Free Republic

Dismay at the SMH: New car buyers appear oblivious to climate change concerns, with the latest sales figures showing people are flocking back to fuel-guzzling four-wheel-drives … While the growth in new car sales was remarkable, the real story was the type of vehicles being sold. While sales of the smallest cars on the market fell in November, four-wheel-drives and utes enjoyed a sales bonanza. The Toyota HiLux utility was the best selling vehicle in the country, outselling the Holden Commodore, while sales of 4WD-style SUVs were up a staggering 44 per cent. Toyota’s smallest car, the Yaris, saw sales...

Here at Wrecked Exotics, we've seen our share of crazy drivers, but even we were taken aback when an anonymous tipster let us in on what is surely the most insane exotic car owner in the world. We proudly present to you: The "King of Wrecked Exotics", a 73 year old Florida businessman who has managed to destroy at least 10 exotic cars in the last 3 years. We of course would be honored to shake the hand of the man who, despite being involved in some horrible wrecks, has managed to walk away from each one AND still have...

Here at Wrecked Exotics, we've seen our share of crazy drivers, but even we were taken aback when an anonymous tipster let us in on what is surely the most insane exotic car owner in the world. We proudly present to you: The "King of Wrecked Exotics", a 73 year old Florida businessman who has managed to destroy at least 10 exotic cars in the last 3 years. We of course would be honored to shake the hand of the man who, despite being involved in some horrible wrecks, has managed to walk away from each one AND still have...

Volkswagen Group has displaced Toyota for the first time as the world's largest car manufacturer in terms of production. The German carmaker produced 4.4 million vehicles in the first nine months of the year, overtaking its Japanese rival by 400,000 units, consulting firm IHS Global Insight said on Wednesday. Volkswagen Group owns a variety of models such as Skoda and Seat and high-end lines Audi, Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini. In July it expanded its stable by acquiring Porsche. HIS Global Insight said Volkswagen was able to beat Toyota thanks to increased sales in China, Germany and the U.K. even amid...

Considering how many new cars are rolled out every year, it's no surprise that a few might be just plain homely. There's a chance that certain styles might become fashionable with a dash of retro hip. (Well, maybe not from the 1970s.) But for the most part, the following 50 cars will never be anything but design duds...

Last night we were shocked to see that The White House was using its blog to tear into car website Edmunds.com over some analysis it did of Cash-For-Clunkers. To recap: Edmunds.com says the program was a gigantic waste with little effect. The White House disagrees. Anyway, Edmunds is sticking by its analysis, and it put out the following press release: SANTA MONICA, Calif. — October 29, 2009 — Today the Department of Transportation and White House chose to respond to an analysis Edmunds.com released Wednesday that looked at auto sales this year and what sales volumes would have been had...

Visit the federal government web site for the recently-concluded “Cash for Clunkers” program and you’ll find the program described as “enormously successful”. Contrary to that claim, however, Edmunds.com research revealed yesterday that the program, which enabled a car buyer to pay as much as $4,500 less for a new vehicle, actually cost taxpayers $24,000 per vehicle sold.

Authorities said they are shutting down the Bay Bridge in both directions after pieces of the cantilever section fell during the late-afternoon commute, striking three vehicles on the upper deck, the California Highway Patrol said. Caltrans officials said the parts that fell were two high-strength rods and a saddle that were part of the emergency repair that delayed the opening of the bridge on Labor Day weekend.

Saab Automobile has received permission to borrow 4 billion kronor from the European Investment Bank, the bank’s board revealed on Wednesday. Prior to Wednesday’s meeting, most indications were that the EIB board, which includes representatives from all 27 European Union members states, would approve Saab’s request. The EIB leadership group had recommended to the board that the bank agree to lend the Swedish car company up to €400 million, or roughly 4.1 billion kronor ($590 million), having concluded that Saab’s application was sufficiently strong. The loan is a critical lifeline for Saab, and was a key element for the planned...

Oracle CEO Larry Ellison commissioned the fabricators at Kirkham Motorsports to build the ultimate, cost-is-no-object roadster. After years of labor, they've completed the all-billet aluminum Cobra. Click "more" to see them build one of the most spectacular custom cars ever.

