Auto news and reviews from Car Buyer's Notebook.com: Auto News: January 2006 Archives

January 31, 2006

When the Lowest Price Isn't -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #146

Everybody wants a good deal, but when is working the system akin to overworking it? In other words, if you squeeze every last ounce of blood out of a salesperson, are they going to have any energy left to provide service after the sale?

To listen to today's show, click here to play it directly on your computer.

Or you can subscribe to the daily Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast feed by putting this URL in your podcatching software: http://carbuyersnotebook.libsyn.com/rss

January 31, 2006

Asians Top Owner Retention Rates

A new survey by J.D. Power's Information Network shows that asian automakers hold the top five spots in percentage of "owner retention," or the percentage of cosnumers who stay within the same brand when they purchase a new vehicle.

Toyota maintained the top spot, at 56.5%, an improvement of 3.8 points, but what may be more telling is that all of the top five now claim an over 50% retention rate.

What this means for all the other brands is that it's harder to "conquest" or convert present owners from these brands into new vehicles.

Also of note is Subaru's big improvement -- up 9.5% to 54.2% from the fourth quarter of 2003 to the same period in 2005.

To see the list of the top ten brands in term of retention from J.D. Power, click here.

Mitsubishi Montero Wins Dakar Rally

Even though rally doesn't register on many Americans' radar, participating and winning these comically abusive races means a lot to car fans -- and buyers -- around the globe. It's like soccer, but not boring.

So when Mitsubishi wins the Dakar Rally in a modified Montero, that's pretty cool -- but their drivers also took three of the top five finishes in this year's race, plus, Mitsi's now won it six times in a row. Leaderboard follows.

To get a free, no-obligation price quote on any Mitsubishi vehicle, click here.

28th Dakar Rally—Final Positions:
1. Luc Alphand (F)/Gilles Picard (F) Mitsubishi Montero Evolution 53h 47m 32s
2. Giniel de Villiers (ZA)/Tina Thörner (S) Volkswagen Touareg 54h 05m 25s
3. Joan Roma (E)/Henri Magne (AND) Mitsubishi Montero Evolution 55h 30m 10s
4. Stéphane Peterhansel (F)/Jean-Paul Cottret (F) Mitsubishi Montero Evolution 57h 07m 56s
5. Mark Miller (USA)/Dirk von Zitzewitz (D) Volkswagen Touareg 57h 10m 57s

They Shoot Toyotas, Don't They?

Four people took home brand new Toyotas from the Washington Auto Show on Sunday, courtesy of a "Hands-on" contest, where entrants had to maintain contact with the car of their yearning for the better part of 102 hours.

Over the five days contestants got 15 minute breaks every three hours, and at the end of the run, there were ten folks still hanging on, leading to an elimination round. There was a Rav4, Scion tC and a Camry on the floor, with a fourth car, a Toyota Prius, given away to an online contestant who guessed the other winners.

Pictured from left to right: Fredy Guzman [Winner of Scion tC], Paige Kitson [Winner of Rav4 for CrisisLink, a suicide prevention org], Gregory McAurthur [Winner of Camry]. Not pictured: Ron Sadler [online winner of Toyota Prius].

For the culturally anemic, the title of this post is from the movie, based on the book.

January 30, 2006

Honda Ridgeline Buyer Tells Us How He Made the Deal

Robert Koonts, a Car Buyer's Notebook reader/listener, wrote to tell us he just closed on a new Honda Ridgeline, and was kind enough to link back to the site in the body of a post he wrote detailing how he made the deal.

Koonts said he listened to a couple podcasts, including the interview with Gary Flint, the Ridgeline lead engineer. After corresponding via e-mail, he gave us permission to reprint his tale of how he bought the truck, which he posted at the Ridgeline Owner's Club website.

Our feeling is that the more information there is on how to buy a new vehicle, the better for all. And just like any advice given, from us or other sources, we also feel the best approach is to decant what seems appropriate, and useful, for you, and then proceed accordingly.

Here's the beginning of Robert's story, the remainder continues after the jump:

ROC Team,
Great News!
I am happy to report that after several weeks of research and "putting myself through school" on how to buy a new car. I have made my purchase and have taken delivery of my 2006 Billet Silver RLT with Navigation and Moon Roof!

I bought it last week and already have 700 miles on it.

Continue reading "Honda Ridgeline Buyer Tells Us How He Made the Deal"

Ringtones, I Hear Ringtones -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #145

This podcast is a regular rodeo of automotive news -- informing you how to get your very own 2006 Ford Mustang ringtones, sign up to win a free Buick, telling you about a reader who got their deposit back, one who got jammed on a bad warranty deal, and more!

To listen to today's show, click here to play it directly on your computer.

