Monday, January 31, 2011
The 2011 Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: Black Ops Edition
Those of you who play Call of Duty: Black Ops may have noticed how Jeep was featured in the game, but what most people don't know is that Jeep actually created a special edition Wrangler entitled the Black Ops edition... (Yes, I'm serious.)
The special edition Jeep Wrangler hit dealerships back in December to seemingly little fanfare. What is the difference between this edition and a regular Wrangler, you ask? If you overlook the 32-inch off-road tires, Mopar tail lamp guards, a Mopar fuel door, Black Ops logos, and an entirely blacked-out exterior, then there's not really much difference. Oh, except for that it costs about $5,000 more than a base model.
So in conclusion, I enjoy playing COD: Black Ops just as much as the next gamer, but there's no way I'd make a vehicle purchase partially based upon their marketing partnership with Jeep. Is there anyone die-hard enough to buy one of these?
Sunday, January 30, 2011
The "Chocolate Box Smart Car" - F&ck Off, Seriously
Valentines day is coming up, so Japanese luxury jeweler/chocolatier Q-Pot decided to design the following monstrosity...
When I first saw this picture, I hoped it was fake and photo-shopped, but such was not the case. See the original website here. In addition to this special edition Smart car looking like a giant piece of crap, it costs $28,000. I genuinely hope that anyone who is financially capable of spending that kind of money on a valentines-day gift will spend their money more wisely.
My dislike for Smart cars has amazingly become intensified. Whoever came up with this idea should be fired.
My dislike for Smart cars has amazingly become intensified. Whoever came up with this idea should be fired.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Noble M600 Supercar - They Finally Built One
Those who read my posts will know that I generally despise featuring "supercars" of any type, but hey, it's Saturday, and if any day was designed for people to forget they're not millionaires, it's today.
Top Gear fans may vaguely remember the M600 being tested in the fourth quarter of 2009 (to the best of my recollection), but the concept seemed to disappear after that. What happened?
Noble has announced - perhaps unintentionally - that an M600 has come off the production line recently. Under the circumstances, I believe a brief overview of the specifications is in order. First of all, this British supercar (yuck, but let's get past it together) has a twin-turbo 4.4 liter Yamaha engine. This engine can be used in three different power levels, thanks to the Adaptable Performance Control switch, and those levels are Road, Track, and Race. The horsepower levels for each are 450, 550, and 650 brake horsepower respectively. The curb weight is 2,775 pounds and the M600 hauls ass off the line with its 0-60 timed at under 3 seconds. Top speed is reportedly 225mph.
The price for an M600 is approximately $XXX,XXX. And yes, I realize those are X's. Just pretend you can afford it, sit back, and have a beer. That's what I do.
Noble has announced - perhaps unintentionally - that an M600 has come off the production line recently. Under the circumstances, I believe a brief overview of the specifications is in order. First of all, this British supercar (yuck, but let's get past it together) has a twin-turbo 4.4 liter Yamaha engine. This engine can be used in three different power levels, thanks to the Adaptable Performance Control switch, and those levels are Road, Track, and Race. The horsepower levels for each are 450, 550, and 650 brake horsepower respectively. The curb weight is 2,775 pounds and the M600 hauls ass off the line with its 0-60 timed at under 3 seconds. Top speed is reportedly 225mph.
Friday, January 28, 2011
The Dumbest Method of Running Drugs Across the Border
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a bag of pot flying into the United States!
I nearly spit my coffee out in laughter yesterday when I read a newspaper article detailing how Mexican drug smugglers were caught using a catapult to launch drugs (namely pot) into the United States.
Drug runners normally try to get narcotics across the border in vehicles, or on foot depending on their location. I live in British Columbia, so runners here usually just go through the woods into the U.S. with pounds of pot in a duffel bag. I personally have walked across the border (without drugs) without any problem at the Peace Arch crossing, without going through customs. It's ridiculously easy, and a good way to make some cash - not that I condone such activities...
Apparently the National Guard notified authorities after taking video footage of the catapult in action. The operation was shut down, and some Mexicans were charged.
For those interested in seeing the footage, here's a video...
Am I the only person who immediately thought of Angry Birds when I saw the catapult?
