2008 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang

The 2008 Shelby GT500 is a 2-door, 4-passenger sports car, or convertible sports car, available in two trims, the Coupe and the Convertible.

Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 5.4-liter, V8, 500-horsepower, supercharged engine that achieves 14-mpg in the city and 20-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard. Stop by AmericanMuscle.com and check out their large selection of Magnum 500 Wheels.

2008 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang

The 2008 Shelby GT500 is a 2-door, 4-passenger sports car, or convertible sports car, available in two trims, the Coupe and the Convertible.

Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 5.4-liter, V8, 500-horsepower, supercharged engine that achieves 14-mpg in the city and 20-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard. Stop by AmericanMuscle.com and check out their large selection of Magnum 500 Wheels.

2008 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang

The 2008 Shelby GT500 is a 2-door, 4-passenger sports car, or convertible sports car, available in two trims, the Coupe and the Convertible.

Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 5.4-liter, V8, 500-horsepower, supercharged engine that achieves 14-mpg in the city and 20-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard. Stop by AmericanMuscle.com and check out their large selection of Magnum 500 Wheels.

Safety Drive :Tips and Techniques for Driving in Rain

The rain really was quite heavy, and the sky quite dark. The temperature was still very pleasant though.When the road is wet, the film of the water on the asphalt causes tires to lose traction. Less obvious is the fact that rain reduces driver perception — it's harder to see through the rain — and also decreases visibility through its action on headlights, windshields and the road itself. While most people know to slow down in the rain, there are definitely other tips that will help keep you, and those who share the road with you, from becoming a statistic.

* Exercise extreme caution after a long dry spell. During a dry period, engine oil and grease build up on the road over time. When mixed with water from a new rainfall, the road becomes extremely slick. Continued rainfall will eventually wash away the oil, but the first few hours can be the most dangerous.

* Allow for more travel time. You should plan to drive at a slower pace than normal when the roads are wet. Keep in mind that traffic is likely to be moving slower as well. There's also the possibility that your preplanned route may be flooded or jammed. Whatever the case, rushing equals higher risk.

* Brake earlier and with less force than you would normally. Not only does this increase the stopping distance between you and the car in front of you, it also lets the driver behind you know that you're slowing down. Also, be more meticulous about using turn signals, so that other drivers know your intentions, and take turns and curves with less speed than you would in dry conditions.

* Most of America's roads are crowned in the middle, which means that the water will run off to the sides. If possible, stay toward the middle of the road to avoid deep standing puddles.

* Don't use cruise control. If you hydroplane, there's the chance your car could actually accelerate. Cruise control also allows drivers to be less vigilant and to take their foot away from the pedals — not a great idea when reaction time is so important. more

Safety Drive :Tips and Techniques for Driving in Rain

The rain really was quite heavy, and the sky quite dark. The temperature was still very pleasant though.When the road is wet, the film of the water on the asphalt causes tires to lose traction. Less obvious is the fact that rain reduces driver perception — it's harder to see through the rain — and also decreases visibility through its action on headlights, windshields and the road itself. While most people know to slow down in the rain, there are definitely other tips that will help keep you, and those who share the road with you, from becoming a statistic.

* Exercise extreme caution after a long dry spell. During a dry period, engine oil and grease build up on the road over time. When mixed with water from a new rainfall, the road becomes extremely slick. Continued rainfall will eventually wash away the oil, but the first few hours can be the most dangerous.

* Allow for more travel time. You should plan to drive at a slower pace than normal when the roads are wet. Keep in mind that traffic is likely to be moving slower as well. There's also the possibility that your preplanned route may be flooded or jammed. Whatever the case, rushing equals higher risk.

* Brake earlier and with less force than you would normally. Not only does this increase the stopping distance between you and the car in front of you, it also lets the driver behind you know that you're slowing down. Also, be more meticulous about using turn signals, so that other drivers know your intentions, and take turns and curves with less speed than you would in dry conditions.

* Most of America's roads are crowned in the middle, which means that the water will run off to the sides. If possible, stay toward the middle of the road to avoid deep standing puddles.

* Don't use cruise control. If you hydroplane, there's the chance your car could actually accelerate. Cruise control also allows drivers to be less vigilant and to take their foot away from the pedals — not a great idea when reaction time is so important. more

Safety Drive :Tips and Techniques for Driving in Rain

The rain really was quite heavy, and the sky quite dark. The temperature was still very pleasant though.When the road is wet, the film of the water on the asphalt causes tires to lose traction. Less obvious is the fact that rain reduces driver perception — it's harder to see through the rain — and also decreases visibility through its action on headlights, windshields and the road itself. While most people know to slow down in the rain, there are definitely other tips that will help keep you, and those who share the road with you, from becoming a statistic.

* Exercise extreme caution after a long dry spell. During a dry period, engine oil and grease build up on the road over time. When mixed with water from a new rainfall, the road becomes extremely slick. Continued rainfall will eventually wash away the oil, but the first few hours can be the most dangerous.

* Allow for more travel time. You should plan to drive at a slower pace than normal when the roads are wet. Keep in mind that traffic is likely to be moving slower as well. There's also the possibility that your preplanned route may be flooded or jammed. Whatever the case, rushing equals higher risk.

