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.

Tesla is bringing one of their cars up to Seattle tomorrow for a little demo at Microsoft, and I managed to get myself invited. It’s unclear whether I’m being driven or if I actually getting to drive, but either way I’ll get to experience one of these things in motion for the first time. Stay tuned…

On Monday I had a nice chat with Perry Stern, MSN Auto’s Editor. Perry has been there since it started in 1995 (it was called CarPoint back then) and has been running the show since 2002. As Perry says, it was “the first Microsoft product not to come in a box.” Our conversation was supposed to center on fuel efficient vehicles, gas prices, etc., but I figured you guys are sick of hearing about that stuff, and anyway, I was curious about his site. Continue reading…

Continue reading "Perry Stern of MSN Autos" »

I’m just curious, and I the only person who really digs those FreeCreditReport.com commercials? Honestly, I think that "New Car" isn’t nearly as funny as "Pirates" or "Dream Girl,"  but I like all of them. Anyway, here’s the news:

• While US motorists are feeling pain at the pump, oil-producing countries are rolling in dough, and some folks over there are paying nearly a million dollars for low-digit license plates. Is this what we get for not becoming energy independent? Sigh. Autoblog
• The Gullwing—the successor to Mercedes’ SLR McLaren supercar—has been spotted at the Ring. While it was wearing some Viper sheet metal on its hind quarters, even in this Franken-trim, the car looks pretty sexy. AutoExpress
• Chinese company Brilliance took serious heat after crash tests made its BS6 look about as safe as gator wrestling. But lo and behold, somebody has wrecked one—and lived to tell the tale! World Car Fans
• Microsoft Sync’s system has made the Focus has a bright spot in Ford’s lineup, but now that Hyundai and Kia will be getting similar technology, will it be able to keep its edge? Time will tell. Freep

Look, I’m as concerned about the environment as the next person. And even though a polar bear would rip me limb from limb if given half a chance, it still made me sad to think that their habitat is disappearing. But when I read that climate change may cause beer prices to rise, I started to get nervous. While some people look a beer as a luxury, I’ve always regarded a couple of cold ones as more of an inalienable right. Talk about sobering. Anyway, here’s the news: 

• Microsoft’s Sync system has been an unmitigated hit for Ford, and the Blue Oval’s brass has to be stoked. But come November, its exclusive deal with the Evil Empire will come to an end, and that has to have them a little worried. Will the Focus be able to stand on it’s own two feet? Auto Observer
• Given how slow Congress is to do anything, the blind must have a pretty powerful lobby. A bill set to be introduced today would establish a minimum decibel level for all vehicles starting 2010. I vote for a sonar ping. Automotive News
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Joie Chitwood wants to see F1 return to the States, and says his track is ready and willing to host a race. Lets hope the Indy and F1 can make nice soon. Winding Road
• In other F1-related news, FIA boss Max Mosley—AKA: Nazi-orgy guy—will face a no-confidence vote on June 3rd, a vote he is sure to lose. Something that probably won’t help his case? A new interview with one of the sex workers involved in his romp. She said he explicitly ordered the Nazi theme. Stay tuned. News of the World via New York Times

All eyes are on the pickets lines in Michigan. UAW called a strike against GM this morning and if it lasts more than a few hours, the impact on the US auto industry could be huge. Talks between the union and GM are ongoing:

• Freep has pictures from the picket lines, in case you hadn’t seem them before: Freep
• Acura is teasing us with pics of the concept for the next NSX: Car and Driver
• Ford and Microsoft are coming out with a pretty cool gadget that will keep your eyes on the road without ignoring text messages from your bff: LA Times
• There is an even more exclusive Bugatti on the market. I should clarify, by "on the market," I mean, "there are five of them in the world and they all sold already for over $1 million." As you can see below, it’s one bad [expletive deleted]: Top Gear