All Author's Blog

The school year is rapidly drawing to a close, and graduation day is just around the corner. Just as mortarboards will be soon be cluttering the afternoon sky, the internet is cluttered with articles about the best cars for teens and grads. A quick search turns up more than you can shake a tassel at.

All of these articles identify safety and reliability as key factors in selecting a car for your kid, but some include other considerations such as insurance costs. Considerate of your bank account, half of these lists look at used cars, but for you big spenders, there are a few lists that feature reasonably priced new cars. Let’s take a quick look at some of these articles, understand their criteria, and see if we can identify some consensus.

The fact is that when we shop for cars, the first thing we look at is is the exterior design. It’s the sheetmetal that catches our eye and elicits the emotional reaction. By comparison, interiors get little attention. When’s the last time you saw a car’s interior on the cover of a magazine?Think about it, though. After the initial blush of exterior infatuation, where do you spend all your time? On the inside of the car, not the outside. Shouldn’t it be a place you enjoy? It’s time to share some love with car interiors for a change. The editors at WardsAuto agree, and have named their 10 Best Interiors for 2012. Climb in and have a look.

With gas prices hovering around $4 a gallon with no relief in sight, more people than ever are considering hybrids to get some relief at the pump. According to a report by HybridCars.com, hybrid sales hit an all-time high in March 2012 with over 48,000 vehicles sold.

Yet a report by Polk indicates that only 35% of hybrid owners buy another. So before you take the leap you may want to ask the question: Is a hybrid right for me?

The answer to that questions involves factors both economic and social.

More and more people have gas prices and fuel economy on their minds. This has in part resulted in a surge of interest in hybrid and electric vehicles and now we’re seeing another interesting shift - more people are considering a diesel vehicle. A mainstay in Europe, diesel vehicles have often been overlooked in North America - considered to be noisy and not worth the dollars at the dealership - but this perspective is slowly changing.

 With this in mind, we thought it would be useful to take a closer look at the diesel vehicle market and highlight a few vehicles that you may not have realized do come with a diesel option.

Car makers worldwide may face a severe shortage of a resin used in the production of brake and fuel lines, causing a major kink in the manufacturing supply chain.

A March 31 explosion at the factory of German chemical company Evonik killed 2 workers, and completely halted the production of Cyclododecatriene, also known as CDT. CDT is required in the making of the resin PA-12, which is used for coating brake and fuel lines supplied to all major manufacturers.

Asia’s largest supplier of PA-12, Ube Industries, is already fielding requests from manufacturers for increased production, but states that they are already running at full capacity.

In every industry, perception and what we think of specific companies, brands and logos goes a long way in contributing to our purchase decisions. When it comes to buying a new car or truck, this brand awareness and perception goes a long way in how we research our vehicle purchases and ultimately in the vehicle we choose to buy.

Ram has something they want you to know: the 2013 Ram 1500 has best in class fuel economy. Seriously, they REALLY want you to know that. They must have used that exact phrase, with an accompanying metal-slamming dust-raising graphic, a half-dozen times before they even showed us the truck.

To achieve this best in class fuel economy, they utilized a host of improvements: a redesigned stronger and lighter frame, 8-speed automatic transmission, electric power steering, stop-start technology, active grill shutters, and active air suspension for aerodynamic benefit.

Toyota's press conference featured a "concept" that was suspiciously devoid of a name. After the full show and tell, the big surprise was that this wasn't a concept at all; it was the new Avalon, exactly as it will appear in production form.

The Avalon has always been referred to (or derided) as Toyota's Buick; large, plush, smooth ride. Blandly inoffensive. The perfect choice for retirees. But with the changing definition of Buick has forced Toyota to step if up a notch. The new Avalon takes a giant leap forward in styling. Is there anything particularly original going on here? Nope. But it is a handsome, balanced, well-executed design that should broaden the Avalon's appeal further down the age scale.

The full-size GL luxo-crossover has undergone a full redesign. Expect the usual dizzying complement of creature comforts and high technology, like Crosswind Stabilization and Active Parking Assist.

Are the luxury brands in danger of running out of whiz-bang doo-dads? The only thing left may be time travel.

 Also from M-B, a styling refresh for the compact GLK crossover. 

Nissan debuted the new mid-size Altima sedan. It's their best-seller and has been redesigned from the ground up.

 How's it look? If you like the Maxima, you'll probably like the new Altima. Sorta. If the Maxima is Peyton Manning, then the Altima is Eli. Clearly brothers, but one just doesn't look quite as sharp, and doesn't perform as well as the other. Don't feel bad for the Altima, though. Just as Eli has more rings than his multi-MVP brother, the Altima outsells the Maxima handily.

