Jalopnik

Happy Thanksgiving, Enjoy Your Engine Hoist Turkey Deep Fry! [Announcements]

Ray Wert — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:30:00 -0500

In addition to these ten cars and five of these ten deals, we're also thankful we're not working today. In the meantime, here's Bumbeck's guide to deep-frying your turkey using an engine hoist for the dippin'. Enjoy and be safe!

eBay Hotness: Flathead-Powered Belly Tank Lakester [EBay]

Sam Smith — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:15:00 -0500

Once upon a time, men were real men. Women were real women. And speed came from strapping yourself into an aircraft drop tank and hauling across a lakebed like a bat out of hell. Plus, there's in-tank video. Hallelujah.

We're not quite sure if this is the real thing or someone's achingly period-correct replica, but frankly, it doesn't matter. Drop tank, we want to have your babies. Tiny little drop tanks. All over the Smith house. (We'll name them things like "Tankerbell" and "Tanky Junior," teach them to play Little League, have reunions at Bonneville every summer. It'll be great.)

Tech specs and more pictures can be found here. Email this guy if you want to buy it but need someone to wear the goggles and run around making flathead noises with his mouth. (Hat tip to Kelly!)

[Ebay]

Commenter Of The Day: A Pedant Edition [Commenter Of The Day]

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:00:00 -0500

One thing any person who writes on the Internet has to look forward to is a correction. And not just any correction. The most detailed-oriented, minor suggestions will come your way with regularity. Sometimes they're incredibly helpful and others, well, it goes something like this: "I'm sorry, I think you mean the 1974 1/2 Ford Pinto, only the 1974 Mercury Bobcat had those vinyl seats." Everyone in the Internet is a pedant because they can afford to be, because no says anything out loud before they type. It won't win you COTD unless you're hilarious like BmoreDLJ in Sam Smith's great Ten New Cars We're Thankful For feature.

All fantastic choices, leaving me with this thought: Could citrus slice tyres really support the weight of a giant corncob roadster driven by two adult turkeys?

To quote Tanshanomi the answer is yes because "oranges are high in magnesium."

The Sashimi Tabernacle Choir: A Volvo Covered In 200 Linux-Linked Singing Fish And Lobsters [LOLCars]

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:30:00 -0500

Richard Carter affixed over 200 novelty singing fish and lobsters to a Volvo 240, linked them with a Linux operating system and got them to sing and dance in unison to create the "Sashimi Tabernacle Choir." Weird? Annoying? Cool? Yes.

Jo Jo Dancer, Your $2,500 Crystal-Covered Lambo Model Is Calling [Car Models]

Sam Smith — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500

Hypothetical question: If you had 7,688 tiny Swarovski crystals, what would you do with them? You'd glue them to a cheap Murcielago model, you say? Oh! It's like we were separated at birth!

The glitzy trinket you see before you is made by Californian model company Maisto. It's offically dubbed the "Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Made With Crystallized Swarovski Elements," and it wants to be your friend. There's only one catch: The model is only available in Europe. It's limited to 550 examples, it comes with its own box and commemorative mount, and it costs the equivalent of $2500.

Somewhere, someone wants this, and they want it badly. Just for the record, we have no idea who they are. (Hat tip to Andrew!)

[Maisto]

Old German Touring Cars Make Everything Better [Dtm]

Sam Smith — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0500

Sixteen-valve fours, crashing, and some of the best racing ever seen. It's like NASCAR, if NASCAR were high on schnitzel and still had soul. We've watched a lot of DTM videos. This is one of the best.

(Obligatory fanboy plug: Long live the E30 M3, long live the Cossie-headed Mercedes, long live the Cosworth Fords, and mad props to Paul "Nockenwelle" Rosche, the coolest engineer this side of a currywurst.)

Ferrari 360 Owner Hits Track, Track Hits Back [Car Crashes]

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0500

We feel bad for this guy. He did what most lesser Ferrari 360 owners wouldn't dream of, took his car to the track. His tape-job didn't offer much protection when he hit the wall at Palm Beach International Speedway. [WreckedExotics]

Today, We're Thankful For The Pre-Chinese Volvo [Car History]

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0500

We're thankful for pre-Ford Volvo, but now we're thinking Post-Chinese Volvo will make us thankful for the days of Ford's ownership. So this pre-Turkey Day we're remembering some highlights of the company as it is now and as it was.

The XC70 Surf Rescue is one of the hottest to come out of watching the bay since... well... Baywatch.

Volvos race, believe it or not, and whether it's a gravity racer or a V8-powered Volvo they're always quixotic and wonderful.

Volvos make for great hot rods. Don't ask us why, they just do.

Most importantly, Volvos make being safe sexy. Someone, please, send us a mint 144 for Christmas.

Kill The Headlights And Put It In Neutral: Why The Parking Lot Matters [Parking Lots]

Sam Smith — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:00:00 -0500

Consider the lowly parking lot: You drive on it. You park on it. You ignore it. It's a means to an end, not an end in itself, right? Wrong. It's wonderful. And it needs your love.

On the surface, it's little more than a featureless piece of asphalt. Unless you're a civil engineer, a museum curator, or a hooker, there is little difference between a good one and a bad one. Its primary purpose is to hold parked cars, a task that most people view as dull. To Joe Public, the lot is little more than a civil appliance.

We beg to differ. In fact, we'd like to offer up a revolutionary thought: The parking lot is important. It matters. It is the car's unloved (and yet wholly necessary) offspring, and it has soul.

Think back to the first time you drove somewhere on your own. Chances are, if it wasn't a friend's house, it was a parking lot. Remember what it felt like to climb out of the car, to realize that you had finally gotten somewhere real on your own? Would it have meant half as much if you had pulled up to a valet, left the car running, and simply strolled away? How would you have felt if you hadn't been allowed to get out and walk around?

Without parking lots, we would have places to go, but we wouldn't have anything to do when we got there. It starts early; Americans may live in their cars, but they grow up in their parking lots. What teenager hasn't leaned up against a borrowed car on a boring-ass Saturday night in the middle of nowhere? What suburban mall lot hasn't played clubhouse, garage, and impromptu bar for thousands of high-schoolers? Is there anyone out there who didn't spend at least part of their youth under the fizzy glow of a twenty-foot halide?

We see The Lot playing a pivotal role in film so often that we tend to ignore it. Films as diverse as Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and the cult documentary Heavy Metal Parking Lot have effectively made lot culture a part of our collective memory:

Even Say Anything, Cameron Crowe's quirky ode to teenage love, contains a key piece of Lot Theory. Crowe is fully aware that lots are where we go when we have nowhere else to be:

Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack): I got a question. If you guys know so much about women, how come you're here at, like, the Gas 'n' Sip on a Saturday night, completely alone, drinking beers with no women anywhere?

Joe (Loren Dean): By choice, man. We choose this.

Happily, there's also something called The Parking Lot Movie, an independent film that focuses on one lot and the obsessive people within it. It contains the following quote, which summarizes Lot Theory in a nutshell: "That's like the word of the day at the parking lot — hanging. Can you hang? It's a combination of being really relaxed and not letting someone talk you down." (For reference, the film is a riot.)

The list goes on: Football tailgating. The unplanned, pre-concert lot party — hippies make this sort of thing last for weeks — that takes place before stadium shows and club gigs alike. Autocrossing, where weekend racers compete on the cheap in their own cars. The blue-collar cruise-in. Cars and Coffee. Any of these could happen without a parking lot, but they wouldn't be half as accessible, cheap, or fun.

Like any American icon, the lot's family tree runs far and wide. Consider the drive-in movie, which is little more than a parking lot with a giant screen in front of it. (The town of Ann Arbor, Michigan once took this concept to its meta conclusion, showing films on top of a multistory parking garage.) Or take the Midwestern-style field party, which requires little more than a grass pasture, a keg of beer, and ten or fifteen pickup trucks. (Hello, impromptu lot.) The Lot is versatile, it changes with the times, and it loves you.

