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 2006 Dodge Dakota – A Cushy but Powerful Ride

The 2006 Dodge Dakota was the only entry in the pack of pick-ups released by US and import manufacturers to come equipped with a V8 making it a powerful and attractive option for many truck lovers. What's more, Dodge seems to have  given more thought than Ford or GM to comfort and handling by furnishing the 2006 Dakota with the smoothest ride in town. The cab of this year's Dakota provides ample space for occupants and their stuff (whether "stuff" consists of toolboxes or the kiddies' backpacks), a part or full-time 4-wheel drive and full-size pick-up towing capability. Surprisingly, the 2006 Dodge Dakota contains a great number of updates despite the fact thatt the truck was completely redesigned ony one year previously in 2005.  Some of the salient updates are a new optional sunroof, enhanced audio system with a port for MP3 players, extended cab rear doors that open almost to a full one hundred eighty degrees and an updated transmission. Most important for the present post, as we shall soon see, the interior of the Dakota feels more like a car than it does a truck. The controls are well-placed and designed and are all within easy reach of the driver. The aluminum trim and white gauges add style but, as reviewers have pointed out, the materials used on the dash pales in comparison to some import pick-ups. Nonetheless, the Dakota lends itself well to aftermarket mods such as vinyl dash kits and the Crew Cab is without equal when it comes to adult carrying capacity. Thanks go out to Kenny for his awesome install pics! Enjoy!

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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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More Tuned Goodness – The 2009 Accord Coupe Strikes Back

We just keep getting rebate photos for the 2009 Accord and I have to tell you that each time I see this car it looks better. Mansoor did an outstanding job setting up the self-stick, precut front lights and taillight tints on his Accord Coupe and I’m really stunned at the look of the black smoking. Although there is no arguing the point that the Coupe is not a real sports car it’s not hard to believe that it belongs to the same family as the CRX and the RSX despite  the fact that it is Honda‘s biggest full-sized car on the road. Unsurprisingly, American Accords are bigger and broader than any other Accords developed and promoted throughout the globe and they have been so successful that they now underpin a variety of other Honda and Acura models.

The 2003 Stang Convertible - American-muscle in an Affordable Package

The 2003 Mustang with V6 or optionally available improved V8 was the last of the “pony car” kind when it rolled off the production floor. The concept of a pony car was conceived with the release of the Ford Mustang Coupe and Convertible (the only available models at the time) in 1964 and is intended to indicate a reasonable, lightweight and intensely customized automobile with a sporty physique.  Although the exploration of the roots of the phrase and the ‘Stang  itself could go on for some time, it is enough to say that the features that introduced the phrase to common parlance (i.e., price, high-style and updated performance) may all be found in the 2003 Ford Mustang Convertible.

In short, the 03 Mustang is what has appropriately been described as a workhorse of a sports car. It is strong and functions well but is deficient in design and complexity. However, one out of every two sports vehicles marketed in the US are Mustangs so Ford Motor Company must be doing something right. The situation looks even brighter when you consider the point that around 135,000 of them were sold and delivered in 2002 which rendered it the best-selling convertible in the United States.  However, since its brief run as only horse car in the first decade of the 21^st century,  current Stang must once again face down its reborn competitors of old  such as the Challenger and the Camaro. No one knows what the time may bring but if its history can provide any clues to its future I’m sure that Mustang will be a favored pony car in the American muscle car tradition for years to come.

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