Sell Your Car For Big Bucks at a Car Auction

Saturday, May 31, 2008

It’s very threads are woven in to the fabric of America, I believe. It starts in even the youngest of kids, but it really takes root around age sixteen. What does every American teenager want to find in the driveway on the morning of that Sweet Sixteen? That’s right. Wheels. And, if they are attached to some sort of vehicle, all the better. Why not consider making Tim or Theresa’s first car a used one? Why not consider letting that son or daughter select for him or herself at a local car auction?

The truth is, we live in a time when obtaining a vehicle may be prohibitively expensive for many, whether parents wanting to equip their youngster with transportation, college students hoping to upgrade from their bike before cold weather, or the individual with some recent misfortune which has deprived him or her of a reliable car. One useful idea to consider when looking for a new-to-you vehicle is that of a car auction. The name is fairly descriptive of the activity, but you might find some detail useful. A car auction is much like the auction of any good or service. An auctioneer accepts bids from members of the assembled crowd, and, at some point, when no higher bids are on offer, the item is sold to the highest bidder present. The competition is limited to those who have chosen to attend, in person or by proxy, and the gratification is immediate. Attendees of the car auction are united with their purchases in very short order, often driving home with their chosen car or truck on the very day of the event.

What sort of cars are available for auction, you may ask. You may not be aware, but just one month ago, before the bankruptcy laws in this country underwent a planned shift in policy, countless individuals chose to declare bankruptcy in America. In some cases, the forfeiture of the vehicles once driven by those individuals became necessary. Those cars, either forfeited in bankruptcy or repossessed from non-paying individuals are often available at a car auctions at greatly reduced rates. Too, it is sometimes possible to obtain vehicles formerly used for government or business purposes. These are quality used cars being auctioned for quick sale, and the savings of the car auction model are passed on to you, the consumer interested in finding a deal.

In addition to the excitement inherent in the auction competition and the immediate gratification of buying your chosen car on the spot, an added benefit is that the cars up for auction most often are available for your personal inspection at the auction site. Kick the tires, look under the hood – do whatever will make you feel secure in the knowledge that you are buying a quality product for yourself or your loved one. You will want to inspect, as it is often auction policy that whatever car you purchase is yours to keep, and that any problem which may occur once the car is in your possession becomes your problem alone. A less than great car or a less than great deal are definite rarities at car auctions, however, and you can feel confident that your purchase will benefit you in its chosen purpose to your high expectations.

Many members of my own family have chosen to buy cars at auction, and all served them well. From the white van once used for utility work to the red truck which a member of the family continues to drive ten years later, we have never been disappointed with the experience of a car auction, or with the results.

Christopher M. Luck has an extensive background in dealing exclusively with both private and public car auctions and is now offering his free professional auction secrets to the public. If you are at all interested in Christopher's auction advice, tips, or secrets, you can visit his car auction blog.

Negotiating Tips On How To Sell Your Own Car

If you aren't a car salesman by vocation, the whole process of how to sell your own car can be intimidating, but if you follow a few simple guidelines, almost anyone can do it and do just fine. Selling your own car is a wise move as you can often save several thousand dollars over just trading it in instead, as most people do. But you have to be prepared to show what your vehicle is worth and know how to get the price you want. Here are some negotiating tips on how to sell your own car quickly and easily:

* Before you even put your first ad out there, get to know exactly what your current vehicle is worth. This is very important as many buyers are going to try to convince you that your car is worth less than it really is, and that's because they want the best deal possible. But if you have done your homework you will know what a fair price is and you won't have to waste time on insufficient offers. So go to kbb.com and nadaguides.com and find out what they say your car's "Market Value" is, not the trade-in vale. Market value is what you can expect to sell the car for on the open market as a straight sale. It's also a good idea to print out these pages that list the car's market value so you can show them as proof to prospective buyers. This validates your asking price.

* Another great way to build value in your vehicle is to run a Carfax report on it to show the vehicle history and offer outside proof that the odometer has not been tampered with and that it is has not been in a major wreck in the past where it was junked. It's a good idea to also have a copy of this report to provide to each person who test drives the car. This will help the buyer feel more confident in buying your car and all of this available research shows that you know your car very well.

* If someone just wants to steal your car at a value that is ridiculously low, let them walk. Tell them that you have plenty of other people coming to look at the vehicle and them ask them where they got the idea that your car was not worth what you are asking? Obviously you will have proof that your car is worth what you say it is, so it puts you in the position of authority in the situation. You don't have to lose money just because someone tells you that your car isn't worth what your research tells you it is.

* If you have kept maintenance records for the car, it's a good thing to make them available to show that you have been caring for it while you owned it. If you don't have the records themselves, go back and get the receipts from the work you have done instead. All of this shows that you have not just been ignoring the vehicle's maintenance and that can certainly build more confidence and more value in the vehicle in the minds of many buyers.

If you want to sell your own car, it's not as difficult as you may think. Especially if you have done some advance work beforehand, you can bargain from a position of strength and quickly and easily sell your car for a nice profit.

Jim Johnson writes on many consumer related topics including autos. You can find out more about how to sell my car and sell my used car by visiting our Auto Review website.

Preparing Your Car For Warm Weather Driving

Now that the warm weather has finally arrived, everyone will be anxious to take road trips, scenic drives and just cruise around in the warmth glow of the sun. With that being said, if you fail to prepare your car for the warm weather, you may end up foregoing your nice summer drive for a day filled with car repairs. The best way to avoid this is to get your car ready for driving in warm weather and to help you do that, this article is geared toward providing you with tips to make sure that your summer is one filled with sunny days.

Before you head out of the driveway, take a quick glance around. Everyone thinks to look under the hood for potential car problems, but not everyone thinks to check the surrounding area. If you see oil where you have parked your car, you may have a problem and will want to have your car checked by a professional before taking it out for a drive.

Be sure to check all of your car’s fluid levels. This includes the engine, transmission, cooling system, power steering, brake fluid and washer fluid. When it is time to replace them, be sure to purchase high-quality fluids to help improve the performance and dependability of each function. In addition, regularly changing old fluids will go along way in helping your car to remain weather friendly.

While driving, make sure to watch your temperature gauges so that you will know if your car begins to overheat. This is one of the most common causes of preventable breakdowns during the warm summer months because it is especially easy for a car to overheat during this time. Replace your antifreeze if it’s more than several years old and have a mechanic to inspect your car if the problem continues.

Upgrading your oil to a high-performance synthetic motor oil may help to improve your car’s overall health, so don’t cut any costs when it comes to buying oil for your car.

Make sure that your belts and hoses are inspected after adding fluids. A problematic belt may cause the engine to overheat. A hose may need to be replaced if it has any cracks or corrosion. Always keep an eye out for blistered, hard or spongy hoses and have them replaced immediately.

Always clean battery terminals, hinges and latches. In addition, keep your tires properly inflated by checking the air pressure each time you buy gasoline.

Find more about In-Dash Car Receivers, In-Dash DVD Car Player and many other car accessories on http://www.autonews24h.com/Accessories/

Top 3 Hybrid Cars

Friday, May 30, 2008

I believe there are three main hybrid cars out there that are the best of the best. The Honda Civic hybrid, Honda Insight, and Toyota Prius are the three main hybrids leading the market to date. Out of those three competing cars I think I have found the best one for the price. It’s a pretty simple decision when you compare price with features.

#3 Honda Insight

Honda’s Insight retails for $20,380 which is the cheapest price of all three hybrid cars but not by much. Now the reason I am rating this one in last place is because of it only being a two-seater and not having the top mpg score. However it does take a 2nd place in that category producing 57 city and 56 highway mpg. Also the Insight averaged a score of only four for the front crash tests. Now the engine only produces 71hp and can do 0-60 in 10.7 seconds. All in all I think the other vehicles were a better deal for the money.

#2 Honda Civic Hybrid

The Honda Civic has been around forever, but the new hybrid is a new trick for an old dog. With an MSRP of $20,900 it is the most expensive of all three cars. Unfortunately for the higher price you don’t get better performance. The fuel economy in the Civic hybrid is the worst of all three cars; it gets 47 city Mpg and 48 highway Mpg. What differs from the Insight is that the car can hold 5 people that make it much more functional in my opinion. The engine produces 93 hp pushing it to 0-60 in 12.1 which is the slowest of all three cars. The Civic scored a 5 on its front crash test rating.

#1 Toyota Prius

The Prius by Toyota is one of the nicest of all three cars I evaluated. The cars manufacturer suggested retail price is $20,875 which is only 25 dollars cheaper than the civic but still cheaper. The Prius has 110 horsepower and can do 0-60 in 10.2 which is the fastest of all three cars. Also the Toyota is not only the fastest and most powerful but it gets 60 mpg city and 51 highway mpg. The car scored an average of 4.5 on its front crash test rating. What sets this apart from the Insight is that it is a mid size car that hold five people comfortably with some trunk room to boot.

About The Author:
Taylor Bamber is a proud owner of a 300zx turbo and belongs to many 300zx clubs in Northern Colorado. Being waist deep in the import world, he knows where to find all the best online JDM deals for fast cars deals for fast cars. He has scoured the web and has found the best sites for your import car needs. Check out his site at JDM-4U.com

Options Available for Automotive Financing

Buying a new car or truck can be a major undertaking… and a major expense. If you're like most people, you won't be able to pay for your new vehicle out-of-pocket; that's where automotive financing loans come into play.

With an auto financing loan you'll be able to borrow the amount that you need to pay for the car or other vehicle of your dreams, and the purchased vehicle will serve as collateral for the loan meaning that you won't need additional collateral to secure it. The loan is still a major commitment, though, and shouldn't be entered into lightly.

Before deciding on the loan, you should take the time to explore the all of the options that are available to you.

Finance Options in Your Area

By taking the time to consider a variety of financing options, you'll likely find that there are a number of different ways that you can finance a new vehicle in your area. From bank loans and finance companies to dealer financing and online lenders, you should carefully look at each option in order to make sure that you get the best deal that you can on your loan.

Consider all of the following financing methods, investigating those that are available in your area so as to find the lender that's right for your needs.

