First Impression: Ariel Atom

The Ariel Atom is a very unique car. There are no doors, windows, a windshield, or a roof on this car. The Atom contains an engine in the rear, a very small trunk in the front, two seats, suspension tuned by engineers at Lotus, four wheels, and a visible chassis. The Atom weighs only 1,350 lbs. Since the Atom is considered a car, and not a motorcycle, the driver and passenger are not required to wear helmets or masks, but it is highly recommended since the Atom is very quick and does not have a windshield.

I first saw the Ariel Atom at the December 2010 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. This was the same event where Hennessey was revealing the Venom GT. The Atom is a very unusual car and still got attention, even though people came to see the Venom GT. The guy who brought the Atom got the car from the second hand market. His Atom was previously owned by guitar legend Eddie Van Halen. His Atom had two small nitro tanks taped to the car's frame.

The Ariel Atom is powered by a 2.0L Honda K20A I4 engine, that can come with a supercharger and paired with a six-speed manual transmission, produces 245 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque or 300 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque with the optional supercharger. The Ariel Atom can go from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and reaches a top speed 140 mph and 155 mph with the supercharger. The base price for the Ariel Atom is $49,980. That is a low price for a very unique car. There is nothing like the Atom on the road and no car can match the thrills or driving experience that the Atom can provide.

Jay Leno did a feature on the Ariel Atom in his own garage. Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson reviewed the Atom during Series 5, Episode 9. Richard Hammond drove the Atom during a drag race between Top Gear and D Motor presenters during Series 11, Episode 6. The Ariel Atom is playable in Project Gotham Racing 2, Project Gotham Racing 3, Project Gotham Racing 4, ToCa Race Driver 3, and Test Drive Unlimited 2.

Final Thoughts: The Ariel Atom is a very unique car. There is nothing like it on the road. The car has hypercar acceleration for under $50,000. If you drive this car, please wear a helmet/mask because there is no windshield to prevent rocks and bugs from hitting your head. With the speed and acceleration of the Atom and no windshields, any small projectile that his your face could cause some injuries to the driver or passenger. A mask/helmet is highly recommended when driving or riding in the Atom. The Atom is also a rare car, with less than 100 Atoms made each year. There is also a 3.0L V8 engine available for the Atom 500 that produces 500 bhp and jumps the price from under $50,000 for a normal Atom to $160,000 for the Atom 500. Only 25 Ariel Atom 500s will produced.

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Photo taken from a camera phone

First Impression: Cadillac XLR/ Cadillac XLR-V

Cadillac had a reputation for making cars that old people drive. GM wanted to attract a younger crowd to Cadillac. Cadillac came out with the SUV Escalade, the sport sedan CTS/CTS-V, and a roadster XLR. Cadillac made the XLR from 2003 to 2009, a total of 15548 XLRs were produced. The XLR was intended to be the flagship for the Cadillac brand and was based on the Chevrolet Corvette's Y-platform. The XLR featured a retractable aluminum rooftop. Cadillac made a high performance version called the XLR-V.

I recently saw a Cadillac XLR at the July edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. I also see them from time to time on the Houston roads. It is a beautiful car. I love the styling of the car. This is not a car for old people. It is a good alternative to the Mercedes-Benz SL Class and the BMW Z Roadster/M Roadster. The XLR-V looks just like the XLR, except for what is under the hood.

The XLR is powered by a 4.6L V8 that produces 320 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The XLR goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 155 mph. Prices for the 2009 XLR started at $86,215. The XLR-V is powered by a supercharged 4.4L V8 that produces 443 hp and 414 lb-ft of torque. The XLR-B goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 155 mph. The XLR-V cost $100,000 in 2009. The XLR and XLR-V are quick, have a decent top speed, and a little pricey. The XLR-V is one of the most expensive cars to come from GM.

The Cadillac XLR and XLR-V were reviewed by Motorweek. The XLR is seen in CSI, Takers, and The Mentalist. The XLR-V is featured in Sons of Anarchy, Shark, and Clarkson: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.  The XLR is playable in Asphalt: Urban GT, Project Gotham Racing 2, Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition, and Driver: San Francisco. The XLR-V is playable in Asphalt 2: Urban GT, Test Drive Unlimited, Project Gotham Racing 3, and Midnight Club: Los Angeles.

Final Thoughts: The XLR went unnoticed by the public. People thought the car was for old people since it was a Cadillac. But Cadillac has recently been making cars for the younger car owners. Old people do drive Cadillacs, but I rarely see an old person driving an Escalade or XLR. It is a shame this car was overlook because it is quick and beautiful. The car is expensive though, but it is still a nice alternative to the BMW Z4 and Mercedes-Benz SL Class.

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First Impression: Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce

Lamborghini produced the Murcielago from 2002 to 2010 with 4,099 Murcielagos being made. At the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Lamborghini revealed the fastest version of the Murcielago, the Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce, or Murcielago SV for short.. Only 350 Murcielago SVs were built. The only other Lamborghinis with SV versions were the Diablo and Muira.

I saw the Lamborghini Murcielago SV at the December 2010 Houston Cars and Coffee event. This was the same event where Hennessey revealed its Venom GT. There were a bunch of Lambos at the event, but the Murcielago stood out from the rest of Lambos there. The SV moniker on the rear side panels and the rear wing help the Murcielago stand out. This Lambo looks very aggressive and very fast.

The Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is powered by a 6.5L V12 engine, paired with a six-speed e-Gear transmission or an optional six-speed manual transmission, that produces 661 hp and 490 lb-ft of torque. The Murcielago goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 213 mph with an optional small spoiler and 209 mph with the standard aeropack wing. Prices for the Murcielago SV start at $450,000. That is very expensive for a car. The Murcielago costs over $130,000 more than a Murcielago LP 640. But it is 2 mph faster and gets from 0 to 60 mph 0.2 seconds quicker than the Murcielago LP. The SV is also 220 lbs lighter than the standard Murcielago.

