Stupidly Fast Cars

Acne Treatment Guide

2012-01-17T06:57:00.002-06:00

There are many things one can do to remedy acne. For general acne treatment you can wash your face, use a moisturizer, and check out any one of the many over the counter products used to fight acne and make your skin feel better.

Another big problem that many people have is acne on the arms, which takes a slightly different approach. Switch to a cleanser instead of soap, and try not to rub the area or bother it in any way during the day (or at night).

Acne on the penis area is a little weird to talk about, so I'll keep it brief (no pun intended). First, rule out STDs. Then start medicating with an acne product. It's really not that hard (doh, there goes the pun again).

Now, what does this have to do with cars?

... Nothing!

How to Get Cheap Car Insurance as a Young Driver

2009-01-12T12:21:00.000-06:00

When you are a younger driver or car owner, car insurance prices will probably scare you when you first start looking around. However, it is possible to get cheap (or inexpensive) car insurance, given that you put into place a some of these tips will discuss in this guide. Unfortunately, the younger you are, the more you have to pay in car insurance. If you're under 25, you're going to pay a lot for insurance no matter what - but the further away you are from that magical 25 number, the more you can expect to pay for auto insurance. A teenager will have to pay a lot more than someone who is 21 for car insurance. Let's take a look at few suggestions for keeping your premiums as low as possible.

1) Lower your premiums by purchasing a car that is loaded with safety features: ABS, a good alarm system, always-on daytime running lights and of course a car with a high crash-test rating (remember, insurance companies often have to pay medical bills as well as car repair bills). Tell your insurance co. if you have any of these measures in place. You'll be rewarded with a lower rate.

2) Getting good grades in school often qualifies you for programs at insurance agencies that give you lower rates.

3) Drive as little as possible, and see if you qualify for a "low mileage" or "occasional use" plan. The less you drive, the less chance you have of getting into an accident, so you'll pay less for insurance.

4) You can also just stay on mom and dad's plan. You have to legally register your car under their name, and they pay the premium (or you pay them your share), so you'll feel a little less free - but you'll save a ton of money.

5) Often, insurance companies will check your credit and base your rates off of that. They figure if you are careless with your credit, you might be careless with driving - and vice versa.

7) Shop around for the best prices. Often, rates will vary greatly from one insurance company to the next.

While you may end up paying more than everyone else as a young driver, you don't have to pay through the roof. Use these tips to keep auto insurance as affordable as possible!

BMW M5 Cross-Country in 32 hours 7 minutes

2009-01-11T18:56:00.002-06:00

Think you could drive from NY to LA in 32 hours and 7 minutes? That's a speed that most small aircraft couldn't even hold. You'd need to average a speed well above any posted limits. These guys did it in their BMW M3 - with a laser jammer, radar detector, multiple police scanners, infrared vision systems and an extra fuel tank.

It's quite the feat, and is something nobody should attempt - because you'll probably end up in jail. In fact, if it wasn't for their tricky driving (and a little help from air support such as choppers), they might be in jail right now.

How to Change a Flat Tire

2009-01-04T09:20:00.002-06:00

Flat tires happen to all of us. While they may be a pain, they are far from impossible to change. Anyone can change one. It doesn't matter if you're male or female, big or small, mechanic or clueless - you can do it. Take a look at these step-by-step instructions for ideas on how to do it.

1. Pull off the road as far as possible. Never attempt to change flat tire in the middle of the road. If this means driving on the rim for a short distance until you find a safe place to pull over (such as a parking lot), then so be it. It is unsafe to change a tire on a road or highway, not to mention illegal.

2. Remove the spare, jack and tire iron from the trunk, and lay them next to your work area. If you're going to change a flat tire in a reasonable amount of time, it's important to have everything you need right there.

3. Loosen each of the 4 lug nuts slightly before you jack the car up. This makes it easier to remove them once the car is lifted. Only loosen them a maximum of 1/2 turn before jacking the car up.

4. Jack the car up using the jack points that are situated around each of the car's 4 corners. Consult the manual if needed for this step.

5. Remove the 4 lug nuts the rest of the way. Set them aside in a place where they won't get lost (remember, your work area is the side of the road). If needed, place them in the car or your pocket until you are ready for them.

