Looking for a bargain? We've got 10. The following trucks, minivans and SUVs are our TMV® Deals of the Month, and they represent the best values we found in the marketplace.
To determine these rankings, we compared TMV prices with dealer invoice prices; we also considered current incentives and rebates. Once incentives are factored in, many of the vehicles on our list can be purchased below invoice.
But our evaluation wasn't merely quantitative. We also took into account our impressions regarding each vehicle's overall quality and value offered for the money. When the dust settled, these are the haulers that came out on top.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Top 10 Deals of the Month for June 2007 - Trucks, Minivans and SUVs
Top 10 Cheap Cool Cars for Teens for 2006
You're ready to transition from teen to teen with wheels, but you're finding the journey from bus rider to car driver bumpier than you'd thought.
Why? Well, you want a new, not a used car. You've made up your mind; it's not open for debate. But you're discovering that the coolest new cars are priced way beyond your budget. The ones that you are able to afford are, well, a lot less cool than you'd hoped.
Or are they? "Affordable" doesn't have to be just another word for "lame." These days, automakers are targeting the youth market (that means you) with accessibly priced vehicles that offer most or all of the things smart young buyers crave: stylish looks, sporty handling, great fuel economy, abundant safety features and a first-rate sound system.
Each of our 10 recommendations may be purchased for under $20,000. And most importantly, you won't be embarrassed to be seen pulling up in any of these rides at school.
Best All-Rounder: Available as a sedan or coupe, the Civic is an all-rounder like no other; it's good-looking, fun to drive and reliable, with a lengthy list of standard safety features, including antilock brakes and full-length side curtain airbags. The Civic also offers a range of four-cylinder engines designed to satisfy everyone from the enthusiast (bake some donuts with the 197-horsepower Si) to the tree-hugger (save the planet with the Civic Hybrid).
Best Handling for the Buck: Mazda's 3 looks sporty and it's got the goods to back it up, thanks to nimble handling and two peppy, refined engines — a 150-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 160-hp, 2.3-liter four (bear in mind that fuel economy suffers with the 2.3). You'll also dig its upscale interior, which offers stellar materials quality and outstanding design. Side-impact and full-length side curtain airbags are available. The 3 may be purchased either as a sedan or as a four-door hatchback offering up to 17.1 cubic feet of storage behind its rear seat.
Roomiest (Pseudo) Coupe: Scions offer no-haggle pricing and all the reliability you'd expect from a company that's a Toyota spin-off. The tC boasts a roomy cabin, brisk handling, ample power from an eager 160-hp inline four, a standard sunroof and 17-inch alloy wheels and a host of standard safety features. You also get a sweet Pioneer sound system with available iPod connectivity. Side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are optional. This Scion looks like a coupe, but it's actually a cargo-friendly three-door hatchback; fold down its rear seats and cargo capacity swells to 60 cubic feet.
Best Ride for You and Four Friends: Want to make a statement? Get yourself an xB; its distinctive styling (it looks sort of like a mini-ambulance — we mean that in a good way) is a real head-turner. Its boxy looks are functional, too; the xB boasts abundant head- and legroom (enough to seat five in total comfort) while offering up to 43 cubic feet of cargo space. Motivated by a 103-hp, 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, the xB is light on horsepower, but the upside to that is fuel economy in the 30-mpg range. One negative: Side airbags are not available.
Best Value: A five-door hatchback, the Fit offers a long list of standard equipment; included are side curtain airbags, antilock brakes and an audio system that works with iPod players. Its interior allows for an incredible amount of utility, with ample storage nooks and over 21 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the second-row seats. Fuel economy is over 30 mpg; the trade-off is a somewhat slight 109-hp engine.
Best High-Performance Thrill Ride: You want cool? It doesn't get much cooler than the Ford Mustang coupe, a car whose retro styling invites you to slide on in and pretend you're on That '70s Show. In true muscle-car fashion, this rear-wheel-drive coupe is a scream on the road, whether powered by the 210-hp V6 or the 300-hp V8. Oh, and the Mustang earned great scores in both front- and side-impact crash testing, so it'll get you there quickly as well as safely. Side-impact airbags for front occupants are optional, but full-length head curtain airbags are not available.
