From the Wreckage - scrap car services, their strengths and shortcomings

With a number of governmental scrap car initiatives having failed in recent years, are the privately-owned scrap car businesses playing their part, providing reliable and efficient car recycling schemes that are actually helping the environment?

If you've suffered a car accident, it can be a harrowing and often traumatic experience that impacts on your life in a number of ways; your health, your well-being and your financial situation.

If the money for your next vehicle purchase is tied up in your old, broken or damaged car, it can be difficult to know what to do. Unable to sell your car, you may turn to the loan companies to give you a helping hand, and provide you with the money you need to purchase another.

Unfortunately, as is often the case when you deal with loan providers, their interest rates can cripple you, and you might stand to lose more money than you would by simply doing nothing with your damaged car, and giving up on it.

Scrap car companies provide a solution, but are they doing enough?
Growing in popularity in recently years, there are a number of scrap car companies out there who now help you recoup some of the costs from that newly-written-off car; companies that offer cash for your damaged car and make sure that all hazardous parts are disposed of in accordance with the latest environmental procedures, and that all metal is sent to steel mills where it's able to be reused.

Unfortunately there have been reports of scrap car dealers operating illegally, failing to ensure that the scrap cars are being scrapped, recycled and de-polluted efficiently. And not just this, there's a disturbing trend that sees scrap car thieves targeting car garages and stealing specific car parts to later sell on.

Where do our priorities lie?
We now find ourselves in a situation in which used cheap cars are more valuable when scrapped than they are when sold on - and even when they are sold on, many scrap car companies fail to dispose of them properly; a trend that sees both theft and pollution rising.

So it seems that rather than an effort to reduce the harmful impact our current car production and disposal methods are having on the environment, many initiatives have been set up with one goal in mind: money.

What can be done to tackle to growing trend of vehicle theft while still providing scrap car owners with an initiative that'll see them opt to have their scrap car salvaged for parts and being recycled?

By Rob Henry

2012 Acura MDX

NEWS GREG MIGLIORE: The 2012 Acura MDX is a classy SUV with respectable power and a bit of space inside. Using it for a commuter lap, I unfortunately didn't make full use of its potential, but I'll leave that to members of the staff with offspring of the two- and four-legged variety.

I was impressed with the six-cylinder engine. It didn't strike me until I merged a few lanes over and jabbed the throttle, producing a pleasing sound and decent acceleration as I trailed in the wake of a Chevy Camaro convertible. I played with the paddles a bit, too. They were fun, amusing for a good-sized crossover, but not exactly Formula One-inspired. They're just something to spice up the drive into work and summon the revs a bit more purposefully on the expressway.

The cabin of the MDX is impressive in appearance and execution. This sampler came in stately black inside, and the steering wheel and door panels were smart. The atmosphere was quiet and serene, with just a bit of wind and exterior noise getting in. The negative? I'm not a fan of the center stack, which has way too many buttons and is confusing. It's hard to get used to in a short period and not easy to operate at a glance. MIT-inspired controls are not my preference at expressway speeds.

ROAD TEST JONATHAN WONG: Even with a new MDX expected to appear sometime next year, the current model is still my favorite three-row SUV. With our 2008 MDX long-termer, we piled more than 30,000 miles onto it, it never missed a day of service because of mechanical issue and the cabin held up remarkably well.

I continue to believe that this V6 and six-speed automatic transmission combination is one of (if not the) smoothest drivetrain combination in the SUV class. When you light-foot it around town, it's quiet, with the transmission performing seamless shifts. And like Greg mentioned, it has a surprisingly nice exhaust note during wide-open throttle to unleash decent power for merging onto the expressway and passing slower traffic.

The magnetic suspension is cushy in comfort mode for a soft ride around town and more roll around corners, but tightens in sport mode. Of course, a high-riding 4,600-pound vehicle isn't going to take a corner like a sports car, but all things considered, it can round an expressway entrance ramp quite well. Steering has some weight tuned and responds well to inputs. Brakes feature good bite and slow things down without drama.

I suppose the best compliment you can give a large vehicle is that it drives smaller than it is. Maneuvering around parking lots is done with ease, and the backup camera is handy. I also think Acura's blind-spot warning displays are the best in the business, with the warning inside the cabin instead of outside on the mirror itself or on the side of the mirror housing like Audi's is.