That love aside, nothing lasts forever, and lots are no exception. Given enough time, the parking lot as we know it will disappear. It will likely be replaced by automated garages, more effective mass-transit systems, and future infrastructure we cannot yet imagine. When this happens, we will have lost one of our greatest unintentional achievements. And we will be worse off for it.

Douglas Adams once pointed out that people like to congregate at boundary conditions — where land meets water, for example, or where earth meets sky. We like to be on one side, he said, and look at the other. Parking lots — where people meet pavement — fit nicely into this theory. They're not without flaw, but they matter. They deserve our respect. The next time you park your car, do a Lot mitzvah: take a moment to say thanks.

Good on ya, Lot. Long may you run.

Photo Credit: iMorpheus, Ben McLeod, Ypmiley / Flickr

MAP: Dakar 2010 Official Course [Racing News]

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:45:00 -0500

The 2010 Dakar Rally will put bikes, quads, cars and trucks to the test through 5,600 miles of South American terrain and we've got the official route map. Fiambalá here we come! [Motorbiker.org via MahindraPlanet]

Smashing Safety: 12 New Cars Crashed In Eurocarnage Video Gallery [Safety]

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:15:00 -0500

The latest round of European NCAP crash testing's complete, which means our video-bin horn o' plenty overfloweth with clips of a dozen Euro cars getting the stuffing smashed outta them. Thank you NCAP, you've made this the best Smashgiving ever!

You've got the name, the overall rating Euro NCAP crash test rating and, you know, the video, below. Enjoy!

Vehicle:Mazda 3
Rating: ★★★★★

Vehicle: Infiniti FX
Rating: ★★★★★

Vehicle: Citroen DS3
Rating: ★★★★★

Vehicle: Toyota Urban Cruiser
Rating: ★★★☆☆

Vehicle: Mercedes GLK
Rating: ★★★★★

Vehicle: Opel/Vauxhall Astra
Rating: ★★★★★

Vehicle: Peugeot 5008
Rating: ★★★★★

Vehicle: Mercedes E-Class
Rating: ★★★★★

Vehicle: Chevrolet Spark
Rating: ★★★★☆

Vehicle: Volkswagen Scirocco
Rating: ★★★★★

Vehicle: Chevrolet Cruze
Rating: ★★★★★

Vehicle: BMW X1
Rating: ★★★★★

We Teach Batman How to Ferry Ladies in Lambos [Movie Cars]

Peter Orosz — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:45:00 -0500

Bruce Wayne has shown us it's possible to cruise with more than a single companion in a two-seater Lamborghini. Perhaps. But there is a more elegant way—worthy of both superheroes and mere mortals.

There is a scene in Batman Begins which is both a wink to the Lamborghini cognoscenti and a gesture of the kind of machismo which finds close contact between women exciting.

Bruce Wayne arrives at a party in a black Lamborghini Murciélago Roadster, that most Batman of road cars, disembarks, and is followed by two stunning young ladies who both emerge from the Murc’s single passenger seat:

While a perfect adolescent fantasy and a testament to the Murciélago’s image as a pussy magnet, would a superhero really want to transport his female companions stacked?

And have them pummeled and beaten and crushed by the savage acceleration, their only cushioning each other’s silk-clad body?

In the film, Wayne’s companions end up having to cool their bruises off in a decorative pool, setting off a chain of events which will see our hero shamed in public, depicted as nothing but a moneyed oaf.

Thankfully, the kind people of Lamborghini have though of everything. Granted, their thinking is from back when Batman was a comic book instead of a motion picture franchise, but the decades have not corrupted their logic.

The elegant answer to Wayne’s need is very simply the four-seater Lamborghini Espada, shown here in a painting by Bill Klemm with room to spare in comfort for yet another companion:

Then again, good times do not necessarily require the presence of throngs:

Image Credit: Warner Bros., Bill Klemm, Balázs Fenyő

Ten New Cars Jalopnik Is Thankful For [New Cars]

Sam Smith — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0500

If you absolutely must buy a new car in this hour of thanks, then we suggest you choose one of these ten. Happy turkey!

Ahh, Thanksgiving — turkey, family, angst, and burnouts. (Your holiday doesn't have burnouts? What are you, a commie?)

Also lists. We make lists every day, and on holidays, we sit around and stuff our faces full of food and make more lists. What are we thankful for this week? Turkey, that's what. We're also thankful for these ten cars — even though we can't afford some of them, we're happy that they exist. Dig in.

Bugatti Veyron

Because it's proof that one man can still go stark raving mad and build a world-beating car that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Makes the idea of a focus group seem like a fate worse than death. One set of its tires likely costs more than your first car did. It is yin and yang, Jalop (engineering masterwork) and anti-Jalop (heavy, unattainable). Do not try to understand it. It just is.

Photo Credit: Jason Thorgalsen / Flickr

Chevrolet Corvette

It is an American car made by American men and women. It is like walking down the street wearing a T-shirt that says, "I'm with Penis." It is remarkably modern and wonderfully crude all at once. And for a short, glorious while, it went to Le Mans and reminded the world that Yankees could kick ass. All hail the LS7. All hail the LS9. All hail Detroit.

Photo Credit: Sam Smith

Lotus Elise/Exige

Because someone, somewhere, forgot to tell the boys in Hethel to make it fat, ugly, and boring. Because it is a real car that happens to be built out of gossamer and fiberglass. And because I once flung one sideways through Road Atlanta's Turn Twelve — not entirely on purpose, mind — at triple-digit speeds and lived to tell the tale. It made me look less than stupid. I am eternally grateful.

Photo Credit: Horgakx / Flickr

Nissan GT-R

It is heavy, clublike, and run by a million computers. It is surprisingly sterile and undoubtedly better at driving itself than you are. (You get the feeling that no matter how you treat it, it is toying with you, watching you from afar.) It is on this list because it is unique. Because it is everything wrong with Japan's car industry. Because it is also everything right.

Photo Credit: Jason Thorgalsen / Flickr

Volkswagen GTI

Volkswagen's GTI is the ultimate automotive success story, a model that lost its way only to find it again years later. Sure, it's not the most durable thing on the planet, but that's part of its charm — it's cheap, cheerful, and faster than it seems. If you haven't embarrassed a supercar on some winding back road in one of these things, then you haven't lived. Hot hatches don't get much better.

BMW 335i

It is very nearly the perfect automobile, but this is no surprise. The 3 Series has been exceptional for decades, and save the odd dose of corporate German hubris, it just keeps getting better. Build a better sport sedan than this 300-horse, velvet-glove monster, and the world will beat a path to your door.

Photo Credit: Fabio Aro / Flickr

Mazda RX-8

Quirk, and for little reason other than satisfying a decades-old obsession on the part of its maker. Painfully slow around town. Those once-trick doors are now almost too much work, and the RX-8's Renesis rotary sucks dino juice like it's on OPEC's payroll. But the chassis is flat-out magic, the kind of magic you only discover at nine-and-a-half tenths when you're trying to eke out that last little bit of speed and you think nothing is left. It reminds you of a Spec Miata with more weight in the tail. It is the attainable sports car for people who truly understand what that phrase means.

Photo Credit: Michael Banovsky / Flickr

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Now that both Subaru and Mitsubishi have left the international rally stage, the WRX STI and the Lancer Evolution seem a bit lost. (Homologation specials need something to be homologated for, no?) Were we forced to choose between the two, we'd probably pick the Evo, but it's a tough call. It depends on the roads you're on, on how you feel that day, and on whether you have be someplace very quickly and with little drama (STI) or absolutely nowhere at all (Evo).

The STI is an amazingly talented car and arguably the better all-rounder. The Evo is the dirty, rough-edged monster that everyone thinks rally cars are supposed to be. We like them both — a lot — but only one of them feels as mean as it looks. Mitsu by a hair.

