http://Autoholics.com Powered by CarDomain en-US MVC RSS http://autoholics.com/2012/05/17/-The-Impossible-Texting-and-Driving-Test-636178 5/17/2012 3:15:00 PM MrAngry Heres the deal: regardless of how talented you think you are at texting while driving, youre not. In fact the odds of you killing and/or maiming yourself and others is actually pretty damn good. Dont believe me? Click through for the video and watch as some amateur drivers are put to the texting test. [more] http://autoholics.com/2012/05/17/-Corvette-Mudbog-Absolute-Fail-636174 5/17/2012 2:21:00 PM ksingh The price of C5s mustreallybe coming down if rednecks can now afford to abuse them in mudbogging competitions. Yikes! Video below the jump. [more] Corvette vs. Mud http://autoholics.com/2012/05/17/-Craigslist-Special--Camping-in-Miniature-636167 5/17/2012 12:54:00 PM SuzyBruisy Minitruck campers used to be a much more common sight than they are now. Maybe it's because people are just getting bigger. This Toyota Chinook camper appears to be in awesome shape, with everything working and only 5,500 miles on the 20R motor. And as RVs go, you sure can't beat the gas mileage! Check out the listing on Sacramento Craigslist. http://autoholics.com/2012/05/17/Caption-Contest--This-Week-s-Winner--635440 5/17/2012 12:00:00 PM 66Mope This week's win goes to a1veedubber for "Now where did I put that centercap?" Tune in tomorrow for another jacked caption contest! http://autoholics.com/2012/05/17/-Shelby-s-Pocket-Rockets-636134 5/17/2012 11:07:00 AM SuzyBruisy Redline Dodge is running a cool retrospective on the 2.2L compacts on which Carroll Shelby collaborated with Dodge in the 80s under Lee Iacocca. I've always wanted an Omni GLH, and I also kind of dig this Shelby Shadow (known as the CSX), which was mentioned in the article but not pictured. Interesting point: "Looking back, one could argue that Dodge and Shelby created the FWD Tuner market over two decades ago." Read the rest here. http://autoholics.com/2012/05/17/Pierpaolo-Lazzarini-s-Formula-Future--632992 5/17/2012 10:11:00 AM fireballtim Great concept by Pierpaolo Lazzarini, a series of design studies entitled "Formula Future."Those are some slick and huge race cars! But the designer's name is a bit long, so let's just call Laz. Laz's car would have been a good racer for Speed Racer, but it brings up the question, "What is the future of Formula 1 over the next 50 years?" Could cars like this actually be the norm? If they are, then the track will have to get a bit bigger, too. And... the teams, the fuel systems, everything. Even the girls at the track. Not bigger girls, I mean... just more of them. And that, would be a good thing. Wait. What was this about again? Oh, great job here on the car. More views below the jump! Peace Out. [more] http://autoholics.com/2012/05/17/What--A-Holden-Commodore-is-All-But-A-Sure-Thing-For-NASCAR-635998 5/17/2012 8:57:00 AM SuzyBruisy Chevy has been in a bit of a tizzy over what to run as its next Sprint Cup car, with Ford and Dodge both switching to complellingly sexed-up versions of their production offerings. GM has already ruled out the Camaro, even for the ponycar-riddled Nationwide Series, over some snobbery about compromising the Camaro's "classic lines." And as for the sedan-like offerings you usually see in stock-car racing, Chevy is out of options: its long-in-the-tooth Impala is the only car they've run since 2007, and the production version is FWD and frankly boring (well, so is the Camry, though that hasn't stopped Toyota from running it in NASCAR. Though that's another story...) Enter the RWD, V8-powered Holden Commodore, Australian equivalent of the now-defunct Pontiac G8. The G8's return as a Chevy-badged item has been in the works for some time now, and showed up most recently on US soil as the non-civilian Caprice PPV cop car. Now, Chevy has promised a civilian "SS Performance Sedan" based on the Commodore/G8 (owner forum already up and running here), and is expected to announce today that