2011 Scion tC Review

Weve said it before, well say it again. If you want to know the basic goodness of a car, spend some time in one that is absolutely box stock, no options whatsoever. Last time around, Scion sent us a tC with about four grand worth of options that, in our opinion, did nothing for the car. 

Well, since then, the Scion tC has been re-done...and this time around, they shipped us one with only standard equipment. The only line on the sticker after base price is $720 for delivery.

Smart move, because it underscores just how complete a package the tC is.  For $18,995 ($19,275 if equipped with a six-speed automatic like our tester), you get a nimble, stylish 3-door liftback with a 180 horsepower 16 valve DOHC four-cylinder engine, power steering, 18 inch alloy wheels, vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist. There are also 10 aribags, a tire pressure monitoring system, a first aid kit, a panoramic glass moonroof with power tilt and slide, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, cruise control, a 300-watt Pioneer AM/FM/CD unit with 8 speakers, auxilary and USB ports and iPod connectivity and a leather-trimmed sport steering wheel with audio controls.

You read that right. Thats all standard at a price under $19K if you shift it yourself.

Oh, and the tC just got awarded a 5-star overall crash rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration...remarkable for a car in this size class.

Every good thing about the tC, and weve always been a fan, has been made better in the new one. More power, better handling, and way more car for very little money. Oh, and mileage? 23 city/31 highway, according to the EPA.

Weve entered an era where manufacturers are putting economy sedans on dealer lots with stickers of 23, 24, 25...even 26 thousand dollars. Thats a hard value argument to make. Its way harder when theres something as deep-down good and well-equipped as the Scion tC for under 20.

GM Unveils Chevy Volt MPV5 Crossover At Beijing Auto Show

Chevys getting this PR momentum thing down cold. Just days after WXYZ-TV in Detroit spotted one of the first pre-production sedan models of the electric Chevy Volt parked on the street, the wraps have come off a crossover Volt.

Full details, including more pix and the GM press release at Autoblog Green.

2011 Ford Mustang GT Premium Review

The 2011 Mustang GT.

Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Ford Mustang came in second to the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird in terms of driving pleasure. The GM cousins hit the market in late 66 as better-handling cars than the original pony car, and when Ford started responding to the challenge, it was to make the Mustang bigger, not better.

Well, its nice to see that institutional memory has its limits, because as great a car as the current Camaro is, the Mustang is smaller, lighter, more tossable...more of a drivers car.

Regular TireKicker readers will remember how much we liked the V6 Mustang (no slug now that it churns out 305 horsepower)...and now, weve had our week at the wheel of the Mustang GT. The one that comes with Fords new 5.0 V8...making 402 horsepower (412 if youre running premium fuel).

Rear view of the 2011 Mustang GT. The sloping rear panel with the taillights still says "Celica" instead of "Mustang" to me.

Thats serious power for a car this size and weight, and that means most drivers will have this view of the Mustang. Even the Camaro, which has some major power of its own (426 horsepower), has a 136-pound curb weight disadvantage.

Is it really all that fun? Oh, yeah.

Ours was the Race Red you see here. And it was the GT Premium. Starting price was $32,845 (the non-premium GT begins at $29,310). That buys the 5.0, a six-speed manual transmission, auto headlamps, LED sequential taillamps (still one of our favorite gimmicks, but then we remember the mid-60s T-Birds and Cougars), stainless steel dual exhausts, variable interval wipers, electric power assist steering, 2 power points, AdvanceTrac with electronic stability control, and SOS post-crash alert system.

The 2011 Mustang GT cockpit. Slide in, choose a color for the gauges, and take off.

Theres also leather-trimmed sport seats (8-way power adjustable for the driver, manual 2-way adjustable for the front passenger), a center console with armrest, ambient lighting, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the Shaker 500 AM/FM/CD/mp3 audio system with SiriusXM and SYNC.

You could stop right there and be perfectly happy for $32,845 plus $850 delivery. But Fords press fleet office added some options. Some Id go for, some might take some selling.

First is Rapid Spec Group 401A. Its the Premier Trim with color accent package. And it makes a nice interior (Ford really upped its game on the Mustang this year) even nicer. And its only $395. Sold.

Next is the Electronics Package. $2,340 for voice-activated navigation with Sirius Traffic and Sirius Travel Link, plus HD Radio and dual-zone automatic temperature control. Hmm. I usually say no to nav (my cell phone does that and most if not all of what Sirius Traffic and Travel Link do).