Sweden is a not entirely a Socialist hellhole on Earth. We fight alongside you Americans. We will not accept further terrorist attacks on NYC. Apart from knowing the nature of lasting friendship and military alliances, we also know how to drive real vehicles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzHElhj2pTo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXuhJvdchhg&NR=1&feature=fvwp

Motorists should be forced to pay to drive on the busiest roads to slash greenhouse gas emissions, the Government's climate change watchdog says today. The Climate Change Committee, led by former CBI chief Lord Turner, wants ministers to introduce compulsory road pricing to prevent global warming. Under the controversial scheme, cars would be fitted with electronic tags and tracked either by satellite or roadside beacon. Charges would rise at times of peak congestion to around £1.50 a mile. In a report to MPs, the advisers called for a carbon revolution - with thousands of wind turbines, nuclear power stations...

A shiny green Volkswagen, standing out among the rattletraps on Gaza's dilapidated roads, is the latest hot item to come out of the besieged territory's smuggling tunnels. Cars are brought in piece by piece from Egypt, which only opens its sole crossing point into Gaza for humanitarian purposes, because of an embargo imposed by Israel two years ago. A handful of the hundreds of smuggling tunnels in the Rafah border area are dedicated solely to the auto operation that started a few years ago. The entrepreneurs who run them say they've managed to bring in 30 to 40 vehicles in...

It is called the Python, and its makers claim it is the fastest amphibious vehicle ever sold. It can hit 60mph on the waves - quicker than many speedboats - but is said to be equally at home on the road. All the driver has to do before leaving dry land is put the gears into neutral, engage the jet drive, then push a button to raise the wheels. The Python is powered on land by a V8 engine from a Chevrolet Corvette, which produces 640 horsepower and enables the 3,800lb machine to reach 100mph. On water, thrust is provided...

Even with the strides that cars have made in recent years, let's face it: There have been some real stinkers, too. Whether poorly executed, ill-conceived or downright dreadful to look at, these 10 stand out for all the wrong reasons. A car had to be sold at any point in the 2000s to be eligible for this list; some of these models were only on the market for a few years, while others are still being sold today...

CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- In the first month after the end of the "cash-for-clunkers" program, automakers on Thursday are reporting virtually across-the-board sales declines with Chrysler and General Motors seeing volumes nearly halved, but Ford not hit as hard as expected and even robust gains for Hyundai.

Video story at link

the list of all 690,114 trade-ins.

Not Coming to America From the boons of Ford's (F) assembly line and Eisenhower's interstate highway system to the banes of suburban sprawl and oil dependence, U.S. history is closely tied to the automobile. But that doesn't mean Americans are privy to any ride they want. Carmakers like BMW (BMWG.F), Ford, and Volkswagen (VOWG.DE) design and manufacture all kinds of vehicles for consumers in different countries with separate needs and budgets. Here, gaze on 21 internationally released cars you're unlikely to see in U.S. showrooms any time soon...

A Ferrari worth 3 million kronor ($434,000) was left nursing a crumpled front end after a hapless Swedish motor vehicle inspection driver took it for an impromptu spin. The Ferrari F40 had been recently imported into Sweden by Von Braun Sports Cars in Skene in southern Sweden and was duly subjected to a routine registration inspection in nearby Kinna on Thursday. But when the state-owned Swedish Motor Vehicle Inspection Company (Bilprovningen) driver sat behind the wheel of the powerful Italian sports car something went seriously awry and the vehicle lurched into a fence in the test area. "It is not...

Though the most popular vehicle destroyed under Cash For Clunkers was the Ford Explorer, there were also AMGs, Rolls-Royces and even a LaForza crushed. The ten most exotic cars that fools parted with below. Click through if you dare.

The Treasury Department drove a hard bargain but likely won't recoup taxpayers' entire investments in General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC, said a report from a congressional panel overseeing government bailouts of the banking and auto sectors. The panel, though, commended the Treasury's efforts to function as a tough negotiator for structuring deals to save ailing auto makers. "They may have driven the best bargain they could, but it may not be enough," said Elizabeth Warren, a Harvard University law professor and the panel's chairwoman. The report cited remarks from Obama administration manufacturing adviser Ron Bloom, who previously ran...

China has become the country with the strongest purchasing power of luxury cars in the world. Many luxury cars are eager to enter the Chinese market. The latest statistics show, the BMW Group's global sales fell 19%, but its sales in China grew 26%. In addition, while the financial crisis causes demand for luxury brands decline in Europe and the United States, the Chinese luxury market is still getting better. At present, China's luxury consumption accounts for 25% of the global market and for the first time it surpassed the United States to become the world's second-largest luxury goods consumer...