a version of this car will run in NASCAR's top series. Stay tuned for updates. Via NASCAR Examiner. http://autoholics.com/2012/05/16/Photo-of-the-Day--635722 5/16/2012 3:44:00 PM 66Mope Today's pic comes from themeanmarine83s Chevrolet Cobalt ride page! http://autoholics.com/2012/05/16/-New-In-The-CarDomain-Garage--2012-Volvo-XC70-635860 5/16/2012 2:58:00 PM SuzyBruisy I have to say, I haven't had a lot of respect for these ever since I saw one hopelessly stuck in the sand dunes of North Carolina's Outer Banks when I was out there relatively effortlessly four-wheelin' in my 30-year-old Eagle. Since then, I've always thought of them as a sort of imitation AMC Eagle, not a real 4x4 station wagon but a yuppie cream-puff good for navigating a snowy driveway but not much else. After taking this brand-new XC70 for a spin, however, I'm feeling a little better about them. The thing feels solid, and in this sense it's unmistakably Volvo. Still not sure I'd take it offroad--Volvo would probably be pretty bummed if they had to send a wrecker to come drag their brand new loaded test car out of the woods. And since Rob is getting this one for the majority of the week, I think we should leave the write-up to him. He's the Volvo guy, after all. Stay tuned! http://autoholics.com/2012/05/16/HHR-Nomad-635727 5/16/2012 2:03:00 PM 66Mope Epic win or epic fail? It was just on eBay but got no bids... http://autoholics.com/2012/05/16/-Survivor-Shelby-GT500-Convertible-on-eBay-635856 5/16/2012 1:09:00 PM SuzyBruisy While it looks a little rough, this 58K-mile GT500 is purportedly a single-owner Florida car with no significant rust. It appears to be a tad smashed up, particularly in the front, and someone's started some bad quarter-panel bodywork that's showing some surface rust-through where it was left in bare primer (newsflash everyone: primer is not watertight). It doesn't even have the original motor, though it comes with the original big block that the owner blew up while racing. The seller is trying to leverage Carroll Shelby's recent passing to get a quick sale: "this is the first time ever it has been for sale today MAY 11, 2012 the day CARROLL SHELBY DIES i know terrible news ........ in 1989 when ENZO FERRARI DIED 30 days later all ferrari's quadrupled in price. NOW IS THE TIME for you to buy a pre 68 shelby (last year hand built car ) before they also quadruple in price[sic]" Not sure I'm really buying this line of argument, though there's a lot of interest: this GT500 is currently approaching 40 bids and is the most-watched vehicle on eBay Motors. Check out the listing! http://autoholics.com/2012/05/16/-Tony-Hawk-Jumps-Over-Lexus-LFA-on-His-Skateboard-635852 5/16/2012 12:25:00 PM ksingh Hey, if you're going to let someone get this close to your supercar with a skateboard, it might as well be Tony Hawk. Video below the jump! [more] Tony Hawk Jumps Over Lexus LFA on a Skateboard! http://autoholics.com/2012/05/16/The-Truth-About-Electric-Motorcycles-635824 5/16/2012 11:16:00 AM MrAngry Heres the deal the world is simply not ready for electric vehicles. We dont have the infrastructure, the battery technology isnt up to snuff yet, and at days end electric vehicles simply dont provide the range necessary for 99% of the driving population. Wes Siler of the DRIVE Network recently took out the new 2012 Zero DS electric motorcycle. Its got an 84 mph top speed and a 112-mile range, but the real question is will an electric motorcycle provide all the thrills and fun that todays petrol powered bikes do? Video after the jump! [more] http://autoholics.com/2012/05/16/Tron-Uprising-All-New-Full-Episode-635493 5/16/2012 10:19:00 AM fireballtim So, you don't have to wait to see the first episode of the new animated Tron Uprising. And it's nearly as good as Tron Legacy... only a bit shorter. If you liked the movie, then this is your thing... Check out the episode after the jump! [more] http://autoholics.com/2012/05/16/-Department-of-Really-Stupid-Questions---Is-It-Ethical-To-Drive-Stick---635737 