“The ugly duckling. It may be rusty, but it runs better than most newer cars” What things have gone wrong with the car? Headliner falling down.

Driver seat a little twisted and ripped.

Engine valve noise, probably from driving 388,000 KMs.

Fenders and rear quarters rusted as well as other rust spots and peeling paint.

Speakers blown, but still work OK.

Valve cover leak and minor power steering hose leak.

General comments? Bought the truck for $500 and drove it 143 KMs home, and was surprised at how well it was running, and how well it rode for being a rusted cheap Bronco II.

The body is ugly brown on tan with a shade of rust, but still solid. Most of it is just surface rust.

4X4 works great, the manual transmission shifts good, and the clutch seems to be fine.

Heat works amazingly well, and surprisingly so does the A/C.

Handles bumps really well, and you do feel them, but you feel them in most true 44 offroad vehicles.

Carburated engine starts up quick, like as soon as the key hits the start position, it’s running, and very quiet and smooth, you can barely hear or feel the engine running except for the minor valve tick.

I definitely need to put in a tachometer in it so I know it’s running, because it’s so quiet that every time you get to a stop sign or traffic lights and push the clutch in, everything is quiet and it seems like the engine stalled, but it’s still running quiet and smooth.

I am very happy with this vehicle so far, even though it has 388,000 KMs. I would have no problem fixing up the body a little bit to get rid of most of the rust, and if I ever had to replace the engine or transmission, I would, but the way it seems right now, I almost think it would last another 300,000 KMs.

Check Cristian Truers’s new auto cars buying guide for more information, or visit his good auto cars tips.

We are more accustomed to hearing about the classic American tuners from Hurst Performance creating special edition Challengers and Mustangs, however they have teamed up with Chevrolet to auction off the very first preproduction HURST/Camaro on eBay prior to the 2009 SEMA show in order to fund the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Now the auction is already under way, and aside from this 445 HP stunning silver and black pony car, the highest bidder will also walk away with a very special SEMA experience prize package. The package includes two tickets to the show, a two night stay at the Las Vegas Hilton, $1000 worth of American Airlines flight vouchers to get you there and a pair of passes to the eBay party at the Bellagio while in Sin City. The winning bid will ensure that the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, a program that fosters industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket, continues on.

As if the trip of a lifetime to Las Vegas isn’t enticing enough, the HURST/Camaro comes complete with plenty of goodies of its own, like a set of 20 inch forged aluminum HURST T-2 wheels, a Hurst Competition Plus short throw pistol grip shifter and a Hurst AIRSPEED rear deck spoiler to complete the aerodynamic modifications. The modified muscle car rides on an aftermarket Eibach suspension to give the Camaro just the right stance, while a Magnaflow stainless steel performance exhaust gives the HURST/Camaro a much more aggressive bark to match the car’s bad boy livery.

SEMA, in cooperation with General Motors and Hurst Performance Vehicles, announced today that it will auction the first pre-production HURST/Camaro prior to the 2009 SEMA Show. The proceeds are to benefit the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund, a program that fosters industry leadership by supporting the education of students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket.

The car will be auctioned on eBay Motors during the two weeks prior to the show. “SEMA has a wonderful history of supporting our industry through scholarships made to deserving students,” said Scooter Brothers, Chairman of the SEMA Scholarship Committee. “The SEMA Scholarship Committee is delighted that Hurst Performance, along with GM, is making this generous donation with this one-of-a-kind HURST/Camaro. We look forward to a very successful auction culminating at the SEMA Show this November.”

“We are thrilled to be able to support the SEMA Scholarship Fund by contributing this very special Camaro,” said Bob Kern, General Motors SEMA Relations Manager. “GM is very committed to growing this industry and we are certainly dedicated to be part of a program that helps enrich the lives of so many young, aspiring automotive scholars.

