2006-2007 Yamaha Rx10r Apex Er Gates G-force Belt Drive Kevlar Aramid Xw on 2040-parts.com

Ford and GM reliability ratings dip in Consumer Reports survey

Consumers rated Ford's new Explorer, Fiesta and Focus models at less-than-average reliability during their first year, according to Consumer Reports' annual auto survey. Poor reception of the new models bumped Ford's overall reliability rank from the 10th spot in 2010 to the 20th this year among the 28 major nameplates included in the survey. Findings are based on responses from 1.3 million vehicle owners or lessees who subscribe to the magazine.

Smart's $99 loan deal has big balloon payment at end

Hoping to benefit from the federal cash-for-guzzlers program, Smart USA has set up a $99 monthly payment for buyers who use their $4,500 rebate. But there's a catch--and a hefty balloon payment disclosed only as a note to an asterisk in Smart's press information announcing the offer. The Smart financing is for $99 a month for 36 months, with a balloon payment of $6,667 due at the end.

McLaren SLR Edition revealed

McLaren SLR Edition A year ago – almost to the day – we reported that the very last McLaren SLR had rolled off the production line (well, production floor is more like it at McLaren) and that McLaren and Mercedes were going their own ways – McLaren with the McLaren MP4-12C and Mercedes with the Mercedes SLS AMG. The swansong for the SLR was the SLR Stirling Moss, an SLR dressed up like a silver arrow car from the 1930s, without a roof and only a vestigial windscreen. Or at least we we believed the Stirling Moss was the last SLR.