Car Stuff
Sometimes a backyard mechanic needs a little help. These
sites bail me out pretty regularly. Too Regularly! This document last
modified March 30, 2010.
General Information not specifically for any model
or make of car.
Autocross and Racing Links In the summer of '97, I discovered just how much fun
you can have in a car without a back seat. Actually you can do this stuff
with any car. Check it out!
Mazda RX-7 This
is my weekend toy -- a 1985 RX-7 GSL-SE.
Jaguar X-Type - my daily driver.
Volvo This legacy page is about my old car - a '99 Volvo S70 T-5M. Left up for those still rolling.
General
All-Data DIY offers "online service manuals." I'm using this for
diagnostics and service procedures for my '99 Volvo S70, and it's proven
to be invaluable. Includes OBDII trouble code descriptions and related service
procedures, as well as recall and technical service bulletin information
that is usually only provided to the dealer. The
diagrams and text in the service procedures appear to be lifted right out
of Volvo sources. I also have the UK-spec Haynes manual for the 70-series
cars and, although it's good, All-data is far more comprehensive.
Equus makes OBDII scanners, among other
things. I picked mine up from
Jeepers and Creepers for about $140, including shipping. (JC Whitney sells the same
unit for about $180 plus shipping.) Thus far, it's bailed me out of a few
problems that the Volvo dealer couldn't fix after repeated attempts. With
this tool, and the aforementioned All-Data subscription, there's very little
chance that I'll be going to the dealer anymore for post-warranty service.
National Motorists Association
has excellent information about fighting traffic tickets. This kind of data
and advice is a necessity if you live or commute in New Jersey.
Valentine One makes the undisputed
king of radar detectors, with a price to match. Plenty cheaper than a New
Jersey speeding ticket, though, once you factor in all of the insurance
surcharges, court time, etc.
Cartalk is a National Public Radio
talk show about car repairs. They're actually pretty funny -- you'd never know it was NPR.
Edmund's Automobile Buyer's Guides
are those little booklets that you can get in most magazine & book stores.
Their frequently revised used car pricing guide has been the most reliable
source I know of for pricing used cars. Typically, a better reflection
of the market than the NADA "Blue Book."
AUTOPEDIA - The AUTOmotive encycloPEDIA
is the complete Internet source for automotive-related information,
where consumers can find everything related to Autos, Boats, Trucks, Minivans,
Motorcycles, RV's and Sport Utilities.
Automedia Online has reviews and test, and some
really cool spy photos of up and coming vehicles.
The Auto Channel has a tremendous
amount of information about all sorts of car stuff.
Shitbox Market Letter
I wish this guy would update this page. It's kinda funny.
Bryan's Rice-Boy Page laughs at
just about every Honda and Toyota that you might ever see driving through
Newark, New Jersey.
Goracing! Home Page -- for all
the latest in all kinds of racing. Includes schedules,
directions and more. Even includes Englishtown, NJ.
Speedvision Online
for the latest auto-racing tv listings, news and more.
MotorWeek is a
weekly TV show that you've probably seen on the local PBS station.
Always a top quality production.
Car and Driver just might be
my favorite car magazine.
Motor Trend ONLINE is from that
"also-ran" car magazine.
Sportscar International Magazine is another great
magazine that I only just discovered. Makes me wish I had more money.
Autocross and Racing Links
A Quick Tour Through
the World of Solo II is a great description of what autocross is all about.
Glen Region
SCCA Novice Handbook is an excellent guide for the new racers.
Sports Car Club of America is the sanctioning
body that organizes autocross. They're the ones that keep it safe and
fun. They also have a "Region Locator" to help you find the SCCA region near
you which hosts autocross events.
SCCA - Northern NJ Region sponsors
the autocross events at Englishtown/Raceway Park.
PA's Autox Page
includes links to local SCCA Autocross schedules.
Team.Net Autocross Mailing
List has about 850 members who share interest in this sport.
Grassroots Motorsports Magazine
-- Make a point of subscribing to this magazine if you ever get involved
with autocross or road racing. It's far and away the best source of information
about club racing of all kinds.
Washington DC Region SCCA
Home Page -- some of my friends race in this region, so I kept a link
to their racing schedule.
Skip Barber Racing School I'm
going to have to piss away some more money, just to learn to go faster.
But this school looks like fun.