Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Lamborghini Reventon #01/20 arrives at Vegas dealership]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/11/lamborghini-reventon-01-20-arrives-at-vegas-dealership/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/11/lamborghini-reventon-01-20-arrives-at-vegas-dealership/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/11/lamborghini-reventon-01-20-arrives-at-vegas-dealership/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for photo gallery

Sometimes people say the best gifts come in small packages. We beg to differ, because if someone were to deliver us the big 'ol box you see above, we'd probably think it was the best gift ever. In that box is Lamborghini Reventon number one of twenty. Apparently, it's the only example which will be sold privately via a traditional dealership -- in this case, Lamborghini of Las Vegas. The other nineteen were all spoken for before ever leaving the factory. We've attached a sampling of photos here, but to see the complete, step-by-step gallery of the car's unboxing in Sin City, you'll need to drop by Fresh Tarmac. If you're an Autoblog reader vacationing in Vegas, you know what to do if you jackpot one of those hundred-dollar slots.

Gallery: Lamborghini Reventon unboxed in Las Vegas


[Source: Fresh Tarmac]

 

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]]>lamborghini las vegaslamborghini reventonLamborghiniLasVegasLamborghiniReventonreventonreventon 0120reventon unboxingReventon0120ReventonUnboxing2008-05-11T09:02:00+00:00<![CDATA[Mazda survey reveals pricing and packages for Mazda6]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/mazda-survey-reveals-pricing-and-packages-for-mazda6/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/mazda-survey-reveals-pricing-and-packages-for-mazda6/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/mazda-survey-reveals-pricing-and-packages-for-mazda6/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Mazda6

Mazda recently sent out a survey request to potential customers, the purpose of which was to allow these survey takers to build a 2009 Mazda6 with whatever options, packages and colors they wanted so that the automaker could gauge which will be most popular when the car goes on sale. Unfortunately, Mazda was smart and the survey can only be taken once, but one person recorded all the information he saw and posted it on the Mazda6club.com forum. His notes after the jump give us an idea of what trim levels, options and pricing will be available when the car does go on sale, though none of it is written in stone.

It appears that the 2009 Mazda6 will be available in two basic versions: the Mazda6 i that comes with a 170-hp 2.5L four-cylinder with VVT and the more powerful Mazda6 s that's motivated by a 272-hp 3.7L V6. The Mazda6 i will be offered in SV, Sport, Touring and Grand Touring models, while the Mazda6 s will be available as Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. As far as pricing goes, the Mazda6 i SV kicks things off with a base price of $19,850 while the Mazda6 s Grand Touring tops the range with a base price of $29,150. That's quite a large range that should satisfy the wants and needs of most buyers, and features like Xenon headlamps, Bluetooth, a Blind Spot Monitoring system, rain-sensing wipers and wheels up to 18-inches in diameter should position the new Zoom-Zoom sedan well against its mid-size family sedan competition.

Check out all the packages, standard features and pricing info after the jump, but remember they may not be the same when the car officially goes on sale. Thanks for the tip, Joel!

Gallery: 2009 Mazda6


[Source: Mazda6club.com]

Continue reading Mazda survey reveals pricing and packages for Mazda6

 

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]]>2009 mazda62009Mazda6mazda6mazda6 featuresmazda6 optionsmazda6 pricingMazda6FeaturesMazda6OptionsMazda6Pricing2008-05-08T15:00:00+00:00<![CDATA[More creative incentives: Buy a VW Routan and get $1,500 for college]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/more-creative-incentives-buy-a-vw-routan-get-1-500-for-colleg/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/more-creative-incentives-buy-a-vw-routan-get-1-500-for-colleg/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/more-creative-incentives-buy-a-vw-routan-get-1-500-for-colleg/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Volkswagen Routan

The new Volkswagen Routan minivan hasn't even gone on sale yet and there is already an incentive on its hood. This one, however, is not your typical cash back deal. Instead, Volkswagen is working under the assumption that the people likely to actually purchase a Routan are those with kids to haul. As such, VW of America is teaming up with Upromise to provide buyers with $1,500 towards a higher education savings plan. Upromise is a company that works with retailers to provide cash back bonuses when one of their registered credit card is used for purchases. Those rebates can then be transferred to a 529 education savings plan. To be eligible for the college bonus, you have to pre-order the Chrysler-built Routan by the end of August and take delivery by the end of November.

