Terry Glenn arrested on charge of auto theft, attorney calls charge a ‘crock’

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News

Used Chevrolet models in New Jersey may begin to attract attention following a dispute involving a rental car agency and former National Football League star Terry Glenn.

On Tuesday, the former Dallas Cowboy receiver was arrested on a charge of auto theft, although his attorney said that police overacted to a simple business transaction, according to the Dallas News.

Glenn’s attorney, Luis Vera, said on Wednesday that his client had rented a Chevy Suburban from National Car Rental several weeks ago and was on his way to return it when he was pulled over and arrested because the SUV had been reported stolen.

“It is the biggest crock of garbage,” Vera said. “This is not the first person I’ve had to represent who the rental car companies have done this to.”

Glenn’s attorney said that the rental company had his client’s credit card and could have charged it at any time.

The 35-year-old footballer was booked into Irving jail on Tuesday evening and was released early Wednesday morning.

Interest in used Chevy models in New Jersey may begin to increase following another legal battle involving Terry Glenn.

Can one receive a speeding ticket for ‘sounding’ too fast?

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Posted in General Auto News, Lincoln

Owners of used Lincoln models in New Jersey may be interested in a two-year long court case involving a 2006 Navigator.

On October 7, 2007, Daniel Freitag was issued a speeding ticket by Ohio patrolmen Ken Roth. The officer had measured the suspect’s speed on his radar gun at between 42 and 45 miles per hour in a 35 zone, but that piece of evidence was thrown out on appeal due to the fact that the state did not identify the specific model of detection equipment that was used, according to TheNewspaper.com.

Still, the case was not dismissed because Roth claimed that he could hear the Navigator driving too fast, even though the incident occurred on a traffic-filled road over 150 yards away from his patrol car, AOL.com reports.

“As it approached I could hear the vehicle on the roadway which based on my training and experience, it is consistent with a vehicle that was in excess of the posted speed limit,” the officer testified.

With Roth’s testimony being the only piece of admissible evidence remaining, the court found Freitag guilty for a second time. Amazed, he appealed for a third trial.

This time, nearly two years after the incident occurred, the appeals court judge sided with Freitag, calling the previous two trials a “miscarriage of justice.”

“The weight of the evidence does not support the conclusion that Freitag was exceeding the posted speed limit, specifically because Patrolman Roth’s testimony that he audibly…determined that Freitag was speeding is not credible,” said Judge Donna Carr.

“It is simply incredible in the absence of reliable scientific, technical or other specialized information, to believe that one could hear an unidentified vehicle ‘speeding’ without being able to determine the actual speed of the vehicle,” she added.

Used Lincoln owners in New Jersey may be able to rest a little easier knowing the fact one cannot get arrested for ‘sounding’ too fast.

Are oil additives unnecessary, even harmful to an engine?

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Posted in General Auto News

Owners of used cars in New Jersey may be interested to know that engine oil additives, which are sold to millions of customers a year, may not be all that helpful and, in some cases, may actually hurt the engine’s performance.

Oil additives are synthetic or petroleum based products that are touted to improve the base oil while enhancing fuel economy.

Although there are customer testimonials that swear by the product, some experts remain skeptical.

“Oil additives are designed to fortify and bolster the engine,” said Tom Torbjornsen, car maintenance editor at AOL Autos. “But if you’re following normal maintenance procedures, you don’t need it.”

“In the testimonials you’ll find on websites selling this stuff, people say they can drive without oil because of some magic elixir,” he continued. “But a real-world tester always fails.”

NASA’s Lewis Research Center tested oil additives in the early 1990’s and found that “in the types of bearing surface contact we have looked at, we have seen no benefit,” according to Motorcycle Consumer News.

“In some cases we have seen detrimental effect,” researchers added. “The solids in the oil tend to accumulate at inlets and act as a dam, which simply blocks the oil from entering. Instead of helping, it is actually depriving parts of lubricant.”

Some oil additive and cleanser manufacturers have actually been successfully sued by the Federal Trade Commission for making false claims about the success of their product.

Is it worth the risk? Owners of used cars in New Jersey should check their car’s manual, but if normal vehicle maintenance procedures are followed, engine additives might not be needed.

Is your used car winterized?

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Posted in General Auto News

As brutal storms and cold weather continue to hit the northeast, it is important for owners of used cars in New Jersey to winterize their vehicle in order to be fully prepared for the season.