I nearly spit my coffee out in laughter yesterday when I read a newspaper article detailing how Mexican drug smugglers were caught using a catapult to launch drugs (namely pot) into the United States.
Apparently the National Guard notified authorities after taking video footage of the catapult in action. The operation was shut down, and some Mexicans were charged.
For those interested in seeing the footage, here's a video...
Am I the only person who immediately thought of Angry Birds when I saw the catapult?
Thursday, January 27, 2011
2011 CTS-V Coupe Race Car - Cadillac is Back in the Game!
That's right, this race-pepped CTS-V marks Cadillac's return to the Sports Car Club of America World Challenge!
For those who aren't acquainted with the SCCA World Challenge series, the contending sports cars must be very close to stock specifications, and the challenge only consists of racing versions of road cars able to be purchased by the general public. This type of manufacturer competition appeals to me the most, because winning doesn't only depend on the manufacturer, but also the shops they work with to upgrade the sports cars.
For those who aren't acquainted with the SCCA World Challenge series, the contending sports cars must be very close to stock specifications, and the challenge only consists of racing versions of road cars able to be purchased by the general public. This type of manufacturer competition appeals to me the most, because winning doesn't only depend on the manufacturer, but also the shops they work with to upgrade the sports cars.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Solar Roads - Are They Feasible?
To answer my own question, the technology behind the concept is solid, and is very practical! In the interest of not providing false or misleading information, there is not some massive plan in the works to change every piece of pavement into an energy-absorbing piece of roadway. Rather, the inventor, Scott Brusaw, has indicated that this technology would be most useful in parking lots, cul-de-sacs, and essentially anywhere there is a large area of pavement. For instance, if an entire Walmart parking lot were made from solar material, it could supply a vast majority (if not all) of the power the store requires to operate.
Production has already begun for glass which is sufficiently strong for this application. As it turns out, this idea is being taken quite seriously and is not just some crack-pot theory (which was my initial impression of this technology). Apparently the inventor has got the attention of the Federal Highway Administration and is currently in fourth place in the GE Ecomagination Challenge, a competitive funding opportunity that could get the project off the ground, so to speak.
As I mentioned above, the idea is being proposed as a solution to the power needs immediately surrounding the solar panels. For instance, throw this technology in a few cul-de-sacs and you could take a whole subdivision off the power grid, according to the research being conducted. Preliminary testing is showing these panels to be efficient even in cloudy weather.
Not to mention, since the roadway will be made from glass, you could add LED lights (see above image) which could display speed limits, crosswalks, and other pertinent information. Pricing is irrelevant at this point, but the inventor is indicating that it won't cost much more than traditional asphalt by the time it reaches mass production.
I can't see any negatives to this technology whatsoever, and would be more than ecstatic to see this implemented in my neighborhood! I'm interested to hear opinions on this.
Production has already begun for glass which is sufficiently strong for this application. As it turns out, this idea is being taken quite seriously and is not just some crack-pot theory (which was my initial impression of this technology). Apparently the inventor has got the attention of the Federal Highway Administration and is currently in fourth place in the GE Ecomagination Challenge, a competitive funding opportunity that could get the project off the ground, so to speak.
As I mentioned above, the idea is being proposed as a solution to the power needs immediately surrounding the solar panels. For instance, throw this technology in a few cul-de-sacs and you could take a whole subdivision off the power grid, according to the research being conducted. Preliminary testing is showing these panels to be efficient even in cloudy weather.
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| Scott Brusaw and a demonstration solar panel |
I can't see any negatives to this technology whatsoever, and would be more than ecstatic to see this implemented in my neighborhood! I'm interested to hear opinions on this.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
They've Done It! The "Triple Decker Burnout"...
Some simple-minded amusement is about all you're getting from today's YouTube find, but if you were intrigued by my post's title, then I guarantee watching this video will be time well-spent! If however the title didn't even spark a molecule of intrigue within you, then today's post is not for you, and you should leave. NOW!
Okay, so even though the video is relatively self-explanatory, I like explaining things. When you're reading the following text in your head, make sure to add a mild (albeit noticeable) drunken slur....
