Auto Aficionado 

GM, Ford drops light trucks for crossovers

Reports are saying that the slump in SUV sales has prompted Detroit automakers General Motors and Ford to drop several light trucks in favor of crossovers.

According to AutoWeek, GM will stop production of its Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy mid-sized SUVs by 2010. Ford for its part is reportedly planning to drop the Mercury Monterey minivan this year, followed by its Ford Freestar twin at an unspecified date.

Both automakers plan to concentrate on their new-generation crossovers – for GM, the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave, and for Ford, a production version of the Ford Fairlane concept for both the Ford and Lincoln brands is reportedly in the works.

Woman auctions Ferrari and Self

Found this while browsing through Auto Parts Discount for replacement headlightsfor my 4-year old Honda Civic: Woman Auctions Ferrari Enzo and Herself.



An interesting way to hook up isn’t it.

But Luxist says that there are no takers yet for the lovely lady and her racy car.

Toyota’s Green offensive

In the news: Toyota will double the number of hybrid models it makes around 2010. The automaker also reiterated it commitment to developing a wide range of green technologies, including alternative-fuel engines, diesel engines and electric cars.

According to a Reuters report, the Japanese automaker will introduce flex-fuel vehicles in the spring of 2007 that can run on 100 percent ethanol particularly in Brazil, where sugar-cane-based ethanol is widely used.

Toyota is also on track on its work with its plug-in hybrids, which can be charged at home and provide electricity, and on hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicles. A new 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine will be introduced by the automaker this coming fall.

In the meantime, you can find the best Toyota auto parts at Auto Parts Discount.

The Ultima GTR supercar

You are looking at the world’s fastest supercar. Tiny Brith car maker Ultima Sports may be unheard of in this part of the planet, but the record run by its GTR supercar – an amazing, record-breaking series of 0-60 mph (2.6 seconds), 0-100 mph (5.3 seconds), 100-0 mph (3.6 seconds) and — the big one — 0-100-0 in a blistering 9.4 seconds – will certainly put the company on the map.

According to Ultima, the triple 0-100-0 mark is particularly noteworthy, as it means that their car is faster than legendary favorites Ferrari Enzo, the McLaren F1 LM, the Porsche Carrera GT and the Pagani Zonda.

All I can say is wow.

And how much will the world’s fastest supercar cost you? The fully assembled GTR is priced from around $125,000, with kit prices starting much lower. A fortune – but, that's a fraction of the price of a used Enzo. That’s another wow.

You may not find auto parts for this car at Auto Parts Discount but it sure is a winner.

Just gorgeous

Sigh.

Isn’t it just a sight to behold?

This is the Enzo-based MC12 Corsa, which Maserati will produce and will offer up to 12 lucky buyers worldwide this fall. Only 12 of these cars in the world. Now how’s that for exclusivity?



You may never be one of the 12 lucky souls who’ll get to park this beauty in their driveways, so why not consider updating your own car’s looks? How about wing doors, ever considered getting them for your trusty Honda Civic? Why not check them out at Auto Parts Discount.

Toyota continues expansion

Giant Japanese automaker Toyota aims to sell three million cars and trucks a year in the U.S. by 2010, according to its Vice Chairman, Fujio Cho. The WallSreet Journal reports that the Toyota official said he wants to see Toyota produce about 70% to 75% of those vehicles in North America, up from about 60% now. He added that if high demand for Toyota's vehicles continues, the company will likely need to build an eighth assembly plant in North America.

Toyota currently operates five plants in North America and has another two that will come online within the next few years.

Meanwhile, as Toyota produces more cars you count on online auto parts stores like Auto Parts Discount to provide you with the best Toyota wheels, A/C condenser, grille, tailgate, radiator fan and more.

10 Tips for Women Car Shoppers

Here something I found in the net that will be useful for women car shoppers.

1. Use the Internet to research vehicle types, makes, models, options, features, and prices. Visit websites such to see actual prices and photos of nearly every vehicle make and model.

2. Print out fact sheets or information about the vehicles you are interested in, so you can remind yourself about what you want when you step onto the lot.

3. Bring key paperwork items with you, including title and registration for your current vehicle, your driver's license, and insurance card.

4. If you have been pre-approved for a car loan, bring the approval letter with you.

5. Find a car retailer and salesperson you like and trust by asking friends and family for referrals.

6. Find a car retailer that is open and transparent in the transaction.

7. Look for a retailer that offers low, no-haggle prices and a la carte pricing on each part of the car buying transaction — the vehicle price, the warranty, the trade-in, and the financing. Beware of extraneous, unexplained fees.

