2006 Ford Mustang: Retro Cruiser

When Ford decided to redesign the Mustang, they opted to incorporate a retro look, much like what was done previously with the Thunderbird. Fortunately, Ford didn’t look at the ghastly Mustang II series from the 1970s for a template, instead the US automaker drew upon the second generation Mustangs of the late 1960s for their inspiration. Let’s just say that the redesigned Mustang has been nothing short of a sell out hit. Introduced as a 2005 model, the retro Mustang for 2006 offers only one change: the introduction of a Pony package which is meant to give the car a GT look and feel. Borrowing from the fastback design of the late 1960s, the 2005 model was such a hit that Ford could not keep up with production. Buyers have a choice between a 4.0L V6 and a 4.6L V8 engine to power the car. With 2+2 seating, 107 inch wheelbase, and a curb weight of just under 3500 pounds, the car cruises down the highway with 210 and 300 horses respectively. Each engine is mated with a 5 speed manual transmission and a 5 speed automatic transmission is optional for both. 4 wheel disc brakes and optional traction control [standard with the V8] help keep the Mustang under control. Clothe bucket seats are standard with leather seats optional. All models come with tilt steering wheel, cruise control, power locks and windows, power side mirrors, and air conditioning. Ford gives buyers a choice between 5 coupe and 5 convertible models with base MSRP starting at $19,810 for the coupe and $24,635 for the convertible. First year sales of the Mustang were so good that the car sold out by early Spring. In fact, the Mustang dethroned the Chrysler 300 as the hottest car on the market with more than 15,000 Mustangs sold per month. All of this production is from just one factory. Production for 2006 is certain to be tight and with little incentives available – they certainly aren’t needed – the Mustang is likely to continue to have a long waiting list of customers desiring the sporty coupe. Considering that sales across the Ford division are flat, this is good news for an automaker desperately needing a hot seller.

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Lift Kits - The Raised Truck Craze Gone Wild

There was a day when trucks were a working man’s vehicle and scratches were expected. Shells protected valuables and tonneau covers protected tools. Those days are over and truck enthusiasts are souping up their rides more than ever before. With the addition of popular movies featuring fancy cars and popular television shows that glorify plasma screens and ground shaking stereo systems, the custom truck rage is here to stay. As a sign of manhood or personal taste, many truck owners decide to lift their rides for a performance altered appearance. Lift kits can actually be found online and can be installed on your truck in a do-it-yourself fashion. Some lift systems can be somewhat difficult to install, but after all, challenges are what get us men going and when we are determined, who knows what will happen. The following bullet points are the benefits to installing a suspension system on your truck: Style Performance Increase in ground clearance Looks that could make a grown man cry! The sky’s the limit when you go high-profile with your truck or SUV! Lift Kits push ground clearance and aggressive looks to new heights, letting you conquer on or off-road obstacles with confidence. Lift Kit Manufacturers make custom parts that will fit your specific truck to a “T” to give you the look that you’ve been wanting. My lift kit was recently tested at an off road rally down near Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and let me tell you - I didn’t get stuck in the dirt. Ground clearance was needed on the off road trails that we were on and the drool on my buddies faces proved that the style could easily make a grown man cry.

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Replacement Auto Parts: Where to Find Them

When needing a replacement part for you car, where do you shop? Like many motorists you may head down to the big box retailer for all of your needs. A good choice both for value and for selection. Still, mostly any retailer is limited as to what they can stock. This especially holds true if you drive a rare or uncommon vehicle. Try finding a window regulator for your ’69 Torino at the parts store; they’ll get it for you but it will have to be back ordered. So, where should you shop? That’s up to you, but let’s goes over the options that you have. The Salvage Yard. Let’s admit it: there isn’t anything wrong with going to the junkyard to find the part you need. My ’78 VW Rabbit’s window handle broke and I snagged one off of a junker for just a few bucks. Still, if you are looking for a radiator, engine, exhaust stuff, or anything else that actually runs, you risk that the part will fail soon after you place it in your car. Naturally, the price you pay through the junkyard should be the lowest price going. Your Dealer. On the other side of the spectrum is your car dealer. If they don’t have it in stock, they can get if for you. Service with a smile and a price that will make you frown! Yes, you will pay dearly for some parts, as middleman mark ups kick in. Your Retail Store. Retail auto supply chains typically have the broadest selection and the lowest prices of any of the brick and mortar retailers. Your best option for a good buy is when something is on sale; stock items will cost you the prevailing retail rate, but that is the price you pay for convenience. Overhead [buildings, labor] is high even with most national retailers. Shop Online. Wholesale providers of automobile replacement parts and accessories are springing up all over the internet. Some stores are good, some are not. What to look for: available customer service agents; a toll free number where you can call someone to talk with directly; a store that never closes and has a secured payment site; and clearly understood shipment, payment, and return policies. Generally, an online retailer should be a great option as low overhead and purchasing directly from the manufacturer is what sets these wholesalers apart from the rest. Still, do your homework and make sure that the site is what it says it is. One special warning: the growth of the counterfeit parts industry is causing fits for retailers and consumers. If you suspect that you have purchased a bogus part, return it to the retailer for a full return. One more good reason to learn what a company’s return policy is before you do business with them. In all, shopping for parts is easier today, thanks to the internet. From the ease of your computer you can compare prices, service, shipping options, warranties, and more. The consumer is the winner and retailers are keeping prices low in order to bring in additional business.

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Hooray For Colder Air!

Don’t you just love the first burst of autumnal cold each year? After a long, hot summer a fall chill can certainly change your perspective. No longer are you concerned with trying to find ways to stay cool, instead your thoughts are now redirected toward changing leaves, pumpkin picking, apple harvesting, and gathering enough wood before the first deep winter chill settles in. Somehow the cool air makes your feel better…more invigorated and less lethargic. You aren’t the only person or object that likes colder, denser air. Yes, your car thrives on it but only if it could get enough of it. Let’s take a look at what makes any vehicle a true lover of cold air. Your engine wants cold air and it wants it now! Say again?! Well, your engine can run on hot air, but it is the colder, denser air that helps your engine achieve maximum levels of horsepower and thrust. A special device, a cold air intake, is designed to help bring this needed “food” to your engine. The current configuration of your engine plumbing actually works as a drag on engine power. How so? The stock air box and paper air filter that were placed in your vehicle on the production line actually causes your engine to “leak” horsepower. With a cold air intake installed, your engine works more efficiently as the intake plumbing is directed away from the hot areas underneath your hood to send air through an unrestricted air filter and all the way through an efficient intake channel. With a cold air intake installed, cooler and denser air is sent in greater amounts and at higher speeds to your throttle body tapping energy that had previously been lost. How much more power should a cold air intake produce? Well, that depends on the make and model of your vehicle. Typically, quite a few imports with crowded engine bays benefit the most including Scions, Mitsubishis, and Hondas. When you order your cold air intake estimates of horsepower gains are usually supplied by the manufacturer including AEM cold air intake and K&N cold air intake. In addition to the freed up power your now efficiently working engine will gobble up less gas. With a cold air intake installed you save on fuel and get more power. Cold air intakes come in a variety of colors and some have paintable surfaces for further customization. All cold air intakes yield a “throaty” intake note, so you not only have a part that looks good, but it sounds awesome too! You can install a cold air intake in well under one hour and no special tools are needed. Order one today and soon your car will “happily” be cruising down the highway sipping in the food that it loves the most: colder and denser air.

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