Category Archives: Cars

2025 Aston Martin Vantage First Drive: Brutal Looks Can’t Hide The Truth

Even earlier than Vantage graduated into its personal mannequin line, vehicles bearing the badge have leaned brutish. This 2025 mannequin appears to be like good in colours each wild and reserved, although darker shades can cover a number of the surfacing. From the again, in darkish blue, you would virtually assume you have been following a 911.

Where the DB12 is long and sleek, effortlessly graceful as befits a grand tourer (or, in Aston Martin converse, a “super tourer”), the Vantage eschews any doable extra. It’s the sports activities automobile equal of a membership bouncer in a straining gown shirt: lined up, definitely, however with no query as to the potential mayhem beneath.

Because of that shrink-wrapped design, like a Saville Row tailor found Lycra for the primary time, the Vantage appears to be like smaller in particular person than it does in photographs. Its proportions — the huge entrance, pinched midsection, and meatily broad rear fenders — are exaggerated and boisterous. The worth of choices could possibly be described equally. This Cosmos Orange instance added on $13,600 for the paint, $1,500 for the satin black wheels, $11,700 for the outside carbon fiber, $1,800 for particular badging, and $1,400 for smoked taillights, amongst different issues. 

How To Find The OBD-II Port In Your Car (And Why You Need To Know Where It Is)

The OBD-II port location varies between the producer, make, and mannequin of a automobile. Below are a number of the most typical locations to search out the connector. It is really helpful that when searching for the port that you’ve got a flashlight with plenty of lumens nearby, as most of those areas shall be poorly lit areas of your inside.

  • Underneath the steering column.
  • To the left or proper of the steering column, nearer to the dashboard.
  • In the entrance driver-side footwell on the far left close to the useless pedal or on the far proper close to the transmission tunnel.
  • In the entrance passenger-side footwell beneath the glove compartment.
  • Between the transmission and heart console.
  • Near the leisure system or navigation controls.

These are a number of the most typical OBD-II port places, however actually not the one ones. If you’ve got problem visually discovering the port in one among these widespread placements, seek the advice of your proprietor’s guide for a definitive reply as to the place it’s situated.

Who Makes The B58 Engine In The Toyota Supra & How Much Horsepower Does It Have?

The 2024 Toyota GR Supra has a B48 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, the top-of-the-line Supra 3.0 has the B58 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 382 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque. German carmaker BMW provides each engines for the Supra, whereas the eight-speed computerized transmission is from German expertise firm ZF.

Meanwhile, the Supra 3.0 and Premium grades can be found with a six-speed guide transmission. Channeling all 382 horses to the rear wheels, Toyota claims the GR Supra 3.0 may go from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds (M/T) and three.9 seconds (A/T), respectively, whereas the smaller 2.0-liter turbocharged engine clocks in at 5.0 seconds from zero to 60 mph.

Tugging on the heartstrings of longtime Supra followers is the forty fifth Anniversary Edition GR Supra. It has styling parts that hark again to the MkIV Supra from the unique Fast & Furious Hollywood flick, the orange droptop that the late Paul Walker drove to greatness on the large display screen. The forty fifth Anniversary GR Supra contains an adjustable rear spoiler, bespoke 19-inch wheels, and black aspect panel graphics, to say just a few.

Honda Civic: The Best Years To Buy (And The Ones You Should Steer Clear Of)

The latter half of the primary technology noticed important enhancements on the unique 1972 launch. These enhancements included extra horsepower, a extra strong entrance bumper, and, in 1977, a Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion engine. Instead of utilizing further elements within the exhaust system to satisfy stricter emission requirements like American automakers, Honda developed a extra environment friendly engine that ran cleaner. The Civic introduced in clients and offered greater than 100,000 vehicles in 1977.

A bit over twenty years later, proper earlier than the flip of the century, Honda got here out with their 1999 Civic Si Coup, fondly remembered for its energetic pep. With a 1.6L engine, sporty suspension, and 5-speed guide transmission, this automotive was enjoyable to drive and simple to deal with. This mannequin has since turn into well-liked for aftermarket upgrades with its light-weight, easy platform and obtainable B16 engine that became a tuner favorite.

Jump ahead to the 2014 Honda Civic, and you will discover it has the bottom variety of buyer complaints in comparison with practically each mannequin that got here earlier than it within the 2000s and presents another tangible advantages. Owners of the 2014 Civic report good gas financial system and dependable efficiency. The Civic additionally obtained security awards following crash assessments and was praised for its daytime working lights and anti-lock braking system. Honda offered nearly 326,000 models in 2014.

