Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Top Ten Stolen Vehicles of 2008]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/31/top-ten-stolen-vehicles-of-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/31/top-ten-stolen-vehicles-of-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/31/top-ten-stolen-vehicles-of-2008/#commentsFiled under:



Thanks to modern technologies like ignition keys with embedded chips and factory installed security immobilizers, it's getting harder and harder to steal new cars. As a result, the number of cars and trucks stolen in the United States dropped by 13.1 percent in 2008 compared to 2007, a trend that has been continuing for five years. Total thefts for the year could actually end up under 1 million for the first time in 20 years.

Owners of older cars on the other hand aren't so lucky. One of the main driving factors behind car thefts is to strip the vehicles and sell the parts. The main market for those parts is older, high volume vehicles, so the same vehicles are the ones that tend to get stolen. The top ten stolen vehicles for 2008 includes a couple of surprises and a bunch of perennial hits. Check out the whole list by clicking the image above.

[Source: SmartBrief | Photo by stephenyeargin | CC 2.0]

Continue reading Top Ten Stolen Vehicles of 2008

Top Ten Stolen Vehicles of 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredtop tentop ten listtop ten liststop ten stolen carsTopTenTopTenListTopTenListsTopTenStolenCarsMon, 31 Aug 2009 19:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 10 Most/Least Expensive Vehicles To Insure]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/top-10-most-least-expensive-vehicles-to-insure/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/top-10-most-least-expensive-vehicles-to-insure/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/top-10-most-least-expensive-vehicles-to-insure/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for Most Expensive ------------------------------- Click above for Least Expensive

There are lots of variables to consider when shopping for your next new car. Obviously, the initial purchase price is a big part of the decision, but that's certainly not the only sum to factor in. For instance, the cost of gas and insurance need to be added in to figure out the final monthly expenditure. This being the case, we're all keenly interested to know how vehicles compare when it comes to these ancillary charges.

Thankfully, there are experts paid to do this tedious work for us. Researchers from Insure.com compiled a list of nearly 300 vehicles available in 2009 and has broken them out in order of average insurance costs. For the most part, the list plays out pretty much as you'd expect to see. There are a few surprises, though. For instance, coming in as the eleventh most expensive vehicle to insure - and therefore the first vehicle not appearing on our list of the most expensive cars to insure - is the Chevy Cobalt SS. That means the littlest Super Sport in the Bowtie stable costs more to insure than cars like the Jaguar XKR, BMW M3 and Audi R8. Who'da thunk?

Want to know more? Take a moment to follow us along as we take a brief look at both ends of the insurance cost spectrum. First, click here to see the Top 10 Most Expensive Cars to Insure. Finished? Perfect, as an interesting counterpoint, click here to see the Top 10 Least Expensive Cars to Insure. Remember, the prices quoted by Insure.com are averages, so your actual insurance premiums may vary widely.



[Source: Insure.com, Main image by limonada | CC2.0]

Top 10 Most/Least Expensive Vehicles To Insure originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto insuranceAutoInsuranceautomobile insuranceAutomobileInsurancefeaturedinsurance costsInsuranceCoststop 10top 10 carstop 10 least expensive carstop 10 listtop 10 most expensive carstop tentop ten carstop ten insurancetop ten least expensive carstop ten listtop ten liststop ten most expensive carsTop10Top10CarsTop10LeastExpensiveCarsTop10ListTop10MostExpensiveCarsTopTenTopTenCarsTopTenInsuranceTopTenLeastExpensiveCarsTopTenListTopTenListsTopTenMostExpensiveCarsTue, 09 Jun 2009 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 10 Animated Cars Of All Time]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/05/top-10-animated-cars-of-all-time/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/05/top-10-animated-cars-of-all-time/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/05/top-10-animated-cars-of-all-time/#commentsFiled under: ,



We love cars here at Autoblog, and we've been inflicted with this particular disease for our entire lives - even back when we were but young little tykes. Like most of you, we have fond memories of plopping ourselves in front of the television to watch Saturday morning cartoons - especially the shows that prominently featured automobiles in one form or another. In fact, that appreciation for all things automotive lives with us to this day, and we still get a kick out of animated features that focus in on our favorite subject in the world.

With all of this in mind, follow along with us today as we recount our favorite Top 10 Animated Cars Of All Time. To make it on our list, a vehicle had to be prominently featured on an animated show on either the small or big screen. Hopefully, there's something for everybody on today's list, as it stretches from before many of us were born right on through to today.


