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Mercedes uses Martin Luther King in new commercial

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Posted in General Auto News, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz turned a few heads when it appropriated the image of Martin Luther King in a new ad for its luxury SLS AMG coupe.

The SLS AMG is a sleek, $175,000 sports car that is immediately recognizable due to its signature gullwing doors. In the ad, Mercedes cuts together various footage of people over the years raising their hands in triumph, which includes a few seconds of Dr. King raising his hands while giving a speech. Other images of victory, like Muhammad Ali, Roger Federer and other nonspecific people, play as a voiceover describes the history of this pose. Finally, the ad fades to the new coupe, as the gullwing doors raise in a similar fashion.

The use of King raised a few eyebrows, with several commentators pointing out that Mercedes was using an image of a man who campaigned for basic civil rights and equality in order to help sell an expensive luxury car. Despite the complaints, it appears Mercedes will air the ad as intended. The automaker licensed the rights from King's estate for an undisclosed fee.

Drivers in the market for a used car may want to consider a Mercedes, as the low prices make the brand more accessible.

BMW to recall vehicles for brakes issue

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Posted in Auto Industry News, BMW

German automaker BMW is recalling nearly 200,000 new and used cars due to an issue with the braking system that could cause leakage.

The automaker said that over time, a leak could develop in the power braking system that would reduce the effectiveness of it. Mechanical braking would still be possible.

The models range from 2002 to 2010 and all of the cars feature V8 or V12 engines. The models include the Alpina B7 from 07-08, the 745i/Li, 750i/Li and 760 i/Li from 02-08, the 645i and 650i from 04-10 and the 545i and 550i from 04-10.

The BMW-owned Rolls Royce Phantom from 2003 onwards is the final car being recalled. This $400,000 automobile is notable for its inclusion as luxury cars of this caliber usually aren't involved in recalls. The new Rolls Royce Ghost, however, is unaffected by the problem.

BMW will notify owners in the coming weeks and ask them to take the car into the dealer, where technicians will install a replacement part.

Drivers in the market for a used BMW should keep an eye out for these vehicles and get an assurance from their dealer that the fix has been taken care of before moving ahead with the purchase.
 

Sorting out heavy-duty pickups

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Posted in Ford, How To

Some drivers choose pickup trucks year after year for their style – enjoying the feeling of riding high and the utility afforded by the bed in the back. Others have specific tasks in mind when they consider the vehicle, whether that be off-roading for leisure or heavy-duty hauling for business.

These drivers tend to gravitate to the larger versions of pickup trucks for their increased power, towing capacity and size. For years, Ford has been at the top of the segment with the F-150, a perennial best-seller. Yet when drivers upgrade to the next class of truck, Ford has had ever-increasing competition in recent years.

According to the Detroit News, there are only a few brands that drivers should consider when choosing a full-size pickup – Ford, GMC, Ram and Chevy. The news source recently pitted four of the top trucks available against each other in two different categories – three-quarter ton gas-powered and one-ton diesel-powered, to see which one took the cake. These vehicles all have long histories, and while there are changes year to year, drivers will have plenty of options when searching for them on the used car market. The news source ultimately liked all of the vehicles and would recommend any of them for drivers serious about their truck.

Ford's F-150 was cited as having the best engine of the bunch in the gas-engine category, with an updated powertrain that gets 385 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. Ford also has the technically biggest diesel engine at 400 horsepower and 800 lb-ft of torque, but the news source said that the GMC/Chevy shared Duramax engine delivered a smoother ride, though drivers will sacrifice some power at 397 horsepower and 765 lb-ft of torque.

Although the Ram fell behind a bit in terms of power, the news source praised it as the best-looking truck, which is an important feature for some drivers. Despite that, Ford had the best interior with plenty of room for people and the optional Sync connectivity system.

Overall, the Ford easily took the cake in the three-quarter ton segment and posted a strong showing in the one-ton contest as well. Yet the news source ultimately preferred the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado in terms of performance. Between the two, the Sierra got the nod for its slightly more refined interior, though both trucks share powertrains.

Drivers looking for a truck will have plenty of options on the used car market, and their decision will ultimately come down to exactly what they want to use it for. 

Redesigned Scion tC hopes to attract new drivers

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Posted in Toyota

Toyota's youth-oriented Scion brand has been successful in many ways, most notably in creating a number of enthusiasts who are loyal to the brand. Now, with a redesigned version of the brand's coupe, the tC.

The 2011 Scion tC goes on sale October 1st, and Toyota hopes that the vehicle will strike a balance between appealing to the Scion loyalists who have helped the brand get to this point as well as reach a new audience who will help it continue to grow.

