The good, the bad, and the ugly about luxury cars

If a $20,000 car is what you got, then a $30,000 car would be better and a $40,000 car ideal, right? The answer to that is the one you all know and love: it depends. The Good Let’s start with the obvious: you’re movin on up and letting the world know it, whether or not it’s true. That means more respect, better valet treatment, more dates. Luckily, in most cases there’s some truth to back up the image. Despite the increasing availability of features on lower-end cars these days, luxury cars still live up to their name by offering materials that look and feel better (i.e. real wood in the dash, real aluminum instead of painted plastic), soft leather (instead of hard leather, or leather mixed with vinyl), better sound insulation – all standard. Luxury cars are also held to a higher standard of performance with more cylinders, better brakes and suspensions, and best of all, often trade up from plain front-wheel-drive layouts to rear-wheel-drive, making driving more interesting. Who wouldn’t want their commute to be cozier and more fun at the same time? As a bonus, the owning experience will likely be richer all the way through, thanks to more courteous sales/service and a longer warranty. The Bad That stuff costs money. Stepping up from a compact-sized car (say, a Mazda 3) to a like-sized luxury car (say, a BMW 3-series) takes a cool dozen grand. Worse, the increase grows exponential as you ascend in the range: from a Honda Accord to an Acura RL takes $25,000, and from a Toyota Avalon to a BMW 750i takes an extra $40,000. In other words, the cost of one big Bimmer is enough for two Avalons and change. And don’t forget maintenance costs; ever seen the price of BMW parts? The Ugly It used to just be a matter of swallowing the price and writing the check, but many luxury makes have felt the need to prove the worth of their cars by confusing the hell out of the drivers. First it was Mercedes’ COMAND. Then it was BMW’s iDrive – by far the worst of the bunch – and finally Audi’s MultiMedia Interface. To a lesser degree, heavy-handed electronics and interfaces have crept into Japanese, American, and British luxury cars as well. What good is that 14-speaker stereo if you have to stop and look up in the manual how to change the station? Some of these electronics have also proven to be quite troublesome, causing the average reliability rankings of their parent companies to nosedive. Nothing luxurious about that. But if you have the patience and tolerance, the world’s best cars are waiting for you. At a price.

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Hybrid Cars – Cheap Transportation?

Copyright 2006 Debt Management Credit Counseling Corp. Maybe you want to do your part for the environment. Perhaps, you want a more economical way to travel since gasoline prices are on the rise. Or, you may want to purchase a vehicle that rewards you with federal tax incentives. Regardless of your reason for purchasing a hybrid vehicle, you need to do research and make sure you get the most out of this financial investment. There are many websites which help consumers with the process of purchasing a hybrid vehicle. However, the research itself can still be overwhelming. Therefore, below are some important aspects you should consider. Review Review Review The cost to replace hybrid parts can be extremely expensive. Reviewing your options when considering these costs, can help you quickly eliminate some hybrids off your list. Check the Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) and recalls. Go to edmunds.com and search for the vehicle you have in mind for more information. Warranties If you are purchasing a used hybrid or plan on owning the vehicle longer than the standard warranty, really think about spending the extra bucks on an extended warranty. Because hybrid vehicles are loaded with new technology, the cost to repair them is going to be extremely high. Not to mention the cost of the knowledgeable mechanic working on these vehicles. So, between repair and labor, it may be a wise decision to purchase the extended warranty and have a little peace of mind. Be sure to look into what the manufacturer offers. If you cannot afford to buy the extended warranty at the time of purchase, consider buying it before the standard warranty expires. Compare a Hybrid to a Conventional Car Model: 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid | 2006 Honda Civic Sedan Base Price MSRP: $22,150 | $14,760 Fuel Economy (Average between city and highway) Hybrid: 50 miles per gallon | Sedan:34 miles per gallon If you drive 15k miles annually, how many gallons of gas will you use? Hybrid: 300 gallons | Sedan: 441 gallons If the cost of gas is $2.75 a gallon, how much will you spend annually on gas? Hybrid: $825 | Sedan: $1,212 If you save $387 yearly on gas by driving the hybrid, how long will it take you to make up the difference of the MSRP between the Hybrid (including the $2,000 Federal rebate) and the Sedan? 14 years Is there a tax break for Hybrid owners? How much will I save? Yes, if you are a Honda Civic Hybrid owner, you will receive a $2,100 tax credit from the IRS. Buy That New Car and Control Your Budget Do you still think you need that new car? The chart above is a perfect example where you can buy that new car, get great gas mileage and maintain a budget. The extra money you could save every month for purchasing a conventional car would look great in your savings account. How about?…. Buy That New Car and Control Your Budget Do you still think you need that new car? The chart above is a good illustration of how much one would spend on either a conventional car versus a hybrid, plus the difference in gas mileage. It also shows how a budget will be affected by the purchase of a hybrid. The extra money you could save every month for purchasing a conventional car would look great in your savings account.

