His foundation, Carroll Shelby Foundation helps fund heart surgeries for children.

1965 Ford Mustang Shelby GT-350. The Ford Mustang was an affordable musclecar. It was fast in a straight line, but it wasn’t meant to go around corners. When Lee Iaccoca called Carroll Shelby in 1965, Carroll Shelby told Iaccoca, “Lee, you can’t make a racehorse out of a mule.” Yet, the 1965 Shelby Mustang GT-350 was one of the fastest cars of the decade. It used Ford’s all-aluminum 289 cubic-inch V8, a Muncie M-22 “Rock Crusher” transmission, and tons of suspension and chassis modifications. It was available through a “Get it Friday, Race it Saturday and Sunday, and Drive it Back Monday” program through Hertz. The GT-350K was the highly successful racing version.
1965 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe. The Shelby Cobra is one of the world’s most iconic cars, let alone America’s. It used a stylish, lightweight British AC Ace body and chhassis, a Ford V8, and way too much fun for one person. The most iconic Cobra was the 427 Cobra, which utilized Ford’s new, all-aluminum 427 cubic-inch V8 that was designed to compete with the 426 Hemi (the engine Shelby originally wanted for the Cobra). That turned it into one of the fastest cars ever. In late 1964, the 427 Cobra enjoyed massive racing success, but it didn’t have enough aerodynamic oomph for the long straights at Le Mans. So, Carroll Shelby had Peter Brock design the Cobra Daytona Coupe. The Daytona Coupe made a 1-2-3 finish at Sebring International Raceway, and it then went on to win the same finish at Le Mans, putting it 4th overall behind three Ferrari prototypes.
1965 Shelby Cobra 427. Arguably the most iconic Shelby ever built, the 427 Cobra was a monster. It used Ford’s race-proven 427 cubic-inch V8, and your Pontiac GTO or Chevrolet Camaro RS would run for mommy. The 427 Cobra was a fairly neutral car in terms of handling, even when you got your foot into it. Even then, it was predictable. Yet, when those 480 pound-feet of torque kicked in at 6,000 RPM, you’d better be holding onto something and have a lot of road ahead of you. It tipped the scales at just over 2,700 pounds, and the big Ford V8 made a beautiful sound when you nailed it.
1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR. The GT500KR used Ford’s all-new 428 Cobra Jet engine, which was kind of a loud, torquey boat anchor in stock form, but Shelby had a few tricks up his sleeve. He took the cylinder heads and manifolds from the 427 racing engine, and raised the redline by 1,000 RPM. This engine gained almost 30 horsepower just by that. Car Life said of the car in 1968, “At 6000 RPM, the Cobra Jet will pull a semi trailer up Pikes Peak. At less than 2000, it wouldn’t pull the petals off of a daisy.” People still rave over the engine almost 50 years later. It was docile under 2,000 RPM, but it came alive above that.
1986 Dodge Omni Shelby GLH-S. The little Dodge Omni was a pretty decent little car, but Carroll Shelby slapped a turbocharger and suspension upgrades onto this little car. It started the hot-hatch craze, and it still shames many hot hatches today. It was a sleeper. Many automotive magazines said that it would leave two very skinny, long tire marks through third gear. If that’s not impressive, I don’t know what is.
2002 Shelby Series 1. The Shelby Series 1 was the last Shelby to actually be built from the ground up by Shelby. It used an Oldsmobile Aurora V8, a GM 700R4 transmission, and a Ford 9-inch rear-end. Many people complained about the fact that it felt like an unfinished car. You know what? Let them yammer. it was fast, fun, and stylish.
2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. This Mustang deserves to be on this list. It was the last car to have personal oversight by Carroll Shelby, and it shows. Shelby took the supercharged 5.4-liter V8 found in the 2012 GT500, and stroked it out to 5.8 liters. It gained 112 horsepower with the stroking of the engine and other tricks. It uses Mahle pistons, a Tremec TKO600 transmission, a single-overhead-cam, a special Comp Cams valvetrain, and a big 2.3-liter Eaton supercharger. The engine only gained about 50 pounds, thanks to extensive use of aluminum and titanium. Ford claims that it will go 200+ miles an hour. Motor Trend got one up to 197 mph, but I bet that if it was given enough open road, they would see at least 200. When it was dyoned, it topped the dyno out at 211 mph, and it was still pulling.