"Folks, what we've got here is a triple decker burnout! That's right ladies and gentlemen, we've got a motorbike, sitting in the back of an 'ute, sitting on the back of a truck! Guess what they're all gonna do? *hiccup/beer burp* Light 'em up, boys!"
Heads up, tomorrow we'll be taking a look at the Pagani Huayra, and I'll probably be making fun of it.
Okay, so even though the video is relatively self-explanatory, I like explaining things. When you're reading the following text in your head, make sure to add a mild (albeit noticeable) drunken slur....
"Folks, what we've got here is a triple decker burnout! That's right ladies and gentlemen, we've got a motorbike, sitting in the back of an 'ute, sitting on the back of a truck! Guess what they're all gonna do? *hiccup/beer burp* Light 'em up, boys!"
I've decided that the explanation can be summed up in this one quote: "That's how we do it on the West Side."
Heads up, tomorrow we'll be taking a look at the Pagani Huayra, and I'll probably be making fun of it.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Ferrari Unveils AWD Ferrari Four
Ferrari recently released pictures of its new all-wheel-drive "Ferrari Four" which features four seats and four wheel drive for the first time, and the images came with some mixed reviews.
In addition to being the most powerful and versatile four-seater car Ferrari has ever produced, the AWD system in the "FF" weighs approximately 50% less than a conventional system. The car, which is set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, also features a brand new V12 engine and a dual-clutch F1 transmission.
I really think I'll need to see this car in person before making a definitive judgment call on its design. It appears to have similar proportions to the Porsche Panamera, which I am not terribly fond of. The side profile just looks awkward in my opinion, but I understand their need for proper weight distribution (53% rear). Also, there has been some speculation that this vehicle and its AWD will be a prelude for a Ferrari SUV, but that's all just rumor. Am I the only person who thinks that Enzo Ferrari is rolling over in his grave?
Saturday, January 22, 2011
The Importance of Purchasing a Repair Manual
If you're going to work on your own car, it would be wise to pick up a repair manual for your vehicle. It essentially gives you a step-by-step description on how to maintain your vehicle, and takes the guess work out of the procedures, and ensures safety. The $30 or so dollars that you'll spend on this book (which is unique to your vehicle) will probably save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in the long run.
Nothing demonstrates my point better than this 30 second video:
If you are working on your vehicle without a repair manual, I highly recommend picking one up - unless you are a skilled/trained mechanic, in which case you are probably convincing people NOT to purchase a repair manual so they will fuck up their car and you'll have to fix it.
Nothing demonstrates my point better than this 30 second video:
If you are working on your vehicle without a repair manual, I highly recommend picking one up - unless you are a skilled/trained mechanic, in which case you are probably convincing people NOT to purchase a repair manual so they will fuck up their car and you'll have to fix it.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Innovative Advertising - The "Lexus Chain"
Car commercials today are generally pretty lame, which is why it's actually refreshing to see one that doesn't suck. What Lexus has done in their most recent ad is place their LFA in a rather interesting situation - under a literal "chain" of Lexus cars. Why did they do this? They wanted to demonstrate the strength of their vehicles' chassis. Point made, I'd say! This is just one commercial out of a series that Toyota and Lexus are doing, entitled "The Hard Way".
Is this real, you ask? That was my initial response to this video as well. It turns that Lexus invited a physicist and structural engineer to witness the commercial shoot, to prove that it did, in fact, occur without the use of special effects or CGI.
For those interested in seeing the "behind the scenes" footage for this commercial, watch this video:
My personal opinion is that Lexus did this just to get people talking, and it's cleared working..... I just told you about it, didn't I?
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
World's Most Expensive Speeding Tickets
Do you have a lead foot? Are you always tempted to put the "pedal to the metal" when you see an empty stretch of road? Yeah, me too. But unless I know it's safe and/or I won't get caught, I generally don't cave to the temptation.
As with most laws, the severity of speeding varies drastically across the globe. Although it's rare to see a maximum fine imposed for speeding, it's interesting to see how expensive these maximum fines can actually get. After some research, I found the following information...
