Category Archives: How To

Best cars for older drivers

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Posted in How To, Hyundai

The U.S. Census Bureau predicts that the number of drivers 65 years and older will more than double in the next 40 years. That means that U.S. roads may be facing a safety crisis in the future, as older drivers tend to cause higher accident rates than others.

As a driver matures, their vehicle needs become different as well. It's unlikely that older drivers will be opting for a sports car, for example. According to Consumer Reports, there are a number of vehicle features that may be beneficial to older drivers looking to purchase a vehicle that may help them be safe on the road.

One of the considerations cited by the news source is ease of access. A vehicle for older drivers needs to have a number of seat configurations and ways to enter the vehicle that will make comfort a priority. A full-size SUV or pickup truck simply isn't practical for drivers with back problems, for example. Power seats are also preferable to those with a manual system, as they can be adjusted at the touch of a button.

Safety is another top priority that older drivers should consider, especially if they'll be traveling with grandkids or other family members. The vehicles chosen by the news source all have average or better reliability and perform well in government and insurance company crash tests.

Vehicles with full airbags, including side curtain, can greatly increase the protection afforded in case of a crash. The news source also notes that electronic stability control (ESC) is a must for any driver, but thankfully all vehicles made after 2012 will have this feature. Those buying a used car should be sure that their model is equipped with ESC.

Finally, one of the most important yet overlooked aspects of cars for elderly drivers is vision. Some vehicles contain numerous blind spots or even issues with the visor angle that can increase glare. In addition, the news source specified looking for a vehicle with a larger instrument panel that is easy to read.

In terms of cars that fit these requirements, the news source recommended the Hyundai Azera, Kia Rondo, Subaru Forester, and Honda's Accord sedan and Odyssey minivan.

Drivers interested in purchasing one of these vehicles may want to shop the used car market, where they can likely find them for less than new car dealerships.
 

Top models of the American car revival

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Posted in Ford, How To

With all three Detroit automakers on the verge of bankruptcy, the American car market needed an injection of innovation – and government assistance – to stay afloat. But with Ford avoiding a bailout, General Motors prepping to go public again and Chrysler now under the control of Fiat, it appears the fortunes of American-made vehicles are slowly turning around.

MSN Autos recently looked at some of the models that have helped the brands reinvent themselves in the past few years. For drivers interested in purchasing a vehicle, buying American can be an important consideration. Given the latest lineups of cars for sale offered by the Detroit Three, these buyers finally have some attractive options that can compete with foreign models.

Most agree that Ford's turnaround has been the most impressive. The automaker was the only one of the American companies to avoid a government bailout, shifting its focus to smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles. That said, new editions of classics like the Mustang and F-150 have ensured that the brand's legacy has safely transitioned to the modern era.

The news source highlighted the Ford Fiesta and Fusion as two models representative of the culture shift in Detroit. Rather than focus on big engines, the Fiesta subcompact and Fusion hybrid are the types of cars previously favored by Europe and Japan. Yet with each boasting more than 40 miles per gallon and stylish looks, the models have become winners at home as well.

General Motors has also been successful in its comeback, with its upcoming IPO beginning the process of ending control by the U.S. Treasury Department. The upcoming Chevy Volt will be one of the first electric vehicles in the country and was recently named Motor Trend's Car of the Year.

Yet the Volt isn't the only news at GM. The Cadillac brand has undergone a renaissance as well and looks to be challenging luxury automakers with the new CTS Coupe. GM has also partially reinvented the Buick nameplate with new models like the Enclave, LaCrosse and Regal Turbo that has led to a 60 percent sales increase for the brand, according to the news source.

Chrysler is often considered to be lagging behind its two rivals, and in many respects that's true. But hope is not lost for this classic brand, which is now under the control of the Italian automaker Fiat. The Jeep Grand Cherokee underwent a successful redesign this year, while the Ram brand has continued to sell well-made pickup trucks.

The Chrysler brand itself hasn't had many things to cheer about, but the 300, introduced in 2005, has been a success for the brand. This version of the 300 inspired the Dodge Charger and Challenger reboots as well. With a new 300 equipped with the powerful Pentastar V6 engine slated for showrooms in 2011, Chrysler will hope to duplicate that success, and with several other new models planned over the next year, including a redesigned Sebring dubbed the 200, it appears Chrysler is on the right track.