The Lamborghini Murcielago SV made a stop by Jay Leno's Garage. Top Gear's Richard Hammond reviewed the Murcielago SV during Series 13, Episode 2. The Murcielago SV is playable in Driver: San Francisco, Gran Turismo 5, Forza Motorsport 3, Car Town, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, and Carbon Auto Theft 2.

Final Thoughts: What a car! The Lamborghini Murcielago was already quick, fast, stunning car. The Murcielago SV is a Murcielago on steroids. The Murcielago SV is a faster, quicker, stunning, aggressive version of the Murcielago. The SV is just too expensive with a price starting at $450,000. It is not fast enough to be considered a hyper car and there are cars that can reach speeds over 220 mph and cost $50,000 less than the Murcielago SV. But the Murcielago SV looks better than those cars. If you want a fast, quick, stunning, eye-catching, aggressive supercar, go with the Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce, if you can afford it.

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Photo taken from Houston Cars and Coffee Facebook page.

First Impression: Lamborghini Murcielargo

Lamborghini has been making supercars since 1963. In 1998, Volkswagen's luxury car division Audi acquired Lamborghini. The first car built by Lamborghini under Audi was the Lamborghini Murcielago. The Murcielago was built from 2002 to 2010 with 4,099 Murcielagos built. The second generation of the Murcielago called the Lamborghini Murcielago LP 640. The Murcielago comes in two-door coupe or two-door roadster versions.

The Murcielago is a regular at Houston Cars and Coffee events. The Murcielago is one eye-catching Lambo. It does resemble its predecessor, the Lamborghini Diablo. An interesting design feature of the Murcielago are the rear air vents. They come out when the car is traveling at high speeds to deliver more air to the engine. The Murcielago looks fast, aggressive, and is an eye-catcher.

The Lamborghini Murcielago originally came with 6.2L V12 that produced 572 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. The Lamborghini Murcielago LP 640 is powered by a 6.5L V12, paired with either a six-speed manual tranmission or an optional six-speed e-gear transmission, that produces 631 hp and 487 lb-ft of torque. The Murcielago LP 640 goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 211 mph. Prices for a new Murcielago Lp 640 started at $318,800. That is quite expensive for a car, but the Murcielago is fast, quick, and just stunning.

Top Gear featured the original Murcielago during Series 1, Episode 1. The Murcielago Roadster was reviewed by Top Gear during Series 6, Episode 11. The Murcielago LP 640 was reviewed by Top Gear during Series 9, Episode 5. A 2007 Murcielago Roadster made a stop by Jay Leno's Garage. Motorweek reviewed a 2003 Murcielago. The Murcielago is playable in the Forza games, Need For Speed Games, Ridge Racer games, Gran Turismo games, ModNation Racers, Asphalt games, Project Gotham Racing 4, Midnight Club games, and many other video games.

Final Thoughts: I loved the Lamborghini Countach. I loved the Lamborghini Diablo. And I love the Lamboghini Murcielago. This car is fast, quick, and stunning. But it costs over $300,000, which is quite expensive. No modern Ferrari can compete with the Murcielago and it is cheaper than a 599 GTO.

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Photos taken from a camera phone and digital camera

First Impression: Cadillac CTS-V

In 2002, Cadillac started production on the CTS, a mid-size luxury car. It replaced the Cadillac Catera. In 2004, General Motors, the parent company of Cadillac, decided to put the 5.7 LS2 V8 (2004-2005), later the 6.0L LS6 V8 engine (2006-2007) used in Chevrolet Corvettes and put that engine in the CTS, calling the upgraded Cadillac the CTS-V. In 2009, the second generation Cadillac CTS-V went into production. The CTS-V comes in four-door sedan, four-door sportwagon, and two-door grand-tourer coupe. The CTS-V now comes with a 6.2L LSA V8 that is similar to the LS9 V8 found in the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. THe CTS-V sedan had the fastest lap time for a production sedan around the world famous Nurburgring with a time of 7:59.32 until July 2009, when the Porsche Panamera Turbo went around the Nurburgring with a time of  7:56.00.

I see the CTS-V on the Houston roads. GM was also showing of the CTS-V coupe and sportswagon at the 2011 Houston Auto Show. People exhibit their CTS-Vs at Houston Cars and Coffee events. The CTS-V is beautiful. The coupe has a sleek, stunning exterior. This is a great alternative to the BMW M5, Audi RS4, or the Jaguar XF.

The Cadillac CTS-V is powered by a 6.2L supercharged LSA V8 engine, paired with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, that produces 556 hp and 551 lb-ft of torque. The CTS-V goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 191 mph. Prices for the CTS-V start at $62,360. The price is very low for a car that can exceed speed of 191 mph and have a 0-60 mph under 4 seconds.

A Hennessey tuned Cadillac CTS-V Coupe made a stop by Jay Leno's Garage.Top Gear reviewed the first-generation CTS-V during Series 6, Episode 4. James May drove a CTS-V during the Top Gear West Coast Road Trip Special that occurred during Series 12, Episode 2. Motorweek has reviewed all versions of the Cadillac CTS-V. The CTS-V is playable in Need For Speed: Pro Street, Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition, Test Drive Unlimited, Project Gotham Racing 3, Superstars V8 Racing, Race On, Superstars V8 Next Challenge, Forza Motorsport, Forza Motorsport 2, Forza Motorsport 3, Need For Speed: Undercover, vDream Racing, Driver: San Francisco, and Car Town.

