Monthly Archives: December 2009

Saab sells technology to Beijing Auto to keep doors open

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Posted in Saab - DO NOT USE

Beijing Automobile Industry Holdings (BAIC) has recently announced that it has agreed to purchase technology and various assets from Saab Automobile, which could help used Saab models in New Jersey garner additional interest.

Officials at BAIC said that they plan to purchase all the rights to the 9-5 sedan as well as some of the technology from the 9-3, according to AutoWeek.com.

“This arrangement is excellent for both parties, now and for the future,” said Saab managing director Jan Ake Jonsson. “We have developed a good relationship with BAIC and look forward to working with them to integrate this Saab technology into their future vehicles.”

The deal will allow the General Motors-owned automaker to stay afloat while it looks for a buyer for the entire Saab brand, something GM hopes to accomplish by the end of the year.

Sweden’s Koenigsegg Automotive backed out of a deal to buy Saab in November. The Dutch sports car maker Spyker is now said to be the front-runner to purchase the Swedish automobile company.

Sources close to the negotiations said that the technology sale to BAIC will help make Saab financially viable for the near future, but will not hinder a deal with another company, according to the Associated Press.

With technology trading hands overseas, used Saab models in New Jersey could start attracting more attention.

Used Volkswagen Touaregs in New York could benefit from Twitter

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Posted in Volkswagen - DO NOT USE

When car shoppers looking for used Volkswagen Touaregs in New York start reading Mark Miller’s tweets, the SUV could begin enjoying more attention.

Miller, VW’s driver for the Dakar Rally, will be tweeting all throughout the race according to Who?Won. The event, which many enthusiasts consider to be the Super Bowl of rally racing, begins on January 1 and ends on January 17, according to Dakar.com.

“I have been participating in off-road racing of various forms for most of my life, and there’s not a more prestigious or challenging race anywhere than the Dakar Rally,” Miller told the news source. “Volkswagen’s 1-2 finish last year was one of the proudest moments in my racing career, but this year, I’m hoping to land on top and take that feeling of accomplishment to the next level.”

News of Miller and his Touareg on Twitter could have a positive effect on sales of used Volkswagen models in New York. Many Americans enjoy watching the Dakar, so the SUV could become more popular elsewhere too.

New Land Cruiser ranked best SUV for the money; used Toyota models in New York could benefit

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Posted in Toyota

Used Toyota models in New York might start attracting more attention now that U.S. News and World Report has ranked the 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser the best luxury full-size SUV for the money.

For auto shoppers looking to get the best deal, the 2006 Land Cruiser has a little something for every type of car enthusiast. Edmunds.com describes the SUV in three simple words: big, powerful and comfortable.

The Land Cruiser has a 4.7-liter V8 engine that generates 275 horsepower and 332 feet-pounds of torque. The Japanese-made SUV has the smooth acceleration of a sedan and the off-roading and towing capabilities of a high-powered four-wheel drive vehicle, according to the news source.

A particularly attractive attribute of the 2006 model is that it’s only manufactured one way — loaded up. It is equipped with leather seats, a JBL audio system with an in-dash CD changer and separate climate control systems for front and rear passengers.

Available options include a DVD entertainment console, satellite radio and a suspension system specially designed to improve off-road performance.

With the recent report of the new Land Cruiser’s affordability, used Toyota models in New York could become hot items for car aficionados.

Maria Shriver: California’s favorite scofflaw

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Posted in Cadillac - DO NOT USE, Celebrity Auto News

Used Cadillac models in New Jersey could soon attract more attention since California First Lady Maria Shriver was busted parking her Cadillac Escalade in a red zone on October 26.

The celebrity gossip website TMZ.com reported that Shriver parked her car in an emergency vehicle zone for over an hour while she visited her doctor in Santa Monica.

The incident came only two weeks after paparazzi photographed Shriver talking on her cell phone while driving—an act that her husband, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, banned in 2008.

TMZ has reportedly photographed Shriver committing the same offense three times in as many months, according to CNN.com.

Her husband promised to “take swift action” to make sure that the incident does not repeat itself.

“I regret that I made a mistake,” Shriver said in a statement. “I take responsibility for it.”

California’s First Lady later stated that she planned on donating her old cell phone to a program that benefits domestic violence shelters.

In late November, Governor Schwarzenegger followed in his wife’s footsteps by parking his silver convertible in a red zone in Beverly Hills. “No one is perfect,” he said. “Not even me.”