These acclaimed models may be a bit pricey now, so drivers interested in buying American may want to wait until they hit the used car market to take advantage of savings. 

Which models come with low insurance premiums?

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Posted in How To, Hyundai

For drivers considering a new or used vehicle purchase, price is an important consideration. However, many drivers fail to factor in what a vehicle could potentially cost them in terms of insurance prices. Anyone who has purchased a sports car will likely testify to the fact that coverage is typically more expensive for higher priced vehicles.

InsWeb, a company that provides insurance quotes from a variety of sources, recently released its list of the most and least expensive models to insure for the 2010 model year. The company compared actual quotes provided to customers over a nine-month period between January and September of 2010. The list was limited to vehicles under $80,000, with the conceit that high-end luxury vehicles or supercars would be among the priciest vehicles to insure.

Yet the rates quoted to drivers don't always correspond to the price of the vehicle. This is often a starting point – a pricier vehicle contains more expensive equipment to be replaced – but it is by no means reflective of the final figure. In fact, "loss history" plays a much greater role in determining insurance premiums.

Loss history is essentially the rate of accidents and damage suffered by a model throughout its history. While this reflects the model, the type of driver also comes into play. Muscle cars like the Ford Mustang or Chevy Camaro can be expensive, but so can top-of-the-line pickup trucks, SUVs and minivans. The difference is that the Mustang is much more likely to be driven by an aggressive driver who likes to go fast, leading to a higher accident rate.

The most expensive vehicle to insure was the Acura ZDX, according to the company. That model was closely followed by the Audi TT, Audi A5, Cadillac Escalade and Chevy Corvette. Other popular models making the high-priced insurance list include the BMW Z4, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan 370z and the afoermentioned Mustang and Camaro.

On the other hand, the Kia Sedona minivan was named the least expensive car, with the Mazda5, Ford Escape, Hyundai Santa Fe and Mercury Mariner rounding out the top 5. The Ford Explorer, Toyota Tacoma and Honda Element were among the other models cited for their cheap insurance rates.

"It's no coincidence that the majority of the most expensive vehicles to insure are performance vehicles," said Brad Cooper, Senior Vice President of Operations at InsWeb. "It’s very possible that the types of drivers that purchase these vehicles are more aggressive by nature, which could lead to a higher likelihood of claims on these vehicles. On the other end of the spectrum, most of the vehicles on the least expensive to insure list are minivans, wagons and small SUVs. Those vehicle types are often preferred by individuals with families—perhaps the least likely drivers to engage in risky driving behavior."

Buyers interested in purchasing a vehicle should consider the affect that their purchase could have on their insurance. Those interested in a high-performance car should probably not call off their purchase, but may want to shop the used car market in order to get the best deal and save money. 

German luxury brands going after green market

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Posted in How To, Mercedes-Benz

The German luxury trio of Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi are all locked in a close battle for the title of the world's most popular automaker. According to sales figures from the first half of 2010, BMW is currently in first place, although its lead over its two rivals is marginal. At under 2,000 vehicles, Mercedes' lead over third-place Audi is even slimmer, although that number may have grown in recent months thanks to strong sales for Mercedes in the U.S.

Regardless, all three German luxury brands are racing for the top spot. To accomplish this, they're going after smaller market segments. According to the Automotive News, the next segment that the brands are looking to cater to is the "green," or environmentally conscious, car owner.

Mercedes recently announced that it will debut a four-cylinder engine on its top-of-the-line S-Class model. The S250 CDI is expected to be available on several models in early 2011. Four-cylinders are uncommon options for luxury vehicles, with drivers typically wanting the performance of a six- or eight-cylinder. Yet Mercedes says that thanks to turbocharging technology, the engine delivers the torque of a six-cylinder with the low emissions and fuel consumption of smaller engines.

"Green luxury is feasible," said Verena Mueller, a Mercedes spokeswoman. "We expect to attract environmentally conscious customers who are seeking the lowest possible CO2 emissions. Besides private customers, that could of course also be fleet buyers."

The news source reports that Audi will counter with a new version of its A8 sedan that will likely see the automaker couple the four-cylinder with an electric motor for the A8 hybrid, which is expected in 2012.

