First Impression: Nissan GT-R

Nissan is known for making affordable high performing cars. The 370Z is a good performing car. The Skyline was a legendary performing grand tourer. It could not meet the demands of some DOT tests and was not imported into the United States after 1991. But Nissan replaced the Skyline with a new super grand tourer. On December 6, 2007 in Japan, Nissan released the GT-R, which succeeded the Nissan Skyline GT-R.

I first saw the Nissan at a Nissan Dealership in Houston when test driving SUVs. Several Nissan GT-Rs have made appearances at Houston Cars and Coffee and I have seen a few on the road. Just by looking at it, I could tell it is a great performing car. It has a trunk so it is more practical than most supercars. However, there are better looking cars out there than the GT-R. It looks aggressive, but it does not have the elegant styling of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, BMWs, Mercedes-Benz, and Aston Martins.

The GT-R is powered by 3.8L twin turbocharged V6 that is mated with a dual clutch six-speed semi-automatic transmission. The engine produces 530 hp and 448 lb-ft of torque. The GT-R goes from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 196 mph. This is a very quick car. Prices start at $89,905. It is a bargain compared to other supercars. All other cars that car go at least 190 mph cast at least $100,000.

The GT-R has been featured on www.jaylenosgarage.com. Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear raced the Japanese Bullet Train during Series 11, Episode 4 and he reviewed the car during Series 11, Episode 5. Top Gear awarded the GT-R 2007 Supercar of the Year. Evo Magazime named it the 2008 Car of the Year. Motortrend named it the 2009 Car of the Year. It has also won Automobile Magazine 2009 Automobile of the Year and Autocar's 2008 Driver's Car of theYear. This car is worthy of all of those awarads. The Nissan GT-R is drivable in Test Drive Unlimited 2, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Undercover, Pro Street, Shift, Nitro, World, Shift 2: Unleashed, True Crime: New York City, Drift City, Ridge Racer 7 and 3D, Burnout Revenge, Grand Turismo 5, Split/Second (Hanzo GT), RayCity, Asphalt 5, GT Racing: Motor Academy, Nitto 1320 Legends, Forza Motorsport 3, and Real Racing 2.

Final Thoughts: What a Car. It deserves all the accolades it gets. One of the best buys. Great performance for a price less than $100,000. There are more stylish cars out there, but they cost more than the GT-R.While some companies have stop making high performance cars (Honda), Nissan still makes high performing cars while still making an electric vehicle (Nissan Leaf) and fuel efficient vehicles. F.Y.I. The eleventh generation Nissan Skyline has been rebadged in America as the Infiniti G Sedan.

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Photo taken from a camera phone

Clunker: Reliant Robin

Three wheel cars, or tricars, have been around since the late 1800s. They came with either two wheels in the front or two wheels in the rear. Because tricars did not have a fourth wheel and were light weight, they were cheap to insure. Insurance prices for tricars were the same for motorcycles.  One tricar with two wheels in the rear is the Reliant Robin. It was produced from 1973 to 1981 and reproduced from 1989 to 2002. It has been considered one of the worst cars ever made for being slow, underpowered, and rolls on its side when under braking or turning.


The wheel configuration greatly affected the Robin's lateral stability. The front of the car balances on one wheel. There needs to be even left-right weight distribution for the car to be balanced The left-right weight distribution is about 50-50, but when there is a driver and no passenger, there is no counterweight to balance the car. When the car brakes or turns, it would turn over on the side where the driver is. This is dangerous not just for the driver, but for any cars driving along the side of the Robin.

Not only does the Reliant Robin have problems with stability, but it is underpowered and slow. The Robin originally came with 748cc I4 that produce 32 hp and 46 lb-ft of torque. Later Robins came with a 848cc I4 engine that produced 40 hp and 46 lb-ft of torque.  Both engines were paired with a four-speed manual transmission. The 748cc engine got the Robin from 0 to 60 mph in 22 seconds with a top speed of 80 mph. The 848cc engine got the Robin from 0 to 60 mph in 16.1 seconds with a top speed of 85 mph. No matter what engine was in it, the Robins was slow and sluggish.

During Series 15 of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson proved that the Reliant Robin could not corner without tipping over. He drove it in a town and tipped over several times. He drove it around the test track and did not make it through the first corner without tipping over. The Stig tried to drive the Robin around the test track, and tipped over when trying to get past the first corner. Top Gear tried to use the Reliant Robin as a space shuttle during Series 9, Episode 4. The fuel tank did not disconnect with the Robin, and the Robin exploded when it crashed.

The Reliant Robin had horrible lateral stability because it was balancing on a single front wheel. It constantly tipped over when braking or turning and was a hazard not just for the driver, but for other cars on the road. Add a small, weak engine and poor performance, the Reliant Robin is one of the worst cars ever made. Somehow, there is a fan club and an owners club for the Reliant Robin. It is surprising that people are proud to own one.

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Picture taken from www.BBC.co.uk

First Impression: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

The Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing is one of the most iconic cars in automotive history. The race version of the 300SL, which was made from 1952 to 1953, was the first car to have doors that opened upwards instead of sideways. The production version was the first street legal car to reach 155 mph, making it the fastest production car when it was produced in 1954. In 2010, Mercedes-Benz's in house tuning company AMG was allowed to design and build its own car to succeed the SLR. What AMG created is the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, the spiritual successor to the 300SL Gullwing.

I first saw the SLS AMG at the 2010 Houston Classy Chassis: Concours d'Elegance. I really did not care for the car. In my mind, it did not stand out in a room with Ferraris, Lamborghinis, a Duesenberg Model J, and a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition. I saw it again walking out of Happy Hour at a hotel bar in Houston. Again, I did not care for the car. Someone brought it to the May 2011 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. It was parked next to a Ferrari F40. There was a huge crowd around the two cars. I paid more attention to its neighbor than the SLS AMG. To be honest, I do not like the SLS AMG. I am not a big fan of AMG. I would take a 300SL Gullwing or the SLR McLaren over the SLS AMG.

The SLS AMG is powered by 6.2L V8 engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch semi-automatic transmission. The engine produced 563 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and is electronically limited to 197 mph. Its predecessor, the SLR McLaren, went from 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds and tops out at 207 mph. The SLR is quicker and faster than the SLS. Normally, a car should outperform is predecessor. In Mercedes case, the SLR outperforms the SLS. The SLS starts at prices just under $200,000, which is cheaper than the SLR starting price of $450,000.

The SLS AMG was featured on www.jaylenosgarage.com. Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear drove one up the East Coast of the United States during the 2010 US Road Trip Special. Adam Ferrera of Top Gear USA reviewed on during Episode 4. The American Stig drove it around the test track in 1:27.6, the sixth fastest time around the Top Gear USA test track. The SLS AMG is drivable in Grand Turismo 5, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Shift 2: Unleashed, Forza Motorsport 3, and Test Drive Unlimited 2.

Final Thought: It is a good car, but I just do not care for it. Its design may be based on the 300SL Gullwing, but it could never capture the soul of the 300SL Gullwing. Its predecessor, the SLR McLaren, outperforms it.  When a car comes out, it should be better in everyway than its predecessor. The SLR is quicker, faster, more stylish, and just better than the SLS. I would take McLaren over AMG any day. I cannot say that I do not like the design of the SLS, since it is based on the design of the 300SL Gullwing, which I like and I had a scale model of the 300SL Gullwing growing up. If you do not like gullwing doors but like the SLS, there is a roadster version of the SLS without gullwing doors.