For Lexus the big story was the debut of the new ES350. This mid-sized luxury model always follows on the heels of the Toyota Camry debut because it's the Camry that provides the platform for the ES line. So we're talking about a FWD-based vehicle here, not RWD as in the rest of the Lexus sedan stable. Not necessarily a bad thing; plenty of shoppers in this segment are just looking for a quiet comfortable ride to go with the plush amenities.

 The styling is pleasant, inoffensive, with some cues from the top-of-the-line LS, and a slightly toned-down version of the new Lexus family Predator face. 

With apologies to Hertz and Avis, the 2014 Chevy Impala we finally take the leap from fleet car status to bonafide consumer desirability. No longer the province of county employees, the new Impala is designed in such a way that you may actually notice it on the road.

Clearly, the success of the last iteration of Malibu proved to Chevy brass that style and design actually matter, even in the family sedan market. The sleek roofline with elegantly executed chrome trim, sculpted side sheet metal and long wheelbase combine to cut a stylish, sleek silhouette.

Power will come from three engine choices: a 3.6L V-6, a new 2.5L four-cylinder and a 2.4L four-cylinder with eAssist, promising 35mpg. Expect the new Impala early in 2013.

In-vehicle innovation has come a very long way. It used to be that having a DVD player or MP3-enabled sound system was considered cutting edge. This was also when heated seats and automatic sunroofs were reserved for high-end vehicles. Well, things are changing and in keeping step with the technological changes we’ve seen with the Internet and communication - similar advances have been introduced to the latest vehicles on the market.

10 Most Fuel-Efficient SUVs and Crossovers

It doesn’t look like gas prices are going to get any lower any time soon... And when you’re interested in buying an SUV or crossover vehicle, the price of gas is a big factor in your purchase decision. It is one thing to pay the monthly payments and insurance costs and when you add in the cost of gas, it can make owning a larger vehicle an affordable challenge.

Typically we post blog posts here about buying a new car and the best new vehicles on the market based on awards and innovation. Today we’re going to talk about used cars and how to sell your used car. Let’s face it, many people really just feel overwhelmed by the thought of selling their used vehicle.

It can be time consuming. You have to understand pricing and how best to advertise your vehicle. You have to deal with people who aren’t really serious about buying your vehicle but take up your time anyway. Yes, selling a used vehicle can be considered to be a hassle but in today’s automotive market, selling your vehicle privately can be a very smart decision.

We often focus on new cars and buying new cars on this blog but today we’re going to take a look at buying a used car. For many of you and for many reasons, a used car makes the most sense. Used cars often make the most practical sense when you need a second car, need a car for your teenagers or a vehicle for city driving. As well, if you make a smart buy, your used car can result in a much better purchase than buying a new car.

Having kids and a family means you’re on the go. You’ve got to drop the kids off at school, pick the kids up at the end of the school day, take the kids to music, dance, and sports lessons and then there are the trips to the mall or out to dinner. And all of this family activity is dependent on having a reliable vehicle. A vehicle that can fit your family, the gear you need to bring, and one that gives you the confidence and comfort in knowing you and your family are safe and well-protected.

Buying a new vehicle should be a smooth and simple process. The more you know before you visit the dealership and the more you’re prepared to ask - the better your new vehicle buying experience will be. We’ve put together a list of 10 pieces of advice that will help you with your new vehicle buying experience.Know the dealer price

The dealer price as listed on the dealer invoice is different from the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). You have the right to ask about the dealer invoice. Some sales people might be hesitant to provide you with this, so be prepared and do your online research before arriving at the dealership.

It is awards season for the automotive industry and in today’s blog post we’ll take a look at the recent awards handed out by the Consumer Guide Automotive. Some of you might wonder about the impact of these awards on the automotive industry - well these types of awards are a great way to track the pros and cons as well as highlights for the year in automotive. While there are a lot of different awards given out, it is the criteria used to rank and rate vehicles that is super useful for you when it comes to making buying decisions.

A jury of 50 automotive journalists from Canada and the United States chose the winners of the North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards recently. These prestigious awards were announced at the North American International Auto Show.

The Hyundai Elantra won the 2012 North American Car of the Year Award.

The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque won the 2012 North American Truck of the Year Award.

Wednesday was a big day for the auto industry - it was numbers day. On February 1, the major automakers released their sales numbers for 2011, their profit numbers, January sales numbers for 2012, and their predictions for 2012 overall.

