The Trans Am

The Trans Am is one of my favorite cars of all time!

The Trans Am is actually a special edition package of the Pontiac Firebird. The Pontiac Firebird was a pony car from General Motors. It began its illustrious career in 1967. It rolled off the factory and immediately demanded attention. Its muscular coke body frame exudes vintage. To top things off, it was armed with one of the most powerful engine America has ever seen, the V8.

During the 1970’s, Pontiac released the Super Duty models. These babies were packed with the king of all LS2 engines. The car made a historic quarter-mile run, accelerating from zero (0) to a hundred and four (104) miles per hour in a span of fourteen seconds.

The Trans Am package came with a host of upgrades; modified bumpers, custom paint as well as a smorgasbord of engine enhancements. More than just eye candy, these cars boasted tremendous amounts of horsepower and torque.

It success took center stage when the Trans Am went Hollywood. It appeared in numerous feature length films, including the smash hit Smokey and the Bandit. The Trans Am was Burt Reynolds’ car (How many can say that??)

The 80’s were a time for change. The oil crisis hit America. And cars were suddenly the most expensive maintenance items in the household budget. This paved the way for the rise of the compacts. It was a great decade for fuel-efficient vehicles. Consequently, the Firebird had to change it repertoire.

The V8 was slowly getting out dated. The engineering team went back to the drawing board to figure out viable solutions. Of course, they had to change the car but they also had to retain a certain image that made the Firebird what it was. The engine was installed with the latest fuel-injects. This allowed for maximum efficiency, but it sacrificed a little bit of speed. So, they altered the exterior to reduce body weight. The Firebird was now aerodynamically designed to maximize its speed capacity.

At first, experts doubted if the new designs would catch on. Eventually, increase in overall revenue erased all doubts. The next generation of firebirds sustained a tradition of excellence. Very few muscle cars were able to make it through the oil crisis. The Firebird is one of them. Although its modern muscle car look makes it look more like a sports car now. But it still stands for power and performance.

In 2002, the car was phased out of production. Small public demand plus consistent decrease in sales led GM to abandon the project. There were rumors that a new Firebird would be released for 2009, but GM quickly confirmed, that it wasn’t going to happen.

Today, the Firebird is known as one of the best muscle cars of America. It lasted for more than 30 years, enduring societal and economic changes in America. Changing exterior, changing interior, changing engines, whatever it took to sustain it success. s

But to me, it will always be Burt Reynolds’ car.

Tips for Buying Pre-owned Vehicles (Part 3)

These are some final reminders, for all those who want to buy a second-hand vehicle.

Is the car still under finance?

If the car is still under a financing program, then you should require the owner to satisfy all outstanding debts. You have to check this, because if it turns out that the car is still under a financing program, it could get repossessed. Leaving you with nothing bought, and nothing left to sell.

Mechanical Check-up

You’ve gone through all the previous tips, now its time to take this car to a mechanic. There will always be damages to the car that one can overlook. But, you can check the following on your own,

1. Check the oil on the dip stick; if it has a mechanic look, then it is a sign of wear and tear.
2. Take out the breather cap while the engine is running. If it exhales a lot of smoke, then this indicates damage in the valve stems. This type of damage will reduce fuel-efficiency.
3. New pedals may indicate that the car has traveled more miles than what the odometer says
4. Finally, scroll thru the service log book. View the vehicle’s repairs and other services. This is a good way to gauge the car’s condition.
5. Examine the vehicle carefully during the test drive (Refer to Part 1)

Negotiating for Price

Like I said before, magazines and websites, more or less, give you an idea of how price fluctuates. Do your homework and come up with a mutual amount for both of you (seller and buyer).

If you are buying from a private seller, don’t be too aggressive. They are selling it privately because they think they can sell it at a higher rate compared to the used car garage. Collate your data about the car’s condition, and make necessary subtractions.

Look for variable offers. The seller can throw in new tires, or new pedals, whatever is workable. Those are good.

Payment and Registration

Now, all you have to do is pay the man. Checks and cards depend on where you’re buying. Some second-hand garages offer financing schemes. Private owners are less likely to accept financing schemes or checks. In either case, make sure the deed of sale is printed and legally affirmed.

Finally, make sure the car is registered under your name.

Now you’re good to go! Just comment if you have any questions.