Canada
I'll start off with my own country where I was born and raised. On the playground was where I spent most of my days. Then a couple of guys (who were up to no good) started making trouble in the neighborhood. I got in one little fight and my mom got scared, and said "you're moving in with your auntie and uncle in [some Canadian city that rhymes with Bel Air]. So anyways, on the way there, the cab driver got a $25,000 fine for speeding.
Okay, the story was a joke obviously, but the maximum fine for speeding in Alberta, Canada is really $25,000!
Denmark
In 2002, a gentleman in Finland managed to get himself a $200,000 USD fine! How is this possible, you ask? Well as it turns out, Denmark calculates their fines largely on the net income of the motorist. This fine was issued in 2002, and the net income of the speeder was said to be over 11 million dollars (USD).
United States
$2500 marks the maximum fine in the US. I personally think the fine should be increased, but I suppose it rests at that amount for a reason which I wasn't able to determine. I suppose speeding is very common? Can anyone shed some light on this situation?
Iceland and Norway
How about 10% of your annual income, plus jail time? Yep, that's right! If you get caught for excessive speeding on their motorways, you'll get a mandatory 18 day jail sentence, in addition to any license suspensions and/or community service the court deems necessary.
The United Kingdom
Most of the UK's speeding tickets are enforced by speeding cameras and are generally around $100 USD. However, the driver of a Porsche 911 who was caught doing 172 mph in rural Britain in 2007 can tell you what the maximum fine is - $8000 USD. He received that fine in addition to spending 10 weeks in jail.
Almost every other country I researched has really low fines, and aren't really worth mentioning.
Question of the day: what's the largest speeding ticket you've ever received?
I'll start with mine - $0 since I've never been caught....
Also, would the deterrent of fines be less necessary with better drivers education training? Perhaps if all instructors were as qualified as the man in the picture below, no one would speed at all!
Canada
I'll start off with my own country where I was born and raised. On the playground was where I spent most of my days. Then a couple of guys (who were up to no good) started making trouble in the neighborhood. I got in one little fight and my mom got scared, and said "you're moving in with your auntie and uncle in [some Canadian city that rhymes with Bel Air]. So anyways, on the way there, the cab driver got a $25,000 fine for speeding.
Okay, the story was a joke obviously, but the maximum fine for speeding in Alberta, Canada is really $25,000!
Denmark
In 2002, a gentleman in Finland managed to get himself a $200,000 USD fine! How is this possible, you ask? Well as it turns out, Denmark calculates their fines largely on the net income of the motorist. This fine was issued in 2002, and the net income of the speeder was said to be over 11 million dollars (USD).
United States
$2500 marks the maximum fine in the US. I personally think the fine should be increased, but I suppose it rests at that amount for a reason which I wasn't able to determine. I suppose speeding is very common? Can anyone shed some light on this situation?
Iceland and Norway
How about 10% of your annual income, plus jail time? Yep, that's right! If you get caught for excessive speeding on their motorways, you'll get a mandatory 18 day jail sentence, in addition to any license suspensions and/or community service the court deems necessary.
The United Kingdom
Most of the UK's speeding tickets are enforced by speeding cameras and are generally around $100 USD. However, the driver of a Porsche 911 who was caught doing 172 mph in rural Britain in 2007 can tell you what the maximum fine is - $8000 USD. He received that fine in addition to spending 10 weeks in jail.
Almost every other country I researched has really low fines, and aren't really worth mentioning.
Question of the day: what's the largest speeding ticket you've ever received?
I'll start with mine - $0 since I've never been caught....
Also, would the deterrent of fines be less necessary with better drivers education training? Perhaps if all instructors were as qualified as the man in the picture below, no one would speed at all!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Handsfree Options For Your Vehicle - Don't Get Busted!
If it's illegal to talk on your cellphone while driving in your state or province, you could be facing some hefty fines for breaking this law. For instance, I live in British Columbia and the penalty is $167 - pretty pricey for doing something that was considered common a little over a year ago!
Luckily, for less than the fine, you can purchase "hands-free" equipment to ensure you can talk on your phone legally. There are a few different types of hands-free equipment to look at...
