The Atlanta-based Weather Channel has released the list for the top 10 worst cities for traffic. Although I agree with one of the cities, there's about 7 cities that I haven't had the pleasure of driving in. But the irony is that all of the cities except for number 2 and 1, you HAVE to HAVE a CAR to GET AROUND.
10. Detroit, MI. The center of the American auto industry comes in at #10 in the list of cities in which commuters spend the most time stuck in traffic.
9. San Diego, CA. The San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos metropolitan area has a population of around 3-million. It's the 17th largest metro area in the nation, but it ranks #9 for its traffic time delays.
8. San Jose, CA. The third largest city in its own state, but the tenth largest in the entire nation.
7. Orlando, FL. I guess rushing to see Mickey Mouse creates traffic.
6. Dallas-Fort Worth, TX. The 12 counties that make up the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area have a total population of around 6.3-million. It is also the fastest growing metro area in the country.
5. San Francisco and Oakland. No comment.
4. Houston, TX. I guess if you're still tipping on four-fours, you holding up traffic.
3. Atlanta, GA. I guess they based the study on Sunny Mondays. But when it's raining, Friday afternoons, Fridays before Holiday weekends, and those Tuesdays where it takes you an hour to get to a location where it only should take 15 mins, Atlanta should be number 1. And I've said this before: I blame all the Gwinnett County, Cobb County, Clayton County and all those who don't have Fulton and Dekalb County plates cause you can't drive and you're the ones who cause me to have to sit in traffic. Most of Atlanta can't handle metro city driving. See my previous posts about Atlanta and their no driving suburban drivers as well as driving tips in Atlanta.
2. Washington DC. I've been to DC many times, and I've driven through DC too. Yet I haven't experienced any traffic.
1. Los Angeles metropolitan area. Although I haven't been to LA yet (but my day is coming) this seems to be the only city listed with a decent public transportation system. Then again, not every city can have an MTA system. I think I'm the only person waiting to experience LA traffic. We'll see on my birthday...
You notice how the biggest metropolitan city in the entire country isn't on this list. In New York, you can get by without driving, or having a license. Don't believe me? Just ask my cousin- he JUST got his license and we're the same age. Ask my sister too, since she has her license for identification purposes.
Is this not cute or what????
Oct 25, 2010
Sanrio and the Smart Car have teamed up and announced a partnership to offer vehicle wraps featuring Hello Kitty for the smart fortwo. Vehicle owners can now order Hello Kitty vehicle wraps through smart USA's "Smart Expressions," a customization program launched in July.
"We are expanding the highly successful smart program by adding licensed brands as part of our wrap offerings," said Kim McGill, smart USA's vice president of marketing. "Both Hello Kitty and smart are expressive with a passionate following, and this is a special opportunity to bring the two fan bases together."
"Our collaboration with smart USA allows fans to truly embrace the Hello Kitty lifestyle," said Janet Hsu, president of Sanrio, Inc. "This is the first time that Sanrio will offer a Hello Kitty car in the United States. The modern, environmentally-friendly features of the smart fortwo combined with supercute Hello Kitty designs deliver an exciting offering that responds to the demands of our fans for special edition lifestyle products."
The smart Expressions program offers Hello Kitty wraps in three different full body designs, each with a selection of color schemes, in addition to a series of partial wrap designs and colors. In total, there are 22 full and partial wrap design and color combinations from which to choose.
The Hello Kitty wrapped cars will appear at many Sanrio 50th Anniversary events this fall. The Hello Kitty customized cars can be seen at various stops on the Small Gift mobile pop up tour, which kicks off in San Francisco on October 23. The tour does make a stop in Atlanta on November 26-28 in Atlantic Station, and I will be there.
I'm anxious to see it. I'm such a girl... But my biggest question is: How come this won't be at SEMA? Ironically the tour stops in Las Vegas 10 days after I'll be there...
Wings for the BMW M3: LSD gull-wing door plates now available individually
Oct 21, 2010
With gull-wing door plates by LSD, the BMW M3 (E90/E92/E93) becomes a real head-turner. LSD offers the hinges either as a complete set for both doors including hinges, cable set fitting materials and attachments for only $2441.95 including VAT. Now the hinges are also available for each door individually. This lowers the entry price to $1115.56 for the hinge. The mathing cable set is available for $279.24. Therefore everyone can arrange his LSD doors as required or buy the complete set which already includes all necessary components.