It has been nearly a month since the car-buying frenzy of the Cash for Clunkers program ended, and many area auto dealers are longing for the good old days of July and August. Like consumers nationwide, Massachusetts residents rushed to take advantage of the federal voucher program, which offered them up to $4,500 on old gas-guzzlers to be put toward the purchase of new, more fuel-efficient vehicles. About $65 million worth of vouchers were handed out statewide during the monthlong program that ended Aug. 24. But once the federal money dried up, so did the sales rally. Now, customers at...

From the Frankfurt motor show: Mercedes rolls out hybrid S-Class. But the current models do not give the consumer that much fuel efficiency. The Mercedes ML450 Hybrid model tops the list, with 21 mpg city / 24 mpg highway — hardly anything to brag about, especially for a Hybrid.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says the government has approved $1.22 billion in reimbursements to car dealers for sales under the Cash for Clunkers program.

An 8-year-old Texas boy—in a sling—asked to use the bathroom at school, slipped out a door and drove away in an SUV parked in the schools parking lot with the keys still in the ignition. The boy proceeded to a gas station, where customers called the police. The 8-year-old will not be charged with a crime. However, some parents are raising questions about how the boy was able to slip out of the school. Watch video: http://www.cardealerreviews.org/?p=118384

Lonnie Holloway is laid to rest at the age of 90 in his 1973 Pontiac Catalina with his gun. Watch: http://www.cardealerreviews.org/?p=118374

Money and crime intersect in Brazil, where the wealthy are riding a new trend: armored cars. Watch how they produce them and why...

If you’re shopping for a used car, there are a number of things you can do to prevent getting stuck with a problem car. 1) Look for a reliable model. Often you can avoid many factory problems associated with cars that perform poorly over the long run. Visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov to view an up to date list of safety defects. 2) Decide where you want to buy your car. Buying from a private party, a new car dealer or a used car dealer each has advantages and disadvantages. You may get a lower price buying from an individual, but you will...

Kia Soul Hyundai Genesis Coupe Ford Taurus SHO Cadillac CTS Wagon Jeep Grand Cherokee Toyota Venza Nissan 370Z Suzuki Kizashi Volkswagen Golf Mercedes-Benz E-Class More info...

General Motors was not so long ago the largest motor company in the world, who would have thought one day would be taken over by the miniature Japanese autos. This documentary struggles to answer this very question.

WASHINGTON — The Cash for Clunkers buzz is starting to wear off and it seems that some buyers are having serious second thoughts about getting on that government-funded bandwagon, according to a new survey. In the meantime, the U.S. Department of Transportation said that dealers by Tuesday's deadline had submitted a final total of 690,114 Cash for Clunkers deals for $2.88 billion in rebates. The total is just under the revised $3-billion budget for the four-week program. The new survey by CNW Purchase Path, of Bandon, Oregon, finds that of nearly 1,000 Cash for Clunkers participants, 17 percent say they...

C/D TEST RESULTS: Zero to 60 mph: 5.1 sec Zero to 100 mph: 12.5 sec Zero to 120 mph: 18.2 sec Street start, 5–60 mph: 5.6 sec Standing ¼-mile: 13.7 sec @ 104 mph Top speed (governor limited, mfr’s claim): 149 mph Braking, 70–0 mph: 164 ft Roadholding, 200-ft-dia skidpad: 0.92 g

On Thursday, Edmunds.com pointed out what it sees as inconsistencies with the government's Cash for Clunkers statistics. One of the reasons the company delved into these figures is because it says there was an unprecedented range in analysts' sales forecasts.

Ride along for a hot lap at Laguna Seca in Ford’s venomous Shelby GT500 Mustang

Learn some handy detailing secrets to keep the exterior of your vehicle clean. From keeping your tires shiny and avoiding dust between washes to removing the ever-present bird droppings, youll learn some tips that will help your car stay clean using common household products. Watch Video...

As we said before, please do not buy a new car until the end of November — inventories are so low, you’re not likely find the color and features you want and you will most likely over pay. If you must buy a car now, both Hyundai and Kia are the first car manufacturers to offer big incentives after the ”clunkers’ program ended. While KIA offers the better deals, you’ll still likely save more if you can’t wait until the end of November for supply to catch back up to levels where deals abound.

Audi President: Chevy Volt Is a “Car for Idiots… the Intellectual Elite Who Want to Show What Enlightened Souls They Are.” Few consumers will be willing to pay $40,000 base price for a car that competes with $25,000 hybrids... “So there are not enough idiots who will buy it.” The Audi of America president ended with a bold prediction: The Volt will fall flat. And the federal government, having publicly forced GM to develop electric cars, will subsidize the Volt to save face and boost sales. CNET recently reported GM’s astronomical claim of the Volt’s 230 mpg are false, and...