8. Get a fair offer on your trade-in separately from your car purchase. Have your car appraised to help you understand the fair value of your "trade-in" before you start shopping.

9. Have confidence in your car shopping abilities. You have done your research and are prepared to make a smart car buying decision.

10. Do not hesitate to ask lots of questions — as many as you need so that you understand exactly what you are paying for. Be prepared to walk away if you are unhappy with your car buying experience.

Source: CarMax

And should you need auto parts such as air deflector, radiator, fuel tank, windshield wiper blades, fender or grille, just check out your friendly online auto parts store, Auto Parts Discount.

BMW – still the ultimate driving machine

“A masterclass in exhilarating power, sound, response and brilliant packaging that comes as standard,” says Japan-based journalist Peter Nunn. “Let’s celebrate advanced materials, mechanicals – and machismo,” encourages Dennis Simanaitis of Road & Track. The engine the two judges speak of is the Munich marvel that is the BMW 5-litre V10 – the International Engine of the Year 2006.

BMW’s 5-liter V10 beat out the Volkswagen and Toyota to the best engine in the world title for the second year in a row. The powerplant also beat out other entrants to win in the categories of Best Performance Engine and Best Above 4.0-liters. BMW also received kudos for the Z4 M's 3.2-liter and twin-turbodiesel 3.0-liter, for a total of five awards.

Looks like the BMW is still the ultimate driving machine eh?

Keep your BMW that way (the ultimate driving machine) by giving it only the best replacement auto parts from Auto Parts Discount.

How do you know if you need new tires?

Tire wear depends on several factors, including your driving style and tire maintenance habits. But how do you know if it’s time to click over to Auto Parts Discount for those new tires? One sure way to know when to replace your tires is when tread wear indicators appear. A tire’s built-in tread wear indicators are “wear bars” that look like narrow strips of smooth rubber across the tread and appear when it’s time to replace the tire.

Here are other signs that will tell you that it’s time to replace your tires:

• You can see three or more tread wear indicators around the tire
• Cord or fabric is showing through the rubber
• The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep enough to show cord or fabric
• The tire has a bulge or split
• The tire has a puncture, cut, or other damage that can’t be repaired correctly

Remember to always check your tires and the spare once a month.

Make your car environment-friendly

Taking proper care of your vehicle is a must. A properly maintained and operated vehicle helps the environment and, to top it all off, will run more efficiently, will be safer, and will last up to 50% longer. This is according to a survey by ASE-certified Master Auto Technicians.

The following tips from www.autosite.com should put you on the road to environmentally conscious car care.

• Keep your engine tuned up. A misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30%. Follow the service schedules listed in your owner's manual. Replace filters and fluids as recommended.

• Check your tires for proper inflation. Underinflation wastes fuel your engine has to work harder to push the vehicle. Wheels that are out-of-line (as evidenced by uneven tread wear or vehicle pulling) make the engine work harder, too. Properly maintained tires will last longer, meaning fewer scrap tires have to be disposed.

• Keep your air conditioner in top condition and have it serviced only by a technician certified competent to handle/recycle refrigerants. Air conditioners contain CFCs-gases that have been implicated in the depletion of the ozone layer. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, almost one third of the CFCs released into the atmosphere come from mobile air conditioners; some simply leaks out, but the majority escapes during service and repair-so it's important to choose a qualified technician.

• Do-it-yourselfers: dispose of used motor oil, anti-freeze/coolant, tires, and old batteries properly. Many repair facilities accept these items. Or call your local municipal or county government for recycling sites. Never dump used oil or anti-freeze on the ground or in open streams.

• Observe speed limits. Mileage decreases sharply above 55 mph.

• Drive gently. Avoid sudden accelerations and jerky stop-and-go's. Use cruise-control on open highways to keep your speed as steady as possible.

• Avoid excessive idling. Shut off the engine while waiting for friends and family. Today's vehicles are designed to "warm up" fast, so forget about those five-minute warm ups on cold winter mornings.

• Remove excess items from the vehicle. Less weight means better mileage. Store luggage/ cargo in the trunk rather than on the roof to reduce air drag.

• Plan trips. Consolidate your daily errands to eliminate unnecessary driving. Try to travel when traffic is light to avoid stop-and-go conditions. Join a car pool.

And should you need quality replacement auto parts like Toyota wheels, BMW catalytic converters, Ford headlights, or GM engine parts, just visit reliable online auto parts stores like Auto Parts Discount.