Gallery: Volkswagen Routan


[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading More creative incentives: Buy a VW Routan and get $1,500 for college

 

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]]>upromisevolkswagenvolkswagen routanvolkswagen sciroccoVolkswagenRoutanVolkswagenSciroccovolkwagenvw routanvw-routanVwRoutan2008-05-08T11:14:00+00:00<![CDATA[You know what they say: Court orders Volvo to pay man with big feet]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/you-know-what-they-say-court-orders-volvo-to-pay-ma-with-big-fe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/you-know-what-they-say-court-orders-volvo-to-pay-ma-with-big-fe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/you-know-what-they-say-court-orders-volvo-to-pay-ma-with-big-fe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

"Hey, Stompy, you wanna take a test drive?

Nein, I'll just take the one in black, please."

So goes the imagined conversation between Michael Herzog, he of size 12 (UK) feet, and the Volvo dealer from whom he purchased a C70. Herzog says his feet are too large for the pedal box in his Volvo, precluding use of that most essential pedal, the accelerator. The issue went to court in Wiesloch, Germany, where a judge ruled that size 12 is not freakishly large, so Volvo should have designed a car to accommodate that size foot. Size 12 on UK size charts is about the same as a U.S. size 12, so it's not an incomprehensibly large foot. The dealer has been directed to refund five percent of the purchase price, a total of £1,350, to pay for a custom pair of shoes that allow the owner to drive his new car, as well as compensate him for time lost to shoe-changes. And we thought the U.S. was litigious.

[Source: am-online, Photo: BBC]

 

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]]>big feetBigFeetvolvo big footvolvo c70volvo feetvolvo lawsuitVolvoBigFootVolvoC70VolvoFeetVolvoLawsuit2008-05-07T16:43:00+00:00<![CDATA[Audi R8 sold out "for months"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/audi-sold-out-of-r8s-for-months/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/audi-sold-out-of-r8s-for-months/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/07/audi-sold-out-of-r8s-for-months/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for more high-res shots of the Audi R8

The Audi R8 has supercar looks and red-hot demand, so if you want to own the stunning German two-seater, you'd best get to the back of the line. Buyers of the mid-engine Audi have picked up every model that will be made for months, which tells us what we already knew: the R8 is a legitimate smash hit. Oddly, Audi isn't specifying how many R8s it has sold since the vehicle's introduction, and it's likely the German automaker won't go out of its way to ramp up production and risk ruining the all-wheel-drive supercar's buzz-factor.

It's no surprise that the R8 is so successful on the sales floor, but the downside is that the vehicle's sustained popularity is keeping higher performance editions off the market. If a 420-hp 4.2L powerplant can take you to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, just imagine what a 580-hp twin-turbo V10 will do on dry pavement.

Gallery: 2008 Audi R8


[Source: Inside Line]

 

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]]>AudiAudi R8AudiR8R8 salesR8Sales2008-05-07T08:30:00+00:00<![CDATA[Chrysler criticized for $2.99 gas, Suzuki jumps on bandwagon]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/chrysler-criticized-for-2-99-gas-suzuki-jumps-on-bandwagon/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/chrysler-criticized-for-2-99-gas-suzuki-jumps-on-bandwagon/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/chrysler-criticized-for-2-99-gas-suzuki-jumps-on-bandwagon/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We knew critics of Chrysler's $2.99 Gas Guarantee would crawl out of the woodwork before too long, and here they come. Automotive News reports that The Union of Concerned Scientists has called Chrysler's program a "cynical deal", noting that at today's current average price of $3.61/gallon, a customer would save about $400 a year under Chrysler's program. Being the smart folk they are, the scientists also pointed out that customers could save the same amount from a 3 mpg bump in fuel economy over 15,000 miles or a year of driving, and that better fuel economy also continues saving the customer money after three years. Damn, scientists are so smart with the math.

The criticism hasn't stopped Suzuki, however, from announcing its own free gas deal. For vehicles purchased between May 1st and June 30th, Suzuki is offering 0% financing and three months of totally free fuel in its "Free Gas for Summer" program. Buyers will basically get a stored-value credit card that's charged with a different amount of money depending on the model purchased.

