Category Archives: General Auto News

New Ford Mustang shows off fuel economy

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Posted in Ford, General Auto News

The 2011 Ford Mustang is the first car with 300 horsepower to also get over 30 miles per gallon, rated at 31 miles per gallon highway. Not satisfied with that, Ford took the Mustang to Bristol Motor Speedway to see just how many miles they could get out of the pony car when put to the test.

Ford aimed to run the car for 1,000 laps, or 533 miles, on just one tank of gas. Using fuel-efficient techniques like maintaining a constant speed, not starting or stopping and not running fuel drainers like air conditioning, they were able to extend the car well past its rating of 31 miles per gallon.

Five drivers took one-hour shifts with vehicle. NASCAR driver David Ragan drove the car past the 1,000 lap mark at 7:26 PM. But the new Mustang wasn’t done yet. It didn’t run out of gas until 12:41 in the morning. In total, it conquered 1,475 laps, or 776 miles, without ever refueling. Drivers kept the speed around 45 miles per hour and averaged almost 50 miles per gallon.

It wasn’t the first time Ford attempted such a stunt. Last year, they got 1,445 miles, or 81.5 miles per gallon, using the same techniques on the roads of Washington DC. Neither car was modified from its production specifications.

Those interested in a fuel-efficient vehicles might want to take a look at used Fords to save money both at the dealer and the pump.

BMW 5-Series is sold out

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Posted in BMW, General Auto News

BMW 5-Series might be flying off showroom floors, but that doesn’t mean users who want to drive the German automaker’s flagship vehicles have to stick to their old ride. By searching for used BMW vehicles on the pre-owned market, drivers can put themselves in a BMW – while saving quite a bit of cash.

According to BusinessWeek, new car sales for the recently revamped 5-Series have been quick, and customers are currently waiting three to four weeks for delivery on the popular model. BMW expected the redesign to find an audience, but sales have outperformed expectations.

"The 5-Series is at the core of the BMW brand and we knew it was going to be a very strong vehicle for us," Ian Robertson, BMW’s sales chief, told the news source. "In the U.S., where it’s doing very well, it could come to between 15 percent and 17 percent of our business as we ramp up."

The previous “E60” model was somewhat controversial for its exterior design, which many did not view as traditional for BMW. BMW lead designer Chris Bangle was criticized for his “Bangle butt” rear ends, which critics argued was not aesthetically pleasing, but BMW became the world’s leading luxury manufacturer during his tenure.

With Bangle’s departure, the 5-Series underwent a heavy redesign. Since BMW is selling off the old E60 models to make room for the new ones, drivers who want a BMW might want to search the used car market for a lightly-worn BMW.

Nissan launches parts loyalty program

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Posted in General Auto News, Nissan

One consideration when buying a used car is maintenance. While the savings that can be found on used cars is substantial, the fact is that the mileage of these cars may eventually lead to a problem.

Those who buy a certified pre-owned car may be covered by the dealer’s original warranty, another great reason to buy a used car. However, these cars are not always possible to find, and drivers may find themselves at an independent repair shop.

But those who bought a used Nissan now have the option to use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts when repairing their vehicles, thanks to a new parts reward program that Nissan and Infiniti are offering to independent mechanics.

Under the new program, mechanics will be able to sign up and be awarded points in a variety of ways. These points can then be exchanged for free parts. The new program is designed to encourage independent repair shops to use certified Nissan parts rather than aftermarket parts. In this way, the car runs as closely to the original specifications as possible.

Those who buy a used Nissan may be comforted to know that local repair shops will carry OEM parts through this new program.

Mercedes-Benz reveals electric version of the SLS AMG

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Posted in General Auto News, Mercedes-Benz

Some might describe the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG as “electrifying.” With its sleek design, gullwing doors, and 563 horsepower, it’s easy to see why.

However, the car isn’t as electrifying as its recently-revealed brother, the SLS E-Cell. This all-electric version of the already-legendary car will provide 526 horsepower from four electric motors. It might be slightly less powerful than the gas-guzzling AMG, but it’s also completely emissions-free.

The car is only a prototype, but Mercedes may put it into production by 2015. It is speculated that the model will compete with upcoming electric supercars like the Tesla Roadster and Porsche 918 Spyder. Whether these cars find success has yet to be seen.

Mercedes did not alter the AMG drivetrain to incorporate the electric components, and the body features the same signature gullwing doors.

In the meantime, those who want to drive a Benz without breaking the bank should look for deals on used Mercedes. And those who want to help the environment might want to shop for a used Toyota Prius or similar hybrid while they’re at it.

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.

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.

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.

Pickup sales pick up

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

Dealers across the country are reporting an increase in pickup sales, a sign that the economy is recovering because Americans aren’t as worried about gas prices and small business are buying the vehicles to transport goods.

Sales of pickup trucks hit 151,000 last month, a whopping 19 percent increase over last year, according to the Associated Press. Many of those sales were full-size models, popular vehicles among contractors and builders.

John Blevins of Kentucky recently bought a Ford F-150 XL for his heating and air company. It was a purchase he had been putting off for awhile.

“In the last two to three years, we downsized quite a bit,” he told the news source. “We were holding off on buying anything new because we didn’t know what was going to happen.”

Pickups are useful vehicles for their safety, towing capacity, and large storage space. Small business owners who are interested in purchasing a pickup for their company would do well to look at used models such as the Ford F-150, Honda Ridgeline, and Toyota Tundra. Buying used can save the company money while also providing it with a reliable vehicle.

SUVs at a crossroads

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Posted in Ford, General Auto News, Nissan, Toyota

With sales dwindling and crossovers becoming increasingly popular, the traditional sports utility vehicle is facing an uncertain future, but fans of the vehicles can find deals on older models by shopping on the used car market.

According to MSN Auto, the traditional SUV has struggled amid worries about fuel economy and a shrinking customer base. In addition, crossover vehicles – smaller models based on passenger car platforms, are usurping SUV’s spot as the most popular seller.

That doesn’t mean automakers are abandoning the SUV, however. Ford recently redesigned its flagship SUV, the Explorer, to address concerns about fuel economy. The new Explorer gets 25 mpg and runs on a modified car body, but its exterior is all-truck.

Traditional SUV fans may also want to look at models like the Toyota 4Runner and Nissan Pathfinder.

Utility sales (crossovers and SUVS) currently account for 28 percent of the total car market, but crossovers make up 77 percent of that.

However, there was a time when SUVs dominated the landscape, and for memories of that, drivers should look no further than the used car market.

Drivers who want the traditional off-roading capabilities along with the extra space should shop the used car dealers for the classic models of just a few years ago. While these cars once fetched a high price, their dwindling popularity has caused many used car dealers to offer significant savings.