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

Report: New-vehicle purchase price on the rise

The average purchase price of a new car is on the rise, according to a recent report from automotive analysts at truecar.com. The average transaction price for passenger cars and trucks in the United States was $31,087 last month, up $339 from March 2012. Transaction price, or the out-the-door price, includes taxes, titles and fees.

Lexus IS 220d gets more frugal

Lexus is the latest car maker to have a play and a tweak, and it has just announced revisions to the Lexus IS 220d, which means more miles, for less fuel and lower emissions without any decrease in performance or increase in price. Hard to argue with. Lexus IS 220d - Now cheaper to run Lexus has managed to bring the Co2 emissions on the Lexus IS 220d down from the previous 163g/km to 148g/km.

Weird Chevrolet pickup roadster hot rod probably inspired the SSR

Here's a thought: If you've ever wanted to be buried in what you're driving, it's a boon if your car is already shaped like a coffin. Behold this "cute little roadster," which resembles the unholy union of a Ford T-Bucket and a mechanical pencil lead dispenser and probably will make its way into a Jimmy Buffet video. (Click here if the ad goes down or if one of the Autoweek editors snaps it up first.) A 1972 Chevrolet pickup truck is scattered in there, somewhere after the bowtie-shaped everything.