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

Chevrolet Cruze gets better fuel economy for the 2012 model year

The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze is making a run at its Eco brother, with a highway fuel-economy rating of 38 mpg with an automatic transmission, 2 mpg more than last it got last year. A manual transmission is now more widely available on the Cruze, according to the General Motors ordering guide. The 1LT and 2LT models will now be available with the six-speed manual, which should increase the fun quotient with the turbocharged 1.4-liter engine.

'80s dream-car bargains: The AutoWeek list

'84-'89 C4 Corvette High: $44,000 Low: $2,500 Average: $10,018 Our take: Arguably the best buy on this list '85-'89 Volkswagen GTI High: $5,995 Low: $4,100 Average: $4,865 Our take: The iconic pocket rocket '85-'89 Ford Mustang 5.0 High: $48,995 Low: $1,900 Average: $7,924 Our take: Pony car + V8 = tons of fun '87-'89 Pontiac Firebird Formula High: $22,900 Low: $4,000 Average: $10,293 Our take: One day, you might be able to show it at an Orphan Car Show '84-'87 Buick Grand National High: $31,700 Low: $9,000 Average: $17,442 Our take: If you can find a clean one for less than $20,000, buy it '81-'82 DeLorean DMC-12 High: $26,900 Low: $15,998 Average: $22,572 Our take: Only on the market for a couple years; might always be a collectible '81-'89 Lotus Esprit High: $41,998 Low: $16,495 Average: $23,535 Our take: One of the fastest cars in its day '88-'89 BMW M3 High: $65,000 Low: $14,500 Average: $24,417 Our take: A lot of thrills for the money '83-'85 Ferrari 308 GTS High: $44,950 Low: $32,900 Average: $37,878 Our take: A Ferrari for less than 40 grand? Believe it '81-'89 Porsche 911 Turbo High: $78,500 Low: $24,900 Average: $40,669 Our take: Be careful, these monsters are a handful!

U.S. auto sales climb 14 percent in January

UPDATED: U.S. auto sales, led Toyota Motor Corp. and the Detroit 3, rose 14 percent in January, giving the industry a bigger lift to begin 2013 than analysts expected.