BMW is also going the electric route, but is unlikely to make the move to a four-cylinder anytime soon. BMW is said to be developing a hybrid supercar based off of its Vision Efficient Dynamics concept.

"I like selling 7-series cars with six- and eight- cylinders," BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer told the news source at the Paris Motor Show. "What we need to offer with these cars in the future is electrification."

Smaller engines and electric vehicles might save drivers at the pump, but luxury cars outfitted with the latest in engine technology will likely be expensive for many buyers. Drivers interested in saving money on their vehicle purchase may want to shop for a used Mercedes, BMW or Audi. 

EPA updates fuel economy ratings for 2011 models

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Posted in How To, Toyota

The EPA has updated its fuel economy ratings for the 2011 model year, with the Toyota Prius retaining its title as fuel economy king despite challenges from several other worthy models.

The Prius topped the list of models with 51 city/48 highway miles per gallon. Yet for drivers looking to go green and save at the pump, the Prius is far from the only option, as most major manufacturers now offer a variety of cars for sale with high fuel efficiency ratings.

At second place on the list, for example, was Ford's trio of hybrids: the Fusion, Lincoln MKZ and Mercury Milan. All three of these vehicles have varying features and styling, but each comes with a 41/36 fuel efficiency rating that should keep drivers' wallets a little heavier every time they head to the pump. Ford's 29/40 Fiesta also won the subcompact category, barely edging Toyota's 29/36 Yaris.

Honda also posted a strong showing, with the automaker's Civic and Insight hybrids each achieving 40/43 for fuel economy. The CR-Z crossover was considered the most efficient two-seater at 35/39 in the automatic version and 31/37 for the manual.

Large sedans aren't typically thought of as being particularly efficient, but the top two entries on the list may change skeptic's minds. The Hyundai Sonata leads the class with a rating of 24/35, while Honda shows up again with the Accord at 23/34.

Although the Prius was king again this year, it's likely to be the last win for the popular hybrid. This year's list didn't take into account the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt, upcoming electric vehicles that are said to best the hybrid's efficiency ratings.

The agency also released its list of the least fuel-efficient vehicles in various classes. Unsurprisingly, luxury vehicles like the Aston Martin DB9 and Rolls Royce Phantom topped the list, along with the Bugatti Veyron supercar, which gets just 8 miles per gallon in the city.

Hybrids may save drivers money at the pump, but the fuel efficiency often comes at a premium on the dealer's lot. Buyers who wish to save on a hybrid may want to shop for one on the used car market, where they can often find deals compared to new vehicle showrooms.

Where are they now? – the used car edition

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Posted in Ford, How To

"Where are they now?" It's always fun to do a little research and see what happened to obscure celebrities after they faded from the spotlight. Yet this game doesn't solely work with people. It's also interesting to track down some of history's most famous vehicles and see where they ended up.

MSN recently looked at several vehicles that became famous for one reason or another. Some ended up in the hands of collectors while others just narrowly avoided the scrapheap.

O.J. Simpson's infamous televised getaway brought the phrase "White Ford Bronco" into the public lexicon. So what became of the vehicle after the trial? The news source notes that the car was not actually owned by Simpson, but instead by his friend and former NFL player Al Cowlings. Reportedly, Cowlings sold the used Ford for a whopping $75,000 to a private buyer – but the sale was not without controversy. Cowlings was sued by a celebrity memorabilia company for allegedly reneging on a deal he had in place to sell the vehicle to them.

Even decades-old used cars can still resurface from time to time. Al Capone outfitted a 1928 Cadillac Town Sedan with bulletproof glass and 3,000 pounds of steel armor. After he was captured, the U.S. government impounded the car, only to later use it as part of Franklin Roosevelt's security detail. It was later sold to a Texas car collector, whose estate still owns it today.

The Dodge Charger shot to fame thanks to its use in the TV series "Dukes of Hazard." The story of the actual "General Lee" used on the show is pretty complicated. Multiple versions of the car were used in order to handle all the stunts, but the original model, known as "LEE 1," was salvaged from a junkyard by John Schneider, who played "Bo" on the TV series.

