Monthly Archives: January 2010

Rapper Flavor Flav walks away after crashing his Cadillac Escalade

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Posted in Cadillac - DO NOT USE, Celebrity Auto News

Owners of used Cadillac models in New Jersey may be interested to know that rapper Flavor Flav was involved in a two-car accident in Las Vegas late Wednesday evening.

The celebrity gossip website TMZ.com has reported that the Public Enemy member and former VH1 reality television star was behind the wheel of his Cadillac Escalade when he collided with another vehicle.

Flav, whose real name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr, did not suffer any injuries and was pictured driving away in the cab of the truck that was towing his vehicle.

Police were called to the scene to investigate the crash, which severely damaged the other driver’s sedan. As of Thursday, no details on the accident or specifics on the other driver had been released.

According to Fox5Vegas.com, local police have said that there have been numerous accidents in the Las Vegas area over the past few days because of heavy rains.

Flav’s rap group is currently working on their 13th album, which is being financed through the support of fan contributions.

2003 BMW X5: A ‘sports activity vehicle’

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Posted in BMW

Prospective car buyers interested in used BMW models in New Jersey may want to take a look at the 2003 BMW X5, a rare combination of power, luxury and dynamic handling.

The BMW X5 was introduced to consumers in 2000, creating a new mode of transport known as the “sports activity vehicle.” The X5 is stylish, sporty and extremely fast (capable of hitting speeds up to 150 mph).

It is, however, not a traditional off-road SUV. It drives and rides like a luxury sedan, has high-end cabin furnishings and a plethora of lavish options including a DVD-based navigation system.

The 2003 X5 is available with a variety of engine choices, including a 340-horsepower V8 that comes standard with every 4.6i model. Each X5 comes standard with all-wheel drive, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes as well as front and side airbags, according to Consumer Guide Auto.

The basic 3.0i model can be purchased with a 5-speed manual transmission or as an automatic. However, every X5 with a V8 engine is only available as an automatic.

New to the ’03 X5 is a safety feature called a brakeforce display, which is an emergency system that activates an extra set of lights during extreme braking situations, Edmunds.com reports.

2005 Volvo XC90 combines safety, power and luxury

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Posted in Volvo - DO NOT USE

Families in the market for a used car in New Jersey may want to take a look at the 2005 Volvo XC90, one of the safest, most reliable SUVs in its class.

The hallmark for almost every Volvo model is its safety features. The XC90 has a gyroscopic sensor that that can detect an imminent rollover and correct the imbalance by applying brakes and modulating engine power, according to Automotive.com. It also comes standard with electronic stability control and curtain-style head protection airbags that cover all seven passengers.

The XC90 also has a high-strength steel roof and a low-front cross beam that are specifically designed for passenger safety. The automobile information website Edmunds.com says that the SUV is “safe as a bank vault.”

Volvo’s first sports utility vehicle has third row seating that accommodates up to seven passengers. The 2005 model is available with a V8 engine in addition to the five and six-cylinder models. The standard 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine produces 208 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque at 4500 rpm.

The 2005 XC90 is surprisingly fuel efficient and has the smooth ride of a compact sedan.

2005 Chrysler 300: Motor Trend Car of the Year

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Posted in Chrysler - DO NOT USE

Five years ago, the 2005 Chrysler 300 “daringly re-invented the great American sedan” and won the prestigious Motor Trend Car of the Year award. Prospective car buyers in the market for used Chrysler models in New Jersey may be interested to learn why.

In 2005, the staff at Motor Trend tested 24 of the most highly acclaimed new vehicles from almost every genre. They searched for the car, truck or SUV that best represented superiority in its class, exceptional value and innovation.

“The Chrysler 300 is an extremely compelling combination of power, responsiveness, room and refinement,” said Angus MacKenzie, editor-in-chief of Motor Trend. “A home run on significance, a slam dunk on value and clearly superior to its rivals in every way.”

The Chrysler 300C is available with a 5.7-liter 340-horsepower Hemi engine that can go from 0-60 in 6.3 seconds while carrying over 4,000 pounds on its back, Automotive.com reports. The ride is smooth, comfortable and quiet.

In 2005, a brand new 300 cost anywhere from $23,595 to $33,000 depending upon engine size and additional features.

UT athletic director: Kiffin crashed a Lexus leased through the school last summer

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News, Lexus - DO NOT USE

Used Lexus models in New Jersey may become more popular following the recent news that current University of Southern California (USC) head football coach Lane Kiffin was in a one-car accident last August while preparing for his one and only season as the top man at the University of Tennessee’s (UT) football program, according to ESPN.com.

Kiffen reportedly told UT athletic director Mike Hamilton that he was working late at the team’s complex and was headed home when he fell asleep behind the wheel and drove his Lexus off the road. The car was leased to Kiffin through the coach’s vehicle program for men’s and women’s athletic teams.

Hamilton said that the school had investigated internet rumors that Coach Kiffin had been drinking and was seen with female students the night of the accident, but “we were never able to substantiate any of that,” according to the Los Angeles Times.