These incentive programs are nothing but promotions designed to grab headlines and make buyers feel like they're getting more money back than they actually are. Playing off the media's hysteria over high gas prices, Chrysler (and Suzuki) is betting buyers will feel that paying $2.99/gallon for three years is more valuable than a $2,000 cash back rebate. Trust the math, it's really not. Nevertheless, it will likely sell more Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles than a boring $2,000 rebate would.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

 

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]]>2.99 gas2.99Gaschrysler 2.99 gaschrysler gasChrysler2.99GasChryslerGasfree gasFreeGassuzuki free gasSuzukiFreeGas2008-05-06T17:55:00+00:00<![CDATA[Forbes comes up with top-ten most expensive luxury cars to repair]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/forbes-comes-up-with-top-ten-most-expensive-luxury-cars-to-repai/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/forbes-comes-up-with-top-ten-most-expensive-luxury-cars-to-repai/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/06/forbes-comes-up-with-top-ten-most-expensive-luxury-cars-to-repai/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Buying a luxury car or SUV is the dream of many readers, and while a BMW or Mercedes will buy you some instant street-cred, they'll also cost you an arm and a leg if it ever needs fixing. A repair that may be no big deal for a Chevy Cobalt can cost much more in a luxury vehicle due to high-tech gadgets and more expensive materials. Forbes put together lists of the ten most expensive to repair luxury and non-luxury vehicles over a five year period.

The most costly vehicle to fix overall was the Dodge Viper, which came in at $1,641, and the most expensive luxury vehicle was the Audi A8 at $1,640. On the luxury list, every vehicle came from Europe, with zero entries from Detroit or Japan. The story was much different for the non-luxury vehicles, with heavy-duty trucks and SUVs making up the lion's share of the list. The Subaru Impreza and Mini Cooper were the only imports to make Forbes' dubious top ten. Hit the jump to view the most expensive luxury cars to repair, and click on the link below to view the priciest non-luxury list.

[Source: Forbes]

Continue reading Forbes comes up with top-ten most expensive luxury cars to repair

 

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]]>ForbesLuxuryVehicle RepairVehicleRepair2008-05-06T09:28:00+00:00<![CDATA[Toyota announces mid-model year price increases]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/toyota-announces-mid-model-year-price-increases/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/toyota-announces-mid-model-year-price-increases/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/toyota-announces-mid-model-year-price-increases/#commentsFiled under: ,



Toyota announced a raft of mid-model year price increases today for cars and trucks across its lineup and including the Lexus brand, as well. You can check out all the increases below and after the jump, though note that the only 2009 model to receive an increase is the Camry, which goes up by $200 to $18,920 for the gas model and $300 to $25,650 for the Camry Hybrid. Also note that the little Yaris and popular Prius received price increases. The 2008 Yaris sedan is up $200 to $12,425, the Yaris liftback up $200 to $11,550 and the Prius is up $400 to $21,500. This comes after an amazing month of sales in April for both gas sippers in which 45.9% more Yaris and 53.8% more Priuses were sold on average per day.

Toyota (not including $660-685 for delivery charges)
2008 Yaris - (sedan) up $200 to $12,425 and (liftback) up $200 to $11,550
2008 Prius - up $400 to $21,500
2009 Camry - up $200 to $18,920 (Hybrid up $300 to $25,650)
2008 Solara Coupe and Convertible - up $250 to $20,180 and $27,440, respectively
2008 RAV4 - up $250 to $21,500
2008 Highlander - up $200 to $27,500 (Hybrid up $500 to $34,200)
2008 FJ Cruiser - up $500 to $23,045
2008 Tundra - up $100 to $24,440

Follow the jump for a list of Lexus price increases, as well as the official word from Toyota with more details on the price increases.

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota announces mid-model year price increases

 

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]]>2008 toyota price increase2008ToyotaPriceIncreasecamry price increaseCamryPriceIncreaseprius price increasePriusPriceIncreasetoyota price increaseToyotaPriceIncreaseyaris price increaseYarisPriceIncrease2008-05-05T12:59:00+00:00<![CDATA[Get 'em while they're not hot! Dodge Rams going for $13k below MSRP]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/get-em-while-theyre-not-hot-dodge-rams-going-for-13k-below-m/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/get-em-while-theyre-not-hot-dodge-rams-going-for-13k-below-m/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/05/get-em-while-theyre-not-hot-dodge-rams-going-for-13k-below-m/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



A tight credit market, slumping construction, an economy on bed rest, an end-of-model year, and high gas prices mean one thing for pickup trucks: lots of brand new trucks waiting for buyers. Dealers trying to shift their 2008 Dodge Rams before the 2009s arrive are taking as much as $13,000 off the bill to try and convince buyers to come forth. That means you can get a Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab SLT 4x2 for $19,995, instead of $32,795.

