A true enthusiast doesn't limit themselves to one car website or blog, so here's my list of the best automotive sites out there.
Car Buying
Cars.com- While certainly not aimed for the enthusiast market, cars.com is my favorite car search tool. I've spent many days on the site just browsing for cars I could never afford and ones that I would be insane to actually buy. For me, being able to scroll through photos of Ferraris and classic Mustangs on dealer lots makes it seem more attainable and thus easier to fantasize about driving these cars. Maybe its just me. Anyway, I chose cars.com because of the ease in filtering the exact car you are interested in so you don't have to look at any automatic Mustangs...
Cars-on-line.com- This is my choice for those interested in searching for classic cars. Once you click on the link you'll be taken to a website that clearly hasn't yet moved into the 21st century. While the site is showing its age, it still shows you what classic cars are available in your area. Cars-on-line.com also lets you search purely by make and only accepts cars on its site that are truly classics, allowing you to see only best classic cars.
Blogs
Jalopnik- If you're a common reader of EAE you already know that Jalopnik holds a special place in my heart. Jalopnik's mix of bold writing style and "small blog" humor make it perfect for those who have a passion for cars. Jalopnik ignores those non-enthusiast readers that other blogs seem to cater to and in doing so has created a close-knit online automotive community.
Autoblog- Autoblog makes no attempt to match Jalopnik's humor or community but does do a great job of providing auto news. If you are interested in spy shots of the newest sports cars, you'll love Autoblog. Anytime I'm looking for the most up-to-date car commentary I head to Autoblog to get the scoop.
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Monday, July 4, 2016
Top 5 Vipers
As many of you surely know, the Viper is witnessing its last golden sunset as 2017 will be the last year of the wide-hipped snake we know and love. Motor Trend recently reported, however, that despite struggling sales figures in recent years, all 215 25th Anniversary Edition cars sold out only a few days after Dodge made the announcement. With the Age of the Viper coming to a close, I thought I'd show you my Top 5 Viper Trims/Special Editions.
5. First-Gen Viper Convertible
The one that started it all. It doesn't get any more 90's than the factory ketchup and mustard wheel and paint configuration. Sporting a massive 8 liter V10 the Viper was like no other supercar in the world when it entered production in 1992. The Viper was inspired by the legendary Shelby Cobra of the 60's and was no less terrifying to drive.
4. Second-Gen Viper Coupe
While this generation of Viper was never appreciated by the automotive community, I always loved the second-gen Vipers aggressive front-end not to mention the V10 that made over 500 Horsepower.
3. 2013 Dodge Viper
The current Viper improved on the second-gen in practically every single way. The smoothed over styling that payed homage to the original worked magnificently. That, combined with the improved interior and dedication to the monster V10 even as government regulations maligned such a car earns it a podium finish.
2. 2008 Dodge Viper ACR
The Viper ACR was to the automotive community what the Miracle on Ice was to hockey. The 2008 Viper ACR dominated nearly every production car lap record that existed from the Nurburgring to Laguna Seca. The ACR laughed in the face of Ferrari Scuderia's and Porsche GT3's and showed that an American production car could still beat the greats at their own game.
1. Dodge Viper GTS
Only when Dodge decided to put a top on its then convertible-only Viper did the snake see its full potential. The styling was somehow improved over the RT/10 and included the "double bubble" roof last seen in 60's race cars. The racing success of the highly related GTS-R cemented this Viper as my number 1.
5. First-Gen Viper Convertible
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The one that started it all. It doesn't get any more 90's than the factory ketchup and mustard wheel and paint configuration. Sporting a massive 8 liter V10 the Viper was like no other supercar in the world when it entered production in 1992. The Viper was inspired by the legendary Shelby Cobra of the 60's and was no less terrifying to drive.
4. Second-Gen Viper Coupe
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While this generation of Viper was never appreciated by the automotive community, I always loved the second-gen Vipers aggressive front-end not to mention the V10 that made over 500 Horsepower.
3. 2013 Dodge Viper
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2. 2008 Dodge Viper ACR
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The Viper ACR was to the automotive community what the Miracle on Ice was to hockey. The 2008 Viper ACR dominated nearly every production car lap record that existed from the Nurburgring to Laguna Seca. The ACR laughed in the face of Ferrari Scuderia's and Porsche GT3's and showed that an American production car could still beat the greats at their own game.
1. Dodge Viper GTS
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2012 Ford Mustang V6 Review
In the spirit of the 4th of July I thought I'd review a 2012 Ford Mustang V6. This particular Mustang belongs to a close friend and thus I have had a great deal of experience driving it. As always, before I go into the details of what the 'stang is like to drive, I'll give you a rundown of the features and modifications.