Dual-zone climate control is nice, but in a cockpit as small as this one, I wonder if my being set at 70 and my passenger at 74 is really going to make a difference.

And then theres HD Radio. Depending on where you live, there might be two or three dozen radio stations you dont hear unless you have HD radio (theyre carried on sidebands of the AM and FM stations you get on normal radios). Some of them have interesting programming with music you dont hear on the motherships and very few commercials (because very few people can hear them). Its added variety in listening, but if I dont care about the nav and climate control, Im spending $2,340 for HD Radio. And thats crazy. Pass.

After that, the Security Package. $395 for an active anti-theft system and wheel-locking kit. Cheap insurance for a car that inspires this kind of lust. Deal.

Another $395 for the 3.73 ratio limited-slip axle. Thats putting money into performance, and thats what this cars all about. A keeper.

$525 for HID headlamps? Seems a little steep, but you dont want to out-run your lights...and they are good. Okay.

$1,695 for the Brembo brake package, which includes an upgrade to 19 inch painted aluminum wheels. Well worth it.

And finally, $240 for a rear-view video camera. The slope of the rear window is such, that this is a very good idea. In fact, its hard to think of a car that doesnt benefit from one of these.

So Im only passing on one option, as it turns out, and lowering the as-tested price from $39,680 to $37,340...and for this level of performance, fun and desirability its a more than fair price.

Is the 2011 Mustang GT the best Mustang ever? No doubt. And the fact that you can buy a 400-plus horsepower car with an EPA rating of 17 city/26 highway is a pretty wonderful thing, too.

Repair of the generator Nissan Primera own hands

First deprotected at the bottom of the car. This allows unimpeded access to the generator and one for the course to dismantle the radiator. In the case of this model car is a fairly simple process, not a lot of time doing. Further, the radiator must be through the bottom outlet to drain antifreeze, without removing it from the engine. In the future just cover all the pipes. Thus, the cleared space, which is necessary for subsequent work. Before removing the generator, you must unscrew the wire natyazhnik. Excerpted generator placed on the bench for the absence thereof, on the table. Pulley in this case located at the bottom. Then, he removed the cover with the logo "Magnette-Marelli. There, placed brush assembly of the generator. Butt rotor brush assembly protected by a plastic cover, located on the vertical rails. Lift it gently with a screwdriver carefully removed. Carefully inspect the brushes and making sure that they are really worn out, giving way all that is in the process will inevitably interfere. Then brush the node is removed from the generator. Carefully lift the lid on a guide mounted on a sled. Again, carefully inspect the brushes. When emergency worn brushes, and restore the generator in two ways. The most simple-minded way is to purchase another brush assembly, instead of intercourse, and its subsequent installation. Following the instructions, all collected in reverse order. Although, if there are obstacles to the acquisition of a new node, start to his self-assembly of "improvised". To do this entirely amiss brush assembly that is used for generators VAZ. From the generator cut brush directly with copper wires. But be sure to cut with a reserve. Field extracted from the original block brushes, cut them again. The result is acceptable working brush, equipped with "pigtails" tokovodov, as well as a block to the remaining similar tokovodami, complete with terminals. Next, solder them together, bends, and if necessary, customize the size of brushes with emery. Fitting brushes delicate work that requires accuracy, concentration and caution, because graphite is still quite a soft material. The generator was purified from the graphite dust inside. To successfully complete the renovation of brush to gently sink into place with a sharp, but not too hard object, so as not to cause them damage. For further assembly of the generator have resorted to an existing instruction. Upon completion of assembly, place it in the car.

New Car Review 2011 Hyundai Elantra



The 2011 Hyundai Elantra.

Its the one-two punch the Japanese have been dreading.

A little over two months ago, we reviewed the 2011 Hyundai Sonata...the upshot being that Hyundai, for 20 years the Korean underdog, had now built a credible competitor to the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord (and everything else in the family sedan segment too...Focus, Malibu, Passat...).

Well, just as Accord has Civic and Camry has Corolla...Sonata has Elantra...but its better than that. The Elantra, the smaller of the two, is as good in its class as the Sonata in its and maybe better. Its reminiscent of the days when Accord and Civic were so good you couldnt begin to come up with a reason to buy anything else.