Bank Financing

The first instinct that many people have when looking for an automotive finance loan is to apply for the loan through the bank where they do most of their other financial business. Banks can be a good source of auto loans, but you should take care not to overlook the other options that are available to you as well.

Finance Companies

One of the more popular alternatives to banks in regards to finding an auto loan is the finance company. These companies exist for the sole purpose of providing loans and financing larger purchases such as automobiles. The interest rates offered by finance companies can vary depending upon the particular company, and may or may not be better than those rates offered by banks.

Despite the occasional higher interest rate, there are advantages to utilizing finance companies… as an example, finance companies do tend to offer loans to individuals who have poor credit, unlike some banks.

Dealer Financing

Another option that may or may not be available depending upon where you live and where you're purchasing your new car or truck from is dealer financing. This financing option is usually done through a third party that the dealer utilizes or via the automobile company itself, and allows you to make payments on your car or truck at the same place where you purchase it. In cases where the financing is done through the company itself, there are often large discounts in interest for the initial payment period… some are even interest free.

Unfortunately, credit is a major qualifier for these introductory interest rates and those individuals with poor credit usually don't qualify and may not qualify for dealer financing at all.

Online Lenders

One final option that many people overlook is online financing. Online lenders operate without much of the overhead that physical lenders have to pay, and can therefore offer competitive interest rates even for individuals who have had credit problems in the past.

Online lenders may have certain requirements that must be met in regards to the vehicle being purchased or where it's being purchased from, so it's important to make sure that you understand exactly what is needed to qualify for online automotive finance loans from the site you choose.

You may freely reprint this article provided the following author's biography (including the live URL link) remains intact:

About The Author

John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.

Saving Big With Hybrid Cars

In America, a standard automobile gets an average of 20.4 miles per gallon. With the innovative hybrid technology, consumers can expect to get a lot more mileage for their dollar. According to researchers, the Honda Insight was designed specifically for the purpose of getting the best gas mileage and is said to be the current industry leader in this type of hybrid savings.

Just how much of a difference will consumers see with the Honda Insight hybrid cars? Studies have shown that hybrid cars featuring a manual transmission will get approximately 60 miles per gallon in the city and 66 miles per gallon on the highway. Hybrid cars with an automatic transmission generally provide slightly less than 57 miles per gallon in the city and 56 miles per gallon on the highway.

The brand new 2006 Honda Civic hybrid cars are only manufactured with an automatic transmission and provide an approximate 50 miles per gallon on the highway and/or the city.

As expected, hybrid cars will get better mileage per gallon than that of a hybrid SUVs. The Ford Escape, for example, provides 36 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway. Even with these numbers, the hybrid Escape is rated to provide better gas mileage than the non-hybrid Escape, which is only said to provide 22 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway.

The most popular reason for consumers to purchase hybrid cars is because they are economical. With the recent rise in gasoline prices, consumers were left searching for an automobile that could provide better gas mileage and found just that in hybrid cars. In addition to their fuel friendly design, hybrid cars are no longer confined to one or two cookie cutter designs. In fact, today’s hybrid cars are available in a variety of sizes, colors and are manufactured by a several automobile makers.

With all of the aforementioned benefits, many wonder just how much the convenience of saving money will cost. Surprisingly, hybrid cars are not drastically priced above other non-hybrid automobiles. In fact, hybrid cars & SUVs can be found in prices ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for standard models, but may cost more depending on chosen upgrades. The new hybrid cars are available in the look of typical highway automobiles or those designed with a unique flair. Either way, the manufacturers of hybrid cars believe that while appearance is important, the most important thing about these new technologically advanced autos is the fact that they are both environmentally and wallet friendly.

Find more about Kelly Blue Book and how to find the cars value and many other automotive news and resources on http://www.autonews24h.com/.

Hyundai Azera, 2006 The Weekly Driver

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

As the replacement for the XG350, Hyundai introduced the Azera earlier this year as the Korean manufacturer's most luxurious and most expensive offering to date.

Luxurious and expensive have never been synonymous with Hyundai. And with the Azera only luxurious applies. It's a vehicle that may finally allow Hyundai to infringe on the overwhelmingly popular choices in the midsize class — Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry.

Even with the name change alone, the high-end Hyundai has a chance. The now-gone XG350 had its upside, but its name seemed more conducive to a robot or a vacuum cleaner, rather than a car.

Although it's hardly a household word, at least Hyundai Azera has a catchy sound. The car's name, in fact, is based on the word azure, the specific shade of the color blue.

But beyond name change, the Azera features a lot as Hyundai's flagship vehicle. And it has been nearly universally praised for its vast standard features list, refinement and overall value.

Available in SE and Limited editions, I tested the latter as my weekly driver. Both offerings included a 3.8-liter, 263-horsepower V6 with a five-speed automatic transmission. It's plenty of engine in every situation — short, quick acceleration bursts to the long-term, steady freeway acceleration. The Limited edition has 17-inch wheels, while the SE offers 16-inch wheels.

During my test, the Azera offered a quick, smooth, confident and quiet ride with the exception of some high-end wind rush. Steering and handling were sufficient, with ABS brakes, an electronic stability control system and a traction control system all standards.

The Azera's mechanical soundness is complemented well by its exterior and interior design. Once criticized for its lack of quality materials and craftsmanship, the Azera's interior is now well-designed, with an upscale feel. The exterior color, Aubergine (dark, rich purple) wasn't particularly appealing. But it did match the two-tone tan (leather seats, carpets and steering) and light black interior (console, door paneling).

The Azera has its share of woodgrain trim from the steering wheel to door handles and the center console to the instrumentation panel. It's all standard, as are: dual front power and heated seats, power rear sunshade, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with steering wheel controls, air conditioning and cruise control.

The Azera (Limited Edition) had only one option, the Premium Package ($1,500). It includes power sunroof and an upgraded Infinity audio system with a 6-disc, in-dash CD Changer.

If there's a downside to the Azera, it's a lack of an available navigation system. But Hyundai has announced the option will be available soon.

Yet the absence of a GPS system is a small issue. The Azera's got plenty going for it, particularly considering its price point. It's more well-known competitors all make fine midsize vehicles, but Hyundai now has a quality "player" in the mix.

The Weekly Driver: 2006 Hyundai Azera

Safety features – Dual front, front and rear seat-mounted and side-impact and roof-mounted side-curtain airbags.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) – 19 mpg (city), 28 mpg (highway).

Warranty – Bumper to bumper, 5 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain, 10 years, 100,000 miles; Corrosion, 7 years/unlimited m miles; (24-hour) roadside assistance program, 5 years/unlimited miles

Base price – $26,835.00

Suzuki Aerio, 2006 The Weekly Driver

In January, 2004, the automotive industry arrived at another unique plateau. For the first time, the average price of a new car in the United States surpassed $30,000. Ironically, it was also only a few years ago, the same amount designated the minimum amount of a luxury car.

It's also likely a safe assumption that many car buyers still can't afford a $30,000 vehicle. Suppose, for example, a new car buyer has only $15,000 to spend. What's available? And what's a prudent purchase in the price range?

One good choice is the 2006 Suzuki Aerio SX. The 4-door economy wagon has a lot to offer. With every available option, the vehicle's price is only slightly more than half the national average of a new vehicle.

My test drive for the week was the four-cylinder, 155-horsepower Aerio with a five-speed manual transmission. The vehicle's standard features alone warrant a long look for economy shoppers: air conditioning, power windows/locks/mirrors, tilt steering wheel, AM/FM/6-CD changer and split folding rear seats. For the first time in 2006, Antilock brakes (ABS) are standard throughout the line.

But the Aerio offers a lot more -- surprisingly quick acceleration to superior cargo room, substantial head room to an estimated 30 mpg on the freeway.
The Aerio is available in three models and with more than a dozen configurations, the base sedan ($13,999) to the SX with All-Wheel-Drive and a premium option package ($16,999).

My vehicle featured the nice exterior color of Tech Blue Metallic, complemented by a black cloth interior with a silver-toned instrument console. The car zipped around town, shifted smoothly and had a little "attitude" despite its lowly status an entry level wagon.

The SX model has 15-inch alloy wheels as a standard feature, but the larger wheels are an option for the standard 14-inch wheels on other models. The Aerio has a spacious rear cargo area and a surprisingly roomy cabin. The car's wheelbase is only 99.6 inches, among the shortest in the compact vehicle glass. Yet the rear cargo area measures 63.7 cubic feet. That's third largest to the Ford Focus Wagon (73.0) and Chrysler PT Cruiser Wagon (64.2). All Aerois have split rear seatbacks. They lay flat when the headrests are removed and with seat bottoms flipped forward.

The Aerio also has above average steering and handling, a particularly tight turning circle, and its instrumentation console features clearly marked gauges and easy-to-use controls. The automatic climate controls are standard, an unexpected feature for the price range.

The Honda Civic, Mazda 3 and Toyota Matrix are chief rivals and all have good legacies and good value in resale markets.

But the Aerio should not be overlooked as an option. With Suzuki's 7-year, 100,000-mile warranty, the little car with the unique name has more going for it than the half-car status its price indicates.

2006 Suzuki Aerio, The Weekly Driver

Safety features -- Dual front and side impact airbags.

Fuel Mileage (mpg estimates) -- 25 (city), 31 (highway).

Warranty -- Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain, 7 years/100,000 miles; Corrosion, 3 years/unlimited mileage; Road side assistance, 3 years/36,000 miles.

Price range -- $15,199.00

James Raia ia s freelance writer, author and publisher in Sacramento, Calif. To read more of his car reviews, visit: http://www.TheWeeklyDriver.com

Nissan Pathfinder, 2006 The Weekly Driver

A long-distance haul means different things to different drivers. For me on one recent journey, it was a 400-plus mile trek from Redondo Beach, Calif. (South of Los Angeles) to Sacramento.

It was a seven-hour day in the car. The trip included the long climb over the infamous Grapevine in Southern California and plenty of flat and high-speed miles along Interstate 5.

The 2006 Nissan Pathfinder was my transportation and the mid-sized SUV, now on the market for two decades, performed well. My test vehicle was the four-wheel drive LE model (with navigation system), the most expensive of the four available models.