With consumers being more picky about what and when they buy, it also doesn't help that dealers really don't want trade-in trucks either, since they can't do anything with them. What Dodge dealers hope for now is that Chrysler will manage the build-out of the 2009 models to give them a chance to get rid of the 2008s. Chrysler says it has a plan that will keep it competitive and keep the changeover orderly. For now, the Ram is the most heavily discounted vehicle out there.

For a dealer in Ohio, the matter of 120-day inventories really comes down to gas prices. "Until we get gas under three bucks a gallon," he said, "these pickups are not going to move." We're sure that no one wants that to be true, because if it is, there will be brand new 2008 Rams on showroom lots for a long time.

[Source: Automotive News, sub req'd]

 

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]]>2008 dodge ram2008DodgeRam2009 dodge ram2009DodgeRamdealer inventorydealer stockDealerInventoryDealerStockdodgedodge ramDodgeRamincentivespickup truck salesPickupTruckSalessalestruck salesTruckSales2008-05-05T10:29:00+00:00<![CDATA[Chrysler execs doing house calls]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/04/chrysler-execs-doing-house-calls/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/04/chrysler-execs-doing-house-calls/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/04/chrysler-execs-doing-house-calls/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

If you have a Dodge Ram in the driveway and someone claiming to be Jim Press calls you asking if you're satisfied with your truck, it just might be him. Chrysler recognizes that it has a customer service problem, and the Pentastar is going to extraordinary lengths to correct it. Its top 300 executives and directors are participating in a program called "Customer First" that puts a priority on -- you guessed it -- the customer. The executives, even guys named Nardelli, Press, and LaSorda, are responsible for at least one customer call per day, and all execs will man at least one shift at Chrysler's customer call center.

The Pentastar elite are also partaking in a three month competition to see who can generate the most sales. We don't know what the prize is for the winner, but whomever claims top sales should get something really, really good. Like a lifetime supply of Chrysler Sebrings.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

 

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]]>CerberusChryslerDodgeJeepjim pressJimPressNardelli2008-05-04T11:32:00+00:00<![CDATA[The Truth About Smart: fortwo rumors dispelled]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/the-truth-about-smart-fortwo-rumors-dispelled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/the-truth-about-smart-fortwo-rumors-dispelled/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/the-truth-about-smart-fortwo-rumors-dispelled/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Though Men's Vogue has already attempted to disprove the theory that only women can get away with driving one, it seems that smart has seen the need to dispel some rumors about the fortwo, their little urban runabout. Specifically, many people apparently question how large of a person the smart can easily handle, how safe a car this small could be, how much room there is for stuff and what features the fortwo is equipped with. In all honesty, the smart would probably work for a large percentage of the population of both the U.S. and the U.K., but certainly not for every situation likely to come up in everyday life. As a second car or strictly for commuting, we imagine that the smart would meet the needs of quite a few drivers who would never even consider a vehicle this small.

Just for fun, why not check out the truth about smart here. Even if you hate the car, you may enjoy seeing it mildly-mangled by a wrecking ball.

[Source: the truth about smart]

 

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]]>smartsmart carsmart for twosmart fortwosmart-carsmart-fortwosmart-fortwo-mileageSmartCarSmartFortwotruth about smarttruth-about-smartTruthAboutSmart2008-05-02T17:57:00+00:00<![CDATA[Tesla Motors opens first factory store in Los Angeles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/tesla-opens-first-factory-store-in-los-angeles/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/tesla-opens-first-factory-store-in-los-angeles/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/tesla-opens-first-factory-store-in-los-angeles/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res gallery from Tesla's Flagship Store grand opening

Tesla Motors has found enough time in between suing and getting sued by its suppliers to open its first dealership in Los Angeles, CA today. Located on the corner of Santa Monica and Sepulveda boulevards, the $2 million dealership sprawls 10,000 square feet and features poured concrete floors, an exposed ceiling of ductwork and beams, mirrors and potted plants. This is no Chipotle, however, as the first Tesla dealership will be staffed by salaried Tesla employees, not traditional salespeople who work on commission. Another dealership is in the works near Silicon Valley closer to the company's HQ, but we're not sure when that one will open.

