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August 14, 2015 zoomvroom Car Culture, Car Reviews, Gifts for the Car Enthusiast, New car info, Random

The Best New Trucks for Working and Towing

Pickup trucks are some of the most popular vehicles in the U.S. But, they don’t come cheap. Fully optioned models can fetch prices well over $70,000. Not all consumers want a truck with more bells and whistles than a BMW. Here are my suggestions for the best trucks for working and hauling. If you’re in the market for a new work truck, or know somebody that does, this might be helpful for them!

Nissan Frontier: Midsize pickups are probably the best vehicles for deliveries in congested urban areas. The Nissan Frontier King Cab SV V6 4X2 should fit the bill for you. It has a payload of 1,471 pounds with a six speed manual and 1,449 pounds with a five-speed automatic. Let’s say you are a fleet owner in a big city like Los Angeles. The 22 pound decrease in payload will save more money in the long run. You won’t have to worry about burning up the clutch. You can tow up to 6,500 pounds with either transmission. The King Cab SV V6 4X2 configuration has the highest tow/haul capacity of any Nissan Frontier configuration.
Toyota Tacoma: This is the main competitor to the Nissan Frontier. You can get a 2015 model for relatively little money, as the redesigned model is coming out next year. There are going to be massive incentives and discounts on this generation of the Tacoma. The models with the available, sturdy 4.0-liter V6. The PreRunner model with 2WD has a payload rating of 1,500 pounds and can tow 6,500 pounds. Stepping up to the Double Cab (crew cab) will retain the towing capacity, but payload drops to 1,305 pounds. It just boils down to whether you want a Toyota or a Nissan.
Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon: The Chevrolet Colorado and the GMC Canyon used to be only good for work trucks. However, the redesigned Colorado and Canyon are incredibly refined trucks. Their ride has been compared to a car’s. An extended cab with 2WD, a four-cylinder engine, and a six-speed automatic is the most affordable model. That truck can haul 1,580 pounds and tow 3,500 pounds. Should you need to tow more, you can get the Z82 trailering package, which bumps the towing capacity up to 7,000 pounds, regardless of configuration. The highest payload rating for the V6 model is 1,560 pounds with the crew cab body, the short bed, and 2WD. The new 2.8-liter Duramax diesel engine will arrive for the 2016 model year (fall of 2015). That model will tow 7,700 pounds with 2WD and 7,600 pounds with 4WD.
Nissan Titan: The outgoing generation of the Nissan Titan is old. It hasn’t had any updates since it’s release in 2004. That’s why Nissan is selling the new generation of the truck next year. In the meantime, this generation of Titan is a perfectly good work truck. The Titan King Cab S 4X2 has a maximum payload of 2,102 pounds and can tow up to 7,400 pounds. That’s more than enough for most people. The truth is, if you need to tow and haul more, step up to a heavy duty pickup. Should you need to tow more, the Titan King Cab SV can tow up to 9,500 pounds, but payload drops a little bit to 2,053 pounds. The Titan is outdated, and it shows. The interior looks like it’s from the 1990s, but the powertrain is punchy and the truck handles itself well for something it’s size.
Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra: The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are true workhorses. Getting a Regular Cab model with the long bed will net you a very good work truck for not very much money. In addition, the 4.3-liter V6 that comes standard with these trucks makes 297 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. That’s more than some V8s! In fact, it produces the most torque of any V6 engine in any pickup truck! The Silverado and Sierra can haul 1,980 pounds and tow 5,900 pounds in this configuration. Should you need a V8, the 5.3-liter V8 is a very good choice. It increases the tow rating all the way up to 9,800 pounds without sacrificing any hauling capacity.
Toyota Tundra: Toyota has several Tundra models, but a 2WD regular cab with the long bed and the optional 5.7-liter V8 has the highest payload rating of 2,080 pounds. It can also tow 10,500 pounds. That’s what heavy-duty pickups were rated to tow five or six years ago! No matter how else you spec out this truck, this combination is the strongest.
Ram 1500: Long one of my favorite trucks, the Ram 1500 is a fine looking work truck. It’s got sharp, clean lines. It doesn’t look big and blocky like the current Ford F150. In it’s most basic configuration, it can haul 1,900 pounds of whatever you want in it’s long bed. If you get the available 3.55:1 rear end gear ratio, it can tow a whopping 7,280 pounds! Step up to the available 5.7-liter HEMI V8 to tow 10,650 pounds, but payload will drop slightly to 1,720 pounds. If fuel economy matters more than towing and hauling capacities, get the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. The small diesel engine delivers in spades. The maximum payload rating for the EcoDiesel engine and the 3.92:1 rear end gear ratio is 1,500 pounds, and it can tow 9,200 pounds. That’s still more than most people will ever use.
Ford F150: While the Ford F-Series Super Duty is one serious work truck, most people don’t need something that heavy duty. The new Ford F150 shows promise. The F150 XL Regular Cab with the long bed and the standard 3.5-liter V6 is an affordable lighter-duty work truck. It can haul 1,910 pounds and tow 7,600 pounds. If you need to step up a bit, the F150 comes with an optional 5.0-liter V8. With this engine, it can haul 3,300 pounds and tow 11,100 pounds. If you want to get turbochargers with your F150, get the F150 with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. It can haul 3,270 pounds and tow an insane 12,200 pounds.
Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD/GMC Sierra 3500HD: These heavy-duty twins offer more bed/cab/engine transmission combinations than McDonald’s does with their happy meals. A 4WD 3500HD Regular Cab with the long bed, dual rear wheels, and the Duramax diesel V8 can tow 23,200 pounds from a fifth wheel hitch in the bed, or 16,000 pounds from a standard bumper receiver. It can also haul 5,817 pounds in the bed. If you don’t tow very often with a fifth wheel, but do tow a lot with the standard receiver, you should go with the aforementioned model, but with a Crew Cab. That model can tow 19,600 pounds with the standard receiver or a still-impressive 22,600 pounds from the fifth wheel. Payload for that model is rated at 5,205 pounds. If all you care about is hauling stuff in the bed, get a 2WD Regular Cab with the long bed, dual rear wheels and the 6.0-liter gasoline-powered V8. That model can haul 7,374 pounds and still tow 14,200 pounds with either hitch.
Ram 3500 Heavy Duty: The Ram 3500 Heavy Duty Regular Cab 2WD with dual rear wheels and the 6.7-liter Cummins diesel inline six cylinder engine can tow 30,000 pounds. Payload for that model is a respectable 6,580 pounds. The 2016 model (I’ve been talking about the 2015) can tow as much as 31,200 pounds. Going from the diesel engine to the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 will diminish towing capacity to 16,520 pounds. However, payload capacity goes all the way up to 7,390 pounds.
Ford F-Series Super Duty: If all you want to do is tow, go for the Ford F450, which delivers in spades. The monster comes in one configuration only: Crew Cab, long bed, dual rear wheels, 4WD and the 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8. It can tow 19,000 pounds from the standard receiver and 31,200 pounds from the fifth wheel. It can also haul 5,450 pounds. For those who don’t care as much about towing, but hauling is more important, there is an F-Series Super Duty for you. The 2WD F350 Regular Cab with a long bed and dual rear wheels can haul 7,260 pounds. It doesn’t matter if you get the 6.2-liter gasoline-powered V8, or the Power Stroke if you want to tow – it will tow 12,500 pounds from a standard receiver.