After restoring the car and holding onto it for a number of years, he eventually put it up for sale on eBay. It first looked like the car sold for close to $10 million dollars, but the bidder later withdrew that amount and it was sold in a second auction for an undisclosed sum. Collectors value other models used in production at between $200,000 and $300,000, according to AutoBlog.

One of the more recent examples of a car shooting to fame was the Cadillac Escalade driven by Tiger Woods on the night of his accident. That car was actually loaned to Woods by GM, who seized the vehicle after the incident. The news source reports that GM will use the car for internal purposes after repairing it, but will likely eventually sell it.

"These kinds of vehicles almost always go through a formal auction process," Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell told USA Today.

Although it's likely that any of these vehicles would fetch a high price tag at a used car auction, drivers interested in saving money shouldn't discount the auction format. Bidding on a used vehicle can net a driver big savings as opposed to negotiating with a dealer on a traditional lot. 

SEMA shows off modified models

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Posted in How To, Toyota

Enthusiasts in the "tuner" community often purchase used cars in order to make modifications to them and turn them into highly-customized machines. Those with a gift for this sort of work can breathe new life into what many would consider to be an older automobile.

Every year, the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show demonstrates the full potential of what can be done with a few new parts and modifications. The event, held in Las Vegas, features a number of highly-customized rides from some of the top modders in the world. MSN recently chose a few of the tuners at this year's event in order to highlight the hidden potential lurking just underneath the hood in some popular models.

Toyota's Scion brand is specifically aimed at tuner enthusiasts, as the Japanese automaker heavily markets the vehicles as highly-customizable rides. Yet even Toyota probably didn't foresee what James Lin would do with his Scion tC. A see-through glass hood and a lime-green carbon fiber body are just the beginning of the extensive modifications made to this ride. Underneath the hood, Lin added a God Speed turbocharger system for enhanced power, an Air Lift suspension, DC Sport air filter, front-mount intercooler and more. Yet he didn't focus only on performance – the interior of the car features four 6.5-inch monitors in addition to a 32 inch TV hooked up to a Blu-Ray player.

Most tuners tend to gravitate toward Asian brands, as they're usually affordable on the used car market and easy to modify. In fact, customizing a high-end European luxury vehicle seems kind of counterintuitive.

The team at StaSIS Engineering didn't seem to mind, as they went to work on a $161,000 Audi R8, calling their new ride the "Extreme Edition." In addition to the bright red paint job and new 20-inch wheels, the team went underneath the hood to make some changes to the R8's already-powerful 5.2-liter V10. Thanks to their modifications, the R8 is now powered by a frightening 710-horsepower engine with 523 pound-feet of torque – an 185-hp, 132 lb-ft upgrade over the factory model. Extreme, indeed.

Drivers looking to get into the tuner lifestyle might want to start with something a bit less pricey. Budding modders may want to look online for some advice, then find a used car on a budget so that they can sink money into turning it into a champion. 

Non-traditional designs selling well

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Posted in How To, Nissan

The conventional wisdom for many years has been that cars with non-traditional designs do not sell. By eschewing traditional shapes for a model, an automaker runs the risk of the automotive press labeling it as "ugly," and sinking their sales. In fact, ugly designs have even hurt the resale values of used cars over the years, such as the Pontiac Aztek.

But lately, automakers have been taking bigger risks with their vehicles' designs, and according to MSN, it's paying off. Vehicles that differentiate themselves from the pack, like Toyota's Scion xB or Nissan's Cube, may not win over every buyer, but the ones that they do appeal to are usually fervent in their dedication. The news source recently profiled some untraditional designs that have become top sellers for their brands.

With wagons falling out of style, BMW needed a car that would appeal to both fans of hatchbacks and those who wanted a sedan. Rather than make two separate bodies, the company debuted a dual-trunk system on its 5 Series Gran Turismo that can function as a traditional trunk or be lifted like a hatchback.

"The versatility is a selling point, which was what I always thought a wagon's selling point was," car designer Thom Taylor told the news source. "But obviously, people don't like the wagon's shape and this is more appealing to more people."

One of the most recent examples that has been turning heads in the Nissan Juke. This compact crossover features a number of swooping lines that would look more at home on a Ferrari than a small car from the Japanese automaker. That's because the automaker wanted to appeal to younger drivers in the 18 to 34 age bracket with something eye-catching.