5/16/2012 8:56:00 AM SuzyBruisy Not everyone is happy about the apparent resergence in the manual transmission's popularity. David Sirota, normally a pretty intelligent writer, is concerned about the "ethics" of transmission choice, an inquiry which seems to revolve around the perceived harm to the environment caused by tiny increases in fuel consumption in "some" new manual-equipped vehicles when compared to their automatic-equipped counterparts. Wait... what? We're talking about 6.75% of all new vehicles sold this year. And out of that, a smaller proportion whose automatic transmission is sophisticated enough to squeeze out a tiny theoretical advantage in fuel efficiency, usually limited to 1 or 2 additional mpg's. And bearing in mind that the bulk of manual-transmission vehicles sold are little four-bangers anyway with MPG ratings in the thirties. So, this guy is actually making this argument? See for yourself. Unless I'm missing something, he's actually saying that choosing a manual is an ethical conundrum. Unlike, for example, buying a belching diesel pickup. Or reproducing. Or getting on a plane a half-dozen times a year. Or buying a new car, period, with all the resource consumption, pollution and waste that its manufacture will necessarily entail. Nope, the thing that will bring on the environmental apocalyse is your little $13K crapbox Mazda 2, that you just had to get with the 5-speed, now didn't you?? If the rhetorical purpose of this article is to remind the consume-yourself-green crowd to check the MPG ratings before mindlessly opting for the manual on their new vehicle, then fine. But to malign an entire transmission category usually belonging to an already low-emitting vehicle based on the idea that its theoretical efficiency is sometimes eclipsed by a computer-laden automatic? That just seems like lazy thinking. Read the article here and decide for yourself. http://autoholics.com/2012/05/16/Epic-High-Side-Save-635696 5/16/2012 8:15:00 AM 66Mope The rider is Genki Hagata and this was shot at Infineon Raceway in California during a recent AMA race. Guy has skills. Video after the jump! Via BangShift [more] http://autoholics.com/2012/05/15/-Photo-of-the-Day-635616 5/15/2012 5:12:00 PM SuzyBruisy Today's photo is from IcyAccord's ride page. http://autoholics.com/2012/05/15/Do-You-Still-Listen-to-CDs-in-Your-Car--635608 5/15/2012 4:47:00 PM 66Mope According to The Detroit Free Press, manufacturers are looking forward to ditching CD players since they are heavy and take up so much valuable real estate. I still have tape decks in two cars of my three cars. My 2007 Mustang GT has a CD changer, but I prefer to just plug my phone into the aux and stream Pandora or Spotify. How about you? http://autoholics.com/2012/05/15/-Weird--74-Honda-Civic-Convertible-on-eBay-635610 5/15/2012 3:03:00 PM SuzyBruisy While it's probably true that anything can be converted into a drop-top, it doesn't necessarily mean that everything should be. This Civic 'vert is a hand-crafted creation of fiberglass and bondo, and yes, I'm sure it turns heads wherever it goes. But maybe not for the reasons the owner thinks it does. Check it out on eBay! http://autoholics.com/2012/05/15/How-To-Change-the-Oil-on-a-Fiat-500-635602 5/15/2012 1:59:00 PM 66Mope I think it took me longer to read this little how-to than it takes me to change the oil in my Mopar or Volvo. Modern cars seem to have a way of complicating the simplest stuff. Read the whole step-by-step DIY guide at The Car Lounge and let us know what you think! http://autoholics.com/2012/05/15/-Go-Granny-Go--635563 5/15/2012 12:59:00 PM ksingh Watch this cool grandma pull an 11-second run in her AMG Mercedes. Video below the jump! [more] Grandma Does A Burnout in Mercedes Benz AMG http://autoholics.com/2012/05/15/Dogs-in-Cars---Slobber-on-Windows-635568 5/15/2012 11:45:00 AM MrAngry When I see dogs hanging out of the windows of automobiles all I can think of is the amount of slobber that the owner is