Can we still afford a good car during the recession?

Oh NO! the recession is upon us, wait does that mean we cannot buy new cars anymore?

Of course we can!. If you are one of those people whose wallets have been drained by the recession and now you think you cannot afford a new car, fear not as this post might just help you.

Of course cars like in the posts below, Rolls Royce, Bentley's, Ferrari's and other super car companies they are out of the question, forget the average person even some rich dogs cannot afford these at the moment.



It all depends on what kind of car you would like to buy, a coupe, convertible, sedan, 2 seater, 4 seater, 6 or 7 seater. Some of you might want new cars but your wallets won't agree, that is fine because i feel that you can get better second hand cars than newer first hand cars, for e.g. last week i saw a 2008 Volkswagen Golf for less that $10,000 USD which is extremely cheap especially when i tell you this, get ready it had 10 miles on it, but it was second hand. Therefore never give up searching for second hand car, as you never know what you might find. After you have decided whether you want a second hand car or a new one and ofbcouse the type, which i have mentioned before;here's what to do:

1) If you are brand loyal or you prefer some company as you have been an owner of previously then there is not a problem. You can ring up the company and ask them for any special deals, if you go directly to the showroom, it won't help. Hyundai and Ford are best known for special deals, they will not entertain you on the topic of special deals, as showroom are not made for special deals as at the factory they only have about 10 cars per month that go on special offers as they have been in stock for a while.

2) For some of you insurance will be a major issue, especially if you have a second hand car, especially if you are lucky enough to find a Jaguar or some similar type of 'Luxury car'. If so you do not always have to speak the truth on the phone with the agent, a friend of mine got off by saying that he was a full time blogger and hardly went out of the house. Which got him $5000 USD off the price of the insurance, these small things help a lot.

3) My advice: Look for GM make cars, as we know they have been deeply affected by the recession. Therefore they are currently selling their cars for 1/4 of their original price here is a list of cars and their price range:



$1000- $5000 USD = Subaru R1, Hyundai Atos, Smart Car
$5000- $15,000 USD = Ford Focus, Golf GTI, Nissan TIDA, Toyota Corolla
You can get a lot of cars but these are what i remember being the cheapest.

Also check out these sites, you can then inquire about them.

Of course gas mileage does matter and these makes i have listed below are paying a lot of attention to fuel efficiency.

GENERAL MOTORS - http://www.gm.com/vehicles (check out the Summer Deals section.)
FORD MOTORS- http://www.ford.com
VOLSWAGEN GROUP- http://www.vw.com
HYUNDAI- http://www.hyundaiusa.com/index.aspx
NISSAN- http://nissanusa.com
SUBARU- http://www.subaru.com



Last but not least also try contacting local dealers, they will give you the best deals for sure.

Hope this helps and if you guys need any advice you can contact me on ultimateturbo@gmail.com or just comment below. Thanks a hope this helps. Keep checking back on my upcoming post 'Today's ignored, tomorrow's classics"

From Pebble Beach: 2010 Bentley Mulsanne

With the all-new 2011 Bentley Mulsanne, there's reason to believe that Bentley has a little grudge against its former sibling Rolls-Royce.

The new Mulsanne had its world debut at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours, and Bentley makes no veiled references to challenging Rolls-Royce's Phantom with the new sedan. The're saying it outright, calling the Mulsanne the "pinnacle" of luxury cars.



With the Mulsanne, Bentley's designed its first all-new car since the 1930s. (The Continental range shares some minor pieces with other Volkswagen Group products.) Most technical details are being withheld for a 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show appearance, but Bentley does say the new 6.75-liter V-8 in the Mulsanne is a complete redesign of the existing engine.

The design's a blend of a traditional silhouette with some modern detailing, less so than the smaller Continental range. Some similarities exist in the treatment of the front fenders, but the Mulsanne's grille and D-pillar are more tailored to the Phantom and Maybach crowd.



Named for the 90-degree turn at Le Mans, the Mulsanne arrives in mid-2010 with a pricetag likely approaching $300,000, before any custom finishes or materials are specified. Bentley promises the new sedan's wood, leather and brightware will be among the industry's finest.

2012 BMW 3 Series Touring

The current E90 BMW 3-Series has been on the market since 2005, so it's only fitting that details about the next-gen model are beginning to circulate. Most agree that the next model will feature styling lifted, at least in part, from the Concept CS, though also expect to see a healthy dose of the new corporate styling debuted on the latest 7-Series.

Due in 2012, the next BMW 3-series will pay special attention to efficiency and it will achieve that goal through extensive use of the automaker’s EfficientDynamics technology. Low drag aerodynamics, smaller engines, and high-tech electronics will combine to make the next 3-Series a step above the current car.

Aesthetically, designers will attempt to address criticisms of the current car's awkward styling and lack of interior space. The bonnet will likely sit much higher than on the current model to improve pedestrian safety, while the sides will be marked with a prominent character line and high beltline. Proportions will remain much the same as the current model but weight will be reduced thanks to the increased use of aluminum and other advanced materials in its construction. This computer generated rendering of the Touring wagon variant provides a glimpse as to what the new model will likely look like.