Or you can subscribe to the daily Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast feed by putting this URL in your podcatching software: http://carbuyersnotebook.libsyn.com/rss

DUI Object Lesson

The Washington Post has an article today about a guy who lost his license ten years ago due to a DUI conviction, and while the overall theme of the article is the man's quest to help create more mass transit in the DC Metro area, to us the origin of the story sticks out.

Ten years! A decade of not being able to drive to work, of having to go through incredible contortions simply to get to his destination -- hitching, cabs, subways, trains, and so on.

To his credit, the subject of the story doesn't blame anyone else for his misfortune, but he remains adamant that more and better public transit needs to be put in place.

So we're using this story as one of our once in a while reminders that drinking and driving is always a bad idea.

Porsche Accessories Define the Genre

It makes sense for car companies to market branded accessories -- people like to be associated with their major purchases, and we all know cars play a big part in helping folks define [and reward] their success in life.

That being said, a lot of the offerings out there veer toward the cheese aisle, often being nothing more than polo shirts with embroidered logos, along with the ubiquitous coffee mugs.

Porsche, however, does the brand extension game proud, from the famous sunglasses to useful accessories such as a wheeled hardtop cart. Among our favorite items is Porsche luggage -- they have three categories, including PTS, or Porsche Travel System. Pictured above is the PTS Pilot Case, retailing for $660.

Not only is the case a sharp item, it all has geek appeal -- known as "Leichtmetall Luggage," you can tell the curious and envious it's made "of the same class of Leichtmetall (light alloy) material as a Porsche engine block."

To check out Porsche accessories, you have to go to the main site and click on the icon at the bottom of fthe page.

Page O' Jeep Games

Here you see the screen shot for "Disc Dogger" one of ten online games you can find at this Jeep entertainment page.

Perhaps someday this sort of thing will be ostracized to the nether regions of the net, for instigating an ADD epidemic!

Remember, we do the hard work on the Internet so you can get in trouble with your boss.

Lease an '06 Mustang for $259 a Month!!!!!

Talk about an incredible deal that will keep the Mustang factory humming. You can lease a 2006 Mustang, with the V6, for only $259 a month. The deal requires $999 down, and Ford will even waive your first payment!

What else would you want? But of course, for those folks relegated to dreaming, you can get a Mustang "Revving Engine" ringtone for your phone at this page, as well as some downloadable Pony Porn. And please, don't think that's literal.

To get a free, no-obligation price quote on a 2006 Mustang or any Ford vehicle, click here.

Tiger Woods Won the Buick, Who Won his Buick?

Talk about a home run! [Hole in one?]

No sooner does Buick announce a free giveaway of a Buick Lucerne every time Tiger Woods wins a PGA tournament, than the wunderkind actually wins the first event of the year -- and it's the Buick Invitational!

Unbelievable, plus there's 14 more tournaments you can place a free "bet" on Woods winning. The promotion is simple -- for every one of those tournaments he wins, one entrant wins the very same Buick Lucerne he drove the week of the tournament.

Which means, of course, that someone has already won a Lucerne, based on Woods winning his record fourth Buick Invitational this past weekend.

Go to Buick.com, look for the Tiger Woods sweepstakes, and fill out the entry.

Hoover's SUV [Sport Utility Vacuum]

Have you seen the advertising for this ruggedized vacuum cleaner? At first glance it's goofy, but if Hoover spends enough money on creating the image that this is truly a vacuum you'd be proud to show off in your driveway, to pick up sawdust from your manly woodworking pursuits, then they may well sell a fleet.

The Z700 vacuum retails for $499, a lighter-duty CUV [Crossover Utility Vacuum], goes for $399.

Check out the flash version of the website, the mutliple screens include hotspots you can click on to learn about the robust features of this super-sucker, just like the advanced car site!

January 29, 2006

Buyer, Beware of Fly-By-Night Service Contract Companies

We got an e-mail from Ken, a reader/listener asking us to warn others against the financial setback he just encountered -- the company he had a service contract with went belly up, and he is now out the susbstantial investment, and doesn't have the coverage he wanted to carry for his vehicle.

The company, Primeguard Insurance, operated and sold policies under the name 1Source Auto Warranty, and it has since been ordered to cease operations. You can read coverage here and here.

Primeguard also operated under the names First Assured Warranty Corporation and WarranteeWise, Inc.

The purpose of this story is twofold -- first, if you're the holder of a policy from any of these entities, check to see if they're still answerinng the phones. If not, you may want to file a claim, but as our reader pointed out, the chance of getting any money back may be very slim.

Second, we would like to use this situation to warn everyone against buying extended service contracts from any company that even smells a little funky. In this case, and for this product, it's best to go with a known name.