Engine: 3.7 V6
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
Options: Premium & Sport Package
Mods: Magnaflow Cat-Back Exhaust, Airaid Cold-Air Intake, 73mm Throttle Body, SR Performance Lower Control Arms, Bremmer Kraft wheels
As you can see, this particular Mustang celebrates the classic Mustang "make-it-your-own" mentality. This is one of the things I always appreciated about the Mustang community as almost all owners seem to personalize their ride. The first thing I'll tell you about driving the Mustang is that 13 years has drastically changed what the V6 pony represents. No longer is it the couldn't-afford-a-V8 choice that I owned. With 305 Horsepower before any of the modifications, this Mustang will outperform BMW 3-Series' and Nissan 370Z's alike. But I wouldn't care even if it was slower than those cars. Why? Because the Mustang has bad attitude in spades. Opening up the exhaust and throttle body to more air has quickened the V6's throttle response while giving it a unique burble and crackle on throttle-down similar to the 3.8 in my old Mustang. Handling was never one of the Mustang's strong suits and that doesn't change with this particular car. While the lower control arms help stiffen the rear end and reduce axle-hop, the car still doesn't communicate anything to the driver. Compared to a new GTI, the seating position is ridiculously high and still doesn't give the driver a good view of whats in front of him/her (I compare it to riding an actual horse).
So handling isn't great but who cares? If you're buying a V6 Mustang its not like you're taking it to Road America and running hot laps. What hasn't changed with this mustang is that its not afraid of being what it is. While the Mustang has picked up a ton a speed over the years, it still represents perhaps the best fun-to-dollar ratio and allows enthusiasts access to one of the largest automotive modification communities out there. American Muscle is where nearly all of this Mustang's aftermarket mods came from and one visit to the site will affirm that the Mustang community is still booming after all these years.
Fun: 9/10
Practical: 6/10
Fast: 9/10
Total: 24/30
Engine: 3.7 V6
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
Options: Premium & Sport Package
Mods: Magnaflow Cat-Back Exhaust, Airaid Cold-Air Intake, 73mm Throttle Body, SR Performance Lower Control Arms, Bremmer Kraft wheels
As you can see, this particular Mustang celebrates the classic Mustang "make-it-your-own" mentality. This is one of the things I always appreciated about the Mustang community as almost all owners seem to personalize their ride. The first thing I'll tell you about driving the Mustang is that 13 years has drastically changed what the V6 pony represents. No longer is it the couldn't-afford-a-V8 choice that I owned. With 305 Horsepower before any of the modifications, this Mustang will outperform BMW 3-Series' and Nissan 370Z's alike. But I wouldn't care even if it was slower than those cars. Why? Because the Mustang has bad attitude in spades. Opening up the exhaust and throttle body to more air has quickened the V6's throttle response while giving it a unique burble and crackle on throttle-down similar to the 3.8 in my old Mustang. Handling was never one of the Mustang's strong suits and that doesn't change with this particular car. While the lower control arms help stiffen the rear end and reduce axle-hop, the car still doesn't communicate anything to the driver. Compared to a new GTI, the seating position is ridiculously high and still doesn't give the driver a good view of whats in front of him/her (I compare it to riding an actual horse).
So handling isn't great but who cares? If you're buying a V6 Mustang its not like you're taking it to Road America and running hot laps. What hasn't changed with this mustang is that its not afraid of being what it is. While the Mustang has picked up a ton a speed over the years, it still represents perhaps the best fun-to-dollar ratio and allows enthusiasts access to one of the largest automotive modification communities out there. American Muscle is where nearly all of this Mustang's aftermarket mods came from and one visit to the site will affirm that the Mustang community is still booming after all these years.
