The U.S. Acquires New BMWs
Fans of BMW in the U.S will be pleased to know that Germany is now sending a lot of cars over here that were meant to be sold in Europe. BMW reps say they are shipping "tens of thousands" of cars over to the states because of the prospect for the automotive market over here. Europe has recently undergone a tremendous decline in auto sales, and it does not look to be improving. BMW feels its best bet is to send the cars somewhere they can be properly enjoyed.
The only issue in all of this is that the cars will now have to go through an American inspection, which is different than that used in Europe. Every country and continent has its own rules and regulations for the cars permitted on the road. BMW will just have to make sure this new fleet of cars is in line with the requirements in the U.S.
Assuming that all goes well, you should be seeing a plethora of new choices to look through at your local BMW lot. Give them a peek and see if there's anything you like. You might benefit more from a fall in the market than you think.
Get a Fast Car While You Still Can
If you're a speed enthusiast like I am, you might want to snag a fast car on the market while you still can. Don't wait to buy that Corvette that you've always wanted just because you don't think it's the right time in your life to get it. You may not have an opportunity to do that in a few years. Why, you ask? The government.
A few years ago, the House of Representatives passed a law mandating all cars make at least 35 mpg by the year 2020. The means that we have six to seven production years left to get the gas guzzlers that we all love and adore. I'm not complaining about the idea of establishing better fuel efficiency. I just don't like the fact that it will most likely get rid of the fast cars I know and love. It's hard to get 500 horsepower out of a Toyota Prius.
All of the cars I have owned recently have had more than 500 hp, and they all make about 13 miles to the gallon. That's terrible, of course, but I'm willing to accept that to get my power. I sometimes have a secondary car that gets 20 mpg, but I always have my gas guzzler nearby. It sucks to think that in a few short years, I'm going to have to rely on used cars to get the kind of speed I'm looking for in a car. That's why I suggest buying what you want while you can.
Only time will tell if this law actually holds up in the future, but we all need to be prepared for it now. Think about that investment you know you want to make and go for it. Then keep that baby in the garage until they don't make 'em anymore. You'll be happy you got in early when the time comes.
My Love Affair with the Audi R8
I am not a huge fan of most cars Audi produces because they just seem so plain compared to others of their class. I'm a horsepower junky, and even the twin turboed Audis are still pretty slow for their price point. There is, however, one Audi that I would give my left nut for…and I don't even have one. That is the Audi R8.
At first glance, there is no denying the sex appeal of this car. It's enough to make any woman question the need to have a man in her life – and enough to make any man agree with that statement. From the sleek curves to the aggressive front end, this car just screams "Drive me, please!" With an absolute base price of $125,000 though (and most models exceeding $200,000), few people actually get the chance to do that.
Quick Specs for the 2012 Audi R8
- Engine: 4.2 liter V8/5.2 liter V10
- Horsepower: 430 hp/525 hp
- 0-60: 4.4 seconds/3.7 seconds
- Transmission: All wheel drive
- Torque: 316 lb-ft/391 lb-ft
The reason I'm writing this article in the first place is because my asshole of a boss (whom I love dearly) made a reference to the fact that he may get one in the near future. Since then, I have been trying to find a way to "borrow" the car from him and then somehow never bring it back. He lives in another state, so the details are going to be a litttttttle bit tricky. I haven't figured out how to do that yet without getting the cops involved, but I'm working on it. Let's just say he needs to watch his back 
All in all, there are few cars in the world that can match the class, power, and sex appeal of the Audi R8. Yes, you can find something with more power. Yes, you can find something with more features. Yes, you can find something with more curves. What you can't find is a total package that is guaranteed to get glances on the road. You don't have to agree with me, and I don't really give a crap if you do. All I know is that you would be a fool to turn down the opportunity to own one of these things. Should you ever get the money to do so in the future, go for it. That way, you won't have to lock your boss in the office closet like I'm going to have to…
(You didn't read that last sentence)
Different Ways to Black out Car Lights
Blacked out car lights can transform the way a vehicle looks, usually for the better. If you have ever seen a completely murdered out car, I guarantee you noticed it on the road. Black wheels, black badges, black lights…etc. If you have decided to black out the lights on your car, there are several ways you can go about doing that. Some are more permanent or expensive than others, so you need to make sure to assess your options. Here are some of the different ways to black out car lights so you can select the option that is right for you.