Final Thoughts: The Cadillac CTS-V is one midsize car that should not be overlooked. General Motors shows that it make a solid luxury vehicle with the CTS-V. The CTS-V is one of the most powerful, fastest, and quickest sedans on the road. Not to mention it has eye-catching looks. I know the regular CTS has the same appearance and is cheaper than the CTS-V, but the 3.6L V6 in the CTS does not provide the power that the supercharged V8 of the CTS-V gives. If you are looking for a solid, high-performing mid-size luxury car, give the CTS-V a try. It can compete with the BMW M5, Audi RS4, Jaguar XFR, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

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Photos taken from a camera phone and digital camera

First Impression: Shelby GT500

Carroll Shelby tuned first-generation Mustangs from 1965 to 1970. One of the Shelby-tuned Mustangs was the Shelby GT500. He claims that the Mustangs after 1970 were too heavy. In 2006, Shelby started tuning Mustangs again and brought back the Shelby GT500 Mustang.

I frequently see the Shelby GT500 on the Houston roads as well as at Houston Cars and Coffee events. It looks just like a regular Mustang except with two racing strips, The GT 500 decal on the sides the signature Shelby Cobra badge on the grill, sides and back of the car, "S H E L B Y" on the rear where it normally says "F O R D."

The Shelby GT500 is powered by a supercharged 5.4L V8, paired with a six-speed manual transmission, that produces 550 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 179 mph. The Shelby GT500 does not get hit with a gas guzzler tax since it gets 23 mph highway. Prices start at $48,645 for the Shelby GT500. The Shelby GT500 is one of the more powerful, quickest, fastest Mustang variants.

The Shelby GT500 has been featured on Top Gear during Series 9, Episode 6 where it was reviewed by Richard Hammond. The current Shelby GT500 is playable in Flatout 2, Project Gotham Racing 3, Flatout: Head On, Flatout: Ultimate Carnage, Split/Second, Need For Speed: Carbon, Need For Speed: Pro Shift, Ford Street Racing XR Edition, Highway Madness, Blur, GT Racing: Motor Academy, Ford Street Racing, Forza Motorsport 2, Forza Motorsport 3, Speed Racing, Twisted Metal, Need For Speed: Nitro, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Need For Speed: Shift, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, Real Racing 2, Shift 2: Unleashed, Car Town, Driver: San Francisco, and Nitto 1320 Legends.

Final Thoughts: The Shelby GT500 is a very fast, quick Mustang variant. However, it does not like to corner. Carroll Shelby put a lot into the engine, but he did not put modern suspension on the car. The rear live axle is outdated. This causes the GT500 to have horrible handling. It is only good for going in a straight line. The GT500 is great for Drag Strip Racing, but not for race tracks that have corners.

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Photo taken from a digital camera

First Impression: Roush 427R Mustang

Jack Roush created his own performance engineering company after he left Ford in 1976. In 1995, his company, Roush Performance Products, started tuning Ford Mustangs. The latest Roush tuned Mustang is the 427R Mustang.

I saw a Roush 427 Mustang at the April 2011 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. It did not stand out since it looks like most fifth-generation Mustangs. The exterior differences between a Roush Mustang and a normal Mustang are the hood, accents, front splitter, side splitters, and a three piece wing.

The Roush 427R Mustang is powered by a supercharged 4.6L V8 engine, paired with a five-speed manual transmission, that produces 435 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 155 mph. Prices for the 427R Mustang start at $43,901. It is cheaper than the Boss 302 Laguna Seca Mustang and has the same performance of the Laguna Seca.

Top Gear did a feature on tuned Mustangs during Series 9, Episode 6. The Roush Mustang was two seconds faster around the Top Gear test track than the Shelby GT500.

Final Thoughts: The Roush 427R Mustang is not the fastest tuned version of the Ford Mustang, it is one of the better handling Mustang variants. It may look similar to a normal Ford Mustang, but it is one of the better performing Mustangs. It is meant for both everyday driving and the track.

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First Impression: Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca Edition

The Ford Mustang has been an American car icon since its arrival in 1964. The Mustang came in hatchback, fastback, sportsroof, convertible, and coupe versions. Over the years there have been five generations and several different variants of the mustang. Shelby has the GT350, GT500, Super Snake, GT-h, GT500KR, and GT500E  Mustangs. Roush has the 427R Mustang. Saleen has the S281, 435S, and S302 Mustangs. There have also been Mach1, 5.0, SVT Cobra, Boss 427, and Boss 302 Mustangs. For the current generation of the Mustang, Ford is coming out with the Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca Edition. Only 750 Laguna Secas will be built.

I saw the Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca Edition at the 2011 Houston Classy Chassis: Concours d'Elegance. This car is sick. The black paintjob with the red accents made this Mustang stand out from the other Mustangs, both classic and modern. I also saw a Boss 302 Laguna Seca Mustang with a ignot silver paintjob at the June 2011 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. The Laguna Seca has a few modifications. The rear seats are replaced with a cross-car X-brace to improve the rigidity of the car. The suspension has been modified with unique spring and damper rates and a larger stabilizer. The front end splitter is designed to generate down-force for improved handling. This is a Mustang built for the race track and for the road.

The Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca Edition is powered by a 5.0L (302 cubic inch) V8, paired with a six-speed manual transmission, that produces 444 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in  4.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 155 mph. Prices for the Laguna Seca Edition start at $47,990. It is rare, affordable, quick, but it has a decent top speed.

The Laguna Seca Mustang was featured on Jay Leno's Garage.