Like the tC's brandmate, the boxy xB, the Scion features a styling gamble that may turn many people off right away – an all-glass roof. The other improvements are tough to argue with – improved horsepower and fuel economy over the previous model in addition to a roomier backseat. Although the tC still appears like a two-door coupe, it offers enough room to allow it to compete with more traditional compact sedans.

Scion owners tend to customize their vehicles in various ways, something that Toyota encourages. That could be problematic for buyers on the used car market, who could get a car that has additional accessories or parts that the driver doesn't need or want. Still, drivers interested in the brand might be able to find a few cheaper tCs on the used car market once the new model debuts.

Ford: New Focus will take cues from Fiesta

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Posted in Ford

By all accounts, Ford's redesigned Fiesta subcompact has been a huge hit for the company, as the small car is already approaching 1 million units sold worldwide after just a few months on the market. Ford is also making a tidy profit on the vehicle as buyers are loading it up with extra features and packages, according to the company's data.

Now, Ford says that its next big launch, the Focus, will take many of its cues from the Fiesta.

Ford's launch of the Fiesta used social media to get the ball rolling long before the vehicle debuted. Using consumers that the company identified as "agents," Ford unveiled test designs to people who would begin to spread the message about the people and received key feedback before the car launched.

"One of the things we learned with the Fiesta Movement was that it allowed us to forecast initial demand," Jim Farley, Ford's VP of Global Marketing told the New York Times. "Our engineers started talking to agents, our marketing people talked to agents, and we made changes based on those conversations. The agents said the 5-door hatchback was going to be more popular than the sedan, so we were prepared."

The new Focus has already been unveiled at the Paris Auto Show and follows in the Fiesta's footsteps by offering hatchback and sedan styles in addition to a wagon option. It also comes with a slew of upgradeable features, similar exterior styling and a performance trim level dubbed the ST.

Drivers interested in Fiestas and Focuses might want to shop the used car market, as the popularity of the new vehicles have driven down the cost of previous iterations of the model. 

Ford Fiesta approaches 1 million sales

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Ford

Ford has announced that its Fiesta model, which debuted this year, is already approaching the 1 million vehicle sales mark worldwide, far exceeding the company's expectations.

The company revealed that response to the new car has been strong in every market where it is sold, including China, Europe, Thailand, Australia, South Africa and the U.S. The company also said that many drivers were choosing to purchase higher trim levels and packages rather than simply sticking with the base model.

"We worked together to design and build a great small car for the world – with leading quality, safety, fuel economy, smart design and value – and nearly a million customers have responded," said Ford CEO Alan Mulally.

The success is a ringing endorsement for Ford's new global B-platform, which it says will hopefully be on 1.6 million vehicles sold in 2014. The company says it will take what it learned from the Fiesta's launch and apply it to the upcoming Ford Focus, which will run on its new C-platform.

Drivers may want to wait for the Fiesta to hit the used car market, where they'll be able to find it for much less than its current new price.
 

GM selects “consumer advisory board” for upcoming Volt

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Posted in Chevrolet

Anticipation for GM's electric Chevy Volt has been building for several months, but for some car buyers, the moment has been years in the making.

Before the Volt and Nissan Leaf began looking like serious possibilities, GM leased a concept electric vehicle called the EV1 to select drivers. Although the car worked and drove fine, GM ultimately deemed the market for an electric vehicle to be too small. Lessees, who by and large responded positively to the concept, were forced to turn in their EV1s, which were then scrapped. Many blamed GM and oil companies for keeping electric cars off the road, a theory that was propagated by the documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car?"

Now, as a way of reaching out to some of those consumers in advance of the Volt's launch, GM has selected a "consumer advisory board" of 15 people to help advise it on any final changes that need to be made on the Volt before it goes to market. The group includes some former vocal EV1 lessees in addition to consumers involved in the alternative energy industry.

The group of 15 will begin to drive the car in October, and will be allowed to keep it for 3 months. GM hopes that the drivers will show the car off and loan it to friends.

Electric cars are slated to hit the market soon, but may be expensive upon launch. Drivers may want to wait until a few hit the used car market before making the switch in order to save some dough.

New Camaro convertible to be priced at $30,000

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Chevrolet

Chevy has yet to officially debut its upcoming Camaro convertible, but has already announced that the vehicle will retail for around $30,000 – about $2,000 more than its chief rival, the Mustang.

The Camaro and Mustang have a rivalry that goes back decades, but it's been renewed in recent years. When Chevy revived the Camaro in 2009, it began to trounce the Mustang in sales figures. That extended into 2010 until Ford introduced the new 2011 Mustang with an engine that produces comparable power and better fuel economy at a cheaper price. Although the Camaro still leads sales totals for the year by a slim margin, the Mustang has won in recent months thanks to the new vehicle.

The Mustang already has a convertible option available that is priced close to $28,000 new. The Camaro's early price point suggests that Chevy thinks the Camaro can continue to compete with the Mustang even at a higher price.