going to have to clean off the upholstery. Now granted, I know they get a big kick out of the wind in their face and all, but I find it to be a bit much. Knowing however that he majority of the human population loves these K9s though has prompted me to post this. Check it out over atVimeo. http://autoholics.com/2012/05/15/Could-a-Hybrid-Actually-Appeal-to-Gearheads--635486 5/15/2012 10:52:00 AM ecosse_pug Last year I had a brief play with the Honda CR-Z, and like many others, I could not help but think that the car would have made much more sense if it has just had a screaming VTEC bolted under the hood. Then just recently I got to spend a week with one and realised I perhaps missed the point... Check out my video review below the jump! [more] http://autoholics.com/2012/05/15/Carroll-Shelby-1923-2012-635360 5/15/2012 9:51:00 AM StreetsideStig If you want to teach your children about race cars, not just about how they work, but about what they do, show them a 1964 Shelby Daytona. A Daytona coupe is nothing to glance at. It defies the cursory glance, the magnetic speed of its design and engineering requires more. It lingers there in your mind, drawing in bold, black, double lines the very idea of a race car. Only six of them were built, and they all remain, now outliving the man responsible for their creation. Last Thursday, Carroll Shelby passed away at the age of 89, after complications with an illness. He leaves a wake of legend. [more] Like a comic book superhero, Shelby started life in weakness, often bedridden with a malfunctioning heart valve. He didnt outgrow this issue until he was 14. But it seems the energy of childhood only stored itself up, because as soon as Shelby could move, he was moving fast. Even before he was old enough to drive, he tore his bicycle around abandoned race tracks in Texas. And its said that his first licensed foray onto public roads in his fathers Willys ended in a speeding ticket. After high school he joined the US Army Air Corps, where he worked as a test pilot and flight instructor. After World War II, he traded the stick for a steering wheel and began a career as a racing driver for European marques like Cad-Allard, Maserati, and Healy. In the latter he set 16 speed records, both national and international. He even competed in Formula One in 1958 and 1959, but was generally unsuccessful. In 1959, he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans driving an Aston Martin. Quitting while he was ahead, Shelby took his health problems into account and ended his driving career. But he kept racing, this time from the garage. He formed Shelby American, a small manufacturer and tuning operation closely allied (at first) with Ford. Shelbys initial success was the AC-based Cobra, a tiny, gorgeous, British roadster with a Ford V8 wedged under the small, flip-forward bonnet. The Cobra was an instant favorite, preferred by racing drivers everywhere. It won and kept winning. Ford was so impressed they charged Shelby with the task of reworking their fledgling but successful pony car, the Mustang. The Shelby GT350 and GT500 were among the most potent muscle cars of their era, and remain some of the most desirable Mustangs ever built. Shelby even worked on the astounding GT40 supercar, designed specifically to defeat Ferrari at Le Mans. Later Shelby American worked with the other American manufacturers, as well. His all original roadster, the Series 1, was powered by an Oldsmobile V8, though it wasnt well supported by the dying brand. Shelby also worked on several cars for Dodge, including the Goes Like Hell GLH Omni and the 1983-4 Shelby Charger (undoubtedly the only shining light in the whole generation). Shelby was also part of the Technical Policy Committee for the original Viper. Not everyone loved Carroll Shelby, and the brilliant surface of his life is marred by a few memorable controversies. In 2002 he partnered with Unique Performance, a custom builder in Texas who was found to use prison laborers and gallons of