The next new to be released BMW M3 will be powered by a V8. The V8 is said to be a 4.0 liter, 415 hp engine based off the V10 engine that currently powers the BMW M5. Rumors are that it will be offered with both their SMG transmission and a standard 6 speed transmission.

So what makes a super car; is it the head turning effect or maybe the monster horsepower or maybe the incredible handling or maybe all of these things and more. Well the 2001 Porsche 996 (911) Twin Turbo has all of these traits and most definitely more.

(pictures from Porsche North America)

Right now the 2001 Porsche 996 twin turbo (911 turbo) is selling from the $60,000’s to low $70,000’s for a good example. Okay so this price range isn’t really that bargain basement, but compared to its peers it’s not bad. Consider this, a brand new Porsche Cayman S sells for about the same. Porsche ranks the Cayman S above the Porsche Boxster and below the Porsche 997 (Porsche 911).

Here are some specs to this incredible car:

• 0-60 mph in about 4 Seconds
• 0-100 mph in about 9.2 Seconds
• Top Speed: 189 mph
• Max Horsepower: 420 @ 6000 rpm
• Max Torque: 415 ft-lbs @ 2700 rpm
• Weight: 3395 lbs

This 6 cylinder 3.6 liter twin turbo monster definitely lives up to the super car status with the above specs. As for handling, did I mention that it is also AWD (all wheel drive). Now for the bad news, these cars are very expensive to fix, but so are most vehicles that can propel both your ego and your body this fast.

Here is the promotional video of the Porsche 996 Turbo

Many states (and Washington DC) have and are instituting a law that prohibits you from driving and talking on a hand held cell phone, unless you have a hands free device. While it would seem this is really a step in the right direction, my question is what about these other offenses:

Driving while:

• Entering address into navigation system
• Eating
• Applying make up
• Talking to passenger
• Changing CDs or radio stations
• Rubbernecking
• Adjusting rearview mirror while moving
• Allowing your pet to roam in your car while moving
• Yelling at children in the back seat(s)
• Shaving
• Adjusting climate control
• Smoking
• The list goes on…

So where are the boundaries in prohibiting someone from doing something while driving? If they really want to remove distraction from our daily driving commute, it would seem that they should remove all the distractions.

Here is some interesting information from the Crashworthiness Data System from 1995-1999 of the 8.3% of total car accidents that where determined to be caused by a distraction (keep in mind that this is what the accidents where believed to be caused by):

• 29.4% of accidents where caused by an outside distraction such as accidents (rubbernecking), Billboards (I have been seeing a lot of billboards showcasing some large cleavage these days, how can you not look).
• 11.4% of accidents where caused by adjusting the radio, cd, tape, etc.
• 10.9% of accidents where caused by other vehicle occupant (i.e. tending to children in the back seat).
• 4.3% of accidents where caused by moving objects in the car (i.e. roaming pet)
• 2.9% of accidents where caused by using a device/object brought into the car. (i.e. shaving)
• 2.8% of accidents where caused by adjusting climate control.
• 1.7% of accidents where caused by eating and drinking while driving.
• 1.5% of the accidents where caused by dialing or talking on a cell phone.
• .9% of the accidents where caused by smoking related activities.
• 25.6% of accidents where caused by other distractions (maybe putting on makeup would fall under this category).
• 8.6% of accidents where caused by unknown distractions.

So, when are they going to outlaw; billboards, rubbernecking, playing music in your car, passengers (especially kids!), pets (free roaming), air conditioning and heat, food and drinks and smoking (New Jersey is trying right now to outlaw smoking and driving!).

Okay so my real question is why are we approaching this list from the bottom up? Are there are other factors behind the motivation for putting restrictions on cell phone usage while driving?

It would seem to me that the real solution to this problem is to educate people on the real cause of distraction related accidents and improve these onboard distracting devices to truly be mobile (maybe voice activated everything). It is time to stop treating us like children, just my opinion.

Wow a used car that you can buy right now that does 0-60 in about 4 seconds that sells in about the mid $30,000’s. Chevrolet has really out done themselves with the new Corvette Z06. Recently the new Corvette has taken the center stage in the automotive media (with over 500 hp and a new stylish body why wouldn’t it). This new Corvette is really a bargain (at about $65,000) compared to its peers. Now to me $65,000 is not a 3rd car for the average Joe. Now bring that figure down to the mid $30,000’s, and now this becomes a little closer to reality for the rest of us.

The 2002 Corvette Z06 is a super car with 405 hp that rockets 0 - 60 mph in about 4 seconds that you can have serviced at your local chevrolet dealership.

Want to finance a classic car or maybe just a car that is a year older than the dealer (or your bank) says you can? Well if you have the credit to support it I have found some lending institutions who say they can get the job done.

They offer financing, to those who qualify, up to 72 months and, if your credit qualifies, the age of the vehicle does not matter. Please keep in mind that I niether support or endorse the following companies.

Here they are (I will add to this list as I find more):

Capital One Auto Financing
Eloan

I definitely like the SRT8 better than the standard Dodge Charger SE. When they first introduced the new charger I was not instantly attracted to the car. But now we have the SRT8 option, what a difference.

Here is the 2006 Dodge Charger SE

Now look at this monster the 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8

Not only does this special vehicle look like a monster but has the numbers to be one:

Performance numbers:

• 0-60 mph 5.2 Seconds (mfr.) (Motortrend claims 5 seconds)
• 1/4 Mile in about 13.5 seconds (Motortrend)

Specifications:

• Max Horsepower: 425 @ 6200 rpms
• Max Torque: 420 lb-ft @ 4800 rpms
• Transmission: 5 speed Automatic
• Weight: 4266 lbs
• Base MSRP: $38,095

The 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 is a very impressive 4 door sports sedan (muscle car?). The real question is who is its closest rivalary? I have seen some automotive magazines putting it up against the Pontiac GTO, but is this fair, the GTO is a 2 door and the Charger is a 4 door. Well all things considered, any 4 door 4266 lb sedan that can go 0 - 60 in 5.2 seconds and looks this good is extremely impressive and does the original Dodge Charger justice. My only request is for a manual 6 speed transmission.

Dodge Chargers Website

Okay so super car is a strong word, but look at some of these performance numbers for a 1978-79 car:

• 0-60 mph 4.9 Seconds (Road & Track)
• Top Speed 165 mph (Road & Track)

Here are some of its specifications:

• Max Horsepower: 265 @ 5500 rpms
• Max Torque: 290 ft-lb @ 4000 rpms
• Weight: 2867 lbs
• Engine Displacement: 3299 cc
• Transmission: 4 speed manual

With a mind blowing power to weight ratio for the late 70’s and its notorious turbo lag this super car was extremely difficult to drive. Some owners of the time where quoted in saying you should have to have driving lessons before you are allowed to buy this dream car.

Note:

In 1980 Porsche stopped selling the 930 (911 turbo) in USA. You may see early 1980’s Porsche 930s in the USA, but these would be classified as the grey market (imported into the USA by individuals and federalized). In 1986 Porsche reintroduced the 930 back into the USA market. The 1986 version has 282 hp @ 5500 rpms and weights 3044lbs. They produced the 930 until 1989. The 1989 Porsche 930 is the only model year that came with a 5 speed transmission.