Ford Mustang

The Mustang is a rolling contradiction, equal parts modern muscle and hopeless anachronism. It is an argument for and against everything we stand for, a piece of yesterday bound up in a slightly cheesy modern wrapper. It is both much better and much worse than you expect it to be, but somehow, that's part of its charm. It is very, very difficult not to like.

Exhaust rumble. A rompy V-8. A stick axle so well-controlled, it makes the concept almost seem relevant again. These things are not the future, but we love them all the same. Were we to wake up tomorrow and drive off into the soul of America, we would do it in a Mustang.

Photo Credit: Sausyn / Flickr

Caterham Seven

One long-dead man's ridiculous dream turned reality turned company-bill-payer turned neglected relic turned reality again. Impossibly small. Sillier than almost anything else on wheels. Older than dirt. And still fantastic.

Happy turkey!

Photo Credit: Exfordy / Flickr

What Car Puts You To Sleep Quicker Than Tryptophan? [Question Of The Day]

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:30:00 -0500

Tomorrow we're filling up on booze and tryptophan; the excess of food leading to imminent napping. If this doesn't work there are many vehicles designed to encourage the same feeling. What car puts you to sleep quicker than tryptophan?

When the current generation Chevy Malibu debuted it was heralded as the second-coming of the American mid-size sedan. While it's a big leap forward from the previous generation in style, sophistication and competitiveness, it's only because it's as somnabulant as any other mid-sizer. With a V6 and an automatic transmission it's like you're not driving anything at all. While this appeals to some drivers it does nothing but put us to sleep.

You'd think the Malibu Hybrid is even more of a snooze-fest but at least in the hybrid, the engine turns itself off sometimes, which is less quiet and more disquieting. Like, "Holy Shit my car just... oh, wait. Nevermind." It'll wake you up.

Before you load up on beer and tell your dad what you really think about his "new girlfriend," tell us whether there's another car more soporific to knock you out before he does.

(QOTD is your chance to answer the day's most pressing automotive questions and experience the opinions of the insightful insiders, practicing pundits and gleeful gearheads that make up the Jalopnik commentariat. If you've got a suggestion for a good "Question Of the Day" send an email to tips at jalopnik dot com.)

Photo Credit: STR/AFP/Getty Images

Save The Giant Rear Wings, Save The World [I Feel Gassy]

Wes Siler — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:00:00 -0500

Conventional wisdom states all rear wings do on FWD cars is increase drag and reduce fuel economy. Chinese designer Leon Zhu wants to challenge that notion, using the vast empty space inside them to store a solar shade.

Think of it as a giant version of the 2010 Toyota Prius's solar sunroof combined with those foldable cardboard windscreen shades with sunglasses printed on them. It could simultaneously protect your interior from the Sun's harmful rays, reduce the amount of power needed to run the A/C on max when you eventually climb back in and even, like the Prius, provide power for a fan to run while the car is parked, keeping the interior cool. Plus, the wing makes this Chevy Impala look totally bitchin'.

And by "bitchin'" we mean, of course, silly as all get out. [DesignBoom via Hooniverse]

Mercedes E-Class Coupe: "Superfect?" Really? [Ad Watch]

Ray Wert — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:30:00 -0500

The Mercedes E-Class Coupe's quite nice, yes, but so nice as to be perfect — or so perfect as to be deserved of a new word to describe its perfectness? Not so much. [FuckYeahAds]

BlakRoc Camaro: Rap/Rock CD Launches With SS [Custom Cars]

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0500

Rap/rock is as old as Run DMC and Aerosmith, but The Black Keys-produced BlakRoc album has something on every Jay-Z mashup: a freaking Camaro SS. This may be the first album launched with its own custom car.

The Black Keys combine their garage/blues rock sensibilities with a cast of hip hop all-stars. It's almost a Wu Tang Clan rally with Raekwon, Rza, and even a posthumous ODB performance as well as Mos Def, Q-tip and others. You can listen to most of it here. So far so good.

And the car? It also started with a powerful platform but the upgrades aren't quite so great. The "higlights [sic]" are things the Camaro SS already comes with. The rest is the minimum you can do to consider a car truly upgraded including blacked-out logos/lights, tint, Lexani wheels and custom BlacRoc door sills. It's not bad, but we're not sure we're interesting in heading out on "Blak Friday" to pick one up.

However, if someone knows where a Deltron 3030 Jetta is we're totally ready to buy one.

Press Release: All the incorrect spellings may or may not be on purpose

Higlights
• Boston Acoustics Premium Audio
• USB Port
• Bluetooth Wireless
• Four Pack of Auxiliary Gauges
• Leather-Appointented Front Seats
Upgrades
• 22" Lexani LX15 Wheels*
• 20% Tint All Around
• Blacked out Rear Taillights
• Blacked out SS Badging
• Blacked out Marker Lights
• Blacked out Reverse Lights
• Custom stiched BlackRoc Logo on Center Console
• Custom Door Sill Plates with BlackRoc Logo

(Hat tip to Jousha!) [BlakRocCamaro]

Worst Travel Day Of The Year More Worst By 1.4% [Travelopnik]

Ray Wert — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:30:00 -0500

Happy Thanksgiving Eve! Unless, of course, you happen to be flying, driving, watching the news or talking to anyone. Because then you'll know today's the worst travel day of the year — 1.4% more worst than last. More statistics below.

Here's some numbers to make you feel absolutely craptastic as you ready yourself to make the trek to LaGuardia or wherever this Thanksgiving eve:

● AAA projects 38.4 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home over Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a 1.4% increase over last year's 37.8 million.
● CNBC's Phil LeBeau's live reports from Chicago's O'Hare airport will increase 7.8% from last year's record number.
● Travelers by car expected to increase 2.1% to 33.2 million.
● Fox News will raise death-by-airplane scare segments by 44% over last year's record 18.
● Air travel will drop 6.7% to 2.3 million.
● 1 in 4 users of turkey fryers will give themselves third degree burns.

So, a fun day to everyone!

Photo Credit: Mario Tama / Getty Images News

Toyota To Fix Gas Pedals So Floor Mats Won't Cause Fiery Death [Toyota Recall]

Ray Wert — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:30:00 -0500

Toyota's announced this morning they will eschew replacement for reshaping of accelerator pedals and/or floor surface on Toyota or Lexus vehicles involved in the "floor mat fiery death" non-recall safety advisory. In the meantime, here's how to avoid fiery death.

Here's the full press release. We'll be on a conference call in a few minutes to get more details on this non-recall recall of approximately 4 million vehicles. Anyone have any questions they want us to ask?

Toyota Announces Details of Remedy to Address Potential Accelerator Pedal Entrapment

TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 25 /PRNewswire/ — Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. (TMS) announced today details of the vehicle-based remedy to address the root cause of the potential risk for floor mat entrapment of accelerator pedals in certain Toyota and Lexus models. Toyota issued a consumer safety advisory on September 29 on this issue and has, as an interim measure, commenced the mailing of safety notices to certain Toyota and Lexus owners on October 30.

The models involved are: 2007 to 2010 MY (model year) Camry, 2005 to 2010 MY Avalon, 2004 to 2009 MY Prius, 2005 to 2010 MY Tacoma, 2007 to 2010 MY Tundra, 2007 to 2010 MY ES350, 2006 to 2010 MY IS250, and 2006 to 2010 MY IS 350.

The specific measures of the vehicle-based remedy are as follows:

1. The shape of the accelerator pedal will be reconfigured to address the risk of floor mat entrapment, even when an older-design all-weather floor mat or other inappropriate floor mat is improperly attached, or is placed on top of another floor mat. For the ES350, Camry, and Avalon models involved, the shape of the floor surface underneath will also be reconfigured to increase the space between the accelerator pedal and the floor.
2. Vehicles with any genuine Toyota or Lexus accessory all-weather floor mat will be provided with newly-designed replacement driver- and front passenger-side all-weather floor mats.