Top 10 Animated Cars Of All Time originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredtop 10top 10 animated carstop 10 animated cars of all timetop 10 listtop tentop ten animated carstop ten carstop ten listtop ten listsTop10Top10AnimatedCarsTop10AnimatedCarsOfAllTimeTop10ListTopTenTopTenAnimatedCarsTopTenCarsTopTenListTopTenListsFri, 05 Jun 2009 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Ten Forgotten Convertibles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/20/top-ten-forgotten-convertibles/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/20/top-ten-forgotten-convertibles/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/20/top-ten-forgotten-convertibles/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Since the advent of the automobile, automakers have always been compelled to go topless with a variety of cars, and occasionally, trucks. For a brief period in the late 1970s, after rollover safety standards threatened our wind-in-the-hair, sun-loving ways, it was nearly impossible to find a real convertible to buy in America. Instead, automakers introduced alternatives like the targa and T-top that maintained a modicum of protection from a vestigial roof.

All that changed as the '80s approached and the convertible once again took its rightful place in the line-ups of nearly every automaker doing business in America. This resurgence gave way to a host of new drop-tops on the market, and who can forget the throngs of Chrysler LeBaron convertibles or the game-changing Mazda Miata?

Today, though, we're taking a stroll through memory lane with some of the least popular convertibles we could dredge up from our quickly fading memory banks. To qualify for this particular list, the car had to be a true convertible, which excluded such gems as the Suzuki X90, Nissan Pulsar NX and Daihatsu Rocky. Without further ado, then, we bring you the Top Ten Forgotten Convertibles of the past 30 years.

Top Ten Forgotten Convertibles originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 May 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>top 10top 10 convertiblestop 10 forgotten convertiblestop 10 listtop tentop ten carstop ten convertiblestop ten forgotten convertiblestop ten listtop ten listsTop10Top10ConvertiblesTop10ForgottenConvertiblesTop10ListTopTenTopTenCarsTopTenConvertiblesTopTenForgottenConvertiblesTopTenListTopTenListsWed, 20 May 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 10 Forgotten Hatchbacks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/top-10-forgotten-hatchbacks/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/top-10-forgotten-hatchbacks/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/top-10-forgotten-hatchbacks/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The annals of U.S. automobile history may be littered with the occasional hatchback success story, but for every Volkswagen Golf or Toyota Prius, there are dozens of failed three- and five-door hatches that, for whatever reason, fizzled out shortly after hitting the American market. In fact, this particular Top 10 list could easily have been fleshed out into a Top 20 if we had the patience, but cars like the Toyota FX, Plymouth Laser, and Nissan NX failed to meet our tough standards for relative obscurity, and thus they will have to be reserved for future lists.

That said, follow along with us as we take a guided tour of some of the most obscure hatchbacks from the last three decades. Don't sweat it if you don't recall a few of the forgotten machines on our list - most of us - with at least one glaring exception *cough, Paukert, cough* - had to delve deep into our rapidly fading memory banks just to remember the names of these unloved glassbacks.

Top 10 Forgotten Hatchbacks originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 May 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredhatchbackhatchbacksobscure hatchbacksObscureHatchbackstop tentop ten carstop ten forgotten hatchbackstop ten hatchbackstop ten listtop ten listsTopTenTopTenCarsTopTenForgottenHatchbacksTopTenHatchbacksTopTenListTopTenListsTue, 12 May 2009 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Ten features vanishing from modern-day automobiles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/01/top-ten-features-vanishing-from-modern-day-automobiles/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/01/top-ten-features-vanishing-from-modern-day-automobiles/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/01/top-ten-features-vanishing-from-modern-day-automobiles/#commentsFiled under: ,



Time marches on. It's an undeniable truth in all industries, and the car making business is no different. For most, this is an exceedingly good thing, as it means today's automobiles are packed with more features and technology than ever before. Modern-day cars are faster, quieter, cleaner and safer now than in any other point in history.

Unfortunately for the minority that prefers cars the way they were, it seems highly unlikely that the ten things in the following list will stay around much longer. To make our list, an item must still be available somewhere in today's marketplace, so don't expect to see things like tail fins or push-button automatic transmissions on the following pages.

With that in mind, take a few moments to reminisce with us as we take a look at the top ten features vanishing from modern-day automobiles.

Top Ten features vanishing from modern-day automobiles originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 May 2009 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>top tentop ten carstop ten listTopTenTopTenCarsTopTenListFri, 01 May 2009 12:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Carmax Reveals Most Searched Used Vehicles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/30/carmax-reveals-most-searched-used-vehicles/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/30/carmax-reveals-most-searched-used-vehicles/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/30/carmax-reveals-most-searched-used-vehicles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



If you shopped for a used car in 2008, odds are you researched the Honda Accord, at least if you were checking out CarMax. For the third year in a row, the Accord topped the search list of CarMax.com, which is dominated by imports, like another popular search site. The list is a big bite of commonplace cars and trucks, the most zooty being the Ford Mustang. We think the CarMax search data just goes to show how smart and practical most buyers are; it would be hard to go wrong with anything everyone else was shopping for. Hit the gallery for the full top-ten.