Clearly modeled on the highly successful Apple Store experiment, the Tesla factory store is as much about educating the public and building brand awareness as it is about selling Tesla Roadsters. And that's a good thing, as there are no Tesla Roadsters to sell right now. The fledgling automaker has already sold 600 cars and has a waiting list 400 strong, but to date only four have been built. The first car went to Tesla Motors chairman and chief financier Elon Musk, while car #2 is earmarked for forced-out co-founder Martin Eberhard who has delayed delivery of his Tesla Roadster until its custom pain job is ready. Car #4 has been spotted at the Top Marques Monaco show with U2 frontman Bono behind the wheel, while car #3 should be on its way to an actual customer's garage.

Gallery: Tesla Motors Flagship Store - L.A.


[Source: AutoblogGreen, Photos by Vince Bucci/Getty]

 

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]]>elon muskElonMusktesla motorstesla motors dealershiptesla motors flagship storeTeslaMotorsTeslaMotorsDealershipTeslaMotorsFlagshipStore2008-05-02T15:31:00+00:00<![CDATA[Ford Mustang GT500KR priced at $79,995]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/01/ford-mustang-gt500kr-priced-at-79-995/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/01/ford-mustang-gt500kr-priced-at-79-995/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/01/ford-mustang-gt500kr-priced-at-79-995/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery from our First Drive of the GT500KR.

Ford will be producing 1,000 GT500KR Mustangs this year, with another 700 in 2009, so FoMoCo is pricing the ultimate 'Stang accordingly. For $79,995 (including destination and gas-guzzler tax), you get everything included in the "standard" GT500, plus Ford Racing's Power Upgrade Package, which includes a new exhaust and a recalibrated ECU to push out 540 hp and 510 lb.-ft. of torque from the supercharged 5.4-liter V8. The only options on the ordering form are a Shaker 1000 stereo, Sirius satellite radio and a navigation system. Ford hasn't disclosed fuel economy numbers yet, but we doubt anyone willing to drop $80k on a blown V8 is troubled by topping off their own KR with $4.00-a-gallon premium. Get your orders in now; sales begin later this month.

Don't forget to check out Part 1 and Part 2 of our First Drive: 2008 Shelby GT500KR if you haven't already, as well as the galleries below that contain a number of high-res images begging to be your next desktop wallpaper.

Hit the jump for the full press release and a video of Mr. Shelby talking up the GT500KR and its history.

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Shelby GT500KR


Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Shelby GT500KR Part 2

Continue reading Ford Mustang GT500KR priced at $79,995

 

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]]>fordford mustang gt500krford mustang gt500kr priceford mustang gt500kr pricingFordMustangGt500krFordMustangGt500krPriceFordMustangGt500krPricinggt500krmustangpricepricing2008-05-01T13:57:00+00:00<![CDATA[Book Value: KBB lists Top 10 under $18k for 2008]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/30/book-value-kbb-lists-top-10-under-18k-for-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/30/book-value-kbb-lists-top-10-under-18k-for-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/30/book-value-kbb-lists-top-10-under-18k-for-2008/#commentsFiled under:

While it may seem that the coolest cars are only available to those with means, the industry continues to compete most heavily in their largest volume segments. The result is that there is a wealth of "cool cars" available for less than $18,000, and Kelly Blue Book has compiled a list of their top ten for 2008.

The list - composed mainly of domestics and Japanese automobiles - includes the Ford Focus, Honda Fit, Jeep Patriot, Mazda3, Mitsubishi Lancer, Pontiac Vibe, Scion xB, Subaru Impreza, Suzuki SX4 and Volkswagen Rabbit. Several of the cars stayed on the list from last year, however some are newcomers to the Blue Book ranking. Among the factors KBB included in their decision were safety, fuel economy, interior size, comfort, technology, fun-to-drive and the intangible "cool" factor. KBB also notes that many of the vehicles on the list are packed with features like sat-nav, music drives, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity, push-button start and leather seating. While many of those features - like the push-button ignition and iPod connector - cost close to nothing for carmakers to include, many of the features were only available on top-of-the-line luxury automobiles just a few years ago.

Follow the jump for the press release or the link to KBB.com for more information on the top ten coolest cars on a budget.