Paint
The best looking blacked out lights are the ones that have been professionally painted. I always send mine out to a guy on eBay because he's really good at what he does, and he provides the lights back really quickly. You can order a second set of stock lights that have been painted over, or you can have your stock lights painted. Just take them down to an auto painting shop and see what they can do. I wouldn't recommend painting the lights on your own because this is a very delicate process. If you know what you're doing though, go for it.
Tint Film
If you don't want to paint your lights, you can buy tinted film to go over them. This will be removable, so you can take it off if you don't like the way it looks. You can either buy the tint in a pre-cut form or get a sheet of it and cut it yourself. The first option is ideal because it will ensure that your tint fits your car. If you buy the sheets, you will have to cut them out until they fit just perfectly. That's really hard to do. It's not impossible though, so you can check both options and see what works for you.
Before You Do This…
Note that some states have laws against blacked out lights. If your state happens to be one of them, you need to know about that before you invest money in something illegal. Call your local DMV or Department of Public Safety and talk to a police officer about your modification rights. Then you can proceed with whatever option you want.
Driving a Stick Shift Made Easy
People make driving a stick shift seem a lot harder than it really is. It's not like software engineering or rocket science. It's driving…period. Learning how to do this is really a matter of understanding what is happening with your car and having a good teacher there to guide you. My husband and I actually bought an '04 Mustang Cobra with manual transmission before either of us knew how to drive it. A friend of ours taught my husband how to drive it in about an hour, and my husband did the same for me a few weeks later. Now I'm going to teach you the same information. Here is a super simple guide to help you drive a stick shift.
How to Start a Manual Car
To start a manual, you need to have your right foot on the brake, the left foot on the clutch, the car in neutral, and the emergency brake up. The second two options aren't necessary, but they will help you start it without killing the car. If you have the car in a gear, you will have to hold down the clutch and brake after you start the vehicle. With the car in neutral and the emergency brake up, you can just push down the petals and turn the car on like normal.
How to Get the Car Going
When you want to get the car moving, you will need to hold down the clutch and the brake again. Shift the knob into first gear, and let go of the brake. Then slowly let off the clutch until the car picks itself up. If you do this too quickly, you will kill the car. Some people will tell you that you need to apply the gas as you let go of the clutch, but that can make matters complicated. As a beginner, you just need to get a feel for releasing the clutch slowly so you can get the car rolling. You'll get a feel for the rest over time.
How to Change Gears
When you start giving the car gas, you will eventually need to shift gears. For most cars, this will happen once about every 10 mph. Once you reach 10 mph, shift to second. Once you reach 20 mph, shift to third. You get the idea. This is not always the case though, so you may want to do a little research into the shift timing for your car. When you start to hear the engine whine, it is time to shift.
If you need to shift the car, take your right foot off the gas and apply it to the clutch. Push the clutch all the way in and move the shifter to the next gear. Then release the clutch and continue with the gas.
How to Brake
When you need to use the break, make sure to put down the clutch. This will disengage the gear so you don't stall the car out. Once you learn how to do this and the other steps above, you will be able to drive your car like a pro. You just have to be conscientious of what is going on with your vehicle at all times. When you know that, you can conquer anything.
Reasons Why Women Should Know about Cars
Social convention dictates that women aren't really supposed to know about cars. You always see those scenes in movies where a woman is pulled over on the side of the road getting help from a burly police officer who knows a thing or two about cars. It's never the opposite way around, where a guy is pulled over and some sex kitten starts messing around with his engine. I am a woman who happens to know a lot about cars, and I'm proud of that. You could be as well if you gave this a try.
Before you turn into the typical girly girl obsessed with clothes and nothing more, you may want to learn a little bit about cars. This will do you more good than you think. Here are some reasons why women should know about cars in the modern world.
To Get a Good Deal
A lot of women are easily suckered into buying cars they don't really want or need because they don't know enough to say "no." I would have probably been that way four years ago, but my husband has trained me to spot a bad deal a mile away. Salespeople know just enough to get you into a car. They will hide the flaws to make a deal. If you know what to look for, you can see this and avoid making costly mistakes. I have actually been the one to end several deals for a car that my husband and I were looking at because I didn't trust the dealership or I found noticeable problems with the car. If you learn about cars a little more, you should be able to do the same.
To Solve Your Own Problems
I don't know about you, but I have a really hard time asking for help sometimes. I'll do it if I really need to, but I prefer to figure everything out on my own. That makes me feel proud when I finally figure out what I was supposed to do. If you want to have a true sense of accomplishment as a woman, you need to learn how to fix common problems on your car. Then you will be able to take care of things on your own unless they are really serious.
