13 posts from March 2008

Another Italian car maker is making huge waves in the super car industry. Although he hasn’t yet attained the level of an Enzo Ferrari nor a Ferruccio Lamborghini, Horacio Pagani can’t be taken for granted either as far as his accomplishment is concerned. When it comes to his curriculum vitae, Pagani was able to finish his very own super car in 1999 called Zonda C12 after several decades of working independently. The Zonda was named after an Andean mountain wind and just recently, Pagani updated this automobile by unleashing the Pagani Zonda R.

 The ultra-exclusive Zonda R has impressive credentials needless to say and because of this Pagani didn’t create this beauty for a cheap price. Right now, if you ever plan to buy this super car you have to at least be prepared to cough out 1.2 million USD and if you’re the regular dude, well it’s going to be very tough to purchase this one.  The Zonda R is not only about class but more importantly power, its 6.0 liter V12 engine is everything but mediocre. The engineers guarantee that the Zonda R does not look like the Zonda F although there is some similarity especially when it comes to the carbon-fiber monocoque frame. A lot of my friends from the Autopartswarehouse club compare the Zonda R with the Ferrari FXX and I am not surprised. Horacio Pagani honed his car-designing skills with team Ferrari before bolting out several years later. That certainly explains the same vibes that the Zonda R and Ferrari FXX emit.

 On the other hand, the interior of the Zonda R is totally grand and excellent. It has great space for a car of this status while at the same time it can provide the occupants enough creature comforts. If you think that it can only show off because of excessive power and looks then you’re absolutely wrong. This road masterpiece was also built to provide maximum handling for whoever is going to be behind the steering wheel. Needless to say, Pagani really made a huge leap from his former model to this one. The improvement and difference are too tangible not to be noticed even by the average super car fan.

 When it comes to practicality, well this one doesn’t really score that much in this category. The Zonda R is all about luxury and if you’re willing to spend more than a million dollars just to get this car then practicality is certainly not part of your vocabulary. The engineers of this car claim that it’ll take more than 3000 miles before this car will need to have some maintenance-check and I think that speaks a lot for the durability of the Zonda R.  

 Basically the Zonda R will never be an all-purpose car because of its exorbitant price and top of the line design. At the end of the day it’s all about the gratifying feeling that every car owner experiences after purchasing a car that you’ve always dreamed of. If this car is your dream car then I can’t blame you, it has every trait that will make you drool and think whether you’ll ever have the chance to drive this monster. If ever you would end up pocketing this magnificent machine, do me a favor by using it until it’s totally worn out. A lot of super car enthusiasts buy super cars and just store it somewhere while they contently watch it from afar. Super cars are made to be driven on the road and although they really look good use them as much as possible. If you’re intending to save some cash which is a whopping 1.2 million USD in order to buy the Zonda R someday then don’t count on it. Pagani only manufactured 24 pieces and unfortunately they get sold out immediately.

 

I spent the last five days in the Caribbean with my wife Laura and son Patrick preventing me to post anything here for quite a while. I must say that the trip went well and I finally got the chance to move out of my daily routine. I think the best things about having a vacation is not where you’ll go but with whom you’ll spend it with. But the again, if you can have both the people that you care for and the perfect place then you might as well go for both.

 So there, there’s no denying that the trip was one of the best in years, I enjoyed it so much that I didn’t know the five-day trip was already over. As much as my brain was telling me that I need to get back to work my body wasn’t ready to get back to the grindstone. Meanwhile, here’s the featured car that has the potential to make huge waves in the market: the 2007 Koenigsegg CCXR.

 The Koenigsegg brand isn’t as big as the other elite players in the super car industry but the engineers from this car brand are kind enough to prioritize the environment by creating the CCXR. The car is equipped with a bio-fuel consuming engine that would ensure that you wouldn’t be contributing to the pollutants like what diesel-powered engines do. The Koenigsegg CCXR does not only look like your typical sports car on the outside it does take you a step further by using ethanol as its fuel thereby cooling the car chambers more effectively.

 In terms of the numbers, the Koenigsegg CCXR boasts of a 1018 bhp at 7200 rpm and a torque of 740 lb-ft at 6100 rpm. On the other hand, looks-wise the Koenigsegg CCXR would make you feel like you’re Fred Astaire with its smooth curves and grooves.  It also has everything that a car owner can ask for when it comes to accessories and creature comforts. I bet the people from the Autopartswarehouse group would have a lot to say about this one.

