The Fantastic Alloy Wheel

What is all this talk about alloy wheels? Why is everyone saying they are fantastic... even incredible? It is time to get new tires for your car and you have decided to get new wheels also. Someone suggested that you consider getting an attractive set of alloy rims to replace the stock wheels and hubcaps that you currently have. Wheels, or rims are a necessary accessory for your vehicle and it is a good idea to replace them occasionally.

There are many popular styles and brands of alloy wheels and several manufacturers who make them. There are alloy wheels for passenger vehicles, racecars, busses and big rig trucks. They are also available for motorcycles. Many people buy them for their car or pickup because they look good and want to enhance the appearance of it. Other people prefer them because of better performance. They are available for all makes and models of vehicles and are very easy to fit.

What are alloy wheels and what makes them so incredible? An alloy is made from a specific metal being either magnesium or aluminum or by both of them combined together. Alloy rims are generally much lighter than steel rims, which aids in getting better performance and also helps to save on fuel costs. Although they cost more than others, the fuel savings alone is a benefit in the long run. The decreased weight, even though minimal, makes handling the car easier for the driver therefore resulting in a more enjoyable driving experience.

Another advantage and why people tend to prefer alloy wheels over steel wheels is that they actually save on some of the wear and tear of the brakes. Because they are lighter, the brakes do not get as hot as steel wheels and do not have to work as hard to stop the vehicle. Another money saving plus is that having a set of alloy rims on your car or truck eliminates the need to have the wheels balanced when you replace your tires. Because there is such a large variety of alloy wheels available, they also present the option of using wider tires, which also increases brake performance and provides for better steering.

Aftermarket alloy wheels are usually the lightest. They can also be repaired if they become damaged, whereas original alloys cannot be repaired if they become cracked or bent. If you want your new alloy rims to last longer and stay looking nice, it is important to keep them clean and free of oxidation.

Here is a hint for shopping for alloy wheels if you are looking to improve the appearance of your car. Some retail stores that sell tires and rims have a computer available that allows you to display an image of your vehicle and alternately change styles or designs of rims on the viewing screen to help you decide what you think looks best. Now, that is a cool tool. Taking advantage of that bit of technology can save you a lot of time.

What Does the Check Engine Light Really Mean?

When a car's check engine light comes on, it is a mystery to most drivers. It instills panic in many for good reason. There are times when that light can mean drastic problems in a car's engine system or other operating parts. There are also times when it simply means you changed your brand of gasoline and the car needs to adjust to the new mix. For that reason there is a tendency to ignore that little light and hope the problem will go away.

Should You Worry About Your Check Engine Light?

How do you know if the check engine light is trying to tell you there is a serious problem or if it is nothing to worry about? One way is to take the time out of your busy schedule, drive to the mechanic and pay a hefty fee to have them hook up their machine to your car's OBDII system and then tell you to tighten your gas cap as a result. Or you can get your own OBD diagnostic tool that will give you all the information you need right at your fingertips.

Onboard Diagnostic System

These simple devices attach to your automobile's OBDII (onboard diagnostic system) right under the dash just like the big machine at the mechanic shop does and it will give you the exact same readouts plus provide easy to understand graphs and explanations of those confusing codes your mechanic gives you to keep you in the dark as to what is really going on.

Simply take the OBD diagnostic system for a short ride with you when your check engine light comes on and then take it in the house to your personal computer and download the data. The website provided to you with your OBD diagnostic system will decipher the information and give you all the information you need to determine if the problem is serious or not at fractions of the cost of a mechanic's garage. The readout will also give you simple solutions to the easier fixes if they are available plus if you do need to take the car to your mechanic, you can go in well-armed with the knowledge you need to keep from being overcharged for their services.

The OBD system will also alert you to potentially damaging driving habits you may have acquired over time even when your check engine light is not blinking. Things like hard braking and excessive acceleration so that you can correct problems before they affect your car's mechanisms.

Benefits of OBD

There are even more benefits to your own OBD diagnostic system. Never get stuck with a lemon again by taking it on all of your test drives. With your own diagnostic system, you will be able to find out for yourself if your potential new or used car is in good operating order before you drive off the lot. You can even find out why the check engine light [http://www.carcheckup.com/check-engine-light/] is on. You can also take all the worry out of vacations when you hook it up before a road trip.

Green Valley Car Auction - A Great Event In Arizona

The Green Valley car auctions features a great selection of luxury or economic cars, at incredible prices. Monthly, more than thousand cars become government property through foreclosure laws. Because there are so many cars in this situation, their storage costs are huge; the conclusion is that the cars must be sold really cheap and fast.

Everybody can take advantage of these excellent cars; the database is full of many different records about almost new cars. It is simple to choose from all models and colors. Green valley car action rely on combined inventories of many major evens; there are no sale reports, the auction is working live online and the calendar of events is available on the Green Valley car auction site. Wide vehicle search can be conducted for car on their location and main characteristics, such as model, age, history and condition.

About Green Valley car auctions
It is simple to participate in bidding on any vehicle presented at Green Valley car auction, online, viewing live video from the auction. It is possible to purchase the vehicles from the auction inventory; a market report is available to find the historical sales data, the car's characteristics.

The status of all the customers' biddings is easy to follow: lost, won or current. Facilities, people, services are available to meet the customers' needs. The facilities are specially designed to provide sellers and buyers the best auction conditions. Green Valley car auction is based on the commitment, determination and honesty of the entire staff, combined with high quality products and services.

High quality cars, unparalleled customer service and a successful management team are making every auction a real success, for buyers and sellers. Green Valley car auction, one of the worlds's well known car auctions, become a lifestyle destination. The action is also a show on cable TV; all the cars are hand picked and there is no reserve price. These facts prove the seller confidence in the Green Valley car auction firm. Only most exclusive cars are available at auction. There also special events, and other activities during the auction. The auction feature more than 1000 collector cars from all years, many people are expected to attend in 2007.

The event always raises millions for children and other charities. Green Valley cars auction attracts many international visitors, too. Instead of giving a car quote, Green Valley car auctions set up a auction asking dealers or buyers to bid for the car price. Reverse auto auction is giving spectacular results for both, buyer or sellers. This method helps online buyers to find their dream car sooner than they expected. Some advantages of reverse car auction are the prompt customer service, free email alerts, free search by model, color, fuel type or other characteristics. Individual car sellers or car dealers can participate without fearing. State of the art websites are offering useful information for real time buyers for any car model.

Building Driveways

Recently, I had a discussion with both my mother as well as my boyfriend about driveways. Most people have a standard driveway in which one car pulls into the driveway, and another car pulls in behind it. This is how it is for most people who own houses or town homes. The situation that I just described is no different for me. Every time I come home to visit my family, we always wind up playing this sort of game where we have to shuffle our vehicles around in the driveway so that one person can get out or so that another person can park there.