Bondo. Back in the 1960s, Shelby illegally limited Cobra production, skipping over large blocks of VIN plates so the Cobra could meet homologation standards. He released them decades later as missing chassis and frames. Predictably, they were built from scratch. When you heard those words, I think we found you a heart, there is nothing so sweet, said Shelby in 1991, shortly before his heart transplant. The experience of waiting for a heart and living through the complications involved inspired him to create the Carroll Shelby Foundation, which financially assists children in the same situation. For all his illustrious racing wins and unforgettable machines, this is certainly his most important acheivement. Carroll Shelby made hobbies of things most of us only imagine. He will be missed. He is already. Andy Sheehan is a staff writer for StreetsideAuto.com. http://autoholics.com/2012/05/15/Extra-Stupid-Lambo-Wreck-635412 5/15/2012 9:03:00 AM 66Mope Just hard to believe. Video after the jump. Via Jalopnik [more] http://autoholics.com/2012/05/15/-Every-Gear-Shift-In-All-Five-Fast-and-Furious-Movies-635479 5/15/2012 8:06:00 AM SuzyBruisy As pointless compilations go, this is right up there with my other favorite: every weird sound Krang ever made in the original TMNT series. This one might be a little more relevant to car enthusiasts, though. Hit the jump for the video! [more] http://autoholics.com/2012/05/14/Photo-of-the-Day-635315 5/14/2012 3:57:00 PM 66Mope Today's pic comes from Shaved73s Volkswagen Beetle ride page! http://autoholics.com/2012/05/14/Firebird-Monster-Truck-Donuts---635321 5/14/2012 2:47:00 PM ksingh Ever seen a 4x4 '68 Firebird spinning donuts? You have now! Video after the jump! [more] Binderbird doin donuts http://autoholics.com/2012/05/14/Vintage-Skyline-GT-R-on-the-Track-635310 5/14/2012 1:47:00 PM 66Mope Check out this cool new video by Depth of Speed over at Vimeo. Old school JDM FTW! http://autoholics.com/2012/05/14/You-re-Doing-it-Wrong--Donk-Nova-635303 5/14/2012 12:01:00 PM MrAngry The first gen Chevrolet Nova is a great little car. Theyve got a short wheelbase, they look great and at days end can be picked up for a song. The one you see here is no exception except for the fact that its been completely ruined by a set of DONK wheels and the worst white/gold walled combination tires Ive ever seen. UGH it hurts to just look at it. Via YouDriveWhat.com http://autoholics.com/2012/05/14/Leopard-Print-Murcielago-635299 5/14/2012 10:47:00 AM 66Mope Check out this crazy Lambo spotted recently on the streets of Tokyo. Two more pics after the jump. Via GTSpirit [more] http://autoholics.com/2012/05/14/-Next-Gen-BMW-Wagon--The-US-Will-Get-It-635257 5/14/2012 10:06:00 AM SuzyBruisy Good, we definitely need more wagons. The new 328i Sport Wagon won't arrive in US showrooms until spring of 2013. No specs released yet on the US powertrain, but the European version (called the Touring) will get a turbocharged 2.0 gas motor producing 241 hp. Let's hope we also get the Touring's six-speed manual with that! The other option is an 8-speed automatic, which will go with one of the European version's two diesel motors, a 184 hp 2.0 and a 255 hp 3.0L inline six! Via Carscoop. http://autoholics.com/2012/05/14/Brillo-Bumper-Brighten-up-635279 5/14/2012 9:10:00 AM MrAMC1 So I banzi-ed into a swap meet this past weekend looking for parts to buy for resale at a big hot rod show I'm going to this weekend. What I found was a really dirty set of ribbed '49 Plymouth bumpers. These are a hot item on any '50s style custom and are rare and desireable. After plunkling down $60 each I had three dirty bumpers to clean up. Here's one inits freshly picked state. Continue reading... [more] Now to clean them up all I needed was a little water and some Brillo pads. Scrub a little with some water and bam! Check out the dirty and rusty left side compared to the freshly polished right. After about half an hour I had two bumpers shining like new. Then I did the last one