You know that automotive technology has advanced so far that you realize that when you throw around terms like “respectable” for trucks that can tow and haul massive amounts of whatever you want! Tell me your choice of truck, and if you have one of these trucks! If you’re in the market for a new work truck, I hope that this list helped you narrow it down somewhat!

March 11, 2015 zoomvroom Car Culture, New car info

The Cars that Deserve a Stripped-Down Track Version

Some cars are just born to be demons on the track. The track doesn’t necessarily need to be a road course – it could be off-road also. These are the cars that deserve to be stripped down to the basics for maximum fun.

Audi TT: The Audi TT has always been a decent sports car, but it’s always cried out for more power and aggression. This is why it deserves to have the sound-deadening materials yanked out. Audi being Audi will never do this, but who’s to say that some very smart person won’t? In my humble opinion, I think it is perfectly sized for rallycross, which is like autocross in dirt or gravel. It’s awesome. Just add a vented hood, a spoiler, more power, beefy tires and suspension, and a rollcage, and you’re good to go. Audi has a history of legendary rally cars, so it seems fitting to me to introduce it.
Chevrolet Corvette: Yes, the new Corvette ZO6 is truly a monster at the track, but it also weighs more than it should. I love supercharged engines, but they end up with heat soak after about 20 minutes, and then what? If Chevy put the C7.R endurance race car’s engine in, it would weigh less and have as much power. My idea of a ‘Vette track special would borrow heavily from the C7.R parts bin, and would utilize carbon fiber and titanium. It wouldn’t be cheap, but it would beat just about anything this side of a race car.
Jeep Wrangler: Jeep needs to build a pickup again. Several aftermarket companies will sell you a kit to turn your Wrangler into a regular cab pickup. It’s time for Jeep to do that…from the factory. If Jeep put the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 under the hood, the Wrangler pickup could actually tow and haul. Better yet, Jeep could put the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6 under the hood. Now, that would be something that would sell like crazy! It would be big enough to haul dirtbikes, an ATV, firewood, camping gear, and other important off-road items. If Jeep offered a toolbox where you could store stuff, that would be awesome. I’m starting to get carried away with this now. I’m going to let your imaginations continue your dream Jeep pickup.
Chevrolet SS: The Chevy SS is Chevy’s big performance sedan. It has the LS3 V-8 from the Camaro, and it comes with a stick! It’s a stealth tire shredder, but it’s not very fast around corners. If Chevy put the trick suspension and computer electrickery from the Camaro Z/28 or ZL1 in, talk about a real sleeper! It really doesn’t need more power – it just needs less weight.
GMC Canyon/Chevrolet Colorado: The new Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon are great little trucks. The Canyon just doesn’t stand out all that much from the Colorado. Here’s my idea: Make a street brawler version of the Colorado available only in 2WD (jam the 5.3-liter EcoTec V-8 from the Silverado in, along with the Corvette’s 8-speed automatic), and make an off-road monster version of the Canyon that would compete with the Jeep Wrangler and Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. It would be about the same size as the Wrangler, yet have more utility. It would also come with the V-8, but it would be the big Duramax diesel V-8 and Allison 6-speed automatic from the heavy-duty pickups. It would be loud, and have the perfect gearing for bombing around the desert or rock crawling, thanks to the big tranny.
Jaguar F-Type: The Jaguar F-Type is already a holy drifting terror. If you go onto YouTube and find hotlap videos of it, you’ll see what I mean. It’s too much engine and not enough tire. Jaguar should start a Formula Drift team with this car. If they put on less-sticky tires, increased the steering angle, and put in super high gearing, they would have a drifting beast. I would buy it.
Ford Mustang: It’s the first mass-produced Mustang to come from the factory with independent rear suspension. Recent reviews haven’t been exactly kind to it, however. They say that it’s chassis is still slightly hairy. Well, let me tell you something, grumpy overworked people: GET OVER IT! This is one of the best Mustangs to come out of the factory doors in recent years. If Ford irons out the suspension kinks, the Mustang will be a much better car. I know, I’m harshly critical too, but the Mustang desperately needs to impress. It’s already got plenty of power from it’s 302 cubic-inch V-8, which I might add, is the second most-popular crate engine sold in America. I would take it out and put out Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, which has twin turbos, but turbos do not a car make, Fast & Furious fanboys. The reason I would choose this engine is that it is much lighter than the V-8, can easily be tuned to make as much, if not more power, and meets smog requirements with ease. Oh, and I can mention that it has a race pedigree in endurance racing.