6. Pull off the old wheel and tire, and place it directly in the back of your trunk.

7. Slide on the spare tire, and hand tighten each of the 4 lug nuts as much as you can.

8. Tighten the lug nuts the rest of the way using the tire iron. When all 4 are fairly tight, crank them down using the tire iron. Remember, you don't want the wheel coming off, so get them tight.

9. Place the jack and tire iron in the trunk as well. You're done changing it at this point!

10. Drive a few miles, then when it's safe to do so, stop and crank the lug nuts down again with the tire iron. This will help make sure they are secure and won't come off.

11. Get the flat tire patched or replaced at a shop as soon as possible. You can't drive over 50 mph on most spares, and they shouldn't be used for extended periods of time.

How to Change Your Own Oil

2008-12-31T04:55:00.003-06:00

Changing your own oil is a task that everyone from a 16 year old guy to a 55 year old housewife can learn how to do on their own. The truth is, changing your own oil takes about 20 minutes for the average person to do, where as you will spend around 3 times as much as that driving to the shop, waiting for it to get done, and driving back home!

Not to mention the money you save. Not only do you have to buy the oil and the filter itself, but you obviously have to pay the shop to do it for you! Changing your own oil costs around $11 for the oil and $3.50 for the filter. How much did you pay the last time the shop did it for you?

Here's how to change your own oil right in your own garage. Anyone can do it!

1. Jack the front end of the car up and place it on jack stands. Never support the car using only the jack itself, as this is a very dangerous maneuver. Depending on the height of your car (and, um, the thickness of you), you may be able to crawl under the front of the car far enough to change the oil without jacking the car up.

2. Place a drain pan under the car - this can be anything that catches oil, such a commercial oil catcher or simply a plastic container.

3. Remove the plug on the oil pan. If the car is hot, make sure it has cooled down at least 30 minutes before changing the oil to reduce the chance of a burn. Oil will now flow quickly from the engine into the container, so be ready with the pain under the plug when you remove it. Remove the oil fill cap to relieve pressure and increase the flow of oil.

4. Remove the oil filter. Make sure the gasket from the old filter is still on the filter itself, and did not become attached to the engine.

5. Spread a small amount of new motor oil across the gasket of the new filter to ensure a secure seal, and screw it into place. Tighten as far as you can by hand, but do not use an oil filter wrench. Hand tightening is sufficient.

6. Replace the oil filter plug on the bottom of the engine, and securely tighten it using a wrench. Make sure it is secure enough that it will not come out down the road.

7. Fill the oil reservoir with the appropriate amount of oil. Consult your owners manual for this vital detail. Most vehicles will take either 4, 4 1/2 or 5 quarts of oil. If you intend to know how to change your own oil, you need to know how to do it right. Too much oil or too little oil can cause irreversible damage to your engine. Replace the oil fill cap.

There you go! You're a pro! You can now change your own oil without needing the shop to do it for you.

How to Make Paint Shine

2008-12-27T06:18:00.002-06:00

So, you've always wanted super shiny paint that looks better-than new. Of course, this is somewhat hard to achieve using regular techniques. To get the perfect showroom shine, you need to employ techniques that professional detailers use. Though this may seem like a complicated process at first, it can be broken down into several simple steps.

1. Clean the paint. This is done by a thorough hand washing of the car using soap, water, and then clean towels to dry the paint.

2. Decontaminate the paint using a claybar. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for this process.

3. Polish the paint using a random orbital (Porter Cable) or rotary buffer and an abrasive polish.

4. Top the paint off with a high quality wax. Natural carnubas give the paint a rich, warm glow, but synthetics provide better protection and a more "wet" look.

5. Don't forget the finishing touches. Dress the tires, clean the glass, scrub the wheels, and dress the trim for a finished look.

There you go, you've got a showroom perfect paint job! Now, just touch it up in between details with a hand wash or a simple spray-and-wipe quick detailer, and you're good to go!

Bridgestone Blizzak Run Flats

2008-12-23T18:00:00.003-06:00

I was searching through the garage the other day, and found my set of Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires. I'm going to get them mounted here in a couple of days, and was looking on Tirerack at the specifics. Well, it turns out Bridgestone now makes a run-flat version of this tire. You can drive up to 50 miles at 50 miles an hour after getting a flat due to its self-supporting architecture.