In addition, as a separate measure independent of the vehicle-based remedy, Toyota will install a brake override system onto the involved Camry, Avalon, and Lexus ES350, IS350 and IS250 models as an extra measure of confidence. This system cuts engine power in case of simultaneous application of both the accelerator and brake pedals.

Toyota is in the process of completing development of these actions and for the ES350, Camry, and Avalon will start notifying owners of the involved vehicles via first-class mail by the end of this year. The remedy process regarding the other five models will occur on a rolling schedule during 2010.

Dealers will be trained and equipped to make the necessary modifications to these models starting at the beginning of 2010. Initially, dealers will be instructed on how to reshape the accelerator pedal for the repair. As replacement parts with the same shape as the modified pedal become available, they will be made available to dealers for the repair, beginning around April 2010. Customers who have had the remedy completed will have the opportunity to receive a new pedal if they desire.

In the meantime, owners of the involved vehicles are asked to take out any removable driver's floor mat and not replace it with any other floor mat until they are notified of the vehicle-based remedy, as notified in the consumer safety advisory and the interim notice.

The brake override system will be made standard equipment throughout the Toyota and Lexus product lines starting with January 2010 production of ES350 and Camry and is scheduled to be incorporated into new production of most models by the end of 2010.

The safety of our owners and the public is our utmost concern and Toyota has and will continue to thoroughly investigate and take appropriate measures to address any defect trends that are identified.

Owners who have further questions are asked to visit www.toyota.com or www.lexus.com or contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1 800 331-4331 or Lexus Customer Assistance at 1-800-295-3987.

1905: San Francisco Has Always Been Chill [Retrolopnik]

Sam Smith — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0500

One streetcar, a handful of cars, and San Francisco's Market Street before the 1906 fire — all of it set to Air's "La Femme d'Argent." In other words, the best YouTube clip we've seen all month.

Some days, you just ache for a bit more civilized in your civilization, you know?

Do Your Civic Duty for $8,000! [Nice Price Or Crack Pipe]

Graverobber — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0500

The Honda Civic has been an icon of frugality for decades. Today, Nice Price or Crack Pipe has a decades-old Civic that comes with a price that may seem less than frugal.

Yesterday's Audi Doody, didn't pull your strings as it, and it's $15,000 starting price, tipped the scales to a surprisingly close 54% Crack Pipe vote. Today we have a car that's not quite as old, nor quite as expensive, and not nearly as rare.

Honda. If you the type who demands the utmost in reliability, but is as yet unwilling to buy a Toyota, and hence sell your soul to the satan of boredom, then Soichiro Honda's your man. Well built, and still with a semblance of character, Honda's products have gained an envied reputation. And what a depth of products they offer- everything from lawn mowers to ATVs and motorcycles, to cars, light trucks, even business jets. And for the past 37 years they've built the typically humble, occasionally hot, Civic.

Introduced as the solution to the gas crisis plaguing the nation, the two-box Civic was the first car Honda had designed with the U.S. market in mind. Not only was it fuel efficient, but the wickedly brilliant 3-valve CVCC four cylinder- introduced in 1975 - managed to meet the new, and at the time extremely stringent, U.S. emissions standards without a catalytic convertor. Leaded gas FTW!

That first generation Civic became beloved by owners, and lasted until 1979, which is the year from which today's car hails. You still see first-gen Civics on the road, a testament to their durability and their attractiveness to their owners, but few are as nice as this three-door hatch. The seller has given the 1,488-cc powered car a full refreshening both inside and out, and details the respray in the ad for your pleasure. New Houndstooth upholstery and a rebuilt 20K-mile replacement engine complete the package in this 99,000-miler. The CVCC put out 60 ponies this year, but at less than 1,500-lbs, the car is good for both around town and, with that five speed, decent highway cruising. And it should also be good for damn-near 50-mpg on that highway.

Now, all this goodness does come at a price, and in this case that's $8,000. That's a lot of cheddar for a 30-year old econo-box, and nearly twice what the car cost new. But if Civics class taught us anything, it was that the more people find you desirable, the more they'll be willing to pony up for you.

So, are you civic-minded enough to drop eight large for this silver Civic? Or, does that price move this car out of your civic center?

You decide!

San Francisco Craigslist or go here if the ad disappears. A pop of the hatch to Spritle for the tip

Help me out with NPOCP. Click here to send a me a tip, and remember to include your commenter handle.

Toyota Recalls 110,000 Tundra Pickups For Frame Corrosion [Toyota Recall]

Ray Wert — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:30:00 -0500

Toyota, bowing to owner reports, issued a safety recall today on 110,000 2000-2003 Tundras sold in 20 cold-weather states and DC to fix frame rust problems that could cause ~~fiery death~~ the spare tire to fall off the truck.

Toyota Announces Safety Recall on 2000 through 2003 Tundra Frame Rear Cross Member
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. will launch a Safety Recall involving approximately 110,000 Tundra vehicles sold in the United States.

Certain 2000 through 2003 model year Tundra vehicles operated in cold climate areas with high road salt use, may exhibit excessive corrosion on the frame rear cross- member. In the worst case, the spare tire stowed under the truck bed may become separated from the rear cross member. Spare tire separation will create a road hazard for following vehicles and increase the likelihood of a crash.

Eventually, excessive corrosion of the rear cross-member may also affect the functionality of the rear brake line at the proportioning valve. If this occurs, it can lead to the loss of the rear brake circuits which will increase vehicle stopping distances and the risk of a crash.

In addition to the District of Columbia, the involved cold climate states with high road salt usage are: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.

Beginning in December 2009 through early 2010, owners of the involved vehicles will receive a Safety Recall notification via first class mail asking them to take their vehicles to a Toyota dealer for an initial inspection of the rear cross member. During this inspection, the rear cross-member including the surrounding components such as, the brake line at the proportioning valve (which is mounted on the cross-member assembly) will also be inspected. Based upon the inspection, Toyota will do one of the following at no charge:

Tundra

If there is no significant corrosion of the rear cross-member assembly or the rear brake line at the proportioning valve, owners will be notified of that fact and requested to subsequently bring their vehicle back to the dealership so that a corrosion-resistant compound can be applied to the rear cross-member. Toyota will notify the owner when the corrosion-resistant compound is available.

If significant corrosion is detected such that the rear cross-member can no longer safely support the spare tire and replacement components are available, the cross- member assembly will be replaced. In the event replacement components are not available, a temporary solution, such as the removal of the spare tire and securing it to the truck bed, will be performed until parts are available.

In those relatively rare cases where the rear cross-member is significantly corroded and can no longer safely support the spare tire, but the rear cross-member cannot be replaced due to excessive frame corrosion at the mounting location (e.g., if the side rails are too damaged), Toyota will develop an appropriate remedy for those vehicles on a case-by- case basis.

This inspection will take approximately 20 minutes depending on dealer scheduling.

Until your vehicle is inspected, you may minimize the risk of the spare tire separating from the rear cross-member by removing it. If you choose to do so, please be sure not to be under the rear cross-member or spare tire carrier during the lowering process. In addition, if placing the spare tire in the truck bed or other area of the vehicle, it should be secured when driving.

Customers with questions are asked to call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1 800 331-4331.

###

[Toyota via PickupTrucks]

Amazingly Accurate Historic Wooden Race Cars [Novelties]

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:15:00 -0500

Gary Tatman builds models cars. More specifically, he carves replicas of the coolest race cars of all time from simple wood. Dazzlingly accurate models of the Lotus 33b, Porsche 917K, the Ford GT40, and the Tyrrell P-34 below.