Those are the cars that I think really need a track makeover. They are all amazing cars in their own right – you should own or drive at least one of them before you die. Let me know what you think deserves to give other cars a beating on the track.

February 10, 2015March 17, 2016 zoomvroom Car Culture

The Most Affordable Project Cars!

If you’re a classic muscle car fan, but don’t have anywhere between $35,000 and $100,000 to spend on that perfectly restored Chevy Camaro, don’t worry!

It’s always possible to find a project car for your budget, even if it’s not a Hemi ‘Cuda, Mustang Boss 302, or a Camaro Z/28. But, who says it has to be one of those to be the coolest person on the block?

These are my choices that have been proven to be total street/strip demons for not a lot of money (you could buy a new Camry for the price of a well-built one).

I’ve always thought that the most important part of the hot rod building process is buying. The better the car, the less work you’ll have to do.

Obviously, there are far more choices than the cars listed below, but if you’re new to hot rodding, start with one of these! You’ll thank me later.

1979-1993 Ford Mustang: Yes, there are always a good dozen of them at the local dragstrip, autocross, or drifting event. But, that’s why people choose them – you can build a killer “Fox” for under $10,000. Getting a car made after 1987 is what I would go with – they have sharper styling, more powerful engines due to better airflow and more fuel flow. They are light, dirt cheap, don’t look too terribly bad, easy to work on, and have more aftermarket support than any other car on this list. You can buy one from $1,500 to $5,500. If you own one and want a massive supporting community, check out foxbodyforum.com
1965-1970 Chevy Impala: Yes, a behemoth is here. In 1965 alone, Chevy sold a whopping 1 million cars. Only the top-of-the-line Caprice had more options than the Impala. They look good, but they have performance to back it up: They had the infamous 409 cubic-inch big-block V-8, as well as the 396 cubic-inch big block V-8 and thundering, coveted 427 cubic-inch L-88 big-block V-8. In 1970, the 454 cubic-inch big block took over from the L-88. These big bruisers also came with a host of small block V-8s. Though they may not be a canyon carver, there is a thriving aftermarket. Expect to pay $1,500 to $10,000 for a non-L-88 car. A good website is impalas.net.
1971-1977 Pontiac Ventura: The less-popular version of the Chevy Nova is a good way to get into hot rodding. That being said, get a Nova. While it’s a badge-engineered version of the Nova, it’s less popular and harder to find parts for. Early Camaro suspension parts are interchangeable, but other than that, not much other Chevy stuff but engines and transmissions are interchangeable. Paying somewhere between $3,000 and $12,000 is what you should expect.
1973-1976 Chevrolet Laguna: This land barge is one of my favorites. There’s a guy in Sonoma County who’s trying to sell one. It was famous way back when for it’s wins in NASCAR (it came in right when the HEMI cars went out). You can do literally anything to a Laguna. The big engine bay can accommodate a big block, big headers on a small block, or a stroker engine. The stock fenders can take very wide tires, which make it a good choice for drag racing or road racing. Expect to pay $1,500 to $6,000 for one. A good website is g3gm.com.
1970-1974 Ford Maverick: When the Mustang’s rampant sales numbers killed the Falcon, Ford introduced the Maverick. It directly competed with the Chevrolet Vega, but was more fun to drive with an optional 302 cubic-inch small block V-8. Next to the Chevy small block, the Ford 302 small block is one of the most popular engines in America, making the modifications nearly endless. Want to make it turn? Turn to Global West, who makes tubular control arms for the Maverick, making it handle like a true goose (sorry for the Top Gun joke – I couldn’t help it!). Pay between $1,500 and $3,500 for one. Go to fordmaverick.com for a community.
1971-1977 Chevrolet Vega: Yeah, this was next on the list. It only seems logical to put Chevy’s offering below the Ford (it doesn’t have a V-8 stock, so it’s below the Maverick). It was a glimpse into the future with it’s all-aluminum, overhead-cam four cylinder engine. It also came with an electrical fuel pump and standard front disc brakes. The suspension, punchy engine, and light weight means that it can be quite the performer with a modern engine. If I were you, I would get the 3.6-liter V-6 offered in many of GM’s cars today. It’s plenty powerful, and coupled with a car that weighs 2,300 pounds, will make this car a rocket ship. Pay between $1,500 and $6,000. Go to vega-world.com for a community.
1965-1973 Plymouth Fury: If you want a stock big block in the 1965-1973 Fury, get a 1970 Fury Sport GT. It’s got a 440 cubic inch big block topped with six carburetors. That being said, you can easily drop just about any engine made by Mopar into one of these without a lot of work. Go to stockmopar.com for a community.
1967-1973 Mercury Cougar: Essentially just a Mustang with better styling (in my humble opinion) and a 3-inch longer wheelbase, the Cougar is an excellent cruiser. It fits in at just about any motorsports scene, and is a crowd favorite at shows. Pay between $1,000 and $6,000 for one. Visit mercurycougar.net for a good website.
1968-1970 AMC AMX: AMC’s much less popular competitor to the Camaro and Mustang never really caught on, which is a shame. Yes, it sat two, so it really competed with the Corvette and lighter European sports cars. They can be somewhat hard to find, due to their low production numbers. They are more of a collector car, as their owners take pride in them. Pay between $3,000 and $15,000 for one. Get a more expensive one – it will be in better condition. Go to theamcforum.com