[Source: Kelly Blue Book]

Continue reading Book Value: KBB lists Top 10 under $18k for 2008

 

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]]>budget automobilesBudgetAutomobileskbbkbb top 10KbbTop10kelly blue bookKellyBlueBooktop 10 under 18kTop10Under18k2008-04-30T20:31:00+00:00<![CDATA[Sorry, your SUV is now worthless]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/30/sorry-your-suv-is-now-worthless/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/30/sorry-your-suv-is-now-worthless/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/30/sorry-your-suv-is-now-worthless/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Thinking of trading your gas-guzzling SUV in for something smaller, a bit more fuel efficient? You are not alone. The rocketing cost of gasoline, and diesel fuel, is having a ripple effect on the SUV market. With consumers trading in their behemoths by the thousands in exchange for more frugal transportation, dealers are stuck with a surplus of unwanted sport-utes sitting on their lots with values dissolving.

Diesel-burning trucks aren't immune either. As diesel fuel costs hovering about fifty cents per-gallon above gasoline, some of the bigger oil-burning SUVs and trucks are losing measurable resale by the day. Overall, according to CNW Marketing Research, used SUV sales were down 14% in March alone. With any surplus, come big discounts. It may be a ghastly time to fill a 30-gallon tank on an SUV, but it is the perfect time to negotiate with a dealer for that seven-passenger family truckster you've been fancying. No need to hurry -- there will be an even better selection tomorrow.

Thanks to Jim for the tip!

[Source: U.S. News and World Report]

 

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]]>CAFEdieselResale valueResaleValuesport utilitysport utility vehiclesport utility vehiclesSportUtilitySportUtilityVehicleSportUtilityVehiclesSUVSUVsTrucks2008-04-30T08:58:00+00:00<![CDATA[VW begins polling everyone... about everything]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/29/vw-begins-polling-everyone-about-everything/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/29/vw-begins-polling-everyone-about-everything/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/29/vw-begins-polling-everyone-about-everything/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Volkswagen knows that 73% of the people want to take the tiny soap and shampoo from hotel rooms. They also know that 60% of ice cream buyers prefer cones over cups. On an apparent quest to learn everything, Volkswagen's just-announced multi-faceted polling effort, known as It's what the people want, "...is a way of keeping in touch with what matters to people today," according to Tim Ellis, Vice President of Marketing for VW of America.

In addition to the web-based polling, VW has also taken their efforts to Times Square where consumers may participate in live-polling, via text SMS, with the ABC Supersign (pictured above). If music is more your style, VW is also encouraging people to visit pandora to influence the playlists of two Volkswagen radio stations. While we endorse any effort by an automaker to understand what the public really wants, this obsession to learn everything may have gone too far. We just can't seem to overlook the notion that while Volkswagen accepts the fact that 65% of the people want boxers, not briefs, they still haven't fully grasped the concept that we also want the new Scirocco on our shores. Where's that poll?

[Source: Volkswagen]

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]]>ABC SupersignAbcSupersignadvertising campaignAdvertisingCampaignVolkswagenWhat the people wantWhatThePeopleWant2008-04-29T09:33:00+00:00<![CDATA[Proposed CAFE rules hurt Porsche, small powerful vehicles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/28/proposed-cafe-rules-hurts-porsche-small-powerful-vehicles/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/28/proposed-cafe-rules-hurts-porsche-small-powerful-vehicles/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/28/proposed-cafe-rules-hurts-porsche-small-powerful-vehicles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Under proposed new fuel economy rules set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), automakers with powerful short-wheelbase models are going to feel some pain. The agency is considering a plan to create two sliding scales of efficiency for cars and trucks of different sizes. Automakers will be assigned fuel economy standards based on the "footprint" (short wheelbase = small footprint) of their vehicles, and the number of vehicles they sell. Companies like Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, independent luxury brands with high-performance models, will be hit the hardest. Interestingly enough, Toyota, Chrysler, and General Motors, big players with diverse model lineups, won't feel as much pressure.

Conforming to the tough new proposed rules may be very expensive. As a result, some industry executives expect some automakers, such as Porsche, just to pay the fines--it's less costly than changing a model lineup. Regulators are under the gun to adopt a policy by April 1, 2009. In the meantime, the NHTSA will be taking public comments over the next two months. Time to send 'em a letter...