A huge change for the 2012 car could be the addition of three-cylinder engines to the lineup. Though these wouldn't likely be seen in the U.S. during the first half of the next 3-Series’ model life, they could eventually make their way across the pond if fuel efficiency and emissions regulations continue to tighten past 2016.



With a single turbo and 1.5-liters of displacement - effectively half of the current twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine - the cars would be good for anywhere from 150 to 170 horsepower and between 150 and 220 pound-feet of torque, with the gasoline models weighing in lower on the torque scale than the diesel models. Paired with an ultra-efficient 8-speed transmission and more efficient auxiliary systems such as heating and cooling, the next-gen 3-Series is expected to deliver some seriously impressive economy.

One of the new advanced EfficientDynamics technologies to make its way into the next 3-Series will be a so-called 'air curtain'. Using a special series of ducts and vents, the system directs air in a manner such that it slips neatly over the wheels, which are normally an area of high turbulence, and therefore energy-sapping drag.

In addition to making the car more efficient overall, BMW is looking to make the next 3-Series less expensive to build and therefore to buy as it aims for larger volumes. Whether that will mean compromises in terms of total feature set or simply a lower-end range of models to entice entry-level luxury buyers is not clear, but pushing the 3-Series so far down-market could step on the toes of the 1-Series range and any future city cars coming from the Project i initiative.

Finally, as yet another measure to enhance efficiency while still delivering a BMW driving experience, expect to see the hybrid technology debuting on the X6 and 7-series to eventually make its way to the 3-Series, albeit in somewhat reduced form. This technology will likely be especially targeted at U.S. buyers, since even by the car's mid-cycle revamp in 2016, there isn't likely to be widespread adoption of diesel-engined cars.

Of course, all of these details are still speculative at this point, but it's clear that BMW is pushing its mainstream offerings in a more efficient direction while still trying to maintain their engaging, driver-focused character. It is a difficult balancing act, but one that enthusiasts will enjoy seeing played out over the years to come.

Leaked Video of Rolls Royce's newest, Ghost

Rolls-Royce is currently developing a brand new model positioned below the Phantom for launch in the second quarter of next year. The new model is the 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost sedan, which is expected to double the number of vehicles built by the ultra-luxury automaker each year and is revealed for the first time in full production trim thanks to this leaked official promo video.

In the short clip, Rolls-Royce product manager Dan Balmer takes us through a short ride in the upcoming model, giving us a clear look at the car ahead of its expected Frankfurt Auto Show debut. While its official reveal is still over a month away, we already have plenty of details on the new car.




I know that it will come with a 6.6-liter turbocharged V-12 engine matched to a ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox. Output at the crankshaft will be rated at 563 horsepower and 575 pound-feet of torque, which makes the Ghost more powerful than the Phantom despite being positioned below it. This will be enough to accelerate it from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds and see it easily reach its electronically governed top speed of 155 mph.

In keeping with its ‘entry-level’ positioning, the Ghost will be smaller all around when compared to the Phantom. While the Phantom's dimensions stretch to around 5,834 mm, the Ghost will measure in at 5,399 mm in length, 1,948 mm across, and stand 1,550 mm in height. Its wheelbase will stretch 3,295 mm and inside there will be generous seating for five adults.

Rolls-Royce has also revealed that the car will make use of the very latest developments in chassis engineering, including a new four corner air suspension system matched to multi-link aluminum front and rear axle geometry. A new chassis management system will also be fitted and is designed to control the car’s anti-roll stabilization and the suspension stiffness to ensure the best possible comfort for occupants.

The new air suspension system is so sensitive that it can detect even the smallest of changes. For example, the movement of a single rear passenger from one side of the seat to the other can be detected and system modified to compensate. The on-board computer system reads multiple inputs from sensors around the car - the dampers alone making individual load calculations every 2.5 milliseconds. The air suspension system also incorporates a lift and kneel function, raising or lowering the car by 25mm for those steep driveways.



Customer deliveries of Ghost in Europe will begin late in 2009 with pricing from £165,000 (approximately $271,106) excluding taxes and delivery charges. Customer deliveries in other markets including the U.S. and Asia Pacific region will begin from the second quarter 2010.

Next-gen C7 Corvette Coming In 2012

Rumors of the next Chevrolet Corvette, the C7 generation, have been circulating the web since the debut of the C6. But yesterday's General Motors new-model extravaganza in Detroit brought with it reports that the next-gen Vette will indeed be on the market by 2012.




Earlier word out of GM had put the C7 Corvette on indefinite hold pending the company's rough financial state and uncertain CAFE regulations as of late 2008. With both of those issues now resolved, the green light has been given, according to a report from Corvette Blogger.