In my neighborhood, you are allowed to park on the street, but sometimes it is just more convenient to park in the driveway instead. A long time dream of my mother's has been to install one of those semi-circle driveways so that we don't have to worry about backing out ever. Another idea for a driveway is to expand the driveway so that you can not only park behind the person in front of you but along the side of them as well. The second option that I just described has been a more popular choice among those people who own houses and is certainly more convenient than having to park behind someone.

It seems that in the houses that were built in the 1950s-1960s (as my parents' house was), the driveways are all the same, where you have no choice but to park behind the person in front of you. However, there are many home owners who are now making renovations to their homes, and part of these renovations includes updating the driveway to accommodate more vehicles. The only catch to doing this is that renovating a driveway is extremely costly, and typically costs upwards of $6,000 in order to do so. In other words, you have to have the funds available to do this. Additionally, in some cases, depending on the type of driveway that you are planning on putting in, you have to check with your county officials to even see if you have permission to do that. Some neighborhoods will not allow you to make such dramatic changes to your property because of certain rules and regulations that are in place.

If you are thinking of building a driveway, the first thing that you should do before you start looking at designs, etc. is figure out if it is even financially feasible. Talk to your county official and ask them what the process is for making changes to your property. Even if you are approved to put in a certain type of driveway, if you are expanding your driveway in any way, keep in mind the fact that any changes that you make like this are going to affect your property taxes. In most cases, expanding your driveway actually causes the taxes that you pay on your property to be higher, so double check to make sure that it is something you can afford.

Some Car Dealers Are Turning Away From The Dark Side

Buying a car does not have to be a stressful, unpleasant experience filled with mistrust. The internet has had a significant impact on the way shoppers buy cars... and Dealerships are beginning to get the message.

Because of all the car-buying resources now available on the web, more and more "informed" shoppers are arriving at Dealerships. Using sources such as Kelley Blue Book, edmunds.com, invoicedealers.com, and others, consumers are far better informed as to proper pricing. Using sites such as autotrader and cars.com, car buyers can also now easily compare Dealer prices. And there's plenty of useful information available on the internet regarding negotiating tactics, interacting with Dealers, and Dealer sales tactics.

More and more Dealers have recognized this shift and have actually changed the way they do business. True, many are still fighting this "informed buyer" trend and are still selling cars the way they always have, which means long, distrustful hours at a Dealership. But more and more have been trying to evolve along with the customer and are trying to make the car-buying experience more "consumer friendly".

Dealerships still have significant overhead costs that affect their pricing (advertising, employees, rent, etc.), so you may opt to purchase from an individual or use an auto broker. But if you purchase from Dealers, or at least want to give them the opportunity to earn your business, there's some things to look for that will help you determine if a particular Dealership has moved towards a more consumer friendly policy.

While still a small minority, there's a growing number of "haggle-free" Dealerships. They put a price on a vehicle and that's, well, simply its price. No negotiating required. And when there's no negotiating, the stress factor drops big time. Consumers can make an informed buying decision just like buying a television, a computer, a tube of toothpaste and just about everything else they buy.

There should be no additional "prep fee" or "service fee" or "whatever" fee tacked on the price at the end. Dealers have traditionally added this extra charge, usually in the $100 to $500 range but sometimes as much as $1,000 or more on upscale, expensive vehicles. These fees are almost all pure profit for Dealers while providing little if any value for the buyer. Consumer friendly Dealers have eliminated these fees. Their costs are already included in their prices.

A Dealership should provide you a free copy of their vehicle's CarFax or AutoCheck history report. There's no reason for you to have to pay for getting one. And if a Dealer doesn't have one, why not? Have they priced a car without knowing its history?

Dealerships should provide a Mechanical Inspection report on the vehicle. If they're selling a car in "excellent condition", they should be willing to provide you with the information they used to come to this conclusion.

And "evolved" Dealerships should let you to get a second opinion by allowing you to get your own inspection done (at your expense) prior to purchase.

Informed car-buying has come a long way in the last five years or so thanks to the internet. And there are some good Dealers out there that have indeed gotten the message. I also believe that this is a growing phenomenon and we can look forward to more Dealerships turning away from the "dark side".

Improve Your Mood With a Clean Car!

Cleaning your car is not only good for your car! It is actually good for its driver as well. In our lives we feel that not only what we do is a reflection of ourselves, but what we have is also. This is sad but true to judge who we are by what we have. However, it is not only what we have but what we do with what we have. For example if a person has a nice car but doesn't bother to take care of it, people are going to talk negatively about him. So, it is no doubt that a having a clean car can improve your mood.

The way that people perceive us has a lot to do with how we feel about ourselves. Even though we may not think it is right, others will judge us on our appearance and the appearance of our house and yes, our cars! So if other people perceive us in a positive way we will feel better about ourselves. Some people view their car as a reflection of themselves. If their car looks good, they look good and so on. So if we keep our cars clean people will see that we are clean, that we take care of ourselves and our stuff, and that we take pride in ourselves!

Also, it is just a nice feeling riding in a clean car. If your car is dirty and the inside is cluttered there is a stale feeling in your car. A cluttered car can make you feel trapped and out of control as well. However, when your car is clean you feel good that you cleaned it and also proud to drive it. Also your car also smells better after it is cleaned and scents have a way of triggering certain emotions and feelings. If you smell good things chances are you will feel good too. Also you will get a little exercise while doing so which may release some stress and make you feel better, any form of exercise can make you feel better.

So to get started with improving your mood you can start with washing your car. It is actually quite easy. You just need to get a soft cloth and car soap. Wash away the dirt and stress and start feeling better about yourself as others notice you and your ride improving. You may also want to apply a coat of wax to give you and your car a little shine! Don't forget the interior. Be sure to remove trash, vacuum, and armor-all the inside. No one wants to feel like they are riding around in a garbage can. You want to proud of your car so others will be proud of you!

If you don't have the time, you can still improve your mood with a clean car. Find a great auto detailer who can clean your car for you. Even if you don't do all the work you can still take pride in your concern and pride for your belongings!

How To Find Parts And Accessories For Your Volkswagen Jetta

The Volkswagen Jetta has been the corporation's fastest selling model on the American Market, as it captivates the American consumer more than it does the European ones. Its continued growth and appeal is tied almost directly to the all-important American automobile market.

Throughout Volkswagen's 50 years in the US it has consistently caught the attention of every type of American consumer; the young, the old, the man, the woman, the rich and the not so rich. Even though VW had a few slips in performance and availability, it has still captured and held the attention of the American driver; much to the chagrin of its rivals.