Dave Collins

Autopartswarehouse.com | Buying Tips for Pre-Owned Vehicles (Part II)

1. Test Drive

When going for a test drive, measure two things (1) comfort and (2) stability. The vehicle shouldn’t be bouncy or feel unstable. If you feel vibrations, this usually indicates that there are damages to the car suspension – worn out shocks or struts. Whenever you corner, try to measure if the car leans too much.

2. Tire Check

Inspect the tires carefully. You will be able to discern if the outer edges look worn out. If so, this may indicate that the wheels are unaligned. In this case, you may request for a price deduction.

3. Suspension Check

Suspension is best measured by how far the car leans whenever it hits a corner. Too much lean indicates an imbalance in the suspension system. Here are some simple steps to measuring a suspension system,

(a) First, inspect the seating levels. Are the front seats higher than the back seats or vice versa?

(b) To check the springs and shocks, simply press down the front and back end of the car. If it recoils more than once, this indicates that some shocks could be worn out.

(c) Finally, if you duck beneath the car, you can catch a glimpse of the suspension. Check if the parts are bathed in oil. This indicates wear and tear damage.

4. Auto Body

Don’t be deceived by flashy paint jobs or mags. Chances are, there will be major damages beneath the hood. Make a thorough inspection of the whole exterior. Check all panels, examine if some areas have been repainted. You can check if the front panels have been replaced or realigned. One way of doing this is to inspect the colors of the adjoining panels, do the colors match? A slight difference in shade can suggest that the part has been replaced or repainted, ask deductions for those.

You can also compare the paint from the interior to the exterior.

More Tips to come, please continue reading tomorrow!

Dave Collins

Tips for picking your Second-hand Car (Part I)

In today’s society, efficiency is not relegated to economics. A lot of our lifestyle choices can affect our savings. It is always good to save every penny we can. That’s why some consumers opt to buy used cars. This is a good option, especially for those under a tight budget. You’d be amazed to find numerous cars, laying around in a garage, cars in great condition.

The first thing you have to consider is your budget. If you’re willing to stake a lot of dollars, then perhaps you can afford to buy a new car fresh off the factory. Think about that. There are many financing plans that can aid your cause. But if you don’t like any of the cars that are within the budget limit, then settle for a used car. It’s a lot cheaper, plus your repairs and customizations can probably increase resale value. All is in your favor.

You can get a used car magazine or simply drop by the sales garage. But it’s better if you skim through the mags, this way you’ll be aware of price fluctuation. Pick a make and a model. Pick many. It’s better to have more options. Then you should research about the vehicle itself – complaints, pros and cons, etc. This can be easily done through the internet.

More to come,
Dave Collins

Autopartswarhouse.com gives you something for Mother’s Day

Yes. It’s that time of the year again.

Like it or not, you have to endure that long travel back home to see mom again. Remember, she endured your annoying days as a child or your confused days as a teenager. In either case, you owe her this visit.

Now that you’ve accepted that reality, it is time for your next step: bring her a gift! No, not that same card you gave her last year. Make it different. My plan is to give a gift to my folks (Not just my mom). They’ll appreciate it more if it’s beneficial to both of them. This year, I plan to go on a radical direction. Last year, I gave them a badminton set – something to keep them busy and exercising. This year I plan to get them car gear.

I checked out Autopartswarehouse.com to view some of my options. Here is my mother’s day gift list (According to preference):


1. Travel Accessories – these will be perfect for their trips. Autopartswarehouse.com has everything from cook books to flashlights! Items which are perfect for out-of-town trips.
2. Garage Stuff – Simple household items will be practical and functional. The site clocks, stools, wall signs, etc. These gifts will be less appreciated but used to an abusive level.
3. Car Care – Not really considering this one. Though Autopartswarehouse.com offers these cool items for a cheap price. I think this will be more beneficial to dad than to mom.
4. Apparel – Yes, the site also offers apparel. The travel gear is actually very nice. The Autopartswarehouse catalog has vests, shirts, overalls and other couture.

Now, I compared the prices from the site to the actual stores. You’d be surprised to find out that the site actually sells products at a lower price (Not all, but MOSTLY). So, I’m taking the remaining days to make my decision. Regardless of what happens, I hope it makes my parents happy.

Advanced happy mother’s day to all mothers,
Karen Moore

Drink and Drive?

Since Dave jumpstarted the first car stories, I would like to share a personal experience.

When I was coming of age, my parents never thought of giving me a car. They thought I was too reckless, too young, and too impulsive. To their credit, they were right.