The report only gives a production start date of April 2012 for sale as a 2013 model. That's an improvement over the indefinite hold status, and the estimated 2014 debut that was proposed before that, but it's actually just a return to the original pre-market-crash plan.

Despite the production confirmation, few details on the car itself are known. That leaves the board open for speculation, of which there has been no shortage.



One thing that's not on the table, however, is a rumored switch to a mid-engine layout. The C7 will stay front-engine just like it's been for 57 years, according to the report. Like the current car, the C7 will also make extensive use of materials like carbon fiber, aluminum and magnesium to help cut weight while retaining rigidity.

In terms of exterior appearance, it's likely that the Corvette Stingray Concept (pictured) shown at the Chicago Auto Show is a likely indicator of the styling directions being investigated behind the closed doors of the GM Design Studio. Don't expect a carbon copy, but do expect thematic elements, like the gills at the grille area and the fin-like structures at the rear, to make an impression on the final product.



On the rumor side of things, a smaller, forced induction engine - most likely a supercharger, like the one found on the CTS-V's LSA, not the ZR1's 638-horsepower LS9 - is possible to help the car meet fuel economy targets. A dual-clutch gearbox has also been talked about, and would be the next logical step in keeping pace with the likes of Porsche's 911 and Nissan's GT-R.

Like the C6, which was an iterative development of the C5 before it, the C7 will likely be an incremental improvement and redesign of the already proven and fantastic Corvette platform. Don't expect anything radical, but do expect a seriously impressive performance package. The one caveat will be keeping an eye on price as more high-tech elements, materials and machinery get added to the car.

Expect to see more of the car in the coming year or two as Corvette engineers begin to roll out test mules and prototypes, and you can be sure I will be there to bring the latest all along the way.

2011 BMW 5-Series Touring

With the 2009 Audi A6 facelift now on sale and the 2010 Mercedes Benz E-Class just arriving in showrooms all around the globe, attention now turns to the next-generation BMW 5-Series. A class leader since its inception, the 5-Series Sedan and Touring wagon remain crucial vehicles in BMW’s lineup and with the next-gen versions now just months away speculation about the final design has been heating up.

The new 5-Series Sedan is set to arrive in late 2009 for the 2010 model year and heavily disguised prototypes have already been seen testing around the streets of Munich. The most recent shots gave us a look at the Touring model, which is expected to arrive roughly 12 months after the launch of the Sedan as a 2011 model. While heavily camouflaged, this latest computer generated rendering gives us a clear indication as to what to expect for the new executive wagon.



Most of the planned changes are skin-deep. Under the new sheet metal, BMW will continue with its new found love of turbocharging. The new 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 from the X6 is expected to appear in a range topping model, while more turbo-diesel variants are expected to join the lineup as well. BMW is currently developing its second generation common rail system for its diesel powerplants, which will operate at greater pressure for improved performance. The transmission systems will include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed Steptronic semi-auto gearbox, however a new 8-speed unit from ZF is also expected to be available.

Performance will also be improved thanks to the extensive use of lightweight materials including carbon-fiber and aluminum. The car’s construction will be a hybrid of an aluminum spaceframe for the front section, and a traditional steel monocoque for the passenger compartment and rear. This will ensure a favorable front-to-rear weight distribution and improved handling. Up front will be an independent suspension with MacPherson struts, with a multi-link layout for the rear. High-performance models will include carbon-fiber body panels to shed even more weight.

Spy shots: Ferrari F450 test-mule sporting new features

The first examples of Ferrari’s latest model, the California convertible, are still arriving in showrooms around the world but already development on several all-new models is well underway. Late last year we saw images of a shortened 599 testing in Germany, suggesting that Ferrari may be working a new compact front-engined model, and soon after that we saw spy shots for the replacement of the F430.

The images depicted a test mule for the next-generation F430 hidden under the body of the current model. A sticker located at the side of one of the windows showed the internal codename ‘F142’ but the actual name of the car is more likely to be based on the size of the engine just like the current F430. New reports suggest the supercar will be fitted with a 4.5L V8 engine and labeled the F450. Furthermore, Auto Motor und Sport is reporting that a concept version will be unveiled at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show ahead of a sales launch in early 2010.

The report also claims the car will be positioned above the current F430’s placing, possibly to allow for the introduction of the aforementioned compact front-engined model. Expect between 550hp (410kW) and 585hp (436kW), a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and possibly a brake energy recovery system.



Some details we can gather from the spy shots include bigger air intakes at the sides of the car, a new centrally mounted exhaust system and a slightly longer wheelbase. The new shots also confirm a wider track both at the front and rear axles as well as an additional pair of intakes located behind the rear window. Revealed for the first time on this yellow test-mule is a completely new diffuser design, which shows a more fluid look than previous versions.




While the styling of the new F450 is expected to remain similar to the current F430, the car’s mechanicals could be very different. Ferrari has confirmed that it’s looking at a range of powertrain advancements including hybrid and turbocharging technologies, as well as the introduction of lighter construction methods and active aerodynamics.