After 40 years, BMW's 3 series rules a tougher league
Changing market pose serious challenges
The question is whether BMW can maintain the 3 series' performance aura in a market demanding more luxury, connectivity, semiautonomous driving technology and increased fuel economy.
BMW can't afford not to.
The 3 series accounts for about 25 percent of BMW sales worldwide, the automaker says. In the United States, 501,569 luxury compact cars were sold last year, and the 3 series (and its spinoff 4 series) accounted for nearly 28 percent of those sales -- a percentage BMW has maintained seven out of the last 10 years.
Dealers testify to the nameplate's market strength.
"I've had repeat buyers over and over again. Over the years, the 3 series has evolved, and the technology has evolved, but they have not rested on their laurels," says Joe Laham, owner of BMW of Cape Cod in Massachusetts.
Laham, who sells 10 other brands including Audi and Volvo, says rivals have a hard time conquesting 3-series buyers.
"Everybody has tried to benchmark it," he says. "I do value my partners, but it is tough to compete with the legend."
(AutoNews.com)
Monday, November 30, 2015
They're Very Easy To Spot
How to Spot a Wannabe Car Guy
2. He has stickers all over his car . . . . .
2. He has stickers all over his car . . . . .
- Stickers do exactly two things: 1) they advertise the fact that he spent a ton of money on a car that’s worth about 1/3 of what he has “invested” in it, and 2) they highlight his desperate need for recognition and approval.
- Fun fact: most people don’t know whether their car is front-, rear-, or all-wheel drive, and so few drivers ever check their oil that the dipstick is officially an endangered species. If you ever hear a Porsche owner talk about the V6 under the hood,* they’re a poser, and it’s not considered rude to turn your back and walk away.
- The wannabe car guy absolutely has a solution for everything, regardless of whether or not they have any clue what they’re talking about. A true car guy wants the best solution possible, and is comfortable enough to admit if an issue is beyond their area of knowledge.
It's Stories Like This That Keeps Recreational Drugs Illegal
Dad Speaks Out After 'Skittles Party' Leads to Son's Death
“Skittles parties” may sound innocent, but they are far from it: They’re an alarming trend in which teens raid their parents’ medicine cabinets and dump the prescription and over-the-counter drugs they’ve gathered into a communal bowl. The teens then take handfuls of a random assortment of pills, often with alcohol, to get high.
Several teens have overdosed after playing Russian roulette with pills at these parties, which are also known as “pharming parties.” Last month, five high school students in Marin County, California, overdosed after an apparent “Skittles party” and were taken to the hospital.
(Yahoo.com)
“Skittles parties” may sound innocent, but they are far from it: They’re an alarming trend in which teens raid their parents’ medicine cabinets and dump the prescription and over-the-counter drugs they’ve gathered into a communal bowl. The teens then take handfuls of a random assortment of pills, often with alcohol, to get high.
Several teens have overdosed after playing Russian roulette with pills at these parties, which are also known as “pharming parties.” Last month, five high school students in Marin County, California, overdosed after an apparent “Skittles party” and were taken to the hospital.
(Yahoo.com)
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
I Wish I Had The $ To Do This
On Black Friday, Go Buy Yourself A Camaro Z/28 With A Ridiculous Discount
With an MSRP of about $75,000 Chevrolet might have overestimated the market for a track focused muscle car. That’s bad news for Chevy, but good news for you. According to Autotrader, there are 60 Camaro Z/28s listed for sale right now under $60,000.
(Jalopnik.com)
With an MSRP of about $75,000 Chevrolet might have overestimated the market for a track focused muscle car. That’s bad news for Chevy, but good news for you. According to Autotrader, there are 60 Camaro Z/28s listed for sale right now under $60,000.
(Jalopnik.com)
Did You Know - California Pizza Kitchen Edition
12 Things You Didn't Know About California Pizza Kitchen
3. It serves unagi pizza in Japan
3. It serves unagi pizza in Japan
- Yep, and also roasted pork belly pizza in China. So... how much is a plane ticket, again?
- They can't disclose anything about it, though, other than they're developing recipes using seasonal ingredients for spring and summer.
Unfortunately I Got Quite A List Going
Which BMW Feels The Least BMW?
BMW, once known for its rear-wheel-drive “ultimate driving machines,” has made quite a few models over the decades that didn’t quite fit what many expect from the German luxury brand. Which model deviated the most?
With BMW’s reveal of their new Compact Sedan Concept, which looks to take on the new Audi A3 sedan and Mercedes CLA in the compact luxury car segment, many folks seem to be questioning the validity of a front-wheel-drive (or all-wheel-drive) sedan being a true BMW.
When you look over the many models the brand has produced over the last century (the BMW Isetta is probably the most surprising if you thought of BMW’s as fast sedans), quite a few seem to deviate from the sporty ethos of the brand.
(Jalopnik.com)
Editor's note: I have a dislike for the following BMW models.
1 series/2 series/X1/X3 (their size is not useful here in the US)
4 series (Why deviate away from the iconic 3 series?)
Anything GT (seriously?)
BMW, once known for its rear-wheel-drive “ultimate driving machines,” has made quite a few models over the decades that didn’t quite fit what many expect from the German luxury brand. Which model deviated the most?
With BMW’s reveal of their new Compact Sedan Concept, which looks to take on the new Audi A3 sedan and Mercedes CLA in the compact luxury car segment, many folks seem to be questioning the validity of a front-wheel-drive (or all-wheel-drive) sedan being a true BMW.
When you look over the many models the brand has produced over the last century (the BMW Isetta is probably the most surprising if you thought of BMW’s as fast sedans), quite a few seem to deviate from the sporty ethos of the brand.
(Jalopnik.com)
Editor's note: I have a dislike for the following BMW models.
1 series/2 series/X1/X3 (their size is not useful here in the US)
4 series (Why deviate away from the iconic 3 series?)
Anything GT (seriously?)
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
I Wouldn't Mind Getting These As Xmas Gifts
Gifts To Make Any Garage-Dwelling Gearhead Happy
Car Care Starter Kit
Car Care Starter Kit
- Want to keep that car clean in all conditions? Griot's Garage has literally everything you could ever need to detail a car perfectly. The perfect addition to any garage.
- Is your car throwing a code? Instead of taking it to the dealer, this OBD II reader will help you figure out what's wrong before going in. Maybe it'll save you a trip.
