If you’re an avid surfer of automotive content on the internet and you haven’t yet heard of BringATrailer.com, well then, this is your lucky day. Since 2007 these guys have been showcasing some of the best vintage cars for sale on the web. The key is that they do so in a manner that combines well written descriptions, style and photography so that in a sense you’re reading an article, not just looking at a “For Sale” ad. Click through and check them out!

Source: Vimeo.com

Brand loyalty is something that runs rampant in the automotive world and for the life of me I can’t understand why. I mean there are SO many wonderful brands out there that the thought of limiting yourself to one manufacturer simply seems asinine to me. What about combining manufacturers though – would that be something you’d be interested in? Say for instance you were a diehard Volkswagen fan and the engine in your R32 shit the bed. A new engine for that sucker is big money, but what if you had the opportunity to shoehorn in something better – say something American or Japanese for 1/3rd the cost, would you? It’s a tough dilemma I know. I’ve recently been thinking about this very thing as I’m seriously considering ditching the 440 cu-inch big block in my 1968 Charger for a new gen GM-base LS7 aluminum small block. The LS7 is smaller, lighter, more efficient and at days end, makes gobs of power for a lot less money. I’m just not sure I can do it though…

What do you guys think – yes or no?

It feels as though it’s been far too long since we’ve seen Jerry Seinfeld being funny. In fact, ever since “Seinfeld” ended back in 1998, it seems as though America’s favorite comedian has seemingly vanished. Now however it seems Mr. Jerry is back shilling for Acura and their upcoming NSX super car, which is actually quite amazing since he’s so closely associated with Porsche (he owns like 50 of them). Regardless though it’s just nice to see Jerry back in action doing what he does best – making people laugh.

Source: Youtube.com

A few weeks ago I was walking around the SEMA show in Las Vegas, NV oogling the thousands of amazing show cars. The entire show is one gigantic aftermarket spectacle that must be seen to be believed, as it showcases just about every trend the automotive spectrum has to offer. One such trend that caught my eye was the crossbreeding of parts (power plants in particular) from one manufacturer to another. For instance, it seemed as though every hot-rod, rat-rod and pro-touring car out there had some type of GM LS motor under the bonnet. Now granted it makes sense, because in the scheme of things, who wouldn’t want a stout 600 hp, aluminum small block under the hood.

*Image Credit: Inside Line

However seeing them in cars like old Ford trucks and AMX’s was a little strange. It used to be that mixing and matching like this was a big no-no amongst the brand loyal, but nowadays it’s totally commonplace. So, anyone have a problem with this, or do you think it is the right way to go.

Ever since I moved out to the West Coast I’ve been noticing a trend amongst those who drive hybrids and electric cars. For one, they’re generally more aggressive behind the wheel and two, they seem to feel that because they drive an economy car that this gives them the right to act like complete assholes on the open road. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve been known to fracture an occasional traffic law from time to time, but these hybrid drivers, especially those who pilot the Toyota Prius, are in a class by themselves. On the highway for instance it’s more often than not that I see Prius drivers motoring at 80-85 mph through traffic. I’ve been flashed by them, tailgated by them and even flicked off by a few. I’ve also been chastised by owners while getting coffee for driving what they consider to be gas guzzling automobiles.

Back in NYC the Prius driver used these cars as they were intended – to get great economy. They drove them in a normal fashion and simply enjoyed their little hybrids. Out here in California though it’s almost as if owners used them as a way to be passive aggressive on the open road – “Yes of course I’m speeding and driving erratically, but I drive a Prius, so it’s ok…” Now I suppose I could be imagining this, but I highly doubt it. What I’m curious to know is, has anyone out there experienced a similar occurrence or am I the only one?

The 2012 Hyundai Veloster. Image: Hyundai Motor America

I’m heading off to St. Petersburg (Florida, not Russia) later this week to drive the new Hyundai Veloster. Hyundai has a lot riding on it’s funky-fresh hatchback, which features a third door on the passenger side for easy and safe passenger off-loading, Unless you live in a right-hand drive country, in which case the third door may well be for population control.

To Hyundai, the Veloster represents a reverse-halo car, targeted primarily to Gen Y. It will be one of the first to offer Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics service, it will be reasonably priced and it will deliver up to 40 mpg on the highway. There’s even (allegedly) plans for a Veloster Turbo, which would give Hyundai a hot hatchback of its own and would present a second sporty alternative to its Genesis Coupe.

What’s your take on the Veloster, as seen in the videos below? Has Hyundai hit the mark with this, or are they trying too hard to appeal to too many different kinds of customers? Most importantly, would you shop a Veloster, in either 138 horsepower or Turbo flavor? Why or why not?

Look for my take on the car next week, so if you’ve got any questions for Hyundai on the Veloster, now is the time to ask them.

Giving people advice about automobiles comes with the territory when you’re an automotive journalist. We get questions that range from make, model and performance, to how many cup holders a vehicle has. Personally, I love to throw my thoughts in the ring when applicable and am touched that people trust me for reliable information. There are times however when giving advice can be a double-edged sword. For instance, some people ask questions simply to reaffirm what they “think” they already know. However if my advice differs from what they want to hear, well then, all hell breaks loose. This happened yesterday when an acquaintance asked me about a recommendation for a good SUV/crossover for their growing family. The gentleman has two small children and was looking to go up in size. He also wanted something big enough that he could hang onto for a while in case child #3 decided to make a showing.

