BradUF,
I'm no expert myself (just started with a dslr a couple monthes ago) but I like the way your pictures turned out. The only suggestion I would make is to find a different subject for your car pictures - I'm a mustang guy! :mrgreen:
Pet are difficult subjects because they're constantly moving. I've gotten some of my best pics of my dog by bumping up the iso a bit so I can increase my shutter speed. It depends on how much light you have (obviously) but I usually try for 1/500 sec shutter speed. I'm sure others will chime in and fill in the holes as I'm just speaking from the trials and errors of a couple monthes experience.
Good luck,
Brad