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Helpful Tips For Buying A New Car

Buying a new car can be fun and exciting, but it can also be very stressful. After all, it is a very big decision. If you are organized, armed with knowledge, and understand the game, you’ll find the experience a lot more enjoyable so here are some tips for buying a new car. Start with the basics. Decide what type, size, and price range meets your needs; then move on to the details of the deal. The invoice price is what the dealer paid for the car, not including any incentives from the vehicle manufacturer. The sticker price is the price the dealer wants you to pay for that car, including any optional packages that may be on that particular vehicle. Find out the invoice cost of the car. This is the key to what type of deal you can get. Once you know what the dealer paid, you can better negotiate with the dealer. The dealer typically isn’t going to give you this information, so you’ll have to play detective and round it up yourself. You can easily get this information by spending less than $20 and calling the Consumer Reports New Car Price Service. It’s a good investment because it usually results in about a $1,200 savings. Now it’s time to get ready to bargain. Ask the salesperson to deal on their base markup over cost. Never bargain off the sticker price. You’ve got the invoice price and that’s what you bargain off of. What type of deal you can get depends a lot on supply and demand. If the car you are looking at is in high demand, but there aren’t a lot of them available you could end up paying the full sticker price. On other models, you could land up paying just $500 over invoice and that would be a good deal! Be wary of the “for just a few” game. It’s a game of up-selling for services and items you often don’t need – undercoating, fabric protection, rust proofing, windshield etching, extra warranties, etc. Some of these services are nice; but most aren’t needed. Be careful because they can very quickly add a couple thousand dollars to your costs. So don’t get caught up in the “for just a few dollars more you can have…” If you have a vehicle you are going to trade in, don’t disclose this information to the salesperson until the price of the new car has been established and agreed upon. That way the price you are given for your trade is the true amount that is being offered rather than some inflated figure on paper. Then you can decide if you really want to trade your vehicle in. Often, selling privately is a better choice. Keep your stress down by knowing what you want before you begin. When it comes time to get your financing in place know what size payment you are comfortable with and then work your terms to meet that payment size. Again, don’t get caught in the up-sell game. These tips for buying a new car will have you smiling and relaxed through the entire buying process.

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Great Parts For The Racing Enthusiast!

You are on your final lap of what has been an adventurous race filled with mayhem, mishaps, and a near misstep that could have cost you dearly. The two top drivers are within reach as you navigate the track’s final turn. Do you risk it? Will you swing over to the left lane and pass them both or settle for a strong third place finish instead? Certainly, this “close, but no cigar” finish would be a moral victory for some drivers, but not for you. Suddenly, you swing your wheels to the left, press the pedal to the metal and pass driver #2 and edge just ahead of driver #1 as the checkered flag waves down before you. You win the race by mere inches because of the confidence you have in your car.

Oh, were we all so confident in our rides! You may not be a race car driver, but if you value performance then you know that keeping your car well maintained is essential toward ensuring a safe and fun ride every time. Importantly, upgrading your car to include premium performance parts is a necessity, so let’s take a look at what racing enthusiasts the world over are doing to achieve maximum control.

What good is a performance car if it doesn’t “speak” performance? Specifically, the tone of your vehicle’s exhaust system should tell everyone that your car has the power to go along with its performance. That is why choosy drivers are selecting performance Remus exhaust systems for their rides. A Remus exhaust system is imported from Germany and can be found on many Mercedes, Mini, Volkswagen, and BMW cars. In America, Jeep and Ford owners have learned that the stainless steel and aluminum components that go into every Remus exhaust system can ensure a long life, better performance, and a great tone. Remus backs up their product with an unlimited 3 year warranty.

A great set of shocks on every vehicle is necessary and all the more so if you put your car through the paces. Every single turn and every single lift in the road can be navigated with confidence if your car has the right shocks or struts to ensure maximum control. KYB has been the original equipment shock for more manufacturers worldwide then any other brand for many years now. Enthusiasts select KYB performance shocks for maximum damping and greater tolerances every time. No brand can possibly match KYB in popularity and for offering the best bang for the buck.

A Turbonetics intercooler can give your ride more power and torque without an adverse impact on engine endurance. As a bolt on turbo system, Turbonetics can quickly provide more power, use less fuel, and is available on a variety of gasoline and diesel applications. Drivers of the Toyota Supra, select full size Chevy pick ups, and owners of the Subaru Impreza have all learned that a Turbonetics turbocooler can maximize power and performance quickly without a big time loss in downtime.

Yes, you may never compete in a NASCAR race or qualify for the Indy 500, however that doesn’t mean you can’t maximize your ride’s performance. Install high quality and cost effective car parts from the Race Pages wholesale store today to achieve that race car edge.

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Buick’s Fabulous Five

The Buick Motor Division of the General Motors Corporation is in transition, much like the rest of the venerable auto company. Old models have been canceled, new models added, and the current line up is radically different from just three years earlier. Now down to five models, the remaining vehicles in the Buick line up are all winners. Let’s take a look at each model and what they have to offer to you, the consumer.

