Archive for December, 2008

Volvo already has a good reputation for its impressive safety features.  Yet, Volvo has recently debuted new safety technologies.  To improve their safety features Volvo has built on its current safety features. Volvo’s latest safety package is available on the Volvo XC60.  The package has the purpose of assisting distracted drivers. One impressive safety feature […]

It’s pretty obvious that carmakers are having a difficult year.  And just to make things even harder, some cars that are perfectly good don’t even get a fair shake.  One car model can be just as good as another one, yet consumers don’t give it the attention of a competing model. For instance, the Saab […]

The legendary and powerful V-8 engine is finding its place in history, because very few new cars are using it, according to U.S. car industry reports.  Consumers want to protect themselves with fuel-efficient vehicles that have an auto warranty, and aren’t purchasing vehicles with V-8 engines. The majority of carmakers are deciding not to put […]

The most notable upgrade seen in the 2009 RAV4 is its new four-cylinder 2.5-liter engine, which boosts the power to 179 hp, compared to 166 hp in 2008.  The mileage stays the same at 22 mpg/city and 28 mpg/highway for the two-wheel-drive version and 21/27 mpg for the four wheel-drive versions.  Also unchanged is the […]

Recently Ford announced that it is going to double the number of cars that come equipped with a rearview camera system in 2009.  This means that approximately three-quarters of the vehicles Ford makes will have the bumper-level camera as well as the display. Ford has a very distinct rearview camera system because instead of appearing […]

Cell phones are capable of doing just about anything these days, so they might as well be used to unlock your car doors and start your engine. That was Sharp’s logic when it teamed up with Japanese mobile company NTT DOCOMO and Nissan to manufacture a cell phone that you can program to electronically control […]

Results from a recent study show that motorists who repeat buy the same car brand the most are owners of hybrids.  By segment, the buyers who were the most loyal were those of full-size pickup trucks, which is a long held title. The news about hybrids is quite significant because not all car manufacturers offer […]

Many people believe it is easiest to trade in your current car when buying a new one.  However, is trading the right choice for you?  There are some advantages and disadvantages to trading. The big advantage to trading over selling is that you have very little hassle.  You don’t have to haggle with buyers and […]

Because of a full-size pickup truck market that is lagging and the challenge that diesel engines face in the U.S., Toyota has decided to put their plans for a diesel Tundra on hold. There are several things that forced Toyota’s hand.  First, there are technical challenges when it comes to making diesel engines that will […]

The perks of purchasing a used car are the low initial price, property taxes, and insurance costs.  The “downs” are that it isn’t new, which means there’s no auto warranty and you are more vulnerable to car problems.  However, you can reduce your exposure to risk by taking these precautionary measures. First, shop for used […]