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Photo taken from a camera phone

Auto Countdown: Cars that need a Comeback

A common trend in video games and movies is the remake/reboot of a franchise. In the past few years, car manufactures have brought back some of their classic models. The Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro, and Fiat 500 have made successful comebacks. But there are several classic cars that manufactures need to consider bringing back. These are the top eight cars that need a comeback.
Rules: No defunct brands, one car per brand, the car must be in a car class where the brand does not have a model for, and the car has to have a following. For example, the Ferrari 308 will not be on the list since Ferrari already has a mid-engine V8 model with the 458 Italia. No Pontiacs, Oldmobiles, or Reliants will be on the list since they are defunct brands.



8.  Mitsubishi Diamante.

The Diamante was an underated sedan. It was reliable, comfortable to ride in, and just a good solid car. Some of the 2004 Diamantes, the last year it was made, got 205 hp from a 3.5L V6. It went from 0 to 60 in just over 8 seconds. Mitsubishi currently does not have a full-size car. Bringing back the Diamante gives Mitsubishi a car that can compete with the Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, Ford Taurus, and Chevrolet Impala. The Diamante deserves a comeback because it was a comfortable car to ride in, reliable, and could be one of the best full-size cars on the market by using similar technology found in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evos.


7. Lincoln Continental Four-Door Convertible

Modern convertibles are two-door vehicles. In the 1960s, the Lincoln Continental came in a four-door convertible variant. This car is very stylish and just plain cool. Nissan is coming out with a convertible variant of the Murano, a SUV. However, the Murano Convertible will be a two-door SUV. If a 1960s four-door sedan can have a retractable roof, then why can't a modern four-door sedan have a reatractable roof? Automotive technology has improved since the 1960s. Ford, please commission Lincoln to make a four-door convertible version of the MKZ and/or the MKS. If Nissan can make a SUV convertible, then Lincoln can make a four-door convertible.


6. Ferrari Sports Car with a flat-12 Engine Located in the Rear-Middle of the Car

The Ferrari 512M was one of the great rear-mid flat-12 Ferraris

Ferraris Berlinetta Boxer cars were great performing cars. They were known for their flat-12 engines located in the middle of the car. The flat engine lowers the center of gravity of a car, improving handling and cornering. After the 512M, Ferrari started putting V12 engines in the front of the car, starting with the 550 Maranello. Ferrari V12 grand tourers compete with the Corvette, Aston Martins, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, and other high performing grand tourers. Ferrari's main competition, Lamborghini does not make grand tourers. Ferrari needs to produce a rear-mid flat-12 car to compete with the new Lamborghini Aventador, McLaren MP4-12C, Audi R8, Porsche 911s and other rear-mid engine supercars.


5. Lamborghini Espada

The Lamborghini Espada was one of the last front engine Lamborghinis ever made. The Espada was a V12 grand tourer and 1217 Espadas were produced from 1968 to 11978. After production of the Jarama and Espada ceased production in 1978, all Lamborghinis are rear-mid engine supercars, except for the LM002 SUV. Lamborghini's main rival, Ferrari, has had success with V12 grand tourers. Lamborghini needs a V12 grand tourer to compete with the Ferrari 612, FF, 599 Fiorano, and 599 GTO. The Espada would be a great competitor to the Ferrari V12 grand tourers. Lamborghini announced a return of the Espada in 2009, but Lamborghini did not follow through. The Lamborghini Espada needs a comeback to compete with the Ferrari V12 grand tourers.

4. Morgan Three-Wheeler

Morgan is known for making cars with wooden frames and quality three-wheel cars. From 1911 to 1952, Morgan made cars with two wheels in the front and a single wheel in the rear. These cars were lightweight and were laterally stable. These three-wheelers were cool cars and have a good following. Morgan revealed a prototype to the 2011 Three-Wheeler. Morgan, please put the Three-Wheeler into production.


3. Chevrolet El Camino

One of the most popular coupe utility vehicles was the Chevrolet El Camino. It was a a coupe with a flat bed in the rear. The SS version had a big block V8 under the hood and was a rocket on the drag strip. It has a huge following and is admired by muscle car enthusiast. Australia has the Holden Ute, a modern coupe utility vehicle. Holden is not sold in America. Chevrolet could put a Corvette engine under the hood. With the return of the Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro, Shelby GT350, and Shelby GT500, why can't the El Camino make a comeback? The return of the El Camino would mark a return of the coupe utility vehicle class in America. If Chevy brings back the El Camino, then Ford might bring back the Ranchero, the El Camino's rival.


2. Porsche 928

I covered this car in a Classic Car article. The 928 is the only front-engine V8, two door car ever made by Porsche. It was a fast, quality grand tourer. Porsche has come out with the four door Panamera to compete with the Rolls-Royce Phantom, Maserati Quattroporte, and Aston-Martin Rapide. The 911 competes with the Ferrari 458 and other supercars with the engine located behind the passengers.. Porsche needs a car to compete in the grand tourer class. Porsche needs a grand tourer to compete with the premier grand tourers, such as the Aston Martin Vantage, Corvette, Dodge Viper, and Nissan GT-R. There are rumors of a new Porsche 928. Please Porsche, bring back the 928. It deserves a comeback.


1. Honda/Acura NSX

The NSX is the only supercar ever made by Honda. It was produced from 1990 to 2005, and it still has a huge fanbase. I see at least half a dozen NSXes at Houston Cars and Coffee. It had two different V6 engines. The 3.0L V6 produced 270 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque. The 3.2L V6 engine produce 290 hp and 224 lb-ft of torque. It took 4.8 seconds for the NSX to go from 0 to 60 mph and reached a top speed of 175 mph. Honda has been focusing on hybrids while stopping the production of the S2000. Honda/Acura's rivals, Lexus and Nissan, have supercars. For Honda Motor Company to compete with Lexus and Nissan, it needs to transfer some of its technology used in F1 and Indy Car Racing and produce a car that can compete with the Lexus LFA and Nissan GT-R. Honda can have cars like the CR-Z and the Insight, yet still have a high performance car like the NSX. Honda was going to bring back the NSX, but due to several reasons, Honda canceled the production of the next generation NSX. The NSX needs a comeback to show that Honda can still make high performing vehicles.

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First Impression: Lexus LFA

Lexus was founded in 1989 to function as Toyota's luxury brand. The first two cars made by Lexus were the LS 400 and ES 250. In 2005, Lexus premiered a supercar concept and showed a more refined supercar concept in 2007. In 2008, Lexus reveal a roadster version of the supercar concept. In October 2009, Lexus revealed the production model at the Tokyo Auto Show. Lexus calls the supercar the LFA. The LFA is the first ever supercar made by Lexus. In December 2010, the first LFAs went into production. Over a 25 month span with 20 LFAs produced monthly, 500 LFAs will be produced.

I first saw the Lexus LFA at the June 2011 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. There was a huge crowd around the LFA. It is a nice looking grand tourer, but there were better looking grand tourer at the event. The LFA's exterior was deisgned with an emphasis on downforce. With air intakes in the back, one would think the engine is in rear, but the rear air intakes help cool the breaks. The side mirrors are designed to help funnel air into the rear air intakes. The engine is actually in the front-middle of the car.The gap between the hood and front bumper help feed air to the engine. It has a small trunk in the rear that is accessible by lifting the rear glass. This is a great initial supercar by Lexus.

The LFA is powered by a 4.8L V10, paired to a six-speed semi-automatic transmission, that produced 552 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. The LFA goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 mph and reaches a top speed of 202 mph. Prices for the LFA start at $375,000. The Lexus LFA is fast, but it is very expensive for car that goes 202 mph. There are cars that are faster and quicker than the LFA and cost less than $200,000.

Jay Leno did a feature of the LFA, which can be seen at www.jaylenosgarage.com. Richard Hammond reviewed the car during Top Gear Series 14, Episode 7. The LFA is playable in Grand Turismo 5, Shift 2: Unleashed, and Forza Motorsport 3.