Final Thoughts: This is a cool car. A tuned Mustang for under $50,000 is hard to beat. It has good acceleration and a decent top speed. But the modifications should improve the handling of this Mustang. Shelby Mustangs have power, acceleration, and speed, but they cannot corner properly. The Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca is built for both the road and the race track. If you get one, do not be afraid to take this Mustang to track days.

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Photos taken from a digital camera and a camera phone

First Impression: Shelby Series 1

Carroll Shelby is known for taking Mustangs and British cars and putting big engines in them. Shelby took an AC Ace body and put a small block Ford V8 into the car and called it the Shelby AC Cobra. Shelby also tunes Ford Mustangs, calling them the Shelby GT500 and Shelby GT350, depending on what performance package goes into the Shelby tuned Mustangs. Shelby was also responsible for the two most successful American race cars, the Shelby Daytona Coupe and the Ford GT40.  In 1998, his company, Carroll Shelby International, built the only car produced by Shelby that was built from the ground up. What Shelby created was a high performing roadster called the Shelby Series 1.

I saw the Shelby Series 1 at the January 2011 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. This car attracted a crowd. It is a rare car, only 249 Series 1 were originally made, so it attracted a crowd. The Series 1 looks fast and fun to drive. It has a stunning appearance.

The Shelby Series 1 is powered by 4.0L V8 that could per optionally supercharged, paired with a six-speed manual transmission, that produces 320 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque. The car weighs 2,650 lb. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 170 mph. Prices for the Shelby Series start at $181,824. That is a hefty price to pay for American Muscle. The Shelby Series 1 is fast, but not fast enough to be called a supercar.

The Shelby Series 1 has been seen on TV while it was being sold at various autions. It has not been featured on Top Gear or Jay Leno's Garage. The Series 1 is playable in Gran Turismo 2, Gran Turismo 4, Test Drive 5, Test Drive 6, Forza Motorsport games, Manhattan Chase, Speed Busters: American Highways, and TD Overdrive: The Brotherhood of Speed.

Final Thoughts: This is a great American muscle car. It is fast, quick, stunning, but expensive. The Shelby Series 1 is the only car built from scratch by Carroll Shelby. All other Shelbys are either re-engineered models produced by other car companies and modified by Shelby. The Shelby Series 1 has a higher top speed than the famous Shelby AC Cobra. Only 249 were originally built. In 2000, component car versions of the Shelby Series 1 were built without an engine or transmission. Those who got one of the 249 original cars were lucky to get one.

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First Impression: Hennessey GT1000 Twin Turbo

The Ford GT has a supercharged 5.4L V8 and goes 205 mph. John Hennessey decided that he could get more out of the Ford GT by adding two turbochargers to an already supercharged engine. The result is a 1000 hp monster known as the Hennessey GT1000 Twin Turbo.

I saw the Hennessey GT1000 Twin Turbo at the January 2011 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. Several Hennessey tuned cars were at the event because Hennessey was revealing his Venom GT. I walked by a GT with GT1000 decal on the side and my dad thought it was a replica of the Ford GT40. Other than the twin turbochargers and GT1000 on the side decal where it would normally say Ford GT, the GT1000 Twin Turbo looks just like the Ford GT.

The Hennessey GT1000 Twin Turbo is powered by a supercharged, twin turbocharged 5.4L V8, paired with a six-speed manual transmission, that produces 1000 hp and 865 lb-ft of torque. The GT1000 goes from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 242 mph. Prices for the GT1000 start at $225,000. This is a very fast car, and it costs the same as a Ferrari 458 Italia.

The Hennessey GT1000 Twin Turbo was featured on Battle of the Supercars where it was being compared to a Hennessey Viper Venom 1000 Twin Turbo. It has not been featured in video games.

Final Thoughts: The Ford GT was a great car, and adding two turbochargers makes the GT one hell of a car. The Hennessey GT1000 Twin Turbo is in hypercar territory. The GT1000 is faster and quicker than the McLaren F1 and for the fraction of what the F1 costs. However, only a handful of Ford GTs would be tuned to the GT1000 Twin Turbo, so those who get the GT1000 Twin Turbo will be very lucky.

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Photo taken from albumok.hu

First Impression: Ford GT

The Ford GT40 was one of the most successful American race cars. It won the 24 Hours of LeMans four times in a row, with victories in 1966, 1967, 1968, and 1969, beating out Ford's main rival Ferrari. The 40 in its name refers to the car's height, 40.5 inches. In 2005, Ford released the Ford GT, a supercar based on the legendary GT40. The Ford GT was 44.5 inches high, four inches taller than the GT40. The last Ford GT was sold in 2007, and 4,038 Ford GTs were produced.

The Ford GT is a regular at Houston Cars and Coffee events. Someone showed off a Ford GT with Carroll Shelby's signature on the glovebox. I have seen a few Ford GTs on the Houston roads. It has a similar hood to the Shelby Daytona Coupe. The hood design minimizes space for the trunk in the front. There is glass in the rear hood for people to look at the engine without opening the rear hood. The Ford GT is easy on the eyes and has a stunning design.

The Ford GT is powered by a supercharged 5.4L V8, paired with a six-speed manual transmission, that produces 550 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. It takes the Ford GT 3.6 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph and it reaches a top speed of 205 mph. The Ford GT cost $139,995 when it was first released. That is a lot of car for about $140,000.

Jay Leno featured the Ford GT on his website. Jeremy Clarkson reviewed the Ford GT during Top Gear Series 3, Episode 1 and Series 4, Episode 8. He drove one while the guys were doing a road trip in France during Series 7, Episode 3. The Ford GT is playable in many games. It is playable in the Grand Theft Auto games, Forza games, Burnout games, Need For Speed games, Gran Turismo games, Blur, Split/Second, Project Gotham Racing games,  Driver games, Ridge Racer games, Test Drive games, and many, many other video games.