No more standing on the side of the road in the freezing cold 4 degree morning at 6:00 AM before the sun has risen with 22 mile-per-hour winds trying to pry off your old tire, when you forgot to bring a jacket that day. Ask me how I know. The other day when one of my trusty old Goodyear Eagle F1's blew out, that's exactly what happened. Oh well, I guess it's time to switch over to the snow tires anyway. It must be a sign that I should go ahead and do it.

Remember, even if you have the best winter tires in the world, nothing compares to safe driving and judgment. When you hit a patch of ice, no fancy tread pattern or rubber composition can save you.

Driving an Expensive Car on the Cheap

2008-12-19T01:11:00.002-06:00

So you want to drive a nice, luxurious or sporty car, but don't want to pay the high prices associated with one? Well, join the club! Most people feel this way. But apparently people don't feel strongly enough about this subject, since the average Joe who wants a Corvette settles for a Cavalier.

Well, there is one way to have your cake at eat it too! Some nice cars can be had slightly used for pennies on the dollar if you know whee to look. For example, take the Cadillac CTS-V. This is their regular flagship CTS, loaded with leather seats standard, and (depending on the model year) the high-performance 400 hp LS2 V8 that's used in the new Corvettes, or the 405 hp LS6 engine from the C5 generation Z06 'Vette.

The only option is a 6 speed transmission, and that's the T-56 - the very transmission used by the Dodge Viper, the Z06, and the SVT Cobra. This powerful transmission delivers earth-shattering performance through the rear tires.

These cars can be had for around $20k to $22k on eBay for a gently used model.

Another great example is the Porsche Boxter. A late-model design may scream baller status, but they also go for around $20k buy-it-now on eBay!

Buying a Used Car at an Auction

2008-12-09T02:02:00.006-06:00

The basis of a used car auction is pretty easy to understand: Companies, organizations, government branches, and car dealerships all take bulk amounts of cars they want to get rid of, and auction them off to the highest bidding customer.

Of course, one of the best known car auctions is eBay. You can bid on vehicles across the globe, and steal them away for a fraction of what they would cost at a dealership.

Most cars found at auctions are the result of people wanting to get rid of them fast - which usually means they are willing to sacrifice some profit for you to take them away quickly.

The downside - it's not like buying one at a dealership. You might not be able to get a test drive or thoroughly inspect the car before making a bid. You should at least get to take a look at the car and make sure it runs though, most places will have no problem allowing that.

When purchasing a used car at a car auction, you'll need to bring multiple forms of identification - one of which should be your drivers license. Also, you'll be paying right then and there, so you'll need the money on you to pay for the car and walk away. It's not like a dealership where you can use their in-house financing services.

Since you won't have a lot of time to look over the car, it helps to be knowledgeable about automobiles and mechanics. If you're not, be sure to bring someone along who is. If possible, run a Carfax on the car in question before buying. This ensures the car was never in an accident, flooded, or rebuilt.

Finally, make sure you don't get into a bidding war. Too many people get "into the moment" and pay much more money than they ever would if they had time to think it over.

Automaker Bailout - Is it a good idea?

2008-12-09T01:04:00.002-06:00

Well, things have gotten bad it seems. GM, Chrysler and Ford are all in trouble. The CEO's of each (and most head executives) have agreed to work for a $1 per year salary if a bailout passes. Yes, a CEO isn't being money grubbing - I'm not quite sure what's wrong with the world either. They also all sold their private jets and are driving hybrids on road-trips instead.

But the question of most debate has been this - is a massive, multi-billion dollar automaker bailout something we should consider?

Well, I'm just one guy, but I think so. Remember that 700 billion dollar bailout that passed? What exactly has that done? They only want roughly 30 billion dollars. The big 3 tanking would make a huge difference. Imagine all the cars on the road that wouldn't exist if it wasn't for them. We'd all be driving little Japanese cars or something.

One of the things they should consider fixing is their worker's pay. Many people are getting paid $45 or $50 per HOUR just to stand there screwing bumpers into place, or working a paint gun. These are jobs a kid at $10 an hour could do without screwing up.

The only reason they are paid so much is the United Auto Workers union. Instead of laying people off, pay the people what they are worth, and if they won't do it - find someone else who will. Doing away with the union will save more money than anything suggested so far, and will make times much less harder on the big three.