Most Upscale: The Jetta sedan offers polished lines and premium cabin materials. You also get tons of standard safety features (like full-length head curtain airbags) and the peace of mind that comes from knowing that the Jetta earned top marks in frontal- and side-impact crash testing. Available with a host of engines (including a diesel that gets up to 42 mpg), the Jetta is fun to drive, with crisp handling and brisk acceleration.
Sexiest Sport Coupe: Sexy little sport coupes don't get much sexier than the Eclipse — not in this price bracket, anyway. Blessed with supple lines and a handsome cabin, it's a blast on twisty roads. Buyers have the choice of two engines: a 162-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 263-hp V6. Side-impact and head curtain airbags are standard. Audiophiles will love this Mitsubishi's available 650-watt Rockford-Fosgate audio system, which offers class-leading sound.
Best Value, Part Two: The Versa five-door hatchback goes on sale in June 2006; look for a sedan version to hit dealerships six months later. The car boasts a spiffy interior with lots of passenger room, and the hatchback offers 16.9 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats. Sound junkies will crave the crisp sonics of the car's available Rockford-Fosgate stereo system. Motivated by a potent-for-its-class 120-hp engine, the Versa is available with a six-speed manual, a four-speed automatic or a continuously variable transmission (CVT); when equipped with a CVT, mileage is in the high 30s. Front-seat side airbags are standard and full-length side curtain airbags are optional.
Most Versatile: Handling is modest on the Vibe, but Pontiac's compact wagon offers a smooth, comfy ride. Side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are optional, and the Vibe earned solid scores in government crash tests. This Pontiac is available in front-wheel and all-wheel-drive models; front-wheel-drive models may be had with either a 130- or 170-hp engine, while all-wheel-drive versions offer 118 hp. The car's versatile interior offers fold-flat rear seating, which boosts cargo capacity to just over 54 cubic feet. Better yet, the cargo area offers a wipe-clean plastic surface (for muddy stuff) and adjustable cargo tracks (so you can tie down bulky stuff).
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Vauxhall Cars History
Vauxhall cars (the company is known as Vauxhall Motors) was born in UK and it became a very well known car company. Vauxhall Motors is a company subsidiary of General Motors- the world’s largest automaker.
The company was founded by Wilson Alexander in 1856 in a beautiful London city that gives the company name- Vauxhall. Initially, the company name was Alex Wilson and Company, then Vauxhall Iron Works and it was specialize in building pumps and marine engines.
First Vauxhall car was built in 1903. It was a 5 hp model, using a tiller, 2 forward gears and no reverse gear. Interesting, don’t you think? Beginning with this model, the car was designed in many other versions and then were available for sale.
When things start working, the company decided to increase its production and moved almost entire production to Luton in 1905. The company was selling cars under Vauxhall Iron Works brand. This stopped in 1907, when they’ve decided to call the company “Vauxhall Motors”, a name kept over the years, till our days. The company was characterized by its sport models until the 1st World War and then designed only austere models.
Vauxhall Motors was bought by General Motors in 1925 for 2.5 million $. And from that year Vauxhall was influenced by American cars and with Ford (that was Vauxhall’s main competitor) influenced the style of European car manufacturers.
During the 2nd World War car production was suspended because Vauxhall was needed to work on the Churchill tanks which was designed and assembled at Luton in almost 1 year. There were built over 5,600 Churchill tanks.
After the war, car production resumed but models were designed as a more mass-market product leading to expansion of the company. In the 60’s Vauxhall acquired a reputation for making rust-prone models and that was very bad for it. Although the corrosion protection built into models the reputation dogged the company until the 80’s.
From the 70’s, many of company models were designed and built in partnership with Opel in Germany (Adam Opel GmbH- known as Opel is an automobile manufacturer based in Germany). Models like Chevette, Cavalier and Carlton were basically restyled versions of the Kadett, Ascona and Rekord. The Viceroy was a simply new version of Opel Commodore imported from Germany.