The Jetta's completely recreated frame and body now features a longer wheelbase, wider stance, chrome-framed grille in front, and is, undeniably, the new face of VW. Chrome is a recurring feature of the Jetta. Chrome is also employed in the making of the eyebrows above the engine's air inlets, and on similar models for their side-window surrounds.

There are many stores that can be found online that specialize in Volkswagen parts, including the Jetta's grille. Since they specialize in the parts, they never compromise the caliber of the Jetta grille and promises that any Jetta part you purchase will be of the highest quality, meeting the Volkswagen standards for quality every time. You need not worry that this quality comes with a hefty price tag. These web stores offer these Jetta parts for the lowest prices and are just a click on the mouse away.

The Volkswagen Jetta's most appealing attribute is the prominent thrust and slope of the car's snout. The headlights, inlets, and grilles are all blended into the Jetta's raked rear flow. At the Jetta's rear, is a multi-link independent suspension, which greatly enhances the ride and the driver's control on the road. Jetta's steering is power assisted. This assistance is electro-mechanical, not hydraulic as some would think.

If you're in the market for Jetta's headlights and suspension, online automotive stores feature high caliber parts at low prices. They can assure you that purchasing from them will guarantee 100% customer satisfaction. By using these stores to supply you with your Volkswagen needs, you can experience excellent service staff and easy shopping for your replacement Jetta parts. Since they specialize in these parts, they offer a Jetta suspension that is the best on the market, unlike the suspension systems that some auto parts dealers would try to pawn off on you.

The Volkswagen Jetta is well known for being the most economically priced of the European sedans in America. This status has remained unchanged even after the release of the 2005 model. By using an online store that specializes in Volkswagen parts, you can be assured that the Jetta parts you want are in stock, will be shipped quickly if ordered from the online store, and are perfectly priced for your pocketbook.

EGR Valves

With the advent of modern technology, a lot more people are enticed to own their own vehicle, thus emissions of these vehicles pose a threat of causing air pollution. There is nothing wrong with modern technology, especially if it is beneficial to all, but if it causes air pollution because of the continuous increase in car emissions, this becomes a problem. And because of this problem, automotive engineers have figured out a solution and that is to integrate EGR valves on automobiles.

The main function of the EGR or the exhaust gas recirculation valve is to reduce oxidation of nitrogen through the reduction of combustion temperature. The combustion temperature can only be reduced when the EGR valves send some of the exhaust gas through the intake manifold back into the cylinders. When the combustion temperature is very hot, there is a reaction between nitrogen and two other byproducts, and this process forms nitrogen oxide. When this nitrogen oxide is released into the atmosphere, it mixes with oxygen and becomes nitrogen dioxide. When nitrogen dioxide combines with other compounds like hydrocarbons in the presence of sunlight, smog is formed that is basically a pollutant.

With an EGR valve on a vehicle, the combustion temperature can be regulated, so it will not become too hot, thus preventing the nitrogen to react with other compounds. In other words, through the use of the EGR valve, it is possible to lower the combustion temperature to lower the amount of nitrous oxide produced. Therefore, this process prohibits the formation of smog that is a harmful threat to the environment.

With this important function that EGR valves do, it is really important that they come standard in vehicles. Basically, there are two types of EGR valves that can are included in vehicles. One uses a vacuum in order to operate, and the other operates through pressure. Even though both vary in their means of operation, they are similar in their function to allow exhaust gas in so as to lower the combustion temperature.

VW Polo - Enjoy Your New Car

Everyone enjoys a new car. The new car smell, the new car look and even the way a new car drives. One of the newest cars on the market today, is the VW Polo. With today's vehicle crisis, it is a great car to bring some spice to the subcompact car world. This car is sure to be one of the smallest compact cars made at an affordable price. They could not have picked a better time to introduce the car to the U.S. It has been popular in Europe for some time now and about time they added some spice to the U.S. car industry.

The VW Polo has been reincarnated several times. Only this time with the VW logo in front and the best of it's kind. The Polo Blue motion is putting a stop to seeing red at the pumps. It can get anywhere from 60mpg to 70mg which is pretty impressive. It is suppose to be one of the best when it comes to sucking down the fuel. It has longer gear ratios, which helps it consume less fuel.

This car is truly all about efficiency. There are a few different styles of the VW Polo. The Blue motion has been getting great reviews, however unless you pay attention to detail then you may not see much of a difference. Other than it's added blue interior, there are few changes to the style. The front bumper appears to be a bit smoother and the suspension is a tad lower. One of the great features it has is the third door. The hatch back style door is said to make it very versatile for a lot of different people.

Overall, the VW Polo is bringing a lot of hype to the car industry in the U.S. It is going to make a big impact on those that enjoy the small compact cars. It is a car that offers great style, smooth ride and budget friendly. With their excellent reputation and history of long lasting cars, this car will have no problem being one of the best compact cars sold on the market today.

2010 Ford Focus Review - Out of the Box Thinking Done Right by Ford

Ford has done things a little differently with the new Focus, especially the four-door sedan model. It launched the Focus range at the Paris Motor Show in late September last year, but the prototype Focus Concept, a thinly disguised Focus sedan, was actually revealed three months earlier in June at the Beijing Motor Show.

Why would Ford showcase its best-selling European model in Asia before its world premier in Europe? Perhaps it is because, unlike the previous Focus, the new one - especially this saloon version - is targeted at the Asian markets.

The first thing one notice about the sedan is that it looks well-proportioned and neat, unlike the last model, which looked like it had its boot grafted on as an afterthought. What has also helped is that the new Focus has leaner and more elegant lines and these lend themselves better to a four-door sedan than the aggressively bold styling of the previous model. From the rear three quarters, the Focus sedan comes across as crisp and discreet, with triangular rear lamps that make it look like a scaled-down Mondeo, an important point in status-conscious Asian markets.

The last Focus set a benchmark in its class, and the new sedan has been developed to expand the Focus' reach even beyond its better-known three-and five-door siblings, even if the cabin space is the same as offered by the five-door hatchback, boot aside. It's also interesting to note that apart from the Renault Megane sedan, the Focus is the only other European engineered and built 1.6-litre car in the market.

One thing that remains unchanged is that Ford has not forgotten to give the new Focus an impressive list of technical features. Even on the entry-level 'Trend' spec, four-wheel disc brakes with a sophisticated Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) are standard equipment. More commonly found on large, high-performance cars, an ESP system acts like a co-pilot, monitoring the traction at each wheel, either braking or cutting power to should the vehicle begin to lose composure or grip. While the Focus' chassis set-up is inherently impressive and allows the car to handle beautifully, it is reassuring to know that the car is actually intelligent enough to Intervene should its road holding limit* be reached. On the other hand, 11 rivers who want to pretend to be Mr Colin McRae, slipping and sliding on loose gravel, there is the option of switching the ESP off.