 

 

 

 

After a grueling day from work I’ll finally get to blog again about a car that was released way back in 2006. I know that I haven’t been blogging that long that’ why this car was released even before I started posting the best race and super cars in this blog. Regardless, that wouldn’t stop me from featuring this fantastic car.

People rarely hear an Invicta being considered as part of the elite car manufacturers out there. But then again if they take a look at how it produced the Invicta SI 600 they will surely change their minds while dropping their jaws one by one. Although it looks quite ordinary if you line it up with more popular brands out there, this car has a lot more to offer if you take a deeper look at it. It looks basic and classy but in terms of power, it’s total devil that is waiting to be unleashed.

 Autopartswarehouse buddies gives me the specs of the car. The car’s engine is a 5.0 liter power generator that was designed by engineers from Ford Motors. Meanwhile, its lines and contours together with its polishing can’t be lower than top-caliber level. The Invicta S1 600 looks like it’s ready to speed up on any given road, any time of the day while making heads turn all the time. Overall, it has combined high power, massive torque and low weight in a slender and good-looking body that was designed seamlessly to stimulate you visually. Needless to say, I would gladly volunteer to be behind its wheels no matter what the cost is.

 The braking system of the Invicta S1 600 tells you that the engineers who handled this car know what they’re doing.  It boasts of cross-drilled and ventilated discs that are almost like a race car in many aspects. In fact, a professional race driver wouldn’t know the difference if he or she brings this one on the race track. The brake pads do not even produce sound and they don’t generate a single decibel when the road conditions are normal. In short, this one can make you feel like you’re driving nothing at all.

 The interior of the car is everything but cramped. It has a spacious cabin and there’s so much room for the heads and legs. That kind of feature is something that you don’t see in race cars everyday. Needless to say, you don’t feel like you’re strapped inside the car once you become a passenger inside of this. The car also has enough creature comforts that will make you forget that it has enough power that can pin you on your seat. The Invicta S1 600 has triple air vents, climate control mechanism and car audios. Now, Autopartswarehouse, how's that for a car?

 So the question would be shall you buy this road demon? Let’s see, it’s actually pegged around 150,000 pounds but since it has been in the market for quite a while, you should expect that it’s a lot cheaper now than it once was. The performance of this car is no laughing matter while the designers were kind enough to permit you to customize it as much as you can. It’s sleek, classy and basic look definitely fits the young business-type population. If you have the cash and the personality, this one should be a must-have no doubt.

 

 

 

Once again, this post might be a year later but as I always say, great cars remain as they are regardless of the time. To make things short, this post’s featured auto is the 2007 Jaguar XKR Convertible which was released later last year after several years of enhancements and improvements from its manufacturers. So let’s go to the nitty gritty shall we? This car features a practical and highly-functional aluminum monocoque body structure that makes it light and durable at the same time. Aside from that, it is also powered by a V8 engine that was fine-tuned to perfection by its designers and engineers. In short, the Jaguar XKR Convertible might be the most impressive convertible car that was produced by any car manufacturer in years and needless to say that speaks a lot about its credentials.

 Like what my Autopartswarehouse buddies told me, as far as its aesthetics are concerned, the designers really toiled hard to give this auto the perfect and flawless look. It has a unique front bumper, aluminum-finish grilles and a 20-inch alloy wheel designs that’ll surely make you way richer than you actually are. So there, that’s basically just the tip of the iceberg so let’s take a deeper look into what this car really has.

 Every jaguar car is known to have powerful engine that a lot of customers have grown familiar with. Meanwhile, the Jaguar XKR Convertible boasts a 4.2 liter AJ V-8 engine that can propel the whole car from 0 to 60 mph in just 5 seconds. On the other hand, its top speed of around 155 mph is enough to earn you a traffic ticket, so if I were you I’ll take this one easy if I’m on the road.

 Moving on to the interior of the car, it has been said that its engine sophistication mirrors the interior that it has. The instrument panel and dashboard areas are simple yet everything that you’re looking for are already there. The seats have been specially designed to enhance the convenience of the driver and his or her passengers. Personally, the Jaguar XKR Convertible is a pretty buxom and spacious vehicle. It has the technical aspect of a sports car that allows several people to be inside it all at the same time. This feature is quite rare in a lot of super cars these days since many are mainly configured for power, speed and performance.

