The cars women love

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Posted in General Auto News, Honda - DO NOT USE, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen - DO NOT USE

Although making up over 50 percent of the US population, women only account for 36% of new car sales. A recent study by TrueCar.com revealed what women are looking for when they buy a car.

The answer appears to be a mix of style, fuel efficiency, affordability and space, according to the Los Angeles Times. Although the top seller for women was the Volkswagen Beetle, small crossovers led the way in the rest of the study – the Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, for example.

Stereotypically, cars are still thought of as a “male” interest, and in many ways they are, especially among exotic car buyers. The study put most pickup truck purchasers at over 80 percent male, and brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini rise to around 95 percent male, with Bugatti actually at 100 percent.

The study looked at the registrations of over 13 million new US vehicles to determine the statistics. Other popular models among women included the Nissan Sentra and Volvo S40. The top female brand was Kia with 45.8 percent, followed closely by Suzuki and Mini, clearly illustrating the desire for affordable vehicles.

Women who want to save on their vehicle purchase should look on the used market. Late-mode used Nissan models like the Rogue, for example, can be found at a steep discount off the manufacturer’s sticker price.

Goodwood Festival of Speed will showcase new models

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Posted in General Auto News, Honda - DO NOT USE, Mercedes-Benz

Auto shows are an important event for car enthusiasts. Not only are they a collection of beautiful cars, but they’re also an opportunity to glimpse the new models set to debut.

Across the pond, the hallmark auto show in the UK was the British International Motor Show. Unfortunately, the event was cancelled this year due to the economic downturn, preventing many new models from debuting. According to Edmunds Inside Line, organizers of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, a racing event, have announced plans to add an auto show component in response to the absence, and several new models will be on hand, including the Honda CR-Z and Civic Type R Mugen and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

The race is known for the “Goodwood Highclimb,” a section of hill on the track that tests the power of the vehicle in a different way than flat tracks do. Attendees will be able to test the new models on the climb.

Whenever new models debut, automakers like Honda and Mercedes typically sell off their older models at a reduced price. By waiting for these cars to hit used car dealers, drivers can save a bundle.

Questions abound over Mercury resale values

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Posted in Ford, Mercury - DO NOT USE

Ford recently announced plans to end the storied Mercury brand, and those who purchased a Mercury in the past few years may be wondering about their resale value when it comes time to sell the car to a used car dealer.

Phoenix Business Journal recently talked to several auto experts about whether the car’s perceived value would be affected, and the results were mixed. Mercury, which shares platforms with Ford, is typically valued at least 1 percent lower than Ford, according to Kelley Blue Book.

Juan Flores, directer of valuation for Kelley Blue Book, predicts that Mercury’s could tumble, telling the news source that “historical precedence suggests that consumers typically shy away from purchasing vehicles from a brand that is no longer in existence.”

On the other hand, Jonathan Banks of NADA Used Car Guide told the news provider that the value will probably not change, because Mercury was not a brand that relied on its name for status, like BMW or Mercedes-Benz.

Mercury owners who are worried about their resale value might want to consider swapping their vehicle for a used Ford, since the cars are so closely linked.

JD Power: Ford rises, Toyota slumps

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Ford, Toyota

JD Power has released the results of their annual Initial Quality Study, and the results have fallen largely in line with the auto industry headlines as of late.

Ford was the big winner, breaking the top five in initial quality for the first time, and earning top marks in class for its Mustang, Taurus, and Focus models. Ford was the only of Detroit’s Big Three Automakers not to accept government bailout money and has since turned its business around.

In addition, this year’s study marks the first time that domestic brands collectively performed better than imports. That wasn’t good news for Toyota, who, in the wake of much-publicized recalls, fell from 6th to 21st in the rankings.

JD Power surveys hundreds of thousands of owners of new vehicles for their study, which measures how a car performs in its first few months of ownership. The study is considered by many experts to be indicative of the long-term quality of a vehicle, which could have effects on how these cars are eventually perceived on the used market.

And while the new Toyotas may be facing trouble, those who want to save off the cost of a new vehicle can still find reliable used Toyotas from pre-owned dealers.

New York used Honda drivers should watch out for “jigglers”

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Posted in General Auto News, Honda - DO NOT USE

A recent New York police department memo revealed that used Hondas were the most frequent targets of theft by car thieves on the streets of the city.

Thieves using “jigglers,” chunks of metal designed to mimic car keys, reportedly swiped 68 Accords and 65 Civics in the month of May, according to the Wall Street Journal. The totals made used Hondas the top two models stolen in the New York area.

The police report stated that the jigglers commonly work with older models of the cars. Of course, part of the reason that so many Hondas were stolen is that Accords and Civics are popular vehicles. Other frequent targets were Nissan Maximas and Altimas and Toyota Camrys.

Dodge Caravans were also stolen 49 times. Investigators suspect that the Caravan’s roomy interior allowed thieves to remove the back seat and use the car to steal motorcycles off the street.

New York drivers in the market for a used vehicle should do some research before they buy. Used Hondas and Toyotas are historically reliable cars, which is part of the reason they are so popular. A quick Internet search will offer drivers tips on how to make their car jiggler-proof.

