The Death of a Young Enthusiast Brings People Together.

The automotive industry is filled with incredible and wonderful people. Most of us love cars. It doesn't matter what kind, it just matters that they're cars, and that we're talking about them. One of the many wonderful parts of being in the community of cars is the camaraderie. When someone needs a tow, a part, some helpful insight, or even a few extra dollars, most guys would be willing to give you the shirts off their backs.

This is a story of a Miata-loving crew, along with the rest of the internet, coming together for the family of someone they lost due to terrible illness. This is about Thomas Johst.

Abort Operation Evo?

There are some times in a persons life where they had (or have) big plans to do one thing or another, and then life throws them a curve-ball. That's precisely what happened to me when I saw this 1990 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD floating around the internet for sale at a price I could finally afford. The whole point of this operation was to work my way up from a $1,200 investment, to a $15,000 daily driver that dominates essentially anything on the road. This is exactly that. (Keep in mind I use the term "anything" very loosely here.)

Operation Evo: A Quest for Greatness Pt. 2

Here is the most recent sale going towards my quest for greatness! A 1979 Chevrolet Beauville Camper Special with 118k miles! As you can clearly see, it is a specialty market vehicle that has absolutely nothing to do with my final goal; a Lan-Evo. I purchased it in late March with the intent of using it for a few weeks on a camping trip with my significant other and my newly created spawn, and then turning it around for a quick profit. Unfortunately, as this was a "dual purpose" purchase, my room for profit was slightly less than the equation I had in mind when I started the story. So, lets see how I did!

W&D First Ever Ford Focus ST! Woo-Hoo!

Here it is! The first-ever Focus ST to hit our lot! In stock form, it's already one of the hottest hatches on the market, with 247 horsepower, and 250 ft lbs of torque on demand. Many people may not realize how much power that actually is, but anything with over 200 horses in a small FWD hatchback should not only be incredibly fun to drive, but also jaw droppingly good to look at. This particular example has been played with a little, as the owner chose to install an excellent alternative to the stock exhaust with a full cat-back system; a part of the Ford Racing Power Upgrade Package that massages a few more ponies from under the hood. The package includes Ford upgraded spark plugs, K&N/Ford racing air filter, and the Focus ST calibration tool.

Happy Independence Day!

Let us all raise our glasses and celebrate our independence with that which is the most American of traditions. A massive freakin burnout surrounded by waving flags, classic american muscle, and a bunch of silly fireworks. What more could you possibly ask for? I guess a Bald Eagle swooping down from the heavens with a boombox strapped to its back while blasting the Star Spangled Banner would be cool. Can we get that, too? Have a happy 4th folks. Be safe and thank a veteran! God Bless!

Operation Evo: A Quest for Greatness (But mainly just an Evo)

IT HAS BEEN FORETOLD. That with just four grand and a little bit of common sense, I plan on buying and selling cars until I reach a total of roughly fifteen thousand dollars, which is about what a 2003-2005 Evo VIII goes for in good, drivable condition. Why an Evo, you ask? Because they are without a doubt, the most bang for your buck in regards to a fun, daily drivable machine that looks good, can carry a family of four, and has a huge aftermarket following for upgrading all the go-fast parts or replacing OEM pieces. To put it in perspective, the base model slingshots its way to 60mph in just over 4 seconds, out-handles 90% of what's already on the road, and gets just under 25mpg. Not too shabby for such a performance oriented vehicle.

1998 Audi A4 1.8t: Operation Daily Driver

When on the market for a new daily driver, there are very few things that you actually need to bear in mind. First, and most importantly, verify its title status (Find out if it's a salvage title.) Now, that doesn't mean don't buy the car if it happens to hold a salvaged title, it just means "know exactly what you're getting into", before anything else.

As a potential daily drivable car, most will want something with four doors, four cylinders, an automatic transmission, and air conditioning. That is all. As long as the car meets those criteria, most people will be content with their purchase.

Personally, I prefer something with a little more substance than your run-of-the-mill econobox, as I am what some would call, a driver. So my choice this time around was a 1998 Audi A4 1.8t Quattro. Once again, I've found myself in a 4 cylinder, all wheel drive, turbo powered beauty.

OH NOES: Say Goodbye to the Current Gen CTS-V Coupe.

The 2015 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is something of a dinosaur. There are only so many car companies that have the luxury of being able to produce something so aged. And by aged, I mean the general theory in building and designing these potent monsters is pretty much the same as it was in the late sixties and early seventies. Take a sedate coupe or sedan platform and throw in an obnoxiously powerful V8 and big, beefy brake and suspension components. In other words: 'Murica.

What with fossil fuel prices once again soaring into the stratosphere, I'm pleasantly surprised that the CTS-V has made it this far with its supercharged 6.2l V8.

Unfortunately, the current generation has become obsolete, and 2015 marks the end of this production run with a special edition limited to only 500 units. That's not to say they won't build anymore CTS-V's, but don't be surprised when they build them with twin turbo sixes. So if archaic rear-drive monsters are your thing, be sure to grab one before they all get bought up! Check out the press release from Cadillac after the break.