Final Thoughts: What a car! The Ford GT has great performance for a relatively low price for a supercar. Not many cars can match the performance and the price of a Ford GT. The Ford GT is just stunning. There have been a few things to go wrong with the GT. There have been glitches in the electrical and climate control systems, leaking power steering and engine coolant hoses, and the steering column rattles in some cars. There have been recalls of the Ford GT regarding the strength of the suspension control arms and flawed crankshafts that caused oil leaks. The Ford GT is a great car, but the recalls could scare buyers who want performance for under $150,000.

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Photo taken from a digital camera

First Impression: Hennessey Viper Venom 1000 Twin Turbo

Hennessey is known for taking high performing cars and tuning them to get even more performance out of these cars. Hennesssey has down work on the Nissan GT-R, Chevrolet Camaro, Ford GT, and many other cars. Hennessey has also added two turbochargers to the Dodge Viper, calling it the Hennessey Viper Venom 1000 Twin Turbo.

I saw the Hennessey Viper Venom 1000 Twin Turbo at the January 2011 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. Hennessey brought several of his tuned cars at the same event where he revealed the Hennessey Venom GT. It had the hood up and I saw two turbochargers connected to the Viper engine. I cannot believe that someone would add two turbochargers to an already fast Dodge Viper. 

The Viper Venom 1000 is powered by a twin turbo 8.55L V10 engine that produces 1000 hp and 1,100 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 2.72 seconds and reaches a top speed of 255 mph. It failed the California emissions test, so it is legal in 49 of the 50 states. The price for one of twenty-four Hennessey Viper Venom 1000 Twin Turbo is $187,710. The Hennessey Viper has 500 more hp and 575 more lb-ft of torque than a stock 2003 Dodge Viper. The upgraded Viper costs about $100,000 more than a stock Dodge Viper. The Hennessey Viper is bargain for cars that go over 250 mph. The Viper Venom is faster than the original Bugatti Veyron and is one of the fastest cars from the United States. The SSC Ultimate Aero (257 mph) and Hennessey Venom GT (267 mph) are faster than the Hennessey Viper Venom 1000 Twin Turbo.

The Hennessey Viper Venom 1000 Twin Turbo was being compared to the Hennessey Ford GT 1000 Twin Turbo on Battle of the Supercars. The Viper Venom GT 1000 Twin Turbo is playable in Blur.

Final Thoughts: John Hennessey is a genius for seeing the full potential of the Dodge Viper. By adding twin turbocharges, Hennessey doubled the horsepower and more than doubled the torque of the Dodge Viper. The Viper Venom 1000 is a cheaper, faster alternative to the Bugatti Veyron. Whoever gets one of the 24 Viper Venom 1000 is very lucky and will enjoy this Viper.

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Photo was taken from Motor Trend.

First Impression: Dodge Viper

From 1987 to 1994, Lamborghini was owned by the Chrysler Corporation. During that time, Lamborghini and Chrysler worked on developing a high performing front-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car for Dodge, a car brand under the Chrysler marque. The result is the Dodge Viper, a car that can go head-to-head with the Chevrolet Corvette. The Viper was first put into production in 1991 and production continued until 2010, when Dodge stopped production to make the Viper meet new automotive standards. Production for the Viper will continue in 2012, when the Viper gets new safety technology that was not present in previous Vipers.

I see the Dodge Viper everywhere. People drive them as their everyday car in Houston. There are several Vipers at Houston Cars and Coffee events. This car has a huge following. The Viper comes in either a coupe or roadster variant. The Viper has a huge hood for the massive engine that powers the Viper. It looks fast.

The current generation of the Dodge Viper is powered by a 8.4L V10 engine, paired with a six-speed manual transmission, that produces 600 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque. The Viper goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 202 mph. Prices for the Viper start at $90,255. That is cheap for a car with a 0-60 mph time under 3.5 seconds and a top speed over 200 mph. Not even the Corvette ZR1 can match that price.

Jay Leno showed off his 1993 Viper R/10 and a 1996 Viper GTS coupe. Top Gear USA's first ever segment featured Tanner Faust driving a Dodge Viper SRT-10 while trying to evade a Cobra Helicopter. The Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR went around the Top Gear USA test track in 1:22.0, the fastest lap of the season. Jeremy Clarkson reviewed the Dodge VIper SRT-10 during Series 5, Episode 3. The Viper went around a very wet Top Gear UK test track in 1:28.5, the 107th fastest lap. The Dodge Viper is playable in almost every major racing game. It is playable in the Need For Speed games, Forza games, Gran Turismo games,
Blur, Test Drive games, Project Gotham Racing games, Burnout games, Grand Theft Auto games, Twisted Metal 3, Moscow Racer, Road To Fame, and many, many other racing games.

Final Thoughts: The Dodge Viper is for those who can drive without electronic driving aides. Only the bravest and experienced drivers should own the Viper. I am not the biggest Chrysler/Dodge fan, but I know a great performing car and the Dodge Viper can compete with the Lexus LFA, Corvette ZR1, Lamborghini Gallardo, and Ferrari 458 Italia. Dodge has stopped production for a year to add electronic driving aides to the Viper to comply with new automotive standards. The next generations of the Viper will not have the same driving experience as previous Vipers.

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Photos taken from a digital camera and a camera phone

First Impression: Chevrolet Aveo

The subcompact car is a hard car to make right. A subcompact car is small and generally has a small engine. Good subcompact cars include the Ford Fiesta, Alfa Romeo MiTo, and the Mini Cooper. However, Chevrolet has never made a quality subcompact car. The Chevrolet Vega, made from 1970 to 1977, is one of the worst cars of all times. In 2002, Chevrolet started production on the Chevrolet Aveo, the brand's latest attempt to make a decent subcompact car. Whether it is the four-door sedan or the Aveo5 five-door hatchback, the Chevrolet Aveo is just another car in the long line of bad Chevrolet subcompacts.