Complaints about the MDX's button-laden center stack are expected, but I prefer buttons over having the majority of functions being controlled by an iDrive-like knob. It's kind of like your home entertainment remote control that has a billion buttons on it, but you eventually get used to it and pick up on how to control the cable box, DVR, DVD player, speaker system and TV. It's the same thing with the MDX's center stack you'll get acclimated to it and will be a pro at working through it before long.

The rest of the interior is nice, with quality materials, good-looking wood trim, soft leathers and one of the most comfortable front bucket seats you'll find in a luxury SUV.

As for complaints, I do have one. The navigation map in Acura vehicles is really outdated. While Audi has Google Maps images, Acura is still slogging along with the same beige background image that's in the Wong family's 2004 MDX. Kind of disappointing, but I'm sure updates are in the works--at least I hope they are.

2012 Acura MDX Advance with Entertainment Package
Base Price: $55,450
As-Tested Price: $55,450
Drivetrain: 3.7-liter V6; AWD, six-speed automatic
Output: 300 hp @ 6,300 rpm, 270 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm
Curb Weight: 4,627 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 18/19.6 mpg
Options: None
For more information: Check out the 2012 Acura MDX Advance with Entertainment Package at shopautoweek.com

Audi releases a further 250 RS3s

Audi has revealed that it is releasing a further 250 Audi RS3 Sportback quattro models into the UK market due to 'consistent demand'.

The new batch of cars will join the 500 units sold in the UK last year and will carry the same £39,930 price tag.

The Audi RS3 is powered by the marque's turbocharged, five-cylinder, 2.5-litre engine, which produces 335bhp and 332lb ft torque. The RS3 will sprint from 0-62mph in 4.6sec before hitting its 155mph limited top speed.

External features of the hot A3 comprise 19-inch alloys, flared carbonfibre arches and a prominent roof spoiler.

The RS3's closest rival is the BMW M135i, which goes on sale in October and costs from £29,995 (three-door) and £30,585 (five door). The BMW produces an RS3-rivalling 316bhp from its turbocharged in-line six-pot motor.

BMW claims that when mated to its 6-speed manual gearbox, the M135i will hit 62mph in 5.1sec or 4.9sec when fitted with its eight-speed auto 'box.

The Mercedes A45 AMG another of the Audi's rivals will be probably be priced from around £35,000 when it goes on UK sale in 2013. It delivers 330bhp from its turbocharged 2.0-litre engine.

By Alex Kersten

Dodge Charger 1966

This bargain priced 1966 double black Charger is a freshly restored big block, 4-speed street warrior that will get a ton of respect and appreciation anywhere you show it and provide endless entertainment behind the wheel!

The beneficiary of a frame off restoration that was completed just last year, this fully detailed 1966 Charger's refurbished panels and brand new all-business black paint are as crisp as a fall morning at the local drag strip. During the extensive restoration, correct Chrysler code B Black was laid down over an exceptionally straight body that includes new high quality quarter panels and front fenders. Once the deep basecoat/clearcoat paint was dry and buffed to a glossy mirror-like shine, the cars original and surprisingly straight stainless trim was buffed to an excellent shine and reinstalled in its rightful place. The result is one spectacular show and go piece that is so much fun to drive and show off, you'll almost feel guilty.

Best known for its clean and muscular second generation, the Charger isn't often associated with the luxury car level of trim that this first year '66 model has. And while Detroit as a whole was trending away from ,decked out' cars, the stainless on this Charger's clean black body gives it a powerful appearance that simply can't be matched by the modernist designs that would define the late 60s. Up front, a tough looking pot metal 'electric shaver' grille houses an old school Dodge Fratzog emblem and four fully rotating headlights above a showroom fresh front bumper. Behind that grille, new glass is bordered by excellent looking chrome side mirrors and straight stainless drip rails that completely outline the cars pillarless hardtop greenhouse. At the sides of the car, stainless trim traces increasingly prominent fender lines that run parallel to pristine rocker trim and straight stainless wheel trim. At the top of the sculpted rear fenders, familiar "Charger" scripts sit just behind the cars side windows, and on the front fenders chrome "383 4 barrel" emblems look right at home. At the back of the car, a second Fratzog emblem is centered above a body width six lamp taillight that features bold chrome "Charger" lettering and a second chrome bumper that incorporates vertical reverse lights.