"To them, cars have just been appliances," Taylor explained. "Something to car enthusiasts that may seem kind of quirky or off-beat or bizarre, like the Juke – to them it's cool."

Other vehicles simply challenge what traditionalists expect out of a car. The Porsche Panamera and Maserati Quattroporte are two examples of four-door sedans that have been top sellers for traditionally two-door companies.

Drivers who don't care what their vehicle looks like might be able to find a great deal on some "ugly" used cars, as a lack of interest may lead to an overall lower price. 

Fun cars on the cheap

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Posted in General Auto News, How To

Just because a driver is limited by their budget doesn't mean that they have to settle for a boring car. In fact, shopping the used car market will give drivers years of options when it comes to vehicle selection.

Popular Mechanics recently listed the most fun used cars for under $3,000. These vehicles might not be running as well as they were new, but if buyers can find a model that's in relatively good condition with reasonable mileage, they can get a great deal on some truly enjoyable cars.

The BMW E30 was a high-end luxury vehicle in its heyday, but drivers searching the used car market will now be able to have these vehicles for less than $3,000. That price range typically means that drivers will be targeting cars from the late 80s or early 90s. For many models, finding running vehicles in this condition can be tricky, but BMW has a large number of fans who continue to support the older vehicles and keep them in good condition. Drivers should try to find an E30 with a 6-cylinder engine. If they find an E60i, they should jump on it quick, as these models are rare but offer increased performance.

The Toyota MR2 was a budget vehicle even when it debuted, with specs that, at the time, challenged high-end sports cars with its 145 horsepower. At the time, that was about half of what many Ferraris could produce. These vehicles can't compete with many modern entry-level cars in terms of pure power, but they still have the sports car handling that made the model famous.

When is a Mustang not a Mustang? When it's the Ford Probe GT. This car, built by Mazda and featuring front-wheel drive, was originally slated to be a Ford Mustang. But Mustang enthusiasts couldn't handle a non-American vehicle that didn't feature rear-wheel drive. Still, the mid-nineties Ford Probe is a fun-to-drive muscle car that boasts a 164-horsepower V6 engine.

The news source points out that drivers who don't pay a lot for their car are less likely to worry about it. Still, drivers should be sure that all the proper maintenance work has been performed so that they can avoid buying a lemon. If drivers already have a primary vehicle and simply want a car to fool around in, any of these vehicles could represent an enticing option. 

New technology that could be standard soon

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Posted in Audi, How To

Technology moves at a rapid pace, especially in the automotive industry. Just a few years ago, 200 horsepower was Ferrari territory – now Hyundais are pushing 300. The same is true for safety and technological features. Where anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control were once high-priced extras, they're now standard on most vehicles. One only needs to look at the features list of many used cars to see how far technology has come in recent years.

With this in mind, Kelly Blue Book, the used car pricing guide, recently put together a top ten list of new car features that could eventually all become standard issue for many vehicles.

As portable devices become more popular, wireless internet access becomes more important. That's why a number of manufactures, like Audi, Ford and GM, are offering cars with mobile hotspot technology. While the driver won't get much benefit out of this, kids on long road trips will likely appreciate the ability to log onto Facebook and chat with friends, all while using the car's own personal network.

On the other hand, drivers of manual vehicles will likely appreciate one of the innovations that has made its way to Nissan vehicles. Driving a stick can be a bit of a hassle, which is where SycroRev comes in. The new system makes sure that the engine is always spinning at the right speed for any gear, ensuring that a driver's shifts are always good.

Touchscreen navigation is currently all the rage, but Audi is taking it one step further with its new Multi Media Interface. The system can trace finger movements and recognize handwriting, so even drivers with poor penmanship don't have to deal with a keyboard – they can simply draw the letters onto a screen.

Perhaps the technology that has the best chance of becoming standard in the future is lane migration. Mercedes-Benz and BMW have been two big proponents of this safety technology, although it seems to be finding its way onto more affordable vehicles as well. The system can recognize the lanes on a road and tell when a car begins to drift, automatically combating driver inattentiveness and alerting the driver to mistakes.

All of these new features come with a price, however. Drivers who are interested in the technological innovations may want to wait until the vehicles hit the used car market so that they don't end up paying extra for features that will later become standard.