The Chevrolet Aveo is a common sight on the roads and was present at the 2011 Houston Auto Show. No matter what body type the Aveo has, it is ugly. Chevrolet went with cheap materials when designing the Aveo. The standard wheels come with plastic hubcaps. Most cars use alloys for wheels and hubcaps.

The Aveo comes with two I4 engines. The 1.4L turbocharged I4, paired with a six-speed manual transmission, produces 138 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. The Aveo goes from 0 to 60 mph in 13.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 105 mph. Prices start at $11,965 for the four-door sedan and $12,115 for the Aveo5 hatchback. The Aveo is one of the cheapest cars on the road, but it is also one of the slowest cars on the road.

Top Gear featured the Chevrolet Aveo during Series 13, Episode 3, where the boys were trying to find a cheap and cheerful small car. The Aveo was ridiculed by the Top Gear presenters for have cheap wheels, cheap interior, and that rubber door sealers that kept falling off. The Chevrolet Aveo is playable in GT Racing: Motor Academy and Forza Motorsport 3.

Final Thoughts: This is one of the worst cars currently made. It is slow, ugly, cheap, and cheaply made. Forbes put the Chevrolet Aveo on its list of seven clunkers made by U.S. car companies in 2010. Forbes says that the Aveo is unreliable, dangerous, and having one of the lower JD Power dependability ratings. I don't think Chevrolet has taken the subcompact class seriously. Ford puts quality materials and efforts in the Fiesta. Fiat is using the 500 to mark the brand's return to the United States. I think Chevrolet just puts a bunch of cheap parts and materials into their subcompact cars. The price for the Aveo is low because the Chevrolet went with cheapness over quality. The Aveo sucks and should be avoided at all cost. Shell out extra money for a Volkswagen Golf or Ford Fiesta.

CarJunkie
Photos were found online. The Aveo is not worthy of being taken by my cameras.

First Impression: Chevrolet Camaro

During the Muscle Car Wars of the 1960s and 1970s, American car brands had a muscle cars and pony cars. Pony cars were affordable, compact, highly stylish, and high performing cars. In 1964 Ford launched the Mustang, the car that started the pony car. In 1966, Chevrolet revealed the Camaro. In 2002, Chevrolet ceased production of the Camaro. In 2009, Chevrolet revived the Camaro name and released the fifth-generation of the Camaro which was based on the 1969 Camaro. The new Camaro gives Chevrolet and GM a muscle car that can compete with the Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger. In 2011, the Camaro was available with a retractable softtop. Like the Camaros of the past, the current generation comes with  3.6L V6 and 6.2L V8 engines with different power outputs.

I see several fifth-generation Camaros at Houston Cars and Coffee events and on the roads. This is a very popular car. I love the styling of the new Camaro. The angle of the windshield could hinder the visibility of Camaro drivers and has been a major criticism of the Camaro. I sat in one at the 2011 Houston Auto Show and had no problem looking through the windshield. It is comfortable to sit in the front, but there is not much leg room for passengers sitting in the back.

The fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro is powered by 2 different 3.6L V6 engines and 6.2L V8 engines. The Camaro uses either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engines produce either 312 hp or 323 hp. The V8 engines produce between 400 hp and 550 hp. 0-60 times for the Camaro range from 4.6 seconds to 6.1 seconds. The top speed for the Camaro ranges from 150 mph to over 180 mph. Prices for the Camaro start between $22,000 and $40,000, depending on the trim level. The price is very low for a high performing muscle car.

The fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro can be seen in all three Transformers films. It is the vehicle form of the Autobot Bumblebee. It has been reviewed on Motorweek and has been featured on Jay Leno's Garage. Richard Hammond reviewed the Camaro SS during Series 15, Episode 3, where Hammond compared the Camaro to a Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG. The fifth-generation Camaro is playable in almost every major racing game. It is playable in the Burnout games, Need For Speed Games, Test Drive Unlimited 2, Gran Turismo 5, Blur, Split/Second, Dirt 3, Transformers movie games, Project Gotham Racing 4, ModNation Racers, Forza Motorsport 3, and many other video games.

Final Thought: The fifth-generation Camaro is a very stylish muscle car with good performance. It continues the Camaro tradition of offering several options so there is a Camaro for all types of drivers. I did not like that the first Transformers movie was just a 2-hour commercial for the new Camaro. I already know that the Camaro is a good car. I don't need to waste money on a film that is just a long car commercial.

Hennessey Camaro Convertible

Hennessey is also offering different tuning packages for the new Camaro. Prices start at $4,950 for 475 hp package and go to $69,950 of the 1000 hp package. John Hennessey stop by Jay Leno's Garage to show off one of his tuned version of the Camaro, called the Hennessey Camaro HPE600. I saw the Hennessey Camaro at the April 2011 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. The Hennessey Camaro is for those who want a little bit more performance out of their stock Camaros.

CarJunkie
Photos taken from a camera phone

Frist Impression: Aston Martin Vanquish/Vanquish S

The Aston Martin is one of the best cars to ever be seen in a movie. With its incredible styling and high performance, it is easy to see why it earns that distinction. The Vanquish is another one of a long line of stylish, high performing grand tourers wearing the Aston Martin badge. Production for the Vanquish started in 2001 and ended in 2007, when it was replaced by the DBS. The Vanquish was upgraded to the Vanquish S in 2004 when Aston Martin released the DB9.