* Brake earlier and with less force than you would normally. Not only does this increase the stopping distance between you and the car in front of you, it also lets the driver behind you know that you're slowing down. Also, be more meticulous about using turn signals, so that other drivers know your intentions, and take turns and curves with less speed than you would in dry conditions.

* Most of America's roads are crowned in the middle, which means that the water will run off to the sides. If possible, stay toward the middle of the road to avoid deep standing puddles.

* Don't use cruise control. If you hydroplane, there's the chance your car could actually accelerate. Cruise control also allows drivers to be less vigilant and to take their foot away from the pedals — not a great idea when reaction time is so important. more

2009 Audi A4 vs. 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350

Mercedes Benz C350 VS 2009 Audi A4

With the overhauled 2009 Audi A4, the temperature is rising in the compact quasi-luxury sedan class. We recently tested the all-new A4 for the first time and came away impressed. Increases in length, wheelbase and interior space make it a close match to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Although the Mercedes-Benz C350 trailed the BMW 335i in our last comparison test, the C-Class in its current guise represents an exclamation point of goodness in this market segment. Besting the C350 requires a car with enough talents to achieve critical mass.

And so it came to be that we tested a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 equipped with the Multimedia and Premium II Packages, TeleAid and slick-looking 18-inch AMG wheels with summer tires, a pricey $45,275 package that nevertheless fairly represents the fullest expression of C-Class goodness.

The 2009 Audi A4 with which we were provided by the manufacturer for this test turned out to be a German-specification car, which apparently means very little since U.S.-spec cars will differ only in the deletion of the front parking sensors and power-folding mirrors found on our test car, plus minor rejiggering of the options groups. Our A4 was equipped with 18-inch wheels and all-season tires.

Pricing of the new A4 has not yet been released, though Audi representatives have told us not to expect significant changes from today's A4. Based on this assurance — plus consultations with the magic bones and some scrutinizing of groundhog shadows — we estimate that this 2009 A4 3.2 Quattro test car will sticker very close to $45,000.

Both the Audi A4 and the Mercedes-Benz come only with automatic transmissions in the trim levels we tested. more

2009 Audi A4 vs. 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350

Mercedes Benz C350 VS 2009 Audi A4

With the overhauled 2009 Audi A4, the temperature is rising in the compact quasi-luxury sedan class. We recently tested the all-new A4 for the first time and came away impressed. Increases in length, wheelbase and interior space make it a close match to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Although the Mercedes-Benz C350 trailed the BMW 335i in our last comparison test, the C-Class in its current guise represents an exclamation point of goodness in this market segment. Besting the C350 requires a car with enough talents to achieve critical mass.

And so it came to be that we tested a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 equipped with the Multimedia and Premium II Packages, TeleAid and slick-looking 18-inch AMG wheels with summer tires, a pricey $45,275 package that nevertheless fairly represents the fullest expression of C-Class goodness.

The 2009 Audi A4 with which we were provided by the manufacturer for this test turned out to be a German-specification car, which apparently means very little since U.S.-spec cars will differ only in the deletion of the front parking sensors and power-folding mirrors found on our test car, plus minor rejiggering of the options groups. Our A4 was equipped with 18-inch wheels and all-season tires.

Pricing of the new A4 has not yet been released, though Audi representatives have told us not to expect significant changes from today's A4. Based on this assurance — plus consultations with the magic bones and some scrutinizing of groundhog shadows — we estimate that this 2009 A4 3.2 Quattro test car will sticker very close to $45,000.

Both the Audi A4 and the Mercedes-Benz come only with automatic transmissions in the trim levels we tested. more

2009 Audi A4 vs. 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350

Mercedes Benz C350 VS 2009 Audi A4

With the overhauled 2009 Audi A4, the temperature is rising in the compact quasi-luxury sedan class. We recently tested the all-new A4 for the first time and came away impressed. Increases in length, wheelbase and interior space make it a close match to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Although the Mercedes-Benz C350 trailed the BMW 335i in our last comparison test, the C-Class in its current guise represents an exclamation point of goodness in this market segment. Besting the C350 requires a car with enough talents to achieve critical mass.

And so it came to be that we tested a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350 equipped with the Multimedia and Premium II Packages, TeleAid and slick-looking 18-inch AMG wheels with summer tires, a pricey $45,275 package that nevertheless fairly represents the fullest expression of C-Class goodness.

The 2009 Audi A4 with which we were provided by the manufacturer for this test turned out to be a German-specification car, which apparently means very little since U.S.-spec cars will differ only in the deletion of the front parking sensors and power-folding mirrors found on our test car, plus minor rejiggering of the options groups. Our A4 was equipped with 18-inch wheels and all-season tires.

Pricing of the new A4 has not yet been released, though Audi representatives have told us not to expect significant changes from today's A4. Based on this assurance — plus consultations with the magic bones and some scrutinizing of groundhog shadows — we estimate that this 2009 A4 3.2 Quattro test car will sticker very close to $45,000.

Both the Audi A4 and the Mercedes-Benz come only with automatic transmissions in the trim levels we tested. more