And that was the beginning for the “Opelisation” of Vauxhall. General Motors policy was that Vauxhall to be rebadged Opels, designed and developed in Russelsheim with much less help from Luton.
In 70’s and 80’s General Motors sold duplicate cars: Opel and Vauxhall alongside each other. General Motors Europe then began to standardize model names across both brands in early 90’s. Almost all Vaxhall’s models now have the same names as those of Opel (the exception is VX220 sold by Opel as Speedstar).
The Luton plant closed in 2000, but production still continues at the plant in Ellesmere Port. Despite already meeting efficiency targets, Vauxhall has been told to further improve its productivity.
Nowadays Vauxhall and Opel still reside together making the same cars but selling them to different markets.
So remember if you buy an Opel it's a Vauxhall and vice versa.
The company was founded by Wilson Alexander in 1856 in a beautiful London city that gives the company name- Vauxhall. Initially, the company name was Alex Wilson and Company, then Vauxhall Iron Works and it was specialize in building pumps and marine engines.
First Vauxhall car was built in 1903. It was a 5 hp model, using a tiller, 2 forward gears and no reverse gear. Interesting, don’t you think? Beginning with this model, the car was designed in many other versions and then were available for sale.
When things start working, the company decided to increase its production and moved almost entire production to Luton in 1905. The company was selling cars under Vauxhall Iron Works brand. This stopped in 1907, when they’ve decided to call the company “Vauxhall Motors”, a name kept over the years, till our days. The company was characterized by its sport models until the 1st World War and then designed only austere models.
Vauxhall Motors was bought by General Motors in 1925 for 2.5 million $. And from that year Vauxhall was influenced by American cars and with Ford (that was Vauxhall’s main competitor) influenced the style of European car manufacturers.
During the 2nd World War car production was suspended because Vauxhall was needed to work on the Churchill tanks which was designed and assembled at Luton in almost 1 year. There were built over 5,600 Churchill tanks.
After the war, car production resumed but models were designed as a more mass-market product leading to expansion of the company. In the 60’s Vauxhall acquired a reputation for making rust-prone models and that was very bad for it. Although the corrosion protection built into models the reputation dogged the company until the 80’s.
From the 70’s, many of company models were designed and built in partnership with Opel in Germany (Adam Opel GmbH- known as Opel is an automobile manufacturer based in Germany). Models like Chevette, Cavalier and Carlton were basically restyled versions of the Kadett, Ascona and Rekord. The Viceroy was a simply new version of Opel Commodore imported from Germany.
And that was the beginning for the “Opelisation” of Vauxhall. General Motors policy was that Vauxhall to be rebadged Opels, designed and developed in Russelsheim with much less help from Luton.
In 70’s and 80’s General Motors sold duplicate cars: Opel and Vauxhall alongside each other. General Motors Europe then began to standardize model names across both brands in early 90’s. Almost all Vaxhall’s models now have the same names as those of Opel (the exception is VX220 sold by Opel as Speedstar).
The Luton plant closed in 2000, but production still continues at the plant in Ellesmere Port. Despite already meeting efficiency targets, Vauxhall has been told to further improve its productivity.
Nowadays Vauxhall and Opel still reside together making the same cars but selling them to different markets.
So remember if you buy an Opel it's a Vauxhall and vice versa.
Hybrid Cars
By: Jonathon Hardcastle
Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Automotive, Shopping, and Sports
A regular car uses an internal combustion engine with a fuel-air mixture powering it. A hybrid car on the other hand powers itself not only using the conventional means but it also uses a variety of alternate means like fuel-cells and solar-energy to turn the wheels. That makes it more environment friendly and increases its mileage.
Some people think that hybrid cars are the cars of the future. They say it is what we will be driving in a ten years time. It is true that hybrid cars have many advantages. But we must not forget the shortcomings of the hybrid car.