I recently saw an Aston Martin Vanquish at the June 2011 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. It is a shame that the Vanquish did not get much attention because it is a beautiful grand tourer. The Vanquish S has improved suspension and aerodynamics.

Both the Vanquish and Vanquish S are powered by a 6.0L V12 paired with a six-speed electrohydraulic manual transmission. The Vanquish V12 generates 450 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. The 0-60 mph time is 4.3 seconds and the top speed is 189.5 mph for the Vanquish. The Vanquish S V12 generates 514 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque. The 0-60 mph time is 4.0 mph and the top speed is 204 mph. Prices for new Vanquish started around $234,000. Prices for the Vanquish S started at $255,000. These are fair prices for cars that are highly stylish and have great performance.

The Aston Martin Vanquish was the car driven by James Bond, played by Pierce Brosnan, in Die Another Day. It was also the car used for Hot Shot's vehicle mode in Transformers: Energon. Top Gear featured the Vanquish during Series 1, Episode 4, when  Jeremy Clarkson and Steve Coogan were comparing the car to a Ferrari 575M Maranello. The Vanquish S was featured on Top Gear Series 5, Episode 4, when again Clarkson and Coogan compared the car to a Ferrari 575M. The Aston Martin Vanquish is playable in Project Gotham Racing 1, 2, 3, and 4; Taxi 3: Extreme Rush; Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2; Midnight Club 2; Crashed; London Racer II; Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights; Test Drive Unlimited; Split/Second; Asphalt: Urban GT; Taxi Raser; Gran Turismo 3 A-spec; Forza Motorsport 2 and 3; The Italian Job; Gran Turismo 4 and 5; and many other games.

Final Thought: It is a shame that this car did not have a crowd around it at Cars and Coffee. It is a beautiful car. It should have been the main car in other movies besides Die Another Day. Normally when a car is being replaced, the replacement should outperform its predecessor. However, the Aston Martin Vanquish S was quicker and faster than its replacement. the Aston Martin DBS. There was one problem with the Vanquish. It used paddle shifters to change gears. The car did upshift properly. But it did not downshift properly. This flaw was stated by Jeremy Clarkson when he reviewed the car. Other than the gear changing problem, the Vanquish and Vanquish S were great cars.

CarJunkie
Photo taken from a camera phone

First Impression: Audi R8

Audi R8 V10 Spyder

quattro GmbH is the high performance subsidiary of of Audi AG. quattro GmbH got its name from the original four-wheel rally car, the Audi Quattro. quattro cars do not sell cars under its own brand, but instead under the Audi marque quattro is responsible for the Audi RS3, RS4, RS5, RS6, and R8. The Audi R8 is the only mid-engine supercar that bears the Audi four-ring badge. Production for the R8 started in 2006 with the R8 coupe being released in 2007 and the R8 Spyder being released in 2009. The R8 GT, the fastest and lightest of the R8s was released in May 2010. The R8 originally came with a V8, but a V10 version was revealed on December 9, 2008.

The Audi R8 is a regular participant of the Houston Cars and Coffee events. I have seen a few on the roads of Houston. The R8 is one of the best looking cars I have seen at the Cars and Coffee events. Audi showed the spyder version of the R8 at the 2011 Houston Auto Show. This was one of the best cars on display at the Houston Auto Show. I love the styling of the Audi R8.

The Audi R8 comes with three different engines. The 4.2L V8 produces 44 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The V8 coupe goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 187 mph. The V8 spyder goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 186 mph. Prices for the V8 Coupe start at $114,200 and prices for the V8 Spyder start at $128,950. The 5.2L V10 produces 525 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. The V10 coupe goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 196 mph and prices for the V10 coupe start at $149,000. The V10 Spyder goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 194 mph with prices starting at $162,700. The R8 GT has the 5.2L V10 that is tuned to produce 560 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. The R8 GT goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 198 mph with prices starting at $196,800. All R8s come with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed R tonic single-clutch semi-automatic transmission. R8s with the R tonic transmissions cost a little bit more than the R8s with the manual transmission. No matter what engine, body style or transmission you go with, the R8 will be quick, fast, and stylish for a good price.

Top Gear has featured the Audi R8 multiple times. The R8 V8 coupe was reviewed during Series 10, Episode 2, when it was being compared to a Porsche 997 Carrera S. The Audi R8 V10 Coupe was being compared to a Corvette ZR1 during Series 14, Episode 2. The R8 V10 Spyder was being compared to a Porsche 997 Turbo Cabriolet during Series 15, Episode 4. The Audi R8 made two appearances on Battle of the Supercars. In season 1, episode 11, a tuned Audi R8 went up against a tuned Porsche 997 Turbo. In season 1, episode 13, The Audi R8 competed against the Lexus LFA. Both the R8 V8 coupe and the R8 V10 Coupe were shown at www.jaylenosgarage.com. The R8 was the vehicle mode for the Decepticon Sideways in the film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The R8 is playable in Driver: San Francisco, Project Gotham Racing 4, Gran Turismo 5, Need For Speed: Pro Street, Drift City, RayCity, Shift 2: Unleashed, Forza Motorsport 2, Need For Speed: Undercover, Midnight Club: Los Angeles, GTR Evolution, French Street Racing, Burnout Paradise, Need For Speed: Nitro, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen the Video Game, European Street Racing, Forza Motorsport 3, Blur, Need For Speed: Shift, Asphalt 5, Modnation Racer, Need For Speed: World, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, Split/Second, Test Drive Unlimited 2, and many other games.