The plates are equipped with the new GRS+ (Guided Roller System). It offers an adjustment possibility with the roller guidance of the roller bearing integrated in the hinges and additional stability through a catch which that locks in fully-opened condition. This results in more safety and more precise opening and closing of the door.
LSD plates are delivered with a part certificate by the German Technical Control Board which ensures that the LSD gull-wing doors fulfil all security standards.
Compared to other retrofit-sets for gull-wing doors, the LSD plates “made in Germany“ impress with a fully developed technology and the highest-possible quality standard. Moreover, a test laboratory accredited by the Federal German Transport Authority confirmed in a side crash-test that the LSD-solution which is patented in Germany is as safe as any serially fitted door. That means that passenger safety in a side crash is guaranteed according to guideline 96/27/EG by the LSD hinge system. LSD enables an easy and quick assembly without welding or painting works and impresses by its perfect fitting accuracy due to its three-dimensional adjustment.
The LSD plates are fitted to the original door attachment points of the dismantled original plates. After the assembly, the otherwise unchanged original door first opens outwards and then securely guided and damped upwards. Adjustable plates stop doors from opening too far or from falling inwards or downwards when opened. And also, it only takes one grip to close the doors. The LSD gull-wing doors render a sensational look to any car and are the ideal solution of fans of extraordinary tuning- and show cars. The LSD door plates can be obtained directly from LSD or from a specialist dealer.
For more information and the always current application list, please visit www.lsd-doors.com
The plates are equipped with the new GRS+ (Guided Roller System). It offers an adjustment possibility with the roller guidance of the roller bearing integrated in the hinges and additional stability through a catch which that locks in fully-opened condition. This results in more safety and more precise opening and closing of the door.
LSD plates are delivered with a part certificate by the German Technical Control Board which ensures that the LSD gull-wing doors fulfil all security standards.
Compared to other retrofit-sets for gull-wing doors, the LSD plates “made in Germany“ impress with a fully developed technology and the highest-possible quality standard. Moreover, a test laboratory accredited by the Federal German Transport Authority confirmed in a side crash-test that the LSD-solution which is patented in Germany is as safe as any serially fitted door. That means that passenger safety in a side crash is guaranteed according to guideline 96/27/EG by the LSD hinge system. LSD enables an easy and quick assembly without welding or painting works and impresses by its perfect fitting accuracy due to its three-dimensional adjustment.
The LSD plates are fitted to the original door attachment points of the dismantled original plates. After the assembly, the otherwise unchanged original door first opens outwards and then securely guided and damped upwards. Adjustable plates stop doors from opening too far or from falling inwards or downwards when opened. And also, it only takes one grip to close the doors. The LSD gull-wing doors render a sensational look to any car and are the ideal solution of fans of extraordinary tuning- and show cars. The LSD door plates can be obtained directly from LSD or from a specialist dealer.
For more information and the always current application list, please visit www.lsd-doors.com
Bernie's Ebay Find of the Day.
Oct 20, 2010
So right here, you're looking at an extremely low milage 2007 Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR 722, for sale, for the low, low price of $430,000. (And that's American Dollars)
With less than 1,000 miles, this car is The "722 Edition" includes an engine rated 650 PS (480 kW; 640 hp)@6500rpm and 820 Nm (600 lbft)@4000rpm, with top speed of 337 km/h (209 mph) (3 km/h (1.9 mph) faster than the standard SLR).
19-inch light-alloy wheels were used to reduce unsprung weight...
While modifications were also made to the suspension, with a stiffer damper setup and 10 mm (0.39 in) lower ride height introduced for improved handling. Larger 390 mm (15 in) diameter front brakes and a revised front air dam and rear diffuser were fitted. Exterior changes, other than the larger 19-inch (480 mm) black light-alloy wheels, include red "722" badging, hearkening back to the original 722 racer, and slightly different taillights and headlamps." This car is loaded with carbon fiber from the hood to the floor pans and wheel wells. Still has Mercedes Benz factory warranty till August 2011 or 50,000 miles. Comes with all papers, books, keys, trickle charger, k40 radar, and SLR car cover.
The SLR 722 can go from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.6 seconds, 200 km/h (120 mph) in 10.2 seconds and 300 km/h (190 mph) in 21.4 seconds and can reach a top speed of 337 km/h (209 mph).
Since I am the loving individual that I am, I decided to include photos and contact information to the person that's representing the seller (Even I don't have the seller's contact info). And on top of that, you can run a Carfax report on it, so you can see if the owner has done any damage to it. I highly doubt he has, because I'm sure he's a good driver, probably not as great as he played basketball.