Gas and oil are non renewable sources of energy. They also cause much damage to the environment. There is a danger they might soon also be depleted from the earth. On the other hand, hybrid cars are environment friendly. They source of energy they use is renewable and therefore they pose much less threat to the world. Hybrid cars are efficient and save money on fueling.
Performance wise, hybrid cars are rubbish. At the stage they currently are, they are more than likely to break down after traveling every few miles. If you buy a hybrid car, leave for office an hour earlier than you used to before, because hybrid cars are much slower than normal cars. Because they have very less energy to run with, they are made with as light bodies as possible. We want to protect the environment to protect our children. But if you're planning to buy them a hybrid car to do so, the chances of them being flattened by some bigger car are far more. So if you want to keep your children safe, why not buy them a Land Rover instead? And then there's the matter of power again. With the amount of power a hybrid can provide, imagine the trouble and time it would take for you to reach a high altitude point with a fairly steep road, that is, if you would ever manage to get up there on that car.
Whether hybrid cars will be the future of the car industry, one cannot say for sure. But one thing is certain, where it stands today is quite for from a point where it will replace the petrol or gas powered cars.
Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Automotive, Shopping, and Sports
A regular car uses an internal combustion engine with a fuel-air mixture powering it. A hybrid car on the other hand powers itself not only using the conventional means but it also uses a variety of alternate means like fuel-cells and solar-energy to turn the wheels. That makes it more environment friendly and increases its mileage.
Some people think that hybrid cars are the cars of the future. They say it is what we will be driving in a ten years time. It is true that hybrid cars have many advantages. But we must not forget the shortcomings of the hybrid car.
Gas and oil are non renewable sources of energy. They also cause much damage to the environment. There is a danger they might soon also be depleted from the earth. On the other hand, hybrid cars are environment friendly. They source of energy they use is renewable and therefore they pose much less threat to the world. Hybrid cars are efficient and save money on fueling.
Performance wise, hybrid cars are rubbish. At the stage they currently are, they are more than likely to break down after traveling every few miles. If you buy a hybrid car, leave for office an hour earlier than you used to before, because hybrid cars are much slower than normal cars. Because they have very less energy to run with, they are made with as light bodies as possible. We want to protect the environment to protect our children. But if you're planning to buy them a hybrid car to do so, the chances of them being flattened by some bigger car are far more. So if you want to keep your children safe, why not buy them a Land Rover instead? And then there's the matter of power again. With the amount of power a hybrid can provide, imagine the trouble and time it would take for you to reach a high altitude point with a fairly steep road, that is, if you would ever manage to get up there on that car.
Whether hybrid cars will be the future of the car industry, one cannot say for sure. But one thing is certain, where it stands today is quite for from a point where it will replace the petrol or gas powered cars.
Super Cars
By: Jonathon Hardcastle
Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Automotive, Sports, and Travel
Man's thrill for speed can best be satiated with super-cars. Super-cars were made to give a taste of new extremes to mankind. They have powerful engines specially build lighter bodies which allow them to reach high maximum speeds at amazing accelerations.
Modern Super-cars are more reliable than older ones. They use new technology to make them less threatening to the environment; new exhaust converters, comparatively lower ignition engines etc. They are now made with safer gadgets and bodies to keep not only the people inside them safe but also those run over by them. All this, just to build a better future for our children and a safer and cleaner tomorrow. But we are talking about Super-cars here, so that's just not the point.
Super-cars are supposed to be much faster and fearsome than ordinary cars. Though they still are all that, but compared to the Super-cars of the past made almost fifteen years ago they are slightly slower now. The modern Super-cars have so much more technology that even if you hit the brake the computer inside the car calculates the speed and traction control and then brake the car making the response time slower than older Super-cars; in which the car did exactly what and when you told it to do. Fifteen years ago Mclaren proved that they had the technology to cross the 240 mph speed mark. Though Porche have the same technology to achieve that goal, somehow for some strange reason they held back from doing so. In some old Super-cars like the Ferrari F40 there were no door handles, no radio and no carpets and all these things made it a lot lighter. The F40 could go from naught to 60 in 3.2 seconds which almost no modern super-car can accomplish. New modern cars on the other hand have a lot of gadgets but they only serve as distractions. When you are in a super-car is drive and drive fast. Older Super-cars are still much faster than the new contemporary ones.