Kiffin, who shocked and angered many UT fans with his abrupt resignation last week, declined comment through a USC athletic department spokesman.

2005 STS brings Cadillac back to prominence

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Posted in Cadillac - DO NOT USE

If you are interested in a used car in New Jersey and are looking for luxury and affordability, you might want to check out the 2005 Cadillac STS.

“After struggling for years to keep up with the imports, Cadillac has finally hit its stride and the STS proves it,” says Edmunds.com, an automobile information website.

“Balanced driving dynamics and edgy-but-attractive styling should make this car a hit with buyers of all ages, especially those looking for a complete package of luxury and performance at a competitive price,” they add.

The STS comes with a 320-horsepower, 4.6-liter V8 engine that goes from 0 to 60 in 6.3 seconds, according to Inside Line. It has a 116.4 inch wheel base, making it one of the roomiest vehicles in its class.

The ’05 model is available with a Bose stereo system, all-wheel drive and an intelligent 5-speed automatic transmission. It has an optional magnetic ride suspension that comes in touring and performance modes.

The STS comes standard with heated and cooled seats, rainsense wipers and automatically dimming headlights.

Auto industry to be exempted from new bailout fee

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Posted in Auto Industry News

Consumers in the market for a used car in New York may be interested in a recent decision by the Obama administration that should benefit the auto industry as a whole.

Last week, President Obama proposed a fee to recover the $117 billion spent by the government to help bailout companies affected by the recession. The new “financial crisis responsibility fee” will target industries that took money from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

The good news for the auto industry is that General Motors, Chrysler and delinquent mortgage brokers are all exempt from the fee. The tax will primarily be imposed on financial institutions with over $50 billion in assets.

The auto industry is reportedly exempt from the fee because of the fragile nature of the current auto market and the fact that the administration believes that banks helped cause the crisis that doomed car companies, the Wall Street Journal reports. The fact that some major financial institutions recently gave out large year-end bonuses may have had an impact on the decision.

“We want our money back, and we’re going to get it,” said Obama, quoted by the LA Times. “If these companies are in good enough shape to afford massive bonuses, they surely are in good enough shape to afford to pay back every penny to taxpayers.”

Chrysler issues recall on brand new vehicles due to brake defect

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Posted in Chrysler - DO NOT USE

Used Chrysler models in New York may become more popular following a recent announcement that the auto giant will be recalling over 24,000 new vehicles due to a potential brake defect that could result in sudden brake failure.

Chrysler Group said in a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the recall applies to the 2010 Dodge Avenger and Nitro, Jeep Liberty, Commander and Grand Cherokee and the Chrysler Sebring, according to Yahoo News.

The car manufacturer said that the clip retention tab on the brake pedal pin was not properly formed or installed in some vehicles. Chrysler has stated that it is not aware of any accidents related to the brake defect.

“The quality control systems in place caught the issue early,” Chrysler Group said in a statement, quoted by CNN.com. “All affected assembly plants held vehicle inventory and inspected for and replaced the clips as necessary.”

A safety recall will most likely begin at the end of January. The brake issue was reportedly discovered by factory workers in Chrysler’s Toledo and Saltillo plants.

Chevy Cobalt made a strong debut in 2005

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Posted in Chevrolet

People in the market for a used car in New Jersey may want to take a look at the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt, the long-awaited replacement for the decade-old Cavalier.

The creation of the Cobalt was an effort by Chevrolet to target higher-end clientele in the compact sedan sector. Its inaugural model has a more powerful engine, improved styling and is made with more quality materials than the Cavalier, according to Inside Line.

A loaded ’05 LT sedan comes with leather seats, XM radio, a moonroof and a rear spoiler. The Cobalt has a 145-horsepower engine, making it one of the most powerful vehicles in its class.

Inside Line’s Senior Content Editor Erin Riches noted that the Cobalt has “good midrange torque from the 2.2-liter engine and quick downshifts from the four-speed automatic transmission give it excellent passing capability.”

The 2005 Cobalt is a remarkably fuel efficient vehicle, AutoMedia.com reports. It has an estimated fuel economy of 30 miles per gallon in the city and 46 mpg on the highway. In 2005, it had a starting base price of $14,190.

Short-term emission reduction strategy should involve smaller cars not electric cars, study concludes

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Posted in Auto Industry News

People in the market for used cars in New York may be interested in a recent study by Oxford University detailing the possible future of the automobile industry. According to the authors of the study, the most efficient way to reduce vehicle emissions in the short term is to downscale the size and weight of diesel and gas-powered cars.

Researchers at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment suggest that countries should not rely on manufacturers to produce and market electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles, as they are likely to remain niche products due to limited battery life and consumer expense.

The study’s authors believe that governments should impose taxes on owners of inefficient vehicles and invest money into public transportation systems.

“There is ample opportunity for emissions reductions by further improvements of currently available technology combined with a change in user habits,” said lead author Oliver Inderwildi.

He added that manufacturers will only stop selling large vehicles when consumers refrain from purchasing them. The report states that nations should not force manufacturers to provide a “silver bullet” to fix the world’s climate issue.