The life-blood of every car is the oil. As the weather gets colder, oil tends to thicken and can get to a point where the engine does not get fully lubricated, according to MSNBC.com. All drivers should check the owner’s manual to see which type of oil they should be using in winter conditions.

AOL.com reports that every car owner should test their battery and change all their fluids upon the first sign of cold weather.

Due to the energy demands of windshield wipers, defrosters and heating systems, winter conditions can severely test a battery and the car’s electrical system. A simple battery test at the beginning of the season can alleviate any potential headaches down the road.

Finally, car owners should attach tire chains and check the status of their four-wheel drive system if applicable. Preparing an emergency kit filled with warm clothes, a flashlight, an ice-scrapper and jumper cables is also a good idea.

Owners of used cars in New Jersey don’t need to be left out in the cold if they stay well prepared.

Are men better at parking than women?

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Posted in General Auto News

People who drive used Audi models in New Jersey may be interested in a new study that suggests that male drivers are better at parking than female drivers.

During the tests, in which 65 men and women were asked to park an Audi A6 in several different situations, psychologists found that women on average took 20 seconds longer and parked less accurately than men.

Lead researcher Claudia Wolf from Ruhr University in Germany said that the study confirmed previous findings that men have better spatial awareness and more coordination then women, according to the Telegraph.

“These prejudices exist and as a scientist I decided the find out if they are true or based on myth,” she said on Sunday, quoted by the Daily Mail.

“I don’t think that feminism or the cause of women is in any way set back by these findings,” Wolf added. “It only proves what previous studies about the spatial differences between men and women have shown.”

Wolf, a biopsychology student from the university, said that she took on the study because of all the chauvinistic comments that she had heard about women drivers.

Used Audi models in New Jersey may attract additional attention after this revealing study.

GM pushes off deadline to sell Saab after Spyker makes third offer

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Posted in Saab - DO NOT USE

After missing a self-imposed December 31 deadline to sell the Saab brand, General Motors has decided to delay the cut-off date due to continued negotiations with Spyker Cars, which may elevate interest in used Saab models in New Jersey.

Negotiations between GM and Spyker have been ongoing for months, with multiple offers having been rejected by Saab’s current owner. Reports surfaced in late December that GM had decided to shut down the Swedish automaker rather than sell it, but that news was found to be premature.

Spyker has already had two offers rejected by GM, but Reuters reports that they have made a third proposal that is set to expire on January 7.

“I am very hopeful, I have been from the start,” said Spyker CEO Victor Muller to the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet on Monday, quoted by AutoWeek.com. “We have done all we possibly can.”

Muller has said that Saab would maintain its headquarters if Spyker purchases the brand and that they would rebuild the Swedish company around the 9-3, 9-5 and 9-4X models, according to the news source. He also added that Saab could begin to sell Spyker automobiles if the deal goes through.

Used Saab models in New Jersey may begin to attract attention if ownership of the company changes hands.

Chevy Camaro designer quits, set to work for Volkswagen in 2010

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Posted in Chevrolet

Sangyou Lee, the designer of the highly celebrated Chevy Camaro, has announced that he has resigned his position with General Motors to take a role with Volkswagen/Audi as their chief designer of exterior, which may increase the visibility of used Chevrolet models in New Jersey.

Lee, who worked for GM for over a decade, is credited with bringing the Chevy Camaro back to national prominence after he redesigned the muscle car in 2005, according to CarDesignNews.com.

The Korean-born designer’s concept debuted so successfully at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show GM decided to begin production immediately.

“The [2006] muscular Camaro concept is pure ’69 updated, with the kind of subtle detailing that makes it look up-to-the-minute,” said AutomobileMag.com after the car’s original showing. “The interior is very glitzy, and pays homage to the original, even down to the GM seat belt insignia and the twin instrument pods.”

Chevy’s ’06 Camaro is a “retro-styled” two-door coupe with a 6.0 liter, 400 horsepower V-8 engine powered through a six-speed manual transmission. The show model contains Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation equipment, a fuel-saving technology that results in a highway fuel economy of 30 mpg or better, according to RSportsCars.com.

Before he unveiled the 2006 Camaro, Lee worked on a joint project between Bertone and GM in which he created the 2004 Buick Velite concept. He also contributed to the exterior design of the 50th anniversary Stingray.

Lee is expected to begin working for VW in mid-2010 in their California design facility. He is one of several designers to move on from the major U.S. automakers in the last 12 months. Pat Schiavone, Ford Motor Company’s chief truck designer, announced last week that he will be resigning from the company in early 2010 to join the appliance manufacturer Whirlpool.

