Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

All used up: Pre-owned sales rise as consumers seek new-car alternatives

Used-car sales took a leap upward in April, and the trend is expected to continue at least until midyear as pent-up demand for affordable pre-owned vehicles jacks up at least one segment of the car marketplace. Sales of new cars continued an unabated slide toward what analysts say is a 30-year low in the United States, but used-car sales showed strength as buyers unable to finance new cars shifted their sights to less expensive used models. As a result, retailers such as the large Penske Automotive Group reported that despite an overall decline in sales in the first three months of 2009, improving used-car sales kept them in the black.

It’s a Merry McLaren 12C Christmas

McLaren has come up with a range of accessories for McLaren owners and enthusiasts from watches to jewellery and clothing. Inspired by the McLaren 12C, there’s everything from a Tag Heuer watch – the CARRERA MP4-12C Chronograph – with carbon based dials and sapphire crystal inserts (a snip at £8995) to a selection of ladies and mens rings, and cufflinks, that McLaren’s shopping site wouldn’t let us see the price of. At the slightly more affordable end of the scale you can opt for a set of McLaren luggage with silver trim (£3950) or a McLaren luggage brief case at £1350.

The anti-drink-drive car

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 03 August 2007 02:25 Nissan today unveiled its answer to drink-driving: the car that monitors the driver's alcohol level before every journey and stops you if you're about to break the law. Boffins at the Japanese firm have equipped a domestic market Fuga with monitoring equipment that can spot if a driver has been boozing. It's so sophisticated, engineers claim it can differentiate between perfume (which often contains alcohol) and tell if it's the driver or the passengers that have been drinking.