[Source: Autoweek]

 

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]]>CAFEFuel EconomyFuelEconomynational highway tra...NationalHighwayTra...NHTSAPorsche2008-04-28T18:57:00+00:00<![CDATA[Trouble at the top? Toyota vehicles sitting longer on dealer lots]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/28/trouble-at-the-top-toyota-vehicles-sitting-longer-on-dealer-lot/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/28/trouble-at-the-top-toyota-vehicles-sitting-longer-on-dealer-lot/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/28/trouble-at-the-top-toyota-vehicles-sitting-longer-on-dealer-lot/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Although Toyota has recently claimed the title of the World's Largest Automaker in terms of global sales, the Japanese-giant is finding out that life at the top isn't all it's cracked-up to be. While the Camry, Corolla, Yaris and Prius sedans are reportedly brisk movers, the same thing cannot be said about Toyota's line of trucks and sport utility vehicles. Toyota has cut Tundra and Sequoia production already, but dealers are still declining to purchase them, pushing the number of unclaimed units to an all-time high. Automotive News quotes an unnamed Toyota dealer as saying, "Last month, Southeast Toyota had 9,700 vehicles that had been turned down twice by dealers and are either sitting at the port or at sea. That's a significant number." Right now, Toyota/Scion has a high 58-day supply of available inventory on hand.

Some dealers, though, see the high number of available units as a blessing-in-disguise. "We've been asking for more inventory for two years and now we finally got it. This is a great opportunity. You have to take it when you can get it," says Steve Cain, general manager of Lewis Toyota-Scion in Topeka, Kansas. Regardless of your viewpoint, we expect that Toyota will align itself with market realities in order to bring production in line with actual sales sooner rather than later. In other words, if you've been in the market for a Toyota truck, chances are good you'll get a decent deal.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

 

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]]>toyotatoyota dealerstoyota inventorytoyota sequoiatoyota supplytoyota tundratoyota-dealerstoyota-inventorytoyota-sequoiatoyota-supplytoyota-tundraToyotaDealersToyotaInventoryToyotaSequoiaToyotaSupplyToyotaTundratundra2008-04-28T14:59:00+00:00<![CDATA[In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Pontiac Vibe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/25/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-pontiac-vibe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/25/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-pontiac-vibe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/25/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-pontiac-vibe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Pontiac Vibe

When the original Pontiac Vibe hit dealer showrooms for the 2003 model year, it was a different kind of General Motors vehicle in just about every way. Sure, it wore a Pontiac badge and had that horrible plastic cladding hanging off its sides, but the vehicle's basic shape was unlike anything else in the General's lineup. There was a very good reason for this, as the Vibe is produced by GM's joint venture with Toyota called NUMMI, or the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. This JV currently produces the Vibe, Corolla and Tacoma pickup for both automakers, and the new Vibe is basically the same vehicle as the 2009 Toyota Matrix with a different skin and interior.

For 2009, the Vibe loses all that plastic armor but keeps its Toyota ties, receiving the recently updated Corolla underpinnings and powertrains. Will the Vibe's many changes make the little Pontiac good enough for prospective buyers to consider again? We took a brand new 2009 Vibe GT for a week-long spin to find out.

Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage - 2009 Pontiac Vibe GT


All photos Copyright (C)2008 Chris Shunk / Weblogs, Inc.

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]]>2009 Pontiac Vibe GT2009PontiacVibeGtAuboblog GarageAuboblogGaragefeaturedGMhatchbackToyota MatrixToyotaMatrix2008-04-25T16:09:00+00:00<![CDATA[Audi announces new A3 will reach U.S. in Fall]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/24/audi-announces-new-a3-will-reach-u-s-in-fall/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/24/audi-announces-new-a3-will-reach-u-s-in-fall/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/24/audi-announces-new-a3-will-reach-u-s-in-fall/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click the image above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Audi A3.

For those of you aching to get your hands on the 2009 Audi A3, we have good news: it will go on sale this September and pricing information should be available close to that date. Audi's adapted press release for the U.S. market is available after the jump, but the short and sweet version is we get a choice of either the 200 hp, 2.0-liter TFSI or the 250 hp, 3.2-liter six with Quattro. If you want your power dolled out to all four wheels, but want the turbo'd 2.0-liter, you'll be able to swap cogs with Audi's S-tronic transmission. Hit the jump for all the details.

Continue reading Audi announces new A3 will reach U.S. in Fall

 

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