The other high-tech feature on the new Focus is the three-mode automatic gearbox. On the face of it, this might seem outmoded - after all, the latest auto boxes have intelligent adaptive programmes that 'learn' driving patterns, negating the need for the driver to choose between 'economy' or 'power' modes. That being said, no matter how clever a transmission is, it doesn't read minds, and can only react to, and not predict situations. Ford has partially solved this problem by allowing the driver to select from three programmed modes: adaptive, sport or economy. True to their titles, the transmission behaves differently in each mode, with 'economy' making the car feel under powered because it changes up at the earliest opportunity and is reluctant to change down when the accelerator is floored.

Instead of buttons next to the transmission gate, switching transmission modes is performed through the left stalk on the steering column. This stalk also manipulates the trip computer and there is even a thumb wheel to scroll through the different readouts on the instrument binnacle. While it is impressive that so much information is handled through a single input device, it does take some time to fully comprehend and use this one-stalk computer mouse.

In fact, this multi-functional stalk best sums up the new Focus. As with the previous model, it is well-engineered and entertaining to drive, but the new model comes fully-loaded with the latest technical equipment to once again raise the bar in the family car segment. On the other hand, most of these goodies are largely invisible, and while they are tangible, they are also unseen. In 'Trend' trim, this is particularly obvious, as being the price-leader, it appears well-built but quite spartan, and does not have the bells and whistles that come with the Ghia trim. At the moment, only the five-door hatchback is offered in Ghia trim, with the sedan version only available later in the year.

This means the Focus' success in Asia is still not the fait accompli as Ford had planned, crisp styling notwithstanding. The sedan looks better than it ever did, but in Trend trim, it does not feel luxurious nor as well-appointed as some of its rivals.

Get behind the wheel though, and one will be impressed with the Focus' engine, chassis and overall ability. The problem is, there is already a good looking, 1.6-litre family sedan that drives and handles well, replete with the Focus' impressive chassis and suspension set-up - it's the Mazda 3. How ironic that the car that probably poses the greatest challenge to the Focus sedan is from Mazda, a company that Ford also owns.

Car Covers Can Save You Money

Most people take pride in their vehicle and rightly so, after all cars are not cheap these days and protecting their value is important. Keeping it clean and maintained are paramount to protecting the investment. You can spend money and hours washing and waxing to preserve the finish and their are many situations that can ruin your hard work. Using a quality car cover will preserve the finish and hard work spent ensuring that new car shine.

The UV rays of the sun can causing fading of your cars finish. The sun can also fade the interior and cause drying which can lead to cracking in time. Storms that bring hail can cause dimpling. The rain itself can ruin a days work washing and waxing. There's nothing worse than water spots after all that time and energy spent making your car look great. Pollen, dust, bird dropping and tree sap will also make you feel like you wasted your time cleaning and waxing. Even if you park in a garage, covering your vehicle is a smart decision. Dust finds it way into any garage.

Summer is just about here and the sun is at it's strongest and the thunderstorms are bound arrive soon. What better time to protect your car, truck, SUV, van or station wagon. Even your recreational vehicles such as boats and RV's would benefit from a quality vehicle cover and they make them for every make and model imaginable.

Think of the money you'll save buying wax and shampoo if you don't need to use it as often. Not to mention what it can cost to have your vehicle repainted or dents and dings repaired. No matter how you look at it, car covers can save you money. They will also provide peace of mind knowing that your har earned money invested in your vehicle is being protected. Any vehicle will hold it's value if it is protected, well cared for and looking great.

Vehicle covers can be purchased at retail stores as well as on the Internet. You will have the best options for size, color, and protection options if purchased on line. There are two layer, three layer and four layer covers available today. Your budget and where you live and park your vehicle should determine which cover is best for your needs.

When purchasing on line be sure to shop around and review shipping and return policies before making your purchase. There are sites that offer free shipping and those that do not so do your homework. You will also want to ensure you have selected the correct size as most companies will not pay return shipping if you make the wrong choice. There will be sizing charts/instructions on the website.

Once you have your cover you will know that using a vehicle cover is a smart decision which will save you money, time and effort. Your vehicle will never look better. For more information regarding car covers visit http://www.EliteCarCoversOnline.Com today.

2009 Was a Tough Year For Mazda

Since 2000, Mazda has become synonymous with the phrase Zoom-Zoom to describe what it calls the emotion of motion. After its initial use in a North American marketing campaign, the catchy phase has become a long lasting success around the globe. Zoom-Zoom reflects the automaker's goal to deliver an invigorating spirit, quality craftsmanship, and fun-to-drive experience to its valued customers.

Mazda Performance in 2009

1) Revenue

Globally, the auto industry struggled during 2009. It was a tough year for Mazda. Sales revenue and profit levels suffered. Even though December 2009 indicated signs of recovery for the Japanese automaker, the annual figures showed losses from the prior year of 2008. Stock prices also fell as a result of revenue losses. Another contributing factor was the disintegration of a 30-year Ford-Mazda partnership, with fewer joint projects for product development.

2) Most Popular Model

Celebrating 20 years of success, the MX-5 (also known as Miata or Roadster), is the best selling sports car in the world. The two-seater boosts precise steering and handling, low base price, economical operation, and choice of a soft or hard top. New features include the power retractable hard top and heated seats with 5-temperature settings. Collision safety was also improved with an advanced impact system specifically designed for convertibles.

3) New Launch

A 5-door hatchback, a newer version of Mazda-3, was launched. The hatchback has similar characteristics to the 4-door sedan which include a dynamic design, with optimum environmental and safety performance.

4) Electric Vehicle Development

Mazda has postponed electric vehicle development until battery technology improves. The high cost of the project is a deterrent. In the meantime, the Japanese automaker will focus instead on other fuel saving methods.

5) Worst Selling Model

The RX-8, powered by a rotary engine, was the most expensive and slowest selling model.

You Can Replace Your Car's EGR Valve

Located smack dab on your car's intake manifold, an EGR [Exhaust Gas Recirculation] valve functions by sending exhaust gas back into the combustion chamber as "exhausted air" is much hotter than intake air. By bringing warmer gas into the combustion chamber, your engine operates much more cleanly and efficiently.

Like any part, your Ford EGR valve or Toyota EGR valve is subject to getting clogged with dirt or crud. A clogged unit may cause your car to stall, hesitate, or idle roughly. Sometimes, simply cleaning the EGR valve with a product like STP carburetor cleaner will resolve the problem. Still, if you take your car in for its MV inspection and the diagnostic tests shows that your EGR valve is not working, you will fail inspection and be forced to swap out the device before bringing your car back in for a follow up inspection. What a hassle, but something you just don't want to forget about.