For this reason, many people feel most comfortable getting an extended warranty from the manufacturer -- even if it does cost more, the chances they are going to default on the policy are slim.

We have had the pleasure of visiting the offices of CNA Warranty, a national operation with long-standing [and serious money behind htem]. We actually listened in on claims calls and were impressed by the knowledge of the CNA staff, and the way they paid claims.

Finally, as we pointed out in this previous story, auto insurance giant Geico offers an extended service contract that is affordable, and can even be paid in intallments. Called Mechanical Breakdown Insurance, Geico's plan only costs $210 for the whole policy, and it can be paid in installments.

Now all this being said, not all extended service contracts, or even original warranties, are created alike. Even if your policy carrier stays in business, there are plenty of examples out there of seemingly reasonable claims going unpaid.

We'd also like to thank Ken for writing in with this information, for at a time when he has to deal with his own setback, looking out for others is admirable.

Consumer Advocacy Success! A Reader Gets Their Deposit Back

Earlier this month, a reader wrote to us with a problem they were having in getting their deposit back [You may want to listen to the podcast on the topic.]

While in most cases consumers do not have the right to get their depoisit back, this reader seemed to have a legit beef -- the dealer did not deliver acceptable financing, which was one "out" the customer had.

Well, we just received an e-mail from the same reader, informing us that they just received a $250 check in the mail! We didn't do much for them at all, in the grand scheme of things, except encourage them to try again, and, in their case, contact the office of NY's homegrown Javert, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.

Whether it was a combination of determination, or the possible threat of Spitzer chewing off the car dealer's leg, the company relented, and cut the check.

Brights On for Speed Traps

Last night we were doing a loop on our test track when we spied a copper sitting in the dark on the apron of a rest spot. We happen to know there's a "new guy" working this section of the asphalt and have our third eye set to detect his presence. Not that we ever exceed the speed limit.

After the turnaround we passed him again, still skulking, when the car in front of us flashed its high beams at oncoming traffic. Now with a few miles on our odometer we know what this means -- the driver was warning oncoming traffic of the presence of the radar-happy patrolman.

However, hitting the high beams to let others know of the presence of a cop seems to be a lost bit of communication. Our bet is that many under 30 years of age don't know this trick, and may interpret the high beams from another vehicle as simple rudeness, twitchy fingers, or perhaps an indicator that one of their headlights is out.

Whatever, take this as a notice -- if someone's giving you the beams, slow down. They may be trying to save you a ticket.

Scizophrenic Consumers -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #144

Let's have a little sympathy for the car companies -- whether or not it makes sense, they have to give consumers what they want -- or what they think they want.

The best example of this is third row seats, particularly in small to midsize SUVs and crossovers. It's impossible to get in most third row seats in these vehicles, and they are generally of poor construction quality.

But what's a car company to do? Say they're stupid? No, that's for us to say!

To listen to today's show, click here to play it directly on your computer.

Or you can subscribe to the daily Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast feed by putting this URL in your podcatching software: http://carbuyersnotebook.libsyn.com/rss

Ask the Salesman: Join a Car Club!

So you bought the car of your dreams. You are reading everything you can about the car. The history of the model. The design of the engine. You joined an online forum to talk to other people around the world about this awsome machine.

The next step is join a local club. What better way to learn more about your vehicle than to spend some time with other owners? The first thing people think of when they hear the words "Car Club" is a bunch of 16 year olds hanging out in a mall parking lot. This is the farthest thing from the truth in most cases. I spent quite a bit of time with the Cincinnati TDi Club. It is a club for Volkswagen Diesel owners. Some of the things they do are tuning sessions, Sunday drives in the country and picnics.

More importantly, several dealerships have opened their doors for the club to have their meetings there. The club would bring in a different vehicle such as the diesel rally Golf and make it quite an event, or they might bring in a vegtable oil engine conversion car. The dealerships provided food for the members, had a technician on hand to answer questions and gave away some swag. Why did the dealerships do this? For one simple reason, the club asked them to. The dealerships also provide a discount on parts to club members. It is a win-win for everyone.

Some car clubs like BMW actually have ties to the manufacturer where club members can recieve a discount on their next purchase. The BMW Car Club of America will actually send you a check from between $500 to $1500 if you buy a new BMW.

When you buy your car, ask your salesman if there is a local club. If there is, join it. Nobody says you have to go to meetings [you will be supprised of the camaraderie if you do attend one]. But the advantages of all the discounts you will get from dealers is well worth it. If you already belong to a club, call your local dealer and ask if you can meet at the dealership. You will be suprised what the dealerships will do for local car clubs. Suggest some ideas for the dealership that tie into the club. Bringing in a race car or modified vehicle always builds excitement and dealerships will advertise it in the weekly ads.

