The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the US has started an email subscription service for recalls. You can specify your car and be notified of new recalls on your vehicle. However, given that the NHTSA is in the US, recalls may be different between there and Canada. However, most recalls are for both countries and until the Canadian goverment offers the same service. In the meantime, Transport Canada has an online database of Canadian recalls.

At the LA Auto Show, the 370z debuted with it’s official specs. Here is their clip:

The all-new 2009 Nissan 370Z, the first full redesign of the iconic Nissan Z since its reintroduction as a 2003 model, solidifies the strengths of its predecessor with an unmatched balance of performance, style and value. Nearly every piece and component of the 370Z has been rethought or redesigned, including a shorter wheelbase, greater use of lightweight body materials, larger engine with 26 more horsepower, a new 7-speed automatic transmission and the world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching system for the 6-speed manual transmission. Performance has been enhanced with a more rigid body structure, better power-to-weight ratio and a new 332 horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control.

Hidden inside this paragraph is the “downshift rev matching system”. I’m not sure what this means, but I think that when you begin letting out the clutch when downshifting, the car will automatically adjust the engine speed making shifts smoother and more seamless.

While the Americans get their $9990 Nissan Versa Sedan, Canada’s cheapest car comes in as the $13,595 Hyundai Accent Hatchback. Earlier this year, the Accent was priced at $9995 but our dollar is not as strong as it was in April.

The Toronto Star took delivery of one of the $9995 models in June and have been blogging regularly about it since then. Their Accent Blog is pretty insightful about what you give up to slip into Canada’s most inexpensive car.

Pioneer has release version 2.0 of the firmware in their AVIC-F series of headunits (F90BT, F900BT, F700BT). The new firmware is available here and has the following improvements as documented by the AVIC forums:

1. 1. Boot time is a lot faster, its tolerable now. I am so used to waiting the original time it comes up and im like wowa, nice. 30 seconds exactly to music from ipod and screen. 72 seconds from bootup till vr update complete. 102 Seconds from boot for Bluetooth connection and loading complete.
   
2. The screens respond as fast as you touch them there is no lag now, great improved.
   
3. The blue boxes are now gone from the idle no route input map screen. Amazing what a difference this makes in the viewable area. The destination ins deleted now once arrived.
   
4. The screen bright max before is what 7 is now, at 10 its almost blinding! However this isn’t in effect until the unit completes boot up, you suddenly see when it reads the settings the screen comes up much brighter all of a sudden.
5. The contact screen is useful now! It lists them by mobile/office/home now.

The LA Auto Show is where the new 370z will debut. However, ahead of the launch, Nissan has released full pictures of the new car. While the only thing that can be confirmed is a displacement of 3.7 L, other technical details that are rumored are a new 7-speed automatic transmission, overall shorter length and lighter weight.

Update: New video link

Ten years ago, the BMW M5 astonished the car industry with a 400hp V8 stuffed into a sedan. 400hp! It was all in the magazines and newspapers about what this car accomplished. All competitors paled in comparision. Ten years later, everything has changed. The M5 now comes with a 500hp V10, the V8’s have been regulated to the small sedan market after Audi put a 414hp one in the RS4.

Now, the four-door Mercedes C63, BMW M3 and Lexus IS-F go head-to-head at Driver’s Republic. Click the link to check out the full, very in-depth article.

As I posted before, the new 2009 Audi A4 is here. This week, I got to test drive the new car thanks to Alex at Audi Mississauga.

If the new A4 looks familiar, it’s because you’ve seen it already in the form of a coupe - the Audi A5 and S5. Like the coupes, the new A4 differ from the previous generation of Audi’s by having wheelbase lengthened and engine put behind the front axle for better weight distribution. It also features LED daytime running lights similar to the Audi R8 and bolder styling.

My last Audi was a 98 Audi A4. Driving the 2009 reminds me about how far technology has become. The engine is much more powerful and at the same time, more economical and fuel-efficient. The new A4 comes powered by a newer 2.0 litre turbo with direct injection or a 3.2 litre V6.

Driving the new A4 is quite a treat. The new engine has more torque than the outgoing model although drivers of smooth flat-sixes will probably be annoyed by the buzzy engine at high rev’s. However, only by driving like a maniac will you reach such engine levels as both the Tiptronic and manual transmissions are six-speeds and can keep the revs at a nice, comfortable level.

One of the newest features is Drive Select, which has three programs for the variable steering, throttle response and suspension dampening. The comfort mode had a perceptible difference on the highway, however it is quite subtle. The dynamic mode made the most difference and made the little Audi quite a fun drive.

I wouldn’t buy any Audi without quattro all-wheel drive and as such, the base model with quattro starts at $41,200. The premium package is a “must have” since it includes many features found in other models, and it is a $3,800 option package. The Drive Select feature is a nice option, but too pricey and I cannot recommend it for all but the most die-hard of drivers.

Overall I recommend the Audi A4 to someone that wants a small, efficient luxury car and not wanting a speed demon. It’s stylish and comfortable, a perfect entry-level luxury sedan.

