The Legacy VIP is a one-of-a-kind vehicle inspired by the VIP rides found on
the streets of Tokyo, Los Angeles and New York. It uniquely blends parts from
SPT and the Japanese domestic market (JDM) with custom features for the "full
VIP treatment." VIP is a style known for a clean, yet heavily reworked, luxury
theme with an emphasis on impossibly low ride height and huge, aggressively
styled wheels.

Pictures of the inside of the Subaru Legacy VIP can be found below, along with Subaru's special edition 2010 WRX STi.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Subaru Classic At SEMA

The 2010 Ford Cobra Jet Mustang can be seen by those lucky enough to attend the 2009 SEMA show in Las Vegas, which begins today.  The Cobra Jet has been specially outfitted in SEMA paint, complete with Cobra likeness down the side.  The pictures of the SEMA special Cobra Jet can be seen in the gallery below.

What sets the 2010 Cobra Jet apart from other 2010 Mustangs?  First of all it will come equipped with the first ever factory equipped Rev Limiter, which is a staple for low ET's.  Basically the Cobra Jet is a factory built race car, similar to the one Ford released on the 40th anniversary of the Cobra Jet in 2008.  Although consider it a much more track ready beast, complete with roll cage.

I've had trouble finding specific power numbers for the 2010 Cobra Jet, but suffice it to say, it won't matter to those buying.  All 50 produced have already been ordered by the dealers and sold to customers, sorry, no longer available.  But maybe, just maybe, you might have a friend of a friend that will give you a ride in one.  Until then, please feel free to slobber over the pictures below.

Cobra Jet's Available for purchase right now on eBay

Ford Mustang Mach 1 1973 Mach 1 Cobra Jet Marti Report    US $5,800.00

Ford Mustang LX 91 Mustang LX Fox body 460 Cobra Jet 535hp    US $16,500.00

Ford Mustang 1970 Mustang Mach 1 428 Cobra Jet Marti Report    US $39,000.00

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

2010 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet

Right now the snow track WRX is a modified rally version of Subaru's popular all wheel drive car.

Under the hood, the ultimate Subaru snow machine sports a 2.5-liter,
4-cylinder, turbocharged and intercooled STI engine tuned with a MOTEC M800
ECU. The engine, which kicks out approximately 400 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of
torque, is teamed with a KAPS 5-speed close-ratio dog-engagement gearbox and
the Subaru programmable DCCD (Driver Controlled Center Differential) all-wheel
drive system. Employing custom machined hubs, the drivetrain - which has been
dropped three inches - is mated to Mattracks 105M1-A1 rubber track conversion.
The car also features Group N competition rally dampers made by EXE-TC.

Subaru WRX STi Trax

Sorry guys, this is a one off, so no chance of catching this on the Subaru show room anytime soon.  But I'm sure someone with deep enough pockets could contact Mattracks, which is responsible for the rubber track system pictured here.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Subaru WRX Snow Tracks

You don’t want this to happen to you. Before you go out and buy a new car, consider the top five cars offering the cheapest auto insurance quotes by Forbes and Insure.com.

#1: Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe was listed as the least expensive vehicle to insure in 2009 with a average yearly insurance cost of $832.

This car’s main qualifier for the cheapest rate quote is a Highway Loss Data Institute report of “substantially better than average” for comprehensive insurance losses, as well as “better than average” for personal injury protection insurance losses. Some of the safety features that play a role in this vehicle’s low coverage costs include brake assist, body-side reinforcements, 3-point seatbelts, 4-wheel ABS, traction control, shift interlock system, front-rear crumple zones and multiple air bags.

#2: Kia Sportage
The second least expensive vehicle to insure is the Kia Sportage. With an average yearly insurance cost of $840, buying the Sportage makes insurance affordable.

The main reason insurance costs are so low with this vehicle is its safety ratings. With the NHTSA Star Ratings alone, the Sportage received the highest rating --  five stars -- for frontal and side tests on the driver, passenger, front seat and rear seat. Some safety features of the Sportage include multiple air bags, 4-wheel ABS, traction control, side-impact door beams and lower anchors & tether for children (LATCH).

#3: Hyundai Entourage
The Hyundai Entourage ranks number three on the list with an average yearly insurance cost of $848. Not bad!

The reason this car was quoted for a low insurance cost was because it received high safety scores from both the NHTSA and the IIHS. Some of the safety features on the Entourage include front side and curtain side airbags, ant-iskid system, traction control and anti-lock brakes.

#4: Kia Sedona
The Kia Sedona was an IIHS 2009 Top Safety Pick for its good performance in front, side and rear tests, as well as standard electronic stability control. Because of its top rankings across the board, the average yearly auto insurance rate for this minivan is $857. There are a ton of safety features on this car that give it its ranking. Some include electronic stability control, brake assist, 4-wheel ABS, passenger/side head/rear head air bags, height-adjustable front and 2nd row seatbelts, 3-point seatbelts, and an energy-absorbing steering column.

#5: Kia Rio5
The Kia Rio5 rounds out the list of the top five cars with the cheapest auto insurance quotes. This mini SUV offers a sleek look and great safety features to match. It received four stars from NHTSA for drivers and passenger side frontal impact and rollover resistance, as well as five stars for front-occupant side impact, giving it a average yearly insurance cost of $870. Some of its safety features include driver/passenger/side head/rear head air bags, rear 3-point seatbelts, LATCH, side-impact door beams, an impact-absorbing steering column and front/rear crumple zones.