Publisher's note: "Ask the Salesman," is a weekly feature where Dave Lewis, a working auto sales professional, shares his ideas and suggestions for vehicle buyers. Dave has been in the automotive profession for seven years and currently sells BMWs at The BMW Store in Cincinnati, Ohio. You can find his website at www.BMWlivery.com.

January 25, 2006

Auto Shows From Sea to Shining Sea -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #143

While everyone pays big attention to the big auto shows in Detroit, LA and New York, there are events in practically every city in the United States, all designed to introduce the general public to new products as well as concept cars and the general wondrousness of four-wheeled transport.

For example, this week the Washington Auto Show is going on, and by going to this website, you can find a show that is scheduled to take place in a city near you.

And we highly recommend that folks check out these local events -- they're a fun, low-cost, low pressure way to see dozens of cool vehicles under one roof at the same time. The entrance fee generally runs from $5 to $15, and you can find out where and when your local shows will be, by going to this page.

To listen to today's show, click here to play it directly on your computer.

Or you can subscribe to the daily Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast feed by putting this URL in your podcatching software: http://carbuyersnotebook.libsyn.com/rss

Want a 2006 Camry Deal? Timing is Going to Be Important

With the new, crazily hot 2007 Toyota Camry about to become available in dealerships in the next couple months, savvy and/or cheap shoppers may be thinking they will be able to get a fantastic deal on the 2006 model, which is getting phased.

Maybe, maybe not.

First, it's going to depend on how many dealers have in stock -- but if they've got wheels to unload, they will want them off the lot.

Second, a lot of other folks may be having the same idea, so there may be competition for scant resources.

Third, if you pull the trigger too early, you may see a better deal in the days just before, or just after, the '07s arrive.

Fourth, if you wait too long, you may just miss out, and/or get hyp-no-tized by the 2007 redesign.

Bottom line is, no one can say right now what your rock bottom price is going to be on a 2006 Camry, or when the right time will be to buy it.

However, I would start looking now, keep an eye on online deals and local print advertising, and let yourself be known to a solid, non-jerky Toyota sales professional. [Current deal is a $1,000 rebate.]

Let him/her know what you're looking for, and that you're willing to time your purchase to get the best deal. You could score.

To get a free, no-obligation price quote on any Toyota vehicle, including a 2006 Camry, click here.

Hyundai Sonata Deals, Buy or Lease

First of all, if you go to the Hyundai incentive page, you'll see there isn't much there -- which means, folks, they're selling cars without rebates, promotions and gimmicks piled atop one another.

However, we would like to alert you to two ways to get a 2006 Hyundai Sonata -- either a buy deal, with a $1,000 rebate [plus an additional $1,00 if you finace through Hyundai], on a 6-cylinder, or a very easy to digest lease deal on a 4-cylinder for $189 a month, with $2,488 down, for only 27 months.

To get a free, no-obligation price quote on any Hyundai vehicle, click here.

Enter to Win a Ford Backyard Adventure/Escape

Now through June 8, you can enter to win the chance to have perfect strangers invade your home and rip your backyard to shreds, rebuild it and get the chance to mug like a grateful schmuck on television. For example, watch this video of a makeover victim, er, family, getting delivery of a Ford F-150.

But seriously, the contest, Ford's Ultimate Backyard Adventure, has a grand prize of $110,000, including a $75,000 backyard do-over from the crew of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, and a new Ford Escape.

Entry form and rules are here.

VW Helps Save the Lemmings

As if you didn't need another way to burn some time on the Internet, your friends at CBN are here to tell you about The Lemming Squad, an online game and e-card from Volkswagen.

It's a simple little diversion, entertianing for a few minutes, and the cool thing is you can send it to a friend [or competitor] to induce them to waste some time online as well.

Or, you could use the innocuous looking frivolity as a decoy to send a nefarious message -- think of it as a Trojan Lemming.

Get a $25 Gas Card for Test Driving a Suzuki Grand Vitara

Through January 31, you can get a free $25 Shell gas card just for taking a Suzuki Grand Vitara out for a spin. To qualify, you have to do a little Internet form filling, but you're essentially getting paid to drive a new car for a few minutes. Instructions follow:

1. Fill out an online Quick Quote for a New 2006 Grand Vitara
2. Take the offer letter from your e-mail to your Suzuki Dealer.
3. Test Drive the New 2006 Grand Vitara.
4. Have Dealer Rep Sign Form.
5. Attach Dealer Business Card.
6. Mail Form to: Grand Vitara Incentive, 4216 W. Jefferson, Los Angeles, CA 90016.

Do Cops Have a Problem with Snoop Dogg?