Hemmings Auto Blogs caught up with Gary at the Dayton, Ohio, Concours d'Elegance (we snickered too) where he was showing his amazing little cars. A millworker by trade, Gary picks up the leftover bits of woo normally destined for the trash and uses regular woodworking tools to carve these slick little cars. These aren't just hacked together to look pretty on the outside, they're carefully built to a crazy level of precision, according to Gary:

The hoods of the cars are removable to expose the radiators and vent openings for air flow. The front tires turn in unison, and the Porsche 917k, when complete, will be the first car with steering wheel turning capabilities. I also have a driveline mocked-up that will turn the engine cooling turbine on top of the engine with the turning of the rear wheels as you roll it! All of the shifters, handbrakes and foot pedal assemblies move. The gas caps all lock and unlock, the side view mirrors adjust, and any aero flaps would be adjustable on the car.

We're especially loving the space-frame work on the Porsche 917K. Find out more over at Hemmings Auto Blogs (Hat tip to zaddikim)

Commenter Of The Day: Only The Good Die Young Edition [Commenter Of The Day]

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:00:00 -0500

It's hard to think of a time when someone as benign as Billy Joel could have a song banned, but such was the feigned innocence of the late 1970s. America's cherry had been popped but gay culture wasn't as mainstream and conservative Catholics had to complain about something, so they complained abut Billy Joel's repetitive and unoriginal "Only The Good Die Young." Yeah, he does say "You Catholic girls start much too late, but sooner or later, it comes down to fate. I might a well be the one." But It's not exactly Eazy-E. Even Joel himself said it wasn't anti-Catholic, just "pro-lust." Of course, the banned song helped sell records. Today we asked you to tell us what you'll drive when you're 70. As mytdawg succinctly points out, this assumes you make it that far.

Wow, unpainted pine, really?

2010 Dodge Viper ACR Debuts At Laguna Seca, Sets Lap Record [New Cars]

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:30:00 -0500

According track-side sources, the 2010 Dodge Viper ACR has set a new unofficial lap record at Laguna Seca of 1:33.944 as the final year production cars make their debut. At least they're going out with a bang.

[via Edmunds Inside Line Twitter Feed]

How To Lap Lime Rock Park [How To]

Wes Siler — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500

Last month, we reviewed the Skip Barber Advanced Two Day Mazdaspeed Racing School at Connecticut's Lime Rock Park. Here's what they taught us.

Turn: 1, First Half of Big Bend
Description: The entry speed corner comes at the end of the main straight, so you want to maximize what speed you're able to gather (about 110 MPH in the MX-5) by braking as late as possible. Since the entry is very wide and the curve is relatively gentle, that means you're going to be shedding that speed while turning.
Gear: Starting in 5, finishing in 3.
Difficulty: High
Method: Brake gently at the last braking marker and turn in, heading in a straight line towards the apex. Now brake harder, shifting into 4th, then 3rd. Keep the car around the middle of the track as you approach turn 2.

Turn: 2, Second Half of Big Bend
Description: A late apex in a decreasing radius corner that sets you up for a short straight leading into the following corner.
Gear: 3
Difficulty: Medium
Method: turn in late, lift slightly to tighten your line and hold the car against the curb to the point where it ends, then let the car track out to the left. You need to be at wide open throttle to maximize the short straight. If you do it right, you'll bounce off the limiter a few times, but changing up a gear, then down again for the next corner probably won't save any time unless you're very fast.

Turn: 3, The Left Hander
Description: As the name suggests, the only left hander at Lime Rock. Deceptively long, there's a couple of usable lines through it, but either way you need to be able to get all the way to the left of the track on the exit to set you up for the next corner.
Gear: 3
Difficulty: Medium
Method: Enter in the middle of the track, trail braking as you turn slightly. Once you can see the apex, turn in sharply, clip it, but hold the wheel to left as you use the throttle to exit. You need to hit the turn in point for Turn 4 all the way to driver's left.

Turn: 4, Entry On To No Name Straight
Description: A fairly standard right hander that sets you up for the following series of slight bends known as "No Name Straight."
Gear: 4
Difficulty: Low
Method: A basic corner with a textbook approach: just turn in all the way over at driver's left shift into 4th, clip the curbing at the apex and track out. Get the throttle fully open as soon as you're in 4th. Straight line the straight as much as possible, no need to hit curbs or anything.

Turn: 5, The Uphill
Description: A fairly straightforward right hander that's been made complicated by sticking a steep hill in the middle. If you don't have your wheel straight when you crest it, you'll spin and the barriers are very close to the track.
Gear: 4
Difficulty: High
Method: Brake lightly at brake maker 4, then turn in at marker 1. Clip the apex and get on full throttle pointed out towards the curb halfway up the hill on driver's left, then once you hit that hill use the compression to tighten your line the rest of the way. Hands straight as soon as you've done that and hug the edge of the track over the crest and down the short straight. It's easier than it looks.

Turn: 6, West bend
Description: A right hand sweeper that can be taken very fast. The inside curbing is very tall, so get close, but don't clip it. Sets you up for The Downhill, which is super important to lapping quickly, so the exit is all important here.
Gear: 4
Difficulty: Medium
Method: Brake lightly, then turn in for a normal apex, get fully on the throttle early and hold it there as you ride the curbing on the outside.

Turn: 7, The Downhill
Description: If you're going to crash at Lime Rock, it'll be here. A very fast downhill right hander with compression on the entry that aids turn in. Sets you up for the main straight, you'll lose lots of time if you don't get this corner right.
Gear: Start in 4, finish in 5.
Difficulty: High
Method: Very confident drivers only need to lift slightly down the hill in the MX-5, but I still brush the brakes a little for some added confidence. Make sure you're on maintenance throttle at turn in, which is just where the hill flattens out. You need to use the compression this transition creates to maximize front end grip on turn in, so predict where its going to happen and turn in aggressively just as the front suspension compresses. Roll on the throttle as you clip the apex, getting it fully open as soon as possible, then track out fully the left, shifting into 5th when revs dictate. Huge the left side of the track all the way down the straight.

Here I am trying to put what I learned into practice. The cars are Mazda MX-5 Cup racecars. Over the standard vehicle, they add a $5500 Mazda racing package that includes a new intake and exhaust, boosting power from 167 to 200 HP. There's also remote reservoir Eibach dampers, considerably stiffer Eibach springs, solid antiroll bars, racing brake pads and 225/45WR-17 tires. The cars are also stripped of their interiors and soft tops, have a full cage welded in and you sit in racing buckets with five-point harnesses facing a removable wheel. The whole thing weighs just 2,600 Lbs. In short, it's a real race car with much improved throttle response, steering and outright grip. It's an extremely neutral car that'll understeer if you push it too fast into corners and let you tighten your line if you lift the throttle, making it near perfect to learn on.

Papa John's Camaro Z28 Goes Replica [Toy Cars]

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0500

Jalopnik played a small role in bringing Papa John's Camaro back home to Kentucky and now the Z28 itself is going small with a limited edition toy car.

We just recieved our Johnny Lightning replica in the mail and, having driven one of these before, we're impressed with the accuracy. Well, mostly just the tiny magnetic Papa John's car topper. And because John Schnatter is such a generous fellow, he's donating 5,000 of the mini Z28s and $80,000 in proceeds from the small cars to the Marine Toys For Tots Foundation.

And because he loves giving stuff away, there's even a sticker for a free medium pizza on the back of the package.

For integrity's sake, we're going to leave it on there.

PAPA JOHN'S TO DONATE $80,000 IN PROCEEDS OF MINI CAMARO SALES TO TOYS FOR TOTS

Pizza chain's contribution to annual holiday campaign also will include free pizza offer on back of mini-car packaging, all available at www.papajohns.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (November 16, 2009) – Earlier this year, "Papa" John Schnatter set out on a cross-country Road Trip to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Papa John's Pizza…and to search for the car that started it all: a 1971 Z28 Camaro that Schnatter sold to keep his dad's tavern in business and ultimately open his first Papa John's restaurant. He even offered a $250,000 reward for the car's safe return. To everyone's surprise (especially Schnatter's), the beloved Camaro was found in Flatwoods, Ky. in August.