As you can see, there seems to be a consensus that both Kia and Hyundai vehicles offer top-quality safety and thus help to lower your auto insurance rate. So it’s good to keep this in mind as you search for cars and attempt to lower auto insurance. But if you’re interested in a different type of car that didn’t make this list, it’s good to consider other ways to lower your auto insurance.

Additional Ways to Lower Coverage

• Buy an economy car – Having a smaller car can help lower your auto insurance. So consider this as an option as you look for cars to purchase.

• Consider PAYD insurance – Also known as “Pay as You Drive,” this is a relatively new type of insurance that’s only available in a few states so far, but it allows drivers to pay based on mileage rather than their driving habits, credit report, age, gender, etc. If you drive a short distance, this could benefit you pretty well.

• Seek discounts – Most insurance companies offer some one or more discounts that their customers can take advantage of. So whether you’re a good student, good driver or have purchased multiple policy types (ex. life, homeowners) with this company, you can probably receive a discount in the process.

• Shop around – If you don’t shop around for competing quotes, it will be hard to determine which is the cheapest. So make sure you shop around with various insurers before settling on coverage for your car.

Sometimes it’s tough to think in terms of auto insurance rates when you’re wowed by the beauty of a new car. They put so many bells and whistles in them nowadays that it’s hard to think of anything else. However, car notes are expensive enough without adding an expensive car insurance premium to it. So before you buy a car, it’s good to consider how much insuring it will cost.

This was a guest post written by GoInsuranceRates.com, where you can find the best deals on auto insurance, home insurance, life insurance, and health insurance.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Top 5 Cars With The Lowest Auto Insurance Quotes

It's good news for Honda and definitely something to brag about, except for Consumer Reports makes the statement that just because it's most reliable doesn't mean it's recommended.  Specifically the Insight's underpowered demeanor was sighted as an example.  Seems like a nod to Honda on what to work on to create the perfect hybrid, which can be recommended for purchase.

Lastly, I just feel like the string of hybrids being listed on the most reliable list is a bit suspicious.  Granted, this is most reliable 'new' car, but where will these vehicles be 5 years from now.  As a consumer that's what I'm most concerned with, longevity and total cost of ownership.

Honda Insight Gas Saver    US $621.00

Honda Insight DX 03 HONDA INSIGHT DX 1OWNER 59 MPG 5 SPEED NO RESERVE    US $1,796.97

Honda Insight DX NO RESERVE 2002 HONDA INSIGHT HYBRID 1 OWNER    US $3,550.00

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Most Reliable Car Is A Honda

Dennis had already lost his license because of a previous DUI, which was probably why he was driving a recliner down the road.  However, he blames a woman for jumping in the chair while in motion, which caused him to swerve into another car.  Anderson recorded a .29 BAC, which is 3 times over the legal limit in Missouri.

Check out the vehicle, err, recliner, or whatever you want to call it below.

La-Z-Boy Car

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

La-Z-Boy Recliner Involved In Collision

As you can see from the CR-Z pictures below, it's a concept car still and I'm sure the glass ceiling w0n't make it to production.  Honda claims that the new CR-Z will be available in the US market by late 2010.  Will this be available to compete with Chevy's Volt?

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Honda CRZ Concept Car Pics

2010 Lexus RX 350 Cabin

Some industry experts are upset that Lexus has yet to revamp their navigation system.  For some there are just far too many buttons to push to get where you are going.  This is a segment that should quickly be addressed, considering the inexpensive after market options for vehicles.

Lastly, the power train for the Lexus RX 350 has yet to be upgraded to the latest technologies.  It relies on aging tech that is not the most efficient on the market place.  And, in today's market efficiency and the greener claims you can make, the more vehicles you will undoubtedly sell.

But hey, if you are one that buys a vehicle based on it's cabin interface system then you will not go wrong with the 2010 Lexus RX.  The cabin controls are handled through the mouse like device picture below.

Lexus RX 350 Mouse

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

2010 Lexus RX 350 SUV

There is one product on the market that claims to prevent automobile accidents with deer.  It's a whistle, specifically a deer whistle that mounts to the front of your car.  The product claims to produce a noise that animals can hear, if the vehicle is traveling at least 35mph.  There are those out there that feel it's just a hoax and the product itself does not help in preventing drivers from colliding with deer crossing the road.

These deer whistles claim that they produce an ultra sonic sound that stops deer in their tracks or alerts deer to your vehicle.  However, tests have been done that prove that the deer cannot hear the pitch produced by the whistle.  Furthermore, whistles that deer can hear do not always 'stop them in their tracks', which is hopefully off the side of the road.

The best way to prevent accidents with deer when driving this fall?  Be vigilant, pay close attention to the road, and never over drive your head lights.  Safety starts with the person behind the wheel, not some cheap plastic deer whistle stuck to the front bumper.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Fall Driving, Watch For Deer

Dust under the mat eventually create one demonic dust bunny.  In this case, bailed out GM can no longer justify keeping a failing company artificially afloat.  "A Different Kind of Company", that produced a very mundane vehicle line up.

So much for Saturn Astra sparking enough sales in the movie Transformers 2.  This will most likely be the very last entry in the Saturn category.  Fine by me, Saturn never made news enough to write about anything anyway.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Saturn Slips Out Of Orbit