 Now let’s go to the price of the Jaguar XKR Convertible. I’ve already discussed in length its engine, aesthetics and creature comforts, now what about its cost? Personally its tag price of less than 92,000 USD is quite manageable if not already a bargain. Autopartswarehouse buddies agrees on this too. Purchasing this road beauty will give you the status (if you need one) and the practical benefits of owning a sports car. If you’re lucky enough to find people or dealers who will sell a used version then you should go for this.

 Overall, the Jaguar XKR Convertible can be both classy and sporty which what makes it such an attractive deal. The technical aspect is impressive while the aesthetics are above-average.

I’ve been really opening up ever since my last post that pretty much told how I got here blogging about super cars. So there, this time around I’ll be back as the “lean, mean, blogging machine” that you guys are all familiar of. Keeping things short, here’s the newest super car that caught my fancy: The SSC Ultimate Aero which happens to break the fastest speed record that is set by a production car.

 Although this news isn’t ironically not that “new” anymore the 258.83 mph that it set is needless to say, mind-boggling. The SSC Ultimate Aero had to drive down the course, turn around and make a second pass in order to meet the requirements of Guiness and thankfully it did. So why am I writing about this car? The thing is there is a good chance that one of my buddies from autopartwarehouse will be buying this car from its manufacturer which made me quite skeptical. The thing is, I know it’ll be extremely expensive but what shall you do with a super car that was only meant to break records?

 I know that’ll be my money but damn, I wouldn’t want to throw away money even if I had all his money. Meanwhile, I have to agree that the car looks awesome and its superior aerodynamic design will make you feel like Alonso once you drive behind its steering wheels. Meanwhile here are some pictures that you might want to check out:

 

Too bad my camera was broke when we celebrated Paul’s birthday yesterday who happens to be my Autopartswarehouse buddy. I’ve been really close to the guy for quite a while, and needless to say he’s always the one who I talk to everytime we end up discussing our favorite super cars before and after breakfast. Meanwhile, he plans to go to a trip somewhere in Asia in a couple of months. He invited me to go with him and his family but because I still have loads of business things to do here, I declined his scrumptious offer.

 On the other hand, here’s what I saw last Sunday when I attended the car show with my wife and son. I know this car has been under gearheads’ radar since last year so please accommodate with me if it took me a while to write a post about it. Today’s featured car is the 2008 Maserati GranTurismo.  My perception about the car is that it’s highly buxom, big and not to mention sporty. One feature that I really noticed about this car is that it has loads of creature comforts that would be very appealing to a lot of families.

 Without a shade of doubt the 2008 Maserati is all about high performance as it shows off an impressive 4.2 liter V8 engine. The lines and contours of the car show how much effort was placed in it, I have to say that the looks were completely perfect. Meanwhile, if there’s one thing that I noticed about this car is that it does not look too unique at all although I must say that you’ll have heads turning once you strut this one on the road. Overall, this will be a decent choice if you plan to buy this since the features are great and the name itself is certainly worth the price.  

 

After my rather sentimental blog the other day, I’m here thinking about what I should give Paul who happens to be my best bud from the autopartswarehouse club. He’ll be turning 39 and since I know he’s a gearhead, I listed several things that you might give to someone you know who’s also a car enthusiast.

1.      Fabricator Gloves

It isn’t a secret that car aficionados like me spend a great deal of time tinkering with our car and making our hands messy during the process. So there be thoughtful and you might end up making your brother, sister and father smiling when they see you giving this gift to them.

 

2.      A Tool Set

This is probably a hands-down obvious gift since all car enthusiasts would love to be prepared in situations when they have to fix their cars in the middle of the road. Of course, as much as possible I would prevent my car from breaking down but then again, it’s better to be prepared than not at all.

 

3.      Car Detailing Kit

I know Paul wants his car as clean as possible and giving him a cleaning set for his car would not be such a bad idea. There are loads of brands out there but be sure to pick the best one that would suit the car finish before giving it to the recipient.

 

4.      Driving Shoes

I know Paul would never end up in an F1 race track in his lifetime but at least he’ll have an idea how to wear top-notch driving shoes while he’s driving. These gears are quite expensive compared to the other items but for sure the recipient would probably wear them as much as he/she can especially if he or she is a total gearhead.