Final Thoughts: The LFA is the best car made the Toyota Motor Company. It shows that Toyota and its other brands can make exciting high performing vehicles while making boring hybrids at the same time. Toyota can produce the Prius and the Lexus CT 200H hybrids while producing the Lexus LFA. One of Toyota's rival, Honda, stopped making the NSX and S2000 to focus on the production of the CR-Z and Insight hybrids. Compared to the Nissan GT-R, the Lexus LFA is faster and quicker and has a better design. It is fast, but there are several cars that are quicker, faster and less expensive than the LFA. The LFA is a very clever super car and is the fastest production car made in Japan. The price is just too high for what it is. The Ferrari 599, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, and Lamborghini Gallardo are faster and less expensive than the LFA. Still, there is nothing like the LFA on the road and this car will stand out in parking lots and on the roads. People will stop to look at it.

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Photo taken from a digital camera

First Impression: Noble M12 GTO 3R

Great Britain has had several automotive brands under the British Motor Company. Brands include Jaguar, Austin, Morris, MG, Rover, Land Rover, Riley, Mini, and Triumph. Most of the BMC brands are either defunct or owned by automotive companies outside of Britain. Very few British automotive bands are independently owned and headquartered in Britain. Noble, an independent British car company, was founded by Lee Noble in 1999. The first car produced by Noble was the Noble M10. The second Noble car went into production in 2000 and was released in 2001. The second produced Noble was the M12, mid-engine, rear wheel drive supercar. It was in production from 2000 to 2008. The top-of-the-line version of the Noble M12 is the M12 GTO 3R.

I first saw the Noble M12 GTO 3R at the June 2011 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. Initial thought, this looks fast. I like the sleek design. These are rare cars and are not normally see on the roads. With the engine in the back and a trunk in the front, this is a practical supercar.

The Noble M12 GTO 3R is powered by a Ford 3.0L biturbo Duratech V6, paired with a six-speed manual transmission, that produces 352 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 170 mph. The price for the M12 GTO 3R is $100,000. The price is low for a mid-engine supercar, but it does not have the performance that other supercars have. Still it is a very quick car with a sub 4.0 second 0-60 mph acceleration.

The Noble M12 GTO was reviewed by Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear during Series 1, Episode 2. The Noble M12 is playable in Project Gotham Racing 2, Test Drive Unlimited, and Total Immersion Racing. The Noble M12 GTO 3R is playable in ToCA Race Driver 3.

Final Thoughts: This is a fast car. While it does not have the performance or prestige of Lamborghini or Ferrari, this is supercar that should not be overlooked. This is great car for a young automotive company to build on. Noble is currently producing its sixth production car, the Noble M600, a 225 mph hypercar. None of the big Italian or German automotive companies can match the performance of  the sixth car produced by this young British car company has accomplished in its ten plus years. Look for even faster cars produced by Noble.

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First Impression: Aston Martin DB9

Aston Martin is known for style, performance, and luxury. In 2004, Aston Martin released the DB9, a 2+2 seat, two door grand tourer. The DB9 succeeded the DB7. The DB9 was one of the last Aston Martin cars built when Ford owned Aston Martin. The DB9 Volante is the convertible version.

The DB9 is a frequent guest of Houston Cars and Coffee. This is one of the best looking cars on the road. Not many cars can match the style of Aston Martins. The DB9 is a gentleman's car.

The DB9 is powered by a 6.0L V12, paired with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, that produces 469 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The DB9 goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 190 mph. It weighs 3,880 lb. Prices start at $189,915 for the coupe and $203,015 for the Volante.
It is quick, fast, and a tad bit heavy. It is a little pricey though.

Jeremy Clarkson raced Richard Hammond and James May from London to Monte Carlo in a DB9 during Top Gear Series 4, Episode 1. Top Gear featured the DB9 Volante during Series 6, Episode 3. Top Gear considered the DB9 so cool that it was too cool to be placed in sub-zero, the DB9 had to have its own category dubbed the "DB9 sub-zero fridge." The DB9 is drivable in Test Drive Unlimited, Test Drive Unlimited 2, Midnight Club: Los Angeles, Highway Madness, Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights, RayCity, Driver: Parallel Lines, Driver: Renegade, Forza Motorsport, Forza Motorsport 2, Forza Motorsport 3, Project Gotham Racing 3, Gran Turismo 4, Gran Turismo 5, Asphalt: Urban GT, ToCA Race Driver 2, Grand Theft Auto IV, Crash Time IV: The Syndicate, Shift 2: Unleashed, Need For Speed: Most Wanted, Need For Speed: Carbon, Need For Speed: Pro Street, Need For Speed: Undercover, Need For Speed: Carbon Own the City, and Full Auto 2: Battlelines.

Final Thoughts: What A Car! It is stylish, quick, fast, cool, and just plain gorgeous. Its the total package. Its heavy and expensive though. It continues the Aston Martin tradition of style and performance. This is a car that is meant to be driven.

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First Impression: Porsche 997 GT3

Porsche has been making 911s since 1964. The 911 is known for having a flat-6 engine located in the rear of the car, just above the rear wheels. The current range of  the 911 is called the 997. One of the variants of the 997 is the Porsche 997 GT3.

I first was the Porsche 997 GT3 at the October 2010 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. It did not stand out when a Ferrari F40, Lamborghini Diablo and Gumpert Apollo were present. There are many different 991 variants at Cars and Coffee that a 977 GT3 would not stand out from the crowd. The 911 has had a consistent design style, but the 911 never was considered a good-looking car.

The Porsche 977 GT3 is powered by a naturally aspirated 3.8L flat-6 engine, paired with a six-speed manual transmission, that produces 429 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The 977 GT3 goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 194 mph. Prices for the 997 GT3 start at $112,200. It is quick and fast. The price is relatively low for a high-performing sports car.

The Porsche 997 GT3 was featured at Jay Leno's Garage. Motorweek reviewed the 997 GT3, which can be seen here. The 997 GT3 is playable in Forza Motorsport 2, Forza Motorsport 3, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Need For Speed: Pro Street, and Fast Five: Take Rio.

Final Thoughts: It is a good sports car. There are better performing sports cars on the road, but few can match the price of the 997 GT3. Porsche knew what it was doing when it put a flat-6 engine in the rear of the car.

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Porsche 997 GT3 RS

Porsche has several trim levels for the current version of the 911, called the 997. One of the trim levels is the Porsche 997 GT3 RS, the race car version of the 997 GT3 that can be driven on everyday roads. The GT3 RS is lighter, more powerful and quicker, but has a lower top speed than the GT3.

The 997 GT3 RS can be seen at track days and on the roads. I have seen quite a few on the streets of Houston and at Houston Car and Coffee events. While there are several different types of 911s at Houston Car and Coffee events, the 997 GT3 RS will stand out in any crowd. Whether it has grey, white, blue, orange, or green paint job, you know it is a GT3 RS because it will have a decal on the side or the rear panels saying GT3 RS. It has the body of a 997 with a big spoiler on the back.

The GT3 RS is powered by a 3.8L flat-6 engine, paired with a six-speed manual transmission, that produces 450 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds and has a top speed of 193 mph. Prices start at $132,800. Porsche has announced a 4.0L flat-6 engine for the GT3 RS. The 997 GT3 RS cost more than the 997 GT3, yet the performance between the two cars is nearly identical.

The Porsche 997 GT3 RS has been featured a couple of times on Top Gear. It was driven by Richard Hammond when the guys were looking for the greatest driving road in the world during Series 10, Episode 1. Richard Hammond drove the 997 GT3 RS again during the 2010 USA Road Trip special. It has been featured at Jay Leno's Garage. Motorweek reviewed the car, which can be seen here. The Porsche 997 GT3 RS is playable in Need For Speed: Carbon, Need For Speed: Pro Street, Need For Speed: Shift, Shift 2: Unleashed, Forza Motorsport 2, Forza Motorsport 3, Need For Speed: Undercover, and Need For Speed: Nitro.

