HowStuffWorks Newsletter
Modern cars are at the top of the list for most buyers in the market. See what's under the hoods of modern cars and explore current modern car models.
Topics to Explore:
The minivan's backstory is one of innovation and resilience, despite what many folks say about the vehicle's, er, stuffy design.
Volkswagen used lines of code as a defeat device to make it seem as if its clean diesel engines were cleaner than they really were.
The 2015 Ford Mustang was revealed (literally) around the world by Ford Motor Company on Dec. 5, 2013. Find out how this sixth-generation pony car stands up to its predecessors.
Advertisement
With so many hybrids crowding the street, it's easy to think of muscle cars as a thing of the past. But maybe you're just not looking hard enough?
Similar to other auto shows, the cars are the stars at any Concours d'Elegance event. But that's where the similarities end. Concours d'Elegance shows are truly unique for many reasons.
A car for $2,500 has to be a joke, right? Wrong. Meet the Nano from Tata Motors, the world's cheapest car and the auto industry's answer to the $100 laptop.
By John Fuller
As highways get more crowded and gas more expensive, there's one kind of car that looks more attractive: the minicar. Toyota's iQ Car takes "mini" to the next level.
By John Fuller
Advertisement
Attempting to thwart the thieves who'd virtually declared war on Firebirds (and Camaros), GM installed a "pass key" deterrent system in all '89 models, following the lead of the GTA. Learn more about the 1989 Pontiac Firebird 20th Anniversary Trans Am in this article.
The 1990 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am ushered in a new decade with anticlimax. In what turned out to be a depressing year for sales, both safety and engines earned the greatest attention. Learn more about the details surrounding the 1990 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.
Because the Banshee had proven popular with showgoers, Pontiac adapted its assertive snout to lead off a facelift. Learn more about the details surrounding the 1991 Pontiac Firebird Convertible.
After a close call with extinction, the Firebird's future now seemed assured with the 1993 Pontiac Firebird. Learn more about the details surrounding the 1993-1994 Pontiac Firebirds in this article.
Advertisement
By 1988, Pontiac Firebirds were proving less popular than Camaros, but they held a loyal following of buyers from different age groups, who relished its flashy styling and muscular performance. Learn more about the 1988 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am GTA in this article.
Shedding the vestiges of mannerly behavior, the Trans Am emerged for 1985 with a more assertive demeanor, wearing an expanded version of the aero component package offered for 1984. Learn more about the 1985 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in this article.
Nothing terribly dramatic struck the Firebird lineup for 1986, yet sales took an impressive leap upward -- though this would be the final year in which production could be measured in six figures. Learn more about the 1986 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in this article.
If four-speed manual shift helped Trans Am owners get the most out of their road machines, surely five would help even more. Read more about the 1983 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am and it's new 5-speed engine.
Advertisement
"Now the Excitement Begins." That was Pontiac's boisterous boast in its advertisements for the stunning 1982 Pontiac Firebird. Learn more about the Pontiac Firebirds of the 1980s.
The Volkswagen Beetle is as much a social phenomenon as it is an automobile, having remained popular for decades. On this page you'll find links to articles about this little giant, from its pre-WWII origins to today's retro New Beetle models.
The 1987-1993 Cadillac Allante was built to compete with European cars in the luxury two-seater market. The Allante lasted up until 1993 before it was discontinued. Read on about the history of the Cadillac Allante.
The beloved 1970-1997 Volkswagen Beetle would be regulated out of existence in some countries and outsold in others by more modern, small cars. Read how the 1970s Beetle played an important role in emerging economies just like the original.
Advertisement
The 1998-2008 Volkswagen Beetle had a bumpy journey from concept to production. Volkswagen resisted the idea of a resurrected Bug then nearly stopped the project early-on. Learn how the New Beetle went from the drawing board to instant sensation.
The Hummer, or Humvee, has made a huge impact on military applications as well as civilian lifestyles. It's both utilitarian workhorse and the ultimate expression of machismo.
The Chevrolet Lumina was a value-priced family sedan but it was outsold by its midsize competition. The Lumina was introduced in 1990 as a replacement for the heavily dated Chevrolet Celebrity. Learn more about the Chevrolet Lumina.
The Chevrolet Chevette was an inexpensive car that focused on transportation instead of style. The Chevette replaced the Vega and was based on an a model from GM's European Opal division. Find prices and information for the Chevrolet Chevette.
Advertisement
The Chevrolet Beretta offered sporty models that found healthy sales from 1988 to 1996. The Beretta was a front-wheel-drive car that came with either a four or six-cylinder engine. Find prices pictures and information for the Beretta.
The Chevrolet Cavalier proved that America could compete with the imports reporting top sales numbers each year. The Cavalier design was the first to be used in all of the GM divisions, although, it was a bust for Cadillac. Learn about the Chevy Cavalier.