Chrysler has revealed images and information about the all-new 2011 Dodge Durango, and while this site doesn’t normally write about new SUV launches, it’s worth mentioning for one reason: It’s not heinous.
2011 Dodge Durango Revealed – Surprise! It’s Not Heinous….
Reviewed: 2010 Buick Lacrosse CXS
When you hear the name Buick, what comes to mind? If you get a senior’s discount you’ll sit back on your hemorrhoid cushion and say, “Ah yes, fine automobiles. All the luxury of a Cadillac without drawing attention from the IRS.” If you’re reading this while living in a house that’s worth 50% of what you bought it for, you look at Buick the way Teddy looked at Matt Damon in Rounders; you owe me some f***in’ money. For me the brand reminds me of my grandma, because she’s the only person I’ve ever known who owned one. Sure, Tiger Woods did, but only because his endorsement deal made him.
Basically, Buick’s have always had a reputation as being a car for old people, but after spending a few days with the 2010 Buick Lacrosse CXS, they might have been on to something.
Aston Martin V12 Vantage Review – The Devil Wears Carbon **UPDATE**
If someone tries to sound smart by telling you that the $240,000 $185,000 ** Aston Martin V12 Vantage takes .9 seconds longer to hit 60 than a Ferrari 458 for the same price, or .8 seconds longer than a Porsche GT2 for $20,000 less, punch them in the face right then and there, because they just don’t get it, and never will.
Backstage Pass to the American Le Mans Series at Mid-Ohio
The American LeMans Series is probably the closest we can get to European-style LeMans competition here in the states. As such, we like it very, very much. The prototypes are cool and all, but our favorite is the GT2 class, where we can watch Ferrari, Porsche, Ford, and Aston Martin duke it out on the racetrack. When you find yourself with the opportunity to attend a race, you had better bring your cameras, like we did. Continue Reading..
We Find a Possum in TST Headquarters
I’ll admit it: this has absolutely nothing to do with cars. I don’t know how, but for about 5 days, an Opossum was living in my house, underneath the furniture. Tom and I found and captured it. Here’s the video.
Video: The Woodward Dream Cruise and the Firebreather
The Woodward Dream Cruise, now in its 16th year, is the largest single-day car show in the US. Literally millions of people, and tens of thousands of cars gather on Woodward Avenue and cruise up and down the 8 mile stretch of road for hours upon hours. Spectators can pick a spot along Woodward and just watch the whole show cruise on by, or hop in their rides and be a part of it. Of course, The Smoking Tire isn’t the type to sit on the sidelines, so we got ourselves an ass-kicking piece of Detroit iron, the Firebreather, and hit the road.
In addition to the madness that is the Dream Cruise, we learned the story behind the Firebreather, along with the film, Jinn, that it stars in. And, in usual The Smoking Tire fashion, we throw a twist into the mix, when Matt convinces a car fan to get the Firebreather logo as a tattoo. Video after the jump.
Aston Martin V12 Vantage and Racing Rapide Appear in Los Angeles
One of the best parts about living in Los Angeles is that, in the weeks following Pebble Beach weekend, many of the cars make their way south, where their respective showrooms throw parties and invite really cool/rich/beautiful people to come admire them. Obviously, I wasn’t invited, so I went to Galpin Auto Sports anyway, wearing a seersucker blazer, and made myself at home.
Our Kind of Hybrid: Lexus Powered Hot-Rod
I don’t know what it is, but most ’32 Ford’s just bore me to tears. They are all essentially the same, built off the same combination of Billet grilles, reproduction bodies, and mag wheels, with Chevy 350 power. It’s rare that I see one that really makes me stop and peek around for more than 5 seconds. This one had me for 5 minutes.
I’ve heard of Lexus-powered hot rods before, but never actually seen one. The engine is a fully-built motor based off a GS400, which originally made 300hp. It now makes about 420, and is mated to a Tremec 6-speed transmission. Unlike many other deuce roadsters, the pedals and shifter are set up for actual driving, and the sound of the engine is extremely unique for a hot rod, because of its small displacement. Think late 1950′s Corvette, but with a little extra bass thrown in. We love the headers and carbon-fiber valve covers as well.
Spotted at the Ruby’s Cruise Night in Redondo Beach. Apologies for the camera phone pics, it was an impromptu visit.
Lifted F-250 Shows Us What’s Wrong With America
Most people I know, including about 99.9% of the females I’ve been in cars with, hate lifted Super-Duty trucks. And this photo shows us exactly why. The general attitude towards these trucks are that they simply take up a ton of space on the road, and for no particular reason. They are annoying to tow with ( and towing is the Super Duty’s specialty), the load height is way too high to be useful, and I rarely, if ever, see one being driven hard off-road. The driver wasn’t even in 7-Eleven, and he just HAD TO take up 2 parking spots to make sure no one parked anywhere near his penile implant on wheels.
To put things in perspective, I drive a bright orange Ford Raptor, also known for being one of the more obnoxious vehicles on the road. My truck is a full 4 inches wider than this F-250, and yet, in this same parking lot, I was able to fit in a single space, no problem.
Bonus douche points for the American Flag nose spoiler. What other country would you be from when parked like that in something that big?
Bizarre Roadside Sightings: Vision SZR
It’s sad to say but after living in LA for more than a year, my brain has become a little jaded. AMGs are so common I’m shocked if I see a “regular” Benz, trucks are less common than 997 Turbos and Bentley Continentals are basically expensive cockroaches.
However this car had me jump out in traffic and go completely out of my way to get closer to it. If you’ve ever driven in this city you know what it means to voluntarily extend your journey in traffic. (You might have the winning lottery ticket in your pocket but if the claim office isn’t on your way it’s not getting cashed in til tomorrow.) It’s called the SZR, built by Vision Industries LLC, a So Cal company that’s been around since 1997. Oh, underneath that traffic-cone paint is a Chevy 502 with 750hp. Perfect for rush hour, no?