and all the bumper guards. Now what I have is three very nice and very rare bumpers that shine in the sun and have good enough chrome for most daily drivers and some show cars. I paid $60 each. After an hour of cleanup I'm going to ask $200 each. Let's see how I do. http://autoholics.com/2012/05/14/Spectre-Peformance-Double-Dually-635284 5/14/2012 8:22:00 AM 66Mope This badass Caddy started life as a 2004 Chevy Silverado dually and was built to be the push vehicle for Spectres land speed racers at Bonneville. It's powered by a 500 cubic inch Caddy big block with a pair of Garrett turbochargers pushing 1,425 horsepower and 1,671 foot pounds of torque. Full story at Speedhunters! http://autoholics.com/2012/05/14/-Craigslist-Special--AMC-Eagle-Rockcrawler-635253 5/14/2012 8:01:00 AM SuzyBruisy It may need a little help to be a road-going vehicle, but for wheelin' purposes, it's pretty much turn-key. I like that it's already got the Grand Wagoneer low-range transfer case swap that I want for my own Eagle. The built-in quarter-panel toolbox is a nice touch, too. The ad has already been pulled down from Craigslist (because it sold??), but Jalopnik saved it here. What do you think: does this look like 1400 bucks worth of fun? http://autoholics.com/2012/05/13/-Recycling-a-Car-635125 5/13/2012 10:25:00 AM 66Mope Ever wondered what happens to a car after it is sold for scrap? Car and Driver followed a 210,000-mile 1993 BMW 3-series to find out--it can be a surprisingly lucrative business. Read the full story at Car and Driver http://autoholics.com/2012/05/12/Treasure-Trove-of-Cool-Mid-Century-Garage-Doors-634995 5/12/2012 12:23:00 PM SuzyBruisy Whenever I've seen one of these Jetsons-era garage doors adorned with the silhouette of a star, boomerang, rocket ship, or other fifties-era kitsch, it's always on a sad, run-down house that gives no hint of its original postwar grandeur. With these well-kept specimens, however, you almost see the pristine chrome-finned cruiser that's most definitely lurking within. More doors below the jump, via The Garage Journal. [more] http://autoholics.com/2012/05/12/The-Ultimate-Sleeper--634767 5/12/2012 7:24:00 AM 66Mope This '72 Nova was my favorite car at SEMA way back in 2006. We even have a ride page for it on CarDomain. Mike caught up with the current owner for a closer look at what still may be the ultimate sleeper. Video after the jump! [more] http://autoholics.com/2012/05/11/-Photo-of-the-Day-634830 5/11/2012 3:44:00 PM SuzyBruisy From iforged-1's Cobra ride page, here's a little Shelby love for today's photo. And from Carroll Shelby's Facebook fan page, "The race is run, the flag unfurled, the champion will now rest. God speed, Carroll Shelby, we will never forget you." http://autoholics.com/2012/05/11/2013-Subaru-WRX-to-Get-Electric-Turbocharger--632769 5/11/2012 2:45:00 PM 66Mope After being bit by the STI bug on the autocross down at Fontana, I've been trying to stay on top of the next gen WRX/STI rumors. Details are few and far between--maybe because right now all the focus is on the BRZ? But here's a weird one: electric turbo for the next WRX? According to Autoblog: ...heat from the exhaust would be captured, but instead of using the exhaust pressure to turn the turbocharger's turbine, the heat energy would be converted to electricity, which would then spin the impellers. This could be more efficient, as well as eliminating the piping and turbo lag. Hey, whatever works... Just make it look good and keep it affordable, ok? http://autoholics.com/2012/05/11/-R-I-P--Carroll-Shelby--January-11--1923---May-10--2012--634784 5/11/2012 1:31:00 PM SouthernGuy8503 I can't believe I just found that Carroll Shelby passed yesterday, May 10th (my birthday). The cause of death still has not been announced, and all I can find is that he was hospitalized recently for pneumonia. Carroll Shelby was an absolute universal household name in the automotive industry. Anyone who has ever turned a wrench seems to be at least passingly familiar