Category Archives: How To

Sienna vs. Odyssey in Minivan Throwdown

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Posted in How To, Toyota

When one thinks of great car rivalries, it's usually two high-powered muscle cars going toe-to-toe on a drag strip. Yet drivers who have kids and gear to lug around simply can't justify a two-seater anymore. Fortunately, technological advancements have made minivans almost as powerful as the pony cars that tear up the track on race day.

If drivers are willing to pay for it, it's possible to deck out a minivan with enough performance upgrades to satisfy those with a need for speed. Edmunds Inside Line, a website normally known for debating the finer points of sports cars and sleek sedans, recently took two perennial van favorites and put them to the test.

Both the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna have undergone facelifts for the 2011 model year, and families will have plenty of options when it comes to the vehicles. Edmunds opted to trick both cars out as much as possible, opting for the $45,000 Odyssey Touring Elite edition on the Honda and the Sienna's $40,000 XLE.

The Sienna might have the price advantage, but the news source ultimately determined that the Odyssey was a better value for families who wanted a true luxury experience. The Odyssey came with several substantial technological upgrades – including a blind-spot monitoring system, massive hard drive for holding music and movies, surround sound and a refrigerated storage unit – that drivers can't get on the Sienna no matter how much they're willing to pay. The news source did point out that budget shoppers might prefer the Sienna, as it had the option of a four-wheel engine with all-wheel-drive for a lower price that also gets better fuel economy than its more powerful counterparts.

The cheaper Sienna beat the Odyssey in 0-60, braking time and ride smoothness, but the news source concluded that it simply wasn't as fun to drive and didn't handle as well as the Odyssey. For drivers who want to inject a few thrills into their weekly shopping trip, the Odyssey's suspension can handle whatever a driver can throw at it. By contrast, the Sienna is probably better for those more concerned with making sure their kids stay sleeping.

Overall, the news source concluded that both cars were excellent choices and neither disappointed, but they ultimately do different things. With all the bells and whistles, the Odyssey is essentially a luxury sedan in minivan form. Meanwhile, the Sienna is tops in simply providing an affordable A-to-B ride.

Minivan prices have skyrocketed in recent years, as extra features like DVD players and refrigerated storage units ensure that every creature comfort is taken care of. Drivers interested in a more affordable vehicle may want to shop the used car market, as they'll be certain to find used Honda Odysseys and Toyota Siennas from years ago that give them just as much bang for their buck.

How to buy winter tires

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Posted in How To

With the winter season coming soon, drivers will be swapping their year-round tires for winter tires (also known as snow tires, though modern tires are designed for a range of wintry conditions). Some drivers like to change to winter rubber every year, while others have never felt it necessary.

Winter tires are especially important for used car drivers, who might be driving a vehicle without modern safety features like anti-lock brakes or electronic stability control. According to Edmunds' Inside Line, even new car drivers should consider making the winter tire switch. Brakes and stability systems will certainly help the car handle better, but its ultimately useless if a tire loses grip on the road – which can become very dangerous in icy conditions.

Even for those who don't live in areas that typically see a lot of snow or ice, purchasing a season-specific tire can be a smart idea. That's because the issue at the heart of tire performance is heat. A softer tire conforms to the road and achieves much better grip and traction. In colder temperatures, below 45 degrees, the compounds that many all-season tires are made out of will become harder. Think of it as the difference between driving on rigid, near-stone solid wheels and softer rubber ones. Winter tires are made with a rubber that retains its elasticity even at low temperatures.

"This leads directly to reduced grip on the road and a much-reduced overall performance – mileage, braking distances, cornering, handling, etc. – ranging from 20-25 percent," said Joerg Burfien director of research and development for Continental Tire.

Skeptics might point out that Burfien works for a tire company. That's why Edmunds independently tested a number of wheels last year in icy conditions on a used Honda Civic Si. All-season tires had an extended braking distance of 16 to 18 percent and a slowed acceleration of 24 percent. Tires made strictly for warm weather were almost dangerous – a 120 percent longer stopping time and 257 percent slower acceleration.

Once drivers have settled upon making the switch, they'll find a long list of options with plenty of features designed to keep them safe in winter weather. Drivers should keep in mind that studded tires are banned in many states and towns. Those planning to buy a new car should ensure that they don't purchase one that's not street-legal. 