Most phones (such as the iPhone) will come with headphones equipped with a microphone. If you want something wireless, you can pick up a Bluetooth headset (assuming your phone is equipped with Bluetooth) for anywhere from $10 to $300. The difference in price reflects the reputation of the brand, the features it has, the level of radiation it emits, the battery longevity, and the design. There are far too many Bluetooth headsets to review, but here's a reputable Motorola headset for sale at a very decent price: Motorola H790 Bluetooth Headset (Silver)
This device is quite self-explanatory, in addition to being very easy to use. The device is mounted in your vehicle (usually on the sun visor) and you press a button on the device to answer an incoming call! It has a microphone built in, so it's like the person you are speaking with is actually in the vehicle with you. Of course, this device requires Bluetooth capability. Like the headsets, there are many varieties with varying features (such as full-color LCD displays) at a wide range of prices. For prospective buyers, check this one out: Motorola T215 Bluetooth Portable Car Speaker (Black)
3. In-Dash or Stock System
If you're fortunate enough to have a new car that is equipped with a Bluetooth stereo, read no further! You already know how it works and don't need to hear me babbling. If you don't have one, perhaps it's something to consider purchasing after market. Especially if you're in the market for a new stereo because you can kill two birds with one stone. If I could afford it, I'd buy this: Pioneer AVH-P3200BT In-Dash DVD Multimedia AV Receiver
. The music automatically turns itself down when you have an incoming call, and you don't have to charge either of the two devices I mentioned above. If you can afford it, it's definitely the best way to talk on your cell phone legally in your car.
Luckily, for less than the fine, you can purchase "hands-free" equipment to ensure you can talk on your phone legally. There are a few different types of hands-free equipment to look at...
1. Bluetooth Headset / Wired Headset
2. Bluetooth In-Car Speaker
3. In-Dash or Stock System
. The music automatically turns itself down when you have an incoming call, and you don't have to charge either of the two devices I mentioned above. If you can afford it, it's definitely the best way to talk on your cell phone legally in your car.
Even if you can't afford any of these things, just make sure to wear your polar bear hat if you get pulled over. There is not a single recorded ticket EVER issued to someone wearing a polar bear hat. It's definitely something to think about, because you can't argue with statistics. I always keep mine in my back seat in case a cop decides to pull me over.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Mazda 323 GTX - Why Didn't They Make More Of These?
The readers who are familiar with the Mazda 323 are probably chuckling about my title right now, but the Mazda 323 GTX was a whole different car - one that was designed for Group A rallying.
Other manufacturers were producing detuned rally cars at this time, but this was a breakthrough for Mazda. The 323 GTX stood out with its 1.6 litre 16-valve turbocharged (and inter-cooled) engine, paired with all-wheel-drive; the appeal of which was limited to those who understood and appreciated the rally racing technology infused into this rare car.
Because the GTX didn't look much different from the base 323, it was also somewhat of a sleeper. Those who read my blog know that I prefer "sleepers" over vehicles designed to show off, which is one reason why this car appeals to me personally. Although I probably wouldn't have been inclined to pay the $13,000 MSRP which was nearly double the price tag of the base 323.
Since only 1,243 GTX's were produced in the United States during a two-year span (1988-1989), you're unlikely to find one for sale. And if you do find one, it will probably be in terrible shape from being driven hard for so many years. Nonetheless, this vehicle is basically the grandfather for the Mazda3 and it has earned my respect.
Has anyone had the opportunity to own or drive one of these?
Other manufacturers were producing detuned rally cars at this time, but this was a breakthrough for Mazda. The 323 GTX stood out with its 1.6 litre 16-valve turbocharged (and inter-cooled) engine, paired with all-wheel-drive; the appeal of which was limited to those who understood and appreciated the rally racing technology infused into this rare car.
Because the GTX didn't look much different from the base 323, it was also somewhat of a sleeper. Those who read my blog know that I prefer "sleepers" over vehicles designed to show off, which is one reason why this car appeals to me personally. Although I probably wouldn't have been inclined to pay the $13,000 MSRP which was nearly double the price tag of the base 323.
Since only 1,243 GTX's were produced in the United States during a two-year span (1988-1989), you're unlikely to find one for sale. And if you do find one, it will probably be in terrible shape from being driven hard for so many years. Nonetheless, this vehicle is basically the grandfather for the Mazda3 and it has earned my respect.