A search of the Internet will reveal multiple articles that detail the sales numbers for each and every automaker. Yes, the numbers are important but for this blog post, we’ll focus on the big three U.S. automakers and try not to get to wrapped up in percentages.

We all spend a lot of time in our vehicles. Driving to and from the office, dropping off and picking up the kids from school and their activities, running errands around town, traveling during vacations, and of course all the time spent stuck in traffic. This adds up to a lot of time being spent in one smallish space and translates into having less time to take care of some of the important realities of life.

We all want more from our vehicles. This includes better fuel economy, reliable acceleration and braking power, and features that keep us warm and safe. But the one thing we all really want is improved fuel economy. The further you can drive on a tank of gas really does translate into more money in your pocket and frankly more positive feelings about your vehicle.

We all want to get a deal. The trick with getting a deal on a new car, truck or SUV is ensuring that you’re still getting the best value you can for the money you’re spending. Sometimes a good deal doesn’t necessarily translate into the best use of your hard-earned cash.

This week, U.S. News Best Cars, released results of its study and analysis of the value data associated with 2012 cars. The goal of this study is to help you determine the best way to spend your money in the new car market. U.S. News Best Cars is part of U.S. News & World Report and is a well-respected and trusted car advice website and provider.

It is the time of the year when folks are making plans, setting goals, making changes and planning ahead. This is also the time of the year when we like to make predictions about what the year ahead just might hold. When it comes to auto sales and consumer buying habits, all signs are pointing towards a strong year of auto sales for 2012.

Building on the growth we’ve seen for the past two years, the trend in increased and growing auto sales numbers is expected to continue. The final numbers for 2011 are still being finalized but according to Edmunds.com, 2011 hit a three-year high with 12.8 million vehicles sold. This is continued growth from the sales numbers of 11.6 million in 2010.

In amongst the last-minute Christmas shopping and preparing for the holiday festivities, we received some sad news in the automotive industry. We’re sure you’ve heard by now, but last week Swedish Automobile AB, filed for bankruptcy in a Swedish court.

This announcement by the parent owner of Saab came after General Motors Co. refused to allow a bailout sale to two Chinese companies. For Saab who has not been able to pay any bills since March or its employees since August, this is a tough way to go out.

The big questions out there about this announcement include:

It can be hard to know who to trust when it comes to researching and buying your next vehicle. It seems that whomever you talk to, you’ll hear a story of a shady car salesperson or a stressful visit to the car dealership. But the thing is, with proper research and knowledge, you can make your next car purchase a pleasant and relaxing experience.

If you ask a teen driver or new driver what kind of first car they want, they likely will answer with something along the lines of “it has to be cool”. A cool car - who doesn’t want a cool car? Problem is that typically a cool car comes with a hefty price tag. Well, just in time for the holiday season and for the best month to buy a car, we’ve got a list of the 10 coolest cars available for under $18,000.

Everybody is making the “green” claim these days, and it’s hard to know who’s for real and who’s merely using the environment as a marketing tool without taking the steps to back up the claim. There are agencies that can proclaim things certified organic, but how do you know if one car is really and “greener” than the next?

Luckily, the EPA has come up with a system to designate “good environmental performers” called SmartWay. The agency measures each vehicle’s air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and gives it a score. Those that score the best -- about the top 20 percent -- are awarded the SmartWay designation. The “best of the best” are given extra credit and named SmartWay Elite vehicles.

Surprise! BMW was named the most sustainable auto manufacturer for 2011 by the SAM Group for the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. Except that it isn’t really a surprise: BMW has earned top sustainability honors for the past seven years. The maker of the luxurious six-figure 7-series and the cheap and cute Mini is also the only auto maker to be listed on the DJSI every year since the indexes were created in 1999.

Before I give you my full answer, let me provide you some context…

One of my colleagues here at AutoBuying101.com shared an interesting article that got a little attention in the automotive journalist community last month.  The following article suggests how editorial critic car reviews are biased due to numerous circumstances: http://www.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=5141

It’s not much of a surprise that poll numbers supported the recent federal government decision to raise CAFE (that stands for Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards to 54.5 mpg by 2025. Given the fact that fuel prices are only going to creep ever upward -- not to mention the environmental costs of getting the gas from the ground to the pump -- drivers are realizing the benefits of high-mileage vehicles. It helps, too, that technology is improving, with hybrid systems, valve shutoff systems, direct injection, and clean diesels that all deliver a fun driving experience with better fuel economy.