Several top manufacturers' current SUV models are seemingly interchangeable, and that includes Pathfinder and its top competitors, the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot.

I drove my test vehicle nearly 700 miles, including the climb on the steady grade that connects Southern California to the mid-state agricultural valley. And although I never engaged the four-wheel drive feature or carried a heavy load, those are two attributes that distinguish the Pathfinder from rivals.

In addition to mega-interstate miles, I nimbly maneuvered the vehicle through city streets. Parking lots, narrow driveways and U-turns in tight quarters were all handled easily. The vehicle never felt cumbersome. The LE is the only member of the fleet with full-time all-wheel drive, and it can be left engaged on dry pavement. The Pathfinder also has a 6,000-pound towing capacity.

Each of the four Pathfinder models includes a 4.0-liter, 270-horsepower V6. During my trek, the vehicle advanced adequately even while ascending the most difficult climbs. But it did take a heavy throttle to get the job done, and that didn't do much for the one major downfall of most SUVs -- lousy gas mileage.

The Pathfinder is rated at 16 mpg (city) and 23 mpg (highway), but I averaged just under 20 mpg on my trip. Nissan recommends premium fuel, further adding to the not-so-thrifty costs.

The Pathfinder was redesigned in 2005, and both the interior and exterior changes were nicely accomplished, including added width, height and length. The interior has well-placed, cleanly designed gauges and the console and instrument panel are handsome and smartly positioned.

Unlike other SUVs, the Pathfinder has a standard third-row seat. Without removing headrests, the rear row folds level, and the folding front-passenger seatback further builds the cargo room to 79.2 cubic feet. That's among the best in the class.

The Pathfinder LE model has standard 17-inch wheels; other models have 16-inch wheels. The LE also features standard front-side and side curtain airbags (they're optional on other models).

Regardless of model, the Pathfinder's standard equipment list is impressive. It ranges from illuminated visor mirrors to the AM/FM radio with in-dash, six-disc CD/MP3 changer and heated power mirrors and sunroof to a memory system for the driver seat, mirror and pedals.

My test vehicle also included five option packages ranging from the navigation and rear-seat entertainment system to leather and heated front seats. The various options added nearly $8,000 to the vehicle's base price.

The result is a finely equipped SUV that can certainly ease the ordeal of a 400-mile drive and also provide an equally enjoyable ride around town.

The Weekly Driver: 2006 Nissan Pathfinder

Safety features –- Dual front airbags (standard); front and side curtain airbags.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) -– 16 mpg (city), 23 mpg (highway).

Warranty -- Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain, 5 years/60,000 miles, Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited mileage; (24-hour) roadside assistance program, 3 years/36,000 miles.

Base price -- $35,550.

Reduce Costs And Pollution With Hybrid Car

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Buying a new car is spending a considerable amount of money for most people, and with the ever rising oil price it is becoming a more and more expensive affair to own your own car too. With an oil price that works in a way so that a rain in north America raises the price people in Finland pays for gasoline from Russia, it is not strange that the market is eager to be offered more economical cars.

As if that were not enough, we are today well aware that the large scale use of fossil fuel like oil is very bad for the environment. Burning up things that have taken hundreds fo thousands of years to accumulate within a couple of hundred years is obviously not a very good idea.

All of the above has resulted in a new breed of cars being rapidly developed. These cars combine the best features of the electric cars with that of conventional, gasoline powered cars. These type of cars are called hybrid cars, and you are likely to hear a lot about them in the very near future.

An electric car with a twist

The electric car first sounded like a great idea, since it has an engine that doesn't actually burn up fuel. However, this is only partially true as how clean this can be considered depends on how the electricity for the electric car is produced - if it comes from a coal plant for example, it isn't very clean at all.

Furthermore, the storage of large amounts of electricity is problematic at best and in practise turns electric cars to pure bread city cars. Storing large ammounts of electricity is unfortunately a rather clumsy affair.

Hybrid cars combine an electric engine with a gasoline powered one, which means the use of gasoline isn't totally out of the picture but it can be greatly reduced. The dual engines also allow for smaller engines to be used, and they take advantage of things like regenerative breaking.

Naturally the hybrid cars are also extremely lightweight and aerodynamically well designed, all to reduce the energy needed to run them. In slow city traffic the conventional engine is automatically shut of completely, producing no emissions whatsoever. When more speed and power is needed, the conventional engine is allowed to seamlessly kick in partially or fully.

You could own a hybrid car tomorrow

Like much of the car market today, it is the Japanese who have been a leading force to develop attractive looking hybrid vehicles, such as the hybrid powered Honda Accord and Toyota Prius. Contrary to what one might believe, these cars have also gotten a warm reception on the market.

Saving money AND the environment seems to be an attractive proposition.

Most well established North American manufacturers are also expected to jump on the bandwagon of this lucrative market very soon. Many of them, including Ford, Chevrolet and Mercury have in fact already launched hybrid powered version of some of their models.

As this is a quickly expanding market, you can expect to see many of these cars appearing more commonly at local car dealers. As this is considered cutting edge technology, one can expect the initial prices to be rather high though. But then again, a hybrid car will mean considerable savings on buying gas. As the competition will no doubt be stiff, it will be interesting to see how the pricing of these cars develop during the next few years.

While the best thing for the environment would be to cease using any kinds of fossil fuels, hybrid cars represent one of the best alternatives one can choose right now - combining the cleanliness of the electric engine with the mileage of a conventional combustion engine. Hybrid cars are certainly not to be considered unorthodox or overly futuristic - they are here NOW.

Learn more about hybrid cars at the Know more about network.

Automotive Detail Shop Considerations

If you own a mobile car wash or auto detailing business on consideration would be to move up in the world and get your own detailing shop. There are many Automotive Detail Shop Considerations. First you need to ask yourself why are you wishing to have a detail shop? Is it to stay out of the weather and have a climate-controlled place to work? Are you doing it for prestige?

Are you needing to secure a location and get a shop to park your vehicles at night and also a place to do wholesale detailing? For location based detail shops there are many things to consider;

www.DetailGuys.com/detailbbs

http://www.carwashguys.com/081402_3.shtml

http://www.detailguys.com/nw4.shtml

http://www.detailguys.com/nw8.shtml

http://www.detailguys.com/nw3.shtml

http://www.detailguys.com/nw1.shtml

There are many articles on Auto Detailing, auto detail shop considerations, mobile car washing on the Internet. One place to look is at EzineArticles.com for instance. There is equipment available at DetailPlus and other specialty equipment companies. Before you go out and sign a 5 to 10 year lease understand what you are doing and make sure it fits your future plans and represents close proximity to your highest volume customers and an adequate labor supply. Think it thru as you are going to be increasing costs and need to make those rent payments, which means you must maintain higher volumes as well. Think on this.

Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Chrysler Town Country 2006 The Weekly Driver

The mini-van market is among the most competitive segments of the
automotive industry. The Dodge Caravan, Honda Odyssey and Toyota
Sienna all have loyal owners. But with the upscale 2006 Chrysler Town
and Country in the mix, buyers have an even more difficult choice.

The Town and Country offers high-end prestige in the mini-van
category, plus an inviting, efficient and spacious configuration of second
and third-row seats. Add a sleek, new design and a stylish front grill and
the Town and Country also gets best-of-class marks for its handsome
looks.

It's logical to assume mini-van buyers purchase their vehicles to
transport numerous passengers or for larger cargo needs, and that's
perhaps the Town & Country's best quality.

Seven passengers fit easily. With the third row of seats folded, the rear
cargo area is cavernous. If the second and third-rows are folded down
(flush with the floor), the available space could be rented out as a
moveable storage shed. The back liftgate has an automatic opening and
closing option, further adding to the vehicle's cargo-carrying qualities.

My test drive for the week was the Limited, the most advanced and most
expensive of four Town & Country models.

It featured a 3.8-liter, V6 and a four-speed automatic transmission. As
the manufacturer's top-of-the-line mini-van, the Limited's dark-gray
leather seats and dark, wood-like console perfectly complemented the
dark gray exterior color called "Brilliant Black Crystal."

The vehicle looks great on the open road and its ride quality, nicely
appointed controls and overall comfort are all impressive. As one
example, during non-daylight hours, the instrumentation panel is backlit
a soft light green. It's a nice touch.

Driving the mini-van is comfortable and the front-window, near-
panoramic view is a plus. Steering is satisfactory, and the vehicle has a
commanding presence.

That leaves only two questionable areas — less-than peppy
acceleration and average fuel mileage that didn't quite meet the
advertised city and highway numbers.

Standard features in the Limited edition are vast. All key functions —
windows to doors, eight-way seats to the sliding rear doors — are
automatic. The Limited edition includes a rear-obstacle detection
system, interior air filter, heated front seats, six-disc CD/DVD player, a
removable center console, automatic driver-side and rearview mirrors,
automatic headlights, roof rack, fog lights and 16-inch chrome alloy
wheels.

My weekly driver also featured an optional custom preferred package. It
included power sunroof ($1,005), Sirius satellite radio with one-year's
service ($195) and a rear-seat video system ($990) featuring a second-
row seven-inch overhead screen, wireless headphones and remote
control.

With a destination charge of $730, the Limited's total price reached
$37,900. That's a lot, but then again the Limited is a lot of mini-van.

2006 Town & Country Limited: The Weekly Driver

Safety features -- Dual front, driver's knee and side curtain
airbags (all three rows).

Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 18 mpg (city), 25 mpg (highway).

Warranty -- Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles;
Powertrain, 7 years/70,000 miles; Corrosion, 5 years/100,000 miles;
Roadside assistance, 3 years/36,000 miles.

Base price -- $33,325.

Buying a Used Car Avoiding the Scams

Monday, May 26, 2008

There are a few things that you should always look for if you are buying a used car. Here are the tips that you will need not to get a lemon.

1. Warranty Facts

You can sometimes get a car that is still under warranty. If this is the case, check with the warranty (perhaps call the number in the warranty book) to ask if there is anything that you need to do to keep the warranty when you buy the car. This often just involves sending out a letter with the purchase information to the dealership.