Prices on replacement EGR valves are all over the place: some parts are reasonably priced while others will cost you a mint. Your Ford or Toyota dealer will charge you a mint if you purchase one through their parts department, as buying through any dealer can quickly turn into a financial nightmare. Instead of going through all that aggravation, you can save big money by shopping online through a quality wholesaler such as All EGR Valves. As is common with all high quality auto parts wholesalers, you can purchase an EGR valve at a huge discount and save a bundle over dealer mark up prices. Leading wholesalers deal directly with manufacturers, buy in gigantic quantities, negotiate the lowest prices, and pass big savings on to you.

Replacing an EGR valve is a simple process and can be accomplished with standard automobile tools. With your handy Chilton repair manual at your side, you will quickly remove and replace the device and have a strong sense of accomplishment on a job "well done." Best yet, you will have saved yourself plenty of money which you can use for other parts, like the K&B cold air intake that you always wanted!

The Best Carport Kits On The Planet

One of the best ways to protect your vehicle from the harsh weather conditions is to make sure that you park under a carport whenever you can. This will keep your car out of the harmful sun, free from hail or snow and protected from the rain.

You can now also have a carport for your home to provide extra protection of your own car or for other members of your family who might have to park in the driveway. Carport kits are available to everyone on the internet and once they ship it to you, you will be well on your way to adding an extra effect to your home and protecting your valuable asset. If you need to re sell your car in a few years, you will want to get a high price for it and the only way to do that is to keep it in tip top shape.

Carport kits are found with many shapes of carport as well as sizes and materials; however, the most popular are metal carport kits like steel or the more expensive aluminum. When you are putting a carport in you will have to measure the area that you need to assemble it in.

You may want a double carport or an extra tall carport for parking an RV under. All of these are available ready made for you to buy. Otherwise it is also possible to make your own designs and specifications.

The company that you choose should be able to make you carport kits that are according to your specifications. In the carport kits you will find, the separate pieces used to build your carport like the poles, fittings, cover, and pads. You will also find your detailed plan of how the parts should be assembled and what it must look like when completed.

These carport kits are meant to make your job of assembling your carport very easy. This is great because you can then use your carport for other occasions too. You can take it down and assemble it in your garden for a special garden luncheon or birthday party.

You can even decorate it and drape it with fabric for a small wedding reception. This will ensure that your party is a success out of the rain and in the shade. You get different types of roof styles with these carport kits.

You can get flat tops, gabled roofs, angled roofs and more. You will need to look a the one that best fits in with the style of your house and what you need it primarily for. If rain is a big issue, then you will need to get a gabled on or angled one. The angled one is perfect if the driveway is along the side of the house because then the top of the roof can touch the wall and angel down to the other side.

Carport kits can also be used for businesses and will help employees to keep their cars protected or to provide shelter for those employees that have not yet kicked the habit of smoking. You will be able to offer them a great alternative when they have to stand out in the rain to have a smoke break.

San Francisco, California

The first time I visited San Francisco I was bowled over. This was the centre of the '60s counter culture, flower power and anti-war demonstrations. Then there were the TV series and the enthralling movies set in Frisco: the Streets of San Francisco with Michael Douglas, Dirty Harry with Clint Eastwood, Hitchcock's Vertigo, and McQueen's legendary car chase through the city in Bullet. I first visited with three Irish friends, Mary and Aidan who had lived in the Bay area for several years and had a good working knowledge of the city, and Carmel. We travelled from Fremont on the Bart. I always remember standing on the escalator as we moved towards the underground exit at Market Street in downtown San Francisco, and being assailed by towering skyscrapers in every shape and style. What a dramatic introduction to one of the most famous cities in the world!

That first afternoon was action-packed. We took a cable car to Pacific Heights, and gazed out over the city and ocean below. Of course there was the shadow of the Golden Gate looming over my imagination, and I just had to take a boat trip, to glide under this queen of bridges, and then skirt the infamous island of Alcatraz. We had lunch at Fisherman's Wharf, a huge conglomeration of gift stores and cafes. Just across from here is Ghirardelli Square, named after the famous chocolatier who arrived in San Francisco in the great gold-rush era of the 1850s. It is now an exclusive shopping district. More in our league was Chinatown, the largest Chinese neighbourhood outside of Asia. The streets were alive with amazing stores selling all kinds of herbs, food, jewellery and colourful banners with intricate Chinese calligraphy, and beautifully decorated gift items.

Later when I returned to California I spent a day just getting familiar with some of the streets in downtown San Francisco. It was a real treat to sip coffee in Starbucks in Market Street early on Friday morning, and just gaze out the window as hoards of people hurried to work. San Francisco is a major financial center and many banks and businesses have their headquarters here. There are also many computer firms located here, so it's quite a bustling city. It would be great to work here for a while to experience the buzz of being part of this lively cosmopolitan city. The nearest I've got so far is working on a contract in South San Francisco, but that was miles from the real action downtown.

I once walked about four miles on a rather warm day from Market Street to the Haight-Ashbury area. This area was the centre of counter culture in the '60s, where students, artists, musicians and nonconformists moved in to old Victorian houses, ushering in the hippie phase. Groups like The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane hung out here, and played at the famous Fillmore concert venue just around the corner. The era of rock music and pot, incense and pop art, eastern meditation and anti-Vietnam demonstrations was short lived. Today Haight-Ashbury is a paradise for collectors of old memorabilia. The stores are stacked with tie-dyed dresses, posters, jewellery and CDs, all reminiscent of that colourful decade. It's also a great place to get a wonderful sandwich, any amount or variety of vegetarian fare, and lots of good tasting coffee.

Probably the best vegetarian restaurant I've ever eaten in is Greens, at Fort Mason, overlooking the Bay, where all the food is organically grown. One cold rainy February evening Bob brought me there for a birthday treat. The hot, spicy soup was wonderful; the plates of gorgonzola cream, walnut and basil pasta, and curried vegetables were divine. Then coffee, followed by a chocolate hazelnut mouse dessert. Dinner was expensive, but the flavour and quality of the food, the glittering view of the Golden Gate, and the general ambience of the place, was well worth it.

My friend, Mary, once took me on a day's outing to some interesting spots on the outskirts of the city. In the morning we went for a hike in Muir Woods, home of some magnificent redwoods. Then we drove to Golden Gate Park where we had a magnificent view of the famous bridge. It was foggy as it often is in San Francisco. We drove to the Cliff House for lunch, which is at the Northwest corner of San Francisco and offers some fantastic views of the coast. A restaurant has been located on this spot since 1863, and the present establishment is full of décor and memorabilia from Victorian times.

