With the upcoming launch of the Fiat 500 we now have the first Fiat television commercial in the U.S. since the early 1980’s. Things have been moving quickly at Fiat/Chrysler for the past 18 months which makes it hard to believe the Fiat 500 is actually ready to hit the ground. DashBoardNews and Bullz-Eye.com had a chance to view the car at the L.A. Auto Show and eagerly await an opportunity to drive the Fiat 500!
Category: News (Page 24 of 87)
In the case of Panamera v. Porsche, purists in the court of the WSJ we hereby rule in favor of the Panamera!
The attorney in mewants to argue both sides of this case. The plaintiff says: The 2011 Porsche Panamera is a crime against the brand, a merely competent luxury sport sedan that—given its bloated-corpse looks, your honor—deserves no leniency. I will not attempt to re-litigate whether any two-ton four-door deserves to be called a real Porsche—c.f., Enthusiasts v. Cayenne (2000). But at a minimum, Porsches need to be thrilling, powerful machines, and this car couldn’t stir a martini.
Look at the evidence: The Panamera S has a 400-horsepower V8. The Panamera Turbo has a 500-hp V8 and hits 60 miles per hour in 4 seconds. That’s just epic.
The just-introduced, entry-level Panamera (and all-wheel-drive Panamera 4), by contrast, is fitted with a paltry 3.6-liter, 300-hp V6, and the new gas-saving stop-start system, which shuts off the engine any time the car is stopped. Clearly, the base-model Panamera is offered only to puff up the company’s fuel-economy numbers and pander to eco-weenies.
The Chevy Volt has been named Motor Trend Car of the Year according to the Detroit Free Press.
The 2011 Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle has been named Car of the Year by Motor Trend magazine, for General Motors’ second title in four years.
The Volt beat out contenders that include the Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Sonata, Lincoln MKZ hybrid, BMW 5 Series, Jaguar XJ, Infiniti M and Audi A8.
One of the Detroit 3 won the award every year from 1986 to 2002, until the Infiniti G35 broke that trend in 2003. Since then, domestic and foreign automakers’ models have split the award evenly, with the 2010 Ford Fusion midsized sedan winning last year.
The Volt also was named Automobile of the Year today by Ann Arbor-based Automobile Magazine.
There are winners and losers with every aspect of advancement in the business world. After years of steady jobs and prosperity these folks are concerned about their future. Things are changing so fast in the world economy that when working for corporations you can only hope the company you are working for plans ahead! Way, way ahead….
From the Detroit News:
Hamamatsu, Japan— People here refer to it as “electric vehicle shock.” Sooner or, more likely, later, the electric car could render thousands of companies superfluous here in the heart of Japan’s auto parts region.
No more engines. No call for exhaust pipes. Spark plugs? Gone with the electric-car wind.
A recent widely circulated study predicts the eventual demise of much of Hamamatsu’s gasoline engine economy. Spurred by that study and a sense of foreboding, carmakers, parts factories and local governments in this sprawling industrial town are joining forces to prepare for a future of electric vehicles.
Suzuki Motor, based in Hamamatsu, helped found a regional alliance in October that will help parts makers develop automotive technologies geared toward electric cars and other industries.
Buying a used car doesn’t have to be a frightening experience. If you’re a savvy consumer, you’ll know how to find answers to the most common questions used car buyers ask such as:
1. How long is the car going to last?
2. Am I going to have a ton of repair bills right away?
3. Did the previous owner take care of the car?
4. Is the price inflated?
The best way to find an answer to these questions is to check the vehicle history of the automobile you are considering purchasing. There are a number of online services that can run a history check on the vehicle by simply entering the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The vehicle history report will include information about title issues such as whether the car has been in a severe accident (may be reported as a salvaged vehicle by the state), odometer problems, whether the car is marked by the state as a lemon, and whether the vehicle has a flood damage title issued by the DMV.
Based on the VIN number, a vehicle history report will also provide details about ownership history and accidents and service. Ownership details cover mileage, number of owners, and whether the car has ever been used as a rental or fleet vehicle. All instances can decrease the value of a used car, so having this information can help you determine whether your car is a good value or if it is overpriced.
Finally, accidents and service history checks provide information about whether the car has been declared a total loss by auto insurance companies, and whether the car has suffered frame or structure damage, which can devalue the vehicle and compromise safety. This portion of the vehicle history report also includes the number of times the car has been serviced for routine maintenance and other preventative services, and even whether or not airbags activated during an accident or otherwise, and whether they were replaced.
If the vehicle history report is clean, the used vehicle might not be a lemon. However, you should still have the vehicle checked by your mechanic before buying it. If you have to pay a trusted mechanic to accompany you to the dealership or on a test drive, it will be well worth the investment in the end.
Used Car Pricing and Lemon Laws
The price on a used vehicle should be in the same ballpark as the prices listed on the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA Guides) website or the Kelley Blue Book (KBB) website. If you find a used vehicle that you feel is priced much higher than market, the dealer price may be justified if improvements to the vehicle have been made such as adding a sophisticated alarm system, adding high-end interior accessories and gadgets, or any exterior modifications such as non-factory rims.
If you agree with your dealer on the price, the vehicle history report is clean, and your mechanic gives the car the thumbs up, there is one final question to ask yourself – Is my vehicle covered under the Used Car Lemon Law. The answer depends on your state. In some states, the Used Car Lemon Law does not apply to used or leased vehicles. In most states, the law does not apply to private sales. In states such as New York, the Used Car Lemon Law requires dealers to give consumers a written warranty. Used cars purchased, leased, or transferred for $1,500 or more are provide with statutory warranties for:
18,000-36,000 miles = 90 Days or 4,000 miles (whichever comes first)
36,001-76,999 miles = 60 Days or 3,000 miles (whichever comes first)
80,000-100,000 miles = 30 Days or 1,000 miles (whichever comes first)
This is just one example of how the Used Car lemon Law protects consumers who are buyers or lessees of used cars that turn out to be “lemons.” -State of New York, Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo
To learn more about your states lemon laws, contact your state attorney general’s office. You can locate your attorney general’s office by visiting the official National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) website at www.naag.org.
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