This Is A Cool Feature I Didn't Know About
Randomly Useful Things You Didn't Know Your iPhone Could Do
Invert your screen's colors to reduce eye strain
Invert your screen's colors to reduce eye strain
- It's no secret that staring at screens all day, every day is ruining our eyes. To decrease the strain on your peepers, you may want to consider inverting your phone's colors, since it's been shown to make it easier to read at night. To try it out, go into the Accessibility menu under General settings. Once it's enabled, it also inverts the colors your camera sees -- which comes in handy if you're the guy from One Hour Photo and want to look at film negatives.
Monday, November 23, 2015
Here's A Relationship That Has Very Aged Well
Here's How Michelin and Porsche Thrive at the Highest Level of Competition
This year Porsche returned to the winner's circle at Le Mans. When it came time to select a tire for the world's oldest and most prestigious endurance race, there was only one choice: Michelin. A grueling 24-hour high-speed marathon, Le Mans requires a tire that is both durable and fast. Porsche used Michelin during their last victory, and why tinker with success?
Now the eyes of the racing world have turned to Rennsport Reunion, the world's largest gathering of Porsche racecars. Rennsport boasts a stunning array of vintage and current Porsche automobiles, accompanied by legendary drivers. Here, on this fabled track, visitors can see the magnificent partnership of Michelin and Porsche in action. The tires are the only connection between the car and the road, and nothing but the best will do. That's why Porsche consistently turns to Michelin.
Video link (Road&Track.com)
This year Porsche returned to the winner's circle at Le Mans. When it came time to select a tire for the world's oldest and most prestigious endurance race, there was only one choice: Michelin. A grueling 24-hour high-speed marathon, Le Mans requires a tire that is both durable and fast. Porsche used Michelin during their last victory, and why tinker with success?
Now the eyes of the racing world have turned to Rennsport Reunion, the world's largest gathering of Porsche racecars. Rennsport boasts a stunning array of vintage and current Porsche automobiles, accompanied by legendary drivers. Here, on this fabled track, visitors can see the magnificent partnership of Michelin and Porsche in action. The tires are the only connection between the car and the road, and nothing but the best will do. That's why Porsche consistently turns to Michelin.
Video link (Road&Track.com)
The E39 Is Great Car For These 2 Reasons
5 reasons why the BMW M5 (E39) is better than the Audi RS6 (C5)
1. It only comes with a manual gearbox
The good old manual vs. auto debate… Of course it isn’t really a debate, what is though is whether or not it’s ok to have an automatic if your car can come with a manual… (or at least should be - let me know in the comments what you think) This doesn’t make the Prius ok though. Wretched… “thing” - keeping it young teenager friendly.
With its manual - hhhhhhhgngnnnnn - transmission, the E39 M5 is already a different car to drive than the RS6. It’s more engaging and involving. And while it might be a slight pain when you’re stuck in traffic or pull away on an incline, it rewards you every single time you nail a downshift and praise the gods of rev-matching when you blip the throttle. This is a car that makes you wonder why MCM can’t mean “manual crush monday”, as opposed to “man crush monday”, a topic solely discussed by 16 year old basic bi…es while casually sipping on a pumpkin spice latte and hating on Becky’s top because “OMG, O M G. Did you see that top?! It’s like so ewwww, so gross! Like get away from me. OMG”
3. It has aged better
The E39 generation of BMW’s 5 series is widely regarded as the most successful; design wise, of it’s kind. The lines are simple, but desperately pretty, they give the car a real presence and a sophisticated look. None of the lines are actually that beautiful if you look at them on their own, but as an ensemble, even BMW themselves is struggling to do better.
The rear 3/4 view, like with many BMWs, is especially successful in stirring your loins as you walk up to it; butterflies in the stomach and all. I personally find that in a dark navy blue or a light silver (like in the picture above) the car looks even better. The RS6 looks more dated, although I’d argue the 2nd generation of crazy estates from Ingolstadt look even more obsolete. The M5 looks purposeful, you know that it’s a bit more sporty, but not so much that it looks vulgar, or brash - “brash“ and “vulgar” are the words I’d use to describe the E60 M5.
Complete list (CarThrottle.com)
1. It only comes with a manual gearbox
The good old manual vs. auto debate… Of course it isn’t really a debate, what is though is whether or not it’s ok to have an automatic if your car can come with a manual… (or at least should be - let me know in the comments what you think) This doesn’t make the Prius ok though. Wretched… “thing” - keeping it young teenager friendly.
With its manual - hhhhhhhgngnnnnn - transmission, the E39 M5 is already a different car to drive than the RS6. It’s more engaging and involving. And while it might be a slight pain when you’re stuck in traffic or pull away on an incline, it rewards you every single time you nail a downshift and praise the gods of rev-matching when you blip the throttle. This is a car that makes you wonder why MCM can’t mean “manual crush monday”, as opposed to “man crush monday”, a topic solely discussed by 16 year old basic bi…es while casually sipping on a pumpkin spice latte and hating on Becky’s top because “OMG, O M G. Did you see that top?! It’s like so ewwww, so gross! Like get away from me. OMG”
3. It has aged better
The E39 generation of BMW’s 5 series is widely regarded as the most successful; design wise, of it’s kind. The lines are simple, but desperately pretty, they give the car a real presence and a sophisticated look. None of the lines are actually that beautiful if you look at them on their own, but as an ensemble, even BMW themselves is struggling to do better.
The rear 3/4 view, like with many BMWs, is especially successful in stirring your loins as you walk up to it; butterflies in the stomach and all. I personally find that in a dark navy blue or a light silver (like in the picture above) the car looks even better. The RS6 looks more dated, although I’d argue the 2nd generation of crazy estates from Ingolstadt look even more obsolete. The M5 looks purposeful, you know that it’s a bit more sporty, but not so much that it looks vulgar, or brash - “brash“ and “vulgar” are the words I’d use to describe the E60 M5.
Complete list (CarThrottle.com)
My Heart Is Healthy Cause I Eat These, But Broken Cause Other Stuff
The Best Foods for Your Heart, According to a Cardiologist
Nuts
Almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts -- can you name every nut? It really doesn’t matter too much which kind you prefer, since they’re all little powerhouses of minerals, protein, and healthy fats. It turns out that they’re also pretty good at reducing cholesterol, so Dr. Martin suggests eating them whenever you can: on your cereal, with your yogurt, or as a snack on their own.