Toyota makes comeback on reliability report

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Posted in How To, Toyota

Toyota, once known for making quality vehicles, has struggled with its image this year following a rash of recalls. In fact, the issues surrounding numerous vehicles' troubles with unintended acceleration were so damaging that the non-profit Consumer Reports removed its recommendation for nearly all Toyota vehicles.

The automaker got a double dose of good news today when Consumer Reports announced two movements on the automotive front. First, the organization decided to reissue its recommended status for eight Toyota vehicles, including the Camry, Corolla, Avalon, RAV4, Sequoia, Tundra, Highlander and Matrix.

The non-profit wrote on its website: "We believe that Toyota has adequately addressed the problem of unintended acceleration and that its new vehicles on sale now are fundamentally safe." It went on to state that the problem had been fixed in all new vehicles and the vast majority of used Toyotas. However, it still recommended that a driver interested in shopping for a used car check with the dealer to ensure that the recall-related maintenance has been performed.

The other good news was that the issues didn't appear to affect their standing among consumers in terms of reliability. The company released its annual Car Reliability Survey, which polls drivers on issues with their cars, and Toyota, along with Japanese rival Honda, remained on top.

The survey is a good resource for those considering buying a used car, as they detail the real-life experience with a car over time rather than a simple review that details performance characteristics.

The overall top brand was Scion, Toyota's youth-oriented brand. The nameplate obviously benefited by having a small sample size of just a few vehicles, but the main Toyota brand's sixth-place finish showed that the Japanese automaker is still ahead of most rivals. In fact, Toyota cars took home the top honors in several categories, including the Yaris for small cars, Tundra for full-sized pickup and Lexus LX for luxury SUV.

Honda posted a strong showing as well, with both the main brand and luxury Acura nameplate among the top four models. The Honda CR-V and Acura RDX were singled out as especially reliable compact crossovers.

Domestically, Ford and GM both made significant improvements to their vehicle lines. GM was able to successfully rid itself of poorly performing brands like Pontiac and Hummer, increasing its overall score, while Ford now has 90 percent of its entire lineup with scores of average reliability or better.

"There's a difference between actually having problems and having your car recalled," Jake Fisher, senior automotive engineer at Consumer Reports' vehicle test center, told Bloomberg. "While the recalls were widespread, the actual problems people were having associated with those recalls were much smaller."

Toyotas have long been a favorite among those shopping used cars, as the models are known for their longevity. Although the recalls were surely a stumbling block, drivers who buy a used Toyota now may be able to get a great deal because of the recent damage to the company's reputation.

Shortlist determined for Car and Truck of the Year

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Posted in Ford, How To

One of the advantages of waiting to buy a used car rather than immediately buying a new car as soon as it hits the market is the benefit of time and hindsight. If everybody knew how cars would be received and perform over time, it's unlikely that many of the weaker models would sell very well when stacked up against cars at a similar price point.

Drivers who are shopping for a used car may want to look at the models typically considered to be among the best in any given year, for example. Every year, automotive writers across the country vote on what they believe to be the North American Car and Truck of the year. Looking at these lists can give buyers a sense of which vehicles are generally accepted to be a cut above the rest.

This year looks to be as contentious as ever as multiple brands compete for the top awards. The Detroit Free Press recently looked at some of the top vehicles that made the shortlist this year. These 27 cars and trucks will eventually be narrowed down to 3 in each class on December 16th, with the overall winner revealed on January 10th at the North American International Auto Show.

Two vehicles that were unsurprisingly included on the list were the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf. Though both models have yet to be fully released, they each have a strong chance to win based on their heavily-hyped game-changer status alone. General Motors has been heavily pushing the Chevy Volt as a fuel-efficient compromise for many Americans, while Nissan took a risk by going fully electric straight out of the gate. It remains to be seen how these cars will do when they hit the market, but either makes a strong case for Car of the Year.

Hyundai pulled no punches with its redesigned Sonata, taking aim at the typically-dominant mid-size sedans like the Toyota Camry and Honda Civic. By all accounts, the South Korean automaker pulled it off, delivering a stylish yet affordable sedan that is helping Hyundai shed its "budget" image.

Small cars have gotten a big boost thanks to the flailing economy, and the Ford Fiesta, Nissan Juke and Chevy Cruze all made waves this year, earning places on the short list. The Fiesta changed the auto industry's approaching marketing, as the vehicle's brisk sales proved that Ford's social media strategy was a winner. The Juke has turned heads as a compact crossover with some aggressive styling. The news source said that the Cruze could possibly be "Chevy's best small car ever and GM's best-selling car," no small feat for a brand with such a long history.