1972-1974 Dodge Challenger: The reason I chose the 1972-1974 version is that the 1970-1971 models are more coveted and expensive. Swapping a modern 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 under the hood is a popular, economical choice. If you want to go over the top, shove a Viper V-10 under the hood. Most buyers choose to restore them rather than radically modify them, so you likely won’t need to spend a lot of money on paint, trim and interior parts. Pay $2,000 to $15,000 for one. A good website is cuda-challenger.com
1971-1972 Dodge Demon: This car was very nearly called the Beaver. It came as a fastback only, so you could tell it apart from the other drab cars of the era. While it never would beat a HEMI Charger, it could hold it’s own against a big block Camaro. The V-8s available are popular with racers today, as they can easily rev to 8,000+ RPM with very little modifications. They are the Mopar version of the Fox-Body Mustang on this list. Pay between $1,500 and $5,000 for one. A good resource is valiant.org
1963-1965 Mercury Marauder: This car is the Mercury version of the Ford Galaxie. It’s an entry-level version of the Monterey, and it only came with V-8s – the same engines as the Galaxie. It came with a fastback roof like the Galaxie, as it helped this big bruiser win in NASCAR. Pay between $4,000 and $15,000 for one. A good resource is mercurymarauder.org
1960-1970 Ford Galaxie: The first-year Galaxie had all of the bling of the 1950s. It’s a pretty car, but in 1960, it didn’t quite cut. So, Ford redesigned it. Halfway through 1963, Ford decided to improve it’s aerodynamics to get the upper hand in NASCAR. This new slope-back style was called the Sports Roof or Scatback hardtop. Ford also introduced the mighty 427 cubic-inch V-8 that is legendary in drag racing. In 1968, Ford replaced the 427 with the 428 Cobra Jet designed for drag racing. It also got better styling. In terms of suspension, there isn’t much. However, you don’t need much to go fast – a 427 Roush crate motor, drag shocks, big drag slicks, and a 9-inch rear end are all it needs for speed. It’s not meant to be a canyon carver. Pay between $800 and $9,000 for one. Go to galaxieforum.com for a community.
1975-1980 Chevy Monza: A derivative of the Vega, which was produced two years into the Monza’s production span, the Monza replaced the aging, terrible Vega. Unlike the Vega, the Monza came with a standard V-8. This makes it very easy to find speed parts for one. They even have some race breeding in them, as they competed in the IMSA GT series. You’ll also see many at the drag strip or in standing mile events, as they are fairly aerodynamic. Pay $1,000 to $3,000 for one. Go to v8monza.com for a community.
1967-1976 Plymouth Valiant: The first generation of the Valiant had a look right out of the 1950s. 1967 gave it a redesign that made it look relevant to the 1960s. Finding a pre-1973 model is the best, as they don’t have the federally-mandated rubber bumpers. Plus, they are lighter. In 1974, it was essentially just a rebadged Dart. This is good because there are twice the parts available. One of the most common Valiant models you will see is the Valiant Scamp – it accounted for more than half of Plymouth’s sales that year. Pay between $1,000 and $8,000 for one. Again, valiant.org is a good resource.
1973-1976 Chevrolet Nova: The Nova is a very popular choice with hot rodders because it is cheap, light, and shares parts with the first-generation Camaro. Many Novas came with a small block Chevy V-8 stock, but they can easily accept big block Chevy V-8s. In 1973, the government made every automaker put horrible rubber bumpers on their cars. However, Chevy put an aluminum cover on the bumpers to minimize the horrible look of rubber. So, the damage is relatively minimal. The Nova is one of the most popular cars in the autocross and drag racing circuit, as they are cheap, easy to modify, and are light. Pay $1,500 to $4,500 for one. A good resource is chevynova.org
1979-1986 Mercury Capri: The Mercury version of the Ford Fox-Body Mustang is a love-it or hate-it affair for enthusiasts. Mercury made multiple versions of the Capri, but they are all cheaper than the Mustang, and share the same parts. Pay anywhere between $1,500 and $3,000 for one. A good website is foureyepride.com
1963-1969 Mercury Comet: The first year of the Comet came with a weak 260 cubic-inch V-8. In 1964, Mercury saw that people wanted better looks and more power. The Comet was light, and Mercury made 50 cars that did well in the NHRA Super Stock drag racing class. The next batch of Comets were true comets, with the powerful Ford small block and big block engines. The sister cars to the Comet open up an aftermarket for it. Pay $2,000 to $7,500 for one. Go to cometcentral.com for a community.
1982-1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme: This is the Oldsmobile version of the legendary Buick Grand National. GM sold a lot of these cars, so finding one is easy…and affordable. You can buy one for $500 to $3,500. They might not be the best choices for canyon carving, but they are a cheap way into bracket class drag racing. Go to oldsmobileforum.com for a community.
1964-1974 Plymouth Satellite: This was the luxury mid-size Plymouth. It was the only version of the Plymouth Belvedere to come with a V-8. You could even get the 426 HEMI in it! They can get pricey, but are fun cars to cruise around in. Pay about $2,000 to $13,000 for one. Go to bbodiesonly.com for a community.