Beginning today, pizza and car lovers alike may purchase a mini replica of Schnatter's Camaro for just $4.99 at www.papajohns.com. For every mini Camaro sold, $1 will be donated to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, just in time for the holidays. In addition, every toy's packaging includes a coupon for a free medium cheese pizza – making it the gift that keeps on giving, long after the holiday leftovers are gone!

Papa John's is also donating 5,000 mini Camaros directly to Toys for Tots – a retail value of $25,000, and $50,000 in redeemable free pizzas. In total, Papa John's will contribute more than $155,000 to the 2009 Toys for Tots campaign.

"You could say that Christmas came early this year for John, which is why we're especially pleased to share his joy with kids around the country who love Papa John's pizza," said Jude Thompson, Papa John's president and chief operating officer. "Papa John's is proud to partner and be associated with Toys for Tots, renowned for touching millions of young lives year after year."

"Papa John has a great story that's not only fun, but also provides hope and inspiration to less fortunate children," said Maj. Bill Grein, USMC (Ret), vice president of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. "Toys for Tots is honored to have the support of Papa John's and their 2,600 restaurants across the country this season as we make the holidays brighter for families everywhere."

For more information and to purchase a mini Camaro, benefiting Toys for Tots, visit www.papajohns.com.

About Marine Toys for Tots
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not for profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to provide fundraising and other necessary support for their annual Toys for Tots Program. Now in its 62nd year, Toys for Tots provides hope and happiness to economically disadvantaged children through the gift of a shiny new toy during the Christmas holiday season. Our gifts offer these children recognition, confidence and a positive memory they will cherish for a lifetime. Many of the gifts we provide, such as books, games and sports equipment, make a significant contribution to the educational, social and recreational interests of these children. In 2008, Marines distributed gifts to 7.6 million children in over 650 communities nationwide. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation relies on individual donations from the American public and is supported by corporate sponsorships. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.
About Papa John's
Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Papa John's International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) is the world's third largest pizza company. For nine of the last 10 years, consumers have rated Papa John's No. 1 in customer satisfaction among all national pizza chains in the highly regarded American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Papa John's also ranks first among pizza companies in the 2008 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index, was honored by Restaurants & Institutions Magazine (R&I) with the 2008 Silver Award for Consumers' Choice in Chains in the pizza segment, and was named 2007 Pizza Today Chain of the Year. For more information about the company or to order pizza online, visit Papa John's at www.papajohns.com.

Top Ten Least-Ticketed Vehicles And Why [Car Crime]

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0500

A nationwide study examining police ticket data across the United States has revealed one very important list — which cars don't get tickets. We've broken down the list below.

Quality Planning — a company that validates policyholder info for auto insurers put together this list based on data gathered between August 2007 and September 2008, using a sample size of 1.7 million vehicles.

Click "next" or select any car to learn how it made the list.

[via AOL Autos]

Photo credit: Kipp Baker

Vehicle: 2009 GMC Sierra 1500
Place: #10 (tied)
Percentage lower than average: 60% less likely
Why it isn't ticketed: It's a big pickup truck. Unless you're outfitted with the entire JC Whitney off-road catalog, pickups are as good as invisible on the streets. Well, not invisible, more like moving blind spots blocking your view of traffic. Still, given the utility and apparently lower ticketing rate, the higher fuel consumption and parking woes might be offset.

Vehicle: 2009 Buick Lucerne
Place: #10 (tied)
Percentage lower than average: 60% less likely
Why it isn't ticketed: It's a Buick. More accurately, it's a part of the "Old Buick." Recently we've seen signs of life in GM's tri-shield brand with the Buick LaCrosse and Buick Regal, but the Lucerne is positioned staunchly in the "old-man driving 10 MPH under the speed limit in the fast lane" stereotype of Buick. This car isn't ticketed because its drivers don't break the law, well, they don't break speeding laws. Tickets for no turn signals and late turns across three lanes of traffic into Old Country Buffet are rare.

Vehicle: 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette
Place: #8 (tied)
Percentage lower than average: 63% less likely
Why it isn't ticketed: Nothing says "I'm not worth your time officer" better than a minivan, especially a GM minivan sadly badged as an Oldsmobile. The Silhouette was GM's pity offering to Olds dealers with nothing interesting in the showroom and acted as a footnote in the last days of the brand. It's nothing if not completely invisible in the real world and the drivers are too busy trying not to be seen to go around breaking traffic laws.

Vehicle: 2007 Buick Rainier
Place: #8 (tied)
Percentage lower than average: 63% less likely
Why it isn't ticketed: Platform prostitution at its finest, the Buick Rainier started life as the Chevy Trailblazer, which begat the Oldsmobile Bravada, which died with the brand, so it was rebadged as both the Saab 9-7x and Buick Rainier. A lesson in how not to manage a platform for success. The Rainier has not one but two invisibility shields: 1) it's an unremarkable looking SUV, and 2) it's a Buick. Might as well have that fancy cloaking technology the Predator used.

Vehicle: Mazda6
Place: #6
Percentage lower than average: 66% less likely
Why it isn't ticketed: Despite the Mazda 6's more sporting character compared to other mid-size family sedans, it's still a mid-size family sedan. There are more than enough hot-heads in pony cars and German prickmobiles to collect revenue from.

Vehicle: 2005 Buick Park Avenue
Place: #5
Percentage lower than average: 68% less likely
Why it isn't ticketed: Quite a preponderance of Buicks on this list isn't there? Of the cars on here, we've always felt the Buick Park Avenue got the short end of the stick. The final generation actually wore some pretty crisp styling but was always burdened by terrible old-fogey wheels and later boasted tacked-on ventiports. The supercharged 3800 V6 would scoot off the line but the floaty suspension and drowsy interior made the idea of breaking the law a non-issue. Plus, what cop wants to ticket the nice little grandma behind the wheel.

Vehicle: Chevrolet C1500, K1500, 2500HD, 3500HD
Place: #4
Percentage lower than average: 72% less likely
Why it isn't ticketed: Same reason as its GMC Sierra twin, it's a truck and thus nothing more than an large lump taking up space on the road. With the 6.0-liter V8 they can be pretty fast and they're surprisingly agile around a corner, but nobody buys a truck for the go. As to why the Chevy has such a remarkable difference in ticketing rate we haven't a clue, perhaps since GMC buyer paid more for theirs, they feel like they should drive it faster and park in goofy places.

Vehicle: Chevrolet Tahoe
Place: #3
Percentage lower than average: 79% less likely
Why it isn't ticketed: If there was a way to make the Silverado more invisible to law enforcement, it's to close up the bed, add a pair of doors and call it the Tahoe. Even the name says law-abiding-white-bread-citizen. There's an interesting paradox here in that based on anecdotal evidence a great many Tahoes are driven with reckless abandon, weaving in and out of traffic as if they own the road. And yet, with their inevitably beige, black, or maroon paint jobs, Tahoes blend into the background like a chameleon.

Vehicle: Chevrolet Suburban
Place: #2
Percentage lower than average: 84% less likely
Why it isn't ticketed: Take everything about the Tahoe and add more girth. The big, bad, 'Burb has been sailing American roadways so long it's practically an institution. A last bastion for the family of eight which isn't interested in a full-size van, the Suburban is so big as to be imperceptible on a normal human scale, making it perfect for eluding the radar guns gaze. Their relative rarity these days helps out a lot too.

Vehicle: Jaguar XJ
Place: #1
Percentage lower than average: 89% less likely
Why it isn't ticketed: The Jaguar XJ has a shape almost as old as the idea of the car. Until Ian Callum came along and boogered-up the design with the 2010 Jaguar XJ, the car was so ubiquitous, and favored by such old buyers, it's practically never ticketed. The colors are generally sedate and unassuming, British Racing Green is as crazy as it gets, none of those obscene reds and yellows that draw radar guns. The trick is beneath the 40 year old skin is the possibility of an all-aluminum automobile sporting a 400 HP supercharged V8. It's a perfect sleeper and the car least likely to get you ticketed.