To Put Men in Their Places
I'm not a feminist in the slightest, but I get tired of men treating me like some dainty little crumpet just because I'm a woman. It doesn't take balls to know how an engine operates or how a supercharger boosts horsepower ratings. I cannot tell you how much fun I have putting men in their places when it comes to cars because they all try to speak to women as if they're hot shit. 99% of the time, they're not. I had a guy once brag to me about having a "super-fast modded Mustang," which turned out to be a V6 with a dual conversion on the exhaust. I called him out on it, and he tried to fumble his way to an answer that made sense. Ah, that just makes my day – seeing a man flap around on the floor like a fish without water. Admit it ladies. You want to be able to do that.
The only way to show the boys and the world in general that you are not just a damsel in distress is to learn a little bit about cars. Whether you learn from this blog or from something else is entirely up to you. Just make an effort to learn more than you know now. I promise you'll be happy you did.
BMW vs. Mercedes – The Battle of the German Powerhouses
I have owned two 500hp German automobiles: a 2006 BMW M5 and a 2005 Mercedes S55 AMG. Both cars have some incredible perks about them, and both cars could make any driving enthusiast proud. Nevertheless, there are some noticeable differences between the two manufacturers that make their vehicles better for some people than others. I won't know if one company is necessarily better than the other, but it may be a better fit for you. Here is an analysis of Mercedes and BMW so you can determine which one you may want to get in the future.
Comfort
When it comes to comfort, both BMW and Mercedes have some of the best interiors money can buy. The 7 series bimmers and the S-class Benzes both have an incredible amount of leg room, providing both the driver and the passenger with the space they need for a long trip. My M5 wasn't exactly made for comfort like my S55 is, so I would say the S55 is more comfortable in that regard. Comparing the lines as a whole though, I don't think that one is necessarily better than the other.
Performance
The cars from Mercedes tend to have more torque than the cars from BMW, but the bimmers usually handle better on the corners. My husband and I used to hip through windy roads in the M5 like we were on an F1 track. We can't exactly do that with the Mercedes. I think that Mercedes overall makes a quicker line of cars, but I don't know if they perform better overall. It all depends on what you are looking for in a car. If you want something with a sporty transmission that can shift like a beast, get a BMW. If you want something that has power but still feels like you're floating on air, get a Mercedes.
Appearance
The appearance factor is all a matter of personal opinion. As a whole, Mercedes have more of a high class look, while BMWs can come off as a little sporty. With the many different models you have to choose from in each line though, you can pretty much get the look that you want no matter what. I really like the look of the grille for the new Mercedes cars with the big emblem right in the middle. My husband, on the other hand, prefers the Hitler mustache on the bimmer grille (they actually call it that, I swear). You just have to figure out which one you like the best.
Complexity
From my experience, BMWs tend to be a little more complex to operate than Benzes. In my Mercedes, all of the buttons are laid out right in front of me. If I want satellite radio, I hit the SAT button. If I want to look at the map, I click MAP. On the BMW, everything is much harder to find. My husband actually likes that about the BMW because it gives him a chance to play around with all of the settings in the car. I prefer the simplicity of the Mercedes. Again, this is all a matter of opinion and what you want out of a car.
Do a quick comparison of these two cars on your own and see which one may be better suited to your lifestyle. A software developer may like all the options in the BMW, while a family woman may like the simplicity and comfort of the Mercedes. If you assess these cars accurately, you should be able to find the one that is right for you.
Putting Pushy Car Salesmen in Their Place
As a woman, I hate it when car salesmen try to talk down to me as if I do not know what I am talking about. I get this more often than not, and it has gotten to the point where I have just started putting salesmen in their place from the start. I'm not the type of girl that can be easily persuaded by cheap sales tricks, and you shouldn't be either. If you have the right knowledge and confidence going into a deal, you can avoid getting conned for no reason. Here are some tips to help you see past the phony sales tricks so that you can get the best deal possible on a vehicle.
Research a Car before You Look at It
One easy way to throw a salesman off is to come to a lot knowing everything there is to know about a vehicle you want. In fact, you could challenge yourself to learn more about the car than the salesperson even knows. Salesmen are only going to know enough about a car to make a sale. They may know a smidge more about a car they have personally driven, but for the most part, they just memorize the key features. If you go into a deal knowing all of this information, you will sweep the rug out from under the person. Then you can analyze a vehicle for what it really is.