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There are plenty of cars from around the world that never go on sale here in the U.S. market, one of them is the shapely Euro only Ford Mondeo. While the Mondeo was previously a true world car, being sold around the globe, the full size family car hasn’t been sold in America for almost a decade. Aside from missing out on the attractive styling of the fourth generation Mondeo, we are also missing out on Ford U.K.’s latest economical offer. The Ford Mondeo Titanium ECOnetic is a next generation turbo diesel powered family sedan that offers outstanding fuel mileage at a very affordable price, not to mention a few stylish options.

The ECOnetic part of the Mondeo’s nameplate comes from the car’s 2.0 Liter TDCi power plant that produces a maximum output of 115 HP that with the help of an optimal gear indicator helps the turbo diesel Mondeo to get an estimated average of 54.3 MPG. These numbers alone would be impressive for any vehicle, but when you consider that the new Mondeo ECOnetic is available with a set of stylish lightweight 16 or 17 inch rims, a lowered suspension as well as an optimized aero package complete with air deflectors and a rear spoiler all aimed at reducing fuel mileage robbing parasitic loss from heavy spinning items and aerodynamic drag that acts like a parachute pulling the car back from its intended direction of travel. In addition to all the items that make the ECOnetic Mondeo so great, the price trumps tem all; starting at only 23,295 for the space saving five door model and 24,545 for the estate.

Ford is introducing a new high series addition to its Mondeo line-up powered by ECOnetic technologies - the Mondeo Titanium 2.0 115PS TDCi with 139g/km CO2 emissions.

Targeting company car users increasingly conscious of company car tax costs while not compromising vehicle specification, the model is offered in five-door hatchback or estate form. Both deliver CO2 emissions of 139g/km and a combined fuel economy of figure of 54.3mpg.

While benefitting from Ford ECOnetic environmental features, this new model is otherwise identical to the standard Titanium series. The following features are added to help reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel economy:

16in Y-Spoke lightweight alloy wheels (standard) 17in Y-spoke alloys (option) An optimum gear change indicator Aerodynamically optimised sports suspension and air deflectors Rear spoiler (five-door only)

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While a majority of automakers are bailing out of the Tokyo Motor Show, it is nice to see that there will indeed be a few new models to look at when it comes to be show time. One such vehicle will be a special edition sports car from he light weight English race car builders at Lotus. While the boffins from across the pond have already engineered every unnecessary ounce out of the Exige in the hopes of creating a hard core driving experience, this particularly dark model focuses on making the little Lotus as sinister looking as it is lethal. The special edition Tokyo Motor Show Lotus Exige is named the Scura, which is the Italian word for dark, due to its dramatic black bodywork and a GT3 inspired rear end.

Priced at around $75,000 the Exige Scura features a trio of Phantom Black stripes to break up the large panels of matte black paint, however the carbon fiber bits and suede wrapped racing buckets go a bit further towards showing off the Scura’s true purpose of being an all out competition vehicle. Only now instead of laughing at bright orange bodywork, other drivers will stay out of this Lotus’ way. Like all Exige models the Scura is powered by a supercharged four cylinder engine that delivers a maximum output of 257 HP 174 lb-ft of torque, while it can sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in only 4 seconds and reach a top speed of 152 MPH.

Lotus Cars unveils its latest special edition - the Exige Scura, so called due to its dramatic matt black and carbon fibre theme, at the Tokyo International Motorshow on 21st of October 2009.

Translated as ‘dark’ from Italian, the name ‘Scura’ reflects the stealth character of this already fierce looking Lotus and its stunning soft-feel matt black paint finish. Limited to just 35 cars globally, this Exige evokes a desire to ‘indulge your dark side’. This is a serious looking car and enhancements to performance and a reduction in weight from the production level Exige S means that the Exige Scura demands to be driven by a serious driver.

Contrasting high gloss ‘Phantom Black’ triple stripes run the length of the car and a carbon fibre front splitter, oil cooler inlet vanes, side airscoops and rear spoiler enhance the stunning distinction between the different textures and exaggerate the tactile quality of the velvety touch to the matt black paint finish.