IF you're interested in seeing the vehicle in person (ONLY if you're interested it purchasing it. Being a groupie is not cute, and trust me, I've seen plenty of them.), contact Ali T. at A&M Auto Exports by email: aandmautoexports@gmail.com or call him at (713)849-4222
P.S. The only owner of the vehicle happened to be Michael Jordan, and he's getting rid of it. Along with the car, you get the title with his signature on it. Don't say that I wasn't looking out for you. There's an excessive amount of photos on the eBay page
Let's hope that the sale of this car is more positive than LaLa trying to sell that hot pink Range Rover of hers.
With less than 1,000 miles, this car is The "722 Edition" includes an engine rated 650 PS (480 kW; 640 hp)@6500rpm and 820 Nm (600 lbft)@4000rpm, with top speed of 337 km/h (209 mph) (3 km/h (1.9 mph) faster than the standard SLR).
19-inch light-alloy wheels were used to reduce unsprung weight...
While modifications were also made to the suspension, with a stiffer damper setup and 10 mm (0.39 in) lower ride height introduced for improved handling. Larger 390 mm (15 in) diameter front brakes and a revised front air dam and rear diffuser were fitted. Exterior changes, other than the larger 19-inch (480 mm) black light-alloy wheels, include red "722" badging, hearkening back to the original 722 racer, and slightly different taillights and headlamps." This car is loaded with carbon fiber from the hood to the floor pans and wheel wells. Still has Mercedes Benz factory warranty till August 2011 or 50,000 miles. Comes with all papers, books, keys, trickle charger, k40 radar, and SLR car cover.
The SLR 722 can go from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.6 seconds, 200 km/h (120 mph) in 10.2 seconds and 300 km/h (190 mph) in 21.4 seconds and can reach a top speed of 337 km/h (209 mph).
Since I am the loving individual that I am, I decided to include photos and contact information to the person that's representing the seller (Even I don't have the seller's contact info). And on top of that, you can run a Carfax report on it, so you can see if the owner has done any damage to it. I highly doubt he has, because I'm sure he's a good driver, probably not as great as he played basketball.
IF you're interested in seeing the vehicle in person (ONLY if you're interested it purchasing it. Being a groupie is not cute, and trust me, I've seen plenty of them.), contact Ali T. at A&M Auto Exports by email: aandmautoexports@gmail.com or call him at (713)849-4222
P.S. The only owner of the vehicle happened to be Michael Jordan, and he's getting rid of it. Along with the car, you get the title with his signature on it. Don't say that I wasn't looking out for you. There's an excessive amount of photos on the eBay page
Let's hope that the sale of this car is more positive than LaLa trying to sell that hot pink Range Rover of hers.
Cobra Electronics Revolutionizes Radar Detection with Cobra iRadarTM System
Oct 19, 2010
Cobra Electronics Corporation, the leading manufacturer of radar detection devices, announced the launch of its new Cobra iRadar Detection System. The Cobra iRadar system combines industry-leading radar/laser gun and speed/red light camera detection technology with the ease of use of iPhone to create a revolutionary detection system.
The Cobra iRadar Detection System consists of a state-of-the-art Cobra radar detector and the Cobra iRadar App for iPhone. The system uses Bluetooth® wireless technology to connect iPhone to the detector, and the iPhone Multi-Touch display to control the detector's settings. As a result, the Cobra iRadar Detection System enables motorists to view, hear and log alerts for radar/laser guns as well as upcoming speed/red light cameras and other potential hazards.
The Cobra iRadar detector is a sleek, compact and powerful unit. It detects all radar and laser guns on the market and alerts motorists to upcoming threats from all directions with its 360 Degree protection. Its large, crisp speaker provides clear and precise warnings while its escalating audio alerts let you know the distance to any threat. The Cobra iRadar detector unit also works as a standalone detector when not paired to the app, ensuring that it is in radar/laser gun detection mode at all times.
The Cobra iRadar App is the control center for the iRadar Detection System. Using the Bluetooth wireless technology in iPhone, drivers can control all the settings of the iRadar detector including which alert notifications it will provide and the audio volume at which they will be provided. In addition, the app allows drivers to view past alert locations on a map, mark user locations, and view their speed, compass heading and car battery voltage.
The Cobra iRadar Detection System has a manufacturer suggested retail price of $169.95 and is available now at retailers nationwide and at www.cobra.com.
The Cobra iRadar App, along with the AURA database, is available for free from the App Store for iPhone or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.
For more information on the Cobra iRadar Detection System, visit www.CobraiRadar.com.