The departure of Chevy’s award-winning exterior designer may increase the popularity in used Chevy models in New Jersey.

Ford agrees in principle to sell Volvo to China’s Geely Auto

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Posted in Volvo - DO NOT USE

Officials at Ford Motor Company have recently announced that they expect to sell the Volvo car brand to China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group by the first quarter of 2010, which may attract attention to used Volvo models in New Jersey.

The value of the deal is expected to be estimated at $1.8 billion, which pales in comparison to the $6.45 billion that Ford paid to purchase Volvo in 1999, according to Reuters.

In a statement, authorities at Ford said that the sale “would ensure Volvo has the resources, including the capital investment, necessary to further strengthen the business and build its global franchise, while enabling Ford to continue to focus on and implement its core ONE Ford strategy,” according to AutoWeek.com.

Ford, the only U.S. automaker to avoid bankruptcy and a government bailout, may use the money to accelerate debt repayment in an effort to return to profitability by 2011.

Meanwhile, Li Shufu, the founder of the Zhejiang Holding Group, has announced that the Swedish auto brand will be left intact if the sale is finalized.

“If the deal succeeds, nothing will change for Volvo, except the boss turns to Li Shufu,” Li told the official Xinhua news agency, quoted by Reuters. “Volvo and Geely will be two independently-managed brands.”

Ford has said that there is still a significant amount of work to be done before the sale is finalized, including Geely securing financing and having the Chinese government sign off on the deal. Ford does not plan on retaining a shareholding in Volvo after the deal is finalized.

The possibility of the Swedish automaker changing hands may increase the appeal of used Volvo models in New Jersey.

Jon Gosselin attempts to trade-in his BMW for a used Subaru

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News

The popularity of used Subaru models in New York may be on the rise following the scene at a car lot where reality television star Jon Gosselin tried to trade-in his current vehicle for a used Subaru STI.

According to the celebrity gossip website TMZ.com, the former star of Jon and Kate Plus 8 was looking to trade his 2005 BMW M3 for a more recent Subaru model as well as $4,000 in cash. Unfortunately for Gosselin, his current vehicle was not worth quite as much as he thought, forcing him to leave the lot without making a trade.

The TV reality dad has been all over the news lately due to his much publicized divorce with his wife Kate and a lawsuit with his former employer, The Learning Channel, who is suing Gosselin for making public appearances which violated his contract. Examiner.com reports that the ex-reality star is “desperate for money” and is “now trying to look for other alternative ways to bring in cash.”

Ironically, one of his alleged former flings, Stephanie Santoro, used to work at the car dealership that Gosselin visited.

Used Subaru models in New York may be more appealing to car buyers after Jon Gosselin’s attempted trade-in at a local car lot.

Man lifts car off of trapped first-grader

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Posted in General Auto News, Mercury - DO NOT USE

An Ottawa, Kansas man has been hailed as a hero after lifting a car off of a trapped young girl, which may benefit used Mercury models in New Jersey.

Ashlyn Hough, age 6, was walking down her street on the way to school when she was hit by a neighbor who was backing out of their driveway. Ashlyn was pushed out into the street and was pinned under the car.

Nick Harris, who was dropping his 8-year-old daughter off at school, saw the incident and rushed over the help.

“I didn’t even think,” he said, quoted by the Associated Press. “I ran over there as fast as I could, grabbed the rear end of the car and lifted and pushed as hard as I could to get the tire off the child.”

Harris carried Ashlyn over to the sidewalk and was going back to get his cell phone from his car to dial 911, but the first-grader asked him to stay with her. He told onlookers to get the child’s mother who lives just down the street.

Ashlyn was sent to the hospital, but was later released after suffering a concussion and some minor bumps and bruises.

Harris, who is 5-foot-7 and 185 pounds, said he has no idea how he was able to lift the Mercury sedan off of the girl.

“I’ve tried four or five times since then, [and] I can’t do it, it’s impossible,” Harris said, quoted by CourierMail.com. “Christmas miracle, I guess.”

Ashlyn’s family, who happen to be neighbors with Harris, have praised him as a hero.

“I don’t consider myself a hero at all,” Harris said. “To me, it was payment enough when she gave me that huge hug and said, ‘Thanks, Superman.'”

Nick Harris’ amazing story of heroism may attract more attention to used Mercury models in New Jersey.