If you buy from a car dealership, you can often get warranties on used cars. If you want peace of mind when purchasing, consider this option for sure.

2. Warning Signs

If the odometer reading doesn’t match the wear and tear of the car, then you should definitely ask for some records.

If there is any vagueness about getting the service records for the car, you might want to walk away.

3. Getting a Good Price

Because the cost of new cars is going up, there is more of a demand for used cars. This means that some dealerships believe that they can take more money than the car is worth. There are a few things that you need to do to get a good price.

Do your research; check online and in used car guides (often available at the local library) to find out what the prices of cars listed online to sell are. If you are uncertain about buying a car online, then don’t. Often purchasing a car online means that it will come from a long distance, and as such, you will have to pay exorbitant shipping or delivery costs, which will not be worth the money that you are saving off the sticker price.

4. Making the Payments

Instead of getting a car loan from the dealership and paying the dealer or the seller monthly payments, consider taking out a loan from the bank. You will often get better interest (or financing, as it is called with cars) rates. Go to a bank or credit union before you go shopping for your car. Salespeople will try to talk you into going with the dealership’s rates; you will be better off if you already have your financing set up. Credit unions can sometimes offer even better rates than banks on loans and are an often-overlooked choice.

5. The Information to Get

In Ontario, and in some states, you can ask to get the used vehicle information package. This will have the details of the previous maintenance and ownership history of the car.

Always do a complete visual inspection of a car. Even if you are buying a car from the internet, buy one from your province or state so that you can go and check it out first. Alternatively, agree with the seller that you have the right to return the car for a full refund (including shipping) if it does not meet your standards.

6. What not to Trust

Don’t judge the use of a car by it’s brakes; a dealer can buy new brake pads for less than $10, which is often an easy fix for a car.

If a car has rear-door-hinges that are very worn, it might have been used as a taxi, and you should probably find another one. Check the roof of the car to see if there have been any holes filled in; this could have been a sign for a delivery vehicle. They also often have been used a lot.

Be careful if a car looks like it has been freshly painted. This could mean that it has been in an accident that is trying to be covered up.

7. And finally…

Buying a used car can be a great deal for you. You can save money on the car itself, and you can get a safe means to travel. Remember, the condition of the car is more important than if it has had multiple owners, or even the odometer reading. Good luck shopping!

For information on how to get a loan for a used car, visit http://www.theguideto-carloans.com/used_car_loans/ The Guide to Car Loans. The more you know in advance could save you more money when you buy!

How To Buy A New Car Without Being Taken For A Ride

Many people get taken advantage of when they go to buy a new car, truck or SUV. This can be avoided by taking some simple precautions and being prepared ahead of time. Take a look at these suggestions and commit them to memory so that you don't get taken to the cleaners on your next automotive purchase.

First off, do you research and don't go into a dealership half cocked with little knowledge. You want to be armed with the cost of the vehicle you are interested in, the value of your vehicle if you are trading it, financing terms and interest rates, and be on guard against sales tactics. Never buy a car impulsively, think it over.

The internet had millions of pages of research and content available about vehicles, financing, and anything else you may care to know about the car buying process. There is absolutely no reason for anyone not to take the time to get the information they need to be able to have a positive car buying experience.

The best way by far to deal with financing your vehicle purchase is to get pre-approved by your personal bank or credit union. This will give you a position of power to negotiate from. When you go into the dealership you are now basically walking in with cash and the ability to do business immediately should you so desire. Another thing it gives you is the ability to play the lenders against each other to get a better rate. Many times the dealer may offer you a better rate by as much as two percent just because of the volume of business they do.

Remember this sentence is you remember nothing else, "The salesperson is not your friend". They will try to make you think they are on your side, they are trained to do that. It is all part of the psychology. Don't buy into it, they are paid a commission based on the profit of the vehicle in most cases, so the more you pay for the car, the more they make.

Many times there are bonuses on particular vehicles as well. You may go to a dealership on a Saturday morning and see three salespeople trying to sell the exact same car. The reason, unknown to the potential buyer is probably because the sales manager has offered a $500 bonus for selling that particular car. If a salesman is trying to push you on a particular car, beware, there is a reason the car hasn't sold and for the dealer to offer a bonus to get rid of it.

Gregg Hall is an author and internet marketing consultant living in Navarre Florida. Find more articles about cars and car care products at http://www.5starshine.com

New Chevy Racing Campaign During Daytona 500

As the stars of NASCAR are revving their engines for the 2006 racing season, Chevy Racing will be celebrating it’s success on the track with a new advertising campaign set to kick off during the televised Daytona 500 race. Boasting about their 25 wins in the last 33 Manufacturer’s Cup Championships, Chevy racing plans to focus on the fact that they have won more than any other automobile manufacturer while dominating one of the most popular sports in America.

The new Chevy Racing campaign unveils “Team Chevy,” which is an exclusive club consisting of some of NASCAR’s brightest stars and their participation using the Chevy Monte Carlo SS racing machine. While retaining it’s “American Revolution” tag line, Chevy also plans to incorporate a touch of humor with it’s new campaign.

During the first commercial ad spot, fans will see “Toast.” This promo features Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart as they enjoy celebrating recent Team Chevy victories. As these superstars relive their wins, they incorporate NASCAR’s victory celebration into the crowd. As they spray champagne into the crowd of cheering fans, they also pour their champagne over the heads. The latter is customary for the victor in a NASCAR race, but Chevy decided to add a twist by spraying the fans, as well.

During the second televised spot, titled “Office,” Team Chevy once again showcases their racing dominance as Chevy’s Racing Director, Terry, searches for space to display the latest awards for current NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart. As he searches all around, he finds that every inch of space is already occupied with trophies. But, perhaps there is room somewherel...

"Chevy Racing is all about a passion for racing and winning and that excitement extends to our vehicle lineup, which is now America's No. 1-selling automotive brand," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet General Manager. "Deutsch found a simple, clear way to deliver that message with a couple of great humorous twists."

Chevy and NASCAR fans will get their first glance at the new advertising campaign during the NBC televised Daytona 500 event on February 19, 2006. Ads will appear nationally on both NBC and Fox. Printed ads, in conjunction with those being televised, will appear in USA today and in various racing program guides.

Chevrolet is the bestselling automotive brand in the United States. With the largest dealer network in America, Chevy is the leader in full-size trucks and in the sale of vehicles priced at $35,000 and above. In addition, Chevy offers expressive design, valued pricing and spirited performance with features found only in the more expensive automobiles.

Read all Kurt Busch news, Matt Kenseth news and all other NASCAR news on http://www.sportsnews24h.com/Motorsports/NASCAR/

Mini-Cooper 2005 The Weekly Driver

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Introduced in England in 1959 and first available in the United States
from 1960 to 1967, the Mini-Cooper is back. It's been a unique sight on
American roads for the past three years, thanks to unique BMW
business savvy.

The Mini-Cooper wasn't the top priority when BMW purchased the Rover
Group -- Land Rover, Rover, MG and Mini -- in 1994. BMW was more
interested in the luxury SUV market. But six years later, Rover was sold
to Ford and BMW adjusted its plan.

The new Mini-Cooper is among the results. For 2005 that includes my
test drive for the week, the S-convertible with a six-speed manual
transmission.

Like other retro vehicles in recent years, the Mini-Cooper has found a
market some 40 years after its first success. What drivers enjoyed in the
60s -- an affordable, quick, efficient and fun-to-drive car -- is what they
get now.

I've never driven an original Mini, but friends who have driven both
generations, say the new version is much the same as yesteryear's
model. Yet, it's also quite different.

The Mini Cooper S convertible is a first-time offering for 2005, and the
combination has vast appeal -- and a few less-than ideal
considerations.

Foremost, anyone who likes to drive can appreciate the Mini. One of four
available models -- the Mini-Cooper S has a 16-valve, four-cylinder,
168-horsepower engine. That's substantially more power than its
predecessor.

As such, the car "jumps" from zero to 30 mph, particularly considering its
supercharged, 1.6-liter overhead cam engine. Consumer Guide testers
clocked the S model in the standard 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds, while the
base model took 9.1 seconds.

Perhaps the Mini's finest attributes are its steering and handling. The
response -- maneuvering through parking lots or zipping along the
freeway -- is impressive. The Mini-Cooper is among the smallest cars in
the United States -- its wheelbase is 97.1 inches and its overall length is
143.1 inches. But driving the car on freeway surprisingly didn't include
any notions of inferiority. It's more like a cocky terrier who can hold his
own among big dogs.

The Mini-Cooper has more than once been called a go-cart for adults.
But its craftsmanship and unique features quickly catapult it into the all-
too-real class.

Beyond its swift acceleration and sturdy handling, the Mini has a good
supply of funky features.

Consider the huge speedometer in the middle of the dash. It's as big as
wall clock, and it's cool, for sure. And there's also a small, digital miles
per hour display above the steering wheel in the center of the
tachometer.

Yet, the large speedometer is the centerpiece of the dash, and it also
features one of the car's instrumentation drawbacks. A small digital clock
is positioned at the bottom of the speedometer and just to the left of the
digital odometer. It's hard to differentiate the time of day from the miles
driven. Also, a swiveling cupholder, positioned to the right of the radio,
just seems to get in the way.

As a petite convertible, there are few other common concerns. Consider:

* The seatbelts are too-snugly positioned and hard to reach.

* The rear aluminum roll hoops drastically obscure the view through the
small, rear glass oval.

* The convertible top, which remained up during my test drive, has
"blindspots" between the front and rear seat side views.

* And even by small-car standards, the Mini-Cooper has a small trunk.

Yet, the Mini has many more positive attributes than issues.

* There's plenty of front seat foot and head room, at least for a 6-foot,
185-test driver.

* The cabin's tubular, metallic trim is sleek and modern, and the
glovebox cover and other interior areas are painted the same color as
the bulk of the exterior, in my instance "Chili Red."

* Windows and other automatic functions are engaged with bullet-style
toggle switches on the dash, They're separated by hip-looking black,
metal rings.

