Habu

    Ever though about what it would be like to  own a Shelby Cobra? The original or even a well built kit car? Well now there is another choice that should crowd your wish list. It is the Habu, brought to you by a company that goes by the name of Flyin' Miata. FM has taken the same great formula that Shelby pioneered, small and lite car with a big engine, and ran with it. 

     Shelby used a British AC Ace and dropped a ridiculous V8 power plant in it then proceeded to embarrassed the European racing community with the prowess of the Cobra. Well FM took the roughly 2300lb Miata and installed an LS3 Corvette motor with a T56 6 speed transmission. They also added a number of suspension upgrades to deal with the extra power. The resulting, beast is no joke and is a true sleeper car.

     The power to weigh ratio has put the Habu very close to the 2014 Viper in performance numbers. Probably the reason for the moniker, Habu, it is Japanese for a type of small venomous snake. 

Habu

    With four hundred and thiry horsepower at 2800lbs this is definitely, figuratively venomous and small. Zero to sixty times under 4 seconds are impressive. But at what cost? The conversion will cost you around 43 grand on top of the cost of the donor car. Now I estimate, a smart person could sell the out going four banger and suspension bits to recoup some of the cost.

C6 Drop Top

But even with that, you would have to consider the proximity of cost to a nice used convertible Corvette. The C7 would be ideal but a C6 rag rop can be had well within the range of what you would pay to create the Habu. Not factored into the price is the emotional rush from driving a vehicle like the Habu and the look on the face of the guy next to you in his C7 as you pull away in your Miata. Priceless.

Quick Saloons(Speedy Grocery Getters)

     I was in a discussion about modern sports cars and my friend, John, is a technician for a luxury Japanese brand and he felt the LFA was a wonderful vehicle but over priced. He went on to voice his opinion about the highly anticipated Acura NSX. The thought being, they better come with maximum horsepower and efficiency. Ferrari and McLaren have entered the hybrid arena with great offerings. The new McLaren P1 is outrageously fast and efficient and, in my opinion, one of the most esthetically pleasing vehicles to go into production since the original Ferrari Dino.

McLaren P1

This car pulls the passion out of you and puts it into the ignition. I had the pleasure of seeing the McLaren MP4-12C up close and personal. Simply amazing but, until that point, I always thought these vehicles were ridiculously over priced but the tech and the craftsmanship that goes into them, Wow! Value is assessed by supply and demand, the P1 will be expensive because the demand will remain high and the supply will be remain low due to the quality aspect of the build. Perfection takes time. The P1 is a rear-wheel drive, mid-engine design that uses a carbon fiber monocoque, which is fancy talk for, light, fast and expensive. But expense is relative to income and lifestyle and if you have the means, you would be an idiot not to own a P1. There are many more sports cars also worthy of ownership but what if you have a family?

BMW M5

     For me, I need something powerful and awe inspiring, yet with four doors. What then? I could go with the Porsche Panamera it is available in many configurations and has plenty of room for a family. But I always thought is was an ugly car. I can't get past the hatch back thing.



Aston Martin Rapide

Audi S8

 Or maybe a BMW M5, also fast and similarly priced to the Porsche, a great euro-muscle car with four doors. But the truly discerning drivers will agree, Aston Martin Rapide or Maserati Quattroporte. When at those price points, why mess around, these are the best of the best. The Rapide has a V12 engine which produces 550hp and has a top speed of 190 mph with acceleration from 0 to 60 in well under 5 seconds. The Quattroporte features new Ferrari-built 3.8LV8 producing 523hp with an eight speed automatic transmission. The US market also gets and all wheel drive V6. Those are a couple of fast grocery getters.
The Audi S8 is also a great choice at a lower price point, but I could go on and on, and you probably have a few I didn't think of but consider the "bang for the buck". Here in the States you can't drive but so fast, no Autobahn, so it would be nice to have lots of power but annoying to only be able to "hit" it every once and a while, but if the family is with you most of the time then that is all you will have. Once and a while. Enjoy life, be safe and "mash the gas".

Core Vette Summer

Mark Hamill

     Today, a friend asked me for an automotive reference. He is making a movie and he needed a Corvette that would fit his criteria. I though he was going to remake Corvette Summer.
I didn't know but if he did, he had to use Mark Hamill again. Luke, use the right hand drive Luke. Whoa, I know mixing movie references but I digress. The first Vette I thought to use was the 1963 Grand Sport, I always thought that was a great looking car, its rare because it was all but a prototype with release numbers.