 

So there, I would probably pick no. 4 for Paul because he’s such a big racing car fan. On the other hand, I will be back tomorrow for some new super cars and probably some lists as well.

It is pretty obvious that I am a big fan of super cars, high end accessories and concept cars. Ever since I was young I spent hundreds of hours browsing through magazines, books and watching television shows wondering when I’ll have my own dream auto. Unfortunately, it took me quite a while because I had to work in a lowly company for several years after finishing a degree from a well known University. I was stuck doing the same crap everyday and worse, my salary increase was just enough so I can buy my dog an extra bag of dog food. The situation was so desperate; I thought I was about to lose my wife through divorce while I was on the verge of bankruptcy and not to mention depression.

 About a couple of years ago, there was one guy who approached me and told me about this new business that would permit to earn money through selling super cars. I knew that right then and there that it was the big break that I have been waiting for in years. Initially I thought the whole thing was bogus until I met my current buddies from the Autopartswarehouse club. Getting in the club was the easy part but learning the nitty gritty of the whole system was the most difficult aspect. I met people there who are in there early 20’s owning super cars and having lots of money to spare. I was dumbfounded of course,but it motivated me to be better and find my own niche in our club.

After several years and a number of super cars later I have to admit that I didn’t regret the path and decision that I took. I knew that there was so much uncertainty when I joined the club but that was part of the whole process.

  

 

At first look the Gallardo Superleggera is a hands-down winner in every aspect. It looks exquisitely fine while
its lines are too perfect for the untrained eye. Believe it or not I was dumbfounded when I found out that the makers of Lamborghini only ranks this speedster devil as an entry level hyper coupe. No wonder that my buddies from autopartwarehouse club can only muster silent howls of protest when they heard it.

 Going back to this delicious road treat I can only afford to moisten my lips when I first saw the Gallardo Superleggera. It was constructed using an aluminum frame and despite of its monstrous appearance it’s only around 3000 lbs. For sure the guys from Lamborghini know that speed can only be maximized if you shed off some weight and that’s what they did.

 When you go under the head, this car becomes even more menacingly impressive as it is powered by a 5.0-liter, 40-valve (four valves per cylinder), DOHC, mid longitudinal, V10 propeller. There are loads of other impressive metrics that I don’t have to mention here but I was dissatisfied to know that it actually lacks room for some cargoes. What the hell is that? I have to admit that dropping a quarter of a million dollars for a car that doesn’t have enough rooms for stuff is disappointing.

 Meanwhile, when you peruse further I think what customers will pay for this car is its amazing aesthetic appeal. It seems like the whole car is lifted off a computer designers’ desk top by its engineers with all the perfect contours and lines that it has. However, despite of its lack of space the Gallardo Superleggera impressed me with its ability to weave through traffic without spending so much fuel. If you’re a practical rider and into super cars, this one is a good pick up. Overall, a lot of Lambo fans say that this one is pretty fast but the equipments are very few.

 

The super car industry is undeniably ultra-competitive. New cars are being conceptualized and it’ll be just a matter of time before it’s going be launched in the market. That’s why knowing people from Autopartswarehouse pays dividends, especially when it comes to updates, news and even rumors. Meanwhile, I am finally planning to buy one road beauty that has recently caught my attention and that’s none other than the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano.

 Owning a Ferrari these days is almost always a staple. The engineers from the famed car brand have won a string of several racing championships while using their technology to their advantage. Needless to say they are on a roll so to speak.  Looking under the hood, the Fiorano is menacing to say the least and it has everything that I wannabe race car driver can hope for. But then again, I’m just a race car enthusiast and far from hitting the lanes of a Formula 1 racing prix.

 Meanwhile, just like what the famous TV show Top Gear once said about this car, it’s extremely unique and having the quality in an industry that is all about innovations is definitely a rarity. That’s one of the reasons why I am willing to let go of 265,000 USD from my bank account. I want a piece of art and fantastic technology seamlessly married with one another that’s why I have to pay for it in terms of cash of course.

 When we inspect the practicality of the Fiorano, it’s safe to say that it is one super car that you can drive all day without having to worry about structural damage. Overall, despite of its price I really think that the Fiorano is worth every centavo that I will be spending on it. The lines and curves are flawless while the interior amenities are unparalleled. This is another product of brilliance that the makers from Ferrari conceived of. So there, I would most likely surprise my wife when I come home parking this beauty in our garage around 2 weeks from now.