Has anyone had the opportunity to own or drive one of these?
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Ouch - Mercedes SLS AMG Involved In Crash
Okay, so if it was any other vehicle, this clearly wouldn't be worthy of news. But according to research I've done, there has only been one other reported crash of the Mercedes SLS AMG!
Details haven't been released on how the crash actually occurred, or who was at fault, but it's safe to say that I died a little inside when I saw this picture from London, England:
Details haven't been released on how the crash actually occurred, or who was at fault, but it's safe to say that I died a little inside when I saw this picture from London, England:
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| Original image source: topspeed.com |
For those who aren't acquainted with this gorgeous automobile, it's a "spiritual successor" to the classic Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing and costs about $200,000.
Here is a non-mangled picture of the Mercedes SLS AMG:
Friday, January 14, 2011
Start Your Car With Your Smartphone!
If you're like the many consumers who already enjoy your vehicle's stock or aftermarket "remote start" feature, then you'll love this product...
With the "Smart Start Smartphone Car Starter" not only can you start your vehicle from virtually anywhere, but you can also adjust its heat, locate your vehicle through GPS, and lock/unlock your doors. It even sends you a confirmation to confirm your request has been completed.
This product ensures that you don't have to be within a certain range to perform the desired action, which can be helpful for people who live in concrete-based buildings, etc.
It's in stores now, so if you're in the market to spend $379.00 on this product, check out the full description at Future Shop's website.
Unrelated question of the day - do bitches really love penguins? Because if they do, I might have to pick up one of these hats...
Not to dampen anyone's mood, but if you leave your blog address in my comments, your comment will be deleted. Thanks.
With the "Smart Start Smartphone Car Starter" not only can you start your vehicle from virtually anywhere, but you can also adjust its heat, locate your vehicle through GPS, and lock/unlock your doors. It even sends you a confirmation to confirm your request has been completed.
This product ensures that you don't have to be within a certain range to perform the desired action, which can be helpful for people who live in concrete-based buildings, etc.
It's in stores now, so if you're in the market to spend $379.00 on this product, check out the full description at Future Shop's website.
Unrelated question of the day - do bitches really love penguins? Because if they do, I might have to pick up one of these hats...
Not to dampen anyone's mood, but if you leave your blog address in my comments, your comment will be deleted. Thanks.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
GMC Sierra All Terrain HD Concept
It's a classic case of "uh oh, we gotta catch up to Ford again". Ford has the SVT Raptor, but what does GMC have? Well, nothing yet, unless you count an engine and a concept...
GMC yanked a full 397 hp and 765 lbs/ft of torque from the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel engine nestled under the hood. That means that not only could you dominate any trail you set your mind to in this thing, you could also pretty much tow a full-size house along for the ride.
Here's the kicker though, they haven't decided whether they'll build it or not. In fact, they probably won't. That doesn't mean it will never see production though, because a private firm could always handle the assembly.
However, my money is still on Ford and their SVT Raptor. It comes standard with 411 horsepower and 434 lb.-ft. of torque, thanks to its 6.2-liter V8. This newly standard engine makes the F-150 SVT Raptor the most powerful half-ton pickup on the market. It comes standard ready for basically any off road conditions you can throw at it!
Here's the kicker though, they haven't decided whether they'll build it or not. In fact, they probably won't. That doesn't mean it will never see production though, because a private firm could always handle the assembly.
However, my money is still on Ford and their SVT Raptor. It comes standard with 411 horsepower and 434 lb.-ft. of torque, thanks to its 6.2-liter V8. This newly standard engine makes the F-150 SVT Raptor the most powerful half-ton pickup on the market. It comes standard ready for basically any off road conditions you can throw at it!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
New To Car Audio? Check Out This Deck!
Yesterday I introduced a mid-range Alpine head unit, and it came with a very strong recommendation from me. Does my recommendation mean anything to anyone? Probably not, but fuck it.
Today I'm reviewing an entry level Sony head unit (the DSX-S100) which is basically your "standard" deck, catering to the needs of most consumers. By most consumers, I mean the people who just want to hook their iPod up to their car and aren't highly concerned with the quality of the music itself, as long as it's not radio. Why didn't I review the entry level unit first, you ask? Well, it's because you touch yourself at night.