This post took a lot of research, and I hope that you enjoy it. Don’t take the Internet verbatim. Even what you think is common knowledge should be double-checked. I recommend getting books on muscle cars. One of the best out there is the Encyclopedia of American Cars: A comprehensive history of the automakers and the cars they built, including every major American automobile and scores of minor makes. It’s a good read, and an even better research. 0912phr 45 O+20 Affordable Project Cars+american Cars Book

August 23, 2014 zoomvroom Car Culture

10 Cars that Could Make You a Millionaire!

We all like to make money. All of you like cars (me included!). Ten cars could (theoretically) allow you to make a cool $1,000,000 – most of them NOT by themselves. Anybody who has been buying/selling old cars knows that the classic car market has been taking a crash course on Wall Street. It’s either boom or bust. Bust happened in 1990 when a hyper-inflated Ferrari market crashed in the time frame of a year. In 2007-2008, the market for Mopars with Hemi engines crashed, with many cars losing 2/3 of their value within 18 months. The basic premise of this blog post is to tell you what cars you can buy for not too much money, and sell for a hefty profit. Well, there are a few exceptions to that rule, but I think you’ll agree with my decisions for those cars.

However, that’s not to say that the market is dead. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. The market is globalized in a way it couldn’t have been just 10 years ago. Only 20% of Russia had internet access in 2007, but now almost 80% have access. Now that Russians have more money to spend, they are looking for ways other than cheap economy cars or an old Mercedes-Benz with 300,000 miles on the odometer to get around. Cars continue to be more accepted as investments among those who wouldn’t care about them otherwise. Sure, one could consider it a bubble, but until then, here are some cars, erm, investments, that I would buy with my tiny fortune.

1962-1965 Shelby Cobra. The original Shelby Cobras are what I am referring to (Shelby makes continuation Cobras). It’s quite possible that prices for the Cobra have already priced, as prices for these things are literally enough to make a Wall Street investor empty their bank account in a few short minutes. The MkI and MkII (260 and 289 cubic-inch V8 Cobras) will run you about $800,000. Forget buying a 427 Cobra – those are at least $1 million! For the small-block Cobras, prices are up from $500,000 just five years ago, and that was up from $150,000 in 2003. Yikes.
1970-1973 Datsun 240Z. Remember when you could buy a Datsun 240Z for $4,000 in 2004? Well, the average sale for 2013 was $19,000. People who wanted one when they were young now (hopefully) have the discretionary income to buy one. Plus, the Z looks timeless. It’s like a more mature, cheaper Toyota 2000GT. It’s great, easy and cheap to own, and a hoot to drive. That won’t change. What will likely change are the prices. If the Datsun 240Z is any indication of the rising market demand for 1970s Japanese sports cars, expect prices to rise dramatically in the next few years. If you want one, get it NOW!
1970-1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet. Nobody really thought that any regular-production, post-300SL Mercedes-Benz would be worth anything. I didn’t for a while. Nobody thought much of them because they were designed to last forever. How can a car become more valuable when it never changes? Then, three 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolets sold last August at the RM Monterey Auctions for a whopping average price of – brace yourselves – $265,833. In 2010, the average transaction price was a still-high $94,000. It’s hard to think that this extreme inflation will continue for much longer. But, it’s not showing any signs of stopping. Time to re-mortgage the house if you want one of these!
1976-1981 Ferrari 512BB. Most of the male readers of this blog likely had posters of this car on their bedroom walls. Combining absolutely timeless bedroom-wall-poster looks with the exotic, screaming power of the Berlinetta Boxer’s six-carburetor, vee-crank flat V12, you can’t go wrong. Prices haven’t changed much since 2007, with prices staying right about $140,000. However, you can still find one for under six digits. For about $95,000, you can buy one for the price of what a grey market car would have cost you 35 years ago. If that’s not a deal, I don’t know what else is. Buy two and wait patiently. Time to sell the house!
2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. Alfa Romeo is back into the U.S. with the 4C. It’s a great car. It’s better looking than any new Ferrari, it’s faster than anything from Japan or America on a race track, and I want one. The 8C was an amazing one-year blip in Alfa Romeo’s 19-year absence from the American car market. The price now? Hard to tell, as they were about $250,000 new, and only 84 were ever sold in the U.S. Nobody is letting go of them, either, so yeah, good luck finding one. Most are being held in private collections, but it’s going to be a challenge to start a market for them if nobody sells them.
1972-1974 BMW 2002 tii. The BMW 2002 was a great car. All of the automotive magazines said it was better than any muscle car out there. It was nimble, light, and deceivingly fast. The most desirable 2002 is the fuel injected version, called the 2002tii. It was light, potent, reliable, and it favored fun over everything else. Like the Datsun 240Z, they weren’t worth much of anything for a very long time due to their abundance. In 2004, a nice 2002tii was carrying about $10,000. Now, prices have blown past $20,000, and people are really only beginning to appreciate them. Yeah, BMW only made 38,000 of the 2002tii, but an awful lot of them were used up. Even if you buy one and it doesn’t go up in prices, you’ve still got one helluva car. It’s a win-win situation. Basically, for the price of a smallish shapeless blob painted silver, you can get a reliable daily driver that will get you thumbs up all over the place, and a tidy look. Why not buy one?
1944-1986 Willys CJ. The Willys CJ is one of the record holding cars for being in production. It remained in production basically unchanged for 42 years. The older models are pretty cool. Parts are abundant for them, and there is a thriving after market for them. They look cool, can go literally anywhere, and are so reliable that it makes any Honda or Toyota’s reliability look like a joke. Plus, any old Willys CJ will be a barrel of fun. It may not make you a million bucks, but you can buy one for a relative song right now. Prices for these cool little vehicles that helped win WWII are cheap. You can buy a really nice one for about $15,000, but where’s the fun in something that’s been restored by somebody other than you? Get one that needs some work for about $7,500. If you want to get even more on the cool factor, get a genuine Willys military Jeep. That’s about $7,500.
1970-1974 Dodge Challenger: The Dodge Challenger was one of the cars that lost 2/3rds of its value in 2007-2008, but prices are once more on the rise. The R/T models with the 426 Hemi “Elephant” engine are the most desirable. If you can’t swing one with the 426, get one with the massive 440 cubic-inch V8 (that’s 7.2 liters!) Six Pack. That has six carburetor throats feeding gas and air into those wonderful sounding 440 cubic inches. Even the models with the 383 cubic-inch V8 are fun.
1955-1957 Chevrolet Bel Air: The Tri-Five Chevy’s are great cars. They are fun, beautiful, reliable, and the prices are always climbing. Now is the time to get one. My personal favorite is the 1957 Bel Air convertible. It looks like a Cadillac. If you want one to be a pro-touring car, a drag car, or a show queen, there is no shortage of parts availability for these cars. The 1956 models are the cheapest of the three years, but they are still pretty expensive. If you get one now, enjoy it, show it, do burnouts, and have fun with a priceless piece of Americana.
1970-1972 Chevrolet Chevelle SS454 LS6: This is probably one of the most iconic Chevrolet’s ever. It’s got a massive Chevrolet 454 cubic-inch V8 (7.4 liters) with the legendary LS6 code name. It makes a thundering 450 horsepower in LS6 form. In the lesser LS5 form, it makes a still-impressive 360 horsepower. If you can’t swing the climbing prices of the LS6 Chevelle, go for a still-mighty Chevelle SS396. It’s still going to be a lot of fun, and it will handle better, thanks to less weight on the front of the car. Plus, you can yank out the 396 and put a crate 454 underneath. If you want more power, you can put a 468 cubic-inch V8, a 489 cubic-inch V8, a 572 cubic-inch V8, a 598 cubic-inch V8, or a 632 cubic-inch V8. I would go for the 468 stroker motor, as it doesn’t add too much weight to the front, but it adds far more power. Nelson Racing Engines (nelsonracingengines.com) makes a 600-horsepower 468 that sounds just about right for a Chevelle…

