The 1999 VW Jetta - Update a Classic for Under $50

The 1999 - 2004 VW Jetta is a classic car that has maintained its value due to its great build-quality and German-engineering. When seen from the vantage of today's auto aesthetic the 1999 Jetta may come off as a little boxy but it does so in that refined, Teutonic way that the Beamers of the 80s and early 90s rather than that of the mid-90s Accords or Tercels. What's more the ride of the Jetta seems to be the pefect combination of comfort and handling result in a driving experience that brings one closer to the road without punishing your backside for it. Once upon a time we saw tons of these on the roads but, sadly, their days are now numbered as we passed into the second decade for many of these cars. Still, the fact that your interior may be looking a little run down or in need of an update is a boon for us and we have a huge variety of dash kits in different styles and colors for your 1999 through 2004 VW Jetta. Choose from faux carbon fiber, brushed aluminum (shown in photo rebate pics below), a wood grain or a solid color. SO, without further ado, let me show you what you can get for less than a night out:

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The 2008 Rogue - Nimble Handling in a Cross-over SUV

The 2008 Rogue is a fantastic little cross-over SUV that derives design elements from its big sibling the Murano while taking its foundation from the Sentra. And, although the Sentra underwhelms, the Rogue is an enjoyable surprise given its car-like nimbleness. The RAV4 and the Honda CR-V were supposedly the imagined competition when they developed and took the Rogue to market but it has a smaller footprint and less cargo room than either of these two. Consequently, the 2008 Nissan Rogue isn't really your best option for people transporting although it is a fantastic option for those who want a bird's eye view of the road. Concerns about its small dimensions aside, it is obvious that the Rogue is the champion in its category (which contains vehicles such as the Vue, the Escape and the Mazda CX-7) when it comes to indoor and outdoor design.

   

Permalink: http://rvinyl.wordpress.com/2012/08/23/the-2008-nissan-rogue-a-muranosentra-hybrid/

The 2009 Dodge Caliber SRT - Dodge's Replacement for the Neon

The Dodge Caliber has always struck me as a strange choice of a replacement for the Neon. Don't get me wrong; I like the Caliber's styling but it's 5-door, high-seating arrangement and cavernous interior call to mind an SUV more so than they do the Neon sedan. Nonetheless, the SRT is tuned and turbocharged for the racer crowd with the engine pushing 285 horsepower through the front wheels. erhaps Dodge was slightly confused when they conceived of the Caliber as its closest neighbors would seem to be the Toyota Matrix or the Pontiac Vibe but, interestingly enoug, neither of these vehicles come with the option to upgradeto an engne anywhere near as powerful as that available with the SRT4. Despite the fact that the Caliber defies classification it is clear that its styling and power make it stand out from the crowd.  The SRT models receive the obligatory hood scoop, along with a pair of rear facing vents in the hood. The front clip bristles with openings, allowing plenty of airflow through the mesh grille-work to the inter-cooler and radiator. Unlike some sporty vehicles, all the openings in the SRT-4 are fully functional. Evidently the power-train in this little beast generates some major heat that has to be dissipated. Continuing the theme of aggression are the sharp looking 19-inch five-spoke wheels and 225/45R19 tires that fill out the wheel wells nicely. Thanks to their thin spokes, the bright red painted brake calipers front and rear are clearly visible at all times. In regard to the interior, most reviewers agree that the dash materials are sub-par but that is great news for a company that specializes in restyling automobiles. AOL Autos had this to say about the configuration of the cabin:

The interior works fine from a functional standpoint with controls readily accessible and a radio where it belongs at the top of the center stack. At first glance there appear to be no redundant controls for the radio on the steering wheel, an impression that turns out to be incorrect. After driving a couple of blocks, I shifted my hands on the wheel and realized that there were two rockers on the back-side of the "nine" and "three" spokes, one for the volume and the other for the tuner. Although they aren't visible, these buttons are as accessible as a pair of paddle shifters.

