Toyota recalls 1.33 million Corollas and Matrix... AGAIN

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Toyota Motor Corp. said it was recalling 1.33 million Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles on Thursday, citing problems in engines' electronic control units that have allegedly led to three accidents.

The Japanese automaker said the recall would affect 1.13 million 2005-2008 Corolla models in the United States and 200,000 in Canada.

The Japanese automaker said the recall would affect 1.13 million 2005-2008 Corolla models in the United States and 200,000 in Canada.

The company said that in two-wheel drive vehicles with the 1ZZ-FE engine, the Engine Control Module's circuit board can crack and cause "harsh shifting" and may prevent the engine from starting.

http://money.cnn.com/2010/08/26/autos/toyota_corolla_recall/index.htm

to read more about this recall please follow the link above...

Lamborghini may choose to announce the green light for their new 4-Door Sport Sedan called the Estoque ahead of announcing details of the Murcielago replacement. The name comes from the French word “estoc” (translating to “thrust”) which was a kind of long sword often used in bull fighting as well as fighting against chain mail and plate armor.(On a related note, the 4 Seater Lamborghini Espada from the 1970’s was named after a Spanish civilian sword developed in the mid-15th century.) Having previously been shelved, the Estoque would be an entirely new model to Lamborghini’s lineup. This car would compete directly against the Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide, Maserati Quattroporte, and Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed. This growing market segment would allow Lamborghini to reach new clientele and also offer a daily driver alternative to current owners of their exotic sports cars. No details are available yet concerning Lamborghini’s engine choice which will be front/mid mounted and driven through a permanent all wheel drive system.

5 YEAR/ 100,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY

The powertrain warranty is a powerful marketing tool used to entice buyers in the auto industry. Where a 10-year powertrain warranty was once considered a great warranty, companies like Chrysler are now offering lifetime powertrain warranties with most of their vehicles. It may make all the difference when considering which car to buy, and with the highly competitive nature of the industry, buyers are benefiting from the competition.

As with any contract, the fine print makes all the difference. Make sure you carefully examine the powertrain warranty when comparing different options. If you don’t have a lot of technical knowledge concerning the innards of a car, it’s a good idea to consult someone more knowledgeable, such as a trusted mechanic, or research the terms on the internet. The definition of what a powertrain actually is can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. For instance, one definition of an engine can be referred to as a “long block,” meaning everything on the engine that cannot be removed, or another can be a “short block,” meaning only the part of the engine below the cylinder head, without the oil pump.

After you’ve determined what is covered on the engine, be sure to examine how the powertrain warranty defines the transmission and the drivetrain. If you have a manual transmission, the warranty may exclude an important part such as the clutch. It may cover the driveshaft, the axles or transaxle, but may exclude parts that typically wear, such as clutch plates or CV joints. One thing to remember is that any after market modifications may void or alter the powertrain warranty.

A powertrain warranty can vary in the maximum allowable miles and years that the coverage is in effect. Typically the powertrain warranty covers more miles than a general or “bumper to bumper” warranty. With a 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty, a powertrain is covered for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles, or whichever comes first. Even if you only put 50,000 miles on a car in 10 years, your coverage will end at that point. Conversely, if you pass 100,000 miles before the 10 years is up, your warranty will lapse. Again, this varies with the manufacturer, or if the car is new or used. Companies buying fleet vehicles may also have very different powertrain warranty coverage than would a normal consumer.