Pros: This deck has Sony's Zappin' feature, which allows the user to cylce through clips of 5, 10, or 30 second clips of their songs until they find a song they like. This comes in handy if you have lots of music you haven't listened to before I suppose. It also has sub control (limited, i might add) which is a nice feature on an entry level deck. To top it off, you're pushing 52 watts to all 4 speakers.
Cons: The appearance. I've seen this in a vehicle in person, and I think it looks tacky. However, if you can get past the look (who knows, maybe your car looks like crap and this deck suits it) then there aren't many other drawbacks. It's hard to be critical of a $160 name-brand deck.
My conclusion: It doesn't have bluetooth, and it won't perform fellatio on you while you're driving, but if you're looking for a simplistic deck to replace your stock deck, and you don't want to spend much money, then this Sony deck might just be for you. After all, it's name brand, and it's cheap!
Today I'm reviewing an entry level Sony head unit (the DSX-S100) which is basically your "standard" deck, catering to the needs of most consumers. By most consumers, I mean the people who just want to hook their iPod up to their car and aren't highly concerned with the quality of the music itself, as long as it's not radio. Why didn't I review the entry level unit first, you ask? Well, it's because you touch yourself at night.
Pros: This deck has Sony's Zappin' feature, which allows the user to cylce through clips of 5, 10, or 30 second clips of their songs until they find a song they like. This comes in handy if you have lots of music you haven't listened to before I suppose. It also has sub control (limited, i might add) which is a nice feature on an entry level deck. To top it off, you're pushing 52 watts to all 4 speakers.
Cons: The appearance. I've seen this in a vehicle in person, and I think it looks tacky. However, if you can get past the look (who knows, maybe your car looks like crap and this deck suits it) then there aren't many other drawbacks. It's hard to be critical of a $160 name-brand deck.
My conclusion: It doesn't have bluetooth, and it won't perform fellatio on you while you're driving, but if you're looking for a simplistic deck to replace your stock deck, and you don't want to spend much money, then this Sony deck might just be for you. After all, it's name brand, and it's cheap!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Car Stereo Review - Alpine iDA-X305
Hey everyone, I've decided to start reviewing car audio equipment and today's product is a well known head unit - the Alpine iDA-X305. There's a couple things you'll notice about this unit, the most apparent of which is that it has no CD player. Secondly, it's based off a successful previous model, the iDA-X100 receiver, with added iPhone support and a few extra watts.
The good: The Alpine iDA-X305's two-way encoder wheel control scheme makes it really easy to go through all your music quickly. You can also program the search feature to make it more efficient for you.
The bad: The lack of a CD player may be tough for some people
My conclusion: You can't go wrong with Alpine. They make quality products, many of which I've owned. If you don't listen to CD's anymore, you might actually find it refreshing that it's a USB-input only piece of equipment. The design meshes really well with most vehicle's dashes so the unit doesn't look too out of place (like many head units do). In addition, there are no moving parts so there's less that can break.
Expect to see this in stores for around $300. Anyone who knows car audio equipment knows that Alpine is definitely worth the money, and this is a great mid-range unit.
The bad: The lack of a CD player may be tough for some people
My conclusion: You can't go wrong with Alpine. They make quality products, many of which I've owned. If you don't listen to CD's anymore, you might actually find it refreshing that it's a USB-input only piece of equipment. The design meshes really well with most vehicle's dashes so the unit doesn't look too out of place (like many head units do). In addition, there are no moving parts so there's less that can break.
Expect to see this in stores for around $300. Anyone who knows car audio equipment knows that Alpine is definitely worth the money, and this is a great mid-range unit.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Toyota Cressida - Most Reliable Car Ever?
If you were to ask your mechanic his opinion on this topic, he (or she) would likely agree. This rear wheel drive luxury sedan was built to last, and the existing Cressidas are a testament to the quality Toyota put into this particular model. The Cressida was manufactured from 1976 to 1992 so there's lots of them out there, but you'll find that most owners won't part with them.