That’s all that I have to offer you, but I’m sure that you have your own suggestions. Let me know in the comments section.

July 30, 2014 zoomvroom World News

A Chance to Buy Rare Muscle Cars from America’s Fastest Decade!

Owners of any given car can auction their car(s) off for any given reason. You can auction the car off to get profit from an investment, to raise funds for another car, health reasons, etc. Sometimes, however, it’s not the owner’s choice for the cars to be auctioned off. Especially if the cars were purchased through illegal means. David Nicoll amassed some very rare classic American muscle cars during his time as president of New Jersey’s Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services (BLS for short). Now, Nicoll is facing somewhere between 17-22 years in federal prison for bribery charges. His small collection of classic American muscle cars will be crossing the auction block on September 12 at a U.S. Marshal’s Service public auction in Lodi, New Jersey.

David Nicoll purchased his car collection literally through the blood of hours. During his time as president of BLS, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office say that Nicoll received $33 million dollars in payments from a medical blood test bribery scheme that he personally oversaw for 7 years, and which netted well over $100 million dollars in total revenue. Per the prosecution, BLS would bribe physicians to send their patients for medical tests which were often unnecessary, to be paid for by insurers. Not one to be sly and frugal with his illegal gains, Nicoll was an extravagant spender. It’s on FBI and IRS record that he spent $154,000 at a gentlemen’s club, over $400,000 in sports tickets, $700,000 on an apartment for his “female companion,” and over $5 million dollars in cars.

But, we’re not here to discuss fraud and extravagant spending on things like housing, clubs, and sports. We are here, my friends, to talk about his fabulous taste in classic American iron.

Nicoll did not spend those ill-gotten $5 million dollars on chrome-clad Lamborghini Aventador’s or diamond-enrusted Rolls-Royce Ghosts. His collection did, however, include a few Ferrari’s. Instead, the bulk of that money was spent on some of the finest, rarest, and most expensive classic muscle cars ever created. The inventory list of the A.J. Willner auction looks like a “best of 1967-1970.” For sale are a: 1967 Shelby GT500, a 1969 Chevrolet Yenko Nova, a 1969 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro, a 1969 Chevrolet Yenko Chevelle, a 1970 Plymouth HEMI Superbird, a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396 L78/L89 Convertible, and a 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429. Here’s the scoop on these cars:

1969 Chevrolet Yenko Nova. This is quite possibly one of the most coveted and valuable cars to be crossing the block. It is a Rally Green 1969 Chevrolet Yenko Nova. One of only 37 ever produced and believed to be only one of seven original Yenko-built Nova’s remaining, the Yenko Nova was said to be the fastest of the Yenko supercar trio because of it’s light weight. It was able to get to 60 mph in just 4 seconds. That’s about how long it takes a modern Porsche Boxster to get to 60. Just like the other two Yenko supercars, the Nova is powered by Chevrolet’s answer to the 426 HEMI – the powerful L72 427 cubic-inch (7.0 liters) V8 Chevrolet big-block V8. Nicoll purchased the car for $580,000, but classic coveted muscle car sales have been a series of peaks and valleys for the past few years. The pre-auction estimate is about $475,000 or so, as another Yenko Nova sold for that in 2012 at the Indianapolis Mecum auction. We shall see what the car will fetch at auction.
1969 Chevrolet Yenko Camaro: While “mass market” is a relative term for classic Yenko supercars, the Yenko Camaro and Chevelle were produced in slightly higher quantities. Yenko only produced 201 Camaros and 99 Chevelles. FBI records show that Nicoll spent about $365,000 on his Le Mans Blue Chevelle. The amount spent on his Camaro was not disclosed.
1970 Plymouth HEMI Superbird: Nicoll didn’t limit his purchases to just Chevy’s – he bought a Tor Red 1970 Plymouth HEMI Superbird. He bought the most valuable cars from the Big 3 (sorry, AMC!). On the Mopar front is an extremely rare 1970 Plymouth Superbird with the 426 HEMI dressed in a stunning coat of Tor Red. Plymouth only produced 135 Superbird’s with the 426 HEMI, and this car is one of even fewer HEMI ‘Bird’s with the 4-speed manual.
1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500: I’m not exactly sure of what the color is, but it looks like it is Lime Gold Poly. Even if it’s a different color, it doesn’t make it any less stunning. The GT500 is powered by Ford’s powerful 428 cubic-inch Police Interceptor V8 (7.0 liters) putting power down to the wheels through a Ford C4 3-speed automatic transmission.
1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429: This particular Boss 429 is finished in Grabber Green. It is powered by Ford’s NASCAR-intended 429 cubic-inch V8 (7.0 liters) “semi-hemi” engine. It puts the power down through a four-speed manual transmission. It is quite possibly the most valuable Mustang ever created, with only 859 ever produced.