Gallery: CarMax top ten searches

Honda AccordHonda CivicToyota CamryFord MustangNissan Altima

[Source: CarMax.com]

Continue reading Carmax Reveals Most Searched Used Vehicles

Carmax Reveals Most Searched Used Vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carmaxcarmax inc.carmax incorporatedcarmax searchescarmax top tencarmaxinc.carmaxincorporatedCarmaxSearchesCarmaxTopTentop ten carstop ten listtop ten used carsTopTenCarsTopTenListTopTenUsedCarsTue, 30 Dec 2008 13:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 10 Cars That Don't Deserve Their Engines]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/29/top-ten-cars-that-dont-deserve-their-engines/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/29/top-ten-cars-that-dont-deserve-their-engines/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/29/top-ten-cars-that-dont-deserve-their-engines/#commentsFiled under: ,



The engine is the crown jewel of any automobile and can make or break a car in the eyes of an automotive enthusiast. No matter how sweet a car's handling or how neutral its balance, a limp-wristed engine can completely kill the machine's ability to put a smile on your face. Conversely, nothing screams buzzkill quite like a glorious engine cooped up in a dowdy package. Such is the case with the ten vehicles that made their way on our Top Ten Cars That Don't Deserve Their Engines list. Unfortunately, the powerplants under the hoods of these ten cars are forever destined to mediocrity. Some may consider these cars sleepers due to their often unassuming wrappers, but we maintain these engines would rather live a life free of their humble trappings; free to ingest the atmosphere with reckless abandon and exhale their burnt offerings to the gods of a good time.

Top 10 Cars That Don't Deserve Their Engines originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredslow sportscarsSlowSportscarstop 10 cars that dont deserve their enginestop tentop ten carstop ten listtop ten listsTop10CarsThatDontDeserveTheirEnginesTopTenTopTenCarsTopTenListTopTenListsweak sportscarsWeakSportscarsMon, 29 Dec 2008 19:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 10 Least Stolen Vehicles in 2008]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/09/top-10-least-stolen-vehicles-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/09/top-10-least-stolen-vehicles-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/09/top-10-least-stolen-vehicles-in-2008/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above to start the list of Top Ten Least Stolen Vehicles in 2008

Yesterday we showed you the Top Ten Most Stolen Vehicles in 2008 based on thefts per number of insured models. While many of you pointed out that these were, in fact, not the most stolen vehicles overall, most of you agreed that they weren't worth risking time in the clink over, either. Even the most stolen vehicles overall like the Honda Civic, Accord and Toyota Camry don't really seem worth the trouble unless you run a chop-shop. So what can you do to keep your daily commuter parked safe and sound in the driveway? Perhaps drive one of these.

Again using new data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute, we've assembled a new list of the Top Ten Least Stolen Vehicles in 2008. Not all of them are undesirable, some just have very good protective devices. Others are just so popular that their owners don't let them out of their sight. We make no promises about whether or not your particular car will be stolen, but we do know that the IIHS says these vehicles generate the fewest insurance-claim reports related to theft. As before, the figures are reported in number of claims filed for every 1,000 vehicles insured each year, and this most recent report covers vehicles made and sold between 2005 and 2007. So follow the banner to find out what the least stolen cars of 2008 are.

Top 10 Least Stolen Vehicles in 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredleast stolen vehiclesLeastStolenVehiclestop 10top 10 listtop tentop ten least stolen vehicles 2008top ten listTop10Top10ListTopTenTopTenLeastStolenVehicles2008TopTenListTue, 09 Dec 2008 19:58:00 EST<![CDATA[The Top 10-ish Orphan Car Brands]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/01/the-top-10-ish-orphan-car-brands/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/01/the-top-10-ish-orphan-car-brands/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/01/the-top-10-ish-orphan-car-brands/#commentsFiled under:



In this era of automakers on the brink of extinction, it's worth recalling that car companies going belly up is not a new phenomenon. Henry Ford himself started up two other brands that failed before Ford Motor Co. finally caught on. Start-up companies are not something that was invented in Silicon Valley and among all start-ups, failure is much more likely than success. In the early part of the 20th century, as the car was just gaining traction, there were literally thousands of automakers, most of whom have been long since lost to history. In the next couple of years we will almost certainly see more brands disappear and consolidate, so let's look back at some of the more memorable examples that are already gone while we wait for others to go. For those interested in seeing some of these orphans in person, we recommend checking out the annual Orphan Car Show every June in Ypsilanti, MI. Most of the gallery photos were shot there.