Plug-In Hybrids Will Not Kill The Power Grid, Yet [I Feel Gassy]

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0500

There's some concern the pending crop of plug-in hybrid vehicles will put a strain on the US power grid. Relax, they're not going to sell enough of them for it to matter.

Plug-in hybrids are the next wave of hybrid wunderkinds and are poised to greatly change the way we think about fuel economy. The prospect of never using fuel in around-town trips has a great deal of appeal. However, there's been some vocal concern the US power grid is in no state to support the added load these cars will present. With the specter of the "rolling brown-outs" in California and the massive grid failure across the north east in 2004, there's some validity to the concern.

However, a study from the Electric Power Research Institute and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) titled "Environmental Assessment of Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles" says there's really no need for concern because the volume is far too low. On top of that, power company officials from Detroit-area power supplier Detroit Edision as well as LA's Southern California Edison say the grid can easily handle the additional load. In LA's situation there might be some adjustments made where there will be enclaves of ~~hippies~~ hybrid drivers. Overall, a plug-in hybrid doesn't look much different to the grid than four or five flat screen TV's running at the same time. [Green Car Reports]

Transit Authority Rap: I Got 99 Problems, And A Bus Ain't One [LOLCars]

Sam Smith — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:00:00 -0500

The Bluegrass State is a strange place, and Louisville, its largest city, is home to some weird and wonderful stuff. If you ever find yourself in the 'Ville and have to ride the bus, use a bike rack. Fool.

What we have here just might be the greatest piece of community-service rap ever written. The backup singers alone are worth the price of admission.

Full disclosure: I grew up in Louisville, and I remain fond of both TARC (the Transit Authority of River City, the city's bus system) and the town's quirky, offbeat vibe. If you're ever there, try the breakfast at Lynn's Paradise Cafe. It's like love on a plate.

Sell No: Why You Don’t Need A New Car [New Cars]

Sam Smith — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:30:00 -0500

According to recent reports, new-car sales in this country are slowly climbing out of the toilet. We love you, Driving America, so we have some advice: Stop it.

We know what you're thinking: The American economy is barely alive. Detroit is busily attempting to reverse decades of bad choices. Speed has never been cheaper, interest rates are still in the gutter, and everyone and their brother — hello, Black Friday — wants you to buy, buy, buy. It looks like an easy call.

We're here to tell you to hold off. If you can stomach it, we suggest you do something radical: If it has wheels, don't buy it new. Period. Sound like sacrilege? Maybe, but there's more to it than you might think.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Argument One: Cost

As obvious as it seems, the money bit can't be overlooked. Sure, you lose a hefty chunk of change the moment you drive your new snazzmobile off the lot, but that old saw rarely stops people. And yeah, interest rates are low, and the guy in the nice tweed suit is going to talk to his boss and almost lose his job so you can save a few bucks. It's tempting. But it's also a game for suckers.

Look at it this way: Yes, there's never been a better time to buy a new car. But by the same token, there's also never been a better time to save your money and buy something older and a heck of a lot cheaper. The same economy that made that brand-new Porsche 911 seem affordable also trashcanned the values of every used car on the planet. Never has so much fun been available for so little, and the tradeoffs are relatively benign. (In the case of the 911, a good used 996 Carrera will be almost as fast, half as expensive, and just as much fun to fling into a fencepost ass-first.) And if you're worried about repair costs, don't — unless you buy in the rain, at night, and while drunk, a year's worth of fix-it bills will rarely outweigh the heft of twelve car payments.

Take the cash you saved and go on vacation. Invest it. Hell, for that matter, just use it to — wait for it — buy a second car. (What can we say? Jalopnik wants you to roll.) The possibilities are endless.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Argument Two: The Environment

It doesn't matter what you buy, how old it is, or how much it says "hybrid" on the trunk — if you're buying a new car, you're consuming resources. Great strides have been made in the field of automotive recycling, and for the most part, large-scale manufacturing is cleaner than it's ever been. But you can't negate the laws of physics: If it already exists, then you don't have to make it. Creating things takes work, and work, by definition, makes something happen by using up something else.

A few years ago, a company called CNW Market Research created a "dust to dust" study that examined the net environmental impact of a host of new cars. The study received a lot of press, largely because it claimed that a Jeep Wrangler used less energy from cradle to grave than a Toyota Prius. The firm's methods have since been the subject of a great deal of controversy, but the argument they make is valid: Things aren't always what they seem, and planetary harm has a lot more to do with sustainable design than with tailpipe emissions.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Argument Three: Safety

This is the bit that comes with a caveat: No matter what you drive, the newer it is, the less likely it is to kill you in an accident. Vehicle safety standards are like the laundry — they never rest, and the only thing you can do is try to keep up. That said, thanks to Ralph Nader (I can't believe I just typed that), the curve isn't linear.

By and large, things are much better than they were fifty years ago. Your dad's '61 Cadillac may have killed him if he so much as looked at it funny, but anything built since the first Bush administration is going to be safe enough that you shouldn't feel terrorized by traffic. When in doubt, err on the side of newer, more airbags, and more crush space. Just because it's older doesn't mean that it wants you dead.

Argument Four: Fun

If you regularly read car magazines, the following may come as a shock: New cars aren't always more fun. Here at Los Jalops Con Carne, we've driven everything on the market, and most of what's out there simply isn't that special. Thanks to ever-increasing safety, emissions, and comfort standards, the average new car is a lumpy pile of bloated meh. There are exceptions — a lot of them, thankfully — but they aren't available for beer money, and most of them are either wildly impractical or more expensive than a small house. Buy older, and you get access to the once-costly fun stuff at cut-rate prices; you also get lighter curb weights, better steering feel, and more seat-of-the-pants Kickass.

The Caveat: Sometimes…

OK, we give — none of this is set in stone. There are obviously exceptions to each and every one of these arguments, and sometimes a new car is simply the best answer. We feel your pain. But if you remember nothing else, remember this:

Save the old cars. Please. Don't let your children grow up thinking that 4000-pound sport sedans with foot-thick doors are the way of the future. Help us, before it's too late. This is Jalopnik, signing off from the future. You have been warned.

2011 BMW 5 Series Set To Video [New Cars]

Wes Siler — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500

You're probably as relieved as we are to see that the 2011 BMW 5 Series ditches Chris Bangle's flame surfacing and huge ass in favor of something that's actually recognizable as a car. Here it is in motion.

Click on the images marked with a play button to see the 5-Series in action. [via BMW Blog]

How To Uncute Teddy Bear Wheels [LOLCars]

Peter Orosz — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:30:00 -0500

Ronal’s teddy bear wheels are a signpost on our culture’s march towards all-encompassing cuteness. But there’s a simple way to turn them into ursine wheels of doom.

All it takes is a liberal application of black paint with two strategic spots of red:

The one remaining snag on the way to pure teddy evil is the wheel lock masquerading as a belly button. The blackest of paints will be inadequate to make that detail even slightly serious. You’d probably have to install a gun in there to complete the transformation. An Oerlikon autocannon should do the job.

Photo Credit: BustedFoxWaGeN, Jackson Allen

Five Best And Worst Black Friday New Car Deals [Car Deals]

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0500

This year brings a newcomer to Black Friday steals and deals — cars. There's serious savings to be had on new cars, as well as some seriously horrible duds. Here's five of the best and five to avoid.

Good Deal #1

What: Buy A 2010 Suzuki SX4 For Under $15,000
Where: Suzuki Dealers
Regular Price: $15,849
Black Friday Price: $14,599
Savings: $500 Holiday cash on top of current deals, for a total savings of $1,300.
Why Its A Good Deal: You won't find a better utilitarian vehicle in this price range. Better yet, it comes with an in-dash navigation system featuring Garmin software.