Look for Signs of Tricky Sales
Once you have purchased a car or two, you will start to pick up on sales tricks. They come oozing out of every word that these people say, and you just can't be fooled by them. For instance, you have to expect to get tricked if you come to a lot for one of those "your key could win you a free car" ads. All they want to do is get you in the door so you can buy a new car.
I did this one time, and I learned my lesson then. I told the lady from the very beginning that I was not interested in buying a car under any circumstances. She then notices that I drove a Mustang and said, "Well what if I told you I could get you into that newer Mustang right there?" To that I replied, "You mean the V6 that's the same year model as my car? I drive a GT. Why would I downgrade?" The lady looked at me dumbfounded and then asked someone else if that was in fact a base model Mustang (which it was). You can't let yourself fall for tricks like that. You'll lose money every time.
Ask Specific Questions
If you ask really technical questions when you talk to a salesman, he will get the impression that you know a lot about a car. This may or may not be the case, but you will put the person in his place this way. If you take the time to think of some really specific questions to ask, you may be able to catch the person by surprise long enough to actually see a car for what it really is. Then you can decide if you really want it or not.
You cannot be afraid to be assertive with pushy car salesmen. They will do everything they can to make a deal, even if that means selling you something you won' really like. Pretend that you're becoming a police officer and you need some practice with your interrogation skills. Be as knowledgeable as you can be about a deal, and don't be afraid to walk away from it. This will get you the best results possible every time.
Quick Tips for Improving Your Car’s Interior
Your car is an extension of who you are, and you need to respect it accordingly. It may seem pointless to clean out the interior of a $2,000 Honda Civic with 215,000 miles on it, but it will make your driving experience a lot better in the end. Having a clean car makes you want to keep it clean, and it helps guests feel more invited whenever they go out with you. I am obsessed with keeping my car clean, and I am not ashamed to admit that. I spend about two hours a week washing and detailing it out, but it looks immaculate every time someone comes in. That's a fantastic feeling, let me tell you.
If you want to have a similar experience when people come out with you in your car, you just need to learn a few tricks on how to clean out the interior. Here are some suggestions that should get that shine back in your ride in no time.
Vacuum the Whole Car
One of the best things you can do to help the interior of your car is to vacuum everything in it – the seats, the mats, the carpeting, the ceiling, etc. This will get out any dust in the fabric, and it may reduce any odors that you have in the vehicle. This is especially important in cars for smokers because the smoke can soak into the interior of the car really easily. Just take the hose of your vacuum and go over the surfaces, or use a handheld vacuum if you have one. This simple step will literally transform the way your car looks.
Shampoo the Carpets
After you have all the dirt off the carpets, you may want to shampoo them. This will help get out the deep dirt and stains that you may have on the floor. I use a product called Tuff Stuff, which you can find at just about any auto store (including Walmart). It's really cheap, but it works really well. Spray it on the surfaces pretty literally, and then go do something else for a moment. Come back, spray everything down again, and then use a microfiber towel to scrub the carpets down. If you look on the towel, you can clearly see all the gunk that was on your floorboard.
Wipe the Dash
Try to get the dust off the dash board with a wet rag or even a rag with Tuff Stuff on it. I like to use Meguiar's Rich Leather Wipes because most of my car's interior is wrapped in leather. You can use this or something like Armor All Wipes to make your interior surfaces shiny. Sometimes this will leave a streak of oil on your dash, so try to run everything in with a rag afterward to make it look at little more uniform. I use a rag with a tiny bit of Tuff Stuff on it, and that makes everything look shiny without the streaks. You can test out a few different options to see what works for you.
Clean the Glass
You may not think about cleaning the inside of your windows because they don't get exposed to the outside, but you need to. This will help you see better, and it will make your car's interior really shine. Most cars get a thin film of dust, oils, and everything else on the inside of the front window, so you just need to make sure that you get all of that off. I use Armor All window cleaner because it is ammonia-free, which means it won't hurt my car's tint. You may look for a similar product if you have tint on your windows.
Whether you're a border patrol agent trying to impress the guys at work or just a person looking for an overall improvement in your car's appearance, you can follow the steps above to make your interior look like new. You don't have to spend a ton of money taking the car to a detail shop. You can do all the work yourself. This will help you feel more accomplished about the way the car looks, and it will give you a way to truly take pride in the things you own. It only takes a little bit of time to do this, so go on and give it a try. You may actually like it.