There's nothing I love more than to browse around downtown, admiring the diverse architecture that gives San Francisco a richness and colour that few cities can match. After the giant earthquake in 1906 the city was largely rebuilt in the ornate art nouveau style. Then there are the decorative art deco buildings built from the 1930s. The real charm of the city is a blend of many styles and eras, from modern marvels, like the Transamerica building, to old surviving Victorian houses dating back to the late 1800s. One of my favourite buildings is City Hall, with its glorious doom, located at Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place. I also love the Legion of Honor art gallery, with its great Rodin collection, that sits overlooking Golden Gate Park.

When my nephew, Michael, visited in the autumn I brought him to Equinox, the revolving restaurant on top of the Hyatt Hotel in Market Street. From this vantage point there are some great views of the city and bay, particularly Bay Bridge. Here you can survey the skyscrapers and look down upon the busy streets while sitting in the lap of luxury, sipping coffee and eating chocolate fudge ice cream.

This is certainly a marvellous city. I always love the buzz of exploring its unique streets, admiring its assortment of buildings, and browsing in its stylish stores. Supposedly San Francisco is the most visited city in the US. It is well worth visiting many times over.

Santa Cruz, California

More than any other place in California, Santa Cruz has become the town where I feel most at home. This is the way I always imagined California to be, full of colourful 'arty' ethnic stores; wonderful bookshops; students and musicians frequenting the bustling coffee shops; petitions to be signed against war, the inhumane treatment of animals and other red-hot topics; a sense of openness and freedom in dress, attitude and conversation. And just around the corner, all this is topped off with fabulous redwood forests, spectacular mountains, and the most magnificent sandy beaches that stretch for miles along the coast.

Bob first brought me to Santa Cruz one rainy day in October when we'd known each other all of eight days. I was enchanted on that first day, driving through the rain-soaked hills, listening to the Beatles on K-Pig radio, then arriving in this little glistening '60s town that time had somehow forgotten. That same sense of captivation has never left me, though I must have retraced that route a hundred times by now.

The drive out of Silicon Valley and into the Santa Cruz Hills is like crossing into another dimension. The super competitive world of silicon hi-tech start-ups is instantly left behind, the smog suddenly lifts, and the air and the surrounding hills take on a new freshness and vitality. There are many routes to choose from to get to Santa Cruz. From 880 it's a straight run to Los Gatos, a small hip town where shop windows dazzle with overpriced goods, and the beautiful people assemble to preen and parade. We often stop here for a coffee in the Los Gatos Roasting Company. God, the coffee is only marvellous, and the Posh Bagel next-door makes the nicest toasted cream-cheese bagels on the west coast!

From Los Gatos it's onto Highway17, a very busy, twisty highway that leads to Santa Cruz. We usually take the more scenic route, turning right on Bear Creek Road, and then onto the Old Santa Cruz Highway. This leads to Summit Road, a lovely ridge top back road. We often stop off here at the Summit Store, an old grocery shop that sells scrumptious sandwiches, Rebecca's mighty muffins, and great coffee. There's a little picnic area out front, and this is where you will meet all kinds of interesting people who live in the Santa Cruz hills. Several guys I spoke to over the years were Vietnam veterans, now eking out some kind of existence. Considering that this is one of the prime locations in California to live, it's hard to imagine how these people survive. Perhaps they share family homes that were bought for a pittance before house prices exploded in the '70s.

From Summit Road we usually drive through Highland Way. This is all redwood forest, with tiny creeks dripping down the mountainside, scary cliffs, and incredible canyon views south and west towards the ocean. Bob knows this whole area inside out as he lived in Santa Cruz for a few years when he first moved to California from Boston. This whole area is a paradise for hikers and cyclists. We've gone for a hike a few times in Nicene Marks State Park, just off Highland Way. Bob does an annual solitary walk of Highland Way every October of over twenty miles. At nighttime it's wonderful to drive this forest road, to pull over for a moment and just sit there in the darkness, gazing at the stars.

Eventually Highland Way leads to Corralitos, a very agricultural area where all kinds of crops and vegetables are grown. Bob loves the Correlitos Market for hot dog sandwiches. My favourite is Gizdich Ranch, a real working ranch where they make fresh apple and berry pies, and serve unusual juices and herbal teas. We then drive onto the small village of Aptos, just five minutes from Seascape beach. Bob used to have a friend, Alan, who lived here. Many a fun weekend we had with Alan, soaking up the sun and sea in the morning, browsing around Santa Cruz in the afternoon, then driving to Monterey or Moss Landing for dinner and some pub life in the evening.

There are so many beaches in this area: Seacliff, Natural Bridges, Del Mar, and La Selva, but Seascape in Aptos is always our favourite. The water in California is never warm, unless you go really far south to Los Angeles. The surf here is great and many guys, including Bob, love to go surfing. We often play Frisbee, or just sit and read. Seascape is rarely crowded, and is frequented by a rich assortment of humanity. Most people who come to Seascape are staying in the lovely resort that overlooks the beach. A special resort car takes residents down the hill to the beach, and returns later to escort them back to the bar or restaurant.

In the late afternoon it's time to head to Santa Cruz. Pacific Street is the main shopping area. I love to spend time browsing in Bookshop Santa Cruz, or at Borders bookstore. Both bookshops have bargain sections where you can always pick up something of interest at rock-bottom prices. Then there are the fun stores: bead shops, art stores selling stunning handmade paper, stores like East Meets West that sells tie-dyed clothing and long print dresses. Then there's Bunny's distinctive shoe store, shops that sell Indian rugs, Thai silks, embroidered Bali bags, and Mexican silver. There are also a few new-age bookstores selling crystals and incense, where resident psychics await the unveiling of your destiny. Every May there's an arts and craft festival held in the streets, and the most fabulous scarves, paintings, glassware, and jewellery are on sale. Then there are the great little cafes, like the Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Company or Lulu Carpenters where you can sit and chat with a cup of dark-roast coffee or hot chocolate.

We invariably end up at Java House. This is a real student café, with ample sofas and tables where you can read, study, or chat with the local clientele. This is where writers and artists, 'lefties' and Silicon Valley dropouts come to unwind, to share their experiences and mingle with fellow seekers. Sometimes there is live music here. One night we dropped in on a packed audience who were clapping along to the exotic gyrations of a beautiful, dark bellydancer. Another night there was a guy from Chile who set up table and gave free medicine-card readings to customers. We usually play scrabble there, and certainly that's another way to meet some very interesting characters.