Good Deal #2

What: GM Dealer Closing Sale: $2,000 Off For Certain Customers
Where: Cadillac, Buick-GMC, Chevrolet Dealers
Regular Price: Already heavily discounted
Savings: $1,000-to-$2,000
Black Friday Price: Between $1,000 and $2,000 cheaper
Why It's A Good Deal: Nearly one-million customers living near a closing dealership will receive a letter in the mail this week offering them an additional $1,000-to-$2,000 to purchase a vehicle at a dealership staying open. Deal ends at the end of the month.

Good Deal #3

What: BMW Diesel Luxury Sedans — More Than 10% Off
Where: BMW Dealers
Regular Price: $43,900
Savings: $4,500
Black Friday Price: $39,400
Why It's A Good Deal: BMW is trying to get U.S. buyers to accept diesel vehicles as luxury vehicles and is putting $4,500 in cash where its mouth is. Powerful and efficient, BMW diesels at a discount is a great deal.

Good Deal #4

What: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V: $5,000 Savings
Where: Cadillac Dealers
Regular Price: $58,575
Black Friday Price: $53,575
Savings: $5,000
Why It's A Good Deal: The CTS-V is a world-beater and the few remaining 2009 vehicles on dealer lots qualify for a $5,000 cash back deal. It's the fastest stocking-stuffer on the block.

Good Deal #5

What: Remaining 2009 Dodge Rams Up To $5,500 Cash Back
Where: Dodge Dealerships
Regular Price: $21,510 - $39,935
Black Friday Price: Up To $5,500 Off
Savings: $5,500
Why It's A Good Deal: Dodge is hoping they'll have a few less 2009 Rams sitting under their tree and are offering up to $5,500 in cash back if you'll help rid them of a nicely-loaded one.

Bad Deal #1

What: Ford's Year-End Sales Event Unremarkable
Where: Ford Dealers
Regular Price: Fairly Cheap
Black Friday Price: $1,000 less plus 0% financing
Why It's A Bad Deal: Ford is not as poorly positioned as other American automakers so they're offering a measly $1,000 cash back and 0% financing. This is a good deal — on Black Friday 2006.

Bad Deal #2

What: Baja MotorSports Phoenix 250cc Street Motorcycle A Bad Deal Free
Where: PepBoys
Regular Price: $1,999.99
Black Friday Price: $1,499.00
Savings: $500.01
Why It's A Bad Deal: Even with a $500 discount you're still buying a cheap-for-a-reason Chinese bike that's going to require riding lessons, a license and possibly being abandoned two weeks later on the side of the road.

Bad Deal #3

What: Get Less Than 3% Off Of A BMW M3
Where: BMW Dealerships
Regular Price: $54,850
Black Friday Price: $53,350
Why It's A Bad Deal: BMW knows it has a great product in the M3 sports sedan and it's throwing its smallest cash back offer on them. For less than 3% off most buyers won't notice it.

Bad Deal #4

What: Get A "Free" Upgrade To An AWD Charger You Didn't Want
Where: Dodge Dealerships
Regular Price: $30,540
Black Friday Price: $25,700
Why It's A Bad Deal: Dodge has a slate of attractive incentives for those wanting to buy a new car from them, but the "free" upgrade to an AWD Charger is selling you an unpopular AWD upgrade instead of more cash off the car you actually wanted.

Bad Deal #5

What: Subaru Donates $250 To Charity For You
Where: Subaru Dealers
Regular Price: Regular Price
Black Friday Price: Still The Regular Price On Many Models
Why It's A Bad Deal: We think Subaru's "Share The Love " event is great for the five charities that get $250 when you buy their car, but it's not a great deal for consumers. Blame it on Subaru building cars people want.

What Will You Drive When You're 70? [Question Of The Day]

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:30:00 -0500

A 72-year-old man just won the Baja 1000 in a Hummer H3 Alpha. An 81-year-old flew cross-country in his homemade P-38 replica. Being 70 is the new mid-life crisis. What will you drive when you're 70?

Since at least two of us already drive cars designed for AARP card-holders (Wojdyla's XJR and Hardigree's Volvo wagon), we see the opposite happening in 40 years. We'll be driving the latest super car: the Chery Wind of A Thousand Mountains, which of course traces it's lineage back to the great auto industry collapse of 2030, when Chery purchased both Lamborghini and Ferrari when they went out of business. It will also be the last gas-powered new car in existence, which we'll use to fend off scavengers who survived the robotpocalypse. We can't wait for the future.

Add a little silver to your foxy hair and look through your glaucoma-free eyes into the crystal ball and tell us: what will you drive when you're 70?

BREAKING: Saab, Koenigsegg Deal Off [Carpocalypse]

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:07:11 -0500

GM's plan to sell Saab to Koenigsegg is suddenly off, with many sources indicating Koenigsegg walked away from the deal and GM planning to meet next week to discuss what to do with European brand they didn't want. [CNBC]

2010 Subaru WRX STI Special Edition Looks Like Spec C, Isn’t [La Auto Show]

Wes Siler — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:00:00 -0500

The 2010 Subaru WRX STI Special Edition inherits its gray wheels from the bonkers JDM Spec C, but that's about it. Think of it as a more focused STI, with less fluff and firmer suspension.

In addition to those wheels, the Special Edition gains 16-percent stiffer front springs 29-percent firmer rear dampers, stronger rear subframe bushings, and the rear swaybar grows 1mm. It also drops the HID headlights in favor of halogens, drops automatic climate control for manual HVAC and loses the fancy 10-speaker stereo for a 4-speaker item. All that should help keep the cost down around the same $35,690 as the regular STI.

Here's the release:

The 2010 WRX STI Special Edition is aimed at the driving enthusiast who is willing to trade a few amenities to gain an extra measure of handling performance over the already extraordinary WRX STI. Suspension for the new version of this high-performance machine is adopted from the Japanese domestic market WRX STI spec C model, which adds a 1-millimeter thicker rear stabilizer bar, stiffer rear sub-frame bushings plus upgraded and retuned springs. The front springs are 16-percent stiffer, while the rear shocks have been stiffened by 29-percent.

Available in early Spring, the first 125 units of the 2010 WRX STI Special Edition will be painted in exclusive Aspen White, set off by the charcoal-colored 18 x 8.5 in. 14-spoke alloy wheels from the JDM WRX STI spec C. The WRX STI Special Edition will then become a regular production model later in 2010, available in standard colors.

The WRX STI Special Edition was developed by Subaru Tecnica International, the high-performance and motorsports subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. Compared with the standard 2010 WRX STI, the WRX STI Special Edition features halogen rather than HID headlights; a single-disc CD player / 4-speaker audio system instead of the 6-CD /10-speaker system; manual air conditioning in place of automatic climate control, and body color side mirrors.

All other aspects of the WRX STI Special Edition remain as on the standard model, including the 305-horsepower / 290 lb.-ft. turbocharged/intercooled Boxer engine, 6-speed manual transmission and a high level of driver-selectable powertrain- and dynamic handling-control systems. The car's bulged fenders and rear quarter panels, rear gate-mounted spoiler and aerodynamic ground effects give the WRX STI a direct link to Subaru competition cars. The hood scoop, brake-cooling air intakes and engine heat outlets are all functional.

The Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) version of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, which remains exclusive to the Impreza WRX STI, offers three selectable automatic performance modes in addition to six manual center differential locking settings. The WRX STI is in addition equipped with limited-slip front and rear differentials. The Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) stability and traction control system features three driver-selectable positions. On all WRX STI models, the 18-in. wheels are fitted with Dunlop SP600 245/40R18 tires.

The Brembo Performance Brake System employs ventilated 4-wheel Super Sport anti-lock (ABS) disc brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). Side-curtain airbags and front seat side airbags are standard. The Incline Start Assist feature can momentarily prevent the vehicle from rolling backward when being driven away from a stop on an incline.