While the general public is certainly agog over the Dodge Charger, especially in its cop cruiser clothing, we've noticed a thread on police forums that suggests a significant portion of the blue wall have a problem with sometime spokesman Snoop Dogg.

The thinking goes like this -- while Snoop definitely has cultivated a career as a comedic actor, his gangsta rap rep remains a sticking point for some cops. Comments we've read on several sites indicate that officers are not willing to drive around in vehicles made by a company that pays a man who promotes a thug lifestyle.

No matter what your opinion of cops in general, one thing we know is that they are immune to hip-happy PR BS. They see things for what they are, and if their perception is that Snoop is part of a criminal element, you can bet there will be arguments against buying Dodge Charger police cars.

January 24, 2006

2007 Hyundai Santa Fe Designer Interview -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #142

We interviewed Joel Piaskowski, Hyundai's lead designer who's responsible for the 2007 Santa Fe -- the company's first vehicle designed in the United States for this market.

While the Santa Fe won't be available until this summer, you can check out a gallery of pics as well as watch a video of the unveiling at the Detroit Auto Show by going to this minisite.

To listen to today's show, click here to play it directly on your computer.

Or you can subscribe to the daily Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast feed by putting this URL in your podcatching software: http://carbuyersnotebook.libsyn.com/rss

Infiniti G35 vs. BMW 330i

Now this is the kind of car marketing we'd like to see more of! Right on the front page of the Infiniti site is a little icon that will take you to a feature comparing the G35 sedan to the BMW 330i.

You can see the comparo here, and yes, while the G has a bigger engine with more horsepower and more torque, Infiniti takes BMW all the way to the wall in the full comparison sheet, as seen in the stereo category -- where the G35 has a standard 6 CD changer in the dash, the BMW's is optional.

But to get even more bitchy, Infiniti adds the word "trunk" in parentheses, indicating you have to go around back of the Beemer to load your tune stash. So, technically, that makes this little marketing effort a parenthetical bitch slap.

The G35 with AWD [another parenthetical dig] starts at $33,250, the BMW 330i starts at $36,600.

Okay, now that we've had our fun, let's admit one little thing Infiniti left out -- a lot of buyers for this kind of vehicle in this price range would never get caught dead in a Japanese car.

For your inspection, we've got pictures of both vehicles below. If you'd like to get a free, no-obligation price quote for either an Infiniti or a BMW, click here.

Dodge's $1,000 Overstock Bonus Cash

Through January 31, Dodge is giving away an extra $1,000 on top of current offers as part of an "overstock" promotion -- and that even includes the Charger [but not the SRT8].

Also included in the offer are the Ram 1500 pickup, for a total of $4,000 off MSRP, the Dakota with $3,500 off and the Magnum, which only gets the $1,000 bennie.

For a free, no-obligation price quote on any Dodge vehicle, click here.

Dodge Charger Multimedia Site is the Bomb

For some time, auto makers and marketers have been promising us that the Internet was going to provide a new level of multimedia entertianment revolving around cars, and for the most part, the results have been sucky.

However.

The Dodge Charger mutlimedia website is the most amazing thing we've ever seen in providing a multi-sensory, exciting, distraction from real work experience yet. There are videos, actual cool music -- and actual rock n' roll at that -- plus, a really cool desktop program, called the Dodge Charger Induction Unit, through which you can listen to tunes, watch videos and get Dodge updates.

If that wasn't enough, there's even a feature where you can create your own video froma compilation of Charger running clips, add a music soundtrack and then e-mail it to a friend -- it's awesome!

After spending an hour fiddling around with all the features, we know we didn't get to everything, and we had to break the hypnosis and get back to actually producing work for the site. Fortunately, the time wasn't completely wasted, as we are directing you to the Charger minisite, which you can find on this page.

Warning: While there's no [sexually] racy content, the music is head-bangingly obnoxious, or will at least appear to be so to cubicle heads -- so if you're going to do this at work either shut the volume off or put earphones on!

Porsche Cayenne Turbo -- Torque-Mada Edition

This is the SUV for the person who has everything -- or may just want to go really, really fast in an upright position.

The Cayenne Turbo S boasts serious horsepower -- 520 of 'em -- and the torque rating of 530 lb-ft. will be enough to make those tears of joy glide effortlessly across your skull. The way the sun does over the earth. For only $111,600.

For more Porsche porn, click here to peruse the PDF brochure.

To get a free price quote on a new Porsche, click here.

Ford Will Pick Up Your First Payment

Lost in the big news about layoffs and plant closings, Ford has got some really sweet deals on both '05 and '06 vehicles.

For 2005 models, Ford is offering up to $5,000 back on F-150s and Explorers and $6,000 on Expeditions. on 2006 models, Ford's got $3,500 off F-150s and $2,500 off Explorers.