Final Thought: It is lighter and more powerful than the 997 GT3, yet the 997 GT3 RS is slightly quicker, has a lower top speed, and cost more than the 997 GT3. Besides, there are faster, quicker, more stylish, and less expensive cars than the GT3 RS on the road. The color and accents of the 997 GT3 RS make it stand out and cops will easily spot a GT3 RS speeding. My recommendation is to go with the 997 GT3 over the GT3 RS. You will save money.

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First Impression: Rossion Q1

Noble built the M400 from 2004 to 2007. In February 2007, American company 1G Racing/Rossion Automotive, founded by Ian Grunes and Dean Rosen, acquired the rights to the M400. Rossion took the M400 and redesigned a new front end, larger integrated air intakes, ram air side window ducts, a new rear diffuser, power windows, remote power side mirros, and center mounted wide screen entertainment center. Rossion called the redesigned M400 the Rossion Q1. Although Rossion is an American company and Noble is a British company, both the Noble M400 and Rossion Q1 are manufactured by Hi Tech Automotive, which is based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

I first saw the Rossion Q1 at the December 2010 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. A person from Austin brought the Rossion Q1 and had a facts sheet on display right next to the car. Unfortunately, the Q1 was overlooked because Hennessey was revealing the Venom GT at the same event. My first thought on the car was "What is a Rossion?" This was the first time I heard of Rossion. I thought the finish of the car needed some improvements.

The Rossion Q1 is powered by a rebuilt Ford Duratec twin-turbo 3.0L V6, paired with a six-speed manual transmission, that produces 450 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 189 mph. Prices for the Rossion Q1 start at $100,000. Compared to other high-performing cars, the Rossion Q1 is bargain. Not many cars can match the quickness of the Q1. It is also one of the cheaper supercars on the market.

The Rossion Q1 is playable in Project Gotham Racing 4 and Forza Motorsport 3. It has not been featured on any of the major automotive programs.

Final Thought: It is a quick car for a relative low price. The finish of the car needs improvements. There are slower cars that cost more than the Rossion Q1. I wonder what Rossion can do with a car built from scratch. Not a bad initial car for Rossion.

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Photo taken from a camera phone

First Impression: Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

When people think of Ferrari, they think of an Italian supercar with the engine in the middle. Actually, most of the supercars in Ferrari's current range have the engine in the front. In 2006, Ferrari started producing the 599 GTB Fiorano. It is a two-seater grand tourer that Ferrari used to replace the 575 Maranello, a grand tourer with a V12 in the front of the car. Ferrari also has a 599 GTO and a prototype 599 HY KERS hybrid.

I first saw the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano at the 2010 Houston Classy Chassis: Concours d'Elegance. It is a nice looking car, but it was displayed next to the Ferrari California, which is one of the best looking cars on the market. The 599 GTB looks fast and is stunning supercar produced by Ferrari.

The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is powered by a 6.0L V12, paired with six-speed manual or F1 transmission, that produces 620 hp and 448 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of over 205 mph. Prices start at $310,543. It is very expensive for a V12 grand tourer. Not many grand tourers can match the performance of the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano.

Top Gear reviewed the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano during Series 10, Episode 3. Top Gear named the 599 GTB its 2006 Supercar of the Year. Evo magazine named the 599 GTB Fiorano its 2006 Car of the Year. Motorweek reviewed the 2007 model. The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is playable in Gran Turismo HD Concept, Project Gotham Racing 4, Gran Turismo 5, Forza Motorsport 3, Death Track: Resurrection, Need For Speed: Shift, Forza Motorsport 2, Ferrari Challenge, Test Drive Unlimited 2, and GT Racing: Motor Academy.

Final Thoughts: This is one fast, stunning grand tourer. Not many grand tourers can match the performance of the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. But there are several cars on the road that cost half as much as the 599 GTB Fiorano. It is another car in the long line of high-performing Ferraris.

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First Impression: Ferrari 599 GTO

In 2010, Ferrari decided to take the 599 GTB Fiorano and modify it. Ferrari removed 220 lbs off the 599 while adding an additional 50 hp and 12 lb-ft of torque to the 6.0L V12 engine. The result is the is a quicker, faster 599. Ferrari calls the improved car the 599 GTO. It is only the third time that Ferrari has used the GTO designation. The other two times Ferrari has used the GTO designation are 250 GTO and 288 GTO.

I first saw the Ferrari 599 GTO at the 2011 Houston Classy Chassis: Concours d'Elegance. It looks just like the 599 GTB Fiorano, except for aluminum floors and the carbon fiber body. The black roof helps the 599 GTO stand out in a stadium filled with classic cars and modern supercars.

The Ferrari 599 GTO is powered by a 6.0L V12, paired with six-speed F1 gearbox, that produces 670 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and its top speed exceeds 208 mph. Prices for the Ferrari 599 GTO start at $426,000. It is quicker and faster than the 599 GTB Fiorano, but the 599 GTO costs nearly $100,000 more than the 599 GTB Fiorano. There are quicker and faster cars than the 599 GTO and at a fraction of the price.

Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear reviewed the Ferrari 599 GTO during Series 16, Episode 2. It was 1.4 seconds faster around the Top Gear test track than the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. The 599 GTO is playable in Test Drive Unlimited 2 and Asphalt 6: Adrenaline.

Final Thoughts: It is a fast car, but it does not warrant the $426,000 price tag. It is another stunning, fast Ferrari. Ferrari claimed that the 599 GTO is the fastest Ferrari production car, but the Ferrari Enzo is 12 mph faster than the 599 GTO.  It is a great car, but it is just too expensive for what it is.

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Photo taken from a digital camera.

First Impression: Bugatti Veyron Super Sport

Bugatti has been making high-performing, luxurious cars since 1909. In 1998, Volkswagen bought the rights to make cars under the Bugatti name. In 2005, Bugatti released the 253 mph Veyron, which was the fastest production car at that time. In 2007, an American independent automotive company, Shelby Supercars (SSC), released the 257 mph Ultimate Aero TT. Volkswagen and Bugatti were not pleased. In 2010, in order recapture the fastest production car title, Volkswagen and Bugatti released the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. On June 26, 2010, on the Volkswagen test track while taping a review for Top Gear, the Veyron Super Sport reached a speed of 267.856 mph, dethroning the SSC Ultimate Aero TT as the fastest production car.

I first saw the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport at the 2011 Houston Classy Chassis: Concours d'Elegance. There was a consistent large crowd around the car. There was a 1930 Duesenberg Model J, 1931 Bugatti Type 40A Roadster, and a 1922 Hispano Suiza H6B Labourdette Skiff near the Veyron Super Sport, yet it was the Veyron Super Sport that got more attention than these three legendary cars. My first thought on the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport is this is one exciting car. When I see pictures of the Veyron Super Sport, it has a two-tone paint job with black on top, orange on the bottom, and orange wheels. The Veyron Super Sport on displayed had a beautiful dark blue paint job. No matter where Bugatti Veyron Super Sport is, it will always stand in a crowd. There is nothing on the road like a Bugatti.

The Bugatti Veyron Super Sport is powered by a quad-turbocharged W16 engine, paired with a seven-speed DSG semi-automatic transmission, that produces 1184 hp and 1,100 lb-ft of torque. It takes this car just 2.2 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph. The top speed is electronically limited to 258 mph to protect the tires. The record run was done using a different set of tires and the limiter was turned off. Only thirty Veyron Super Sports will be produced, and each one will cost $2.4 million. The Veyron Super Sport is 447 lbs lighter than the standard Veyron. The standard Veyron cost $1.44 million when it was first released. The Veyron Super Sport is nearly $1 million dollars more expensive than the standard Veyron.