Once the Camaro convertible hits the market, other Camaros might take a small hit in value. If drivers desire a pony car, they may want to search the used car market to find a deal on the Camaro or Mustang.  

Nissan plans massive shakeup

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Nissan

Over the next few months, Japanese automaker Nissan plans to introduce several big changes to its lineup of vehicles. As older models are replaced by new ones, drivers can expect previous vehicles to hit the used car lot at a discount.

Nissan's new ad campaign promises "innovation for all," and the company is putting its money where its mouth is by unveiling several brand-new or redesigned models before the end of the year.

The most visible of these will obviously be the highly-anticipated Leaf, which will be one of the first all-electric vehicles to go into mass production. The Leaf will be available in several markets in December before slowly rolling out nationwide in 2011. Demand is already high for the vehicle with the company already surpassing its sales totals. It's due to go head to head with the Chevy Volt, but the Leaf holds a key advantage (or possibly a disadvantage) over the Volt in that it only contains an electric motor compared to the Volt's electric-gas hybrid engine.

Another model sure to turn heads is the new Murano CrossCabriolet, which the company is touting as the first convertible crossover. Early impressions have been polarizing, with some loving the bold choice to offer a convertible on an SUV-like vehicle and others liking the idea less. Nissan itself has admitted that it doesn't expect the car to sell well compared to the regular Murano, but hopes that the design will call attention to its new marketing strategy as an innovator.

The brand-new Juke crossover is another new car that may benefit from Nissan's aggressive styling. Unlike other cars in the compact crossover class, the Juke achieves a coupe-like design by using sharp angles to immediately catch the eye. The vehicle is powered by a newly-designed 1.6-liter direct-injection turbo engine that produces 188 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque.

The last new model is the redesigned Quest minivan, and while this design won't turn heads like the new Murano or Juke, it got the attention of some insiders simply for being a minivan. As other automakers move away from this segment and parents move toward crossovers and SUVs, Nissan is banking on the dwindling minivan market to fall in love with the redesigned Quest. Previous versions of the van weren't as popular as competitors' models, so Nissan is hoping the new model will lure buyers back.

With so many new models set to debut before the end of the year and even more slated for 2011, buyers who are in the market for a car may want to hold off and wait for a used Nissan, as many of the older models will likely be able to be found at a discount compared to their current price.

What are the best used cars to own?

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Posted in How To

The internet was a game-changer in terms of auto sales, as it allowed consumers access to a wealth of information about cars that was previously scattered in a million different places. In the past, an interested car buyer might have been able to check a review in the local newspaper, but now shoppers can find thousands of opinions across the web at the click of a button.

That's changed, and before a driver goes to buy a car, they'll be able to read as many reviews of the vehicle as they like to get a well-rounded view of a vehicle's flaws and weaknesses. Yet the nature of reviewing means that most writers are usually giving their first impressions of a vehicle after driving it for a short time. There's simply no way that an automotive journalist could know how a vehicle will perform five or even ten years down the road. Almost every new car drives with no problems when it rolls off the showroom floor, but anyone who's owned a car knows that problems will crop up over time.

Another tricky idea to pin down is value. A car may represent a steal at its MSRP, but quickly lose most of its value as soon as it's driven off the lot. Car reviews also don't help once a driver begins searching for a used car, as every individual unit has a different service and drive history.

With that in mind, there are several factors that go into making a used car a great car to own. Reliability is key, as is the cost to repair and maintain the car should problems arise. The same is true of resale value, which will eventually determine what the driver gets in cash when he's looking to sell. Lastly, general satisfaction with a vehicle is something that many reviewers will not be able to predict, but is cataloged in numerous surveys over the lifespan of a car.

MSN factored in all of these variables when coming up with its picks for the best used cars to own in each class. These cars are not only great to drive, but also prove to be of value over many years based on statistical data.

Sedans are the most popular vehicle, and the news source highlighted three used cars in each size: the Hyundai Elantra for compacts, Honda Accord for mid-size and Mercury Montego for larger sedans.

The Elantra was praised for its value, as a used version will likely cost a driver less than $8,000. The Accord was no surprise in the mid-size slot, as it has posted dependable sales numbers year-in and year-out and holds its resale value remarkably well. Although the Montego and the Ford Five-Hundred are essentially the exact same car, drivers will end up paying more for the Ford simply because of the name, since the Mercury brand has lost a bit of prestige due to its discontinuation.

Those who like larger vehicles probably won't be surprised to find the Ford F-150 on the list, which has been a top seller for its entire 33-year lifespan. The news source recommends the models between 2004 and 2008 as a great range to target in order to get good value. That applies to the Toyota Highlander SUV as well, which had a number of additions in its 2004 facelift, like third-row seating and electronic stability control, that sets it apart from its earlier versions.