My first recommendation was an AWD Chevrolet Traverse LTZ. This is Chevy’s full size SUV/crossover that has ample seating for 7, plenty of power and every imaginable convenience feature that one could ask for. However it seemed that mere thought of this gentleman driving a Chevy was an insult to his ego. He apparently had his sights set on a BMW X5, a vehicle that while nice, is simply too small for a young family of five and all their stuff. I explained the differences, why I recommended the Chevy, and how they are truly nice vehicles, but the more I disregarded the BMW the more agitated he became. I also suggested other models like the Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, AND if he wanted to go upscale, he could look at the Mercedes-Benz GL-class or some Range Rovers. In the end all my suggestions were shot down with ill-educated reasons about how the X5 was superior and as I was beginning to get annoyed, I simply told him to go buy one and enjoy it.

So here’s the deal people. If you are truly looking for advice on a new car, then hell… we’d love to help. However, if you just ask us questions just to hear yourselves talk, then frankly, piss-off, because the only thing you’re doing is wasting everyone’s time.

When it comes to car buying, consumers tend to fall in one of two camps: the first buys whatever product has the best pricing, the best performance or the best fuel economy, while the second camp buys products from the same manufacturer time and time again. Automakers love brand-loyal customers, since it ensures them repeat business.

For years, it seemed like Honda and Toyota had a lock on customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. Both companies ran ads showing families who owned nothing but their cars, and both manufacturers earned a well-deserved reputation for quality. When you’re number one, however, there’s always a target on your back, and both Honda and Toyota seem to be learning this the hard way.

Which company has them in their crosshairs? Below are the top five automakers with brand-loyal customers, according to Kelley Blue Book’ most recent data.

1. Hyundai

In the second quarter of this year, Hyundai’s brand loyalty was at 52.3 percent, thanks in part to value leaders like the new Hyundai Sonata and Elantra. As Japanese automakers are finding out, Hyundai is serious about dominating the U.S. market.

2. Honda

Honda’s brand loyalty remains strong at 49.7 percent, but not strong enough to earn them the number one spot. The automaker seems to have lost their way in terms of both design and product, which has opened the door for Hyundai to grab the number one spot.

3. Toyota

Toyota slipped to number 3 in the second quarter of 2011, with brand loyalty at 47.7 percent. The upcoming Camry redesign will help, as will increasing inventories of their ever-popular Prius hybrid

4. Ford

Ford’s customer loyalty is at 45.4 percent, and I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see this increase over the coming months. The automaker is making a great effort to train customers on their MyFord Touch / SYNC telematics system, and the company seems to be cranking out an endless stream of new and interesting products.

5. Subaru

The perennial favorite of Vermont and New Hampshire, Subaru has brand loyalty of 44.8 percent. The automaker knows their customer base well, and significant changes to their product line aren’t likely. It it isn’t broken, why fix it?

I’ve owned vehicles from 8 or 9 manufacturers over the years, so I wouldn’t exactly call myself brand loyal. How about you? Do you stick to a single brand, warts and all, or do you buy the best car for the money?

Source: Kelley Blue Book

In the vast uncharted wilderness of Austria lives an automotive Dr. Moreau, a mad genius who splices cars together to create breathtaking beasts like this unholy union of a ’73 VW Bug and 2000 Porsche Boxster S: The Bugster. The man behind this beauty is Siegfried Rudolf. His shop, CarMaxx, specializes in tuning and restoring VWs and Porsches. Apparently he got the idea for the Bugster after he parked his tuned ’73 Bug next to his wife’s Boxster and noticed the two cars shared a remarkably similar wheelbase.

Rudolf grabbed a Sawzall (or its European counterpart) and went to work. The top half of the Boxster came off. The floorpan of the bug came out. Surprisingly, the bug shell dropped right onto the Boxster floorpan.

Rudolf crafted custom fenders to house 18-inch wheels and bolted in adjustable suspension. The Boxster gave up its dash and other interior bits for the build. The Bug held onto its door panels, crank windows, and glass.

The result is a ’73 bug with 270 horsepower and impeccable street manners. No snap oversteer here.

From a distance you’d be hard pressed to identify this Bug’s Porsche underpinnings. Up close, however, the conspicuously wide fenders and side-mounted air intakes are a dead giveaway. It’s a fantastic build. We salute you, Mr. Rudolf. Keep doing The Lord’s work.

More photos and info below.

Source: bugster.at

It’s no secret that car manufacturers are always trying to get us to buy their products. They offer us incentives, rebates and love to shower us with statistics on fuel economy, performance and safety. Media outlets like Facebook and Twitter are used to silently inform us of new product revelations that have come out of their R&D departments in the hopes that we will be enticed to enter their showrooms. However as consumers I sometimes wonder if automakers are truly hitting the nail on the head when it comes to marketing. Most of us out there are brand loyal in one way or another. Some of us like Ford’s, others Honda’s or Audi’s. I’m more curious though as to the factors that influenced your purchasing decision and why, at the end of the day, you bought what you bought.

*Photo Credit: BuyingCarsHerWay.com

For most of us the two main factors in buying a car are price and reliability. Hell, if it wasn’t we’d all be driving around in Porsche’s, Mercedes or some other kind of European built machines. Sometimes purchasing the car you need as opposed to the car you want can also be more difficult then you anticipated, especially if you’re an enthusiast. So, the real question is; how do you decide? I know we’d like to say that what we drive doesn’t matter, but we all know that’s BS. I mean when you think about it, why wouldn’t we want to drive nice automobiles. They make us feel good, look good and can totally pull you out of a bad mood if you own the right one.

I used to be a brand snob, but over time that’s changed. You see I’ve been fortunate enough to experience offerings from just about every manufacturer. What that’s taught me is that each automaker has their own unique pro’s and con’s that only you as the customer can source out. First you need to define your price range. Second source the options that you want in your vehicle and third combine that with some research and a test drive appointment, and Presto! It really is that simple. Don’t worry so much about who makes the car, but instead concentrate on what a car does for you on every level. Once you do that I have a feeling that the car you purchase will actually choose you and not the other way around.