The variety of restaurants in Santa Cruz is also astonishing. You can eat Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Italian, Thai, Mexican-there's even an Irish pub, Rosie McCann's, that serves traditional Irish fare. There's also real budget cuisine, such as Pizza My Heart, where you can buy a huge slice of pizza for $2.50. The greatest bakery has got to be Gayles on Bay Avenue in Capitola, about six miles from Santa Cruz. Here you can sample key lime pie, hot apple slices, dark chocolate cake, or 'melt in your mouth' lemon cookies. And as for luxury items, there's a small hand-made chocolate store, called Donnelly's on Mission Street. This sells the most incredible chocolates, such as rose-flavoured milk and dark lavender truffles, all for the princely sum of $4 each!

There's no shortage of culture and entertainment in Santa Cruz. There are four movie theatres in town: the Nickelodeon on Lincoln and Cedar, the Riverfront Stadium Twin on River street, the Del Mar theatre, and the Santa Cruz Cinema on Pacific. There's an annual Pacific Rim film festival that shows interesting Japanese and Asian films for free at the Del Mar theatre. The Del Mar also shows independent films, and this makes a pleasant change from attending Hollywood box-office hits. There's also a great concert venue called the Catalyst. You can see all kinds of old rock groups, country and blues singers performing there. One evening we went to see Lucinda Williams and it was a really great concert. Sometimes we go to the University of Santa Cruz campus. This has the most wonderful forest grounds and a fantastic library. It would be great to take a class there sometime, or to attend one of their Shakespearean festivals.

Invariably time ticks by and we set out once again for Highway 17 and Santa Clara. It takes about fifty-minutes to drive home taking this route. Maybe we'll come back to Santa Cruz tomorrow. At the very least there's always next weekend.

2007 Saturn SKY: The Wait Is Over

After months of nonstop hype, the 2007 Saturn SKY is now entering dealer showrooms. This two seat roadster marks an important turning point for the Saturn brand long identified with building nondescript, but dependable vehicles. With an MSRP of $23,690, the SKY is certain to sell for several thousand dollars over the dealer's sticker price as demand is expected to far exceed capacity. Let's examine the Saturn brand and the car behind the hype to see if the SKY was worth the wait.

Since Saturn's first cars became available in 1990, the brand has attracted a loyal following of owners who liked the company's simplicity and consumer friendly dealer network. Indeed, Saturn's "no haggle" pricing revolutionized the relationship between dealer and customer changing the typical adversarial business transaction into a partnership benefiting buyer and seller alike.

Originally, Saturn was established as a separate company, but wholly owned by General Motors. The idea behind Saturn was that the company would build import fighting small cars to compete against the likes of Toyota and Honda. The S-Series, made with "ding proof" polymer side panels was an immediate hit and Saturn relied exclusively on this line of compact coupes, sedans, and wagons for nearly a decade before a second, larger model was introduced.

The dream of keeping Saturn separate from GM eventually died and the brand was brought into the GM fold to be managed much like Chevrolet, Buick, etc. are today. Indeed, the Spring Hill, Tennessee factory, which was exclusively designed to build Saturn vehicles remains in business, but many of the division's cars are now being built elsewhere including the SKY.

So, the SKY has caught your attention, has it? Who could blame you? Pictures of the SKY have been circulating heavily online for months and it is certainly an attractive vehicle. Based on GM's new Kappa platform, the SKY shares some components with the earlier released Pontiac Solstice, another two seat roadster. The SKY, however, has its own look with a very pronounced fender peak and sleek body style. Here are some of the attributes of the SKY:

- Front engine, rear drive, two seat roadster

- 50/50 front/rear weight distribution

- Manually operated cloth covered top folds down into the trunk

- Front pivoting hood

- 2.4L I4 engine producing 177 h.p. paired with a 5 speed manual or 5 speed automatic transmission

- 18 inch wheels; 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS

- Power galore: air conditioning, locks, windows, doors, AM/FM/CD, etc.

The SKY was priced and designed to compete against two other roadsters, the Honda S2000 and Mazda's Miata. Although the SKY is technically a sister car to the Solstice, it appears that it is better suited to compete against the Japanese brands as the Saturn roadster comes fully equipped and incorporates a sleeker body design. Taking nothing away from the Pontiac, the SKY is definitely the more competitive of the two.

For Saturn, the SKY improves the brand's image immeasurably. Much in the way that the Corvette is a "halo" car for Chevrolet the SKY will be the same for Saturn. Production will be limited to just 10-12,000 vehicles annually and purchasing a SKY will likely mean buyers paying well over sticker price for their car. Indeed, some reports are indicating dealer mark ups as high as $5000 in the face of stiff demand.

Beyond the SKY, Saturn will also be introducing a second new vehicle this year, the Aura. Replacing the L-Series, the Aura midsize sedan borrows heavily from GM's European division, Opel, and incorporates the bold design of SKY in its front end.

Yes, the days of being known as a builder of compact plastic cars in Tennessee is over; a new Saturn is rising and if all the hoopla related to the SKY is any indication, Saturn's future is certainly very promising.

New Mazda Axela Out In Japan

After a couple of months of waiting, the new and freshened Mazda Axela would now be out in the Japan automobile market on the 22nd of this month. This is according to an announcement from the Mazda Motor Corporation. This newly freshened vehicle from Mazda would be holding a new 2.3 liter Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) turbo engine.

The Mazda Axela is actually known as the Mazda 3 in all the markets around the world, except for Japan of course. It is a sporty compact car. This vehicle has been in production since 2003 and it actually replaced the Mazda Familia, Mazda 323, and Mazda Protégé in Mazda's line up of quality vehicles. It has been crafted in two body styles which comprise of the hatchback with five door and the sedan holding four. The five-door version of this vehicle is known as the Axela Sport while the other one is mainly known as the Axela. The competition for this vehicle include the Saturn Ion, Scion tC, Chevrolet Cobalt, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Volkswagen Golf, Nissan Sentra, and Ford Focus.

The exterior of this newly freshened vehicle has been updated and modified. In fact, everything, including the front grille, its fog lamps, front bumper, rear bumper, aluminum wheels, rear roof spoiler, and side underspoiler, has been updated so that the Axela would look even sportier than before. Every part was not overlooked.

As per the interior of this vehicle, new materials were used for the seats and its door trims. There is even a new resin panel that actually enhances the quality of the whole design of the cabin. Customers are going to have additional choices as per the color of the interior for a sporty black option has been included in the list. Other color choices include elegant beige and high-quality gray.