What It Means To Be In Love With Cars

Love is a strong word. It's a word that I feel we throw around with little to no thought as to what it actually means. When someone says they "love" something as seemingly stupid as a certain shade of green, I get a little bent outta shape. If someone is to love something, they'd better be willing to pour their very heart and soul into it.

Meet the World's First Megacar: Koenigsegg Agera One:1

I don't understand how I allow myself to get so worked up about a car that I will never see in person, let alone ever drive. But there's just something about the way the lines flow like water over and across magnificent wheel arches and valleys, working together in an orchestrated aerodynamic ballet that I just can't seem to stop lusting after. The Koenigsegg One:1 is THE car. Not only is it the first production automobile whose power output can be measured as a megawatt (1,341HP), but the twin-turbo 5.0l V8 also produces over 1,000 ft lbs of torque and 1,300 lbs of down-force above 160mph. At this point, the numbers involved are reaching astronomical digits that are difficult for the layman to fathom. Jeebus, it's difficult for even the likes of me to understand, as the incredible cars that I encounter on a daily basis rarely have over 400 horses. No, the One:1 is something on an entire different playing field.

First Car Friday! 1991 Eagle Talon TSi

Ahh, reminiscing about old times (or old cars) is something we will all inevitably do. Personally, I do it on an almost daily basis, as my first car is better than anyone else's before me. Mine was a 1991 Eagle Talon TSi. It's a front-drive four banger with an itty bitty turbo attached, and it is an absolute hoot to drive, even in stock form. Producing 190 hp at 4500k rpms, it had plenty of oomph to merge into moving traffic to say the least. Of course, those who have owned these cars know that the power is good when stock, but it gets so much better when you install a bigger turbo and  increase the boost. There are other modifications that would be necessary to make it REALLY fun, but as first cars go, this one was a cream puff. Equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission, I learned not only the rules of the road, but also how to become one with my ride. There is something to be said for learning to drive in a stick shift, as it forces you to become more aware of what is going on around you, as well as helping to understand how cars work. I loved this car and even got myself the AWD variant a few new rides later.

What was your first car? Did you love it or hate it? Let us know in the comments below, and remember to drive safe in the inclement weather! Thank you, and have a great day!

I Cannot Wait to Herd Autonomous Cars

When Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill legalizing the use of autonomous cars on public roads, my heart leapt in anticipatory joy. I honestly cannot wait to see how much fun I can have confusing the hell outta some hapless Camry searching for a parking space in a packed parking lot. There will be strategy, there will be blood. Well, perhaps no blood. But strategy for sure. What do you think about the innovation of autonomous cars? Are they the beginning of the end for life as we know it in a modern age filled with hybrid horsepower, manual transmissions, and real drivers? I can imagine that some day, our government will deem us unfit to operate motor vehicles without any sort of autopilot equipped. It could be like training wheels to the extreme, and little to no fun at all. Let us know what you think, and how the cars will improve, or make worse, out daily lives.

2005 Chevrolet Corvette: Blue and Beautiful Perfection.

The Corvette is about as American as apple pie and baseball. It is one of the quintessential American sports cars that has survived economy crashes, wars, and decades of competition from across the globe. This C6 generation has a naturally aspirated 6.0 liter V8 producing 400 hp and 400 ft. lbs of torque. Weighing in at a scant 3125 lbs, it has about 1 horsepower per 8 lbs on the car. Fuel economy is good for such a performance oriented machine; rated at 16 around town and 26 on the freeway. Of course, the manufactures estimated fuel economy is rated at slightly less than what the car can actually achieve, and this case is no different. Daily drivers have reported they can get up to 28 mpg if they baby the heck outta that go pedal. These incredible numbers are achieved using GM's Computer Aided Gear Shifting (CAGS), which forces the operator to shift from 1st to 4th when in lower RPM's to escape the gas guzzler tax. Now, if gas mileage has absolutely zero importance to you, here are some numbers that you may actually care about.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Leaked Images

Oh Lord, I cannot wait to see this out-of-the-box-race car face to face. Most of the time, when a company releases pictures of their newest addition to the family, they never seem to look as good as they do in person. The same can be said of certain other industry pictures, but that's not an appropriate topic of discussion. That being said, I HAVE seen the 2014 Stingray Corvette in person, and it is good. Very good, in fact. Each and every dip, line, and curve in the body have been engineered to plant it to the ground at high speed.

BMW's Ugly Duckling: 2000 M Coupe

The BMW M Coupe is a car that is based off the fun-to-drive-but-not-to-be-seen-in Z3 roadster. It has everything the tiny two seater has, and more. What with trunk space in which to hold things that we actually use on a daily basis, it has more than enough practicality for the average Joe. A family, not so much; but if you are an individual who is looking for a fun daily driver, this may be the perfect fit. What many people don't know is that it the ones with the M badge have the same engine as the legendary M3 that we all know and love. Woot, indeed. Not only does it share the same 240 horsepower, but it also has 200 fewer pounds to lug around the corners. It's nearly 50/50 weight distribution makes it an incredibly solid canyon carver with little to no body roll, and personally, I think it looks absolutely fantastic while doing so.

