By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

Well, it’s time–this town ain’t big enough for all of us, so we’re packing up our bags and skipping town. The CarDomain Blog as we know it is going to shift into neutral for now, and we will be relocating to our awesome new party pad: Autoholics!

But here’s the crazy thing: the new place we’re moving to is going to allow us to let all of YOU in as well. As bloggers. Autoholics, our new blog, is going to be like one giant nonstop party where anyone with something interesting to say about cars can post a blog. At Autoholics, you will no longer be relegated to the peanut gallery. You will no longer have to struggle with a broken comments tool, wade through stories you don’t like, or stew silently in your own unvoiced dissent. The age-old divide between author and commenter will go right out the window. At Autoholics, you will help us create the content you want and, together with CarDomain’s rich community of gearheads, make it into the blog that you want.

The CarDomain Blog has had a great run, and it’s been a deliriously good time. But we’re done with preaching to the choir. The time has come to pass the torch to the CarDomain community, whose collected automotive experience and knowledge is far more vast and varied than that of a few of us typing in an office. It’s time to get your stories out into the open. So roll up your sleeves, add Autoholics to your bookmarks, friend us on Facebook, and head on over to the new site to see what the future of your blog looks like. We need get the ball rolling over there, so post up some comments, and then jump right in and write a blog yourself! We’re totally stoked and we can’t wait to see you over there–where the beer’s always cold, we’ve got a full set of Snap-On, and we are all Autoholics. Come join the party!

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

As Rob mentioned the other day, we’ve implemented some new tools to make it easier to sell your ride on CarDomain. Now, as part of our larger In-Market Showcase, we’ve rolled out a bunch of new features to make it easier for folks who find their way to CarDomain to research–and make–their next car purchase here as well. As you might’ve noticed on the homepage, we’ve got research tools for both new and used cars side by side. Drill into these for specific makes and models and you’ll turn up not only cars for sale on the site, but specs and stats, videos, and original uncut reviews written by members of the CarDomain community who have owned and worked on these vehicles. To get started, browse rides for sale here and learn how to list your car here. Full press release after the jump.

Continue reading "CarDomain Launches In-Market Showcase" »

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

CarDomain HQ is on the move again! This time, it’s not too far–we’ve just scored a better office in our current ‘hood. Meanwhile, Rob is conveniently leaving in the middle of it all to go to party at the New York International Auto Show, so things are kind of upside-down and on fire right now. If you notice any disruption, our chaotic office situation is the most likely culprit. And if you happen see any empty boxes lying around in the blog, let us know–we’re short! Thanks for bearing with us.

By Ryan Porter

IN-N-OUT Editor

I took the Hyundai Genesis Coupe out for a couple days and am starting to think that I can’t afford to own one. We were provided with the nice 3.8 Track version, which is the sportiest of the offerings, but for a guy like me it still lacks what I really want in a sporty car. Here is a list of mandatory modifications that I’d have to complete in order to own this car:

1. Stiffer suspension – The car has too much weight transfer and too much lean.

2. Lightened flywheel – I can’t exactly describe it, but the transmission is lacking. Quick shifts are nearly impossible to fire off and at low RPMs it feels like the tranny has too much weight to turn over. I’m thinking a lightened flywheel would help with getting the power sooner and might delay the hang time between shifts.

3. Wheels – Very few OEMs get the wheels right, and rather than making the car these take the car back a notch and remind you once again that it’s a Hyundai.

Overall I actually really enjoy the car and I’ll admit that I’m somewhat finicky, as you can tell by the wide variety of cars I’ve owned.

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

When Michelle—CarDomain LA’s office manager—and I headed out to lunch yesterday, we finally took a picture of the crosswalk signal in front of one of my favorite sandwich spots. It’s been like this for at least a month, and we’ve speculated that some clever vandals used paper to block out the other fingers. Of course, that doesn’t explain why the thumb is still visible. But regardless, I think this signal is awesome, and hope it stays like that forever. Nobody walks in LA anyway…

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

This week, I’ve been working from Florida, because I’m down visiting my folks for Christmas. Now, aside from the family, hyper-spicy Jamaican beef patties—the ones here are beyond awesome—and Cuban sandwiches, there’s absolutely nothing I miss about the Sunshine State. But I have to admit, America’s wang has it charms. I mean, check out the truck nuts dangling from hindquarters of this clapped-out Buick. That’s just hilarious. And what you can’t see? The sticker on the driver’s side of the rear window. It reads,  “Warning: Redneck,” which is kind of awesome, in a scary, backwoods kind of way. Hit the jump for some more classic Florida verbiage…

Continue reading "Yup, I’m in Florida: Truck Nuts on a Buick" »

By Ryan Porter

IN-N-OUT Editor

Saturday I installed some HID headlights on the car to improve nighttime visibility.  And while all seemed well after the installation, while I was on my way to dinner last night the driver’s side went out. I pulled over and immediately popped the headlamp out, because I was hoping a connection had just popped out. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, and  I went on the rest of the night with just one light. When I got home I popped the bonnet to give it another look but decided to go to bed since I was tired and it was real cold in the garage. So that was Saturday night, hit the  jump to see how my Sunday turned out.

Continue reading "Rough Sunday With The Porsche" »

By Ryan Porter

IN-N-OUT Editor

What’s better than getting a new car? You get to learn all the rattles and noises of a new beast, you get to clean up and perfect work that’s not up to your standards, and best of all, you get to add another notch in your belt. I love getting to experience a new car—and what better car to experience than a Porsche 911?

I’ve only had the chance to drive it a call times so far, and the road conditions are horrible in the NorthWest, so unfortunately, I can’t exactly stretch its legs right now. But check out my ride page and mark my new ride as a favorite so you can stay up-to-date with my upcoming mods and photos. First things first, I need some new tires!

By Ryan Porter

IN-N-OUT Editor

During lunch yesterday Rob and I played a good hour of Forza 3 and I must say the game is awesome. The graphics and sounds are amazing, and the feel of driving the different cars is like none other. I am no “gamer” and have very little experience in driving games like this, but I this game allows for people like me to really enjoy it no matter what your skill level is.

If you’re like me and hop directly into a Bugatti Veyron or the Ferrari FXX you will quickly find out what it’s like to slam head first into the walls and to finish the rest of the race entertaining your self with burnouts and head on collisions with the other racers. But if you step back and admit that improving at the game takes baby steps, you will be much better off picking the Rabbit GTI or the Dodge Charger R/T. Get in one of these cars and get your ducks in a row with the controls, your preferred driving view, the handling, and the passing. Watching Rob it was funny to see where he would try to pass and to then call him out on it as if he thought he could really get by with that kind of driving, just cause it was a video game.

Once you’ve got yourself situated, you should think about getting this setup! I’m looking to get myself a 360 with the entire racing wheel setup post SEMA.

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

Well, it took almost four days of living in Los Angeles, but I finally got behind the wheel of a supercar. Sitting here typing, I still can’t believe what happened. Now it’s not like I’ve never realized that I’m one of the luckiest bastards to ever walk the face of the earth—I have, really—but lately that’s been happening like, every [expletive deleted] day. You see, CarDomain and YoParts are going to be giving away a Nissan GT-R, and when I rolled into the office yesterday morning, Nads told me we were picking it up from DC Motors, which is a solid 45 minutes from the office, that afternoon. He also—for reasons I can’t at all fathom—informed me that I was going to be driving it back.

Continue reading "Swimming With Sharks: Driving a GT-R on the LA Freeway" »