Cool 80's Sports Cars

A lot of cool cars were made in the 1980's and many can be bought for cheap. Many of these sport cars can handle and perform equal or better than many new cars for similar or less money. There were impressive import and domestic cars and a reasonable variety of each. Lets go through a list of cars by their manufacturers starting with domestic cars. Unfortunately tightened emission specs limited the horsepower potential of the 1980's era cars, so some cars will be judged more on their handling abilities. One way to beat the stricter emissions standards was to use a smaller engine with a turbo to increase the horsepower.

GM stayed with it's traditional V8 engine with the Camaro, Trans Am, Monte Carlo, Regal, Cutlass and the Corvette. Although none of these cars were known for their exceptional power, all could be modified to make good power. Buick even produced a performance version of their regal model called the grand national. It used a turbo v6 engine that could make a lot of power. After it's success Pontiac came out with its own version called TTA which stood for turbo trans am. Pontiac also came out with the Fiero.

Ford produced the mustang which generally used a v8 engine with exception of the SVO. The SVO like the Buick used a turbo to make power out of its four cylinder engine. Ford offered a turbo and supercharged version of the Thunderbird also. Ford also produced the lightening which was a powerful AWD truck. Dodge/Mitsubishi made a turbocharged charger and omni which made descent power and was light. They also produced the turbo eclipse and the TSI. Also they produced the stealth.

Imports finally had a chance to fit into the performance scene. Most already came with smaller engines now needed to pass emissions. Many imports also had turbos which allowed for easy power improvements. Nissan had the 300 ZX 240sx and the Datsun 240, 260, 280 z and 280zx which were good starting platforms for performance. Mazda had the rx7 which was a very light car with a high power rotary engine. The 323gtx was also a fun tunable car. Mazda also came out with the Miata at the end of the decade.

Toyota made the Celica and the supra which both performed well and could be heavily modified. Toyota also made the mid engine MR-2 which performed well. Honda made the prelude and the crx which used light weight cars to perform.

European performance cars include the Porsche 911and 944 among almost every model made by them. BMW also had many good models such as the M3. Audi, Volvo, Mercedes all had performance cars also but were geared more toward luxury.

Nine Japanese Automakers

Japanese built and designed cars have flooded the North American market for over forty years now. Over time, many nameplates have come and gone, but Japanese cars continue to gain market share and acceptance with a growing number of motorists attracted to their high quality and durability. There are nine Japanese automobile manufacturing companies in existence. Can you name them? Let's take a look at the list:

Toyota - The second largest automaker in the world is Toyota, maker of the Camry, the Corolla, and a host of SUVs, trucks, passenger cars, and a van. Toyota's Lexus division produces luxury cars, while its Scion division manufactures youth oriented vehicles.

Honda - The Accord and the Civic are Honda's two most well known models, followed by the Odyssey minivan, the Ridgeline truck, the Element, and several other passenger vehicles. Acura is the name given to Honda's luxury car division.

Nissan - Drive a Datsun and then decide. Up until the early 1980s, Nissan's North American nameplate was Datsun, but was switched to Nissan to give it a more global name. The Sentra, Maxima, and Pathfinder are amongst the division's best selling vehicles. Infiniti is Nissan's luxury car division. Renault Motors of France owns a controlling interest in Nissan.

Mitsubishi - Originally imported exclusively by Chrysler, Mitsubishi began to sell cars under its own name in the 1980s. Top selling models include the Lancer, the Eclipse, and the Montero. DaimlerChrysler owns a chunk of the company.

Mazda - The Tribute, Miata, and the "6" are some of the most well known Mazda models. The Mazda 6's platform also powers several Ford Motor Company cars including the Mercury Milan. Ford owns an important stake in the company.

Subaru - Think all wheel drive and you may just think Subaru. The Forester, Outback, and Legacy are all top selling Subaru models. Fuji Heavy Industries [FHI] owns Subaru; General Motors has a 20 percent stake in FHI.

Suzuki - 20% owned by General Motors, Suzuki is as noted for producing cars as it is for manufacturing motorcycles. The Grand Vitara is one of its most noted models.

Isuzu - Did someone say General Motors? Again, GM owns a stake in Isuzu. At one time Isuzu imported cars to the US, but those days are over. Currently, Isuzu has a miniscule presence and the two vehicles they do sell - the Ascender SUV and I Series pick ups - are simply rebadged GMC vehicles.

Daihatsu - The Charade and Rocky were two models introduced by Daihatsu when the car company started selling vehicles in North America in 1988; four years later its North American operations were closed. In 1999, Toyota assumed controlling interest over the company.

So, there you have it: there are nine Japanese automakers, two of which are still independent. Much like the American market further consolidation is likely with nameplates disappearing entirely just like the Packard, Hudson, Oldsmobile, Plymouth, and a host of other North American nameplates have driven off into the history books.

Audi TT - Tourist Trophy

Audi broke the mold when its concept TT car was presented at auto shows around the globe during the mid1990s. Named for the prestigious annual "Tourist Trophy" race held on the Isle of Man, the TT is based on the same platform which powers the Volkswagen Golf and the Skoda Octavia. Making use of anodized aluminum and a "bumper free" exterior, the TT coupe was unlike any car of its time when the first production model was released in 1998. Today, the TT continues to garner awards and win praises from Audi aficionados. If you like the current model, just wait one year and you will witness the release of a TT that goes well beyond the pale.

When talking about the TT, there are actually two models involved: one being a coupe, the other a roadster. Shortly after the coupe's introduction in 1998, the roadster version was released the following summer. Both models were originally powered by a 20 valve inline 1.8L four cylinder engine, however in subsequent years each model received a more powerful version of that engine while a 3.2L V6 was introduced as an option during 2003. The TT is powered by its front wheels, but Quattro all wheel drive is available as well.

Audi's success with the TT has helped it to cautiously develop its second generation model. Nearly a full decade after the original model made its debut the follow up TT is being readied and will go into production in 2007. The new TT will feature the following attributes:

Longer and Wider: Slight changes in its width and length will be incorporated into the new model. Expect more cabin room for added interior comfort.

Aluminum and Steel: The new TT will be made up of aluminum in the front and steel in the rear to encourage a better weight balance.

More Power: The 1.8L I4 engine will be replaced with a 2.0L I4 engine. The 3.2L V6 will still be offered, producing 250 horsepower. A six speed manual transmission will be standard equipment.

More Models: The coupe and roadster will be introduced back to back with a third model, possibly a wagon version, also being considered for production.

Principal competitors for the Audi TT have been the BMW Z4 and the Mercedes SLK. The TT's styling inspiration has found its way onto several other models including the Saturn Sky, Mazda Miata, Nissan 350Z, and the Pontiac Solstice. In all, the Audi TT has reinvigorated the roadster market and it appears that the upcoming TT will expand on that theme even further. This is great news for enthusiasts who want a unique and well engineered 2+2 car as part of their driving stable.