According to JD Power and Associates, despite modest improvement in initial quality on both newly developed models and new version of existing models over the last 5 years, the trend has not continued and initial quality for newly developed models for 2011 is down, as is reported in the organization’s newest study.

The Initial Quality Study, conducted by JD Power for the last 25 years, is a survey of recent buyers and lessees of 2011 models.  Owners are contacted after 90 days with the cars and are given a 228-question survey designed to provide the manufacturers with information to “facilitate identifying problems and drive product improvement.”

GM Dealers (Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC brands) looking to move more used cars in 2011 have a little more ammo in their bag of tricks, thanks to Sirius XM Satellite Radio.  According to a recent press release, the company is now offering a free three month subscription to the company’s service with the purchase of a pre-owned vehicle that has a factory installed receiver, regardless of make/model.  The only caveat is that the vehicle be purchased at one of more than 1,000 participating GM dealerships across the US.

GM will continue to provide the same three month subscription to buyers of new and certified pre-owned GM vehicles, but this new offer allows budget-conscious and bargain shoppers the opportunity to experience Sirius XM, as well.

It was true in 1960, when Smokey Robinson and the Miracles sang it, and it’s true today: You better shop around. Luckily, when it comes to shaving a few cents off the price of a fill-up, it’s far easier to find a good deal now than it was fifty years ago.

With the Labor Day Holiday weekend upon us, we evaluated a number of gas price websites and mobile applications, to see what solution provides the best coverage and most reliable data, and from our point of view GasBuddy.com is the best.

It’s probably not too surprising to most car shoppers that dealerships selling luxury car brands treat their customers the best, with Mercedes-Benz topping the list for 2011. Pied Piper PSI, a company that monitors consumer satisfaction for the automotive industry, sent more than 3500 mystery shoppers to dealerships across the United States to measure how well people shopping for vehicles were treated by each brand’s staff.

The top five dealerships in the study were:

The new 2011 Chevy Cruze compact car has done the near impossible this summer -- it became the highest-selling passenger car in the United States, beating out its rivals and longtime best-sellers the Toyota Camry and Honda Civic.

This is the first time an American company has hit this milestone in years, and Paul Eisenstein on MSNBC.com points out that events beyond GM’s control have helped the Cruze. The tsunami that devastated so much of Japan and its manufacturing network earlier this spring has slowed the rate at which the Camry and Civic are being built. The Chevy Cruze is happy to step into that void.

Every month, on average, approximately 1,000,000 consumers head out to a local dealer and purchase a new car.  As we hope you find here at AutoBuying101.com, our goal is to help simplify that process and help buyers get the best deal by navigating through all of the marketing, information, stress, and pressures that come along with finding your next new vehicle.

We’ve been talking a lot about used cars, lately.

The reason is simple:  there are some really great deals to be gotten if you know what to look for and how to spot them.  Our friends at Edmunds have put together their annual Edmunds Used Car Best Bets, which is a great list that will help you in that search. 

4,000,000 buyers every month.  On average, every month, approximately 1,000,000 new and 3,000,000 used autos are sold in the United States.  Americans have had a love affair with cars since the first ones were produced over 100 years ago.  They not only are essential to our everyday lives, and the efficient operation of our economy, but they are an expression of our personality, and often times just plain fun to drive.

Anyone who thought the Mini Cooper that’s been on the market for the past decade was just too spacious is in luck. BMW, Mini’s parent company, is introducing the 2012 Mini Coupe, with only two seats and a sporty rear roofline.

The Mini Coupe will come in three variants in the US, which basically break down as fast, faster, and fastest:

- Fast: the base model Mini Cooper Coupe has a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine and a top speed of 127 mph.

- Faster: the Mini Cooper S Coupe has the same engine, but with a turbocharger added for a top speed of 142 mph.

The resurgence of micro-compact cars in the US has brought about some outstanding benefits for consumers and car fanatics alike.

For consumers, great looking cars that get great gas mileage and are much easier on the wallet are the primary boon.

For car lovers though, innovation and product has been the prize.

You read that right: the prices of fuel-efficient compact, subcompact, and hybrid cars are actually dropping this summer after 20 weeks of consecutive gains, Kelley Blue Book reports [kbb.com].The drop in fuel-efficient car values coincides with a drop in gas prices, of course. Gasoline hit a peak in May when the national average was $3.98. Gas prices have dropped every week in June, with a national average on June 20 of $3.65 [EIA.gov]

Hyundai really, really wants you to buy their cars.  And furthermore, they want you to know that all of that talk that begins with “of course they have the best warranty in the business, they have the worst cars,” is just simply not true.