The Top 10-ish Orphan Car Brands originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredorphan car brandsorphan car showorphan carsOrphanCarBrandsOrphanCarsOrphanCarShowtop tentop ten listtop ten liststop ten orphan car brandsTopTenTopTenListTopTenListsTopTenOrphanCarBrandsMon, 01 Dec 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Top Ten Things Autoblog is Thankful For]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/27/top-ten-things-autoblog-is-thankful-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/27/top-ten-things-autoblog-is-thankful-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/27/top-ten-things-autoblog-is-thankful-for/#commentsFiled under:



The industry that we know and love is facing hard times right now. Guess what? We're not going to talk about it. No, instead of spending time dwelling on the negative, which we can't really do anything about at the moment anyway, we're training our sights on the positives. There's plenty to be happy about in autodom, whether you are a fan of classic Detroit iron, forcefully-aspirated four-bangers and just about anything in between. Besides the mechanical bits that we constantly obsess over, there's also the joy of driving, though that may be the last thing on your mind in your tryptofan-induced coma. To commemorate our love of all things automotive, we've decided that a Top Ten list enumerating all the things for which Autoblog is thankful is in order. So, without further ado...

Top Ten Things Autoblog is Thankful For originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Nov 2008 13:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoblog top tenAutoblogTopTenthankfulthanksgivingthanksgiving dinnerThanksgivingDinnertop tentop ten listtop ten liststop ten things autoblog is thankful forTopTenTopTenListTopTenListsTopTenThingsAutoblogIsThankfulForThu, 27 Nov 2008 13:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Freep names 10 cars that will redefine the industry... like the Camaro]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/13/freep-names-10-cars-that-will-redefine-the-industry-like-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/13/freep-names-10-cars-that-will-redefine-the-industry-like-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/13/freep-names-10-cars-that-will-redefine-the-industry-like-the/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,



The Detroit Free Press laid out ten industry-redefining cars, and we're, well, a little perplexed. This is the definition, in the paper's own words: "a handful of new vehicles that debut over the next 12 months may shape the future of automakers around the world. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some break new ground for their manufacturers. Others aim to reassert companies' dominance in market segments they created."

We don't believe they are ranked in any order, but first up is the Audi A4, with a "beautifully balanced chassis" and bargain price that could put the shakes into everyone from BMW to Acura. The Chevy Traverse might outsell the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook, and Buick Enclave combined. The new Dodge Ram will be ultra smooth, the new Ford F-150 will be more frugal. And so on...

While all of these are worthy accomplishments, none of them -- not even the 2010 Prius nor the 2010 Lincoln MKT -- appears to have any claim to redefining the industry. But follow the link and see for yourself. Maybe we missed something.

[Source: Detroit Free Press via Chevy Traverse Forum]

Freep names 10 cars that will redefine the industry... like the Camaro originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Sep 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>listliststop tentop ten listtop ten listsTopTenTopTenListTopTenListsSat, 13 Sep 2008 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Forbes lists the Top 10 Fastest Fictional Cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/15/forbes-lists-the-top-10-fastest-fictional-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/15/forbes-lists-the-top-10-fastest-fictional-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/15/forbes-lists-the-top-10-fastest-fictional-cars/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Employing research that they certainly did not get from AOL Autos, Forbes is at it again with a list of the Top 10 Fastest Fictional Cars. One of the things we find odd about the list is that there are a number of cars included that you can actually buy or make pretty easily, like James Bond's Aston Martin DBS or the General Lee. That, and a lot of cars for sale today are as fast or faster than some fictional ones on the list.

Yet the strangest thing on the list has to be that Lightning McQueen, he of Cars fame, has a 750-horsepower V8 but takes 4.5 seconds to get from 0-to-60. Disney, come on. It's no wonder Lightning had self-esteem issues.

We won't tell you what No. 1 is, but it goes 800-MPH and runs on Energon, which, sadly, Chevron doesn't carry. Click the link for the full rundown, and check out the list of honorable mentions as well, which includes the Gran Torino from Starsky & Hutch and the G-6155 Interceptor from the Spy Hunter video game. Thanks for the tip, Benjamin!

[Source: Forbes]

Forbes lists the Top 10 Fastest Fictional Cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 May 2008 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fictional carsFictionalCarsforbesforbes.comforbesmagazinelistliststop tentop ten listtop ten listsTopTenTopTenListTopTenListsThu, 15 May 2008 17:29:00 EST