At the end of the day though, if we don't see a car company bailout, things may change greatly.

Synthetic Oil vs Regular Oil

2008-12-09T00:57:00.002-06:00

Well, we all know what the ads say, but advertisements really can't give you honest information since they are biased by design. When looking at synthetic oil vs regular oil, it's important to look at it from a scientific angle.

Synthetic oils such as Royal Purple, Mobile 1, or Pennzoil synthetic are considered premium brands. They also cost a lot more than dino oils. So what's the difference?

Well, synthetics take a lot longer to break down. Though they might cost more, you can go up to 8,000 or 10,000 miles between oil changes - compared with the 3,000 to 6,000 miles you can get by on using normal oil.

They also provide more power (cue Tim Taylor grunt here), since you have reduced internal friction. As you may have guessed, this also results in improved MPG.

So is it worth it? Yes, but studies haven't shown a whole lot of difference between brands. Cheap synthetic oil is probably the best of both worlds.

Don't forget your filter either. Whatever you do, don't buy Fram filters. You also don't need to spend $15 on one, but just purchase a middle-of-the-road item that seems to be of high quality and has positive reviews.

Buying a fast car VS. Making a good car fast for cheaper

2008-12-09T00:31:00.004-06:00

Let's jump right in. Take the Corvette Z06 for example. Sure, it has some more aggressive styling, but at the end of the day, it has 100 extra horse power and a little better handling and braking than the base model Corvette. The price difference? About $25,000.

An E46 BMW M3 has 333 hp from it's inline 6 cylinder engine. A 330i has 235 hp, but a used one can be picked up for about $15k from a site like ebay. An M3 in the same condition? $30-$35 thousand dollars.

Now, a 3 series will never be an M3 - lets just put that on the table right now. But - you can buy a 3 series, make a few grand worth of improvements, and have a car with many of the same features, a similar look, and similar performance for tens of thousands of dollars less.

The same thing goes for the Corvette. A simple head and cam swap on on a base model C6 will make MORE power than the Z06. The suspension and brakes can be upgraded as well, and it'll cost a lot less than a brand new Corvette!

SVT Focus Timing Belt

2008-12-08T23:47:00.004-06:00

Just a reminder for those of you who drive an SVT Focus (or any performance-oriented car with an interference engine): Replace your timing belt early, and often. Though Ford says to replace it at 120k in the manuals, they were obviously drunk, high, or hung-over when they wrote that. Many have had them break with only 80k miles on them, so 60k is the recommended guideline. Whatever you do, try not to let it go over 60,000 miles.

Why? Because in an interference engine (most cars are non-interference), when the belt breaks, the valves are allowed to hit the cylinders - and they collide at full force, causing massive amounts of damage.

More bad news, on an SVT Focus, the timing belt can be very complicated to change, and only qualified Ford mechanics should tackle it. More bad news, it's going to cost between $400 and $600+ to get it done. You should probably change your water pump, and belt tensioner while you're at it, so there's some more change out of your pocket.

Welcome to the world of owning nice things. The non-sport, regular version of the Focus really doesn't need a belt change until 120k, costs less to get done, is much simpler in design, and won't cause any engine damage if it breaks (you'll just be left stranded on the side of the road). It also takes premium octane fuel instead of regular (about 30 cents more per gallon at most places), gets poor mileage for a 4 cylinder, and has more problems.

But is it worth it? Ask any SVTF owner, and they will tell you "absolutely" with a huge smile on their face! :)

BMW Z4 M Coupe

2006-07-08T01:27:00.000-05:00

I saw my first BMW M Coupe in the wild the other day. Really is a beautiful car, doesn't let you down one bit to see it in real life. Just as perfectly designed as it looks in pictures.

0-60 comes at you in less than 5 seconds, due to a curb weight of 3104 LBS paired with the E46 M3's 8000 RPM inline 6 that produces 330 BHP and 262 lbs of torque.

A six speed manual transmission makes sure the power delivery is at its best at all times.

Veyron goes faster

2006-06-27T00:57:00.000-05:00

Bugatti's Veyron - the 1001 HP, 16.4 liter, W16 powered super car which is capable of 253 MPH is pleanty of car for anyone. Well, almost anyone it seems. Bugatti still isn't happy with it, and is releasing a GT version of the Veyron. According to Autocar magazine, this car will make 1232 BHP and will be capable of 272 MPH.