Top Gear's James May drove the Bugatti Veyron on the Volkswagen test track during Series 15, Episode 5. He reached a speed over 258 mph. His speed was latter beaten by the Bugatti test driver, Pierre Henri Raphanel. The Stig drove the Bugatti around the Top Gear test track in 1:16.8. It was the fastest car around the test track until the V8 Ariel Atom went around the test track in 1:15.1. The Bugatti Veyron Super Sport is playable in Test Drive Unlimited 2 ($1.00 DLC) and in Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit (part of the $7.00 Super Sport Pack DLC).

Final Thought: This is one very quick, extremely fast, bank-breaking car. There is nothing like it on the roads. Only thirty will be made, so those who are fortunate to get a Veyron Super Sport will be part of a highly exclusive club. Cars like the Bugatti Veyron, the SSC Ultimate Aero TT, and the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport push the limits of what a car can do. I wonder what SSC's responds to the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport.

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Classic Car: BMW Isetta 300

Microcars have become popular among classic car enthusiasts. In 1953, Iso Autoveicoli came out with the Iso Isetta. In 1955, BMW came out with its own Isetta. The Isetta has a unique design with a three-wheel, one-door layout. There are two wheels in the front and a single rear wheel. Stability is not an issue with the Isetta. The single door is in the front of the car, making it difficult to escape when the front of the car is parked too close to a wall. There is also no reverse gear on the Isetta, making it hard to get out of parking spaces without getting out of the car. BMW produced 161,360 Isettas from 1955 to 1962.

I first saw the BMW Isetta 300 at the 2010 Houston Classy Chassis: Councours d'Elegance. I am not a big fan of microcars so the Isetta did not catch my eyes. To me, there were much better cars on display. In a stadium with Ferraris, Cobras, a Duesenberg, and a Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport, the BMW Isetta just did not stand out.

The BMW Isetta 300 is powered by a 0.3L (298cc) 1-cylinder engine, paired with a four-speed transmission, that produces 13 hp and 13.6 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 27.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 53 mph. Prices for the Isetta 300 when it was new in 1955 was $1,093. It is a slow, sluggish, underpowered, inexpensive car. But it weighed 770 lbs and got over 60 mpg.

Top Gear demonstrated the stability and being stuck inside an Isetta during Series 15, Episode 2.  It is playable in Grand Theft Auto 2, Choro G HQ, and Top Gear: Dare Devil.

It was tough to decide if the BMW Isetta 300 is a classic car or a clunker. I did not see it on "worst car lists." The Isetta is slow, sluggish, and impractical, but it was on display at a Concours d'Elegance and no clunkers would be on display at a Concours d'Elegance. Isettas are also highly collectable cars. I have to consider the BMW Isetta 300 a classic car.

CarJunkie
Photo taken from a camera phone

Classic Car: Jaguar XJ220

From 1990 to 2007, Jaguar Cars was owned by Ford. Under Ford, Jaguar came out with two supercars. From 1990 to 1992, Jaguar produced the XJR-15, a mid-rear engine supercar that had a 6.0L V12 and reached a top speed of 1991. Only 50 XJR-15s were made. In 1992, Jaguar released the XJ220, a supercar that reached a top speed of 217 mph, a record for the fastest street-legal production car. Jaguar XJ220 held the speed record until 1994, when the McLaren F1 was released. Only 281 XJ220s were produced from 1992 to 1994. With the XJ220, Jaguar promised a rear-mid engine supercar with a V12 and all-wheel drive. However, the Jaguar XJ220 had a twin-turbocharged V6 engine and two wheel drive. The change in the drivetrain was allegedly caused by a judgement that a 6.2L V12 engine would be too difficult to meet increasingly strict emission standards. The XJ220 is the first Jaguar to have a V6 engine. Many customers were not happy with the changes made to the XJ220. They filed a lawsuit against Jaguar and lost. Actually, the twin-turbocharged V6 engine produced more horsepower than the planned 6.2 V12 engine. The XJ220 exceeded the planned goals of 200 mph.

I recently saw a Jaguar XJ220 at the 2011 Houston Classy Chassis: Concours d'Elegance. This is another car I admired from my childhood. At the time I was oblivious to the promise drivetrain of the XJ220 and the actual drivetrain of the XJ220. This car stood out at Classy Chassis. In 1992, it looked futuristic, and today I still has futuristic design. Nothing on the road looks like the Jaguar XJ220. I like its sleek, futuristic design and it looks fast. 

The Jaguar XJ220 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6, paired with a five-speed manual transmission, that produces 542 hp and 476 lb-ft of torque. The planned 6.2L V12 was going to have 500 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. The XJ220 went from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, 0 to 100 mph in 7.3 seconds, and reached a top speed of 217 mph. The planned XJ220 was going to have the following performance: 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds, 0-100 mph in 8.0 seconds, and a top speed of 200 mph. The planned XJ220 is quicker of the line, but the produced XJ220 hit 100 mph 0.7 earlier and had a higher top speed. The produced XJ220 is 200 lbs lighter than the planned XJ220. When the Jaguar XJ220 came out in 1992, it cost $650,000. The Jaguar XJ220 was quick, fast, light, and very expensive.

The Jaguar XJ 220 was featured on Top Gear during Series 5, Episode 2, where the guys where comparing modern supercars versus supercars from the 1980s and 1990s. The Jaguar XJ220 is playable in Gran Turismo 4, Gran Turismo 5, Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec, Gran Turismo 2, Carmageddon, ToCA 2 Touring Cars, Re-Volt, Jaguar XJ220, Choro Q HG 2, GT Racing 97, TORCS, ToCA Race Driver 2, Need For Speed II, Project Gotham Racing 2, Project Gotham Racing 3, Test Drive 6, Test Drive Unlimited, TD Overdrive: the Brotherhood of Speed, Adrenalin 2: Chas Pik, Deathtrack, Forza Motorsport 2, Forza Motorsport 3, Test Drive 4, Test Drive 5, and Project Gotham Racing 4.

Nearly 20 years after the Jaguar XJ220 was released, it is still one of the fastest cars on the road. Yet, the legacy of this car is that Jaguar promised on XJ220, and produced a different XJ220 is what this car will be known for. Cutting the plan cylinder engine in half and changing it from all-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive did not sit well with customers. Top Gear named the Jaguar XJ220 one of the worst supercars in history because Jaguar promised a V12, all-wheel drive XJ220, and released a twin-turbocharged V6, rear-wheel drive XJ220. One Jaguar XJ220 went $140,000 at an Rm Auction. This is a low price for a car that was once the fastest car on the road. I am glad that Jaguar made the change because the XJ220 that Jaguar released was faster, lighter, and more fuel-efficient than the planned XJ220. If Jaguar released the V12 XJ220 that only went 200 mph, then the Bugatti EB110 would have held the title as the world's fastest street-legal production car for an extra two years.

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Photo taken from a digital camera

First Impression: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition

Mercedes-Benz has been making cars since the 1886. McLaren was founded in 1989 and is responsible for rewriting the rules for making a supercar with the McLaren F1 in 1994. The two automotive companies worked together to create the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, which was introduced on November 17, 2003. When this car came out, it cost $450,00. It was powered by a supercharged 5.4L V8 that produced 617 hp and 580 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 207 mph. Production of the SLR McLaren ceased in 2007 for the coupe and 2009 for the roadster. In 2006 a new version of the SLR was released, called the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition. The 722 refers to the victory by Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR with the starting number 722, referring to the 7:22 am starting time, at the 1955 Mille Miglia.