Volkswagen is launching its new online pre-order program with an exclusive 2012 VW Beetle Black Turbo. Only 600 of these Beetles will be built, and they are only available via pre-order at www.VW.com/preorder. A reservation fee of $495 is required to hold your place in line, but VW has instituted a “no hassle” refund policy if you decide not to take delivery of the car.

As is the case in any industry, the law of supply and demand is a huge driver in the automotive market.  The ability to keep popular models flowing into dealership inventory is the key to success at both the dealership and manufacturer level.

NADAguides, one of the most trusted names in automotive analysis, recently released its Most in Demand Vehicles Report.  The report is a comprehensive list of the hardest to find models as well as alternative choices for shoppers willing to go beyond their original ideas.

In an article recently published by Forbes Magazine, the publishers identify the automotive brands that Americans think are the best.  This is not a list made up of the best selling cars in America, as that would be populated by Chevrolets, Toyotas and Fords.

If you are in the market for a used auto to buy, or if you are thinking about selling your auto, having the vehicle inspected can be a critical step to ensure a smooth and fair transaction.

So, it’s great to see a new nationwide service launch that specializes in providing an independent, reliable, inspection of a vehicle.

With Memorial Day weekend the unofficial kick off to the summer travel season, our friends at Chevrolet have released a study that examined gas usage by two people driving identical cars.  The study is designed to show consumers how to raise fuel economy and create astonishing savings.

With all of the issues hitting the auto buying industry – high gas prices, recall issues, wounded economy, part shortages – the ability to cut a good deal still exists.  But don’t be fooled into thinking that there are no major differences when comparing new vs. used auto options. 

Nope, the used auto market has never been more solid…for the seller.

According to used auto trend watcher RVI Group and their Used Car Price Index, used auto values shot up an astonishing 16% in a year-over-year comparison.  What is causing this?

Unless you haven’t been paying attention (or perhaps have been in jail or something), you are fully aware that gas has surpassed the $4 per gallon mark in the US.  In Los Angeles, many gas stations are showing prices at or above $5 per gallon.  Amazing really, considering a year ago gas was hovering below the $3 per gallon mark and showed no real signs of upward mobility.

One of the toughest choices you have when you are shopping around for a new or used auto, is what dealers to consider, and which too visit.   Everyone wants to buy from a trustworthy dealer, and rest assured THEY ARE OUT THERE!

As we recommend throughout AutoBuying101.com, the process starts with contacting dealers from the comfort of your home/office, using tools like we have on our site, email, and phone.

Car and Driver, one of the leading automotive publications dedicated to enthusiasts and auto reviews, recently announced their 10Best Cars for 2011.  The full coverage of their 10Best selections can be found in the January magazine edition and on their website, CarandDriver.com.

When it comes to measuring long term reliability and value, Consumers Union (the publisher of Consumer Reports Magazine) is one of the most respected sources in the industry. So for consumers, it's always helpful to see their ratings on new autos, as you should definitely consider their Top Picks as solid recommendations.

The Chevrolet Volt took top honors as the 2011 North American Car of the Year, while the 2011 Ford Explorer won the award for the 2011 North American Truck of the Year.  The awards were announced at a news conference at the North American International Auto Show held in Detroit, Michigan.   The awards are considered some of the most prestigious in the industry as the winners are chosen by a panel of 49 automotive journalists. 

The results in each category were:

2011 Car of the Year:

2011 Chevrolet Volt = 233 points

According to a new report released by J.D.Power & Associates and Compete, Inc.: 77% of new vehicle buyers go online to do research in the 6 months prior to their purchase, and of that 77%, nearly 80% visit a third party website.

The folks over at Kelley Blue Book just launched some helpful new tools to help those individuals looking to sell their vehicle.

Specifically the KBB tool includes:

- Customizable and Printable "For Sale" Window Sticker

- Digital Window Sticker with a link you can use to promote your for sale vehicle

- The KBB Private Party Value via KBB's LiveValue system

With all of the problems and negative press Toyota has received over the past few months, it's easy to understand why you might have eliminated Toyota vehicles off your list. But, it's important to remember that all manufacturers have problems with their vehicles at some point in time. Although Toyota should have definitely done a better job handling and fixing the acceleration and braking issues found in some models, their vehicles are still competitive on numerous factors such as styling, gas mileage, and price.