In the truck segment, there was a bit of a surprise as no pickups made the list. New looks for old favorites like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Explorer and Honda Odyssey may be tough to beat, but it might be the innovators, like the Infiniti QX56 and Ford Edge, that end up taking home top honors.

The cars that helped redefine their brands

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Posted in How To, Hyundai

Over the years, car brands become known for certain traits. Volvos have a reputation for safety, BMWs and Mercedes are refined, while Ford has always had powerful trucks and muscle cars. Yet as the auto industry changes, brands are looking to shake up consumer's perceptions as well.

Car and Driver recently examined some of the top cars set to debut in the next few years that may alter drivers' perceptions of a brand's reputation. At the same time, the news source also mentioned a few of the older vehicles, which can now be found on the used market, that were similar game-changers for their company.

One of the cars chosen was the new Hyundai Equus, as the South Korean automaker typically known for more affordable automobiles is looking to jump into the luxury market. With a $58,000 price tag, Apple iPad owners manual and valet maintenance service included, the brand just might have hit on the small details that many luxury drivers are willing to pay extra for.

The news source says that Hyundai is looking to avoid the pitfalls of the Volkswagen Phaeton, the automaker's attempt at a luxury model. This $70,000 extra-roomy car was a catastrophe in the U.S., although Volkswagen successfully sold the car in Europe, where its still popular. Instead, Hyundai is hoping that the new Equus will go the way of the Lexus LS400. This classic car was Toyota's first attempt at a luxury vehicle and it succeeded beyond the company's wildest expectations, eventually launching an entire brand that is still the most popular luxury nameplate in the U.S. today.

Speaking of Lexus, the luxury brand is looking to go even more upscale with the introduction of its $375,000 supercar, the Lexus LFA. Lexus' cars are typically known for their smooth ride rather than their race-day chops, but the LFA is looking to change that. The car is a substantial upgrade for anything the automaker has offered before, including the IS F, which was previously the fastest Lexus.

Mercedes took a similar strategy with the SLR McClaren, but the news source says the car was too conservative and not enough of an upgrade over the existing vehicles in the lineup. One car that Lexus might be hoping to emulate is the Ford GT. Ford had never made a supercar, but the GT sold like hotcakes and Ford still produces plenty of them today.

Buick is looking to change its reputation as an "old-man car" with the new Regal GS. The new offering from GM features a turbocharged engine, manual transmission and all-wheel drive, making it a performance-focused machine that Buick is not typically known for. GM could be hoping to duplicate the recent success it has had with the second-generation Cadillac CTS, which continues to be a bonafide smash hit for the company.

Innovation is great, but ultimately a good car is a good car. That's why so many of these classic vehicles succeeded. Drivers in the market for a vehicle may want to wait and try out one of these "game-changers" when they hit showrooms, but they should keep in mind that they can likely find the critically-acclaimed cars of yesteryear on the used car market for a substantially lower price.

Auto parts industry soars as more drivers sticking with used cars

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Posted in How To

Buying a used car offers several advantages over buying new, most of which have to do with price. In fact, many drivers are finding that hanging onto an older car and fixing it up is a more affordable option than purchasing a brand new one.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the auto parts industry is booming as drivers looking to cut costs are opting to repair their used vehicles rather than head over to the dealership and put down the money for a new car. Stock shares for the major auto companies, including Advance Auto Parts, Auto Zone and O'Reilly Automotive are all at or near 52-week highs.

"People who are not buying new cars are hanging on to their old cars and repairing them," Michael Odell, CEO of the Pep Boys chain, told the news source. Pep Boys has over 600 shops nationwide, but is taking advantage of the good business by adding 35 additional stores.

The surge in people hanging on to older vehicles is due to a number of factors, one of which is simply sheer numbers. Colin McGranahan of Bernstein Research speculated that in the early part of the decade, the industry was selling more than 16 million cars per year. In the recession-crippled era, that number is down to about 10 million cars per year. Simply put, there are more used cars available than new ones.

The current economic situation is contributing to other factors affecting the surge in business. Drivers still aren't keen on making a new vehicle purchase, and they may have even seen the dealership where they originally bought the vehicle close down. That means they're most likely taking the car to an independent mechanic, who relies on an auto part supply chain. McGranahan also said that others might be performing maintenance and repairs themselves in order to save money, which is also driving parts sales.