I recently saw a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition at the 2011 Houston Classy Chassis: Concours d'Elegance. There were two other variants of the SLR McLaren on exhibit at the same show. This is one of the best cars to wear the Mercedes-Benz badge. It is gorgeous. I love its styling. The side exhaust add to its incredible styling.

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition is powered by a supercharged 5.4L V8 engine, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, that produces 640 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque. Its 0-60 mph time is 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 209 mph. Prices for the 722 Edition started at $480,000. The SLR McLaren 722 Edition is one of the most expensive cars on the road, but not many cars can match its styling and perfromance.

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition defeated a Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SV during Top Gear Series 13, Episode 2. The 722 Edition is playable in Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Shift 2: Unleashed, Gran Turismo 4, Gran Turismo 5, and many other video games.

Final Thought: The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition is an incredible car. It is one of the fastest grand tourers on the road. Not many cars can match the style and performance of this car. The $480,000 price tag is expensive. I would take a SLR McLaren over the SLS AMG any day.

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First Impression: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722S Roadster

To extend the life of the SLR, Mercedes-Benz released the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722S Roadster in 2009. The 722S is the roadster version of the SLR Mclaren 722, but the 722S has added power, but the added weight causes the roaster to be slightly slower than the 722 Coupe. Only 150 SLR McLaren 722S Roadsters were produced.

I recently saw the Mercedes-Benz SLR Mclaren 722S Roadster at the 2011 Houston Classy Chassis: Concours d'Elegance. This is one of the best roadsters I have ever seen. It has incredible style. I love the angle of the windshield.

The 722S Roadster is powered by an AMG supercharged 5.5L V8 that produces 650 hp and 604 lb-ft of torque, an improvement of 10 hp and 6 lb-ft of torque over the 722 coupe. The 722S uses a five-speed automatic transmission. Its 0-60 mph time is 3.7 seconds, 0.1 second slower than the 722 coupe, and has a top speed of 208 mph, 1 mph slower than the 722 coupe. It cost $525,000 when it was new. It is expensive, but this is one of the fastest, quickest roadsters on the road.

The 722S is playable in Test Drive Unlimited 2. The 722S Roadster has not been featured on the main automotive programs.

Final Thought: What a Roadster. This is one of the best looking roadsters I have seen. There is nothing like it on the road. It is one of the fastest, quickest, most expensive roadsters on the road. 

CarJunkie

Photo taken from a digital camera

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss Edition

Mercedes-Benz and McLaren collaberated on the SLR in 2003. In 2009, as a final series of the SLR was released before McLaren announced its own edition in 2010. Called the Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss edition, this SLR series is based on the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR race car that Stirling Moss drove to victory at the 1955 Mille Miglia. The Stirling Moss edition has no top, two slits of glass where a windshield would normally be, side exhausts, two scissor doors, and sheet of carbon fiber to cover the passenger seat when the seat is unoccupied. 75 Stirling Moss editions were made.

I recently saw a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss Edition at the 2011 Houston Classy Chassis: Concours d'Elegance. It was the third different variant of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren at the event. It does not look like a normal road car. It is hard to see that this is still a Mecedes-Benz SLR McLaren.

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss Edition is powered by a supercharged 5.4L V8, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, that produces 650 hp and 606 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in under 3.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 217 mph. It costs $1.01 million. That is a very steep price for a quick limited edition car. I think it is very stylish, but the regular SLR has better styling.

The Stirling Moss edition has not been featured on mainstream television. It is playable in Supercar Challenge,  Need For Speed: Shift, Test Drive Unlimited 2, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, Shift 2: Unleashed, and Forza Motorsport 3.

Final Thought: This is one fast, highly expensive race car. I have never seen one on the road. I would have to take a regular SLR McLaren over the SLR Stirling Moss Edition. If I am going to spend $1,000,000+ on a car, I would spend it on a Bugatti or Duesenberg.

CarJunkie
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Classic Car: Mercedes-Benz 300SL

The Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing is one of the most iconic cars. It is an important car in the automotive industry. It is the first ever sports car to have a gasoline direct injection. Before the 300SL was produces, fuel and air were mixed into a carburetor before entering the engine. The 300SL coupe is also the first car to have gullwing doors, the defining characteristic for the car. The 300SL Roadster does not have the gullwing doors. The 300SL was produced from 1953 to 1963 with 1,400 coupes and 1,858 roadsters made. When the 300SL Gullwing was released, it was the fastest street-legal production car, reaching a top speed of 145 mph. It dethroned the Pegaso Z-102 as the fastest production car.

I recently saw the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe and the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster at the 20011 Houston Classy Chassis: Concours d'Elegance. The roadster looked beautiful. The coupe has a paint cracks on the front bumper. I had a scale model of the 300SL Gullwing growing up. It was nice to see a 300SL Gullwing in person.

The Mercedes-Benz 300SL is powered by a 3.0L inline-6 engine, paired with a four-speed manual that produces 212 hp and 202 lb-ft of torque. The 0-60 mph time for the 300SL Gullwing Coupe is 7.2 seconds an the 0-60 mph time for the 300SL Roadster is 7.1 seconds. Both the coupe and roadster reached a top speed of 140 mph. Both are highly desired by car collectors and are normally priced between $500,000 and $700,000. Some 300SL Gullwings can fetch $1,000,000+ if  they are in perfect condition.

The Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing has been featured at Jay Leno's Garage. James May reviewed the 300SL Gullwing during Top Gear Series 5, Episode 5. A few Chasing Classic Cars episodes featured the 300SL Gullwing Coupe and 300SL Roadster. The 300SL Gullwing Coupe is playable in Grand Theft Auto, Grand Theft Auto 2, World Race, Scarface: The World is Yours, London Racer: Destruction Madness, World Racing 2, Project Gotham Racing 2, Chrono Q HG, London Racer: World Challenge, Autobahn Raser IV, Breakneck, American Highways, Carmageddon, Gran Turismo 4, Gran Turismo 5, Forza Motorsport, Forza Motorsport 2, Forza Motorsport 3, Sega GT 2002, Enthusia Professional Racing, Mafia II, Test Drive Unlimited, Test Drive Unlimited 2, Mille Miglia, and many other games. The 300 SL Roadster is playable in World Racing, World Racing 2, GT Legends, and Mille Miglia.

The 300SL Gullwing Coupe and 300SL Roadster are the iconic Mercedes-Benz cars. They are highly collectible and the 300SL Gullwing Coupe is the basis for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The SLS may have better technology, but it will never capture the spirit of the 300SL Gullwing. I would much rather have the 300SL Gullwing over the SLS AMG. No car was faster that the 300SL Gullwing when it came out. Even the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss is based on the 300 SLR race car that was driven by Moss.

CarJunkie
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Auto Countdown: Questionable Decisions

The car has been around since 1886. Since that time hundreds of automotive manufacturers have made questionable cars and head-scratching decisions involving their cars. Some decisions ruin a company's image, while other decisions have signaled the death of a brand. These are the top ten questionable decisions made by car companies.

10. GM making an Australian Pontiac GTO

American Muscle Pontiac GTO

Australian Muscle Pontiac GTO

The Pontiac GTO is the grand daddy of muscle cars. It started the muscle car craze in 1964. There is nothing like American muscle cars. In 2001, GM's Australian brand Holden released the Monaro, also known as the Vauxhall Monaro VXR. Neither the Holden brand nor the Vauxhall brand are sold in America. To solve this problem, the Monaro was sold as the Pontiac GTO. It was a good performing car. Just one problem, The Pontiac GTO is American Muscle. Why would GM make a GTO that is Australian Muscle and not American Muscle. The Australian GTO was produced from 2004 to 2006 and had a huge following. This was nowhere near the worst car that wears the Pontiac badge. GM ended the Pontiac brand in 2009


9. Enzo Ferrari Showing No Respect to Ferruccio Lamborghini

Ferruccio Lamborghini originally made tractors. He also owned a few Ferraris. But the clutches of his Ferraris were inferior and he confronted Enzo Ferrari about the problems with Ferrari clutches. Lamborghini was hoping to get some respect from Ferrari as a fellow manufacturer. Enzo Ferrari told Ferruccio Lamborghini, "How dare a tractor maker tell me how to make a car!" Lamborghini was very infuriated with Ferrari, and he started his own car brand. The Lamborghini 350GT was the first of a long line of quality, high performing Lamborghinis. If Ferrari was respectful to Ferruccio Lamborghini, he may not have had to compete with Lamborghini.