Those with a good deal of money wanting a bone-stock, amazing muscle car will almost certainly want to be in Lodi, New Jersey on September 12, 2014, for the U.S. Marshal’s Service Auction through A.J. Willner Auctions. You can view the cars at A.J. Willner’s website at http://www.ajwillnerauctions.com/auctions/us-marshals-seized-vehicle-collection

May 2, 2014 zoomvroom Car Reviews, New car info, Tech Talk, The auto dictionary. Look it up here!, World News

Dodge Revives Classic Shaker Hoods and Scat Packs!

While it’s been a couple of months since the 2014 SEMA show in Las Vegas, I only recently heard about the legendary Shaker Hoods and Scat Packs returning to Mopar!

Since the 2014 Dodge Challenger looks like it’s 1970 ancestor, it seems fitting that the Challenger should have the legendary Shaker Hood. Like the original Challenger, the 2014 Challenger can also be fitted with a hood that has the air scoop directly attached to the engine. This Shaker Hood isn’t just a useless piece of retro jewelry, either. It provides cooling air to the thirsty HEMI engine under that beautiful hood.

What makes the Shaker Hood even more accessible to enthusiasts who want a 2014 Challenger is the fact that it comes as its own special model! It’s called the 2014 Dodge Challenger R/T Shaker, and it comes with it’s unique graphics, a period-correct Satin Black Shaker Hood, plus the optional Super Track Pack performance package and a few other cosmetic changes. It also comes with a spectacular creamsicle-orange color that is a must!

Also returning for 2014 is the Scat Pack. The last time the Scat Pack was seen on the 1968 Challenger, Charger, and Dart. Back then, it was called the “Scat Pack Club” package, and it collectively referred to all of the performance models, and it also encouraged camaraderie among enthusiasts and owners. This time around, however, Dodge is using the moniker as a performance package for, you guessed it, the Dart, Charger, and Challenger.

Each Scat Pack package is available in three stages, with each stage offering additional performance enhancements for the mighty 5.7-liter HEMI V8 on the Charger and Challenger and the turbocharged 2.4-liter four cylinder on the Dart.

These performance enhancements include enhanced ECU tuning, and freer-flowing intake and exhaust systems. The V8 cars come with more serious modifications: Not only do they come with what’s mentioned above, but they get new Iskendarian camshafts, and ported-and-polished cylinder heads – in the upper levels. The Dart has to make do with brake and suspension enhancements. All three Scat Pack cars come with cool graphics and custom interiors done up with Katzkin leather.

The Challenger R/T Shaker and the Scat Pack Challenger, Charger, and Dart will arrive in dealers by mid-May 2014.

December 21, 2013December 21, 2013 zoomvroom Car Culture, Car Reviews, New car info, Road Trips

The Best Cars for the End of the Holiday Season!

I think that this is a bit of a tradition for me. Last year, I wrote a post about the same time as this one. It was also about the best cars for the end of the holiday season. I have fond memories of picking through cars that I thought deserved to be on this list. While my list may not be as prestigious as Car & Driver’s 10Best, I would like to think of it as my personal version. Except, I will be doing a list like this for every season! That’s right: Winter, spring, summer, and fall! After much thought, I have finally decided what cars deserve to be on my list. The criteria for the cars: The cars on the list must all be new or substantially updated, they must be able to be entertaining in a snowy climate, and they must be able to seat at least four people comfortably (that way you can go on a road trip with the kids or friends!). Enjoy my list!