Extra-virgin olive oil
If you’ve tried the extra-virgin olive oil from Spain, Italy, or Greece, it’s hard to believe this stuff is healthy. It tastes so damn good you could guzzle it from the bottle. But alas: “It’s not like you can just drink a bunch of olive oil and [become] healthy,” Dr. Martin warns, putting the kibosh on a potential “Gallon Olive Oil Challenge.”
Olive oil has lots of unsaturated fat, which helps keep your cholesterol levels low, especially compared with butter, or worse, margarine. This is the place to get fancy: buying a nice bottle of extra-virgin olive oil is like buying a bottle of nice scotch, instantly transforming you into a mature, sophisticated adult.
Super spices: garlic, turmeric, and ginger
When a dish needs a little something, we usually reach for the salt. But there are so many different, flavorful herbs and spices you can add to your food that are way healthier. When you use a pinch of something else, the first thing you’re doing is avoiding that blood-pressure-raising cardiovascular health enemy. As a bonus, garlic, turmeric, and ginger have a variety of heart-promoting and anti-inflammatory effects.
Fish
The first good thing about eating fish is that it’s going to be the protein source in your meal -- in other word, you probably don’t have the stomach capacity to down a dozen wings with your salmon filet at every meal (or DO you?). Plus, fish, with its heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, is related to a reduced risk of dying of heart disease. And dying is bad.
Complete list (Thrillist.com)
Nuts
Almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts -- can you name every nut? It really doesn’t matter too much which kind you prefer, since they’re all little powerhouses of minerals, protein, and healthy fats. It turns out that they’re also pretty good at reducing cholesterol, so Dr. Martin suggests eating them whenever you can: on your cereal, with your yogurt, or as a snack on their own.
Extra-virgin olive oil
If you’ve tried the extra-virgin olive oil from Spain, Italy, or Greece, it’s hard to believe this stuff is healthy. It tastes so damn good you could guzzle it from the bottle. But alas: “It’s not like you can just drink a bunch of olive oil and [become] healthy,” Dr. Martin warns, putting the kibosh on a potential “Gallon Olive Oil Challenge.”
Olive oil has lots of unsaturated fat, which helps keep your cholesterol levels low, especially compared with butter, or worse, margarine. This is the place to get fancy: buying a nice bottle of extra-virgin olive oil is like buying a bottle of nice scotch, instantly transforming you into a mature, sophisticated adult.
Super spices: garlic, turmeric, and ginger
When a dish needs a little something, we usually reach for the salt. But there are so many different, flavorful herbs and spices you can add to your food that are way healthier. When you use a pinch of something else, the first thing you’re doing is avoiding that blood-pressure-raising cardiovascular health enemy. As a bonus, garlic, turmeric, and ginger have a variety of heart-promoting and anti-inflammatory effects.
Fish
The first good thing about eating fish is that it’s going to be the protein source in your meal -- in other word, you probably don’t have the stomach capacity to down a dozen wings with your salmon filet at every meal (or DO you?). Plus, fish, with its heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, is related to a reduced risk of dying of heart disease. And dying is bad.
Complete list (Thrillist.com)
These Are Dumb Features
The Ten Most Ridiculous Car Design Details
3.) Fake Air Scoops And Vents
3.) Fake Air Scoops And Vents
- There has to be some better, more authentic way to throw in design lines and performance-looking things than using completely blocked out air vents. And it’s no longer just an eBay special sort of thing, the best original equipment manufacturers are doing it nowadays. It doesn’t matter whether it’s on a McLaren 570S or a Dodge Ram, either way it’s shameful.
- Just because the car doesn’t emit some sextastic exhaust noise doesn’t mean it has to look like it should. It used to be that automakers would just add an unnecessary exit to a muffler to make rear-end look sporty. Now they’re just faking it all together! What’s the worst that could happen if a Mercedes-Benz didn’t have an exhaust-exit looking thing?
Sorry, But These Are Awesome Car Features
The Ten Most Ridiculous Car Design Details
6.) Emblems In Headlights
6.) Emblems In Headlights
- It doesn’t seem like such a bright (lol get it) move taking the time to design a small detail that almost no one will ever notice. At first it was kind of cool as a rare easter egg, but now this silliness is starting to become a fad across the industry. Let’s just kill it before it it really spreads.
- Rolls-Royce knows their customers so well. They understand that if any RR backseat passengers were to come in contact with rain, they would probably just melt. God knows they know that they can’t have that, it would cause lawsuits! The only viable solution to this issue was for Rolls-Royce to install easily-deployable radically expensive umbrellas on the inside of the doorjambs of their vehicles. Problem solved.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
They Need To See Some Action, Too
Unmasked: More shots the better for NHL goalies
Although it makes sense that facing 20 shots should be easier than trying to stop 35, most NHL goaltenders will tell you that isn't necessarily the case.
"I don't think you can understand unless you are a goalie, and it's easy to say, but it's true," St. Louis Blues goaltender Jake Allen said. "Ask any goalie; it is tougher when you are getting 15 or 19 shots a game instead of 35 to 40. You get in a rhythm, you get a feel for it, you understand your game a little better, understand your system a little better. It makes everything a lot easier."
As counterintuitive as that may sound, and as difficult as it may be to quantify for a position that already gives the analytics crowd fits, the Capitals' biggest concern about Holtby early last season was how he'd adjust to seeing fewer shots behind the stingier system implemented by new coach Barry Trotz.
Goaltenders who play a more active style tend to also be more reliant on rhythm and timing, something that can be harder to find when you're not as busy.
Tightening up Holtby's movements wasn't a problem for Washington goaltending coach Mitch Korn, but adjusting to fewer shots isn't easily fixed with drills designed to re-program muscle memory. Longer periods between saves tests the muscle between the ears instead.
(NHL.com)
Although it makes sense that facing 20 shots should be easier than trying to stop 35, most NHL goaltenders will tell you that isn't necessarily the case.
"I don't think you can understand unless you are a goalie, and it's easy to say, but it's true," St. Louis Blues goaltender Jake Allen said. "Ask any goalie; it is tougher when you are getting 15 or 19 shots a game instead of 35 to 40. You get in a rhythm, you get a feel for it, you understand your game a little better, understand your system a little better. It makes everything a lot easier."