Eat your heart out McLauren!

Top Gear to return July 6th

2006-06-27T00:43:00.000-05:00

Attention Top Gear fans: Our favorite british motoring show is going to be back on the air, starting July 16th, so keep an eye out for a place to download it, as it's always worth the effort to find a download source. Best. Show. Ever.

Maybe Bugatti will finally let them take the Veyron (or, better yet, the new Veyron GT) around their track.

Americans still buy SUV's because ...... ?

2006-06-26T00:16:00.000-05:00

With the cost of gasoline not getting any cheaper, us Americans may finally begin to see that we don't actually NEED a six-thousand pound modified truck with four-wheel-drive to pull out of our paved, twenty-foot drive ways to take our children to school and head off to work.

I'm usually a very conservative person, but the SUV craze is something that has blown my mind from the start. Most people say something along the lines of the following three things: 1.) "I need the room for everyone to be comfortable", 2.) "SUV's are a luxury because you can see over everyone else" or 3.) "I need it to haul stuff".

Okay, in theory, some of those make sense. However, the next time you're out, take a look around. Look into some of the SUV's commuting around you. I'll bet 90% of them are a single driver (most likely a 5'6" soccer mom talking on her cell phone) with no passengers in the car. I would also be willing to bet that 99.9% of those aren't hauling anything, aren't filled with anything, and have never seen a day on a dirt road, much less true off-roading, in their lives.

Next comes the issue of seeing for ages and feeling powerful. Let's use some simple logic here. If you want to see over everything and feel like you're greater than every car on the road, what do people do anymore? Buy an SUV. But now everyone has an SUV, and you need an SUV just to see around the swarm of SUV's. So if no one ever bought the SUV in the first place, the problem wouldn't exist.

Of course, safety is a big issue for any parent who cares about their children - or any individual for that matter. Who would willingly choose to own a vehicle that takes ages to stop, can't get out of it's own way, can't handle well and has a tenancy to roll over? Well, anyone who buys a full sized SUV for no reason. 6,000 lbs takes a whole lot longer to stop than 2,800 lbs, putting you at a greater risk for getting into an accident. SUV's are also very top heavy, making them far more likely to tumble head-over-heals than an average 4 door sedan.

Gas prices are the obvious issue here that shouldn't be over looked. Why would you choose to get 18-20 MPG when you could get 30 or 40?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you should run out and buy yourself a new Prius or anything. I, myself, drive a modded late-model Camaro which gets 16 miles to the gallon – but there's a difference here. At least I am getting something for the gasoline that it's using. With an SUV you're getting, what..? The ability to say that you're driving a full sized SUV when a Camry would have suited your wants and needs just fine?

Buying a Jeep to take out into the woods and run over stuff is great. If you want to buy it as a toy to actually use it how it was designed, then why not? At least you'll get some great fun out of it. It's a free world, and no one can stop you from buying what you want, but why would a person choose to own a monster of a vehicle for no reason other than to be like everyone else?

775hp Police Camaro

2006-06-25T14:25:00.000-05:00

The next time you feel like speeding, make sure you don't do it in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Patrolling those streets is a 775 horse power official police cruiser, specifically set up for their narcotics division.

Local companies teamed up to sponsor this one of a kind police cruiser, giving freebies such as a full roll cage, an extreme nitrous setup, and a custom mount for the police issue Remington 870 shot gun.

The wheels are made by O.E. concepts and are Z06 replica wheels. Yokohama AVS 100 tires in size 275/40ZR/17 are used as shoes for this insane cruiser. At the track, drag slicks are thrown on for better grip.

Being a police car, the Camaro uses a 4L65E automatic transmission with a 2800 stall converter and 3.23 gears in the rear.

2007 Infiniti G35

2006-06-25T12:06:00.000-05:00

The new 2007 Infiniti G35 is to die for. Beautiful styling, 300 HP and a 9.5 GB hard drive that you can rip CD's directly to.

The car will be given a revised version of their 3.5 liter V6 engine, which they say will produce 300 "plus" horse power.

The new version of the G35 will have a paddle-shifter option, for those who prefer that to a standard manual transmission.