It was 40 years ago that the original Shelby GT350 went out of production.  A mint version of one of these cars is pretty much priceless today.  Well let’s say they are out of our range for sure.  The GT350 began its life back in 1964 when Ford Motor Company approached Carroll Shelby with a proposition.  Mr. Shelby was to create a Mustang that could win races and sell like hot cakes to the car buying public.  And he did just that as the GT350 won a ton of races and sold a lot of cars.  Ford now had a true muscle car that would strike fear into the hearts of Dodge and Chevrolet owners everywhere. Continue reading »

There has been a gaping hole in the mid-sized car segment from Ford with the loss of the Taurus a few years back.  Originally introduced in Ford’s 2006 line-up, the Fusion has new modications including the new Hybrid power plant.  What makes this Ford so special is the excellent in-town gas mileage that the hybrid can get.  The Environemetal Protection Agency gives the Fusion a rating of 41 Miles Per Gallon which is much better than the Toyota Camry, and even better than the fuel efficient Civic Hybrid; all this from a medium sized hybrid car.  The electric engine can get the Ford moving and can continue to power the car up to a limit of 47 mile per hour before the gas engine kicks in.  This system has been used by many to get better MPG than the EPA says is possible. Continue reading »

The current recession is permanently changing the business landscape.  Companies that have been profitable for many years are going out of business.  The impact has been more pronounced in some industries than others, with big ticket and luxury items being the hardest hit. The automobile industry is suffering so much that the federal government is stepping in. All of this begs the question: Who will be left standing when it’s all over?

The top five auto manufacturers have been around for a very long time.  All have made it through tough economic times, many through the Great Depression. Ford, founded in 1903 is the old-timer, while newcomer Honda started making cars in 1963. It seems obvious that a company that survives for decades, even a century, must be pretty strong and flexible. They’ve adapted to changes in demand, technology and politics and continued to grow overall.

Will there be a 2013 Mazda Miata?

But things have changed. GM and Chrysler have accepted help from the federal government and will need more.  So far Ford hasn’t asked for assistance, but who knows?  Everything depends on how long this recession lasts. Eventually consumers will start buying cars in greater numbers again, but can the automakers survive until then?

Part of the answer depends on which companies are well-run and efficient. Like many companies in other industries, auto manufacturers who once weathered the great depression have become fat during the long periods of plenty. If they can adapt quickly, everyone will benefit in the long run.

Another related piece of the puzzle is about who can innovate quickly. While sales have fallen drastically, there are segments of the market that are doing relatively well. Hybrids, which should have been an economically viable option long before now, are popular. So are well-built cars that last longer and require fewer repairs. Automakers that excel in these areas will have more sales now, which will help them hang on. When the economy picks up again, their sales will be much better than those who lag behind.

So who is doing well right now? Toyota tops the list with 92,775 vehicle sales in the first two months of 2009. Ford comes in second at 84,072.  Rounding out the top 5 are Chevrolet at 75,025, Honda at 63,916 and Nissan at 47,890.  While these figures are around 40-50% lower than the same period last year, if they can reduce their costs enough, these automakers may live to see the end of the recession.

I’m a MOPAR guy, have been ever since my dad pulled up in HEMI Orange Dodge Challenger back when I was all of 9.  The sound of that 426 still haunts me…

Fast Forward to 2008 and the SRT guy’s are at it again.  This time they unleash their Street and Racing Technology mantra to the Jeep Grand Cherokee?  Yes, they did.  Just that.  This is my second SRT8 vehicle.  I had an 07 Charger SRT8 and I’ve also had the pleasure of driving a Maggie and a 300 SRT and I must say the Jeep trumps them all.

Not the fastest of the SRT Line up, but definitely the quickest.  We’re talking a blazing 0-60 in a mind boggling 4.8 seconds stock.  That AWD drive and different gearing ratios compared to the other SRT’s make this 4,819 lbs truck do more than just turn eyes.  Yeah, she burns through gas at a horrendous 10 MPG but she also gets me there in style.  Blistering loud style.

I could rave about the racing seats, fiber carbon accents, the MyGig Hard Disc, DVD player, BOSE system, back up camera yadda yadda yadda, but these things are not what makes this truck special.  It’s the fact that it’s the most fun you will ever have driving anything that can be considered an SUV loaded with a stroller, car seats or a beach cruiser.

Who cares that I have two speeding tickets.  Something to be said when your foot commands 420 horses and 425 lbs. of torque.  That M3 won’t know what hit him.  Guy in the Southern California Corvette? Yeah, he won’t know that what just launched past him was in fact, just a Jeep.  Orange County Saleen Mustang?  I won’t even waste my gas…

At the end of the day I thank God for all you Coachella Valley Toyota Prius owners out there.  It’s because of you that I can drive this demon child from hell at downright illicit, immoral speeds.  Yeah, she’s that bad.

Jeep, no longer just Drag Rated, we’re now officially Track Rated as well.

By Dave Herrera

Thankfully my kids are years away from driving but just the thought of that day rapidly approaching has me joining the worried ranks of millions of parents out there. Through the cloud of haze I call my memory; I can vaguely remember being 16 and feeling invincible. Whether it be those 100 MPH freeway blasts at midnight, the impromptu dirt road drag race, or just doing donuts in an empty field with a bed full of teenagers; yeah we did some dumb stuff. And just think these actions are being played out on a daily basis by ignorant teens everywhere. …Yikes!

Well take heed you naughty teenagers because technology is hot on your tail. For the 2010 model year, this Riverside County Ford dealer will have a feature available to all their cars called the MyKey. This ingenious key has a computer chip integrated into it. When put into the ignition the car will recognize this key and set certain limits on the car.

• First on the list is a speed limiter which keeps kids from feeling the need for speed! And parents can choose the speed they wish to limit.
  
• Next is an audio volume control, yeah we all thought Vanilla Ice was so cool back then that all the neighbors had to hear it; but now that we are old it’s just tasteless.
• Finally the car will play a ridiculously annoying chime if the seat belts are not fastened.  Thank-goodness because for some reason kids don’t understand the importance of wearing a belt; High School Physics has let us parents down!

All this sounds like a great start at keeping our most precious gifts safe. And with other car manufacturers jumping on the band-wagon the sky is the limit with what precautions we can take. Grandma is going to be so happy she doesn’t have to chaperone anymore!

Source:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27053080/