The Mini-Cooper S has a suggested base price of $24,900. Several
individual and packaged options are available, which in my test vehicle
included: 17-inch alloy wheels ($600), white bonnet body striping
($100), interior chrome ($200) and a Harmon-Kardon sound system
($550). Add the $550 destination charge and the final tariff is more than
$27,000.

That's not inexpensive for a vehicle that might not get seen on the
freeway in the side mirrors of an 18-wheeler. And it's not cheap for a car
that can't hold more than a workout bag in its trunk.

But the Mini-Cooper is an enthusiasts' car, and its appeal is its
personality.

Whether the driver is envisioning motoring along on a back-country road
in Britain or Germany or competing in a sports rally in the desert, it's
easy to understand why the Mini-Cooper has retained a loyal following.
It also fares equally well in Anytown, U.S.A.

2005 Mini Cooper: The Weekly Driver

Safety features -- dual front and front-side impact airbags

Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 25 mpg (city), 32 mpg (highway).

Warranty -- Bumper-to-bumper, 4 years/50,000 miles;
Corrosion, 12 years/unlimited mileage; roadside assistance, 4 years/
50,000 miles.

Base price -- $24,900.00

Environmental Compliance; Mobile Auto Detailing

There are environmental compliance issues in automotive detailing, but how much does all this really help the environment. In the auto detailing industry we know we must comply and do with these regulations, yet often one has to ask them selves, why are we really doing this? Sometimes one has to think that much of these are not as much about the environment as much as from competitors who use the environment and government as a way to attack the mobile car washes and detailers from taking their business. Some mobile auto detailers think the carwash owners need to do better work and stop pointing fingers. Meanwhile some legitimate rules on the environment do make sense.

A little soap is good for the environment, but we are not allowed to let soap run into a storm drain. While it is true that there are harsh chemicals and detergents that are currently used by industry and homeowners that should never be allowed free to run into our ecosystem, most basic soap won’t hurt anything. As a matter of fact, they actually help break down other unwanted contaminants so they can be further filtered by mother earth’s soil and diluted by her abundant water. Most mobile auto detailer’s soaps are perfectly harmless. Unfortunately, no matter how good or biodegradable these soaps are, the law reads nothing but ‘domestic potable water’ goes into the storm drains.

Non-spray products such as silicon for bumpers, wax, adhesive remover, etc. are major environmental problems because they contain dastardly chemicals. You must realize these chemicals do not go into the environment during the washing of the vehicle; therefore, they do not constitute a pollution discharge. Whatever you do, do not pour out a 55-gallon drum of this type product into the gutter in front of your house.

Here is a sad story of what happens when there is an unscrupulous manufacturer tries to sell a product that is not safe:

A company that touted their product as being safe for the environment sold it to thousands of retailers that had thousands of outlets. It was on shelves all over America for about three years. It was in the garages of over forty million households. It was later discovered by a company that preps boats for painting and stripping that the product killed fish. Fish were floating to the surface dead each day that this product was used. The company cleaning the boats didn’t want to get in trouble, so they switched products and didn’t say anything. The new product worked fine and no more dead fish.

About a year and a half later, the supplier for the new product went out of business and the boat company was forced to switch back to the first product. Guess what? That’s right; more dead fish; even more than before. This time the boat cleaning company told someone. The Fish and Game Department slapped on a lawsuit for one million dollars. The product manufacturer paid but continued to make the product with same formula. Other government agencies and environmental groups caught wind and forced the company to change the formula. The price increase to change the formula cost the company eight cents more per bottle on a retail price of $10.00. The one million dollars was less than eight cents per gallon, so they just paid it. When they finally switched formulas due to the pressure from environmental consumers and the negative media, the bottle said “New and Improved” and “Even More Environmentally Safe Than Before.” The price increased an average of $1.99 retail. The product’s name? I am not writing this article to hurt brand names so we will leave it at that, you can figure it out thru public record.

The point in the matter is there are some chemicals used by auto and boat detailers which are bad for the environment, but for the most part the small amounts of soaps used to wash the cars is insignificant and more of a competitive political move than any effort to help the environment.

Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Kia To Open First U.S. Manufacturing Plant In 2009

In an announcement made on March 2006, Kia Motors Corporation, the maker of Kia cars, announced official plans to build a $1.2 billion assembly and manufacturing plant in the United States. The location has been confirmed as West Point, Georgia and will serve as Kia’s first manufacturing plant in America. The first Kia cars to roll off of the assembly line are said to begin production in 2009.

When operated at it’s maximum capacity, the new Kia cars facility is expected to create approximately 300,000 brand new automobiles every year. In addition, this new construction will provide an additional 2,500 jobs and will be situated on 2,200 acres.

According to president and CEO of Kia Motors America J.H. Lee, "The decision by Kia Motors Corporation to build a manufacturing plant in the United States demonstrates their confidence in our ability to further grow sales in the North American market.” He added, "The plant is an important development to support our sales goals over the next decade."

A dedicated Kia cars corporate campus is currently under construction in Irvine, California. With an anticipated opening date of December 2006, this new facility will feature a 65,000 square-foot design center. Over the past four years, Kia Motors has invested over $300 million in America. Among the results are a state-of-the-art research and development center located in Michigan, along with a custom-built vehicle facility in California.

Since debuting in the American market, Kia cars has expanded to a complete product line of vehicles and have watched their company thrive during the 12 years of consecutive sales records, which continue to this day.

Kia Motors Corporation, the maker of Kia cars, is headquartered in South Korea. However, through the development of Kia Motors America, Kia is able to offer a complete line of automobiles, including Kia cars, through well over 600 United States car dealerships. Said to be one of the fastest growing automakers in the world, Kia was founded in 1944 making it Korea’s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. Through the company’s latest release featuring hybrid technology, Kia hopes to become one of the world’s premier automotive brands. With assembly and manufacturing operations in seven countries, Kia produces over 1.1 million vehicles each year, which are then sold through a network of dealers and distributors throughout 160 countries. With more than 32,000 employees and annual revenues topping $15 billion, Kia has found sponsorship to be an important part of it’s success. As a major sponsor to both the Australian Tennis Open and FIFA, the Kia Motors Corporation is planning even more changes in the years to come.

Find more Kia news and Kia cars reviews, including 2006 Kia Sorento, on http://www.autonews24h.com/

Mazda 6, 2006 The Weekly Driver

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Could there be a more generically named group of vehicles than those
lumped together as "midsize cars?"

The Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu and Nissan Altima
are all in the category, and all enjoy a loyal consumer following.

The Mazda 6 is also in the same group. And while not as refined as the
Accord or Camry, the Mazda 6 -- available in 16 configurations -- is a
sporty alternative. In fact, with a wagon, hatchback and turbocharged,
274-horsepower edition among the options, the Mazda 6 greatly
expands the boundaries of the class.

My weekly test drive was Grand Sport model. It has a 3.0-liter, 24-valve,
V6 with 215 horsepower and a five-speed manual transmission. The
sedan is actually a five-door hatchback.

But with its bright exterior (Volcanic Red), black leather seats and solid
black interior, the Mazda 6 looks more like a sports car.

It also performs like it doesn't belong in the midsize class.

The car has impressively strong takeoff speed, with 0-60 mph tests
accomplished in 7.5 seconds, according to Consumer Guide. With its
18-inch tires and alloy wheels, dual exhaust outlets and rear spoiler, the
Mazda even further fits the sports car mode. And with its easy shifting
ability, the Mazda is fun around town or on country roads.

But without getting too carried away, the Mazda 6 is also a versatile
sedan. With its hatchback entry, it's a good choice for a family vehicle
with easy access and a deep cargo area good for plenty of groceries or
any reasonable transporting task.

The Mazda 6 really has few shortcomings. It has good interior space
and straightforward instrumentation design and functionality. The car
maneuvers well in traffic, it's sufficiently quiet and the ride quality, while
not quite as nice as the Accord, is on par with other vehicles in the class.

Standard features include: High intensity discharge headlamps, fog
lights, heated outside mirrors, leather seats, heated front seats, 60/40
split fold-down rear seats, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, rear
window wiper and washer, AM/FM in-dash six-disc CD changer,
automatic climate control and power moonroof.

Two small but convenient features are the side cupholder in the front
door map pocket and the rear seat armrest with additional cupholders.

One criticism is the rear spoiler. The Mazda 6 is about as sporty as a
sedan can get, but the feature hardly seems necessary. Its position
simultaneously obscures the rear window view and annoyingly divides
the remaining driver's rear visibility into two distinct sections.

The Weekly Driver: 2006 Mazda 6

Safety features -- Dual front, side air and side curtain airbags.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 19 mpg (city), 27 mpg (highway).

Warranty -- Bumper to bumper, 4 years/48,00 miles; Corrosion,
5 years/Unlimited miles; 24-hour Roadside Assistance program, 4
years/50,000 miles.

Base price -- $27,710.

Kia Sportage 2005 The Weekly Driver Review

Introduced a decade ago, the Kia Sportage was the Korean
manufacturer's second style available in the American market. It had its
supporters and critics, and it eventually became the company's
bestseller.

Three years ago, however, when Kia was in the midst of severe financial
difficulties, the Sportage was discontinued.

But behold, the Sportage is back, having undergone a vast makeover. It
has the same name, but perhaps that's the only similarity to yesteryear's
model.

The new Sportage has a completely new and refined interior and
exterior design, and a good supply of standard and optional features. It
also has a few nice, thoughtful, if small, considerations that could allow
the small to well infiltrate the marketplace.

My test vehicle for the week was the Sportage 4x4 EX model, the larger
of the two engine options offered on only one body style, a four-door
SUV. The 173-horsepower, 2.7-liter V6 is equipped with a four-speed
automatic transmission, the only option. The four-cylinder model has
automatic and five-speed manual transmission options.

The vehicle performed well in all driving scenarios. It's not the quickest
SUV on the market, but it's far from sluggish. In several instances, I was
the aggressor into merging lanes. And while the Sportage doesn't
provide any time-warp sensations, the SUV, while categorized as a
truck, accelerated without hesitation as if it were performing with car-like
smooth, steady advances.