Environmental agencies and government regulations have made Super-cars of today have made them impotent vis-à-vis there cousins from a decade ago and at the same time have killed the very purpose of engineering and driving a super car.
Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Automotive, Sports, and Travel
Man's thrill for speed can best be satiated with super-cars. Super-cars were made to give a taste of new extremes to mankind. They have powerful engines specially build lighter bodies which allow them to reach high maximum speeds at amazing accelerations.
Modern Super-cars are more reliable than older ones. They use new technology to make them less threatening to the environment; new exhaust converters, comparatively lower ignition engines etc. They are now made with safer gadgets and bodies to keep not only the people inside them safe but also those run over by them. All this, just to build a better future for our children and a safer and cleaner tomorrow. But we are talking about Super-cars here, so that's just not the point.
Super-cars are supposed to be much faster and fearsome than ordinary cars. Though they still are all that, but compared to the Super-cars of the past made almost fifteen years ago they are slightly slower now. The modern Super-cars have so much more technology that even if you hit the brake the computer inside the car calculates the speed and traction control and then brake the car making the response time slower than older Super-cars; in which the car did exactly what and when you told it to do. Fifteen years ago Mclaren proved that they had the technology to cross the 240 mph speed mark. Though Porche have the same technology to achieve that goal, somehow for some strange reason they held back from doing so. In some old Super-cars like the Ferrari F40 there were no door handles, no radio and no carpets and all these things made it a lot lighter. The F40 could go from naught to 60 in 3.2 seconds which almost no modern super-car can accomplish. New modern cars on the other hand have a lot of gadgets but they only serve as distractions. When you are in a super-car is drive and drive fast. Older Super-cars are still much faster than the new contemporary ones.
Environmental agencies and government regulations have made Super-cars of today have made them impotent vis-à-vis there cousins from a decade ago and at the same time have killed the very purpose of engineering and driving a super car.
Top 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars of 2007
Like death and taxes, high gas prices have become an inescapable fact of life in this country. As a result, more and more American car buyers are making fuel economy a consideration when choosing vehicles. With those folks in mind, we've compiled a list of the 10 most fuel-efficient cars currently sold in the U.S.
Rankings were determined using the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) miles-per-gallon ratings for city and highway travel. More specifically, we tapped the EPA's combined fuel economy formula: 55 percent of city mpg rating plus 45 percent of highway mpg rating. The rating for each vehicle below is expressed in mpg as a city/highway ratio. All ratings apply to base models equipped with a manual transmission, except where indicated otherwise with an asterisk.
Each model was allowed only one appearance on the list. The sole exception is the Honda Civic, which appears twice as a result of being available in both gas-electric hybrid and regular gasoline versions.
1. Toyota Prius — 60/51*
Affordably priced at $22K and up, the Prius is a bargain on many fronts. Real-world fuel economy doesn't match EPA estimates, but this hybrid car is still the most fuel-efficient vehicle on the market.
2. Honda Civic Hybrid — 49/51*
What's even more practical than the eminently practical Civic? The Civic Hybrid, which melds hybrid frugality with the poise and refinement of Honda's perennial best seller.
3. Toyota Camry Hybrid — 40/38*
The popular Camry offers a roomy cabin and acceleration that's more brisk than is typical for a four-cylinder family sedan. The newly introduced Camry Hybrid offers all this, plus a fuel-sipping hybrid engine.
4. Toyota Yaris — 34/40
With a starting price of $11K, the brand-new Yaris is the most affordable car in Toyota's lineup. Available as a three-door hatchback or a sedan, the Yaris offers a versatile interior — thanks to available sliding and reclining rear seats — and pleasant handling.
5. Honda Fit — 33/38
Coming in at about 20 inches shorter than the Civic, the Fit is a pint-sized new entry from Honda. For a price that starts at around $13K, you get agile handling and ample standard features.