with who he was and what he has contributed to our hobby. Whether you're into classic muscle, current pony cars, trucks, domestics, imports, whatever: Shelby had an influence that touched every corner of the enthusiast world. was one of those people in the automotive industry that eveybody knew who he was and what he has done. I've never met the man, but I sure wish I had. Has anyone else? Do you own or have you owned one of his vehicles? R.I.P. to an American icon in every sense of the term. http://autoholics.com/2012/05/11/-Sport-Bike-Comes-Hurtling-Towards-Camera-634793 5/11/2012 1:16:00 PM ksingh Clearly, you don't have to be a professional photog to end up in the line of fire at a motorsports event... or to get some amazing footage while you're at it. Video below the jump! [more] Crash @ GoPro Daytona SportBike Race 2 http://autoholics.com/2012/05/11/Porsche-GT3-RS-4-0-v-BMW-M3-GTS-v-Mercedes-C63-AMG-634740 5/11/2012 11:46:00 AM MrAngry Drifting, open road hoonage and big money German automobiles are just part of what makes Chris Harriss newest DRIVE video outstanding. I mean were else can you see a Porsche GT3 RS 4.0, a BMW M3 GTS and a Mercedes C63 AMG all dooking it out at the same time. This is nothing but good old fashion fun thats wrapped up in a kick ass tire smoking package enjoy. [more] http://autoholics.com/2012/05/11/What-is-the-Best-Sounding-Car-in-Stock-Form--634662 5/11/2012 10:55:00 AM ecosse_pug Rencently I got some time to play with the new Jaguar XKR-S and it sounded pretty damn awesome. So much so I stuck my GoPro on the back and made a little compilation of sounds. With a 5.0 Supercharged V8 and an active sports exhaust it just might be one of the best sounding 'mass produced' cars. What is the best sounding new car in stock form? Plese post video files to back up your claim! [more] http://autoholics.com/2012/05/11/The-Sad-Life-of-Many-Sports-Cars-634522 5/11/2012 10:07:00 AM caraddict34 This is a 2008 BMW M3. This 4-year-old car may look friendly and sociable, but lurking beneath its calm and collected exterior is a monster trying to break free. With a 4.0 liter V8 that generates 414 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque, this deceiving sedan begs to be driven like a bat out of hell. The sport-tuned suspension, oversized brakes and a sticker price of over $60k, back in 2008, are further proof that this is no ordinary family car. So only a diehard M fan with gasoline surging through his veins would dish out more than most peoples annual salary on it. Right? Continue reading... [more] As a full-time college student, Im always looking for a little extra mula to cover my ridiculous tuition and textbook costs. So to come up with some more cash, I started doing window cleaning door to door last summer. Most people who are willing to pay someone else to clean their stuff have enough money to feed a large village for a lifetime, so I tend to stick to the wealthier neighborhoods when knocking on doors.Because Im in these high roller neighborhoods, I come across a lot of people with some pretty pricey cars. Such was the case yesterday when I came across a family that lived in a very nice 3 story house and the husband had a pristine 2008 BMW M3 parked in the garage. When I noticed the car I saw a good opportunity to take a break from cleaning and have a quick car chat with what I assumed to be a fellow auto enthusiast. When I asked the guy if he liked his M3 he responded with a quiet and unenthusiastic ya. Surprised by his response I decided to dig a little deeper. Its got the 4.0 V8 in it right? This time his answer changed to Yep but there still wasnt the slightest trace of enthusiasm in his voice. What was wrong with this guy? Every single day he got in a car that so many people, including myself, would do a lot of stupid things to drive and yet he responded to my questions with the same amount of pride as when someone asks me if Ive seen the movie Twilight. It honestly breaks my heart knowing that there are