My friends made an effort to teach me basic driving principles. We would spend long hot summer afternoons practicing in front of the local gas station. I was more than a willing student. No accidents ever occurred. Although I could move the car at a slow pace, I was beginning to gain confidence with my driving.

One night, I took my father’s Chevrolet Citation for a drive. There was a small get-together at my friend’s house. I made my way there. Of course, I exercised all necessary precautions to make the ride safer.

I waited for my folks to fall prey to slumber. Then, I manually pushed the car out the garage. To this day, I cannot find the words to express what I felt when I began driving that car. I think the moment had too much freedom. I rolled the windows down and played Blondie. Yes, it was that type of defining moment.

I finally got to my friend’s house (After making so many wrong turns). I was there. Alcohol was there too. Then came the eternal debate of to-drink-and-drive or to be sober-and-square? Of course, the latter was always the reasonable man’s choice. But then again, I was never known to be reasonable (Ask my friends).

There we were; a small group, drinking and having fun, keeping things real. Eventually, reality told me that it was 3am. I had to make my way home. It was still dark. As I was backing up, I heard disturbing sounds from my car exterior. I extended my head out the window to see, my fenders had hit my friend’s flower pots. I sighed and told myself, they won’t see that.

So I pressed on, driving home alone. No cars were on the road, so it made me feel at ease. I hit a U-turn pike, which was a minute away from my house. As I turned the steering wheel, once again, I heard a screechy sound. It sounded like metal. I was alarmed.

I stopped the car and put it on hazard. I went out to check the exterior. To my surprise, the left side of the front bumper was pulverized. To this day, I cannot find the words to express what I felt when I saw that. It was agony. I tried re-attaching the bumper, but it was just too much. I cut my losses and made my way home.

By the time I woke up, I knew that the judge was waiting at my door.

My father had me pay for the damages. It was not pretty. It was not easy. But I got through it after several months. I never touched that car again.

That was my first experience of drinking and driving. Now “not to drink and drive” maybe a cliché, but there is much truth to that. Nowadays, cars are built with breath analyzers that ensure the driver is alcohol-free. Still, breath analyzers or not, its best to moderate your alcohol intake.

Stay safe,
John T.

Autopartswarehouse.com gives you exhaust efficiency

I used to drive an old Toyota Corona ’83. It was my father’s graduation gift. He bought it at a used car lot. The first time I saw her, she still had a shimmer. It was an old car then, but you knew she would take you places. It was colored red and, although the bumpers were misaligned, she had tremendous potential. But I did not know how to manage cars. I was fresh out of high school, so I ran that car to the ground. It got bumps, dents and all sorts of engine problems. After careful negotiations, my father paid all the repair dues of that vehicle.


I remember having to start the car and witnessing tremendous amounts of smoke funnel through the exhaust. It looked bad. The smoke was thick, to add to that, it produced smoke even if the vehicle was on a stand still. It frustrated me. My father agreed to pay for repairs and that was the first time I was introduced to the exhaust system.

I left my car at the mechanic (Joe’s I think) for a couple of weeks. I went there everyday to check on it.

See, when you step on the accelerator you actually let your engine inhale more air (Common misconception is that the accelerator allows for more gas). The air is coupled with a corresponding amount of fuel. The mix is called combustion. Now, imagine air and fuel being pressurized. This creates a series of explosions that are the source of the car’s power. This creates a lot of smoke. This is where the exhaust comes in.

The exhaust channels the gases away from the combustion manifold. The gases can compromise the combustion process. The exhaust system doesn’t simply lead the gas to the exits. These gases are still harmful to the environment. The exhaust system uses a catalytic converter to neutralize the harmful gases. A catalytic converter simply converts these gases to less harmful fumes.

Today, as most of my friends would attest, I have evolved to become some what of a “greenie” or pro-environment. That’s why I like Honda vehicles, instead of American brands. I try to do my part.

But for you guys, especially those who have older cars, I suggest you get the latest exhaust technologies available. The internet is a wide source of parts. You don’t even have to go to the garage nowadays. Here are some sites you might want to check,

(1) Autopartswarehouse.com - The search engine is usable. Almost all car parts of the known world can be found here!
(2) Partstrain.com – Good too, except some parts still don’t have write-ups. However, pictures and part other data are relevant.
(3) Partsbin.com – Great, especially for OEM replacement parts.

Just browse through them and you’ll see plenty of options and helpful articles.

- Dave Collins