How To Kill A Perfectly Good Engine for $5.68

We’ve already talked about the buying a Toyota Tundra under the Clash for Clunkers “CARS” program, but here’s a quick recap.

The government offers $3500 to $4500 to trade-in a vehicle that gets less than 18mpg provided that:

• You’re buying a car that gets better than 22mpg.
• You’re buying a truck that gets better than 18mpg or one that gets at least 2mpg better than the vehicle you’re trading or
• You’re buying a work truck.

The specifics are sort of complicated, so you should visit the official Cars.gov website to figure it all out.

One of the requirements of this bill is that the vehicle you trade-in is scrapped. Unfortunately, scrapped doesn’t begin to describe the torture that your clunker’s engine is put through. The description of the scrapping process isn’t for auto fans with a weak stomach…here’s how it works Read more…

Car and Driver Likes The 2010 4.6L V8 Tundra

Car and Driver gave a nice review of the new 4.6L engine in the 2010 Tundra. Basically, C&D likes the engine for what it is – an adequately powerful and efficient V8.

Car and Driver reviews the 2010 Tundra 4.6L V8

The review mentions some nice things about the engine and the Tundra in general too: Read more…

Toyota Closes NUMMI – Get Ready For A Backlash

It’s official – Toyota is going to close NUMMI. Toyota has a list of good reasons for closing the plant – it’s unprofitable, it’s in a bad location, building cars in California is only going to get harder with environmental regulations and increasing taxes, etc. A couple of weeks ago we came up with a list of reasons Toyota wouldn’t close NUMMI (we were wrong).

NUMMI closes 25 years after GM's Roger Smith and Eiji Toyoda created their joint venture.

First and foremost on our list was the PR nightmare that comes with closing a plant. While “nightmare” might be a little over the top, there’s no denying this decision will negatively impact Toyota’s image. Here’s why: Read more…

Total Chaos Toyota Tundra Long Travel Suspension Kit

There are a number of people who buy a Toyota Tundra because they want a truck that combines excellent day to day utility and driving comfort with the ability to head off-road on the weekends and have some fun. As with all types of motor sports, after you have been off-road more than a few times you start to get a hankering for some extra performance from your pickup. This can mean picking up bigger tires, installing a lift kit or maybe an additional skid plate to keep things protected down below.

Long travel suspension for 2007 and up Toyota Tundras from Total Chaos

Sometimes, however, you get bitten hard by the rock climbing or desert racing bug and you want to make a more extreme modification to your pickup that will not only help you stand out from the crowd but will also give you a healthy dollop of extra abilities out on the trail. This is where Total Chaos Fabrication steps in. Read more…

Toyota Working To Cut Costs, Establish A Hybrid Standard

Since the very first Toyota Prius went on sale in the USA back in 2001, Toyota has been working carefully to establish their hybrid synergy drive as the de facto hybrid standard. Ford and Nissan licensed certain aspects of Toyota’s hybrid systems in 2004 and 2006 respectively, and just last week it was reported that Mazda will begin licensing Toyota’s hybrid technology in the near future.

Toyota works to create a hybrid design standard and cut costs.

It’s also been rumored that Toyota has discussed hybrid technology licensing deals with Subaru and GM. Generally, these moves are viewed with skepticism. On one side, some Toyota fans object to sharing technology. On the other side, jealous auto manufacturers (and their fans) view Toyota’s offer to share as arrogant greed. However, the real reason that Toyota is looking to license their hybrid technology is to cut costs by creating a standard. Read more…