1977/78 Pontiac Trans Am Steering Wheel/oem on 2040-parts.com

Limited Edition MINI Countryman and MINI Paceman get Frozen Black Metallic Matt paint

MINI Paceman (pictured) with the new Frozen Black Matt paint job Matt paint finishes are not exactly everyone’s cup of tea, but for those with deep pockets – buying expensive cars – they’ve been an option for a while. And now BMW are extending their Matte paint finishes to MINI, with limited editions of the MINI Countrymnan and MINI Paceman being offered with the special Frozen Black Metallic Matt paint job. The Matt paint – which is textured and shimmers – certainly gives the MINI a new look and will be available on MINI Cooper S Countryman, MINI Cooper SD Countryman, MINI Cooper S Paceman, MINI Cooper SD Paceman, MINI John Cooper Works Countryman and MINI John Cooper Works Paceman.

Cash-for-clunkers clears 180,000 in sales, is poised for an extension

The cash-for-clunkers program has reached sales of more than 180,000--topped by the Toyota Corolla--as the Senate is poised to vote on an extension of the program on as soon as Thursday. The Ford Focus is the second-best-selling car under the program, and the Honda Civic, the Toyota Prius and the Camry complete the top five, according to Reuters. The top trade-ins were all domestics, including trucks from Ford and Dodge, as well as Jeep.

Jaguar & me: high-maintenance love

In a fit of madness a few years ago, and seeking solace from impending divorce at the time, I purchased a gorgeous blue Series III XJ6, with wonderful dark blue leather upholstery, that was at the time about five years old. Just 40,000 miles on the clock. I then drove the hell out of it for three years to 100,000 miles and it never let me down once – on the road that is.