Final Thought: I am not a big Audi fan, but I love the Audi R8, especially its styling. I think it is one of the better looking rear-mid engine supercars on the road. I think the price is fair for what the R8 is. I was not happy when it was sliced in half in the film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. I don't car if Michael Bay used a real R8 or a computer-generated R8, he should not have had an R8 split in half.

CarJunkie
Photos were taken from a digital camera and a camera phone

First Impression: Ferrari 458 Italia

Ferrari is known for producing fast, high performing supercars. The car brand started making rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive V8 supercars in 1975 with the 308 GTB. In 2009, Ferrari started production on the 458 Italia, the latest rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive supercar from the Italian car brand. The 458 Italia is a unique Ferrari. It is one of the few cars that redlines at 9000 rpm and it is the first rear mid-engine Ferrari with direct fuel injection.

I first saw the Ferrari 458 Italia outside a restaurant in Houston. This was right after I saw Top Gear's review of the 458. I love the styling of this car. It also makes appearances at Houston Car and Coffee events. Two 458 Italias were drivable at the 2011 Houston Classy Chassis: Concours d'Elegance for a minimum fee of $40. My first thought is that the 458 looked more aggressive than its predecessors, 360 and F430. The deformed winglets on the front grill lower at lower speed to reduce drag. The body is designed for aerodynamic efficiency and producing downforce. The exterior design of the 458 not only improve performance of the car, but the design also makes the 458 stunning to look at.

The Ferrari 458 Italia is powered by a 4.5L V8, paired with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, that produces 570 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in under 3.4 seconds. It reaches a top speed exceeding 202 mph. Prices for the Ferrari 458 Italia start at $225,000. This is the one of the least expensive cars of the current Ferrari model range and it is also on of the fastest current Ferrari. The price is on par for a car that exceeds 200 mph and a 0-60 time of under 3.5 seconds.

Jeremy Clarkson reviewed the Ferrari 458 Italia during Top Gear Series 15, Episode 6. Clarkson raced the 458 against a Ferrari F430 in a drag race and won. James May drove the 458 Italia during the 2010 USA Road Trip Special. The 458 Italia will be the vehicle for the autobot Mirage in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. The Ferrari 458 Italia is playable in Gran Turismo 5, Forza Motorsport 3, Ferrari: The Race Experience, GT Racing: Motor Academy, Test Drive Unlimited 2, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, Car Town, and Transformers: Dark of the Moon Video Game.

Final Thought: This is an incredible car. The price is average for a car that can exceed speeds of over 200 mph. Most cars that have the performance similar to the 458 Italia start at prices around $225,000. Its rival, the Lamborghini Gallardo, starts around $210,000 dollars. Compared to the LFA, which has the same performance as the 458 Italia and costs $375,000, the 458 Italia is a bargain. The 458 Italia continues the tradition of stylish high performing Ferraris.

CarJunkie
Photo taken from a camera phone

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss Edition

Mercedes-Benz and McLaren collaberated on the SLR in 2003. In 2009, as a final series of the SLR was released before McLaren announced its own edition in 2010. Called the Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss edition, this SLR series is based on the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR race car that Stirling Moss drove to victory at the 1955 Mille Miglia. The Stirling Moss edition has no top, two slits of glass where a windshield would normally be, side exhausts, two scissor doors, and sheet of carbon fiber to cover the passenger seat when the seat is unoccupied. 75 Stirling Moss editions were made.

I recently saw a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss Edition at the 2011 Houston Classy Chassis: Concours d'Elegance. It was the third different variant of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren at the event. It does not look like a normal road car. It is hard to see that this is still a Mecedes-Benz SLR McLaren.

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss Edition is powered by a supercharged 5.4L V8, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, that produces 650 hp and 606 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in under 3.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 217 mph. It costs $1.01 million. That is a very steep price for a quick limited edition car. I think it is very stylish, but the regular SLR has better styling.

The Stirling Moss edition has not been featured on mainstream television. It is playable in Supercar Challenge,  Need For Speed: Shift, Test Drive Unlimited 2, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, Shift 2: Unleashed, and Forza Motorsport 3.

Final Thought: This is one fast, highly expensive race car. I have never seen one on the road. I would have to take a regular SLR McLaren over the SLR Stirling Moss Edition. If I am going to spend $1,000,000+ on a car, I would spend it on a Bugatti or Duesenberg.

CarJunkie
Photo taken from a digital camera

First Impression: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722S Roadster

To extend the life of the SLR, Mercedes-Benz released the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722S Roadster in 2009. The 722S is the roadster version of the SLR Mclaren 722, but the 722S has added power, but the added weight causes the roaster to be slightly slower than the 722 Coupe. Only 150 SLR McLaren 722S Roadsters were produced.

I recently saw the Mercedes-Benz SLR Mclaren 722S Roadster at the 2011 Houston Classy Chassis: Concours d'Elegance. This is one of the best roadsters I have ever seen. It has incredible style. I love the angle of the windshield.

The 722S Roadster is powered by an AMG supercharged 5.5L V8 that produces 650 hp and 604 lb-ft of torque, an improvement of 10 hp and 6 lb-ft of torque over the 722 coupe. The 722S uses a five-speed automatic transmission. Its 0-60 mph time is 3.7 seconds, 0.1 second slower than the 722 coupe, and has a top speed of 208 mph, 1 mph slower than the 722 coupe. It cost $525,000 when it was new. It is expensive, but this is one of the fastest, quickest roadsters on the road.

The 722S is playable in Test Drive Unlimited 2. The 722S Roadster has not been featured on the main automotive programs.

Final Thought: What a Roadster. This is one of the best looking roadsters I have seen. There is nothing like it on the road. It is one of the fastest, quickest, most expensive roadsters on the road. 

CarJunkie

Photo taken from a digital camera