In addition, they've got a special lease offer on five vehicles, where they will waive the deposit and make your first month's payment. Ford financing is required for this deal, on the following models:

2006 Fusion SE I4
2006 Mustang V6 Coupe
2006 Escape XLT FWD V6
2006 Explorer XLT 4x2
2006 F-150 SuperCrew XLT 4x4

To get a price quote on a new Ford vehicle, click here.

January 23, 2006

Bet on Tiger Woods, Win a Buick [If He Does]

Startig today and running through Sunday, January 29, Tiger Woods is competing in the Buick Open -- and you can enter an online contest to win a new 2006 Lucerne CXS.

But there's a catch. Actually there's three.

First, Buick is only giving away a car if Tiger wins the Buick Open.

Second, the car is technically "used," as in it is the promotional vehicle Tiger drives during the tournament. In other words, you can touch the actual steering wheel gripped by a champion. Go ahead and try and sell it on eBay.

Third, and here's the good part -- Buick is not putting all their promotional eggs in one tournament basket. Not only does this contest apply to the eponymous Open, but you will have 14 other tournaments on which to place your no-fee bet on Woods winning a PGA event.

The sweepstakes periods are defined in the official rules for the contest, which you can locate by going to Buick.com.

Get a Certified Pre-Owned Land Rover with Cheap Financing

You can get a used, 2005 Land Rover LR3 with financing as cheap as 3.9 interest, if you qualify, and are willing to do a 24-month deal.

The interest goes up after that -- 4.9% for a 48 month deal and 5.9% for a 60-month, but considering that you'll also be getting a Certified Pre-Owned LR3 from a dealer, with a warranty, it's worth checking out for those car buyers who refuse to bear the depreciation brunt for rolling a set of fresh wheels over the curb.

The deal applies to 2005 Freelanders and Range Rovers as well, and there's also a similar plan for earlier model year Discoveries, Freelanders and Range Rovers.

To get a free, no-obligation price quote on a new Land Rover vehicle, click here.

Lease the 2006 Truck of the Year for $299 a Month

This just boggles the mind. After winning two truck of the year awards -- from Motor trend and at the Detroit Auto Show -- Honda is still offering the Ridgeline pickup for the incredible monthly lease payment of only $299 a month. The current plan is for 36 months with $2,193 down.

In our opinion, the Ridgeline may still be a little ahead of the marketplace in terms of design, but if you're in the market for a pickup, you owe it to yourself to test drive a Honda Ridgeline. The vehicle performs like a truck while feeling like a well-appointed sedan or SUV, and also in our opinion, is totally design-forward looking.

And that's not to mention the truck-in-bed feature, which is a category killer!

Lease a Mercedes for $349 a Month

While watching Desperate Housewives last night we were struck by the number of car commercials that flashed by in just a couple minutes -- apparently viewers of dark suburban comedies still need to buy cars, if only so their children can engage in deadly hit-and-runs of the neighbor's mother-in-law.

The one offer that stood out -- we're talking cars now, not the spleenectomy -- was the Mercedes C280 lease for $399 a month for 39 months. That's a pretty tempting offer to get yourself into an aspiration vehicle.

Mercedes is also offering a C230 for $349 a month, but we would go with the all-wheel drive C280 for fifty bucks more.

To get a free price quote on a new Mercedes, click here.

Will Piaggio Buy Smart from DCX?

A european auto weekly is reporting a rumor that scooter maker Piaggio is making overtures to buy the Smart car company from parent firm DaimlerChrysler.

if the deal goes through, we've got a great idea for the combined company's spokesman.

Dodge Challenger Interior Design -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #141

In this podcast we interview Alan Barrington, the Dodge designer responsible for bringing the Challenger concept vehicle's interior to life in the present day.

To listen to today's show, click here to play it directly on your computer.

Or you can subscribe to the daily Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast feed by putting this URL in your podcatching software: http://carbuyersnotebook.libsyn.com/rss

Cop Stumped at DUI Stop

Normally, we feel that reporters from the Associated Press are among the most accurate in the business.

In this case of an Oregon man who molested a police officer with his prosthetic legs, we feel, however, they only got part of the story.

After a driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI, the legless passenger allegedly hopped out of the car and threatened to rip the cop's head off, according to AP.

Now we've been witness to plenty of drunken brawls, and believe that what the assailant actually said was, "How 'bout I take my fake leg off and beat you to death with it?"

The Transporter 2 Movie Review

Jason Stratham is said to have done all of his stunts and much of the driving in this sequel to The Transporter.

If Audi didn't gift him with a free car of his choice, they didn't watch the movie.

Even more obvious than I, Robot, Transporter 2 plays like an extended advertainment piece for Audi -- not that I minded!

As an action movie, TT2 rates a B+, as a car movie it's an A+++. The driving scenes are incredible, plenty of cop cars get demolished and the one set piece stunt is even more amazing/unbelievable than the Corvette-parachute jump executed by Vin Diesel in XXX.

Besides the everpresent Audi, there's a crude product placement for Hummer and Stratham also takes a Ferrari for a joyride. And of course, a really ugly Heineken insert, but otherwise, a thoroughly entertaining car flick with a heavy dose of chop-socky butt whooping action.

Scion xA -- Sorry, No Clowns Available

When it comes right down to it, the reason most people buy a certain vehicle is because it's the one they can afford.

When contemplating a vehicle like the 2006 Scion xA, with an MSRP of $13,330, this fundamental comes clearly into view. For those buying this vehicle, price is likely a major consideration. At the same time, someone buying the xA probably works harder for their money than someone who can walk into a BMW dealership and write a check.

As a matter of fact, we were chatting with a non-English speaking maintenance man who saw us get in the car, and he remarked that the car was new, and he asked, "Is it a Toyota engine? It's good, Toyota." After talking about the car, we got to price, and the total wasn't so important to him as what the monthly payments might be.

Therefore, the xA has to hit the basics square on for potential buyers. As you can see in this photo, one of the things we were curious about was its ability to get stuffed, so to speak. We went to Staples and dropped our semi-annual $250 on office supplies, and with the seats folded, there was no problem. Ditto for a trip to a new Whole Foods that opened, where we went with a friend and walked out with over a dozen bags of organic happiness.

In the former case, we folded the seats down and didn't have to use the front passenger seat. In the latter, with a passenger aboard, we just put the bags in the hatch area and was avble to keep the seats up. By the way, the xA has a neat little retractable storage area cover that you can take out for larger loads.

While we are going to post a more complete review, we thought it would be a good idea to get away from the dweeby stuff and just report on the basics -- how a car helps lyou live your life day to day. Overall, we're very happy with the xA, as we feel anyone spending their hard-earned money would be.

Black Monday for the Blue Oval

In a bid to return to profitability by 2008, Ford announced today they are cutting 20-25,000 jobs and closing 14 plants, according to the NY Times.

Calling its plan, "Ford Fights Back" the news helped the companyt's share prices up about sixty cents today, but Ford is tradiing around $8.50, down from over $13 a year ago.

Ford's press release follows after the jump, and while the cuts, loss of jobs and prestige are all painful, there's only one way up -- building cars people want to buy.

Continue reading "Black Monday for the Blue Oval"

January 20, 2006

Test Driving the eGo Electric Scooter -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #140

We had a grand opportunity to test drive an all-electric scooter made by eGo vehicles and man, did it plant a ear-to-ear grin on our faces!

The eGo Cycle 2 LX sells for $1,500, and costs practically nothing to drive, thanks to the electric drive that's propelled by rechargeable batteries.

It's a quiet, cool, fun, environmentally-friendly ride that goes up to 25 miles on a single charge from a standard outlet.

To listen to today's show, click here to play it directly on your computer.

Or you can subscribe to the daily Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast feed by putting this URL in your podcatching software: http://carbuyersnotebook.libsyn.com/rss

Gas Prices Inching Back Up

The average price for a gallon of the precious fuel is $2.327, according to AAA's Fuel Gauge Report.

That's 27.4% higher than a year ago, when it was $1.826.

We've been hearing rumblings that $3 bucks a gallon in the spring and summer is possible, just in time for the media to remount their anti-SUV campaign.

Global Warming? What Global Warming?

So I just got back from catching a few rays by the pool -- and it's January 20 in Washington, D.C.

Global warming is a myth! A myth I say! A plot by liberals to unseat the GOP Theocracy!

Ask the Salesman: What is Gap Insurance?

Gap Insurance -- What is it and who needs it?

If you are in an accident and your vehicle is totaled, the insurance company is going to pay replacement value. That is not always what you owe on the vehicle.

Gap Insurance covers the difference between what you owe and what the value of the car is.

More and more recently, people are trading in vehicles and rolling over negative equity into the new vehicle. If you are leasing a new vehicle or purchasing a vehicle and not putting money down or in the situation of rolling in some negative equity, Gap Insurance is something you will want to have.

All new car dealerships offer it and what most people do not know is that most auto insurance companies offer it as well. Before buying your new car, call your insurance company and ask them if they offer Gap Insurance. Most times it will be less than what a dealer will sell it to you for.

By knowing this, you can negotiate this into the deal instead of having the Business Manager sell it to you when you are in the office signing all the paperwork.

If you are leasing a vehicle, you are almost guaranteed to be in a negative equity situation. Leasing companies know this and almost always include Gap Insurance. Make sure you ask as there are a few like Toyota that do not include it in their leases.

The bottom line is, if you are paying cash or putting enough money down in a purchase transaction, you do not need Gap. Otherwise it would be a smart consideration when buying your new car.

January 19, 2006

Subaru Outback Sedan Test Drive -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #139

How many folks know you can get an Outback in a four door sedan? Of the eight Outbacks offered by Subaru, two come in the non-wagon configurating, and the experience is a pleasant surprise -- the package combines sportiness, performance and practicality all in one, wrapped around a feeling of Subaru durability.

To listen to today's show, click here to play it directly on your computer.

Or you can subscribe to the daily Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast feed by putting this URL in your podcatching software: http://carbuyersnotebook.libsyn.com/rss

Subaru's Guaranteed Trade-In Program

Through February 28th, current Subaru owners can get a guaranteed trade-in for their 2001-2004 model year Sube, site unseen.

The vehicle has to meet certain criteria, such as max miles and be damage/collision-free, you can find details of the Guaranteed Trade-in Program [GTP] here; you can find out the value of your Sube by entering the VIN number at this page. The GTP website says your car's value may be higher than the automatically generated amount.

The cool thing about the offer is that even if you don't trade your current Subaru in, you can get $300 in SubaruBucks, or a gift certificate to L.L. Bean, or use it toward your first payment on a new car, and the three bills can be had in addition to other current incentives.

Nissan Goes Hawaiian

For many 350Z owners, this shirt is the closest they're ever going to get to getting lei'd. At only $75, it's the kind of accessory that socially-disabled dweebs who buy sports cars can use as a conversation starter:

"Hey, I got lei'd in my Z, man! AH-HAW!"

Seriously, Nissan has a schwag store, where you can get tees and polos, though we liked the rolling duffel for $119, the $44 golf shoe tote is practical for travelling duffers and the $319 chromium Z watch will probably look like a good idea to whoever buys the Hawaiian shirt.

You can find the whole Nissan

Car Buyer's Notebook

Recent Stories

Topics

January 31, 2006

When the Lowest Price Isn't -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #146

January 31, 2006

Asians Top Owner Retention Rates

Mitsubishi Montero Wins Dakar Rally

They Shoot Toyotas, Don't They?

January 30, 2006

Honda Ridgeline Buyer Tells Us How He Made the Deal

Ringtones, I Hear Ringtones -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #145

DUI Object Lesson

Porsche Accessories Define the Genre

Page O' Jeep Games

Lease an '06 Mustang for $259 a Month!!!!!

Tiger Woods Won the Buick, Who Won his Buick?

Hoover's SUV [Sport Utility Vacuum]

January 29, 2006

Buyer, Beware of Fly-By-Night Service Contract Companies

Consumer Advocacy Success! A Reader Gets Their Deposit Back

Brights On for Speed Traps

Scizophrenic Consumers -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #144

Ask the Salesman: Join a Car Club!

January 25, 2006

Auto Shows From Sea to Shining Sea -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #143

Want a 2006 Camry Deal? Timing is Going to Be Important

Hyundai Sonata Deals, Buy or Lease

Enter to Win a Ford Backyard Adventure/Escape

VW Helps Save the Lemmings

Get a $25 Gas Card for Test Driving a Suzuki Grand Vitara

Do Cops Have a Problem with Snoop Dogg?

January 24, 2006

2007 Hyundai Santa Fe Designer Interview -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #142

Infiniti G35 vs. BMW 330i

Dodge's $1,000 Overstock Bonus Cash

Dodge Charger Multimedia Site is the Bomb

Porsche Cayenne Turbo -- Torque-Mada Edition

Ford Will Pick Up Your First Payment

January 23, 2006

Bet on Tiger Woods, Win a Buick [If He Does]

Get a Certified Pre-Owned Land Rover with Cheap Financing

Lease the 2006 Truck of the Year for $299 a Month

Lease a Mercedes for $349 a Month

Will Piaggio Buy Smart from DCX?

Dodge Challenger Interior Design -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #141

Cop Stumped at DUI Stop

The Transporter 2 Movie Review

Scion xA -- Sorry, No Clowns Available

Black Monday for the Blue Oval

January 20, 2006

Test Driving the eGo Electric Scooter -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #140

Gas Prices Inching Back Up

Global Warming? What Global Warming?

Ask the Salesman: What is Gap Insurance?

January 19, 2006

Subaru Outback Sedan Test Drive -- Car Buyer's Notebook Podcast #139

Subaru's Guaranteed Trade-In Program

Nissan Goes Hawaiian