Rear and side view of the 2011 Hyundai Elantra.

The fact is, the Elantra is every bit as good a car as the Sonata...its just smaller and gets significantly better gas mileage (29 city/40 highway to the Sonatas 22/35...both equipped with automatic transmissions).

Now that paragraph above is a big deal, because I dont believe the Civic is as every bit as good a car as the Accord (though we havent had a 2012 Civic at TireKicker World Headquarters yet), nor that the Corolla is every bit as good a car as the Camry. Once upon a time, they were, but its been more than 10 years since I would have put my name anywhere near that assertion.

But the Elantra is. There are no penalties to be paid for its junior status. The styling is fluid and exciting, the power, like the Sonatas, more than adequate, the ride and handling ditto.

The one we tested was the top-of-the-line Limited with the Premium Package. You may remember, our Sonata was a one rung up from the bottom SE with only one option: Floor mats.

As a result, far from being an econobox torture chamber, this is what the interior of our Hyundai Elantra Limited test vehicle looked like:



The 2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited interior.

The Limited starts at $19,980, with ESC, traction control, ABS, four-wheel disc brakes, Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist, a full complement of airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system standard.

Oh, yeah...and 17-inch alloy wheels, a power sunroof, fog lights, air, a six-speaker AM/FM/XM/CD/mp3 audio system with iPod/USB and auxilary jack, power windows, locks and heated mirrors, remote keyless entry with alarm, Bluetooth, steering wheel-mounted audio, cruise and phone controls, a tilt and telescoping steering column, trip computer, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, leather seating surfaces with heated front and rear seats and a full tank of gas.

That Premium Package we mentioned above adds $2,000 for a nav system with a high-resolution 7-inch touchscreen, a backup camera, a premium audio system with external amp, automatic headlights and proximity key entry with pushbutton start.

$95 for floormats, $35 for an iPod cable, and were done at $22,110.

Yes, I know thats only $1,305 less than the Sonata we tested. Im fine with that. Seriously. Look at it another way. Its only $1,620 more than the Chevrolet Cruze ECO, gets 1 mile per gallon more in the city and two less on the highway (in our testing, we saw 26.9 in 80/20 city street and freeway driving in the Elantra versus 29.2 in the Cruze ECO).

If I was playing with my own money, Id make the choice between the Sonata and Elantra based on size and room needed. And the Elantra is remarkably roomy inside for its size class, with a surprising amount of trunk space.

Pity Honda and Toyota. Its gotta be rough to have Hyundai make a strong showing in one segment this year. But two?

2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited

Base price: $19,980

As tested: $22,110

Likes: Styling, features, fuel economy.

Dislikes: Can I get back to you...or not?

EPA estimate: 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway.

Adjusting headlights on Honda Accord

If you violated the direction of the optical axes of the headlights of a car, it usually leads to blindness drivers moving forward. And that could lead to disaster. Adjusting the headlights should be conducted at least once a year. Consider a way to set an example of Optics Car Honda Accord. At each lamp has two spring screws (internal and external) with which, and made adjustments. Setting lights can do yourself, without referring to specialists. The screws are on the back of the headlights and have a cross-slot. Therefore, the corresponding need a screwdriver. On some models, Honda Accord, in addition to traditional screws, there is the level meters lamps front optics, and this makes the setup process is not complicated. If you can not configure with the screw, then visited a car accident. We put a car on a level surface, close to the ideal, because it will depend on the quality setting, the front part of the wall or fence. Stick the tape in a vertical line on the wall so he walked down the centerline plane machines. Line can also cause chalk. Then, apply the chalk, or again applying the tape, make a vertical mark, which would pass through the projection of the headlights right in the middle. Next, paste the tape in a horizontal line so that it passes through the center of the projection lamps on the wall. All these actions are performed in the immediate vicinity of the wall that is necessary to adjust the car up close. Then driven away, or roll back the car about 7.5 meter. As mentioned above, the surface must be flat, half-filled tank and all the excess removed from the cabin. In a word, that nothing disturbed the alignment of the machine. Adjustment begins with setting the axis beam. We must try to achieve rotation of the propellers of this arrangement of spots of light, so they were at a distance of 50 mm below the horizontal line, and at the same time at a distance of 50 mm to the right of vertical. So adjusted headlights, including further. Zones of maximum saturation headlights should move closer to the intersection of horizontal and vertical lines, it was found slightly below the horizontal. Achieve perfect alignment of beams as a distant and dim light is difficult, so we need to find a compromise, given the particular operation of your vehicle in certain circumstances.