8. Waterman Aerobile

People have wondered what if a car could fly. In 1957 the Waterman Aerobile was born, twenty years after Waldo Waterman started creating a prototype flying car.  It was a car that could also fly. Problem is that was not good at flying and it was not a good road car either. Its wings weighed it down when flying.  The Aerobile was slow, sluggish, and had horrible handling. People who had a death wish bought this car. The only working Aerobile is held at the Smithsonian.


7. Amphicar

The Amphicar was designed to be used on the road and in the water. However, it was bad on the road and in the water. It was not watertight. If its bilge pump could not keep up with the water entering the Amphicar, it would sink. Critics claimed that the Amphicar drove like a car on water and a boat on land. It was not good as a car or as a boat.


6. Ferrari 400

Ferraris are known for stylish, high performing supercars. Ferrari also wanted to make a car that average Americans could afford. Ferrari came out with the 400. It was slow and just plain ugly. The 400 never was released in the American market. This was such a bad car that Top Gear named it one of the worst supercars of all time.


5. Aston Martin Lagonda

Aston Martin is known for luxurious, stylish, and high performing grand tourers. From 1976 to 1983, Aston Martin came out with the Lagonda, a four-door sedan. It had a few problems. Its electronics were complicated and unreliable. Classic British cars were known for their bad electronic systems. It was also an eye sore. Bloomberg Weekly named it one of the 50 ugliest cars in the past 50 years. Every car maker has a questionable car. The Lagonda is the one ugly car in a long line of gorgeous Aston Martins.

4. Lamborghini LM002

Lamborghini is known for making some of the fastest cars in the world. The Muira, Countach, and Diablo all held the title as the "World's Fastest Street-Legal Production Car" when they were released. From 1986 to 1993, Lamborghini was producing the only SUV to where the Lamboghini bull. Dubbed the "Rambo Lambo," the Lamborghini LM002 was big, ugly, and expensive. It cost over $100,000 when it was new. Only the richest elites could afford to own a LM002. Lamborghinis are known for speed, but the LM002 only managed a top speed of 130 mph.


3. Chevrolet Camero "Iron Duke"/ 305 Corvette California

Camaro Iron Duke

Corvette 305 California

The Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette were to of the best performing vehicles made by GM. So why would GM decide to put a 2.5L I4 in a Camaro. Dubbed the Camaro "Iron Duke," this Camaro to over 20 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph. Around the same time, GM decided to put a 305 cubic inch V8 into a Corvette. The engine was held back by California's tough emission standards. The three-speed automatic transmission that came with this Corvette just hindered its performance. The 305 cubic inch V8 put out 180 hp. The Corvette and Camaro are known for being high performing American muscle cars. But the Camaro Iron Duke and Corvette 305 just could not perform.

2. Pontiac Aztek

Pontiac Aztek

The Pontiac Aztek is one of the original crossover SUVs. Unfortunately for Pontiac, it was an eye sore. Its styling earned the Aztek a spot on Time Magazines "50 worst cars of all time" and was called the 34th worst invention of all time in 2010. The Aztek marked a decline in the Pontiac brand, and in 2009, Pontiac was no more. One can blame the end of Pontiac on the Aztek failure.

1. Pinto Memo, again

Ford Pinto

Ford Crown Victoria

The Ford Pinto was a dangerous car. In a rear end collision, the car would be on fire. The gas tank was outside the wheelbase, and would burst in a rear end collision. Ford knew about the fatal flaw. Ford was faced with a decision. Ford could either recall the Pinto to fix the issue, or not fix the issue. In a company policy known as the Pinto Memo, Ford found it cheaper to pay for the death and injury lawsuit than to fix the issue. Ford faced the same problem with the Crown Victoria in the 1990s and 2000s. The Crown Victoria was known for being used as a police car. But it had the same problem as the Pinto. It exploded when involved in a rear end collision. Many police officers died when their Crown Victorias exploded in rear end collisions. One would think Ford would have learned a lesson with the Pinto. But Ford made the same mistake with the Crown Victoria. Ford was never found reliable in any Crown Victoria accident.


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First Impression: Ferrari 458 Italia

Ferrari is known for producing fast, high performing supercars. The car brand started making rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive V8 supercars in 1975 with the 308 GTB. In 2009, Ferrari started production on the 458 Italia, the latest rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive supercar from the Italian car brand. The 458 Italia is a unique Ferrari. It is one of the few cars that redlines at 9000 rpm and it is the first rear mid-engine Ferrari with direct fuel injection.

I first saw the Ferrari 458 Italia outside a restaurant in Houston. This was right after I saw Top Gear's review of the 458. I love the styling of this car. It also makes appearances at Houston Car and Coffee events. Two 458 Italias were drivable at the 2011 Houston Classy Chassis: Concours d'Elegance for a minimum fee of $40. My first thought is that the 458 looked more aggressive than its predecessors, 360 and F430. The deformed winglets on the front grill lower at lower speed to reduce drag. The body is designed for aerodynamic efficiency and producing downforce. The exterior design of the 458 not only improve performance of the car, but the design also makes the 458 stunning to look at.

The Ferrari 458 Italia is powered by a 4.5L V8, paired with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, that produces 570 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in under 3.4 seconds. It reaches a top speed exceeding 202 mph. Prices for the Ferrari 458 Italia start at $225,000. This is the one of the least expensive cars of the current Ferrari model range and it is also on of the fastest current Ferrari. The price is on par for a car that exceeds 200 mph and a 0-60 time of under 3.5 seconds.

Jeremy Clarkson reviewed the Ferrari 458 Italia during Top Gear Series 15, Episode 6. Clarkson raced the 458 against a Ferrari F430 in a drag race and won. James May drove the 458 Italia during the 2010 USA Road Trip Special. The 458 Italia will be the vehicle for the autobot Mirage in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. The Ferrari 458 Italia is playable in Gran Turismo 5, Forza Motorsport 3, Ferrari: The Race Experience, GT Racing: Motor Academy, Test Drive Unlimited 2, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, Car Town, and Transformers: Dark of the Moon Video Game.

Final Thought: This is an incredible car. The price is average for a car that can exceed speeds of over 200 mph. Most cars that have the performance similar to the 458 Italia start at prices around $225,000. Its rival, the Lamborghini Gallardo, starts around $210,000 dollars. Compared to the LFA, which has the same performance as the 458 Italia and costs $375,000, the 458 Italia is a bargain. The 458 Italia continues the tradition of stylish high performing Ferraris.

CarJunkie
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First Impression: Audi R8

Audi R8 V10 Spyder

quattro GmbH is the high performance subsidiary of of Audi AG. quattro GmbH got its name from the original four-wheel rally car, the Audi Quattro. quattro cars do not sell cars under its own brand, but instead under the Audi marque quattro is responsible for the Audi RS3, RS4, RS5, RS6, and R8. The Audi R8 is the only mid-engine supercar that bears the Audi four-ring badge. Production for the R8 started in 2006 with the R8 coupe being released in 2007 and the R8 Spyder being released in 2009. The R8 GT, the fastest and lightest of the R8s was released in May 2010. The R8 originally came with a V8, but a V10 version was revealed on December 9, 2008.