1963 Corvette Grand Sport

He thought that would be a bit too much and he suggested a 62 Vette, nice.


1962 Corvette

All the 60's Vettes are still highly sought after and that makes me wonder if the beauty of the latest 2014 Corvette Stingray will last the test of time?
The first  Corvette was introduced in the 1953. It was originally designed as a show car for the 1953 Motorama display at the New York Auto Show, it generated enough interest to coax GM into making a production version. The name came from a lightly armored war ship used my multiple countries for coastal patrol. Now it known only as the classic American sports car's moniker.
The 2014 Vette uses an LT1 6.2 L V8, making 460hp. It features direct injection, variable valve timing, and an active fuel management system. Fuel injectors are located under the intake manifold. The Corvette remains rear-wheel drive. Transmission choices include a 7-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. The new Corvette certainly has the makings of a great automobile and uses technology that was developed by GM and is widely used throughout the automotive "landscape". Features light magnetic ride control and suspension. Ferrari uses this technology these days too but don't be fooled, that tech is American not Italian.
The reason cars are "set up" the way they are today is because of the Cadillac. The reason you have a brake pedal in the center, the clutch pedal on the left and the gas pedal on the right is due to an early Cadillac and a configuration that people liked enough that the other manufacturers followed suit. Prior to this, there were many different automobile operational configurations.

1903 Cadillac

Cadillac is the reason you can get into almost any car in the world and know its basic operation, if you have a drivers license. In 1906 Cadillac was the first to sell a totally enclosed car and in 1912 they were the first to have electric ignition and headlights.
Real American ingenuity is still at work with the new Vette. I my opinion it is the absolute best Corvette that has ever been produced.


2014 Stingray

All the past complaints were addressed, the plastics in the interior, gone. The lack of interior quality, gone and replaced by hand stitching and quality materials. What you would expect from a world class car. Also the plastics which all but replaced the fiberglass on the exterior body panels are gone, kinda. Now, GM used some kind of process that blends carbon fiber and plastic to make those body panels much stronger, giving a quality feel and solid body parts. Great job GM.
The main complaint is that the Vette has been perceived and an old man's toy, so. Old men are usually the demographic that can afford to but your vehicles in bulk. There are only so many Justin Beibers who are young and rich enough to swing the 50 to 70 Gs to buy these cars. All expensive sports cars are old men's toys, deal with it and keep them moving off the show room floors. 

What is in a Name?

     Johan De Nysschen, the President of Infiniti announced on Facebook, the need and intention to change the naming process for the car company. They have plans to change every car in their line up to have the Q designation, numbers to follow in increments of ten. In viewing the Facebook fan retort, it sounds as if many Infiniti fans don't care for the upcoming change.
     I owned an Infiniti for many years and I was looking forward to the development of a new Q series but that was when Q was the "flagship" of the brand. The brand now threatens to alienate some of their loyal customer through this re org of nomenclature. I'm sure this should pass because quality and performance will eventually dissolve the confusion. I am, however, of the opinion that this is an unnecessary change. Modify what the present naming structure and avoid the disruption. Human beings find comfort in normality. We all want things we can count on, if no other reason other than, because there are so many things we cannot.
     Change is coming and change is good, if we accept the changes coming from all car companies then we can all benefit from their innovations. Embrace the change.

Fun to Drive

Tesla

     Today there are many things that bring us happiness, one of which is fun. How do you go about getting this fun? I believe that driving is one way to enjoy a fun endevor. Instead of just the daily grind, commute that aggravates and frustrates, I want you to find fun in driving. If you like music then concentrate come funds on the stereo system so while you are in your car you can have a musical oasis.        Video, not so much, not unless you are in the back seat and someone else is driving. I have heard a few guys say they bypassed the "park brake" safeguard for their stereo so they could play movies while they drive. I think that is a terrible idea because of its reckless nature. Too many are put at risk for the sake of showing off. Common sense is not common but please don't bypass any safety measures put in place to keep you safe, then complain after you get hurt! Thats like walking to close to the lion's cage when the signs clearly say "NO ONE PAST THIS POINT" with a "road sign style" picture of someone being eaten by  lion. In a nutshell, be safe.

    What else brings fun to driving? Sound of the engine and the feel of the suspention. How does it feel when you corner. How do the exhaust pipes sound? Deep rumble or high whine? What ever gives your heart flutter will do. I think everyone should have something like that, something to bring happiness if only for a moment. 