I think all of the above should give anyone considering buying a Caliber enough information to make a good decision, and, if that decision were to be based on looks alone the SRT4 is a clear winner. Unique styling and a powerful engine make the 2009 Caliber SRT4 an attractive choice for anyone in the tuner community. Enjoy the pics!

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Dark Smoked Taillights on Ryan's 2006 Audi A4

Audi completely redesigned the ever-popular A4 in 2005 and added an even more powerful engine without increasing the size.  According to the auto maker, the A4 is intended to be "Unmistakably Audi" and serves a s a flagship of sorts by showcasing the brand's unique aesthetic which combines performance, sportiness and luxury. The real glass headlights are downward sweeping and taper ever so slightly inward, complimenting the newly designed grille similar to the one found on the larger A6. In addition to the updated front-fascia elements Audi has also begun to experiment with the use of colored bumpers that mach the body paint to accentuate the car's low center of gravity.

In addition to these exterior features the flared and highly arched wheel panels the rear ed of the A4 is smoothly rounded with what appears to be just the slightest hint of a spoiler on the trunk. The dual exhaust pipes serve not only to increase the performance of the A4 but give its raised rear end an even more aggressive ad athletic look than a single exhaust would. All in all the 2006 A4 is a thing of beauty and most reviewers agree it is well worth the money, especially when compared to upmarket competitors such as BMW.

Ryan submitting a great set of installation photos of the dark smoke taillight kit he purchased and they really do wonders for the look of the vehicle. He included a lot of great shots from multiple angles so take the time to admire his handiwork on this German beauty. Enjoy!

2011 Kia Forte Koup - Customer Installation Video of Blue Smoke Headlight Tint

The Kia Forte was released as the highly-anticipated replacement for the Spectra, hitting dealerships across the US during the summer of 2009. 2011 saw the introduction of a hatchback version of the Forte but today’s post will be primarily about the two-door version (because that’s what we have the pictures of) and which Kia has affectionately termed the Koup. The Koup is available in the Forte Sedan’s two upper trims, the EX and the SX and is rich in exterior and interior design elements. In fact, the Koup has been called “the most stylish of all the Fortes, with its chopped greenhouse, wide stance, and LED taillights.” The Forte Koup features aggressive bodylines, muscular bulges, and a rear diffuser that give the Kia an aesthetic hard to find in a ride under $20K. Add to that a 2.4-liter inline-4, which delivers 173 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque, and a 6-speed manual transmission and you’ve got quite the package.

The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer - The Marriage of Aeronautic and Nautical Design

The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer symbolizes a complete retooling of the inside and outside of the revered ride. Mitsubishi obviously took some motivation from it’s aircraft collections with the upgrade of the Lancer’s front-end to provide its all-new front fascia which Mitsubishi called a “shark-nosed” look. Regardless of whether you want to use nautical or aeronautic metaphors there is no doubt that the 2008 Lancer is a better looking car than its forerunner. The 2008 is built on an all new, FWD foundation with many similarities to those used on the Dodge Caliber. As such, the 2008 Lancer furnishes a wider wheelbase to provide a more constant and stable ride.

Check out our post here: http://blog.rvinyl.com/2012/07/30/the-shark-nosed-2008-lancer-gts/

The Sport Tuned 2009 Honda Accord Coupe

Even though its a Coupe, this year's Accord 2DR is very spacious and provides more room than some 4-door vehicles.  Add a highly effective V6 and renowned performance and efficiency and you have got a winner. In simple terms, the 2-door Accord is a sport tuned edition of its big sibling the Sedan and it does so without sacrificing any of the reliability or gas efficiency. Significant exterior design elements include a sloping roofline and steep windshield, a longer nose and hood and a fashionable front fascia and aggressive headlights.

The inside of the Accord Coupe is, as we mentioned, amazingly spacious. The wheel telescopes and tilts in all sub-models(whether you choose the LX-S or the EX-L) and all manages are comfortableness position to be easy to arrive at. Honda has structured the gauages and controls by classification and color which, though in theory a wise decision, causes a cluttered overall look.