The Audi R8 is a regular participant of the Houston Cars and Coffee events. I have seen a few on the roads of Houston. The R8 is one of the best looking cars I have seen at the Cars and Coffee events. Audi showed the spyder version of the R8 at the 2011 Houston Auto Show. This was one of the best cars on display at the Houston Auto Show. I love the styling of the Audi R8.

The Audi R8 comes with three different engines. The 4.2L V8 produces 44 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The V8 coupe goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 187 mph. The V8 spyder goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 186 mph. Prices for the V8 Coupe start at $114,200 and prices for the V8 Spyder start at $128,950. The 5.2L V10 produces 525 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. The V10 coupe goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 196 mph and prices for the V10 coupe start at $149,000. The V10 Spyder goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 194 mph with prices starting at $162,700. The R8 GT has the 5.2L V10 that is tuned to produce 560 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. The R8 GT goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 198 mph with prices starting at $196,800. All R8s come with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed R tonic single-clutch semi-automatic transmission. R8s with the R tonic transmissions cost a little bit more than the R8s with the manual transmission. No matter what engine, body style or transmission you go with, the R8 will be quick, fast, and stylish for a good price.

Top Gear has featured the Audi R8 multiple times. The R8 V8 coupe was reviewed during Series 10, Episode 2, when it was being compared to a Porsche 997 Carrera S. The Audi R8 V10 Coupe was being compared to a Corvette ZR1 during Series 14, Episode 2. The R8 V10 Spyder was being compared to a Porsche 997 Turbo Cabriolet during Series 15, Episode 4. The Audi R8 made two appearances on Battle of the Supercars. In season 1, episode 11, a tuned Audi R8 went up against a tuned Porsche 997 Turbo. In season 1, episode 13, The Audi R8 competed against the Lexus LFA. Both the R8 V8 coupe and the R8 V10 Coupe were shown at www.jaylenosgarage.com. The R8 was the vehicle mode for the Decepticon Sideways in the film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The R8 is playable in Driver: San Francisco, Project Gotham Racing 4, Gran Turismo 5, Need For Speed: Pro Street, Drift City, RayCity, Shift 2: Unleashed, Forza Motorsport 2, Need For Speed: Undercover, Midnight Club: Los Angeles, GTR Evolution, French Street Racing, Burnout Paradise, Need For Speed: Nitro, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen the Video Game, European Street Racing, Forza Motorsport 3, Blur, Need For Speed: Shift, Asphalt 5, Modnation Racer, Need For Speed: World, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, Split/Second, Test Drive Unlimited 2, and many other games.

Final Thought: I am not a big Audi fan, but I love the Audi R8, especially its styling. I think it is one of the better looking rear-mid engine supercars on the road. I think the price is fair for what the R8 is. I was not happy when it was sliced in half in the film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. I don't car if Michael Bay used a real R8 or a computer-generated R8, he should not have had an R8 split in half.

CarJunkie
Photos were taken from a digital camera and a camera phone

Auto Countdown: Worst Cars Featured in Transformers

The Transformers franchise has featured many cool vehicles as disguises for the robots. But there have been a few cars that should never have been used as disguises. These are the 10 worst cars featured in Transformers.
(Disclaimers: One car per brand. Earth cars only. No service or military vehicles.)


10. Porsche 924 (Transformers G1: Autobot Cliffjumper)

Porsche and Volkswagen collaborated on making a entry-level, front-engine sports car for Volkswagen, called the 425, using a VW I4 engine. However, Volkswagen pulled out of the project. Porsche released the car and called it the Porsche 924. Porsche kept the VWI4 engine instead of using a Porsche engine. The I4 used in the 924 produced 125 hp and the 924 was one of the slowest Porsches ever made. Car and Driver criticized the brake system of the 924, stating that the 924 brakes where a step back from the the Porsche 914 brakes. The styling of the 924 keeps it from being  lower on the list.


9. Hummer H2 (Transformers Live Films: Autobot Ratcher)

I have a few issues with the Hummer H2. One, it is an expensive Chevrolet Suburban. Two, a majority of Hummer H2 owners bought this car because they were compensating for something. The Hummer H1 was based on a military car and was a cool car. The H2 is just a monster on the road.


8. GMC C4500 (Transformers Live Films: Autobot Ironhide)

I am not a big fan of pickup trucks. The GMC Topkik C4500 has 300 hp and 520 lb-ft of torque, but its 0-60 mph time is 14.4 seconds and its top speed is 75 mph. A Toyota Prius could beat this car in a drag race. Prices for these trucks start at $70,000. Not only is the C4500 slow, but it is also expensive. The two exhaust pipes are a huge plus and keep the GMC Kickback C4500 at the 8th spot on this list.


7. Jeep Wrangler CJ-7 (Transformers G1: Autobot Rollbar)

A very popular car for off-road activities. The CJ-7 had an array of issues. Its carburetor was erratic and could cause the car to stall when slowing down or stopping. The engine would catch fire. The car had electrical problems. With the Jeep Wrangler CJ-7, just expect every problem. The off-road capability keeps it from going lower on the list.


6. Scion xB (Transformers Animated: Decepticon Soundwave)

This car is just a box on wheels. It is slow, underpowered, and marketed for young drivers. City cars are known for being underpowered and slow, but they are suppose to get good gas mileage. The Scion xB does not get good gas mileage. The only reason why the Scion xB is at the 6th spot because it has better styling than the top five entries on this worst list.

5. Honda City Turbo (Transformers G1: Autobot Skids)

If there is one type of car I hate, it is the slow, underpowered subcompact/city car. The turbo version of the Honda City has good acceleration for 1980s standards, but it still has a low top speed. Also, I also hate the styling of this car.

4. Volkswagen Bettle (Transformers G1: Autobot Bumblebee and Autobot Goldbug)

The Volkswagen Beetle had a list of problems. The electrical system had flawed wiring, front seat belts were poorly anchored, suspension had to be fixed, some Beetles had the front bumper omitted, the master cylinder was poorly installed. The Beetle was also underpowered and slow. The Beetle had better styling than the number 2 entry, landing the Beetle at the number 3 slot.


3. Nissan Vanette (Transformers G1: Autobot Ironhide and Autobot Ratchet)

The Nissan Vanette is a slow, underpower van. I am not a big fan of vans. The Vanette was just ugly. Those reasons make the Vanette the thrid worst car used by the Transformers franchise.


2. Pontiac Fiero (Transformers G1: Punch/Counterpunch)

The Pontiac Fiero is the only car from GM to have the engine located in the rear-middle of the car. During its lifetime, it had a few problems. The engine was known to catch fire and the cooling system had its own issues. The Fiero was also slow and underpowered, but it was a quick car. The engine and cooling system issues put the Fiero at number 2 on this list.


1. Chevrolet Beat and Trax (Transformers Live Film: Autobot Skids and Mudflap)

Skids on the left and Mudflap on the right

I was going to use the Chevrolet Volt here, but it did not get the screen time that the Beat and Trax got. Both Mudflap and Skids were just plain annoying. I could not stand those two and just made the second Transformers even worse. The Beat and Trax were not sold in the American market, but these two Chevrolets remind me of a horrendous car, the Chevrolet Aveo. The Aveo is one of the worst cars on the American roads. Chevrolet did a poll with the Beat, Trax, and Grooves, and the Beat won. Chevrolet put the Beat into production. The Beat is slow, sluggish, and underpowered. Chevrolet has never had a decent subcompact car. Besides, the Trax is not being made and the Beat will be sold in America as the Spark starting in 2012. Why Michael Bay had to feature these two cars, I have no idea.

CarJunkie