     Driving a stick shift is a lost art but it also is a blast to drive. Stick and clutch, WOW. In these times of paddle shifting to save a few seconds during acceleration, I thought manual trannys would go the way of the dinosaur. But, there is a reason that it took a while for Porsche to sell a "flappy" paddle gear box. Too many purists were accustomed to a stick but change is inevitable and the other car companies had already moved into double clutch(paddle shift) gearboxes. The winds of change shall not be stopped.

    You must drive the speed limit while on public roads so if you have a fast car I would advise you to find a local racing group, every city has them, and race on the track. Open it up but do it safely and with the proper precautions. You could race every week and have a great time or try to street race and end up in the hospital, arrested or worse.

     Have fun everybody, just not at the expense of others. Drive and be merry, and for goodness sake, please don't drink and drive. Seasons Blessings to all.

Treat yourself to Luxury

Bentley Mulsanne

     Many luxury car brands exist these days but there are only a hand full that could be considered the upper "crust" of the luxury car brands. Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Maybach are the top three for the "to-be-driven" luxury brands. Now there are many "every day" luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz and Lexus but I am speaking of the exclusive brands. Those that require a great deal of disposable income to attain. These vehicles are not just status symbols but they do separate the rich from the truly rich. There is a big difference between having the income to buy an S Class Mercedes in cash and the funds required to buy a Rolls Phantom in the same manner. (around a $200,000 difference)
     The question is, are these brands really worth the extra cost required for "membership" into the uber-expensive car club? My opinion is yes, they are worth every penny. Why? First, anyone buying a new Maybach is not worried about "saving money on their car insurance". This buyer has reached the pinnacle of capital acquisition. Dig it? So, why not reward yourself with those things that are of the upper Crust? We could get into the philosophy of spending that much money on a car as a mega capitalist while there are people starving in the world but I am under the assumption that these car buyers are philanthropic to the highest degree. For me, Karma would suggest it. If not, you or I will be able to get their car used, later in it's life.
     "You get what you pay for" is an aged cliche but is it true? It has been in my experience. I am curious as to if it will hold true for these vehicles. It is said that Porsche has stayed in the top 5 for reliability since its inception and very few other auto makers can make this claim. I would like to know if the upper three are the same? I, for one, would be upset if that were not the case. Some say, they service these cars so often there is not an opportunity for break down. Maybe, but these dealerships will come to your house to pick up the car and leave you a loaner while they service it. I bet the Chevy dealer won't do that.

Drophead Coupe

Maybach interior

     Have you ever seen a commercial for one of these cars? The answer is no, because they know who they are advertising to and it is not the general public. It is the top 2% of world earners and the %10 below them who will buy to try to look like the top 2% of world earners. You will never see commercials for these cars. Their clientelle is the same and sales stay in the family. The rich, stay rich for the most part so they can be contacted directly. Those neo-rich will meet the connections to get into a dealership for purchase.
     When you a wrapped in luxury the car is quiet and comfortable as well as amenity rich. Just like any other luxury item, you expect the best for your money.
     I wrote earlier about the need or non-need for luxury and opulence. I am now of the opinion that you should get what brings you happiness as long as it doesn't hurt you and your ability do the basics. You don't want to "stretch yourself out" just to have a nice car. But when you get there this type of purchase shouldn't vex you in the least.

   

What is in a name?

Koenigsegg

     There are many cars out there with names that are difficult for me to pronounce, but do you think that stops my desire to drive one. You would be wrong if you said yes. My midwestern American accent is difficult to wrap around the likes of a Koenigsegg, but WOW they make remarkable vehicles. Founded in 1994, this Swedish auto maker really concentrated on looks and performace. With zero to sixty times well under four seconds these cars are amazing. In 2010 they released a five liter twin turbo, 910 bhp v8 model with a seven speed gear box. Carbon fiber is the material of choice and it is expensive. That cost, of course, is passed on to the consumer. "You gotta pay to play" With sticker prices skirting the 300 thousand US dollar range, they should prove to be a wonderful drive if the "You-get-what-you-pay-for" adage is correct.
     Even "funkier" is the Pagani Huayra, I really liked the Pagani Zonda when it was released but this is "another level" of vehicle. If you are fortunate enough to drive or, pause for gasp, own one of these consider yourself one of the lucky few. With a 0-60 time of 3.3 seconds and a top speed around 225mph this is a race car for the streets. But highly refined, it employs the use of a seven speed sequential gear box and a dual disk clutch. Mercedes AMG division provides the engine for the Huayra, 5980cc twin turbo V12. Dry sump lubrication keeps it lubricated well.

Huayra

     Weather I can say their names or not, they are wonderful.