Cars for Sale Ireland Blog

Filed under: Videos, Humor

Big city parking blows. You’re either fighting the vultures to get a spot on the street, or paying a king’s ransom to park off it. (Let’s not even talk about parking tickets.) And if you want to own a nice car? Fuhgeddaboudit. Because there are always guys like this, who won’t think twice about “fitting” their beater Camry into a spot sized for a Yaris.

In what must be a new numbskull world record, he manages to hit the bumper of the minivan behind him a full 10 times getting into the space. (Yep, we counted.) We won’t give away what happens in the rest of the video, but suffice it to say that the guy’s day ends much the way it started: With him being a total imbecile.

Click through the jump to watch the whole video.

Continue reading Parallel parking like a pro

Parallel parking like a pro originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, UK

We can officially consider this drive of the McLaren MP4-12C our second go at it. In brief, Mother Nature conspired with UK tradition and made our second crack at this British super coupe pretty much a total wash. It didn’t matter how many times the McLaren folks reminded us just how “perfect” and “dry” the previous two days had been; we were swimming and freezing, but the proceedings forced us to switch quickly from crybaby into lemonade-from-lemons mode.

One big attraction was conducting our drive on a circuit laid out on the World War II-era Canadian Air Force field at Dunsfold Park, better known as the Top Gear test track – The Stig’s stomping grounds.

Given all of our potential excitement threatening to poop out on us, we cajoled McLaren’s crew into handing over every bit of photo and video from the day in order to mash together something for your viewing enjoyment, and we insisted on the eminently photogenic McLaren Orange car (known in Bruce’s day as Papaya Orange) with the lightweight package.

Still, it was McLaren’s 592-horsepower Great Orange Hope, it was the 1.75-mile Dunsfold Park figure-eight circuit, and we managed to get everything as loosey-goosey as was safely possible in the standing water.

Continue reading Getting wet with the McLaren MP4-12C at The Stig’s stomping grounds [w/video]

Getting wet with the McLaren MP4-12C at The Stig’s stomping grounds [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Spy Photos, Crossover, Nissan

If automakers have learned anything from the 2011 Ford Explorer, it’s that changing a popular SUV nameplate to a crossover platform won’t necessarily hurt the vehicle’s image (or sales numbers). Nissan is hoping to capture that same sort of magic with its Pathfinder – judging by these spy shots, the traditionally body-on-frame SUV stalwart appears to be crossing over for its next generation.

The next-gen Pathfinder will likely be based on Nissan’s FF-L platform that currently underpins vehicles like the Murano crossover and Quest minivan. Our best guess is that this Pathfinder, which will still remain a seven-passenger vehicle, could share many of its bits with the recently revealed Infiniti JX. Either way, whatever Nissan has planned for the new Pathfinder will surely be better than the aging, Titan-based model that’s currently on sale.

The new Pathfinder appears to be pretty far along in its development, so we’ll likely see its new CUV shape at the Detroit Auto Show in January. For now, scroll through our gallery of spy shots to get a better glimpse at the Pathfinder’s new look.

Nissan Pathfinder prepares to cross over originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Ford, Mercury

Ford has announced a recall of certain Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan vehicles after an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A total of 128,616 2010 and 2011 models equipped with steel wheels may have been manufactured with wheel studs that could crack and split over time. If that happens, the vehicle may experience a wheel separation.

According to The Detroit News, the company is aware of a total of 30 wheel separation incidents, one of which occurred on the front of the vehicle. Even so, no injuries have been reported as a result of the defect.

The problem apparently stems from the fact that the mounting pads on the vehicles’ steel wheels may have been faulty from the factory. In addition, the wheel mounting face on rear disc brakes may not have been installed properly. Ford will inspect the rear disc face and replace them as necessary. In addition, the company will replace all of the vehicle’s wheel studs free of charge. Head to the NHTSA website for more information, and click past the jump to view the full recall notice.

Continue reading Ford recalling 126,000 Fusions and Milans over wheel separation concern

Ford recalling 126,000 Fusions and Milans over wheel separation concern originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Budget, Performance, Etc., Hatchback, Scion, Toyota

Toyota may be hard at work on a new version of the company’s iQ microcar. The sleuths at Carscoop have managed to uncover a patent rendering of the fuel-sipping sub-compact wearing some considerably more aggressive bodywork. It’s unclear whether these designs are meant for the U.S.-market iQ or its Toyota-badged twin, but we’re more than a little intrigued by the vehicle’s widebody treatment.

The kit looks to include a reworked front fascia and wheel arches along with a new rear valance that includes a diffuser and space for dual exhaust outlets. A massive rear spoiler looks to be part of the package, as well, along with side skirts to match the rest of the bodywork. What does Toyota have planned with this pint-sized bruiser? Your guess is as good as ours, but here’s hoping we hear something concrete from the company soon. Head over to Carscoop for additional renderings.

Toyota patent hints at sportier iQ originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Budget, Performance, Truck, Videos, Hatchback, Ford, Off-Road, Fiat

You’ve probably heard the line about modern engines being cleaner than most lawn equipment, but chances are you can’t put a source with that little tidbit. Inside Line recently took it upon itself to put that piece of common wisdom to the test by enlisting the help of an emissions lab in a little internal combustion show down.

Jason Kavanagh and Dan Edmunds pitted the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor against a Fiat 500, a two-stroke leaf blower and a four-stroke leaf blower. Who was left standing as the cleanest of them all when the smoke settled?