Kia's four-wheel drive system is a single-range offering. It's electronically
controlled with a push-button function on the console. It's designed for
all-weather, all-season traction and primarily offered for on-road
situations, not treacherous off-road conditions. The Sportage does have
7.7 inches of clearance and good traction, so off-road trail driving should
certainly not be discounted. While on the road, the Sportage offers a
comfortable, commanding and surprisingly quiet ride.

Equally impressive, the Sportage's interior and exterior design has a
modern contour of near luxury status. The outside of the vehicle has
nicely shaped panel corners and the headlights, roof rails and various
trim are all sturdy yet provide a sleek appearance. It's as if the vehicle
was molded after advancing into strong headwinds.

The interior has the same "feel." The console and other instrumentation
are well-positioned and handsome. My test vehicle had a bright-red
exterior, matched nicely with a black leather interior. Metal trimmings
around the console look simple, yet stylish and surprisingly upscale
considering the vehicle's value-for-cost considerations.

Speaking of cost, the Sportage EX model has a base price of $21,400,
an appealing amount considering the vehicle's standard options that, in
part, include: air conditioning and sunroof, power windows and locks,
heated outside mirrors, AM/FM/cassette/CD/MP3 audio system with six
speakers and cruise control. The EX model's luxury package ($1,300)
includes the aforementioned leather seating, heated front seats,
automatic headlamps and automatic dimming inside mirror and with a
homelink security function.

Further, the Sportage comfortably seats five and the front and rear leg
and headroom is surprisingly spacious.

The Sportage also provides a few, small yet impressive nuances. The
outside mirror adjustment switch, for example, adeptly moves from the
driver to passenger mirror position with secure, precision shift. Likewise,
the radio dials adjust with precise movements, both qualities often found
on considerably higher-priced vehicles.

Additionally, the Sportage's liftgate glass can be opened without
opening the tailgate. A handy storage compartment and tray are
available under the rear cargo area.

With every option available, the Sportage's price is still well under
$24,000. It's a price point that should give the new Sportage best-value
consideration in the small SUV market.

Safety features – Driver and front passenger dual-stage
airbags. Front seat mounted side airbags. Front and rear curtain
airbags. Four-wheel antilock brakes. Electronic Force Distribution
(EBD), Standard Traction Control (STC) and ESP Electronic Stability
Systems.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) – 19 mpg (city), 23 mpg (highway).

Warranty – Bumper to bumper, 5 years/60,000 miles;
Powertrain, 10 years/100,000 miles; Corrosion, 5 years/100,000 miles,
(24-hour) roadside assistance, 5 years/unlimited mileage.

Base price – $21,400.00

James Raia is a Sacramento, Calif., journalist who writes about sports,
travel and lifestyle topics as well as the automotive column, The Weekly
Driver. To read his articles, visit the web site: ByJamesRaia.com

Hybrid Cars

A regular car uses an internal combustion engine with a fuel-air mixture powering it. A hybrid car on the other hand powers itself not only using the conventional means but it also uses a variety of alternate means like fuel-cells and solar-energy to turn the wheels. That makes it more environment friendly and increases its mileage.

Some people think that hybrid cars are the cars of the future. They say it is what we will be driving in a ten years time. It is true that hybrid cars have many advantages. But we must not forget the shortcomings of the hybrid car.

Gas and oil are non renewable sources of energy. They also cause much damage to the environment. There is a danger they might soon also be depleted from the earth. On the other hand, hybrid cars are environment friendly. They source of energy they use is renewable and therefore they pose much less threat to the world. Hybrid cars are efficient and save money on fueling.

Performance wise, hybrid cars are rubbish. At the stage they currently are, they are more than likely to break down after traveling every few miles. If you buy a hybrid car, leave for office an hour earlier than you used to before, because hybrid cars are much slower than normal cars. Because they have very less energy to run with, they are made with as light bodies as possible. We want to protect the environment to protect our children. But if you're planning to buy them a hybrid car to do so, the chances of them being flattened by some bigger car are far more. So if you want to keep your children safe, why not buy them a Land Rover instead? And then there's the matter of power again. With the amount of power a hybrid can provide, imagine the trouble and time it would take for you to reach a high altitude point with a fairly steep road, that is, if you would ever manage to get up there on that car.

Whether hybrid cars will be the future of the car industry, one cannot say for sure. But one thing is certain, where it stands today is quite for from a point where it will replace the petrol or gas powered cars.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Automotive, Shopping, and Sports

Suzuki XL-7 SUV 2005 The Weekly Driver Review

Friday, May 23, 2008

Traveling east from Sacramento on either Interstate 80 or 50, the capital
of California extends into ever-expanding suburbs. Sierra Nevada
foothill communities soon follow and then respectively the well-known
gambling and recreation meccas of Reno, Nev., and Lake Tahoe, Calif.

Busier freeways exist, but both Northern California thoroughfares have
their share of hectic commuter traffic and every other conceivable
transportation concern.

Both freeways therefore provide perfect arenas for vehicle testing,
particularly the consistent, steady ascents into the foothills and toward
ski resort elevations. There's nothing too steep, but the steady grades
can abruptly help showcase a vehicle's power strengths or weaknesses.

In my recent test drive of the 2005 Suzuki XL-7, the new midsize SUV
offered by the Japanese manufacturer, the latter applied.

The XL-7 has its share of attractive features, including a good price point
and plenty of impressive standard features. But acceleration and overall
engine performance is not the vehicle's strong suit.

On out-of-town journeys on both Interstate 50 and 80, the XL-7 was
noticeable sluggish on the steady climbs out of the flatlands. The XL-7
has a 5-speed automatic transmission and 2.7-liter, 24-valve, 185-
horsepower, V6 engine. Yet, even on solo treks into moderat elevation
locales, in highway passing situations, or in other needed acceleration
scenarios, a foot-to-the-floor effort was required.

The XL-7, however, should not be dismissed It's been introduced as an
extended version of Suzuki's compact Grand Vitara, with a 2.9-inch
longer wheelbase, 22.9 inches of added length and the aforementioned
larger engine.

Nearly a dozen model options are available, from base model, 2WD,
LX-4-door wagon with manual transmission ($19,499) to the 4-WD EX
wagon with automatic transmission and third-row seat ($26,899). My
test vehicle was the 4-WD EX-wagon with automatic transmission. With
standard features including heated front seats, leather front and rear
seats, 6-disc CD and AM/FM audio system with seven speakers, 16-
alloy wheels, power-tilted sun and moonroof and Suzuki's 7-year,
100,000-mile powertrain warranty, the $26,394.00 price point is
appealing.

So, too, are the XL-7's controls and materials, and the vehicle's cargo
space is generous, if not less-than simply designed and orchestrated via
confusing levers.

Like other Suzuki models, the XL 7's instrumentation is simple and
nicely designed. Large control dials offer ease of use and the console
materials are attractive, even the faux wood trim. Likewise, Suzuki has
some innovative ideas for storage cubicles and the cargo areas for
groceries, sports equipment and the like is on par with the available
other vehicles in its category. Seating is comfortable, and from driver's
perspective vision is good and without blind spots.

As a 4-WD drive vehicle, Suzuki offers a push-button, part-time system.
It's convenient and has a low-gear ratio. Unlike other manufacturers,
however, the Suzuki 4-WD option should not be left engaged in dry
pavement.

The XL-7 is Suzuki's offering against the Ford Explorer, GMC Envoy and
Toyota Highlander. All are higher priced and have established niches in
the resale market. The Suzuki doesn't have any history — yet. The XL-7
doesn't get high marks in ride quality, and it certainly isn't quiet on the
road, either. The manufacturer claims 17 mpg gallon in city driving, but
the Consumer Guide testers documented a city average between 13.6
and 15.4 mpg.

There's nothing wrong with a manufacturer having pride its brand name,
either. But the "S" insignia on the front grill is particularly large, and it
can't help remind one of the Superman "S." In short, it's just too large.

Beyond cosmetics, however, the XL-7 has offer a good supply of
standard features for its price. But it's not the best choice in its class and
won't be until it at least gets more horsepower.

Safety features —Driver and front-seat passenger front and side
airbags, Antilock brakes; 24-hour roadside assistance.

Fuel Mileage (manufacturer estimates) —17 mpg (city), 22 mpg
(highway).

Warranty — Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain 7
years/100,000 miles; Corrosion, 3 years/unlimited miles.

Base price range — $19,499-26,899.

James Raia is journalist, author and publisher in Sacramento, Calif. To
read more car reviews or other examples of his work, visit his web site: ByJamesRaia.com

Hyundai Closing In On Honda As Their Brand Value Rises

Hyundai Motor Corp. surprised everyone this year by making the biggest increase in automotive brand value and recognition. Hyundai for the first time ever beat such marques as Porsche, Lexus, and Nissan. Honda and Toyota are now forced to take Hyundai more seriously as it is now closing in on them at a rapid pace. According to J.D. Power and Associates, Hyundai has one of the highest consumer satisfaction ratings of all vehicle manufacturers and its brand value has greatly increases after the introduction of their hot 2006 model lineup.

According to the 2006 Best Global Brands survey Hyundai Motor Company has emerged as one of the worlds leading brands with stellar levels of customer satisfaction that rival the best in the industry. Brandon Yea, Hyundai’s vice president for branding strategy, states “Hyundai represents solid quality and representation at every level now as we have everything from the low end to our new entry into luxury sedans with the Alzerra.” Hyundai is now being seen as a serious player in the automotive industry. While other automakers are worried about profits (GM and Chrysler), Hyundai is thinking about how much more market share it will take this year. The Alzerra was targeted at the Acura and Lexus luxury car markets and has shown great promise so far.

Apparently Hyundai has taken a page from Walmart’s founder Sam Walton – price yourself as aggressive as possible while providing what your customers want and need. Hyundai has out priced their competition and now sits poised to become, perhaps, the major automotive player similar to what Walmart did with its retail stores. According to the Harvard Business Review, Hyundai has the perfect business model and will be the automotive manufacturer to beat in the coming years. Large automotive dealership chains like Hendrick Automotive Group and Sonic are adding Hyundai dealerships as fast as they can be built.