6. Toyota Corolla — 32/41
You probably know that the Toyota Corolla is one of the most reliable cars on the market. What you might not know is that this roomy hauler is also one of the most fuel-efficient.
7. Mini Cooper — 32/40*
The Mini is known for its tiny dimensions and singular looks. What you may not know is that it's also one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market. Its engineering and suspension come courtesy of BMW, its parent company, so if you slide behind the wheel, you'll definitely enjoy the ride.
8. Hyundai Accent/Kia Rio — 32/35
The 2007 Accent and its twin, the Kia Rio, nabbed the "Editors' Most Wanted Sedan Under $15,000" prize on account of agreeable handling and a generous standard features list. Both cars seem determined to upgrade our expectations of what economy cars should be.
9. Honda Civic — 30/40*
The Civic is a class leader in the small-car category, and with good reason. Available in coupe and sedan configurations, this Honda offers a roomy interior, composed handling and excellent safety ratings.
10. Nissan Versa — 30/36*
Fuel economy concerns have sparked the growth of the subcompact segment, with new entries like the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris coming to market. The brand-new Nissan Versa is one of the best in this category, with a spacious interior and stellar materials quality.
Rankings were determined using the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) miles-per-gallon ratings for city and highway travel. More specifically, we tapped the EPA's combined fuel economy formula: 55 percent of city mpg rating plus 45 percent of highway mpg rating. The rating for each vehicle below is expressed in mpg as a city/highway ratio. All ratings apply to base models equipped with a manual transmission, except where indicated otherwise with an asterisk.
Each model was allowed only one appearance on the list. The sole exception is the Honda Civic, which appears twice as a result of being available in both gas-electric hybrid and regular gasoline versions.
1. Toyota Prius — 60/51*
Affordably priced at $22K and up, the Prius is a bargain on many fronts. Real-world fuel economy doesn't match EPA estimates, but this hybrid car is still the most fuel-efficient vehicle on the market.
2. Honda Civic Hybrid — 49/51*
What's even more practical than the eminently practical Civic? The Civic Hybrid, which melds hybrid frugality with the poise and refinement of Honda's perennial best seller.
3. Toyota Camry Hybrid — 40/38*
The popular Camry offers a roomy cabin and acceleration that's more brisk than is typical for a four-cylinder family sedan. The newly introduced Camry Hybrid offers all this, plus a fuel-sipping hybrid engine.
4. Toyota Yaris — 34/40
With a starting price of $11K, the brand-new Yaris is the most affordable car in Toyota's lineup. Available as a three-door hatchback or a sedan, the Yaris offers a versatile interior — thanks to available sliding and reclining rear seats — and pleasant handling.
5. Honda Fit — 33/38
Coming in at about 20 inches shorter than the Civic, the Fit is a pint-sized new entry from Honda. For a price that starts at around $13K, you get agile handling and ample standard features.
6. Toyota Corolla — 32/41
You probably know that the Toyota Corolla is one of the most reliable cars on the market. What you might not know is that this roomy hauler is also one of the most fuel-efficient.
7. Mini Cooper — 32/40*
The Mini is known for its tiny dimensions and singular looks. What you may not know is that it's also one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market. Its engineering and suspension come courtesy of BMW, its parent company, so if you slide behind the wheel, you'll definitely enjoy the ride.
8. Hyundai Accent/Kia Rio — 32/35
The 2007 Accent and its twin, the Kia Rio, nabbed the "Editors' Most Wanted Sedan Under $15,000" prize on account of agreeable handling and a generous standard features list. Both cars seem determined to upgrade our expectations of what economy cars should be.
9. Honda Civic — 30/40*
The Civic is a class leader in the small-car category, and with good reason. Available in coupe and sedan configurations, this Honda offers a roomy interior, composed handling and excellent safety ratings.
10. Nissan Versa — 30/36*
Fuel economy concerns have sparked the growth of the subcompact segment, with new entries like the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris coming to market. The brand-new Nissan Versa is one of the best in this category, with a spacious interior and stellar materials quality.
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