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 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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

When do I replace my air filter?

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Posted in General Auto News

For owners of used cars in New Jersey, replacing your vehicle’s air filter is one of the more simple tasks involved in routine car maintenance. When to replace it, however, is a slightly more complicated issue.

It is difficult to determine when to replace an air filter by elapsed time or mileage because it is totally dependent on the driving conditions. A filter can last up to 20,000 miles if the car is driven mostly on highways, but may only last for two months if the vehicle is driven on dirt or gravel roads, according to Yahoo Autos.

Visible dirt on the surface of an air filter is not a strong indicator that it needs to be replaced, CarJunky.com reports. Try putting the filter up to a 100-watt bulb and if light can pass through at least half it, the filter is suitable for continued use.

However, the light test will not work on extended-life factory filters. If your vehicle contains one of those, replace it at the mileage interval specified by the manufacturer.

Keep in mind that a slightly dirty filter actually cleans more efficiently than a brand new one.

The 2006 Honda Insight in a class of its own in terms of fuel economy

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Posted in Honda - DO NOT USE

With the constant fluctuating of gas prices over the past few years, many consumers have decided to purchase a hybrid car to save a few dollars at the pump. People in the market for used Honda models in New Jersey may be interested to know that the 2006 Honda Insight gets more miles to the gallon than any other hybrid in its class.

The ’06 Insight has an estimated fuel economy of 48 miles per gallon in the city and 58 mpg on the highway, according to FuelEconomy.gov. It also leaves a substantially smaller carbon footprint than many of its competitors.

Honda’s 2006 model is a compact two-door sedan with quick steering, exotic construction and a host of standard equipment, Edmunds.com reports. The Insight combines a 1.0-liter, 12-valve three cylinder VTEC-E gasoline engine with a lightweight electric motor that can recharge itself with having to be plugged in.

The Insight is susceptible to crosswinds due to its small stature, but “the car’s small dimensions and light, accurate steering make it a breeze to maneuver in crowded areas.”

The 2007 Green Line Vue, Saturn’s first hybrid SUV

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Posted in Saturn - DO NOT USE

People in the market for used Saturn models in New York may want to check out the 2007 Saturn Vue, a popular, practical and compact sports utility vehicle that isn’t in production anymore.

The Vue is rather comparable to the Chevrolet Equinox and the Pontiac Torrent, two other General Motors-owned car lines. The conventional ’07 models are available with a 143-horsepower 4-cylinder engine or a Honda-built 250-horsepower V6, according to Consumer Guide Automotive.

The big news for Saturn enthusiasts is that the 2007 Vue is available as a gas/electric hybrid. The Green Line combines a 4-cylinder gas engine with a battery-powered electric motor that generates 170-horsepower.

Moreover, the system self-charges the battery, eliminating the need to plug in any cables at the end of the day.

The Green Line has a fuel economy of 27 miles per gallon in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. While the hybrid Vue does not get the best mileage, it is significantly less expensive than other SUV’s in its class.