As counterintuitive as that may sound, and as difficult as it may be to quantify for a position that already gives the analytics crowd fits, the Capitals' biggest concern about Holtby early last season was how he'd adjust to seeing fewer shots behind the stingier system implemented by new coach Barry Trotz.
Goaltenders who play a more active style tend to also be more reliant on rhythm and timing, something that can be harder to find when you're not as busy.
Tightening up Holtby's movements wasn't a problem for Washington goaltending coach Mitch Korn, but adjusting to fewer shots isn't easily fixed with drills designed to re-program muscle memory. Longer periods between saves tests the muscle between the ears instead.
(NHL.com)
I've Seen The Car Scene Evolve & It's Not Aging Well
Being A Car Enthusiast In 2015
So called ‘social’ media is the vessel for much of this vitriol. This digital medium does its best to emulate face-to-face communication, but I have to wonder if its imperfections are the real culprit here, not the generation who has grown up not only using but often inventing these tools. It’s easy to insult or criticise one another from behind a computer screen – distance gives a sense of safety, perhaps – but put the same people in a room together and I doubt you’d hear anything of the sort. For the record, I’ve seen plenty of abuse and misinformation from older blokes, but thankfully it seems most of them are still working out how to work this internet machine. We live in a rare time where any person’s brief moment of stupidity can be captured and broadcast to the world, so let’s not forget that we’re all human and we all say dumb s**t from time to time.
But it does get worse. The social media feeds that determine what content we are served are run on algorithms that are making us stupid. By their very nature, they favour the lowest common denominator – items that appeal to the largest amount of people. These get boosted into everyone’s newsfeeds while ideas that are challenging or too subtle silently languish. We end up being exposed to the same cars or styles over and over again until the impressionable fools are convinced there is no other way, and the mavericks of car culture are left completely disillusioned. A quick look at some of the folk trying to ‘break the internet’ at events such as SEMA only confirms the descent into this odd mush of imitated individuality. You’ll also see car enthusiasts dividing themselves down digital lines – forums for stance lovers, Facebook groups for Honda drivers and so on – the net effect being individuals who only see what they want to and thus limit their exposure to other ways of enjoying cars. There is no right or wrong when it comes to car modification, we’re all in it for fun. If you disagree with that statement, it’s time for some self-reflection. All the while, we are being drugged by the constant stream of likes, comments and shares firing hits of dopamine into our brains. The addicts are easy to spot – every post is a perfect mix of ‘look at my car/body/money’ and ‘inspirational quote garbage’. I’ll stop short of issuing a public health warning, but I would like to place a large bet on the announcement in 2030 that the world’s first ‘notification addiction’ rehab clinic has opened, and they charge per follower . . . . .
(SpeedHunters.com)
So called ‘social’ media is the vessel for much of this vitriol. This digital medium does its best to emulate face-to-face communication, but I have to wonder if its imperfections are the real culprit here, not the generation who has grown up not only using but often inventing these tools. It’s easy to insult or criticise one another from behind a computer screen – distance gives a sense of safety, perhaps – but put the same people in a room together and I doubt you’d hear anything of the sort. For the record, I’ve seen plenty of abuse and misinformation from older blokes, but thankfully it seems most of them are still working out how to work this internet machine. We live in a rare time where any person’s brief moment of stupidity can be captured and broadcast to the world, so let’s not forget that we’re all human and we all say dumb s**t from time to time.
But it does get worse. The social media feeds that determine what content we are served are run on algorithms that are making us stupid. By their very nature, they favour the lowest common denominator – items that appeal to the largest amount of people. These get boosted into everyone’s newsfeeds while ideas that are challenging or too subtle silently languish. We end up being exposed to the same cars or styles over and over again until the impressionable fools are convinced there is no other way, and the mavericks of car culture are left completely disillusioned. A quick look at some of the folk trying to ‘break the internet’ at events such as SEMA only confirms the descent into this odd mush of imitated individuality. You’ll also see car enthusiasts dividing themselves down digital lines – forums for stance lovers, Facebook groups for Honda drivers and so on – the net effect being individuals who only see what they want to and thus limit their exposure to other ways of enjoying cars. There is no right or wrong when it comes to car modification, we’re all in it for fun. If you disagree with that statement, it’s time for some self-reflection. All the while, we are being drugged by the constant stream of likes, comments and shares firing hits of dopamine into our brains. The addicts are easy to spot – every post is a perfect mix of ‘look at my car/body/money’ and ‘inspirational quote garbage’. I’ll stop short of issuing a public health warning, but I would like to place a large bet on the announcement in 2030 that the world’s first ‘notification addiction’ rehab clinic has opened, and they charge per follower . . . . .
(SpeedHunters.com)
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
How Times Have Changed
Student loans have passed credit cards and auto loans to become the second biggest source of personal debt in the U.S., trailing only mortgages.
For years we trumpeted education as a way out of poverty. Now it seems to just be trapping people in poverty.
(CavemanCircus.com)
For years we trumpeted education as a way out of poverty. Now it seems to just be trapping people in poverty.
(CavemanCircus.com)
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
SI.com NHL Power Rankings - How They Stack Up After Week 6
NHL Power Rankings: Red hot Rangers bump Canadiens from top spot
4. Los Angeles Kings
4. Los Angeles Kings
- A couple of lackluster performances against Arizona and Columbus aside, the Kings have been terrific during their recent 11-3 run. Both Dustin Brown and Marian Gaborik scored this past week. With a five-game road trip commencing this week, a little offense from those slumping veterans would go a long way.
- Looks like the Ducks haven’t found their stroke quite yet, although there are some encouraging signs. Ryan Getzlaf finally scored his first of the season (albeit into an empty net) and doghouse denizen Carl Hagelin broke out with a three-point night in a 4–1 win over the ’Canes on Monday. Now if they can just get goaltender Frederik Andersen (eight goals allowed on his last 56 shots) back on track.
- That 2–1 victory over the Sabres on Saturday night wasn't just the Sharks’ first in Buffalo in a decade. It marked their first consecutive wins since their four game streak that opened this season.
