Recent Comments:
Carsumer Advocacy? Nissan refuses to replace GT-R owner's busted transmission {Autoblog}
Oct 13th 2008 10:12PM Can't drive the car properly? Just how is that when everything is computer controlled? He never shifted the car, he sent a command to the transmission, which then shifted the trans for him according to its programming. Throttle is by-wire as well so he never got more throttle than the ECU was programmed to give. Even the brakes can be overridden if the computer decides so. If too much go-pedal is bad, why isn't the ECU programmed to limit throttle after certain conditions are met? Nissan programmed (or didn't program) that.
The only aspect of the car that the driver has direct control over is the steering. Oh, and maybe the radio...
BREAKING: GM and Chrysler talking about merger {Autoblog}
Oct 11th 2008 9:08AM Haha, Chrysler has no small car to axe! Just a slew of CUV's or MPV's or whatever. Whoever killed the Neon without any replacement (for many years now) was a total buffoon.
BREAKING: GM and Chrysler talking about merger {Autoblog}
Oct 11th 2008 9:05AM Conveniently, GM makes an inline six...
Paris 2008: Chevrolet Cruze meets an eager Europe {Autoblog}
Oct 3rd 2008 7:10PM You know, there are people out here who like smaller cars, and have always liked smaller cars even when the rest of the idiot country was doing the trendy thing and buying a big joy-sapping lump.
Paris 2008: Chevrolet Cruze meets an eager Europe {Autoblog}
Oct 3rd 2008 7:05PM KeatMP: Cross drilled rotors also reduce the thermal mass of the brake system, leading to more temperature rise (same energy going into less metal). At worst cross drilling holes will lead to cracking of the rotor.
Brake pads used to need cross drilling to evacuate gasses under heavy, repeated, braking. Modern pad compounds typically do not need this and unless you plan to take your car to an open track event, you won't get the pads hot enough anyways. Besides, if you DO need it, slotting is far better because it removes less mass from the rotor and very little chance to cause cracking.
Paris 2008: Chevrolet Cruze meets an eager Europe {Autoblog}
Oct 3rd 2008 7:03PM Yeah, and Chrysler came up with a funky replacement that just looks bad.
Plus, Cerberus/Chrysler is going back to the Pentastar. God move, IMO.
Two great reasons for Chevy to NOT get rid of the Bow Tie. Perhaps it is in need of a change in size/color however.
Paris 2008: Chevy Cruze unveiled on eve of show, interior revealed {Autoblog}
Oct 1st 2008 8:06PM Ayatollah Rodriguez: this IS the production interior. As the article said, it goes on sale in Europe next March.
Rumormill: Porsche developing Baby Boxster, a return of the 356 {Autoblog}
Sep 26th 2008 10:25PM I'm sorry... I'd love something that sounds like an Elise for (hopefully) a more affordable price.
For the very tall, buy a Corvette (we all know they will hang with Porsches on the track). Ridiculous legroom in that car. I'm 6'1" and can barely reach the pedals with the seat all the way back. No, I don't have stubby legs, either.
Germans none to happy about U.S. aid to automakers {Autoblog}
Sep 25th 2008 9:38PM Andrew: with safety regs, economy regs, and coming requirements for 'black boxes' stability control, etc, the auto market is hardly a free market anymore.
MAKE reader builds Ariel Atom replica out of spare parts {Autoblog}
Sep 24th 2008 9:32PM Two words: Unsprung weight.
Larger wheels and tires weigh more and in a car as light as this, you need the absolute lightest wheel/tire package you can get. Personally, I think he would benefit by using the smallest rim that clears the brakes, assuming he can get good rubber for it. As it is, his suspensions sprung/unsprung weight ratio is probably on the low side.
Just look at the Lotus Elise. 175/55-16 tires, yet it handles on par with Porsches.