Fun: 9/10
Practical: 6/10
Fast: 9/10
Total: 24/30
Thursday, June 30, 2016
University of Illinois Motorcycle Licensing Course Review and Recommendation
Last month I attended the University of Illinois Basic Rider Course at a Caterpillar plant in Montgomery, Illinois. I had always wanted to experience riding a motorcycle but never knew how to get started until a coworker brought up the Basic Rider Course offered by U of I. One of the greatest parts about the course is that it is funded by the State of Illinois so all you need to pay is a deposit of $20 which you get back at the end. The course lasts for three days and includes time in the classroom learning the basics behind motorcycle riding in order to take the test on the last day. The best part about the course was the seat time you get in an actual motorcycle. I ended up riding a Kawasaki XT225 and first was taught how to "ride the clutch" and keep the motorcycle moving without using your feet. This is probably the most useful teaching point as getting going was the hardest thing for me personally to grasp. Even after driving manual cars for 6+ years riding a motorcycle proved to be much, much different. Everything you've learned using your feet and hands is inverse on a bike with the throttle, clutch, and brake operated with your hands and the gear changes with your foot. Even with the steep learning curve, the structure of the course includes exercises that let you build your confidence. This, combined with the fact that the instructors are extremely patient and helpful, made this one of the most well laid-out classes I've ever been in. Without help from the instructors I would have surely failed the riding test that the DMV issues for licensing purposes. I ended up passing both the riding and written portions of the test, allowing me to waive any testing by the DMV and recently recieved "M" licensing certification on my driver's license. While I do not plan on purchasing a motorcycle in the near future, it is nice knowing that I now have the skills to be a safe rider. I highly recommend this course for anyone interested in motorcycles as it provides a low-stress environment for learning the skills you need. Trust me, if I can do it with my sense of balance, you can too.
-Course only gives you certification for Illinois but similar programs exist in most other states
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Top 5 Sporty Cars Under $30,000
Here's my list of the top new and used cars under $30,000
5. C5 Corvette Z06:
When the C5 Z06 first came out in 2001 it was one of the fastest and best handling cars in the world. While 15 years has seen 400 horsepower go from supercar territory to sedan territory, the Z06 still offers some of the best performance for around $30,000. When trying to determine which car should be in the number 5 sport I was stuck between the early Vipers and the Z06. What ultimately led me to choose the Z06 was the sound of the LS6 and the pop-up headlights which is one of the features I miss most from 90's cars. Because of the low weight of the Z06 (3100 lbs!) with a few mods this vette can run with the best of today's supercars.
4. 2016 Fiat 124 Spider:
The Fiat 124 Spider is one of those cars that only comes around every few years. Jointly developed with the Mazda Miata, the 124 shares many parts with its counterpart. What this car has to offer that the Miata does not, however, is soul. The 124 has that unique look and when mixed with the growling 4 leads to a truly special machine.
3. 2016 VW GTI
When I reviewed the GTI I said it didn't have enough flaws almost to a fault. For most, this would be a great thing and the GTI excels in every area you could imagine. This, combined with the fact that you can now get a brand-new GTI for about $22,000 means that this is the steal of the century for a new car.
2. Nissan 370Z
The 370Z has never been a car I have particularly liked but have always respected. While I don't think many people can argue that the 350 was a better looking car, the 370 is unique and can be personalized to make it your own. With the VQ series V6 this car is also just waiting to be modified. With very lightly used versions under 30 grand, this is a tempting option.
1. 2012-2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302
The Boss is by far my favorite mustang special edition (GT350 included) and exemplifies everything that's right in recent automotive history. The track-special even when new was still somewhat attainable and now with the GT350 prices for these are starting to dip below $30,000. 440 naturally-aspirated horsepower, side exhausts, and only a 6-speed stick offered. Perfect.
5. C5 Corvette Z06:
When the C5 Z06 first came out in 2001 it was one of the fastest and best handling cars in the world. While 15 years has seen 400 horsepower go from supercar territory to sedan territory, the Z06 still offers some of the best performance for around $30,000. When trying to determine which car should be in the number 5 sport I was stuck between the early Vipers and the Z06. What ultimately led me to choose the Z06 was the sound of the LS6 and the pop-up headlights which is one of the features I miss most from 90's cars. Because of the low weight of the Z06 (3100 lbs!) with a few mods this vette can run with the best of today's supercars.
4. 2016 Fiat 124 Spider:
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The Fiat 124 Spider is one of those cars that only comes around every few years. Jointly developed with the Mazda Miata, the 124 shares many parts with its counterpart. What this car has to offer that the Miata does not, however, is soul. The 124 has that unique look and when mixed with the growling 4 leads to a truly special machine.
3. 2016 VW GTI
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When I reviewed the GTI I said it didn't have enough flaws almost to a fault. For most, this would be a great thing and the GTI excels in every area you could imagine. This, combined with the fact that you can now get a brand-new GTI for about $22,000 means that this is the steal of the century for a new car.
2. Nissan 370Z
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1. 2012-2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302
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2016 Volkswagen GTI w/Performance Pack Review
I realize that this is supposed to be reviews for the "enthusiast" but I recently had the opportunity to drive the Mark 7 GTI and was not about to say no. This particular GTI was a 2016 model with the 6-speed manual, autobahn package and performance package. Included in the autobahn package was "leather" seats, a power sunroof, a backup camera, fender audio system and a host of other non-essentials I would never consider if I was spending my own money on a new car. The performance pack, however, was something I was very curious to experiment with. I have also driven a 2015 non-performance-pack 2-door GTI briefly but I can tell you the performance pack provides the best compromise between ride and handling of any front-wheel-drive car I have ever driven. While the 2015 model I drove was no slouch in the corners, understeer was non-existent in the performance pack. Power on mid-corner in my 2006 A3 and there's a good chance you'll end up eating the median as the tires squeal for mercy. Limited-slip differentials are not a new technology but have truly been perfected with the newest GTI.
From a power perspective, the performance pack brings an additional 10 horsepower due to a less restrictive exhaust. The extra power is unnoticeable and I predict just a way to separate the 2 models and justify the extra two grand you'll pay for the package. The base GTI has enough power to get you into trouble in a hurry and while related to the engine in my Audi, feels like it has more than a 20 horsepower advantage. This could be due to the sub-3100 pound curb weight as compared to 3300 in my A3. Power delivery is also a big difference as VW has discovered how to make a turbo-4 with a linear power curve all the way to redline. This makes the GTI almost feel slower behind the wheel because there is no longer the surge of power associated with turbo lag. This is one of the things I always found fun with the A3 because once I discovered where the power truly was I could put the hammer down and feel like I'm driving a much faster car. Instead, the GTI is unflappable, delivering power with the efficiency and lack of emotion you'd expect from a German car.
Overall, the GTI is a brilliant car that offers 4-door practicality, sports car flash, excellent fuel economy, and speed. My only gripe with this car is that its almost too perfect. Its hard to have a connection to a car that has so few flaws. The tire-melting FWD burnouts (not my car but you get the idea) in my A3 would be impossible in this car because it is too well-behaved, too mature for that...
Fun: 8/10
Practical: 9/10
Fast: 9/10
Total: 27/30
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Overall, the GTI is a brilliant car that offers 4-door practicality, sports car flash, excellent fuel economy, and speed. My only gripe with this car is that its almost too perfect. Its hard to have a connection to a car that has so few flaws. The tire-melting FWD burnouts (not my car but you get the idea) in my A3 would be impossible in this car because it is too well-behaved, too mature for that...
Fun: 8/10
Practical: 9/10
Fast: 9/10
Total: 27/30
Thursday, June 23, 2016
The First Week's Best Posts
New to EverydayAutoEnthusiast and want to view only the must-see content thus far? Check out the best posts from the first week of the greatest auto blog of all-time. Here are some of the posts that will help you catch up with the rest of the EAE Community.
1. About Me- Learn more about the founder of EverydayAutoEnthusiast to see if you can relate or share some of the reasons you became a gearhead. Also be sure to check out the mission statement and method to the madness on the purpose page.
2. Why Do We Love Cars?- This post was focused on why us enthusiasts fall in love with our form of transportation and how it becomes so much more than that when we involve our loved ones with our hobby.
3. Top 5 Most Disappointing Car Powerplants- Lists some of the most promising concepts and other cars that were let down by truly dismal engines.
4. Top Gear Episode 4: A Retrospective- Check out this post that compares and contrasts fellow blog Autoblog's view on the "new" Top Gear series thus far. I also give my thoughts on why the current show has failed and what the producers should do to fix it.
5. 1999 Ford Mustang V6 Review- The review of my favorite car of all-time and what inspired me to create a blog for those that also believe that even the slowest of cars can put a smile on your face. Those familiar with the expression slow-car-fast will appreciate this review.
Click Here!
1. About Me- Learn more about the founder of EverydayAutoEnthusiast to see if you can relate or share some of the reasons you became a gearhead. Also be sure to check out the mission statement and method to the madness on the purpose page.
2. Why Do We Love Cars?- This post was focused on why us enthusiasts fall in love with our form of transportation and how it becomes so much more than that when we involve our loved ones with our hobby.
3. Top 5 Most Disappointing Car Powerplants- Lists some of the most promising concepts and other cars that were let down by truly dismal engines.
4. Top Gear Episode 4: A Retrospective- Check out this post that compares and contrasts fellow blog Autoblog's view on the "new" Top Gear series thus far. I also give my thoughts on why the current show has failed and what the producers should do to fix it.
5. 1999 Ford Mustang V6 Review- The review of my favorite car of all-time and what inspired me to create a blog for those that also believe that even the slowest of cars can put a smile on your face. Those familiar with the expression slow-car-fast will appreciate this review.
Click Here!
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