Toyota tries to turn corner with new Mississippi plant

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Toyota

Japanese automaker Toyota is reeling after a series of highly-publicized recalls were issued on some of the company’s most popular models.

In addition to the recalls, the company was recently forced to sell its New United Motor Manufacturing (Nummi) plant in California to Tesla motors after its partner GM backed out of the factory. The plant made the company’s popular Corolla models.

Most recently, the company took a hit in JD Power’s Initial Quality Survey, falling from 6th place to 21st in the rankings of auto models. Although sales are up 10.5 percent on the year, that lags behind the industry average of 17.2 percent.

However, the company is looking to turn things around by finishing a new plant in Mississippi, according to the Associated Press. The new factory will employ more than 2,000 workers in the manufacturing of Corollas. The plant may also build the company’s Prius hybrids.

The move may signal that the automaker is looking to move past the recall scandal and into a state of recovery, according to the news source.

Used Toyotas are renowned for their reliability and longevity, consistently winning safety and reliability awards over the years. With the company’s reputation taking a hit in recent months, consumers who still have faith in the company’s engineering standards might be able to find deals on used Toyotas.

Sony announces Gran Turismo 5 release date

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Posted in General Auto News

Want to drive the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG? It might be tough to find an affordable one on the used car market until decades from now. Fortunately for those with a need for speed, Sony is giving drivers the next best thing.

The company recently announced the release of Gran Turismo 5, the latest entry in its critically-acclaimed racing video game series, will be released on November 2nd for the Playstation 3. The series has earned praise for its highly-realistic attention to detail and actual driving physics.

The latest iteration will be the most graphically detailed and expansive yet, featuring over 950 cars, including the SLS AMG and the entire fleet of NASCAR vehicles. Dubbed “the real driving simulator,” the games makers work with top officials from automakers to ensure that each car handles and performs like it does in the real world.

Of course, even the most realistic video games can’t compete with the feel of a steering wheel and actual engine. Luckily, smart shoppers can find even high-end vehicles like Mercedes and BMW on the used car market for far less than their original value. Buying a used Mercedes or BMW is a great way to get a high-performing car at a reasonable price.

Edmunds lists “true cost to own”

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Posted in Auto Loans & Financing News, Honda - DO NOT USE, How To, Toyota

Those who are shopping for a used car might be wary of any repair costs that can be associated with vehicles that have a high mileage. To help shoppers, the auto website Edmunds has awarded the top cars in each class and price range that boast the cheapest “true cost to own.”

Edmunds compiles “true cost to own” data based on an algorithm that considers a variety of factors, such as predicted repair costs. It broke down the results according to the size and model of the vehicle as well as the price.

Honda and Toyota were the big winners, with five and four cars in the lineup, respectively. Honda won awards for the Fit, Accord, CR-V, Ridgeline and Inisight. Toyota won for the Tacoma, Sienna, and Yaris coupe and sedan. The two brands also had luxury cars make the list, with Honda’s Acura MDX and Toyota’s Lexus IS 250.

That’s good news for anybody considering a used Honda or Toyota, as they will be happy to know that their used car purchase likely will not cost them much money down the road.

Other winners included the BMW 1 Series, Ford Shelby GT500, and Nissan Cube.

Ford sees an electric future

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Ford

While the first electric vehicles are starting to come to market, Ford is predicting a bright future for the vehicles.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Ford has stated that it predicts between 10 and 25 percent of its global volume will be electric by 2020. Electric vehicles, which includes hybrids running with advanced battery technology, currently make up about 2 percent of the fleet.

Ford further broke down its predictions by type. Of the group, 70 percent will be hybrids, 20 to 25 percent plug-in hybrids, and the remaining all-electric vehicles. Although Ford believes that electric vehicles will catch on, concerns about infrastructure and affordability and infrastructure may delay widespread adoption.

"The customer will decide who the winners and losers are and ultimately the pace of adoption of greener vehicles," Ford’s director of global electrification Nancy Gioia told the news source.

While electric vehicles may be expensive at the moment, drivers who want to help the environment and save money on gas can find deals on hybrids, like the Ford Fusion, on the used car market.

Charlie Sheen’s Mercedes-Benz driven off cliff… again

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News, Mercedes-Benz

In a bizarre incident, Charlie Sheen’s silver 2010 Mercedes-Benz was found crashed into a ravine off Mulholland Drive, nearby the actor’s home.

Police found the car around 3 AM after a civilian tip. The police contacted Sheen, who didn’t realize the car was missing.

What makes the event extra strange is that it echoes what happened to Sheen just four months earlier. In February, his 2009 Mercedes was stolen and driven off of Mulholland Drive. Sheen had left the keys in the ignition both times.

Those who can’t afford to replace their Mercedes every year might want to shop for used Mercedes-Benz on the used market. Although these cars are expensive when bought new, drivers can ride like the Hollywood stars without a Hollywood bank account.

Of course, if they live near a cliff, drivers who purchase a used Mercedes might want to consider keeping the keys in a safe place.

Los Angeles police currently have no leads on the suspect.