Inside Line is listing all the model year changes for every make of car in the US. Before you buy a new car, consult this list to make sure there aren’t features (or lower prices) in the 2009 models that you would rather wait for. This also helps you if you want to pick up a 2008 now that they’re all being cleared out to make room for the 2009’s.

Keep in mind that those changes are for the US, but our models are very similar. Canadian Driver does a similar comparision in their buying guide but it’s not as easy to make comparisions.

Cars have always been cheaper in the US. With the dollar near parity for the past year, this has only made it more attractive to import a car from the States. I found this guide on that lists the steps to import a car in from the US:

The first thing to do, if you haven’t already, is check the car against the Registrar of Imported Vehicles’ vehicle amissability list. This can be done by going to RIV.ca or by going directly to the PDF document. Find out if the vehicle will need any modifications in order to pass federal inspection requirements, and how much it will cost. Some manufacturers such as Merecedes Benz will require that any necessary modifications be done at the dealership - which may be costly. Call the vehicle’s dealership if you are concerned about this.

Check to see if your vehicle will be charged a high emissions excise tax. These could typically run from $1000 to $4000 on high emissions vehicles. Your vehicle can be searched at the Natural Resources Canada Website. Click here for a list of 2007 model high emissions vehicles and their corresponding excise tax.

Check the list of vehicles with safety recalls. You may also want to verify this with by going to a local dealership and providing them with the VIN number of the vehicle you wish to purchase and ask them to make sure it has no outstanding vehicle recalls.

Get an AutoCheck vehicle history report online and/or order an inspection from Carchex.com to be done on the vehicle to make sure there is nothing wrong with the vehicle that you aren’t expecting.

If all is good, arrange payment, vehicle pickup and/or shipping.

If you are having the vehicle shipped, you will need a customs broker to have all the paperwork taken care of for you. Some companies, like A&A Customs Brokers, will take care of everything, including shipping.

Get the seller to FedEx you the vehicle title, the bill of sale, sales receipts and recall clearance letter (if they are the vehicle’s manufacturer’ dealership, if not contact your nearest dealership and have them get you one for your vehicle.)

Fax in a copy of the vehicle title to the U.S. border crossing where you intend to cross. This needs to be done at least 72 hours in advance of when you plan to cross. Note that this does not include weekends. Give them a call to make sure everything is in order and they will be open at your time of crossing.

If you are picking up the vehicle yourself (as opposed to having it shipped), arrange for insurance on the vehicle, or get a vehicle trailer to tow the vehicle home.

Drive down to your destination and meet with the dealer or person selling the vehicle. Check to make sure the VIN on the bill of sale matches the one on the vehicle. Also make sure there is a North American coompliant sticker on the vehicle. This is usually located on the beam in the driver’s side door. If it a dealer ask them to show you.

If you are purchasing the car privately and will be driving it home, you will need to go get a temporary permit from the local motor vehicle office.

Drive to the US border crossing where you faxed your title to, and identify yourself with your passport and driver’s licence. They will check out your vehicle title, bill of sale, and the VIN number on the vehicle. All should be good and they will stamp your vehicle’s title to release it to Canada Customs.

Stop at Canadian customs, again identifying yourself with driver’s licence and passport. Tell them you are importing the vehicle and they will have you pull in and park to go fill out Vehicle Import Form 1 (they will provide this).

You will have to pay your RIV fee ($195+GST in all provinces, plus QST if you are importing into Quebec) GST (5%), possible Air Conditioning excise tax ($100CAD), possible high emissions excise tax, and possible duty (6.1%) if the vehicle was not build in North America (ie. Mexico for some American brand cars, and sometimes Germany for some VW’s). Make you you have your credit card with you for this as most Canadian Customs offices do not accept cash or cheque.

If all is good and once everything is paid up, they will verify your insurance coverage, stamp your Vehicle Import Form 1 and send you on your way. Keep this form in your vehicle along with your temporary American permit in case you get pulled over on the way home - these will be used to verify that you are legally compliant.

Within 10 days of submitting Vehicle Import Form 1 at the border, Canadian customs will send you Form 2 - federal inspection.

You have 45 days from the day you submitted to get any required modifications done to your vehicle (such as daytime running lights, child tether anchorages and metric speedometer conversions) and have your vehicle inspected at Canadian Tire.

When you take the car in to get inspected, bring all supporting documents with you such as the title, bill of sale, Import Forms 1 & 2, and the outstanding recall letter.

Canadian Tire will do all necessary inspections free of charge as per the RIV program.

If the vehicle passes they will put a sticker on the drivers side door frame stating that the vehicle is Canadian Safety compliant. They will fill out your Form 2 and provide you with the necessary paperwork you will need to register the vehicle in your province.

You can now take it right over to your provincial vehicle licencing office along with all the paperwork you’ve accumulated to get it registered, where you will pay whatever your provincial sales tax is on the sale price of the vehicle!