With complete Civic gross sales within the U.S. reaching over 377,000 in 2017, this manufacturing yr introduced some thrilling adjustments that caught the general public’s eye. Turbocharged engines facilitated greater than ample efficiency energy for a responsive expertise behind the wheel. The 2017 Honda Civic was rated 5 stars by 64% of householders on Edmunds.com.

Common Problems A 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee May Have (And The Cost To Fix Them)

The most troublesome remembers for factory-issued gear on the 2007 Grand Cherokee have been for the entrance brake calipers and anti-lock brake management module. Both failures may trigger a collision, but when your Grand Cherokee is affected by both of those points, any Jeep vendor ought to change a faulty caliper or ABS module freed from cost. 

Many house owners of older 2007 Grand Cherokees report a failure of the Power Control Module (PCM) that causes the automobile to stall out whereas driving, generally at freeway speeds. This element is separate from the Total Integrated Power Module (TIPM), which is a block of relays and fuses situated beneath the hood. A real Mopar TIPM from a dealership will price about $1,000, however there are suppliers that may rebuild your TIPM for a couple of third of that value. 

Another widespread level of failure is the Sentry Key Remote Entry Module (SKREEM), a safety system that appears for a chip in the important thing fob earlier than permitting the automobile to run. This is one other repair that may be pricey to have a vendor deal with, they usually might battle to rapidly get you again on the street. These digital gremlins are by far the most typical points with the 2007 Grand Cherokee, and may be irritating to troubleshoot and expensive to treatment correctly.

[Featured image by Blasserc via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC-By 4.0]

What You’ll Need Before Changing The Transmission Fluid On Your Vehicle

It’s tremendous necessary to decide on the proper transmission fluid, because it lubricates your entire transmission system. Without applicable lubrication, metal-on-metal contact can rapidly put on down elements. Such injury may end up in warning signs that your transmission is going bad.

To discover the proper kind of fluid in your car, verify your proprietor’s handbook. There are a number of sorts, with Dextron and Mercon being the primary selections. Certain automobiles are solely appropriate with a selected kind, and your proprietor’s handbook ought to specify which is appropriate or incompatible. If you do not have your handbook or cannot discover the information, search the net in your particular car’s make and mannequin to search out out.

For these with handbook transmissions, the proprietor’s handbook will in all probability point out that automated transmission fluid (ATF) can nonetheless be utilized in your handbook car. Only sure, older car fashions are incompatible with ATF. Furthermore, automobiles with constantly variable transmissions (CVT) might require their very own particular fluid. Moreover, vehicles with dual-clutch transmissions (DCT) can also name for a selected fluid. If you do not have the proprietor’s handbook, be sure to search for the proper kind on-line.

There are additionally high quality issues. Transmission fluid is available in two foremost types: artificial and standard. You ought to nearly at all times go together with artificial. It’s dearer however delivers a longer-lasting and superior efficiency. That being mentioned, standard fluid is usually the higher alternative for vintage vehicles. If your car is older than about 50 years, you must search for whether or not standard fluid is the popular possibility.

Finally, you may have to choose a model. The top-ranked brands of transmission fluid embrace Valvoline, Royal Purple, Red Line, Amsoil, and Pentosin. As lengthy because the above requisites (kind and high quality) are met, you’ll be able to select a model based mostly in your funds and preferences.

10 Of The Most Reliable JDM Engines Ever Built

You have most likely heard about Toyota’s JDM-only Rolls-Royce killer, the Century sedan. A automobile that sits above Lexus in Toyota’s pecking order, the Century is a meticulously designed machine targeted on final quietness, consolation, and refinement. An integral a part of that have, no less than within the second-gen mannequin, was the state-of-the-art 1GZ-FE — the one Japanese V12 engine ever made.

Effortless and creamy, the Century V12 is likely one of the smoothest engines in existence. Toyota additionally created a really dependable and sturdy machine, yielding essentially the most polished engine potential. For occasion, Toyota’s engineers used the corporate’s VVTi system, iridium electrode spark plugs, and slant-squish combustion chambers to stabilize every cylinder’s combustion.

Moreover, they made each half extra inflexible and manufactured it to very tight tolerances, all within the identify of most refinement. This, inadvertently, additionally made the engine extra strong and sturdy. Notably, the 1GZ-FE incorporates a cast metal crankshaft and valve shims coated with titanium, that are elements often put in in racing engines – not an underpowered luxurious V12. At 5.0-liter capability, the 1GZ-FE produces solely 276 horsepower (as a result of JDM automakers gents’s settlement), so no inside half is confused close to its restrict. Heck, Toyota even put in two ECUs for every cylinder financial institution, so if one fails, the engine will proceed to run on six cylinders.