I'm A JDM Fanboy At Heart
6 Reasons Why I'm A Massive JDM Fanboy
The car world is a brilliantly diverse place, with scenes to suit all tastes. Everyone has their own reasons for liking what they do, so I decided to lay out what it is about Japanese cars that I love so much
2. Japan introduced the West to reliability
Before the Japanese started selling cars in Europe, it was just accepted that cars didn’t work properly. They were complicated contraptions with hundreds and thousands of moving parts, so of course they broke down all the time. Then the Japanese came along with cars that could actually get you to your destination at the first attempt, and would even start in the cold.
The first Japanese car to go on sale in the UK was the Daihatsu Compagno in 1965, but only six were sold over its five year run. The notoriously Brit-biased Autocar did describe it as ‘essentially well made, but technically unadvanced’, and while this was intended to be rather derogatory, it was this philosophy that ultimately struck a chord with consumers. So while the Compagno may have failed, it paved the way for the likes of the Toyota Corolla and every other Japanese car that’s been successful here.
4. It's all about variety
You could potentially argue this about any scene, but in my opinion nowhere makes such a tantalising array of different takes on performance. Growing up I was obsessed with the Mitsubishi Evo and Subaru Impreza rally conquests, before my head was turned by the drift scene darlings of Nissan’s S-Chassis cars. Then there’s the performance of the Toyota Supra and the technological masterpiece that is every generation of Nissan Skyline GT-R. Rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, front-engined, mid-engined… there’s literally something for everyone.
Complete list (CarThrottle.com)
The car world is a brilliantly diverse place, with scenes to suit all tastes. Everyone has their own reasons for liking what they do, so I decided to lay out what it is about Japanese cars that I love so much
2. Japan introduced the West to reliability
Before the Japanese started selling cars in Europe, it was just accepted that cars didn’t work properly. They were complicated contraptions with hundreds and thousands of moving parts, so of course they broke down all the time. Then the Japanese came along with cars that could actually get you to your destination at the first attempt, and would even start in the cold.
The first Japanese car to go on sale in the UK was the Daihatsu Compagno in 1965, but only six were sold over its five year run. The notoriously Brit-biased Autocar did describe it as ‘essentially well made, but technically unadvanced’, and while this was intended to be rather derogatory, it was this philosophy that ultimately struck a chord with consumers. So while the Compagno may have failed, it paved the way for the likes of the Toyota Corolla and every other Japanese car that’s been successful here.
4. It's all about variety
You could potentially argue this about any scene, but in my opinion nowhere makes such a tantalising array of different takes on performance. Growing up I was obsessed with the Mitsubishi Evo and Subaru Impreza rally conquests, before my head was turned by the drift scene darlings of Nissan’s S-Chassis cars. Then there’s the performance of the Toyota Supra and the technological masterpiece that is every generation of Nissan Skyline GT-R. Rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, front-engined, mid-engined… there’s literally something for everyone.
Complete list (CarThrottle.com)
I'd Rather Have A Better Driving One
WHO'd You Rather? Would You Rather Have A More Tech-Enabled Vehicle Or A Better Driving One?
Essentially, what I am asking is "Does technology make a worse-driving vehicle?"
You can attribute invasive traction control, four wheel steering, electric power-assisted steering, and much more to this. Whether or not the answer to the above is yes or no, I think we have to ask ourselves the following:
WHICH would YOU rather have? A more tech-enabled vehicle that will do more for you and have the latest technology OR a vehicle that is back-to-basics and a better driver's car?
(AutoSpies.com)
Essentially, what I am asking is "Does technology make a worse-driving vehicle?"
You can attribute invasive traction control, four wheel steering, electric power-assisted steering, and much more to this. Whether or not the answer to the above is yes or no, I think we have to ask ourselves the following:
WHICH would YOU rather have? A more tech-enabled vehicle that will do more for you and have the latest technology OR a vehicle that is back-to-basics and a better driver's car?
(AutoSpies.com)
So That's Where This Stupid Idea Originated From
The “tradition” of spending several months salary on an engagement ring was a marketing campaign created by De Beers in the 1930’s. Before WWII, only 10% of engagement rings contained diamonds. By the end of the 20th Century, 80% did.
(CavemanCircus.com)
(CavemanCircus.com)
Monday, November 16, 2015
This Was A Funny Read
Why vaping is ruining the car scene
You’ve waited all year for this. It’s the day of your favorite annual car event, whether it be V2 Lab’s Mystery Meat, Final Bout, SOWO or that track day you’ve been planning for ages.
You arrive, expecting the smell of burned rubber and catless exhausts to fill the air. Then, suddenly, you’re hit with it.
Strawberry Shortcake.
The offender strolls past with his ironic car scene T-shirt, skinny jeans and a bedazzled rosary around his neck. He deeply inhales from a child-sized box mod and proceeds to unleash a mushroom cloud of vaporized vegetable glycerin directly into the faces of innocent bystanders.
He isn’t alone.
His friends, close behind, take turns adding to the ambient haze. Mango passion fruit, lime-a-rita, maple syrup, peaches ‘n’ cream, cinnabon — the scents are endless. No one else can stand them.
“Needs more camber,” one laughs, gesturing at a stanced Scion TC.
None of them are using vaping as a step to quit smoking. It’s a hobby. It’s a lifestyle. They go to vape meets, vape lounges and vape conventions. They are devoted members of a counterculture solely devoted to inhaling sweet, fruity vegetable glycerin.
They talk about vape setups rather than suspension setups.
“How’s your build going?”
“Good, man. Just need to get some better batteries and I’ll be putting out ridiculous clouds in no time.”
They complain about how the government is trying to unfairly regulate the vape industry as they walk directly in front of the cars you’re trying to photograph. They argue over whether or not a tank or drip setup is more efficient. They discuss the health benefits of vaping, and their eventual plans to open a vape lounge.
It’s a hobby that takes over lives. A hobby the car scene has no room for.
Smoke a damn cigarette and work on your car for once.
(TheAPEXHunter.WordPress.com)
You’ve waited all year for this. It’s the day of your favorite annual car event, whether it be V2 Lab’s Mystery Meat, Final Bout, SOWO or that track day you’ve been planning for ages.
You arrive, expecting the smell of burned rubber and catless exhausts to fill the air. Then, suddenly, you’re hit with it.
Strawberry Shortcake.