For car shoppers looking for used Cadillac models in New Jersey, the Escalade seems to be a popular choice for both celebrities and politicians.

Owners of used Acura TLs in New York say ‘Yes’

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Posted in Acura - DO NOT USE

Used Acura TLs in New York will likely benefit from the positive exposure they recently received in a reputable magazine.

In late fall, Consumer Reports asked its 380,000 subscribers whether or not they would buy their car again if they had the opportunity to make the decision a second time. The Acura TL was high on the Yes list, which Automobile Magazine says is unsurprising.

The TL first appeared in 1996 to replace the Vigor and eventually found itself in second place on America’s best-selling luxury sedan chart, according to Forbes. The 2007 TL illustrates Acura’s desire to maintain the vehicle’s popularity, as this generation was built to compete with the likes of the BMW 3-series, Infiniti G35 and Lexus IS – three formidable foes.

Acura was selling roughly 80,000 TLs a year when the first 2007 rolled out of the factory, according to Inside Line. Since the automaker wanted more out the four-door, instead of offering it with a limited list of options for the fourth year in a row, Acura decided to build the TL Type S, a sportier version of the sedan that made the stock model’s 258-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 seem puny.

Although the 2007 Type S came with a motor that was 0.3 liters bigger, a displacement increase the added 28 HP to the TL’s power rating, Acura chose to make some other upgrades as well, reports the publication. First, the five-speed automatic was swapped for a six-speed manual gearbox, in a decision that probably made many motorheads smile. Individuals who couldn’t drive stick also got what they wanted, since Acura mounted F1-style paddle shifters to the steering wheels of some of its TLs.

Under the hood, Acura considered more than size, says the news source. The engine found in the 2007 Type S wasn’t only bigger, it was also better built. Acura, a subsidiary of Honda, took advantage of its parent’s VTEC technology, which outfitted motors with high-lift and long-duration cams. Combine those with cold-air induction, a dual-stage intake manifold and a heavy-breathing exhaust system, and the Type S wasn’t only faster than the TL, it sounded angrier too.

Japanese car enthusiasts might start paying more attention to used Acura TLs in New York and elsewhere when they learn of the Consumer Reports survey. If the publication’s research inspires car shoppers to buy a Type S, it’s likely their readers won’t regret the decision.

Danica Patrick set to drive a Chevrolet in NASCAR next year

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News, Chevrolet

On Tuesday, IndyCar Series star Danica Patrick confirmed that she will drive the number 7 Chevy in a limited NASCAR schedule in 2010, which could boost sales of used Chevrolet models in New Jersey.

Patrick has inked a two-year deal with JR Motorsports, a team co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr and Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, one of NASCAR’s most successful teams.

The media darling will continue to run a full IndyCar schedule, but plans to race her GoDaddy.com Chevy in about a dozen Nationwide Series events, according to ESPN.com.

Even with Patrick’s well-known competitive fire, not everyone believes that she can handle the transition from open-wheel racing to stock cars.

“I think she’s got the talent and everything but I don’t think she knows what she’s getting into,” said Juan Pablo Montoya, who left the IndyCar circuit three years ago to begin a career in NASCAR.

“They’re so different to drive,” said Montoya, explaining the difference between a stock car and an Indy car, quoted by the news source. “It’s not the same feeling.”

The Danica Patrick signing should come as good news for those in the market for used Chevrolet models in New Jersey.

Inspirational tale could generate sales of used Toyota models in New Jersey

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Posted in Toyota

Used Toyota models in New Jersey could start attracting more attention after Wednesday’s human interest story on the Today Show.

On August 12, 2000, Tillie Tooter, now age 93, was on her way to Fort Lauderdale airport to pick up her granddaughter when she was rear-ended, sailing her Toyota Tercel 40 feet down an embankment into a nearby mangrove swamp.

Tooter spent the next 72 hours as a castaway, trapped in her car, praying to be found before the elements took their toll on her 83-year-old body.

The octogenarian survived on food rations that consisted of a stick of gum, a cough drop and a piece of peppermint candy. She used a pair of socks to absorb rainwater and would draw out the moisture to remain hydrated.

After spending nearly three days in the snake-infested swamp, Tooter felt resigned to her fate. “I made my peace with God,” she recalled on the show. “I felt repentant for anything I may have done to hurt anybody, and glad for the things that I did that were good.”

Tooter’s nightmare finally came to an end when a local teenager, who she affectionately calls “my angel,” spotted her car while he walked along the highway. She was soon rescued by paramedics and was back on her feet in just a few days.