Lucerne – Buick’s Roadmaster and LeSabre are both gone, but the full size Lucerne have taken their place. Featuring V8 power and luxurious appointments such as heated and cooled seats, liquid heated windshield fluid, and leather appointments, the big Lucerne is based on the Cadillac DTS, but the car sells for more than $10,000 less than its up market Caddy cousin.

Lacrosse – This five seat sedan is sleek, aerodynamic, and quiet. With starting prices in the low 20 thousand dollar range, the car competes against the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

Rainier – The larger of two Buick SUVs, the Rainier comes standard with a 275hp I6, Stabitrak suspension/steering system, eight way driver powered seats, leather seating, and more.

Rendezvous – As Buick’s first SUV, the Rendezvous has succeeded where its Pontiac cousin, the Aztek, failed. Available in two or four wheel drive, the Rendezvous features seating for five [with available seating for seven], four wheel disc brakes, and a host of sought after outdoorsmen desired accessories.

Terraza – Is it a minivan or is it an SUV? The Terraza is part of a family of GM crossover vehicles introduced in the 2005 model year. This seven passenger vehicle comes equipped with a 3.5L I6 engine and is available in either front wheel drive or all wheel drive. As GM considers getting rid of its aging and unpopular line of minivans, the Terraza and its cousins will likely step in and fill the hole.

General Motors has been fairly silent regarding the future of the Buick division. Some have been concerned by the steady depletion of models while others are seeing Buick make a clean break from its past which has included several uninspiring models such as the Century and the Roadmaster.

In spite of everything, the Buick Enclave, featured at the recently ended Detroit Auto Show received rave reviews. The Enclave is yet another crossover vehicle and it should hit Buick showrooms by 2008.

Clearly, Buick could use a wider variety of vehicles to ensure its long term success. Perhaps the type of success the division had when the Regal was part of the fold would reinstate the division to its past glory, if a car matching the Regal’s caliber was developed.

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Auto trends

Fads come and go, sometimes on a whim, other times because of outside forces. Here at the halfway point of the new millennium’s first decade, car culture has sure taken some interesting turns.

Those of you who innocently took a test drive of a plain-Jane Nissan Altima when it was new in 2002, floored it, and nearly sprained your necks upon discovery of 240 horsepower, may have suspected that the standards of speed had risen a tad since the 90s. Turns out that was only the beginning. Nowadays, the Volkswagen Passat raised that same family car bar to an excessive 280 horsepower. We have little $30,000 Mitsubishis that can leave Camaros for dead. The 500-horsepower Dodge Viper suddenly seems ordinary, and the once-acclaimed Acura NSX is a joke. Whether or not you’re a speed freak, there are two trickle-down benefits: the minimum standard of horsepower has risen from 55 (Geo Metro) to 103, and very few cars in any segment are truly underpowered anymore. Not a bad development.

Cars just won’t stop growing. Every redesign has to be bigger than the last one; the new Toyota RAV4 is 14 inches longer than the last, and current Civics now dwarf Accords of years past. It’s an inevitable force of marketing; no one wants to pay the same money for less car, right? Bigger also means heavier; our cars pack more pounds than ever.

And there’s no rule that contradictory trends can’t coexist. Apparently Americans expect their cars to compete with the speed of sound while also using less gas than their walking shoes. The Toyota Prius hybrid heads into its third year with unsatisfied demand, a long line, and a price premium. All this despite an ample supply of the perfectly serviceable Corolla at the same dealers. No automaker wants to be caught with their pants down, and all are rushing to market with a hybrid, even if it means using systems developed by competitors (Nissan’s Altima will use Toyota hardware).

We seem to want our cars with more stuff and more personality. The 90s banality in our styling is gone, even on the most banal cars like the Accord and Camry. And notice how almost every car has power windows and locks standard, and how even the Kia Rio comes with six airbags and a powerful stereo. Is it any wonder that the average car now costs $28,000?

Speaking of “cars”, we may be moving toward the day when that word will again apply as a general term. SUVs are suddenly for the foolish. They always have been, but now everyone seems to know it, too. Ford’s Explorer and Expedition are going down the drain, and the Excursion has already expired. The bigger the SUV, the bigger the sales drop. Little cars are selling better than ever, even old-timers like the Sentra and Neon.

Lastly, we’re going foreign, and fast. The Big Three’s market share was 60% at the early part of this decade; that will stand at or below 50% by the end of it. This is hardly a new trend, but its recent acceleration is alarming. One thing for sure is that in terms of the players, the market has matured. Only two major automakers set up American bases in the 90s (Kia and Daewoo), and the 2000s have brought none.

Cars can’t get bigger or faster forever, yet no one can stand still. Hybrids are hot, but the long-term experiences remain to be seen. What will become of all this automotive craziness? Check back in ten years.

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