In addition, technology has advanced to the point that cars are lasting longer than they ever have before.

"People have realized their cars will last longer than five years," Judd Nystrom, senior vice president of Advance Auto Parts, told the news source.

Drivers might want to take advantage of longer-lasting vehicles by making their next purchase at a used car dealership. If a potential buyer is worried about maintenance, they may want to look into the certified pre-owned programs that most major brands maintain. These plans allow drivers to purchase a used car with a limited warranty backed by the manufacturer. 

Study reveals which cars attract tickets

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Posted in How To, Mercedes-Benz

There's no doubt that driving a high-end luxury car like a Mercedes attracts attention, but drivers should determine if they attract the right kind of attention before they purchase a new or used car.

According to a recent study by Verisk Analytics, a San Francisco-based firm that assists insurance companies in policy decisions, drivers in some types of vehicles are far more likely to receive a ticket than others.

The "winner" was the Mercedes SL-Class Convertible, a sleek two-seater coupe that retails for more than $100,000. It was no surprise to find a flashy sports car at the top of the list, with the study revealing that the car was four times more likely to attract a ticket. The type of driver buying an SL-Class isn't likely to worry about a minor traffic violation, but what was more surprising was some of the other entries on the list.

In second place, at 3.5 times more likely to be cited than the average vehicle, was the Toyota Camry Solara, a decidedly less stylish and eye-catching vehicle. That raised the question of whether it was the car or the driver who determines the number of violations. The average age for the SL-Class driver was listed as 53, while the Camry Solara's was 50. At third on the list, the Scion tC, part of Toyota's youth-oriented brand, skewed much younger with an average age of 30. The Scion xB, an aggressively-styled box-like vehicle, also made the list as the fifth most likely.

"These findings and the corresponding trends they reveal are very interesting," said Bob U'Ren, senior vice president of Quality Planning. "Besides the sociological aspect of 'who drives what,' the manner in which private passenger cars and trucks are driven has a meaningful bearing on how much individuals and families pay for auto insurance."

The study also looked at which cars were least likely to attract a ticket. The car with the oldest average driver, the Buick Rainier SUV, was also the least likely to be pulled over, at 23 percent of the average of vehicle. GM had several other cars on the list, like the Chevy 3500 pickup, Uplander minivan and Buick Lacrosse. There were also several models that can now only be found on the used car market, like the Pontiac Vibe and Oldsmobile Silhouette. In general, larger cars attracted less tickets, with eight out of the top ten spots filled by an SUV, pickup truck or minivan.

Drivers in the market for a new or used vehicle may want to keep these statistics in mind in order to determine exactly what type of attention they'll be drawing with their purchase.

An expert’s guide to used car haggling

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Posted in How To

One of the advantages of buying a used car is that it often allows the driver a little wiggle room in terms of negotiating. Drivers can attempt to haggle over a new vehicle, but most of the time those prices are dictated by the automaker. But when shopping used, buyers with some negotiating skills can often get themselves a great deal.

ABC News recently teamed up with Philip Reed, the senior consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com in order to learn some top negotiation strategies. The auto website buys quite a few cars for research and testing purposes, and Reed is usually the one doing the purchasing. Reed has also seen both sides of the negotiating table, even working as a car salesman as part of an undercover experiment.

The website was in the market for a used Honda Odyssey EXL from 2007. They gave Reed a budget of $25,000 and wishes for a low mileage, well-maintained vehicle with a sunroof for easier photographing. Reed allowed the news source to tag along as he went to several dealerships in an effort to snag the best price.

Many buyers assume that the negotiation process doesn't start until drivers are brought into an office and start going over paperwork. But according to the news source, the first number talked about is often the most important. A good salesman will try to get the buyer to name their price first. That way, they can work from there and hopefully raise the eventual price of the vehicle. But if the buyer gets the dealership to name the price first, they can work down from there.

A good strategy to compliment this is to use a pricing guide. A buyer should go in with a price in mind, but resist revealing it to the salesperson. It's easier to slowly work a salesperson down from their price than get them to stick to the buyer's.

Another tactic is to make sure to always leave the dealership. Even if it seems like a great deal, leaving the dealership and shopping some other car lots can't hurt. In fact, it can be beneficial to quote another dealer's price in order to get another to come down in price.

Using these and other tactics, Reed was able to negotiate the price of the used Honda down from $25,000 to $21,500 – a savings of $3,500. With a little research, drivers can do the same and get a great deal on a used car today.