When a friend was asked why Tooter’s story is still being told nearly a decade after it occurred, she responded with a question of her own.

“How many Tillie Tooter’s have come along in the last nine years?” she asked. “She’s terrific; she’s one of a kind.”

As for Tooter, she says the experience hasn’t changed her a bit. The Brooklyn native was raised to handle the most menacing of circumstances.

Tooter began working at the age of 13 as her family struggled through the Great Depression. She also raised a four-generation family on her own after her husband passed away during the D-Day invasion in 1944.

She now spends her time traveling around the south Florida area, speaking at retirement homes to inspire people to live life to the fullest.

“Every minute counts,” she told WPLG Local News in Miami. “Take whatever you can out of this life. Every bit of joy and every bit of pleasure and give as much as you can.”

Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that there were approximately 246,000 car crashes in 2000 resulting in nearly 232,000 injuries.

Tillie Tooter’s harrowing ordeal could benefit sales of used Toyota models in New Jersey.

Germans eco-friendly with their 4-door compact

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Posted in Audi

The 2010 A3 TDI was named Green Car of the Year at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December, which might have people wondering if used Audis in New Jersey and elsewhere are as eco-friendly.

Green Car Journal really liked the “rakish styling” of the A3 TDI, according to the New York Times. The alphanumeric in its name refers to this compact’s size – it’s smaller than the A4 because it isn’t a sedan. TDI, which stands for Turbocharged Direct Injection, is a description of the clean diesel engine found under this Audi‘s hood. The motor will go for more than 40 highway miles on a single gallon of diesel, which likely pleased the competition’s judges, who included TV host and car nut Jay Leno, as well as auto guru Carroll Shelby.

The only problem with the new A3 TDI is that it starts at $29,950, which is a bit expensive for a compact with a 2-liter engine that produces a meager 140 horsepower. After all, the $29,675 2004 Volkswagen R32, which shares its platform with the A3, had a 3.2-liter that was good for more than 240 HP, according to Motor Trend.

Given the 2010 A3’s price tag, some auto buyers might not be able to afford a brand new TDI, even though it’s economical. So, for eco-friendly individuals, perhaps an older A3 is more realistic. Unsurprisingly, Audis get better and better every year, and shoppers shouldn’t expect older models to be as fuel-efficient as their younger counterparts, especially since the TDI engine only became available in American A3s a few years ago.

In spite of its gasoline motor, the Audi A3 still got 29 highway miles per gallon in 2007, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. This intriguing statistic could generate interest in used Audi models in New Jersey and elsewhere.

Saab’s future remains unclear

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Posted in Saab - DO NOT USE

Used Saabs in New York could continue attracting attention now that yet another company has expressed an interest in the Swedish manufacturer.

When Koenigsegg decided to back out of its deal with GM to acquire Saab, it seemed the fate of the Swedish company was sealed. However, a Dutch automaker recently gave Saab enthusiasts hope by expressing interest in the brand, according to Automobile Magazine.

Spyker, a company based in Zeewolde, has already begun talking to Deutsche Bank about a potential transaction with Saab, reports the publication.

“We are a very related group of people who understand each other,” Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker, told Automotive News. “It is not too far-fetched for Saab to be a good premium brand again.”

Currently, Spyker builds less than 100 cars each year, says Automobile Magazine. Last year, Saab built more than 100,000 vehicles. Because of the Dutch company’s small size, acquiring Saab could involve taking control of more manpower and resources than it has ever had. With news of the company’s future changing so frequently, it’s possible used Saabs in New York could generate extra interest.

Lexus generates interest with new strategy in LA

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Posted in Lexus - DO NOT USE

At the Los Angeles auto show, which began on December 4 and lasts nine days, visitors can test drive some of the cars on display, which might help sell used Lexus models in New Jersey.

This year, as in the past, manufacturers such as Lexus have racing simulators set up at their booths, according to the Los Angeles Times. The purpose of these video games is to recreate the excitement that driving a Lexus on racetrack can create and generate interest in the brand.

“When we first brought this video game out, there wasn’t anything like it at the auto shows,” Suzie Latham, a Lexus product specialist, told the news source. “But we made quite a stir and there were always long lines. Video games are taken a little more seriously now.”

Ford also had video racing at its booth, reports the publication. The show’s attendees were invited to do some virtual off-roading in an SVT Raptor F-150.

Because the concept is still relatively new, allowing consumers to virtually test drive cars at auto shows could help sell used Lexus models in New Jersey and elsewhere.