Luke Bennett, Director of Lotus Cars said, “The Exige Scura is a stunning vehicle which offers an adrenaline fuelled experience and is a real head-turner! Our Exige customers choose Lotus because we deliver thrilling performance and dynamic design and this special edition fits the bill on both counts.

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The Japanese automaker Honda has just cooked up a new pet friendly Element for the U.S. market. The compact crossover is well known as a go anywhere do anything kind of vehicle, the car’s resilient interior allows you to play all day at the beach, store all your surf gear inside and simply hose out all the sand when you get home. Knowing how much consumers are already spending on their animals, Honda figured that the 2010 Honda Element Dog Friendly was the next logical step to winning over, over accommodating dog owners.

Starting at only $20,525, this new Element is full of features for man’s best friend. The entire cargo area behind the rear seats has been transformed into a pooch’s traveling palace. First of all Fido will be able to effortlessly enter and exit his new perch atop the back bumper via a very sturdy looking ramp that if wide enough could handle a wheelchair. Once inside the pup will ride on a plush foam cushion covered with a neat Dog Friendly Element print. In order to keep Rex cool Honda’s Dog Friendly engineers have built in a ventilation fan and to make sure that he won’t go thirsty they have come up with a trick dog bowl that ensures minimal spillage even around the hairiest of hairpins, guaranteed to keep that extra member of your family comfortable even on the longest of car rides.

The Dog Friendly Element is powered by Honda’s reliable 2.4 Liter i-VTEC four cylinder engine and shifted with a five speed automatic transmission that can send power to either the front wheels or with Honda’s Real Time 4WD power all four. The only thing left for Honda to install is a video monitor so that the passengers can check on the family pet while he is riding in his kennel on wheels. If you have any doubts about how safe this setup is you can rest assured that Honda has chosen the Takata Corporation to design the whole thing. Now you might be asking why is that name so familiar, if you have ever seen a racecar driver strapped in with a really cool looking green racing harness, those are Takatas.

The Honda Element lineup expands for the 2010 model year with an all-new “Dog Friendly” pet accommodation system designed to improve safety, comfort and convenience for dogs and their owners alike, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. The 2010 Honda Element arrives at dealerships nationwide by mid-October. The Dog Friendly Element is set to become available on November 16.

“The Honda Element has long been recognized as an accommodating vehicle for people with active lifestyles involving sports and hobbies,” said Vicki Poponi, assistant vice president of Product Planning for American Honda. “The new Dog Friendly Element takes that concept to a whole new level with specially designed features for dogs and their owners.”

Engineered to integrate with factory precision into the Element EX, the Dog Friendly equipment is intended to accommodate the secure transportation of a dog in the cargo area within a nylon-webbed car kennel. In daily operation the car kennel helps prevent a dog from interfering with the driver in traffic by keeping the pet properly restrained and out of reach of the driver. In the event of a frontal collision, the kennel is intended to help restrain the dog behind the rear seats, reducing the chance for the pet to be injured - or to injure human occupants during a crash.

The Dog Friendly equipment enhances pet comfort by providing a soft floor surface for the dog’s legs and paws along with a dedicated fan and a s–resistant water source. Convenience is improved for owners with an integrated ramp, easy to clean surfaces and a full suite of matching Dog Friendly accoutrements.

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Step 1 Set a plastic trash can up in the center of an empty parking lot. You want enough room to approach, circle the can in a drift and then pull out of the turn. Make sure there won’t be any random shoppers appearing and wanting to leave their cars there.

Step 2 Drive toward the trash can and keeping to the right, make a 180-degree turn around the can, drive away from the can in the same direction that you drove toward it. Note in your mind the point at which this is at.

Step 3 Drive towards the can again, maintaining a velocity of 20 to 25 mph and start to make the same turn. As in the beside future as you feel the weight of the automobile start to shift into the turn, engage the parking brake (literally yank it up and on as quick as you can) and apply slight pressure to the gas pedal, only enough to maintain your speed. Hold your steering wheel steady as you start to float into and around the can.