Toyota Demands Retraction And Apology From ABC

Toyota is demanding a retraction and apology from ABC News for the February 22 Brian Ross piece in which a Southern Illinois University Professor demonstrated how to induce a sudden acceleration incident.

The March 11 demand letter, obtained and published today by Gawker, alleges that "the American public and the U.S. Congress were seriously misled by ABC News.

Volkswagen Golf Review

35 years ago, Volkswagen revolutionized the concept of the small car with the original Golf (sold here for many years as the Rabbit). The basic shape and proportions are still recognizable, but the changes have been evolutionary, and its easy to write off each generation as not having changed that much from the one before.

Big mistake.

Its impossible to overstate the refinements the 2010 Golf brings to the game....the leap forward it represents from last years model, and how much better it is than virtually everything in its size and price class.

                       

The first impression of change comes when you sit behind the wheel. VW has upped its game for the Golfs interior. Even in basic black rather than the contrasting tones shown above, its a nicer place to do business...switchgear now more elegant, yet still purposeful and feeling built to last.

The 2.5 liter, 5-cylinder, 170 horsepower engine more than gets the job done, and returns an EPA estimated 23 miles per gallon city, 30 highway.

Our testers base price was $17,490 and it had only three options (none of which Id order): A 6-speed automatic transmission ($1,100), a power sunroof ($1,000) and a Cold Weather Package consisting of heated seats and washer nozzles ($225).  Bottom line, with $750 destination charge, is $20,565. But passing on those options and taking it straight would get the price down to $18,240.

Yes, you can get less expensive compact sedans from the U.S., Japan and especially Korea. But drive the Golf first and Im betting youll be justifying the additional outlay.

Passive subwoofer with his own hands

Today many people love listening to music, both at home and in cars. However, many do not know that your music to become much better if the columns in addition to still playing and a subwoofer. Yes, of course not all there is now such an opportunity to buy a subwoofer because it is quite expensive, but there is a great opportunity to do it yourself. If you get tired of listening to music through one speaker, then this article will tell you in detail, how can you make passive subwoofer, and enjoy the music. The first thing you need to do is build a box for your future subwoofer. Made it pretty easy. It is important to consider what kind of shape you want to make a subwoofer. If you want to make it a cylindrical shape, in which case you need to make a cylinder, and if a square, then the problem is simplified at times. Once you make a box for the subwoofer, then you can start it "stuffing." In this box you should place the speakers. To do all this successfully you need to read a lot of instructions on how to do it. Connect it pretty easily, but about how to connect a car subwoofer sven sps 820 homes just need to know and understand the technology. But not necessarily buy the subwoofer on the market, it can be done at home. This requires a little stretch gyrus and thus build a case for a passive subwoofer. In order for today could be your hands to make the car a passive subwoofer, you must have a cylinder and a special clip. Before you take to produce such a subwoofer alone to read a few instructions. With the help of these devices and holds a passive subwoofer. As soon as you made the main body of the subwoofer, it will be possible to make mounting the speakers there, which is important in such a way that the sound does not spread randomly. The sound of a passive subwoofer must be clear. So when you put in a box dynamics try to have some definite way to ensure that the sound was not going to say so in a heap. If you do not know how best to position the speakers, it is best to consult a specialist for him to help you resolve the issue. Box for a subwoofer can be very different. Here you must choose your own, because it will be just your taste preference. If you have already produced their own hands passive subwoofer, then connect it to locate specific cables, which will be to serve as a guide. The ideal thing is to get quality sound from a passive subwoofer. But still not worth much to get involved in this thing, because if you frequently listen to music the subwoofer is a great impact on human ears, and thus suffers from a hearing aid. And many of the craftsmen of today love to make it louder, but still in the car. But passive subwoofer is not a toy for children.

