RideLust

The mighty 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Centennial Edition vs Godzilla, the 2013 Nissan GT-R Premium. Both of these cars are titans of speed. One is a technological powerhouse, the other a tried and true American sledgehammer. Neither of these cars is for the faint of heart and both will get you into serious trouble if you’re not careful. The big question though is… which is faster? Inside Line recently pitted these two road rockets against each other to find the answer to that exact question.

Source: InsideLine.com

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There are obviously no shortages of amateur automotive videos on the internet, however most of them are pretty tough to watch. Sometimes though you happen upon a true diamond in the rough, a video that’s so well done that you’d swear it was professionally made. This was the case with the short film you’re about to see on an unsuspecting 2002 Chevrolet Camaro SS. I believe it was shot in Poland, but regardless, the combination of quality editing, music, driving and overall look and feel was simply spot on. Click through and enjoy.

Source: Vimeo

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It would’ve been so much easier if I was just into video games or something because there are times when being a car guy totally sucks. You see I don’t just like cars, I love them. In fact every aspect of my life revolves around them. I write about them, build them, race them, film them… hell, they encompass everything I do. Who knew that back in the day when I was playing with Matchbox and remote control cars that it would turn into an obsession that has taken over my life. The problem is this; I want everything, but the fatal combination of a writers salary and lack of space prevent this from happening. Sure being in the industry helps, as we get to drive press cars and go to different automotive related events, but still, that doesn’t change the fact that I jones for something different in the garage on a daily basis. Take this near perfect 1972 Ford Galaxie 500 that I spied recently on eBay. Folks, if I had the money this sucker would be in my garage tomorrow. Sure it’s big and cumbersome, but it’s a classic piece of American iron that I would love to use as a daily driver. Maybe it’s because it’s different, or maybe its because cars like this remind me of my childhood growing up in the 1970′s. Whatever the reason though, road yachts like this always get my blood pumping.

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By now it’s no secret that Smoking Tire host and Car Show co-host Matt Farah has a pretty good life. Hell, he’s not only driven just about everything under the sun, but he’s been able to establish himself as one of the best automotive authorities around. About a month ago Matt had called me up and asked if I wanted to run the Mojave Mile with him in the Corvette ZR1 you are about to see, but unfortunately I was unable to make it. That however didn’t stop him from going out and running the wheels off of what is the baddest factory Vette’ ever built. Remember now, the Corvette ZR1 has 638 hp, 604 lb-ft of torque and a top end of 205 mph which makes it wickedly quick. If you want to see just how quick through, click through and watch Matt run through the gears as he tackles one of the coolest automotive events around.

Source: TheSmokingTire.com

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There’s just something about getting your ass handed to you by a Honda Civic wagon that has to make you feel about 2-inches tall. I mean by now it’s no surprise that a well tuned import has the ability to put the hurt on just about anything, but that doesn’t mean we have to like it. This Corvette owner for instance must have been somewhat shocked when this cloud blue wagon blitzed him off the line, then made him really work to stay with him. Personally, I think it’s hilarious, but hey, I’m not the guy driving the Corvette.

Source: Streetfire.net

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Thumbs Up: The first truly new automotive technology in decades.

Thumbs Down: New “lower” price makes car more expensive.

Buy This Car If: You want an electric car that has a virtually unlimited range.

Even before the current post-crash-test fire media hype, the Chevrolet Volt was the most misunderstood and politicized car in the history of the automobile. Detractors called it “just another hybrid,” without bothering to learn what makes the Volt different from ordinary parallel hybrid automobiles like the best-selling Toyota Prius. Worse, they panned it for “only” getting 37 miles per gallon in generator mode, or “only” having a battery range of 35 miles, missing the point of the car entirely. General Motors was upfront during both the development and the launch of the car: for an admittedly narrow range of the population, the Volt is the perfect automobile. For the rest of us, it’s a very good choice for a four-seat sedan that blends battery power and range-extending generator power. Read More…

OK, here’s the deal. I’ve been researching and driving just about everything I can get my hands on in the hopes of finding a new daily driver/track car. It’s a tough thing I know, but as it’s really my only hobby, it’s a decision that is not to be taken lightly. The car will probably see anywhere from 10-12 track days per year with a nice 7-day stint running in the 2012 One Lap of America. What that means is that the car in question needs to be comfortable enough for my 6’4″ frame, large enough to carry a weeks worth of luggage and fast enough so that I can potentially keep up with majority of the people that run in the advanced group. Thus far I’ve narrowed it down to two cars; a 2008 or better Chevrolet Corvette or a slightly used BOSS 302 Mustang.

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A few years ago American auto manufacturers were all gung-ho on producing crazy muscle-trucks for the performance truck enthusiast. There was the Dodge Ram SRT-10 with a 510 hp V10 mill, the Chevrolet Silverado SS with a 345 hp V8, and finally the Ford SVT Lightning with it’s wicked cool side-exit exhaust and supercharged 340 hp V8. These were not work trucks mind you, however if you wanted to haul some serious ass, then either one of them would’ve fit the bill just fine. As good as they all were on the road though, these titans of high-speed hauling were just plain awful when the tarmac ended. They were all two-wheel drive, had performance based suspension systems and, at days end, came shod with low-profile tires on larger wheels. My following question then is simple; why the hell did this bonehead enter his Ford SVT Lightning in a full-on truck pull? Hell, even the event announcer seems to be confused. I mean I understand that you want to have fun, but Jesus, at least bring the right tool for the job…

Source: Youtube.com

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Thumbs Up: Unbeatable performance for the price.

Thumbs Down: The seats are as bad as everyone says.

Buy This Car If: You have a craving for speed and a modest bank account.

Corvettes, like Mazda Miatas, have gotten a bum rap over the years. While the Corvette may not have the whole “chick car” stigma to overcome, it’s still saddled with the image of being the world’s premier midlife crisis car. Take a look at the Corvettes you see around you on the road, and it’s easy to see how this stereotype came about. Read More…

I’ll be honest here, I’ve never been a huge fan of autocross. Maybe it’s because my cars are simply too big, or maybe it’s because I just like running on wide open tracks. Whatever the case though, I’ve seen more carnage happen while people blast through the cones then I’ve ever seen on a road course. Take this Corvette driver for example. Throughout his entire run he’s running smooth and solid, feeding on the gas when necessary and braking at the appropriate markers. Then, just when we think all is well and his run is almost over, he gooses the throttle and sends his ride sideways into a large curb – not good. In fact the car hits with such force that it literally flips up on two wheels. So for those of you who think that running an autocross is safer then road course work, think again. Click through for the video.

Source: Youtube.com
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