2012 Spy Photos of the Mercedes CLS class

I was driving around my area one morning and came across the "face-lifted" CLS class.  It appears to be a refreshening in my opinion, not a total redesign, but it is actually a redesign from what I have read.  Anyway it definitely needed some revitalization with its styling for it to still look even more contemporary especially with other makes entering the market, ie BMW Gran Turismo, Audi A7, and Jaguar XJ.  I spoke to the German testers driving this exact car, (they actually rolled down their window for them to speak to me), and they could not reveal any information to me about the car.  But, I still said to them "hey nice CLS Class guys".  (So much for the chamoflaged exterior).  Enjoy... This 2012 will be out pretty soon.

This 2004 Acura TSX driven daily has how many miles on it?? Holy $hit!

Yes, this is my friend's Acura TSX and has (look at the photo) miles on it.  Not kilometers, miles!  He bought it brand new in June of 2004 and 6 1/2 years later, it is still driving strong.  He uses it as his daily-driver for work, and yes he travels everywhere in the Northeast.  Not to mention, I drove it personally myself last week and it STILL feels solid and secure.  Yes, I would take on a trip to Atlantic City, why not?  A testament that Japanese built cars are still as rugged as the cars built in the 1990's.

I would definitely put the Acura TSX on your shopping list if you are interested in a well crafted, solid, comfortable vehicle.  (Now I am sounding like their commercials, and Jill Wagner from the Mercury ads).  This is the only sedan where it is built and assembled in Japan in the $30K+ price range.  If you think it says three hundred -seventeen thousand - six hundred and seventy two miles, you are right.

Spy photos of the New BMW 3 Series for 2012.

These are the new pictures of the next - generation redesigned 3 series. Not available at a dealer near you yet, but you will see it as a 2012 model.  Now you know why BMW is having a "fire sale" offering no money down leases and great factory to dealer incentives on the current model.  They have to clear out the current stock to make room for the new redesign model.   When I first saw this prototype model on Chestnut Ridge Road in Woodcliff Lake, NJ, I thought it was a spiffed up Pontiac G8 (great car horrible model name, may it rest in peace bye-bye Pontiac). Looking closer it is the next generation 3.  What is interesting is that the driver looked like he was about to $hit in his pants when I was taking pics of this car next to him at a stopped traffic light.  The rear end of the car resembles the controversial looking last generation 7-series.

Enjoy the pics!   Bye for now.

When trucks were really simple 1960 Dodge D100 pickup.

Hello there:
This is when trucks were simple, functional, and designed distinctively.  This is the 1960 Dodge D100. Has a 3-speed on the tree and drives like a truck Im sure. Looked too good not for me to grab a pic of this. No A/C, no power steering, no power brakes, none of that.  I'm sure it has heat, but something like this is so timeless, it does the job as good then as it does now.  Love the colors.  So 1960!

Bye for now.

The car I grew up with since I was born -- a 1967 Ford Thunderbird

Hello again,

This is the car I grew up with since I was an infant to about 7 years of age -- a Ford Thunderbird 4-door Landau.   It is exactly the same car except it was a dark green color.  My parents purchased this car in November of 1966, when Mom was pregnant with her first child (me!) until it was totalled in a car accident in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey in June of 1975 by some ditzy girl who just got her license.  She was driving a 1973 Plymouth Satellite at the time of the accident.  Her car got most of the damage anyway.  The 1967 model was a first 4-door model for the Thunderbird model lineup which continued through 1971.

I had a lot of fond memories of the Thunderbird, especially the suicide doors that opened from the center, to the AM/FM radio where the display used to change for AM and FM.  The best feature of all was when the steering wheel would automatically tilt up to allow easier entry and exit.  The front seats would inadvertently fold forward since they were installed for its two door model, so when Dad would stop short, the seats would fold forward.  (Thanks Ford).   There were rear A/C ducts beneath the rear window for the rear seat passengers, and that was a cool feature.  I remember the grill work was all metal, so it was hot as hell when you accidentally touched it.

You don't see too many cars of this vintage for sale, but when you do, it is worth a look.  This one that I spotted last week is selling for $11k.  The original purchase price FOB was $3500 US in 1967.  This is when Ford had a consistency of satisfying the masses by building big, strong, cars unadulterated by the EPA regulations, and high gas prices that have plagued the auto industry today.

Ah such memories....

Bye for now

Old Ford Plant site Pics that are still here today

Hi Everyone:

Been away on vacation, since my delay in posting since last week.

Here are some pictures of the remains of the Ford - Mahwah assembly plant that are still in existence today. It is behind the Sharp corporate office in Mahwah.   This was taken nearly a month ago.  The fencing and gate and a sign are all still intact.  This was known to be the largest enclosed assembly plant in the world before its demise in June of 1980.  The last cars to be built there were the Fairmont, Pinto, and F-150.  It opened in 1955 and had a continuous 25-year run.  Enjoy the pics.

Bye for now

The CRX of 2011 grows up and What the Hell Photos

Was at the Honda dealer today and saw the new CR-Z which is actually a 2 -eater Insight.  Pure hybrid.  Awesome vehicle.  It is definitely is today what the CRX was in the 1980s, except it is a technological, fuel efficient vehicle for the sporty type who wants to make an ecological statement in the process.  Fit and finish are great, and no one says you cant have fun while conserving the environment.  Base price is $24K, maybe pricey for a two seat sporty coupe, but so was the CRX back in the day.  (pics are listed above for your viewing pleasure).  Eight year battery warranty too.  Great mileage, BUT remember Hybrids cost much more to insure than your comparable gasoline vehicle, and when you are at highway speed, the MPG is virtually similiar at 65 mph, because they are both running their gasoline engines at their point.


WHAT THE HELL??? OR SHOULD I SAY WTF??  photos

If you have noticed, the Buick port holes / vent grills have now been affixed to the front fenders in front of the "A" pillar on all sorts of old and even newer vehicles, as in this 2009 Acura RDX lshown below.   Now you see relics with one, two, or three of these portholes on the front fenders.   What does this do?  Does it make the car more aerodynamic, does it enhance the visual effect, or does it cool the engine better, what gives.  Why should someone pay the money for these "items" and affix them to their cars to begin with?  Then they have to match to make sure they line up evenly on either side for the "proper" visual effect.  Beats the hell out of me.  Ok, maybe I should add them to my vehicle to show how much of an imbecile I am.  People should just save their money and buy spare bulbs or duct tape to make sure nothing falls apart or anything on their vehicles, or just save the money for the toll to cross the Lincoln Tunnel next time in case they rent a car where EZ Pass is not available on their rental. 

I now saw these "port holes" on a 2009 Acura RDX today.  Hey vehicle owner, the car was not designed for them to be included on the vehicle.  Now it looks stupid and not visually appealing for sure.

no this is not an emblem, it is a ridiculous port hole.  What a snazzy Acura (NOT)

 So my question of the day is: ?

the vehicle that has these stupid @ss looking tacked on port holes or the one that does not have them. 

 Mr.and Ms.Vehicle Owner, leave your car alone and just personalize it with chain license plate frames, tinted windows, rear fog lamps, or the simple bumper sticker. Leave the port holes/vent grills to the automotive designers who like to incorporate them as a design enhancement on their Buick Lacrosse, Buick Enclave, Cadillac Escalade, or Lincoln Navigator for that matter.  Have you seen the new Infiniti QX full size SUV?  They have them too now.

FEEL FREE TO POST YOUR COMMENTS AT ACCELERO@VERIZON.NET

Bye for now......