Should you buy Chinese cars

The popularity of Chinese-made cars in Russia is undeniable. Explains this popularity is quite simple - the Russian soul asks foreign comfort for little money. In accordance with the wishes of the Russians coming on the market of our country's cheap, but beautiful and "stuffed" cars. Of these, the most popular were models such as Chery, Geely. Photos of Chery Amulet

Chevrolet Camaro Dusk car reviews

Chevrolet Camaro Dusk car reviews

2010 BMW 135i Coupe cars wallpapers and reviews

2010 BMW 135i Coupe cars wallpapers and reviews

hyundai fluidic cars wallpapers and specification

hyundai fluidic cars wallpapers and specification
Hyundai Elantra Raises the Compact Car Segment Bar
By Matthew Keegan Matthew Keegan Level: Platinum If you are looking for a successful and prolific article writer, then Matt Keegan is the man for you. As The Article Writer, Matt writes

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Cars wallpapers and performance reviews

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Cars wallpapers and performance reviews
2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S at 2011 Geneva Auto Show, 2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Coupe, 2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Images, 2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Info,

2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Luxury Cars, 2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Photo Gallery, 2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Pictures, 2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Roadster, 2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Sports Car, 2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Unveiled, Aston Martin, Aston Martin V8 Vantage S

Additional changes to the 2011 model year Lotus Elise

2011 model year Lotus Elise

The new 2011 model year Elise has a number of additional changes and improvements, with the installation of a new advanced 1.6 litre Valvematic engine meeting EÚRO 5 regulations. This new engine is 200cc smaller than the outgoing Elise S model and produces similar power (136 PS, 100 kW, 134 hp at 6800 rpm) with maximum torque of 160 Nm, 118 lbft at 4400 rpm, but offers a significant improvement to fuel economy of over 23%, to 6.14 litres / 100km (46 mpg)* and a reduction in CO2 emission by more than 13%*. This provides the new Lotus Elise with the lowest CO2 per performance for any gasoline high performance sportscar in the world. This high technology engine is mated to a new 6-speed manual gearbox, providing closer and more performance orientated ratios than the outgoing 5 speed box.

The Elise has high performance AP Racing callipers at the front and Brembo callipers at the rear linked to 282 mm vented and cross-drilled cast iron discs to give excellent stopping power. The Elise comes as standard with a track tuned ABS system that is designed to be unobtrusive under normal driving conditions. This system is designed to be used on track and has a high threshold, only intervening in emergencies. The ABS system is linked to a lightweight pedal box with steel pedal arms and extruded aluminium pads. This unit also has an electronic (drive-by-wire) throttle for quick, smooth and more linear engine response. The impressive braking coupled with excellent handling gives good primary safety and the composite front crash structure and rear crash protection offers efficient secondary safety. Driver and passenger airbags and pre-tensioning seatbelt are standard on all Elise models.

The Lotus Elise introduces the new 1598 cm3, 1ZR-FAE engine, provided by Toyota. The key to this engine’s performance and efficiency is the Valvematic system (a variable valve lift mechanism), which is combined with the dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent). The engine continuously controls intake valve opening/closing timing and the intake valve lift to vary the volume of the intake airflow, giving significant improvements in efficiency and fuel economy. This ensures optimal performance based on the engines operational condition, thus helping the Elise achieve both high fuel efficiency and high performance.

First of all, the maximum power output is achieved at near maximum revs (engine speed) of 6800 rpm and maximum torque (a respectable 160 Nm, 118 lb.ft) is reached at 4400 rpm. This gives a good combination of mid range pull but also encourages the driver to rev the engine to the maximum permitted engine speed of 7000 rpm (transient rev limit). Like all Elise sportscars, there are three shift up lights, on the binnacle cumulatively lighting when the driver is getting closer to the rev limiter and when all three are illuminated, they flash to indicate that the driver is almost on the rev limiter so time to change up a gear!

The height of the engine cover has been raised by 34mm to accommodate the taller 1ZR engine compared to the previous 1ZZ engine from the outgoing model due, in part, to the additional Valvematic technology included on the new engine. This has given Lotus engineers an opportunity to subtly redesign the rear engine cover to match the design theme from the front and rear of the car.

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport cars photos and prices

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport cars photos and prices

Chevrolet Camaro Dale Earnhardt car reviews

Chevrolet Camaro Dale Earnhardt car reviews

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 debut NYC car specification and previews

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 debut NYC car specification and previews
he power of the new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 will be sent through a 5-speed automatic transmission featuring manual shift control via the steering wheel mounted paddle shifters to all four wheels via Jeep’s advanced all wheel drive system. Like the 2011 Charger SRT8, the "2012 Jeep SRT8