Hyundai isn’t sitting on its laurels with the good news, however. They are investing heavily in research and product development. They are also planning and designing more competitive models. “We have found great success in every product line we have been involved in and will continue to add to this. Our philosophy is similar to MDWholesale.com, one of our business partners – To provide the best value at the best price for our customers,” stated Yea. GM and Chrysler will learn a lot about the car business from Hyundai, they don't have a choice.

David Maillie specializes in automotive safety products and information. He holds numerous patents and awards for his patented headlight cleaner and restorer. For more information, tips, safety and money saving products for your auto please visit http://www.mdwholesale.com

I Drive My Mini Cooper And I'm Feeling Super-Dooper!

1956. The Suez Crisis plunges Europe into a fuel crisis, petrol is rashioned and sales of new cars plummet.

Germany responds by creating the Gogomobile and three wheeled cars. President of the British Motor Corporation, Sir Leonard Lord is unimpressed and asks his chief designer, Alec Issigonis to create a “proper miniture car”.

To make it more challenging he also sets him strict design restrictions. It has to measure four feet across, four feet high and 10 feet long, provide for four passengers and their luggage and use only existing parts.

Issigonis and his team of eight engineers set to work and four months later Lord gives the go ahead for this new small econonic British car and the Morris Mini Minor is born.

The car used a conventional four-cylinder water-cooled engine but it was mounted transversely and drove the front wheels. This innovation allowed much increased passenger space in a small body. The result was nimble, economical and inexpensive. Almost all small cars built since the 1970s have followed this mechanical layout.

In 1959 the first model rolled off the assembly line for a mere 496 pounds ($1,200).

By 1964 sales were approaching 500,000 and the open top Mini-Moke was released to poor sales apart from the military and Australians who’s beach culture perfectly suited the open top style.

In 1969, The Italian Job, starring Michael Caine, turned the Mini into a star when 3 Mini Coopers were utilised as the perfect getaway cars.

Sales were helped along the likes of the Beatles and Peter Sellers publicly acknowledging their love of them but slowly fell off in the 70’s and 80’s until it seemed the little British Icon was headed for the scap heap.

Rover’s takeover in 1990 lead to a relaunch on the Mini Cooper and in 1999 it was voted the European car of the century by a panel of international journalist.

But the real second coming of the Mini and the Mini Cooper in particular came in 2001 when BMW took over ownership and created the Mini Cooper the world has fallen in love with again today.

The 2003 remake of The Italian Job, this time starring (Marky) Mark Wahlberg, became a massive advert for the new ultra hip Cooper and sales soared again.

Even Madonna featured it in the lyrics to the title song from her 2003 album American Life.

The Mini Cabrio launched in Australia in January 2005, and unlike the Mini Moke of the 60’s, is now primed as a much more luxurious and hip car.

And with an Italian Job 2 (well, 3 for the purists) in the works and sales continuing to soar, it seem the Mini still has a lot of mileage left in it yet.

Peter Shuttlewood is the author of webzine freshread which contains articles on Popular Culture with an Australian slant. freshread - the everyday in a fresh way.

Ford Fusion, 2006 The Weekly Driver

Thursday, May 22, 2008

The longstanding popularity of the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and
Nissan Altima have prompted other manufacturers to attempt to infiltrate
the midsize sedan market. Few have succeeded, but the Ford Fusion, a
2006 newcomer built in Mexico, could quickly join the major players.

As the replacement for the Taurus, the Fusion is categorized in the
premium midsize class, but its base price of $21,710 and its top-end
$25,650 plateau position the car economically well against the market's
stronghold trio.

My weekly test vehicle was the top-of-the-line SEL, one of three Fusion
models. The V6 has a 3.0 liter, 221-horsepower engine with a six-speed
automatic transmission. The S and SE models offer 160 horsepower
and five-speed automatic or manual transmissions.

The six-speed automatic performed admirably. During my test, I logged
more than 500 miles, primarily in freeway conditions. But I also drove
the Fusion on steep San Francisco hills and on suburban San Jose
streets. Steering to quietness, comfort to ride quality, the Fusion
warranted above-average marks in all scenarios.

Ford claims the Fusion accelerates from 0-60 mph in 8.5 seconds, which
isn't as fast as the claims of some competitors. But the vehicle never
seemed sluggish.

The Honda Accord gets great design and comfort marks to correspond
to its superior performance and resale value. But the Fusion matches
the Honda, at least in my test vehicle, in the former two areas. Its resale
value, of course, is untested.

Way too many vehicles in varying shades of red are on the road these
days. But one fine choice for the Fusion is Dark Blue Pearl matched with
a medium gray interior. The combination works particularly well
considering the angular, handsome body design. In short, the car drew
plenty of attention -- for all the right reasons.

The Fusion's instrumentation is also a plus. The design is understated
with easy-to-read gauges and a thoughtful, simple concept. The
odometer and speedometer dials aren't flush, but presented in
independent circles positioned about a half-inch off the surface. The
style promotes easier reading.

The vehicle's front head and foot room is fine, at least it was for a 6-foot
driver. I didn't have any passengers during my week's trek, but the rear
cabin has a spacious appeal rather than a construction-afterthought
look.

The SEL standard features list is extensive -- 17-inch aluminum wheels
to fog lamps and an attractive, well-positioned analog clock to six
cupholders. Power windows, doors and locks and an AM/FM/MP3/CD
changer, leather-wrapped steering wheel and dual vanity mirrors are
also among the standard equipment.

My Fusion also included a long list of optional equipment that added
more than $3,000 to the price. Leather front and rear seats and the
increasingly popular heated front seats function added nearly $1,200.
An upgraded sound system added $420) and anti-lock brakes added
another $595. The safety and security package (side curtain airbags
and anti-theft alarm) and the premium package (heated mirrors, puddle
lamps and compass) combined for another $990.

As others have discovered, it's difficult to compete against the time-
tested offerings of Honda, Toyota and Nissan. But the Fusion should do
just fine against the mighty trio.

The Weekly Driver: 2006 Ford Fusion

Safety features – Dual front airbags (standard); front and side
curtain airbags (optional)

Fuel Mileage (estimates) – 21 mpg (city), 29 mpg (highway).

Warranty – Bumper to bumper, 3 year/36,000 miles; Corrosion,
5 years/unlimited miles; (24-hour) roadside assistance program, 3
years/36,000 miles.

Base price$21,710.00

GM Death Watch It Ain't Gonna Happen!

I have been enjoying reading the news these past few days, perhaps in a perverse sort of way. Pundits and prognosticators are all forecasting the pending doom of the world’s largest automaker as if the approaching layoffs and restructuring are signaling the venerable automaker’s end. Certainly, GM has some problems – big ones – but the company isn’t likely to go away or even file for bankruptcy. The news isn’t all that it seems to be on this subject either…GM will survive and likely thrive in the decades ahead.

Okay, I am not crazy. Could GM go away? Of course, as could any poorly managed company. Yes, executives are overpaid and so are union workers. There…I said it. GM has been taking it on the chin from Asian automakers for three decades now and their U.S. market share continues to dwindle. Still, it isn’t doomsday for the general. Far from it. Here are some things that I believe GM is attempting to do to as they restructure.

Reduced Legacy Costs – GM won an important battle with its unions to force workers and retirees to pony up more money for their share of rising healthcare costs. Before you cry “foul” most Americans are paying heavily for their health insurance, while most autoworkers pay little or nothing. Reportedly, GM’s legacy costs add $1500 to the price of every vehicle. Hardly a way for any company to compete, right?

Divisional Trimming – GM axed Oldsmobile and is, supposedly, looking at whether Pontiac or Buick should go next. Saturn looks safe, primarily because of the division’s excellent dealer network while Chevrolet is the household name for so many car owners and is, therefore, untouchable. Cadillac is once again doing well and is competing effectively against Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, and Infiniti. Cadillac easily outsells rival Lincoln more than 2 to 1.

Captive Imports – I mentioned in a related article that China’s Chery Automotive Company will be importing a line of vehicles to the US commencing in Summer 2007. With a starting price as low as $6995, there is no way that GM can compete with them. Neither can Ford, Toyota, Honda, or Nissan for that matter. So, what is the option? Import one or two ultra low priced lines of cars from Korea via the company’s Daewoo division. Currently, the $9995 Chevy Aveo is the low price king in the US. This Daewoo built model is being overhauled and the new model should arrive in the US in about one year. Expect the price to drop as GM prepares for Chery’s onslaught. Expect GM to pressure their unions for further give backs as American highways are soon flooded with cheap Chinese imports.

Operational Spread -- The US auto market is the most lucrative in the world. Expect GM to strengthen luxury brands including Cadillac and Hummer as many of these vehicles bring in profits of ten thousand dollars or more per vehicle. Gas prices are coming down and America’s thirst for profitable trucks and SUVs has hardly been quenched. Still, look for GM to do a few hybrids, add some more diesels, and continue researching hydrogen production.

Union members should be alarmed by all these looming changes. Cutbacks will happen but they will only be wider and deeper if union opposition remains so strong. Yes, the unions could kill off the general, but that would be suicide for the workers. Better to pick whatever battles you can win and hope for the best.

The general isn’t dead and it hardly is dying despite everything you read and hear [personally, I believe GM is beating the “we’re getting clobbered” drum to squeeze out more give backs from the unions]. Globalism is changing the way business is done and it would do all of us good to wake up to that fact…like it or not.

Copyright 2005 -- Matthew Keegan is The Article Writer who writes on a variety of topics including: advocacy, automobiles, aviation, business, Christian themes, family, news, product reviews, travel, writing, and more. Samples from his portfolio are available right online.

Honda Odyssey 2006 The Weekly Driver

Since its 1999 debut, the Honda Odyssey has been at the front of the
minivan ranks. It combines superior styling, functionality and versatility.
And it performs like a sedan masquerading as an eight-passenger van.

The 2006 edition further solidifies the vehicle's pedigree.

Much of the Odyssey's current styling and improvements were added in
2005. And there was no reason to mess with a good thing. The
Odyssey's cavernous interior space, its well-designed seat configuration
and overall comfort are hard to beat.