The offender strolls past with his ironic car scene T-shirt, skinny jeans and a bedazzled rosary around his neck. He deeply inhales from a child-sized box mod and proceeds to unleash a mushroom cloud of vaporized vegetable glycerin directly into the faces of innocent bystanders.
He isn’t alone.
His friends, close behind, take turns adding to the ambient haze. Mango passion fruit, lime-a-rita, maple syrup, peaches ‘n’ cream, cinnabon — the scents are endless. No one else can stand them.
“Needs more camber,” one laughs, gesturing at a stanced Scion TC.
None of them are using vaping as a step to quit smoking. It’s a hobby. It’s a lifestyle. They go to vape meets, vape lounges and vape conventions. They are devoted members of a counterculture solely devoted to inhaling sweet, fruity vegetable glycerin.
They talk about vape setups rather than suspension setups.
“How’s your build going?”
“Good, man. Just need to get some better batteries and I’ll be putting out ridiculous clouds in no time.”
They complain about how the government is trying to unfairly regulate the vape industry as they walk directly in front of the cars you’re trying to photograph. They argue over whether or not a tank or drip setup is more efficient. They discuss the health benefits of vaping, and their eventual plans to open a vape lounge.
It’s a hobby that takes over lives. A hobby the car scene has no room for.
Smoke a damn cigarette and work on your car for once.
(TheAPEXHunter.WordPress.com)
ESPN.com 2015-2016 Power Rankings: Week 6
Power Rankings: Rangers are serious
6. Los Angeles Kings
6. Los Angeles Kings
- After going 3-2-0 on a five-game homestand, the Kings head out on a five-game road trek through Philadelphia, Detroit, Carolina, Florida and Tampa. Tanner Pearson has seven points (2-5) in his last six games.
- The Sharks react to the Patrick Marleau news by winning the first two games of a six-game Eastern road trip; Martin Jones was terrific in both wins at Detroit and Buffalo.
- Just when you think the Ducks have steered the ship somewhat straight, they drop three straight home games to the Coyotes, Oilers and the Islanders, albeit two of them in OT. Now comes a four-game road trip through Carolina, Nashville, Florida and Tampa.
Finally, Someone Makes A Sensible Statement About This Subject
Toyota Reveals A Dirty Truth, Self Driving Cars Still Struggling With Simple Tasks
The head of Toyota's billion-dollar U.
S. artificial intelligence research center delivered a reality check on Friday for anyone over-enamored by autonomous car technology: the cars aren't as clever as you think.
"I want to help the press and the public understand that when they see a car that does not have a human being behind the wheel and it seems to be driving, that the car is not as intelligent as a human being behind the wheel, even though it seems it might be," he said.
He was speaking in Tokyo at the announcement of the Silicon Valley center. Toyota will open it in January 2016 to drive artificial intelligence and robotics research, both for autonomous vehicles and other projects.
Pratt explained what researchers already know but perhaps others don't: Autonomous cars look great in controlled environments but soon fail when faced with tasks that human drivers find simple.
(AutoSpies.com)
The head of Toyota's billion-dollar U.
S. artificial intelligence research center delivered a reality check on Friday for anyone over-enamored by autonomous car technology: the cars aren't as clever as you think.
"I want to help the press and the public understand that when they see a car that does not have a human being behind the wheel and it seems to be driving, that the car is not as intelligent as a human being behind the wheel, even though it seems it might be," he said.
He was speaking in Tokyo at the announcement of the Silicon Valley center. Toyota will open it in January 2016 to drive artificial intelligence and robotics research, both for autonomous vehicles and other projects.
Pratt explained what researchers already know but perhaps others don't: Autonomous cars look great in controlled environments but soon fail when faced with tasks that human drivers find simple.
(AutoSpies.com)
I Look For These Qualties
15 Signs She is Girlfriend Material
1. She Doesn’t Indulge in Self-Destructive Behavior
1. She Doesn’t Indulge in Self-Destructive Behavior
- I am pretty sure you want a girlfriend who loves herself and the world she is living in. Thanks to a lot of conversations with men who saw themselves trapped in unfulfilling relationships, I know this is what every man wants. Unfortunately, a lot of those men who dream about being in harmonic relationships with life-affirming women, end up dating girls who indulge in self-destructive behavior. And yes, even though getting drunk every weekend in order to forget the daily routine is completely socially acceptable, it is still self-destructive behavior. If you are on a date with a girl and she needs cigarettes to cope with stress and alcohol to cope with loneliness you should think twice before you call her your girlfriend.
- In case you meet a woman and she wants to spend as much time as possible with you, without ever expecting you to pay for anything, she might be the right girl.A good girlfriend is a woman who values time more than money. If you end up dating a gold digger, you will eventually end up broke and miserable.
- What if your girlfriend needs your attention 24/7?What if your girlfriend feels the urge to go to a club and to dance all night if you don’t give her your attention?Get rid of her!If your girlfriend needs the attention of other guys who stare at her while she is dancing in the club, it won’t take long until she ends up in bed with a guy who is willing to give her more attention than you, even if it’s just for one night. Make sure that you end up dating a girl who can survive at least 24 hours without any attention from you or anyone else.
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Another Kind Of Hat Trick
Gilbert Perreault
"The three important elements of hockey are: forecheck, backcheck and paycheck."
(SI.com)
"The three important elements of hockey are: forecheck, backcheck and paycheck."
(SI.com)
Goalie's Are Getting A New Edge In Footwear
Unmasked: New skates giving goalies an edge
VANCOUVER -- From revised training methods to new techniques and tactics, NHL goaltenders are constantly looking for anything that will give them an edge on shooters.
The latest evolution in goalie skates is giving some that edge -- literally.
New models from Bauer and from VH Footwear, a small skate company based in Winnipeg, have taken the hard plastic cowling off goaltender skates, removing the extra layer that used to wrap around the front edge of the boot and provide an extra air gap around the toe. The result is a thinner profile across the width of the foot and less material on the inside edge below the big toe, which allows a goaltender to dig in his blade at more extreme angles before that inside of the skate boot makes contact with the ice, which can cause him to lose that edge and slip out.
This means a goalie can hold his inside edge better from a lower, wider stance and still be able to push laterally with power. It also makes it easier to establish a good edge when he is down on his knees and wants to push side to side.