countless sports cars out there owned by men like this who never utilize them as the adrenaline pumping track destroying machines they were designed to be. I understand that the M3 is supposed to be a civilized sedan AND an exhilarating sports car but I think sometimes people buy cars like this and forget about the whole sports car part. I think dealerships should ask a series of questions before selling a car like this which include: Have you ever had a speeding ticket? Have you ever gone over 100 mph? Will you ever spin the tires in this car? If the buyer answers yes to all of these questions then theyre allowed to buy the car. If they answer no to any of them then they can buy a Toyota Corolla instead. What do you guys think? http://autoholics.com/2012/05/11/-Batman-s-Tumbler-Tour-Begins----634682 5/11/2012 9:07:00 AM fireballtim If you want a close-up look at the TUMBLER or BATPOD from the upcoming DARK KNIGHT RISES, then check out The Tumbler Tour. It's comin' to yer town, baby... maybe. Keep checking back for updates. Tour dates after the jump! [more] Bentonville, Arkansas May12 Tulsa, Oklahoma May 15 Overland Park, Kansas May 19 Kansas City, Missouri May 21 Chicago, Illinois May 25 Washington, DC May 27 Baltimore, Maryland May 28 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania May 30 Buffalo, New York June 1 Toronto, Canada June 7 Montreal, Canada June 10 Purchase, New York June12 Columbus, Ohio June 13 Lansing, Michigan June 15 Detroit, Michigan June 16 Brooklyn, Michigan June 17 Indianapolis, Indiana June 19 Nashville, Tennessee June 21 Knoxville, Tennessee June 22 Atlanta, Georgia June 23 Dallas,TexasJune 25 San Antonio, Texas June 27 El Paso, Texas June 29 Albuquerque, New Mexico July 1 Phoenix, Arizona July 2 Los Angeles, California July 7 http://autoholics.com/2012/05/11/Caption-Contest--634477 5/11/2012 8:04:00 AM 66Mope You know the drill: come up with a caption for the picture below by noon PST next Thursday. If you submit the funniest one, we'll declare you the winner. Three entries per member max. Good luck! http://autoholics.com/2012/05/11/-Car-and-Driver-Goes-Out-Puttering-in-the-New-Jeep-J-12-Concept-634656 5/11/2012 7:55:00 AM SuzyBruisy This is more than just a fusty-old-man take on the awesome J-12 concept (the author only made it a page and a half in before being compelled to exclaim, "Good God, man!"oh well)the fusty old man, I realized about halfway through the article, is indeed the J-12's target audience. The entire concept was designed with the express purpose, according to design chief Kyle Evans, of evoking "Grandpa's fishing truck," complete with the period-correct tailgate lettering and that adorable plaid-trimmed interior. And the author concurs, being in the J-12 "is a bit like returning to a cottage you havent visited in a decade or so: vaguely familiar and welcoming, except the cottage also would smell like tackle boxes and moldy life vests." Well before we all nod off over our rum toddies, definitely give the article a whirl. While it's unclear whether Car and Driver actually ever drove the thing, there's some neat backstory on its design and creation. Via Car and Driver. http://autoholics.com/2012/05/10/Photo-of-the-Day-633292 5/10/2012 5:04:00 PM 66Mope Today's pic is from cfyellas Hyundai Genesis Coupe ride page! http://autoholics.com/2012/05/10/-Hyundai-Unintended-Acceleration-Caught-on-Dash-Cam--634524 5/10/2012 3:47:00 PM SuzyBruisy Wow, the dash cam really is the smoking gun of our generation. The footage allegedly captures the sudden accelleration of a new Hyundai Sonata in South Korea. Still and all, I have some doubts about the authenticity of what we're seeing here. Odd that there's no attempt to stop the vehicle--panicked motorists usually just stand on the brake pedal in this situation--and that the occupants continue chattering throughout the entirety of the ordeal. What do you think, is the driver's allegation of unintended acceleration legit? Video below the jump, via Carscoop. [more]