Honda named greenest automaker

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Posted in How To

As more people become concerned about global warming and other environmental issues, many drivers consider the eco-footprint of their vehicle to be an important factor in making their decision. While miles per gallon is one way to rate how fuel efficient the car is, it doesn't get to the heart of the issue – namely, how much smog-forming emissions the car produces.

The Union of Concerned Scientists releases yearly rankings that look at all the vehicles that an automaker offers in a particular year, then names which one is the "greenest" overall. It does this by averaging various environmental factors and rolling it into a composite overall score. This year's study looked at cars from the 2008 model year, as it was the most recent year that full data was available to the group. The group only looks at the top eight companies in the U.S. – Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Ford, GM, Chrysler, Hyundai and Volkswagen – in determining the rankings, as these account for over 90 percent of the vehicles on American roads.

For the fifth consecutive year, Honda was named the greenest automaker by the study, but it just narrowly beat out competitors Toyota and Hyundai, who tied for second place. Just one point separated the three companies, with Honda scoring an 86 and the other two at 87 (lower scores are more desirable).

"It was a photo finish, but Honda is still the champ," said Jim Kliesch, author of the report.

Despite the victory for the 2008 year, Honda will likely drop off once the latest plug-in hybrids hit the market. While Honda has announced two plug-in models for 2012, those will likely come after many competitors have introduced their offerings. Honda believes the plug-in craze to be a stopover before the greenest technology is introduced: hydrogen. As such, the automaker is devoting more resources toward developing those cars.

"We feel that it's the ultimate solution," Honda spokesman Chris Naughton told CNN in July "But the infrastructure is developing more slowly than we had anticipated."

The study noted that many predicted Toyota to take the top spot from Honda this year, but the automaker stalled in adopting carbon-reducing technology. Hyundai, meanwhile, shot up the rankings by emphasizing more efficient vehicles with smaller four-cylinder engines.

The rankings were not good news for Detroit's "Big Three." Chrysler, GM and Ford finished in the bottom three spaces, with Chrysler placing dead last. The study did note that environmental standards were up overall and that the American companies could see their rankings climb thanks to future introductions like GM's Chevy Volt.

Drivers can likely find many of the 2008 models that were evaluated in the study on the used car market. Buying a used hybrid can make sense because the reduced price of the pre-owned market can offset the inflated price that many drivers pay when buying the vehicles new.

Sorting out heavy-duty pickups

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Posted in Ford, How To

Some drivers choose pickup trucks year after year for their style – enjoying the feeling of riding high and the utility afforded by the bed in the back. Others have specific tasks in mind when they consider the vehicle, whether that be off-roading for leisure or heavy-duty hauling for business.

These drivers tend to gravitate to the larger versions of pickup trucks for their increased power, towing capacity and size. For years, Ford has been at the top of the segment with the F-150, a perennial best-seller. Yet when drivers upgrade to the next class of truck, Ford has had ever-increasing competition in recent years.

According to the Detroit News, there are only a few brands that drivers should consider when choosing a full-size pickup – Ford, GMC, Ram and Chevy. The news source recently pitted four of the top trucks available against each other in two different categories – three-quarter ton gas-powered and one-ton diesel-powered, to see which one took the cake. These vehicles all have long histories, and while there are changes year to year, drivers will have plenty of options when searching for them on the used car market. The news source ultimately liked all of the vehicles and would recommend any of them for drivers serious about their truck.

Ford's F-150 was cited as having the best engine of the bunch in the gas-engine category, with an updated powertrain that gets 385 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. Ford also has the technically biggest diesel engine at 400 horsepower and 800 lb-ft of torque, but the news source said that the GMC/Chevy shared Duramax engine delivered a smoother ride, though drivers will sacrifice some power at 397 horsepower and 765 lb-ft of torque.

Although the Ram fell behind a bit in terms of power, the news source praised it as the best-looking truck, which is an important feature for some drivers. Despite that, Ford had the best interior with plenty of room for people and the optional Sync connectivity system.

Overall, the Ford easily took the cake in the three-quarter ton segment and posted a strong showing in the one-ton contest as well. Yet the news source ultimately preferred the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado in terms of performance. Between the two, the Sierra got the nod for its slightly more refined interior, though both trucks share powertrains.

Drivers looking for a truck will have plenty of options on the used car market, and their decision will ultimately come down to exactly what they want to use it for.