2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 to be Priced at 75k: WHAT???

Okay, so I'm not gonna say that the 500+HP 7.0l normally aspirated V8, the carbon ceramic brakes, and the absolutely fantastic suspension system aren't lustworthy, but I will say that this is SUPPOSED to be the performance version of one of Americas favorite rwd sports cars. The price, unfortunately, does not reflect as such. I mean, would you really buy this thing over a 2012 Corvette ZR1 with 20k miles? I certainly wouldn't. Of course, as the car is only a limited production run, there will be the inevitable buyers that pick these up ASAFP. These guys are not only way-too-filthy rich, but they will most assuredly be Chevy Uber fanboys who are only slightly over the hill. That's not to say the cars credentials don't back up the sticker price, as it beats not only the Porsche 911 Carrera S around the Nurburgring, but also the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, which is a legendary machine to say the least.

THE Sport Luxury Sedan: The 2000 BMW M5

There are very few cars out there that are as good on the commute home as they are on the track, and the 2000 BMW M5 is one such car. New, it cost just under seventy thousand dollars; quite the chunk of change for the likes of me. Now, you can find an unabused example for well under fifteen, which means that I may actually be able to afford it in the next decade or so. When the car was released, it wasn't the most eye-catching sport sedan, but that's not to say those with a keen eye didn't notice the half inch drop in ride height, the cross-hatched front grille, and in my opinion, the best looking wheels BMW has ever produced. I'm thinking those Germans were anticipating not a lot of competition in the way of performance sedans, so the slightly understated looks of the car are absolutely forgivable. Imagine someone in the same model year Camaro Z28 pulling up at a stoplight lookin for a fight, and proceed to be annihilated by the soccer-mom-style sedan. Humiliation at its finest, to say the least.

2014 Shelby GT500: 5.8L Supercharged Snake

The Ford Mustang: a legendary car worth noting, especially when it comes equipped with the most powerful production V8 on the planet. Rated at just over 660 hp with 630 lb ft. of torque, it certainly isn't lacking in power. Not only does it have significantly more power (to the tune of an extra 112 horses), but it also gets 1 mpg greater than the previous generation GT500. Apparently that makes it the most fuel efficient car ever built with over 550hp. While I would imagine that most people who are in the market for an out-of-the-box race car don't need a particularly fuel efficient ride, I suppose that 15 in the city and 24 on the highway is pretty damned impressive for something with such earth shattering power. The massive powerplant paired with a far more refined chassis and suspension system make for quite the fun daily driver, or more appropriately, a track day beater. Jamal Hameedi, SVT Chief Engineer has this to say about the latest Shelby to come out of Flat Rock. 

"Our goal is to create outstanding all-around performance cars, not just stoplight-to-stoplight sprinters. We've backed up this amazing powerplant with a more refined chassis tuning that helps keep the rubber on the pavement without punishing the driver's spine and six-pot Brembo brakes that dissipate speed with ease stop after stop."

It seems to me that the GT500 is the car to look out for next time you're in the market for a seriously ground-pounding rwd rocket ship. Check out this sweet walkaround and launch control test from Evilcartman.com

Source: Youtube.com/evilcartman.com

12 O'Clock boys: Baltimore's Hoonigans

What do you get when you cross a city that's going down the drain with a group of uneducated dirt bike thugs who care nothing for the safety of themselves or others? The 12 O'Clock Boys. These guys seem to have taken full advantage of the fact that there is a serious deficit of  Federal funding for cops in Baltimore, and they do a really great job teaching the youth in the area that breaking laws, kicking police vehicles, and basically wreaking havoc throughout the city is acceptable. Personally, were I one of the people getting hindered, or even stopped completely by one of these boneheads, they wouldn't be able to register their bikes as clean titles next year. Some people are saying that they only partake in such dangerous and seemingly criminal activities because it is an escape from their daily grind, but I can't come up with a single excuse for these loonies that makes their actions anywhere near acceptable in my book. Not to mention their daily grind probably consists of getting up at 12 o'clock, going to the liquor store, and jumping on their bikes for the rest of the day anyway. Sounds like the good life to me. What are your thoughts? Are these guys getting unfairly targeted by local police? Or do they need to be given a job and and an education? (Not a free pass to do whatever the heck they want) Let us know what you think in the comments below. Drive safe, and have a great day!

The Working Mans Super Car: 1991 Acura NSX

What do you get when you cross the dependability and power of a tuned 3.0l Honda engine on a mid-mounted frame, and a low slung body with Ferrari-like handling capabilities? One of the best cars ever produced; the Acura NSX. It all began in the late eighties, when the world was thirsting for a decent supercar that didn't shake rattle and roll the driver to pieces. (ehem, Ferrari 348) In enters the 1990 Acura NSX. By today's standards, the car is still quick with a zero to sixty time of 5.5 seconds and holds .88G on the skid pad, which is none too shabby.