(NHL.com)
VANCOUVER -- From revised training methods to new techniques and tactics, NHL goaltenders are constantly looking for anything that will give them an edge on shooters.
The latest evolution in goalie skates is giving some that edge -- literally.
New models from Bauer and from VH Footwear, a small skate company based in Winnipeg, have taken the hard plastic cowling off goaltender skates, removing the extra layer that used to wrap around the front edge of the boot and provide an extra air gap around the toe. The result is a thinner profile across the width of the foot and less material on the inside edge below the big toe, which allows a goaltender to dig in his blade at more extreme angles before that inside of the skate boot makes contact with the ice, which can cause him to lose that edge and slip out.
This means a goalie can hold his inside edge better from a lower, wider stance and still be able to push laterally with power. It also makes it easier to establish a good edge when he is down on his knees and wants to push side to side.
(NHL.com)
What Is Your Preference?
Should you buy a leftover 2015 or a brand new 2016 model?
If you're a keeper instead of a trader when it comes to cars, it's probably worth buying the tried and true instead of the fashionable and unproven. If you're into new technology and don't plan to keep the car too long, a new model can suit you better. Just be sure to consider more then just the initial purchase price.
(AutoBlog.com)
If you're a keeper instead of a trader when it comes to cars, it's probably worth buying the tried and true instead of the fashionable and unproven. If you're into new technology and don't plan to keep the car too long, a new model can suit you better. Just be sure to consider more then just the initial purchase price.
(AutoBlog.com)
I'll Do This To Every Car I Drive Until I Die
12 Car Modifications That Make You Look Like an Idiot
6. "Slamming" your ride
6. "Slamming" your ride
- Lowering a car has all sorts of benefits in terms of cornering performance, but this isn't a "more is more" situation. Lowering a car too much messes up the suspension geometry, and after a certain point, you'll notice that the handling gets worse.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Can Disney's Help Push The Project Through?
Disney CEO Robert Iger joins Chargers, Raiders L.A. stadium project
The San Diego Chargers' and Oakland Raiders' plan to become the teams that move to Los Angeles received a big boost Wednesday when Disney chairman and CEO Robert Iger agreed to oversee their bid to build a stadium.
CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora and Sports Business Journal's Daniel Kaplan reported the agreement early Wednesday morning, and it was confirmed later in the day.
Citing sources, La Canfora wrote that Iger will become chairman of the teams' bid to build a stadium in Carson, Calif., and the move could propel the Chargers and Raiders to begin play in the Los Angeles market as early as the 2016 season.
(Yahoo.com)
The San Diego Chargers' and Oakland Raiders' plan to become the teams that move to Los Angeles received a big boost Wednesday when Disney chairman and CEO Robert Iger agreed to oversee their bid to build a stadium.
CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora and Sports Business Journal's Daniel Kaplan reported the agreement early Wednesday morning, and it was confirmed later in the day.
Citing sources, La Canfora wrote that Iger will become chairman of the teams' bid to build a stadium in Carson, Calif., and the move could propel the Chargers and Raiders to begin play in the Los Angeles market as early as the 2016 season.
(Yahoo.com)
I Wish I Could Afford Either Of These
6 'Last Of The Line' Manual Supercars That Deserve Your Respect
Each of these incredible cars were replaced with something auto or semi-automatic only, and some even marked the end of a brand's kinship with the manual gearbox
1. Ferrari 599 GTB
If you fancy rocking up to your local Ferrari dealer and buying a brand new Prancing Horse with a stick shifter, you won’t have much luck. Yep, there’s not a single manual gearbox in the entire current range. In fact, due to Maranello’s quest for ultimate performance - which makes faffing with a clutch and a gear knob seem a little redundant - we’ve all but stopped thinking about the concept of a manual Ferrari. It now seems positively alien.
But, the death of the Ferrari manual is actually a very recent thing, as evidenced by the F12berlinetta’s predecessor: the 599 GTB. Although almost all were sold with the company’s ‘F1’ sequential gearbox, a very small number were built with a manual transmission. How small a number? 30 in total, with 20 going to the United States, and the rest spread throughout Europe.
The few buyers that opted for a gated manual version of the 612bhp V12 599 ended up with an incredible investment: the one you see above was auctioned by RM Sotheby’s earlier this year for $682,000, over three times what it would have sold for had it just been a paddle shift example.
3. Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997 4.0)
When they Cayman GT4 arrived with - incredibly - only a manual gearbox option, many expected the 991 GT3 RS to follow suit. But no. Instead of appeasing all those that had moaned about the boggo GT3 being available with a Doppelkupplungsgetriebe auto ‘box and nothing else, the hardcore RS was available with, well, just a Doppelkupplungsgetriebe.
It’s no surprise then, that values of the 4.0-litre versions of the old 997 RS - the last manual GT3 - are now nudging £300,000. But then again, the fact that it’s also the last 911 with hydraulic power steering and the last GT3 with a ‘Mezger’ engine doesn’t exactly help when it comes to keeping the price down to non-biblical levels.
It’s not all bad news for lovers of hot, manual 911s though, as the GT3 and GT3 RS is expected to have a new manual ‘brother’ in the form of the 911 R pretty soon.
Complete list (CarThrottle.com)
Each of these incredible cars were replaced with something auto or semi-automatic only, and some even marked the end of a brand's kinship with the manual gearbox
1. Ferrari 599 GTB
If you fancy rocking up to your local Ferrari dealer and buying a brand new Prancing Horse with a stick shifter, you won’t have much luck. Yep, there’s not a single manual gearbox in the entire current range. In fact, due to Maranello’s quest for ultimate performance - which makes faffing with a clutch and a gear knob seem a little redundant - we’ve all but stopped thinking about the concept of a manual Ferrari. It now seems positively alien.
But, the death of the Ferrari manual is actually a very recent thing, as evidenced by the F12berlinetta’s predecessor: the 599 GTB. Although almost all were sold with the company’s ‘F1’ sequential gearbox, a very small number were built with a manual transmission. How small a number? 30 in total, with 20 going to the United States, and the rest spread throughout Europe.
The few buyers that opted for a gated manual version of the 612bhp V12 599 ended up with an incredible investment: the one you see above was auctioned by RM Sotheby’s earlier this year for $682,000, over three times what it would have sold for had it just been a paddle shift example.
3. Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997 4.0)
When they Cayman GT4 arrived with - incredibly - only a manual gearbox option, many expected the 991 GT3 RS to follow suit. But no. Instead of appeasing all those that had moaned about the boggo GT3 being available with a Doppelkupplungsgetriebe auto ‘box and nothing else, the hardcore RS was available with, well, just a Doppelkupplungsgetriebe.
It’s no surprise then, that values of the 4.0-litre versions of the old 997 RS - the last manual GT3 - are now nudging £300,000. But then again, the fact that it’s also the last 911 with hydraulic power steering and the last GT3 with a ‘Mezger’ engine doesn’t exactly help when it comes to keeping the price down to non-biblical levels.
It’s not all bad news for lovers of hot, manual 911s though, as the GT3 and GT3 RS is expected to have a new manual ‘brother’ in the form of the 911 R pretty soon.
Complete list (CarThrottle.com)
My Name Would Be A Great Work Out
(BroBible.com)
My name would be an awesome work out.
B - 20 crunches
E - 1 min wall sit
S - 30 burpees
P - 15 sec arm circles
O - 40 jumping jacks
K - 10 push ups
E - 1 min wall sit
P - 15 sec arm circles
A - 50 jumping jacks
L - 2 min wall sit
A - 50 jumping jacks
T - 15 squats
E - 1 min wall sit
I Do These Things Religiously For Daily Driving
10 Ways to Protect Your Car During an Epic Road Trip
3. Air up your tires
3. Air up your tires
- It seems obvious, but... a lot of cars have two different recommendations for tire pressure -- one for low speed, and one for high. Go with high speed. Not only will it make your car feel better, but it'll also help the tires wear more evenly.
- Keep an eye out for exceedingly awful vehicles. Gravel trucks are the devil, effectively sandblasting the front of your car for as long as you follow them. If you can't get around, because it's a one-lane highway, try to keep another vehicle/sucker in between to shield as much debris as possible.
- A freshly slicked car is way harder for bugs to cling to, and no road trip is complete without a somewhat decent Mr. Miyagi impression.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Their Downfall May Be Starting To Happen
New York to daily fantasy sports: Stop taking bets here
NEW YORK (AP) — New York's attorney general on Tuesday ordered the daily fantasy sports companies DraftKings and FanDuel to stop accepting bets in the state, saying their operations amount to illegal gambling.
In a pair of letters sent to the companies, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said that after a one-month investigation, his office had concluded that the daily contests are essentially games of chance, not skill.
He drew a sharp distinction between the operations of daily fantasy sports sites and traditional fantasy leagues, which he said were legal partly because they relied on months of smart play over the course of several months. DraftKings and FanDuel contests, he wrote, are about "instant gratification" and involve no long-term strategy.
(Yahoo.com)
NEW YORK (AP) — New York's attorney general on Tuesday ordered the daily fantasy sports companies DraftKings and FanDuel to stop accepting bets in the state, saying their operations amount to illegal gambling.
In a pair of letters sent to the companies, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said that after a one-month investigation, his office had concluded that the daily contests are essentially games of chance, not skill.
He drew a sharp distinction between the operations of daily fantasy sports sites and traditional fantasy leagues, which he said were legal partly because they relied on months of smart play over the course of several months. DraftKings and FanDuel contests, he wrote, are about "instant gratification" and involve no long-term strategy.
(Yahoo.com)
I'd Be Happy With Either Of These
7 Ultimate Cars For Every Occasion, According To You
When I recently asked you what the 'car for every occasion' was, you suggested a wide variety of incredible machines that could all be classed as the 'ultimate' vehicle. Here are the seven best cars according to you . . . . .
1. Subaru Legacy wagon 3.6 Turbo
Who can argue with a Subaru Legacy/Liberty wagon? It’s modern, comfortable, quiet, spacious and, thanks to its Garrett 35/76 turbocharged EZ36 3.6-litre engine with 371hp, this particular one is seriously fast. But the best thing, it’s a perfectly usable daily driver that looks great and has bags of character.
2. Audi RS2
Of course, the Audi RS2 had to make your final list of 7 ultimate cars. Thanks to its 311bhp, 2.2-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine and six-speed manual gearbox, the RS2 accelerates from 0-30mph in just 1.5 seconds, making it faster than the McLaren F1 road car. To get to 60mph, the super estate needs 4.8 seconds, and it’ll top out at an electronically limited 162.8mph.
Porsche took care of the RS2’s suspension - which lowered the standard 80 Avant’s ride height by 40mm - and brakes (massive, 322mm discs featured at the front with 299mm cross-drilled discs at the rear). The wheels were also Porsche’s own 7.0Jx17 ‘Cup’ rims which were wrapped in 245/40 ZR17 Dunlop tyres.
All in all, the Audi RS2 was and remains an astonishing, go anywhere, do anything car that’s sought after and extremely rare.
Complete list (CarThrottle.com)
When I recently asked you what the 'car for every occasion' was, you suggested a wide variety of incredible machines that could all be classed as the 'ultimate' vehicle. Here are the seven best cars according to you . . . . .
1. Subaru Legacy wagon 3.6 Turbo
Who can argue with a Subaru Legacy/Liberty wagon? It’s modern, comfortable, quiet, spacious and, thanks to its Garrett 35/76 turbocharged EZ36 3.6-litre engine with 371hp, this particular one is seriously fast. But the best thing, it’s a perfectly usable daily driver that looks great and has bags of character.
2. Audi RS2
Of course, the Audi RS2 had to make your final list of 7 ultimate cars. Thanks to its 311bhp, 2.2-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine and six-speed manual gearbox, the RS2 accelerates from 0-30mph in just 1.5 seconds, making it faster than the McLaren F1 road car. To get to 60mph, the super estate needs 4.8 seconds, and it’ll top out at an electronically limited 162.8mph.
Porsche took care of the RS2’s suspension - which lowered the standard 80 Avant’s ride height by 40mm - and brakes (massive, 322mm discs featured at the front with 299mm cross-drilled discs at the rear). The wheels were also Porsche’s own 7.0Jx17 ‘Cup’ rims which were wrapped in 245/40 ZR17 Dunlop tyres.
All in all, the Audi RS2 was and remains an astonishing, go anywhere, do anything car that’s sought after and extremely rare.
Complete list (CarThrottle.com)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)