Due to its overengineered nature and using unique elements, the common lifespan of the 1GZ-FE engine is sort of 300,000 miles. It’s additionally turning into more and more standard in tuning circles since Smokey Nagata put this V12 in a 1,000-horsepower Toyota Supra.

[Featured image by Ypy31 via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC0 1.0]

These Are The Most Powerful New Sports Sedans Built By Every Major Brand

The i7 is BMW’s first purely electrical 7 Series sedan. This luxurious sedan has a beginning worth of $105,700 and three trims: eDrive50, xDrive60, and M70. While the bottom model makes use of a single motor to energy the rear wheels, the xDrive60 and M70 trims have a twin motor setup, giving them all-wheel drive. The very fast BMW i7 M70 is essentially the most highly effective variant, boasting 650 hp and 811 lb-ft of torque. This allows it to dart from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and attain a 155 mph restricted prime pace, making it the quickest BMW EV total.

As customary, BMW matches the i7 M70 with adaptive air suspension with automated self-leveling and electronically managed dampers. The suspension works with the M-tuned chassis to supply elevated consolation and higher dealing with dynamics. Additional efficiency enhancements embody the blue M-Sport brakes with giant brake discs for higher braking efficiency, energetic roll stabilization, and energetic steering.

The i7 M70 sports activities a number of M-specific design cues, together with M exterior mirrors, logos on the entrance facet panels, sculpted M facet skirts, and M High-gloss Shadowline trim. BMW’s optionally available M Performance Professional Package provides a black accent strip between the tail lamps, an illuminated grille, and a black M rear spoiler.

10 Classic Sports Cars That Are Suspiciously Cheap

The Porsche 968 Cabriolet is a uncommon, traditional Porsche convertible, but it is usually missed by collectors. As a outcome, it is one of many least expensive traditional Porsches to purchase. One rationalization for this low value might be the automotive’s VW roots — it is derived from a mission that VW deserted and Porsche later took over. Its front-mounted four-cylinder engine can be not the purists’ selection, with most Porschephiles preferring the 911’s iconic rear-engine design.

Perhaps the most important subject for the 968 Cabriolet, nevertheless, is that it isn’t fairly probably the most of something. Buyers attempting to find most Porsche status will always go for a 911, whereas these in search of the most affordable, greatest value-for-money sports activities automotive will probably go for a Boxster. The 968 Cabriolet is not sufficiently old to be antiquated, however different low cost Porsches supply extra trendy design and energy.

The Cabriolet can be the much less sensible variant of the automotive for anybody wanting to make use of it as a every day driver or weekend street journey car. The coupe 968 includes a extra spacious trunk than many classics of its sort, alongside usable rear seats. As a outcome, it instructions a premium within the used market, leaving the Cabriolet as a compromise compared. It’s cheaper, however much less sensible. It’s not a 911, but the Boxster could be had for even much less.

[Featured image by Mr.choppers via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY-SA 3.0]

How The Ford Falcon Played A Major Role In The Rise Of The Mustang

Yes, simply because the Ford Mustang’s distinctive look would affect just about each muscle automotive produced in its wake, it appears the long-lasting car was not an authentic ground-up creation. In reality, in its infancy, the Ford Mustang was fairly actually constructed on the Ford Falcon’s platform.

That reality, after all, helps clarify the similarities within the layouts of the 2 automobiles, and it ought to go with out saying that recycling the Falcon’s platform for the Mustang was a sensible money-saving transfer that even allowed Ford to make the most of a wide selection of the components and parts that have been additionally utilized in producing the Falcon. Shared components and platform apart, if you happen to’ve ever been behind the wheel of a Sixties-era Mustang, the similarities to the Falcon primarily cease there, with the ‘stang providing a 289 cubic inch V8, enhanced dealing with packages, and an unlimited vary of choices that made it uniquely personalizable, save its distinctive physique kinds, which have been customizable primarily in a purchaser’s selection of paint shade.

Nonetheless, sharing parts with the Ford Falcon helped preserve the value of a brand new Mustang surprisingly low for a sports activities automotive, with base fashions promoting for about $2,300. But these mixed parts helped rework the Ford Mustang from a cleverly realized manufacturing automotive right into a full-fledged legend within the annals of American automotive historical past. That reality is made all of the extra fascinating with the information that Mustang attained these heights on the again of the common-or-garden Ford Falcon.