Lift this Charger's black hood and you'll find a correct 383 cubic inch warranty block that was fully rebuilt during the cars restoration. At the top of the motor, a satin black air cleaner with a correct Mopar decal sends air into a Carter Competition Series carburetor that's fueled through stainless fuel lines. Below that carburetor, the big block engine wears a fresh coat of correct Chrysler turquoise and a new coil and distributor shoot fire to the cylinders through fresh Mopar wires. At the sides of the block, factory replacement exhaust manifolds send spent gases into a throaty dual exhaust system, and in front of the block there's a fresh 26 inch radiator with a factory clutch fan. The correct Chrysler code B Black engine bay is exceptionally clean and has been nicely detailed with new Mopar V-belts, correct hoses and clamps, a reproduction Mopar battery, and a fresh washer fluid container. This is definitely an engine compartment you'll want to show off every time you park the car, and if you want to make the car even more authentic, the original carburetor and distributor are included in the sale.

Behind that legendary Chrysler engine you'll find an A833 4-speed manual transmission that sends power to a familiar 8.75 inch rear end. Holding that super reliable drivetrain in place is a correct front torsion bar and rear leaf suspension that benefited from a slew of new parts and hardware during the restoration. At the corners of that suspension, correct four wheel drum brakes provide firm stopping, and at the front of that suspension, factory correct power steering helps make turning easier and more precise. Exhaust is handled by an aluminized true dual system that provides an aggressive tone, but isn't overbearing, there are fresh bushings all around, and new stainless fuel and brake lines run from both a new fuel tank and a new brake reservoir. As long as you're under there looking around, you'll notice that the floorpans were fully undercoated during the restoration and the suspension components were obviously stripped and repainted. And while the bottom of this Charger isn't dressed for concours appearance, it is nice enough that you'll certainly be pointing out to your friends how good it looks up on a lift. Oh, and don't forget to point out the cool set of 14 inch Hurst wheels that wear excellent 235/60 BF Goodrich T/A radials!

The best part of first generation Chargers is their spectacular cockpits; just look at that excellent full length console in this cars correct P4X interior! Not only does it appear to be ripped straight out of a Chrysler show car, it creates a super rare four bucket sedan layout that makes you instantly think of luxury cars. At the front of the console a continuous motion clock sits at the base of the cars 4-speed shifter and at the rear of the console a folding arm rest provides added cargo room. At the sides of the console, great looking light stitched seats wear reproduction covers in the front and original covers in the back. Below the console, new black carpet shows no sign of wear or usage, and above the seats, a fresh headliner sits holds light stitched sun visors. In front of the driver, electroluminescent gauges that were WAY ahead of their time include a standard tachometer and the correct wood rimmed steering wheel perfectly complements the cars silver trim. At the sides of the seats, new silver trimmed Charger exclusive door panels feature new chrome bits, correct "Charger" emblems and switches for the cars power windows. Behind the cockpit, the cars completely restored trunk features a collapsible divider for increased cargo space. This Chargers interior is fully restored and 100% complete; the owner is even throwing in an additional Chrysler AM radio just in case anything happens to the one mounted in this Chargers dash.

There is considerable documentation that goes along with this car. We have a copy of the current owners 1972 invoice from Stetler Auto Company; yes, he has owned the car for almost 40 years. We have a CD full of restoration photos and a stack of restoration receipts. We have a 1966 Charger brochure, original service manuals and paperwork for the transmission and wheels. And finally, we have a 1966 copy of Motor Trend magazine that features the Charger on its cover.

The black ones always go the quickest (naturally; who doesn't love a bad ass all black Charger?) and I don't expect this correct black on black '66 383 car will prove an exception to that rule; especially when you consider its incredible $40K price tag. That's the bargain of the century! I'm urging you not to become the next, "Sorry, it's sold," phone call we get because this super clean, big block 4-speed black on black Charger certainly won't last long. Call now!

More info:
5527 Lakeview Road, Charlotte, NC 28269
Phone: 704.596.5211 Fax: 704.596.5980