Intercomp 102028 Digital Torque Wrench Tester Torque Wrench Analyzer on 2040-parts.com

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.

Rapid Response Required To Snap Up Limited-Run Skoda

THE RAPID might only have recently hit the showrooms but Skoda has been quick to wheel out two special editions of its entry-level hatchback. Boasting unique features and extra equipment worth thousands of pounds, the first of the extra special pairing is the Rapid SE Connect. It's based on the Rapid 1.2-litre 86 horsepower TSI SE, but with the addition of extra kit worth a wallet-friendly £3,665.

New Porsche 911 Speedster reportedly in the works

When European-car importer Max Hoffman suggested to Porsche that the American audience might like a cheaper, open-top version of the company's 356, Stuttgart responded with the Speedster. And while every Porsche partisan is a special snowflake -- some love road-going racers like the 904, others can't imagine life without a roof-rack-equipped 912, others go gaga for anything with a legit, lift-off Targa top, and some folks just really, really, really love 924s -- the Speedster's the light, lovable kid brother for which any fan of the marque has a measure of affection. Porsche knows it, and as such, they've introduced limited Speedster models of every 911 series since the 3.2 Carrera -- except for the oft-maligned 996 (which is still loved by its proponents, IMS-bearing issues aside).