The Great Clunker Con proved one thing, at least: New cars are too expensive for a growing number of consumers. But chop $4,500 or so off the price and all of a sudden buyers are a lot more interested. The problem is the interest (and sales) could only last as long as the payola continued to flow. Taking money from Taxpayer A to help Taxpayer B get behind the wheel of a brand-new car is ultimately just another government transfer payment scheme. Now that the handouts are finished with, sales will almost certainly recede to where they were.

When Ford refreshed the 2010 Mustang, they ignored mostly the engine bay. However, that will change with the new 2011 Ford Mustang. The base Mustang will be powered by Ford’s 3.7L V6 for the 2011 model year. Although that engine yields 273 horses in Lincoln cars, power will be ramped up to 315 horsepower for the Mustang. That represents a significant increase of 105 horsepower over the current V6-powered Mustang. Furthermore, a 400 horsepower 5.0L V8 motor will also join the Mustang lineup for 2011. Dubbed ‘Coyote,’ it will be used in the Mustang GT model with a six-speed manual...

Mike Jackson, CEO of AutoNation, says ‘Clunkers’ the most successful stimulus program ever, even though his company has not been paid. He said he is not worried about future car sales or the ‘pull forward’ mentality. However, Reuters and the Wall Street Journal both report very slow times at dealerships. About the only thing we agree with Mr. Jackson on is the fact car prices are going to be higher going forward. (Please do not buy a new or used car until the end of November… unless you have to). Watch Video: http://www.cardealerreviews.org/?p=117253

The following table represents the top 20 overall vehicles for August. Overall sales are different from the top clunkers sales. View the Top 20 Vehicles for August...

By using inventory data and the average number of days each vehicle sites on the lot, we get the supply rate for the car. The final number amounts to how long the current inventory will last, in days, if no other cars are produced. While many factors can influence this final number, such as how fast cars fly off the lot, number of cars produced by the manufacturer, etc.; the results are that you’ll have a harder time getting these cars with the options and color you want, or finding them at all. In addition, you’ll be hard-pressed to negotiate...

In the October 2009 issue of Consumer Reports, the freshened Ford Mustang outpointed two other reincarnated muscle cars — the Chevrolet Camaro and the Dodge Challenger. The Mustang received a Very Good overall road test score of 78, outpointing the Camaro which received a Very Good 71, and the Challenger, which received a Good 53 points.

pictures of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata were leaked ahead of schedule. Apparently, Hyundai was scheduled to release 'sketches' of the 2011 Sonata in the next ten days ahead of the major auto shows. However, the real pictures, snapped at a photo shoot at an advertising agency, have found their way to numerous Korean forums and blogs. The 2011 Sonata features a four-door-coupe-like roofline and a stubby rear-end. It is safe to assume these pictures depict the Asian and US version of the Sonata as Hyundai has now released the official 'sketches' (in response to the leak) to the media outlets...

Certain models of older cars and trucks are popular with thieves because of the value of their parts. Frequently, the parts can be stripped from a car at a chop shop and sold for at least twice as much as the value of the vehicle on the used car market. Newer models are also more difficult, but not impossible to steal thanks to anti-theft technology incorporated by the manufacturers. In addition, popular cars are often stolen more simply because their are more of them. See the list of top 10 stolen cars 2008: http://www.cardealerreviews.org/?p=117133

Fortune magazine's cover says Zipcar is the best new idea. Zipcar has already persuaded hundreds of thousands of young urbanites to share wheels. Now the movement is going mainstream – and players like Hertz and Ford want in. Watch video and decide...

Depreciation is the highest cost associated with a new car. For that reason alone, the resell value of the car should be one of the most important considerations when you buy a new car. If you’re leasing a car, it is the most important factor in determining your lease payment. The following is the list of cars that are expected to retain more of their value in the next three years. See List of Cars with Top Resell Value...

Someone who bought a rare Bugatti, Jaguar or Ferrari in top condition would have done better during the downturn than an investor in almost any other asset, industry observers say, including stocks, fine art or even gold. “There has been a flight into real assets,” says Historic Automobile Group founder Dietrich Hatlapa, a former Baring Securities and ING banker and collector who designed the HAGI Top, a new index that tracks the prices of a cross-section of historic cars. “People want something they can look at and touch in the evening, rather than a piece of paper in the...