Bentley Flying Spur: The Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed was on my list last year. However, the Flying Spur is no longer burdened with the Continental name. It does still share a platform with the Continental, though. It’s a brute of a car, weighing in at 5644 pounds. It’s definitely as large as an elephant – it is 17.4 feet long, and it it weighs as much as a male elephant bull. Don’t despair – this car rockets to 60 mph in an equally stunning 4.3 seconds. This car will keep pace with a sprightly Lotus Evora S all day, without much drama or effort. This car has 616 horsepower mated to a superb ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. The powerful W12 engine is more efficient – it gets 12/20 MPG city/highway, according to the EPA. However, snowy hoonage will likely lower that number… It has every option one can imagine, including private multimedia screens for the kids. Bang & Olufsen sound-deadening wireless headphones will keep the people in front sane.
Ford F-150 FX2/FX4 Sport Tremor: The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Crew Cab rumbled and burbled its way onto my list last year because of its substantial updates, most notably the 6.2 liter V8. This year, it’s more efficient, yet just-as-fun sister joins the party. The Sport Tremor comes in 2WD or 4WD, regular cab only. It comes with Ford’s powerful, efficient 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6. Power gets there through a 4.10:1 rear end, so these trucks will be fast. I know that it doesn’t seat four, but don’t despair – you can always get the Raptor! The performance figures for the Sport Tremor aren’t out yet, but a 2012 Ford F-150 XLT 4X4 Crew Cab got to 60 in a quite-respectable 6.2 seconds. Expect the Sport Tremor to get there in about 5.8-5.9 seconds. While it won’t keep up with the Bentley in a straight line, it CAN haul a whole lot more, and get better gas mileage!
SRT Viper/GTS/TA: The Viper has a ground-shaking 8.4-liter V10 that pumps out 640 horsepower. It comes with a 6-speed manual transmission and RWD only. This will play with the boys. I know that it doesn’t seat four, but hey, it’s a Viper. It’s not a Bentley! The RWD, 640 horse Viper should be a hoot to hoon around in the snow. Stability control and traction control will help.
Porsche 911 Turbo/Turbo S: The Porsche 911 Turbo is a great car to own. Not only will the 991-generation Turbo remain a collectible for a long time, but the 991 911 Turbo/Turbo S has a bunch of new technology designed to help the driver get around a track faster. It has AWD, 560 horsepower in the Turbo S, and seats for four. While the rear seats may only be fit for presents, the kids will have to suck it up and squeeze in there for a bit. But, the drive there will be worth it. The 911 Turbo/Turbo S is turbocharged, which makes it a cinch to drive fast, especially in wet or low-traction environments. This car was designed to make the worst of drivers look good, and the best of drivers look legendary. Have fun with this car.
Porsche 918 Spyder: If you own this car, I want to go for a spin in it! Porsche has had the 918 Spyder in testing for years – prototypes were running around Germany as far back as 2007. The 918 Spyder has a hybrid-electric system that distributes the gobs of 874 horsepower and an astounding 944 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels. The 918 Spyder Weissach Package loses 88 pounds by using ceramic wheel bearings and film wrap instead of conventional aluminum and paint. It won’t seat any more than two, but that’s okay. This car will blow your mind at the speeds it reaches without effort, as well as the confidence it gives the driver at any speed.
Subaru WRX: Subie is legendary in the rally world for building fast, reliable cars that don’t look like much. The 2015 WRX lives up to these statements. It loses the massive rear wing found on the previous generation of WRXs, but it has power and fun. It is bigger, but it makes 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It’s suspension has been firmed up 39% in the front, and 62% in the rear. This car will play all day with a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, and be as flat as a Porsche Cayman S while cornering. The torque vectoring system uses the rear differential instead of the brakes to vector the torque. It doesn’t look pretty, but then again, no Subie in recent memory has looked mesmerizing. Subaru invests money in engineering, not in styling. That’s fine with me.
Jeep Cherokee: For those of you who remember the Jeep Cherokees of yore, close this tab, shut off your computer, grab your wallet, and go get a Jeep Wrangler. This Cherokee is NOTHING like the harsh-riding Cherokees of the 1980s and 1990s. This Cherokee comes standard with FWD, but 4WD is optional. The Cherokee Trailhawk will keep pace with a stock Wrangler or SVT Raptor all day long without breaking a sweat. The Cherokee is packed with lots of useful, cool tech. I won’t bore you all of that technology, but I will say that for those in need of something affordable with 4WD, the Cherokee deserves a second look.
Chevrolet SS: The Chevy SS is the thunder from down under. It’s based off of the Holden Commodore, and it’s got a high-performance 6.2-liter V8 with 415 horsepower. The SS is the first RWD Chevy sedan since 1996 for civilian use – the Caprice PPV is available for lucky cops, and it’s truly spectacular. It is capable of making those who owned a muscle car as a teenager feel young again, while allowing Mom and the kids to experience the fun. It’s not all about burnouts – the SS can hold its own in the twisties. The 415-horse V8 and six-speed automatic mated to RWD will make it entertaining for anybody to drive, any season, at any time. I want one, if you haven’t noticed!
2014 Chevrolet Silverado: Chevy is good at this game! Two cars on my list is kinda hard. Yet, Chevy introduced two cars capable of being on this list, which both of them are. The 2014 Silverado truly gives the buyer everything that is needed or wanted, and then some. There are literally 50 different cab/bed combinations, let alone the plethora of engine/transmission/2WD/4WD combinations. The 2014 Silverado was designed to be one of the best in the game, and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s got clever tech for all of the engines to make the engines more competitive in an ever-evolving segment. The Silverado doesn’t come with the option of an extended cab anymore – safety regulations and loss of demand killed it for Chevy, but it comes with a “Quad Cab” option that offers more space than an extended cab, as well as the look of a crew cab. It starts off as a perfectly nice base model, before climbing the ladder of expensive and unneeded options to become a pure luxury truck.
Ram 1500: The Ram 1500 has long been one of my favorite 1/2 ton trucks. Ever since it’s massive – and popular redesign in 1993, the Ram 1500 has always had a brutish Hemi V8 underhood. Recently, Ram introduced an EcoDiesel V6 shared with the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It’s the first diesel in a 1/2 ton pickup since the 1980s. I know the deal about diesels. My dad owns a 2003 GMC 2500 4X4 with the Duramax diesel. But, the Ram 1500 offers the same noise levels as the Ram equipped with the Hemi V8. If you don’t want a diesel, you can always opt for the refreshed Hemi V8, which has more cool tech to aid in towing and hauling.

Have a fun, happiness-filled end of the holiday season! In these final days of 2013, I urge you to take a walk in the park with friends, your kids, and/or the family dog (if you have one), and do whatever fills your heart with enjoyment. Have a wonderful Winter Break!

Enjoy the pictures of the cars (and trucks!) on my list: