2009 Toyota Camry - Still The Best Selling Mid-Size Sedan

2009 Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry has been one of the best-selling vehicles for over 20 years. Only the Honda Accord has a stronger street cred than the Camry. A reputation like the Camry’s doesn’t just materialize out of thin air, Toyota had to work for it. Low maintenance costs, reliability, a comfortable ride, a strong resale value, etc etc. It’s a quality vehicle, and consumers know it. The 2009 is no different.

The 2009 Camry is the biggest version yet, with tons of legroom in the front and rear. Plus it has more balls than any previous Camry, with an available 268-horsepower V6. That kind of power can rocket the boring old Camry from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds, that’s well within the sport sedan zone; in fact it makes it one of the fastest mid-priced sedans out there. On top of that (in spite of that?) the V6 version still gets 19 city/28 mpg highway.

If you opt for the base 4-cylinder engine, you’re still getting a fairly respectable zipper, with a 0 to 60 time of 8.9 seconds. And great fuel economy ratings of 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.

There are four trim levels: base, LE, SE, and XLE, each for a different consumer. The base is, well, the base model, bare bones; it’s for people who want a Camry but can’t afford a Camry. The LE is the base model with keyless entry and a few electrical upgrades, it’s the run-of-the-mill standard Camry for most people. The SE model is what us RideLust-er want, with a sport-tuned suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, and the quality interior and exterior styling details. And the XLE is the luxury model. It has the softer suspension of the LE, and all the necessary gadgets: a JBL sound system, dual-zone climate control, moonroof, leather, Bluetooth, and reclining rear seats.

The price is the only thing that is worrisome. The Toyota Camry carries a premium over the other cars in it’s class. The Chevy Malibu, Ford Fusion Hyundai Sonata, and the better quality Honda Accord all cost less than the Camry. A base model starts off at just under 20k, and you can end up almost paying 30k for a top of the line XLE. That really is pushing it. Overall though, the Camry still lives up to it’s quality reputation, but the competition is upping it’s game. With Hyundai and Chevy pumping out high quality mid-size sedans, I’m not sure how much longer Toyota can hold on to it’s title as king.

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Revised Tesla Roadster v1.5 Is Released, Still Doesn’t Mean Your Pathetic Ass Can Afford One

 

Well technically, the car itself didn’t receive the upgrade, but rather the automatic gearbox. Highly anticipated by the handful of people who can afford one [whom mostly work in the tech department], the Powertrain 1.5 delivers 30% more torque and 10% more range to the Tesla Roadster’s Borg-Warner transmission. Helping you make that Dungeons and Dragons tournament on time, the power boost kicks the Tesla Roadster’s acceleration rate into warp speed,  zooming from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds. The greenest, most impressive part? The all-electric Tesla Roadster still averages 244 miles off a single charge.

Since production began last March, 27 Roadsters have been delivered to buyers, all presumably with the Roadster’s original Powertrain 1.0 transmission. Tesla will upgrade those owners to the Powertrain 1.5 for free, and now that initial kinks in the transmission dynamics have been ironed out, expects production output/consumer demand to more than double. “Now that we have a final powertrain design, in a matter of months there will be hundreds of Tesla Roadsters across the country,” CEO Ze’ev Drori told Autopia, “We’re heralding nothing less than a new era of the automobile.”

[News Source: Autopia, Wired Blog]

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Jobs for the Auto Industry

Have you had a passion for vehicles ever since you were little?  If so, you may be thinking about getting involved in the auto industry.  There are several jobs out there that you can choose from.  If you want to work with cars, be sure to consider a few of these jobs below.

Design – First of all, there is the great job of an auto body design.  This job allows you to create what the car will look like, what the design is, and what parts you use to put it together.  If you like to draw, or think you have great ideas for creating a car, go to college for auto body design.

Maker – You can also put the cars together.  Working for the big 3, Toyota, Honda, etc all offer jobs for you to work for them.  You may work on an assembly line and slowly put together pieces of the car.

Seller – Not interested in designing or putting together the car?  If not, you may be great at sales.  Start making money off of the cars that you’re selling.

Mechanic – Everyone needs someone to fix their car at some point.  Whether the transmission went, they need an oil change or their car is acting funny, they need someone to go to.   If you’re interested in the mechanic field, it is a great one to get into!

Cleaner -  You can also start your own car cleaning business.  This can be great for washing, waxing, cleaning out the inside and/or even detailing.  Some people just don’t have the time.  Or, if they’re looking to sell, they need a professional to get it looking great.

There are several great jobs that involve the auto industry.  It takes a large handful of people to design, make, sell, and fix the cars that are on the road.  So, if you’ve had a passion for cars all your life, start working with them on a daily basis and make this your hobby while you’re making money.

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Should I Sell My Car Or Keep It?

When our car is starting to get old the question, “Should I keep my car or sell it?” often comes up.  There are some things to think about, and two possibilities here.  We want to make sure we get a good amount of money back, and that we’re not putting too much money into the car.  It can be a tough decision, but if you consider a few of these answers, you may be able to make up your mind.

Sell only if…

• You only want to sell your vehicle if you have a good offer on your car (you can get quite a bit back.)
• If it’s becoming too much work for too much money.
• If you can buy a better car in better condition for an affordable price.
• If it’s not running well (not as reliable as you’d like.)

Keep only if…

• Your car is running well.  Some people want a new car just for having a new one, newer features, etc.  Although, you could save a lot of money by not buying a new one.
• You can’t get a lot of money back. 
• If it’s costing you nothing but the gas money to fill it up, you’re in a good situation.  At this point, you want to run it till it dies.
• If you can’t really afford a car now, and yours is running good enough.

Deciding whether or not you should keep a car is a tough decision.  There are advantages and disadvantages to both, but you just have to find out which one out ways the other more.   The most important thing here is not spending too much money, saving money, and finding a car that is reliable and one that runs well.  For now, consider a few of these tips to help you make your decision, and to find out where you stand!

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E85 Dodge Viper Sets a 220mph Standing Mile Record

A new record has just been set for the standing mile by a production, street legal vehicle and the car itself is only half the story. The car is an 1100 horsepower Dodge Viper that was built by SVS Power, but the story on top of the story is that the record breaking car was fueled by E85. Take a look at the following video of the completed Viper undergoing some dyno testing.

Pardon me for a moment… the pure throttled rumble of this beast brings a little E85 tear to my eye.

Breaking any speed record in a Dodge Viper does not seem unlikely as they are designed exclusively to pin you fast into the back of your seat. What this acheivement does is fly in the face of all the E85 and ethanol detractors who focus on the loss of power and fuel efficiency in the use of such fuel. Watch the video below as the modified E85 Viper surpases the prior record of 217.6 mph that was recorded by a gasoline powered auto with a 220.7 mph run at the standing mile.

The new record set by the E85 Viper is made just weeks before Ford in collaboration with Ohio State University, Roush and pilot Rick Byrnes will head to the Salt Flats with their Hydrogen powered Ford Fusion racer. The Hydrogen Fusion is equipped with a 770-hp electric motor supplied by OSU and will be seeking to break the 315mph record set by OSU in a prior car. Both records just fuel the enthusiasm behind further research and development in fuel alternatives. Just as in most cases these new car technologies are getting tested in their infancy in race cars before they are put into regular production cars.

Source[AutoBlogGreen]

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Dodge Caliber SRT-4 set for launch this Fall

This Fall Dodge is finally ready to release its latest recipient of the SRT-4 treatment: the Caliber. This stout 4-door replaces the Neon as the smallest sibling in the SRT-4 family, but with 280-horsepower and 260-torque the Calber can sit unashamed  amongst its family members.  

While the styling of the Caliber may not appeal to everyone, it still follows the general design concept that is sweeping across all Dodge models. And with the SRT-4 treatment there may be just enough incentive under the bonnet to sway any of those on the fence over the Calibers curb appeal. However, if the horsepower and performance are not convincing enough to entice a buyer to purchase an SRT-4 maybe a starting price of just under $20,000 will do the trick?

Source[AutoWeek]

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Porche says No Thanks to the Detroit Auto Show

The North American branch of Porsche announced today that they would be skipping the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan in 2009. Vice President of Marketing, David Pryor, explained that Porsche would instead be focusing their marketing on areas in which they recorded the majority of their sales in the past year.

So by refocusing their attention on their current customer base Porsche North American, Inc will only be taking their displays to the major auto shows in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and Toronto. Thus, Porsche will be attending all the major shows in the USA except Detroit. In making this decision to sit out the 2008 NAIAS in Detroit Porsche has given up their prime space in the Cobo Arena and thus opted to sit-out the season opener of the Auto Show season.

Source[PureGreenCars]

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While the concept sports a staggered layout—22 inches up front and 23 in ...

BY JORDAN BROWN, PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE DUSHANE, MATTHIAS KNOEDLER, AND THE MANUFACTURER

Porsche and Aston Martin might not be the only ones in the exotic sports-sedan game.

As it turns out, Lamborghini and Porsche have more in common than just their teaser methods—both have issued closely cropped photos of upcoming cars—with the Italians now having unveiled their all-new four-door “coupe” concept vehicle, the Estoque, at the 2008 Paris Auto Show.

While we were hoping this was to be the long-rumored four-seat Espada, we must admit it’s an interesting translation of the four-door coupe theme. Although the Estoque is decidedly more exotic-looking than the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Porsche Panamera, some here are unsure how well the styling language that works so well for Lamborghini’s supercars translates to a sedan, while others like it.

In what is the first sedan to come out of the Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy-based automaker, the Estoque borrows many of its styling cues directly from the two existing Lamborghini models, but the transition to sedan doesn’t flow as well as one would hope. Sporting a front bumper that almost could have been lifted directly from the Gallardo LP560-4, Reventón-esque taillights, and various other Lambo traits throughout, the Estoque is tied together with two more doors than we’re used to seeing on cars wearing the snorting-bull badge, and they unfortunately don’t open vertically.

Aside from the number of doors, the biggest surprise is the front-mid-engine layout, which, contrary to Lamborghini’s typical mid-engine platforms, locates the motor just behind the front axle. While we do know that all four wheels will be powered, we don’t know what engine will be delivering the horses. According to the automaker, there are three basic possibilities: a Gallardo-based V-10, a turbocharged V-8 derived from the V-10, or possibly even a diesel or hybrid V-8. If the Estoque makes it into production, our guess is that Lamborghini goes with some variation of the Gallardo’s V-10 based on cost-efficiency—not to mention that we’ve seen how well the engine can work in a sedan with the Audi S8.

Regardless, the hypothetical power will be transferred to the ground—at least for now—via gigantic, split five-spoke wheels. While the concept sports a staggered layout—22 inches up front and 23 in the back—we suspect smaller, like-sized wheels would be fitted for production in an effort to preserve ride quality and the all-wheel-drive system. Wrapping the wheels are equally monstrous Pirelli PZero tires, or, as we like to call them, rubber bands.

To make room for the added passengers—and a few golf bags—the Estoque measures 203 inches long, about 20 inches longer than the Murciélago and just shy of the Mercedes-Benz S-class’s 205 inches. With a 119-inch wheelbase that neatly divides the regular- and long-wheelbase Audi A8s, interior space should be ample. (Our best guess as to the platform is that it’s a new architecture that will underpin both a potential production Estoque and a new generation of Bentleys.) While we haven’t seen the interior of the concept yet, we’re told it will be trimmed in leather and outfitted with various tech goodies including a large LCD display, high-quality audio, and a rear-seat entertainment system.

At this point, there are no solid plans to produce the Estoque or any other additions to the Lamborghini lineup, and rumor has it that Porsche, which is now the majority stakeholder in Volkswagen, may not be happy with VW for allowing Lambo to produce this concept. In any event, expect the Estoque to make the auto-show rounds in an effort to gauge interest, starting first with the Paris show and then making its way around the globe. We’re looking forward to our first meeting.

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