If I was fortunate enough to find a fourth generation (1988-1992) with a manual transmission, I'd buy it today. Heck, I'd probably even do the manual transmission swap myself. Maintenance costs are low, insurance is equally cheap, and it featured the Toyota 7M-GE 3.0L engine which outputted 190 horsepower and 185 lbs/ft of torque. Not to mention, many of the parts including suspension and brakes were modified versions of the Supra's parts.
In summary, if you get the chance to buy one of these and it's in good condition, do it! They're usually no more than $1500 and you'll definitely get your money's worth. Where else are you going to find a rear wheel drive luxury sedan with incredible reliability at that price? The only vehicle that might compare is the AE86 which is even more rare, and even if you could find one of those it would probably be in poor condition. Has anyone had the good fortune of owning a Cressida? If so, please riddle me with tales of ownership...
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| These cars look great slammed with some deep dish wheels |
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| Very clean indeed. |
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| A beautiful example of a dropped wagon |
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| Drifting Cressida from speedhunters.com |
In summary, if you get the chance to buy one of these and it's in good condition, do it! They're usually no more than $1500 and you'll definitely get your money's worth. Where else are you going to find a rear wheel drive luxury sedan with incredible reliability at that price? The only vehicle that might compare is the AE86 which is even more rare, and even if you could find one of those it would probably be in poor condition. Has anyone had the good fortune of owning a Cressida? If so, please riddle me with tales of ownership...
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Got An Extra Jet Engine Laying Around?
You probably don't have one and neither do I, but the level of innovation is quite high when it comes to jet engines uses. From the videos that I've been watching today, I'm under the impression that this is somewhat of a redneck hobby, but you guys need to see these videos to understand the fine art of shoving engines into/on random shit. Have a look at what I've found!
Sure, kayaking is fun and all, but it's not fast-paced enough for some people. In order to make this mundane activity more fun, you could take a large quantity of amphetamines, or you could just attach a jet engine to your kayak. Here's a video showing the outcome of choosing the latter option; I couldn't find anyone kayaking on drugs.
Sure, kayaking is fun and all, but it's not fast-paced enough for some people. In order to make this mundane activity more fun, you could take a large quantity of amphetamines, or you could just attach a jet engine to your kayak. Here's a video showing the outcome of choosing the latter option; I couldn't find anyone kayaking on drugs.
It's not fair that the disabled have to miss out on many of life's activities, but luckily they now have the ability to move fairly goddamn fast thanks to whoever stuck a jet engine on this wheelchair:
To all those people whose age makes it socially unacceptable to ride a merry-go-round, you now have something better! I almost find it unbelievable that the frame they constructed was able to support these two guys as they went around, but I'm glad it did because it made a great video.
Taking a shit can be so boring these days. What are you going to do, read the same magazine a million times? Luckily this kind gentleman developed an outhouse equipped with (yup you guessed it) a jet engine. Next time I'm in a port-a-potty I'll be wishing it had a jet engine stuck to it.
Question of the day: If you had a jet engine, what would you put it on?
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Can You Lift A Car With Balloons?
I saw this video a while ago, but was never able to determine whether it was real or fake. My personal opinion is that the amount of balloons used in the video wouldn't be sufficient enough to lift a car, but I secretly hope I'm wrong because it's such an awesome video. Perhaps with some serious weight reduction, such a feat would be achievable.... but the video is too shaky to make a definitive judgment call. It's probably fake, but have a look!
So, what's the verdict guys? Real or fake?
Monday, January 3, 2011
2011 Ford Explorer vs. 2011 Dodge Durango
Okay, so Ford and Dodge each introduced all-new seven passenger SUVs within weeks of each other - apparently thinking that the market is still hungry for these types of American vehicles. MotorTrend did an extensive article on this, which can be found here.
It's simply too early to tell whether the Explorer or the Durango is better since a side-by-side comparison hasn't been done, so I'll just post the specs for each vehicle and some pictures.
It's simply too early to tell whether the Explorer or the Durango is better since a side-by-side comparison hasn't been done, so I'll just post the specs for each vehicle and some pictures.
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| Dodge interior |
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| Ford interior (kind of plain IMO) |
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| Explorer side view |
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| Durango |
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