My test vehicle for the week was the Touring edition, one of seven
available Odysseys, and the most expensive. The minivan has a huge
price range, with the LX model offered at $25,195 and the Touring
edition with DVD navigation offered at $38,495.

My weekly test included a frequently visited testing ground -- the 400-
mile round trip from Sacramento to the Monterey Peninsula. The journey
always includes numerous driving scenarios -- wide-open, high-speed
Interstate 5 to the narrow, uneven side streets of Carmel.

Minivans are largely marketed toward families or for small groups. But
for the last three years, I've traveled solo several times for several
hundred miles in minivans. It's hardly the most economically efficient
choice. But with the Odyssey, the journey is pleasant despite the vast
amount of unused space.

Climbing and exploring around and through the vehicle, though, a solo
traveler can get a good sense of things.

The second row of seats, for example, has superior head room and the
bucket seats are adjustable into many positions. They can also be
moved together to form a bench seat that can be slid forward and aft.

The third-row seat folds into the floor, which further extents available
cargo space and alleviates a problem in other similar vehicles. A third
seat not in use in an Odyssey doesn't have to be stored elsewhere. And
iif all rows of seats are in use, there's a deep, rectangular space behind
the third seat for additional cargo space.

Considering the Odyssey's Touring edition is the line's most expensive
offering, the optional features simply enhance the generous offering of
standard features.

The standard feature list on the LX model includes: remote keyless
entry, AM/FM radio with CD player, all-power functions -- locks to mirrors
to windows. Subsequent higher-priced models include myriad offerings
-- power sunroof to navigation system, automatic headlights to power-
sliding side doors.

The Touring edition has refinements like satellite radio, rearview camera
and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

I first drove the Odyssey in 2004. That year, the automatic shifting arm
was positioned behind the shorter arm that operated the windshield
wipers. More than once, I reached for the shifting arm and engaged the
windshield wipers or windshield cleaning spray function. The shifting
mechanism is now a short-shifting lever, efficiently positioned at an
angle on the near instrumentation panel.

Driving the Odyssey is pleasant. While never mistaken for a powerful
sedan or a zippy sports car, the 3.5-liter 255-horsepower, V6 engine
fares well -- better than some in either aforementioned class.

The drive to Monterey has winding, steep inclines to stop-and-go
situations. The Odyssey handles itself well and its does so with efficient
steering, good visibility and a strong, quiet ride.

The Odyssey has two small issues. The rear view camera -- visible on a
small screen on the stereo console -- shows the area immediately
behind the vehicle. It's a nice feature, but the view is blurry and there's a
substantial trust factor learning curve -- at least there was for me.

Another issue: Both sliding side doors can open and close automatically
via buttons of the keyless entry fob. But the function hasn't quite been
perfected. There's a delay when opening or close doors, and on more
than one occasion, the doors stopped before completely closing.

Nonetheless, the Odyssey well deserves its position as the minivan
leader. Like other Hondas, it's hard to top in its class, whether used by a
solo driver or a family on vacation.

Of course, if an Odyssey driver has only one passenger, the driver may
spend a lot of time alone. The passenger could easily prefer to spend
time in the comfort of the apartment in the back two seats.

The Weekly Driver: 2006 Honda Odyssey

Safety features -- Dual front, front side and side curtain airbags.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 20 mph (city), 28 mph (highway).

Warranty -- Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Extended
Power train, 5 years/60,000 miles; Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited mileage;
Roadside assistance, 3 years/36,000 miles.

Price range -- $25,195 to $38,795.

Hyundai XG350 2004 The Weekly Driver Review

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Introduced in September 2000, the Hyundai XG350 is the first vehicle
offered by the Korean manufacturer that approaches the $25,000 price
range.

In each of its four editions, new features have been added as the vehicle
attempts to find a niche among its the high-selling competitors -- the
Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

My test vehicle for the week showcased the four-door XG350 at its best.
While its primary competition is more popular for good reason, the top-
of-the-line Hyundai has a good list of attractive features. Unfortunately, it
also has a list of needed improvements.

With a new exterior design, including restyled bumpers, headlights,
taillights, and grille, the four-door sedan has a finished, if basic, style.
Car manufacturers seemingly like fancy sounding color names, with my
test vehicle's exterior color no exception, Its color is called Celadon
Green.

Granted, Pale, Yellowish, Blue Green doesn't sound quite right, But by
whatever name, the color works, and it gives the vehicle a more
expensive look than its price.

I drove more than 500 miles in the vehicle, including a round-trip
journey to the Monterey Peninsula from Sacramento. The route included
long, open stretches of freeway, two-lance state routes and around-town
driving in the cities of Monterey and Carmel. The XG350 fared well.

With its 3.5-liter, 24-valve, V6 engine, the automatic transmission vehicle
has ample power and acceleration. It maneuvered through traffic nicely
and didn't hesitate or feel sluggish on steep climbs, even with the air
conditioning on. The car drives smoothly, provides a generally hushed
ride and brakes evenly.

Cruise control, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, digital clock, universal
garage-door opener, full-sized spare (new for '04), trip computer,
automatic headlights and 60-40 rear split seat are the substantial
standard features.

New also for the model is a newly patterned and attractive wood-
grained interior trim. Combined with automatic climate control, straight-
forward instrumentation design, individually heated leather front seats,
power windows, locks and doors and large, and separate digital read
out of the estimated remaining fuel miles, the flagship sedan has plenty
to offer. And with a standard price of 23,999, it's hard to dismiss the car.

Still, there are a few letdowns.

Despite some reviewers' description of "fine front leg room," the general
interior of the vehicle isn't as spacious as its exterior appearance might
suggest. The driver's side foot space was not extensive and the back
seat while appreciably comfortable was snug.

Two adults can ride without issue, but if they're six-feet or taller, the head
and foot room is modest. If comfort is a consideration, a child as a third
back-seat passenger would ride comfortably, but not an adult.

Fuel mileage is not spectacular. The XG350 has 17 mpg (city) and 26
(mpg) ratings, five miles less per gallon in city traffic than the Accord,
three miles less per gallon in the city than the Camry.

Hyundai's generous warranty -- 5 years/60,000 miles bumper to
bumper, 10 years/100,000 miles for the powertrain -- is appealing. As
such, the XG350 should be considered as a nicely appointed, well-
priced sedan alternative to its well-established Japanese competitors.

2004 Hyundai XG350

Safety features -- Driver and front passenger airbags and driver
and front passenger side impact airbags.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 17 mpg (city), 26 mpg (highway).

Warranty -- Bumper to bumper, 5 years/60,000 miles;
Powertrain, 10 years/100,000 miles; Corrosion, 5 years, 60,000 miles;
Roadside assistance, 5 years, unlimited miles.

Base price -- $23,999.

James Raia is a syndicated journalist in Sacramento, California, who
writes about sports, fitness, travel and lifestyle topics as well as the car
review colum, The Weekly Driver.

To read more car reviews, visit: The Weekly Driver

Car Buying What's Your Budget

When it comes to affording your next new car (used cars too if they are new to you), how closely do you look at your budget? And from what perspective do you evaluate your budgetary parameters?

Based on my years of experience, I would say that many people only have a mild idea of how much car they can afford.

When you’re in the car shopping mode do you think in terms of bottom line cash price or think only of what your monthly payments will be?

Either way, as you take a look at what you can afford, you have to take into consideration all of the extra costs involved in buying/owning a car. Certainly today fuel costs are a major consideration. And there is always going to be your insurance premium, maintenance costs (used cars will be higher), etc.

Once you begin your car shopping, if you only have a ballpark idea of what you can afford… and only a ballpark idea of how much you drive and what your gas expense will be, and if you haven’t nailed down what your insurance premiums will be, you are on a fast path to end paying too much for your vehicle.

You must crunch your budget numbers… and not just your new car price numbers. Start with your take home pay (not gross pay) then start deducting all of your monthly living expenses. If you’ve never worked up a budget before; now is the perfect time to get one started. A simple spreadsheet is a great way to keep track of and illuminate your numbers. If you don’t have one, just stop by my website and download the one there or send me a note and I’ll email one to you.

Everyone’s means to afford their car varies, but by most standards you shouldn’t ear mark more than 15 to 20 percent of your take home income pay for your transportation costs.

It’s important to understand, no matter what your financial means, you’ve got to know your numbers up front and first before you even begin looking for potential vehicles. Don’t even make a preliminary pass at looking at cars before you do this. If you do, you run the risk of ‘falling in love’ with a particular vehicle. As is the case with so many people; when they do this, they begin to justify affording a vehicle they either can’t afford, or have too stretch beyond their comfortable means in order to do so. Doing your budgeting first and knowing what you can afford (and what you can’t) will help take the emotion out of your buying process… in fact, it will probably save you time as well since you won’t be trying to purchase a car that is not within your budget limits. Do your car shopping intelligently and factually. It will save time, money, and quite a bit of stress.

Now once you get your budget all mapped out and ready to go are you now ready to go shopping for your next car?

Nope… Not yet.

Do you know your credit score? Your credit score is a big part of your financing expense; unless of course, you are one of the few people that actually pay cash for their vehicles. So, run your credit score. And you should do this well in advance of getting to the dealership. In fact, you should pull your credit as much as six months in advance. This way if there is outdated or incorrect data on your report, you will have time to get it expunged or corrected. Getting your credit score and your credit in order is whole new continuing topic beyond this article and you can learn more by visiting my website.

In summary, do your kitchen table homework first with your personal financials and the budgeting of them before you even begin considering any type of car. Be sure to consider all the expenses associated with owning a car; especially how many miles you’ll drive each week… fuel expense. Then you can begin narrowing your car search by looking for cars that fit your budget… and not trying to get your budget to fit the car you just picked out.

Jeff Neilan's years as a salesman,
finance manager, new & used car manager, will provide you with insightful tips and car buying advice that will help you save money and frustration on your next car buying experience. Go to getting your best car deal for more of Jeff's articles.

 
Automotive Today - Wordpress Themes is powered by WordPress. Theme designed by Web Hosting Geeks and Top WordPress Themes.
por Templates Novo Blogger