Step 4 Release the parking brake when you start to feel the weight of the automobile shift to the outside of the turn. Give your automobile a tiny more gas while steering into the instruction of the float (away from the can) until the automobile catches and you are driving away from the can in the same instruction as you drove towards it.

Step 5 Repeat Steps 3 and 4, adjusting your timing for engaging the parking brake and releasing it and learning just how much gas to give your car to control the speed of the drift. When you are comfortable with your ability, repeat Steps 3 and 4 again, only begin to increase your speed each time until you can comfortably handle a drift at 45 mph.

So good look trying to drift, but remember that is very dangerous, and i should suggest that you drive with someone more experienced! And please make sure that you are able to take responsibility for your actions! Take Care Cristian Truers!

The biggest change will be that cars themselves will be electric-powered, diluting the meaning of the word “automotive electronics.” It’s not that electricity or software will change cars but that cars themselves will become electricity, so to speak.

In other words, cars will be linked to electric power systems in the future. And it is becoming more and more likely that gasoline vehicles will change into hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars, and then into pure electric cars.

Of course, there are other possibilities like clean diesel cars and bio fuel cars though fuel-cell vehicles exist to the side of them, I would say. But trains proved one hundred years ago that electric motors are better actuators for conveyances if there is enough infrastructure to supply electricity.

When viewed in this light, the trend shifting from hybrid cars to plug-in hybrid cars and to pure electric cars is becoming more and more prominent. This trend will become even stronger after the G8 Hokkaido-Toyako Summit though it is also being influenced by soring oil price.

I mean, they will be charged with a small amount of electricity at a time and will be charged more often. In other words, they will become like trains. When cars are linked to electric power systems, their characteristics will change.

What’s the difference between trains and cars? Trains move while being supplied with energy from outside. And cars run carrying most of the energy they need.

Currently, cars run 400-500km (250-313 miles) on a single fueling and at a maximum speed of 160km (100 miles) per hour because auto makers have made efforts to develop cars that can be used anytime, anywhere and by anyone.

However, do all cars really have to have those capabilities? Considering how they are used in reality, I think many people would be satisfied with cars that can run 20km (13 miles) a day and at a maximum speed of 100km (63 miles) per hour.

The travel distance of 400-500km is long enough to drive in the mid of the Sahara desert. It does not make sense to utilize that kind of automobile in urban areas.

When I chat about a automobile that can store tiny energy, people frequently request me, ‘what will you do whether it runs out of energy?’ But, how numerous people drive to the areas where they cannot recharge their cars until the cars stop? We only need cars that meet our needs.

A new car depreciates quickly in the first few years and after 3 years, it is worth only about 60-70% of the original price. In fact, as soon as you leave the dealership, your new vehicle is suddenly worth $1000-$2000 less. By purchasing a used car, you can save a lot of money.

It’s true in general, a new car requires less maintenance in first few years and most of the problems occurred within the original warranty coverage period will be covered by the car manufacturer.

A new car may come with problems associated with poor design or manufacturing defects that may have been already repaired during the warranty coverage period if it’s a used car. The same is true for all kinds of recalls and service campaigns. Yet, buying a new car does not always mean the buyer will get perfection.

Buying a used automobile is still a bit of a gamble - there is no assure that the automobile is accident-free, has real mileage, and was appropriately maintained. There may be some hidden problems like a worn out automated transmission, or mechanism problems that may not have been apparent when you test-drove the car.

Maintenance costs are higher for a used car and manufacturer’s warranty may be already expired. However, used cars are more reliable these days and there are number of ways to reduce the risks associated with used car buying. For example, you can check the used car history records and have a used car properly inspected by a knowledgeable person prior purchase.

If the car qualifies, you can buy an extended warranty to protect yourself from unexpected repair costs. You also can opt for a manufacturer-certified used vehicle - many manufacturers now offer late model used cars under Certified Pre-owned programs where they inspect and recondition qualified used cars and often provide an additional warranty coverage with them. Check Cristian Truers’s used car buying guide for more tips.