Believe it or not, the big-bad Ford took the honor of being the cleanest belle at this ball. Inside Line found that there were fewer hydrocarbons in the vehicle’s exhaust than were present in the ambient air in the emissions lab, meaning the truck was actually cleaning the air as it ran.

That trick actually made the Raptor cleaner than the 1.4-liter four-cylinder in the Fiat, unless you’re only measuring carbon dioxide, which is direct result of the amount of fuel burned. That left third place to the four-stroke leaf blower and dead last to the big two-stroke. Hit the jump to check out the video for yourself.

Continue reading Inside Line pits Ford F-150 SVT Raptor versus… a leaf blower?

Inside Line pits Ford F-150 SVT Raptor versus… a leaf blower? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Government/Legal, Technology, Hummer, Military, Design/Style

The military’s High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), better known to most of us as the Humvee, has already served a long and distinguished career in the battlefield, and there have been a number of replacements waiting in the wings to take over where the HMMWV left off. Or, should we say, leaves off… assuming that ever happens.

It seems that the Humvee is set to get a new lease on life as military budget constraints are forcing the government to reconsider its replacement. But there are still some pesky safety issues to work out before American soldiers will feel comfortable inside the confines of the off-road box on wheels.

As you’re likely aware, improvised explosive devices are an ever-increasing threat to the lives of American troops serving overseas. The Humvee, which traces its design all the way back to the year 1984 when it first saw duty as a replacement for the long-running series of military Jeeps, has seen a number of incarnations over the years that added armor and improved safety, but the latest version may feature something hitherto unseen: a chimney.

No, not a chimney like the one that peeks out of your house. This chimney, along with a V-shaped hull, serves to channel explosive forces up and away from the occupants inside. The structure of the chimney also serves to reinforce the vehicle, connecting its floor with its roof. Other advancements include a new set of doors that open up like barn doors, seats designed to absorb shocks and a sling that promises to lower the gunner into the vehicle in the event of a blast.

Read more about the vehicle here, and be sure to scroll down for the illustration.

Humvee reborn on the battlefield… with a chimney?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, MISC

Italy offers no shortage of mid-engined supercars: Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Paganis… even Alfa Romeo and Maserati have joined in on the action here and there. Faralli & Mazzanti may not have ranked among them until now, but its latest project has them joining these exotic ranks.

Dubbed the Mugello (after the famous Italian race track), F&M’s latest project follows such front-engined creations as the Antas and the Vulca – both rare birds in their own right. Little in the way of details followed along with the four teaser images (presented here in original and lightened versions), but we’re told to expect a production run of just five examples, ensuring exclusivity and an assuredly high price tag.

Faralli & Mazzanti previews new Mugello supercar originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Technology, Mini, Infotainment

Nearly every automaker is incorporating streaming music, social media functionality and other assorted apps into their infotainment systems, but one thing that’s largely been missing is performance data. If you’ve got access to the ECU and can tap into an accelerometer, you’ve got the info, and now Mini is making use of it.

Driving Excitement is the latest Mini Connected app for the iPhone and it measures all the major performance parameters and more.

The Condition Check lets you keep tabs on engine and exterior temps, fuel level and whether the Sport button has been engaged, while the Force Meter visualizes longitudinal and lateral acceleration. The new Digital Sports Instruments takes over the nav screen to a display coolant temperature gauge, along with horsepower, torque and engine revs. And by entering the Excitement mode, you’ve got automatic access to web radio and Dynamic Music to keep the tunes flowing during your flogging.

Get all the details in the press blast after the break and check out the UI in our gallery above.

Continue reading Mini Connected Driving Excitement app taps ECU for performance data

Mini Connected Driving Excitement app taps ECU for performance data originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Ferrari, Design/Style

Good things come to those who wait. Or so the saying goes, at least. And while that may not seem like something you’d associate with performance automobiles like Ferraris, maybe it should. Because while some will pay a premium to get a Ferrari – any Ferrari – right away, others are willing to wait to get theirs just the way they want it. And when we say ‘just the way they want it’, we mean just the way they want it.

To meet the demands of customers willing to shell out a little extra to specify every last detail of their new sports car, companies like Ferrari have been gradually upping their customization portfolio. Maranello’s latest is called, appropriately enough, Ferrari Tailor-Made, and encompasses a wide array of customization options.

Ferrari breaks them down into three categories: Scuderia (which encompasses motorsport-derived materials like carbon fiber and Alcantara), Classica (with pastel colors from the company’s back catalog, cashmere and velvet trim) and Inedita (with avant-garde materials like denim and matte paint jobs).

The limited-edition 599 GTB 60F1 grew out of the Tailor-Made program, and Ferrari has put together three unique one-offs to demonstrate the extent of the possibilities: a 458 Spider with NART stripes, chamois leather upholstery, quilted fabric and high-tech woven aluminum/fiberglass dashboard trim; an FF in Grigio Ingrid with pinstripe cloth, cashmere headliner and teak-trimmed cargo area; and a California decked out to Lapo Elkann’s specifications in denim with matte Blu Scozia finish.

Of course, with such an array of options, each example coming out of the studio will be completely unique, guided by a personal designer at the Ferrari Styling Centre, and assuredly fetching a hefty premium over the already considerable list price. Follow the jump for full details and check out the images in the gallery for a closer look.

Continue reading Ferrari increases customization options with new Tailor-Made program

Ferrari increases customization options with new Tailor-Made program originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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